Some of them are very old. On
the walls, too, there are various monuments, principally of dignitaries
connected with the Abbey. Two hatchments, in honor of persons recently
dead, were likewise suspended in the chancel. The best pew of the church
is, of course, that of the Webster family. It is curtained round,
carpeted, furnished with chairs and footstools, and more resembles a
parlor than a pew; especially as there is a fireplace in one of the
pointed archways, which I suppose has been bricked up in order to form
it. On the opposite side of the aisle is the pew of some other magnate,
containing a stove. The rest of the parishioners have to keep themselves
warm with the fervor of their own piety. I have forgotten what else was
interesting, except that we were shown a stone coffin, recently dug up,
in which was hollowed a place for the head of the corpse.
Returning to the bookshop, we found that Lady Webster had sent her
compliments, and would be very happy to have us see the Abbey. How
thoroughly kind these English people can be when they like, and how often
they like to be so!
We lost no time in ringing the bell at the arched entrance, under the
great tower, and were admitted by an old woman who lives, I believe, in
the thickness of the wall. She told us her room used to be the prison of
the Abbey, and under the great arch she pointed to a projecting beam,
where she said criminals used to be hanged.
At two of the intersecting points of the arches, which form the roof of
the gateway, were carved faces of stone, said to represent King Harold
and William the Conqueror.
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