SCULPTURES OF WELLS CATHEDRAL. 55 
astic view, I must ever consider as the most interesting 
historical monument of the middle ages in Europe. It 
would give me sincere pleasure to wait on the Somerset 
Archaeological Society, at Wells, on the 17th, if my health 
would permit; at all events, I shall hope to offer you some 
notes on the subject, which will suflice to present the chief 
fruits of my delightful studies on that precious monument. 
I shall be very curious to know which of those ascertained 
personages has recently fallen from his niche, as I hear 
through the papers.” [This was the statue of Edward the 
Elder, a very fineone. Fortunately, Mr. Cockerell has pre- 
served a drawing of it.] “ Professional and peremptory 
engagements have indeed sadly deferred my proposed pnb- 
liecation—the forum and the muses are ever adverse in their 
occupations. Meanwhile, the contemplation of these noble 
illustrations of our ancestors enhances greatly their merit 
and informs the artist’s eye; here indeed, as at Lincoln, 
sculpture assumes a grace at once poetical in conception 
and in execution,—approaching the fairest times of Greece 
in idea—and far and deeply exceeding them in affecting 
Christian interest ; and of course in national feeling.” In 
a subsequent letter, dated 13th September, Mr. Cockerell 
wrote, “I am not sure whether I mentioned in my letter, 
that I have been for some months an invalid. Your agree- 
able letter, and the hope of visiting my beloved Wells, in 
such learned company, probably dismissed my griefs for 
the moment ; but a relapse since then, and the strenuous 
advice of my medical advisers, forbid the great enjoyment 
which I had promised myself in explaining my view of the 
admirable works of Bishop Trotman; and I must limit my 
services to the transmission of the pietures of the west and 
east and north fronts ; and their catalogues ; and some of 
the statues as ensamples of the whole ; eleven sheets in all ; 
