VI11 
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR igi2. 
either hand, and the accompanying fragment of the same style put in connection. 
The figure remains are most remarkable, the like of which I do not know in 
England elsewhere. The other grouping was I daresay, in the Cathedral, and 
consisted of a ‘ Last Judgment.’ Would it not be possible to get the Cathedral 
stone and your fragments together. The fourteenth century period is evidenced 
by those wonderful great heads of the Coronation of the Virgin, which was no 
doubt the principal sculpture of the re built West Front of St. Mary’s. There 
is nothing of this colossal sort left anywhere else in England, and all the pieces 
of it should be got together and, if possible, arranged. The other most valuable 
thing to piece up and shew, is that screen work with the arches. I believe a 
large part of this could be got into shape. We have done this lately for two 
screens at Chichester, and they look excellent without any restoration. Seeing 
how the Cathedral has suffered, and how the genuine evidences of the York 
work in the Chapter House have been touched up beyond recognition, it is of 
the utmost importance to have the real, actual, unspoilt style ot the mediaeval 
sculptors in evidence. The shams of these wretched restorers has taken away 
the credit of the ancient English arts and ‘ left them poor indeed.’ 
Yours faithfully, 
Edward S. Prior.” 
The suggestions then made have now, to a iarge extent, been 
carried out by Mr. Harvey Brook, and the warmest thanks of 
the Council and Members of the Society are tendered to him for 
the loving care he has expended upon the removal and re¬ 
arrangement of these mediaeval fragments. With reference to 
these fragments your Council would point out that many have 
been discovered on private rockeries in York Gardens and at 
the request of Mr. Harvey Brook have been restored by their 
owners. We would specially thank Messrs. Joseph Rowntree, 
G. Bellerby, The Misses Wilson, Mr. G.W. Milburn, T. Allen, 
Malcolm Spence, W. Dickson and A. B. Norwood for their 
generous co-operation in this respect, and appeal to any other 
York Citizens, who have similar fragments in their possession, 
to follow this excellent example. 
During the past year further excavations on the site of the 
Abbey Choir have been made, under the supervision .of Mr. 
Harvey Brook, who has most generously undertaken the greater 
part of the considerable expense incurred. Many very interest¬ 
ing features have been disclosed, and portions of four pillars 
were found and have been set up, in position, upon the South 
Arcade platform. 
Mr. E. Ridsdale Tate has executed and presented to the 
Society a very beautiful Plan of St. Mary’s Abbey which records 
the ground plan, as revealed by the excavations. It will he 
