covered with Roman cement; the beautiful windows extended along that side of the church were at the same time restored to their fine original gothic order. In 1815 the Bishop's or St. Nicholas' chapel was also repaired, and covered with Roman cement, the following words are inscribed. This chancel end repaired, James Rogers and Francis Simmonds, Churchwardens, 1815. In this present year 1817, considerable alterations and improvements have been made both in the exterior, and interior, of this handsome gothic edifice. The wall at the East end of St. Mary's Chantry and the vestry room, which was in a delapsed state, has been effectually repaired with cement, and the fine gothic window therein restored to its original order, above which, is the following inscription : This Chancel end repaired, Knevit Leppingwell, & Thomas Hewson, Churchwardens, 1817. Much has also been added to the appearance and beauty of the interior, the antient gothic screens which separated the nave, aisles, and chancel have been taken away; the pulpit removed to a more conspicuous situation; the middle chancel, with that of St. Nicholas, seated with new and handsome pews, the beautiful monuments cleansed and restored; the casings cut away from the fine clustered columns, and their sculpture opened to public view, which gives it on entrance, a cathedrallike appearance, grand and magnificent. During the execution of which works, there was discovered from St. Nicholas' chantry, an entrance or door-way into a circular stair-case, in the South East column of the nave, which probably lead to a rood loft, as they were generally placed near that situation. Further improvements are intended, which if carried into effect, will restore this ancient and venerable fabric to its pristine beauty. In the steeple, is a melodious ring of eight bells, with chimes, which play a psalm tune every six hours; and a clock also, which strikes upon the great bell. These bells were in 1816, newly hung, and had new frames, at an expense of nearly £450. Upon the bells are these respective inscriptions *: FIRST. My voice I will raise, And sound to my subscriber's praise, At proper times.---Thomas Lester made me. 1738. Bells were formerly baptized, annointed, exorcised, and blessed by the Bishop; and they were then imagined to calm SECOND. Thomas Lester fecit, 1738. THIRD. Thomas Lester, fecit, 1738. FOURTH. T. L. 1738. FIFTH. T. L. 1738. SIXTH. Thomas Lester, Londini fecit, 1738. SEVENTH. Robert Osborn and Francis Meager, Churchwardens, Thomas Lester, Londini fecit, 1738. EIGHTH. Mr. Nath. Collier, Vicker, Robert Osborn, and Francis Meager, Churchwardens. Thomas Lester Londini fecit. 1738. On the top of the steeple, at the South East corner, hangs the Saints' Bell"; which is tolled storms, cause fair weather, recreate the dead, and drive devils out of the air. Weever's Funeral Monuments. Bells were first introduced into churches about the year 400 by Paulinus, Bishop of Nola in Campania; hence their Latin names Nola, and Campana.---The first ring of Bells in England was in Croyland Abbey, in Lincolnshire, they were six in number. Ingulphus, History of Croyland Abbey. * So called, because in the times of popery, it was rung when the priest came to the Latin Service; Sancte, Sancle, Sancte, Domine, Deus Sabaoth; Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth; it was rung at that time in order that those who were absent from the church, might know that the congregation was then engaged in the most solemn part of the office, and might join in it. Consequently the Saints' Bell for prayers on the week days, and is used as an alarm Bell, and to give notice of fires. It has the following inscription; Francis Terrill gave this Bell, 1610; Re-cast in 1757. In the church are deposited the remains of Archbishops Grindall, Whitgift, Sheldon, Wake, Potter, and Herring; there are some very fine monuments, but that of Archbishop Sheldon far exceeds them all in the beauty of its workmanship; it is indeed a most exquisite specimen of the Sculptor's Art; was designed by Joseph Latham, the City Mason, who lived near Fleet Ditch, and was executed entirely by english workmen, about the year 1683. This circumstance, which was confirmed by a manuscript discovered by the celebrated engraver, George Vertue, is worthy of mention, as owing to the low state of the arts in this country at that period, the honour of executing the monument has been unjustly ascribed to foreigners. The following accurate descrip was always hung where it could be heard at the greatest distance; sometimes in a lanthorn at the top of the steeple (as at Croydon) sometimes in an arch between the nave and chancel, that the rope coming down near the altar, the bell might be more readily rung when the priest was about to utter these sacred words. tion of it is given by Aubrey, in his Natural History and Antiquities of Surrey: On the South wall of St. Nicholas' chantry, is a fair black and white marble monument; on the black marble tomb is a person habited in episcopal robes, leaning on his left hand, holding his crosier in his right, with his mitre on his head; under him in alto-relievo, skulls, bones, &c. all very curiously carved; a little above the statue, on a white marble tablet, is this inscription: Fortiter et suaviter, Coll. Omnium Animarum Custos, prudens, fidelis, Academiæ Cancellarius Munificentissimus, Car. 1mo. Bmo. Martyri Charissimus, sub Serenissimo R. Carolo IIdo, Sacelli Palatini Decanus, MDCLXII, in secretioris Concilii ordinem cooptatus ; MDCLXIII, ad dignitatis Archiepiscopalis apicem evectus. Vir |