SCULPTURES OF WELLS CATHEDRAL. 97 
Thee to deliver man, Thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s 
womb.” See also, in the soffete of the arch, the Ten 
Commandments. The historical tiers (a surprising series) 
will be found of the deepest interest, and the learned 
will not fail to recognize, for example, on the spiritual side, 
Ina, the first Founder ; Edward the Elder ; the five Arch- 
bishops, translated before 1200, from Wells; Brithelmus, 
especially, holding his Pallium, and yielding it to king 
Edgar ; the Bishops of Sherborne and of Wells. While on 
the temporal side, —Edgar without his crown ; Athelstan; 
Alfred in the centre, the sun of this galaxy ; Ethelfleda, 
withdrawing the nuptial ring from her finger, &e., &e. 
In the north, Edward the Confessor, William the Con- 
queror, and Robert Courthose, Zfting up his cloak to shew 
you his short legs, and others. All these, as proofs of 
identity, together with the regular succession which the 
catalogue exhibits, and the many other evidences the 
observer cannot fail to acknowledge, will, I think, satisfy 
every reasonable person of the correetness of my inter- 
pretations, the subject of so many long and delightful visits 
and contemplations at Wells.. It is deplorable injustice 
to offer you such a hasty description, written in my oflice 
to catch oceasion, on so noble and glorious a work, 
involving the most interesting ofall subjects, and, to a Saxon 
Englishman, of all histories; but to the learned and inge- 
nious verbum sat; and I am sure you will on reflection 
do as much, perhaps more justice to this extraordinary work 
than I could myself.* Mr. Parker is my publisher, and 
any subseriber may obtain from him the copies which I hope 
* This compliment is entirely disclaimed. Having accessto the draw- 
ings only two days before the meeting, and being then absent from home 
and my own books, I could not prepare any observations on this in- 
teresting subject in any way worthy the attention of the society. 
