52 '^xcmmn from l^tfitttiettnere. 



King Stephen, and the extent of its endowments, which were 

 priiicely. The boundary-wall of the precincts inclosed a 

 space of sixty-five acres, over which are scattered remains 

 that have, in our time, been interpreted to be those of the 

 mill, the granary, the fish-ponds, the ovens and kilns, and 

 other offices. As for the architecture, the heavy shaft alter- 

 nates with the clustered pillar, and the round Norman with 

 the Gothic arch. The masonry is so good that the remains 

 are, even now, firm and massive ; and the winding staircases 

 within the walls are in good condition in many places. The 

 nobleness of the edifice consists in its extent and proportions ; 

 for the stone would not bear the execution of any very elabo- 

 rate ornament. The crowned heads of Stephen and his 

 Queen Maude are to be seen outside the great western win- 

 dow of the Abbey, and are now among the most interesting 

 of the remains. But it is all sad and silent now. The 

 chapter-house, where so many grave councils were held, is 

 open to the babbling winds. Where the abbot and his train 

 swept past in religious procession, over inscribed pavements 

 echoing to the tread, the stranger now wades among tall 

 ferns and knotted grasses, stumbling over the stones fallen 

 from their place of honour. No swelling anthems are heard 

 there now, or penitential psalms; but only the voices of 

 birds, winds, and waters. Knowing what a territory the 

 Abbots of Furness ruled over, like a kingdom, it is well to 

 come hither and look how it is with the old palace and 

 mitre, and to take one more warning, how Time shatters 

 thrones and dominions and powers, and causes the glories 

 of the world to pass away. 



The tourist should be among the ruins late by moon or 

 starlight ; and again in the morning, before the dew is off, and 

 when the hidden violet perfumes the area where the censer 

 once was swung, and where the pillars cast long shadows on 

 the sward. 



