XXXIV. 



of all. Considerable repairing lias been done to the timber work of the roof, 

 but the original timber cut by Bishop Walkelin from Hempage Wood more than 

 800 years ago still exists, and the roof might now be deemed safe for many years 

 to come. Just inside the entrance are two bronze figures, one of James I. and 

 the other of Charles I. Those were sold at the time of the Commonwealth to a 

 gentleman in the Isle of Wight, who buried them in his garden " until the times 

 did alter." They were then re-purchased and placed in their present position. 

 One of the chief objects in the nave, and one of the most beautiful in the 

 Cathedral, is the tomb of William of Wykeham. It is situated on the spot which, 

 as a scholar, he used to frequent for worship. The figure on the tomb is of white 

 alabaster, and represents the Bishop in his robes. Besides doing much for the 

 improvement of the Cathedral and founding Winchester College, he founded 

 New College, Oxford, and was twice Lord Chancellor of England. On the other 

 side of the nave is a dark marble highly decorated carved font, supposed to be 

 of the eleventh century. It will be remembered that the Norman kings visited 

 the Cathedral once a year in state. The massive Norman work of the north 

 transept was inspected and a visit paid to the crypt, in which there is an ancient 

 British well. From this well is drawn the water for baptisms at the present time. 

 The well is immediately below the high altar of the Cathedral. The building is 

 very rich in chantries and tombs, some of them being of exquisite workmanship, 

 and all of a most interesting character. They were duly visited and their history 

 and most beautiful features described by the Dean, who also drew attention to the 

 chair used by Queen Mary on her marriage with Philip of Spain. The chair is in 

 Bishop Langton's chantry, the screen of which, unlike the others, is of carved 

 woodwork. A visit was paid to the lady chapel, with its three magnificent 

 chancel windows, after which attention was drawn to the so-called tomb of 

 Ruf us in the choir, but which is believed to be the tomb of Henry de Blois, which 

 formerly stood in front of the chancel rails. The body of Eufus was interred 

 beneath the lantern tower, which fell soon afterwards, owing, it is said, to the 

 supposed desecration of the place thereby. The remains of some of the kings and 

 prelates have been collected at various times, and these have now been placed 

 in highly- decorated mortuary chests erected above the choir screen. Much 

 attention was bestowed on the reredos erected by Beaufort in the first half of 

 the 15th century. It has, however, undergone many alterations since that time, 

 and its thorough restoration has now been recently completed. The whole of the 

 work is of white stone, of delicate workmanship, and in the Perpendicular style. 

 The light appearance of the stonework is intensified by the dark oak -work of 

 the carved choir screen and benches below. It was in front of the high altar 

 that de Blois was interred. The library, with its fine collection of ancient manu- 

 scripts, many being in an excellent state of preservation, was next visited. It 

 contains over 3,000 volumes, most of wlu'ch were given by Bishop Morley. The 

 most valuable MSS. is the Vulgate (12th century) in three volumes, Imperial folio, 

 with splendid illuminations, and Bede's History (10th century). There is also a 

 MS. of the 12th century, the life of King Edward the Confessor, and a charter of 



