12 THE CHARM OF ST. MARY’S ABBEY AND 
Just three years ago, Dr. Tempest Anderson gave me the honour 
of designing this new Lecture Theatre, and there were many who 
held grave misgivings as to the treatment the beautiful fragments 
of the vestibule of the Chapter House would receive. I cannot 
say if their misgivings have been realized or dispelled ! but these 
fragments, together with hundreds—I believe over 2,000 more—are 
treasured in the ancient vestibule which is under this Hall, and 
now incorporated in the Architectural Museum ; and I venture to 
say, they are better cared for now than ever they were before. Of 
this Museum and its charming treasures more will be said presently. 
The completion of this Hall was so far advanced by the begin¬ 
ning of May last year, that the task of removing the sculptured 
fragments from the lower room of the Hospitium, where they lay 
huddled together, many superb pieces of sculpture were so crowded 
that it was impossible to see their detail. 
The re-arrangement in their new home was begun and carried 
on under the guidance of Mr. Harvey Brook, who, I may say, has 
with loving care tended these fragments from the moment they 
were touched by the workmen till they rested safely in a more 
spacious abode. This work went on until August, when the re¬ 
formation of the footpaths leading to this Lecture Theatre became 
a necessity. 
A great deal af levelling had to be done, banks had to be cut 
and holes to be filled up. Soil had to be found to accomplish this 
work, and as a great quantity of soil had accumulated amidst the 
foundations in the Choir of the Abbey—debris from the old rock¬ 
eries and site of this Hall—it was decided to use this soil and 
rubbish for the formation of the new footpaths. Here again Mr. 
Brook generously gave his time in superintending the work. Our 
two trusted workmen, Joe and George, of whose ability and 
prowess I cannot speak too highly, commenced in a whole-hearted 
manner at these mounds of rubbish. Pick and shovel very shortly 
revealed moulded stonework. These workmen, fired with zeal, 
worked like Trojans, and cheered on by Mr. Brook who—I don’t 
think I am revealing any secrets—has not only devoted months of 
daily attention to the gathering of the fragments of stonework to¬ 
gether, but has carried on the excavations and reconstruction of 
the Choir pillars and foundations at his own cost. 
The work is nearing completion, much has been revealed, yet 
one portion of the site of the Church remains unexcavated—that is 
the south aisle of the Choir. On the outer wall of the Church and 
