WILTSHIRE. 



133 



Salishury, the county town, is favourably situated at the confluence of three 

 streams — the Upper Avon, Bourn, and Wiley. Its foundation only dates back 

 to the thirteenth century. Old Sanim, which down to the reign of Henry III. 

 was one of the most important towns of the kingdom, exists no longer; but 

 for more than five hundred years after it had ceased to be inhabited it retained 

 the privilege of returning two members to Parliament, who were virtually 

 the nominees of the lord of the manor. Its site is marked by a conical 

 knoll, about 2 miles to the north of the modern town. Salisbury is now 

 one of the cleanest towns in the kingdom, but as recently as 1840 it was a 



Fig. 73. — Samshiky Cathedeal. 



poor place, with numerous unsightly brick houses covered with thatched roofs. 

 It has grown more sightly since, but all its modern buildings are thrown into the 

 shade by its famous cathedral, the finest Gothic church in England, and the only 

 cathedral in the country of which the nave was erected in the course of a single 

 generation. It was finished in 1258, in the purest pointed style, then only 

 recently introduced, and in accordance with the original conceptions of its 

 architect. Its spire, the loftiest in England, rising 400 feet above the pavement, 

 although not built for a century after the nave had been completed, so far from 

 disfiguring it, is one of the most imposing objects of which Gothic architecture 

 oan boast. The nave and north porch have recently been restored to the condition 



