Wonders Of Operative Masonry.

it totally differs from them in form and character , being in the shape of a Greek cross . Its architecture is an assemblage of Saxon , Norman and Gothic , the Norman predominating . The great central doorway , the tower , and parts of the east end remain . The Abbot of Kelso , in A . D . 1420 , was superior to all other Abbots in Scotland . The monks were of

the Tyronesian order , and practised all sorts of handicrafts . This Abbey was often injured by fire and war . In 1545 ic was the scene of a fierce battle . It was garrisoned by 300 Scotchmen , when the English Earl Hertford entered it over the corpses of a large number of its

defenders . In A . D . 1560 its monks were dispelled , in consequence of the Reformation , at which period it was despoiled of many of its architectural decorations and carried far down the decline of ruin . EASBY ABBEYYorkshireis on the

, , river Swale , two miles from Richmond , and 210 miles north from London . It was founded in A . D . 1152 , by Rould , Constable of Richmond Castle , for Prav monstratensian Canons , who lived according to the rule of St . Austin . Their dress

was entirely white . The remains at present of the buildings are the refectory , nearly one hundred feet long ^ the cloister court , chapter house , dormitory , & c . The

several parts are ornamented and elaborate , but there is a lack of proportion in the whole . The architecture is Early English . The cloister court has fantastic Norman enrichments . One arch is embossed with cats' heads , with pendant tongues , which

are curled at the ends . The Abbey gateway , still in perfect repair , was erected in the time of Edward III . LINCOLN CATHEDRAL , at Lincoln , 135 miles north from London , is built in the form of a Greek cross . Its length is 524

feet , and its west front 174 feet . Its two west towers are 180 feet hi g h , its central tower 300 feet . It covers 2 acres 2 rods and six perches of land . It is famous for its bell , known as " Great Tom , " which is at least five centuries old . It was

completed in A . D . 1092 , by Bishop Remigius , a monk who accompanied William the Conqueror . The great central tower has a stateli ness that is not surpassed b y that ° f any other Cathedral in Europe . " The ^ est front is grand , and elaborately

enriched . An elastic stone beam , 28 feet long , considered by architects to be a masterpiece of masonry , spans the vaulted ceiling of the nave from tower to tower . Such is the delicacy of its construction that it perceptibly vibrates when stamped

on by the foot . The view of the interior , from the west door is a grand perspective of richly clustered columns , beautifully pointed arches , vaulted roof , and grand g lass windows . This view is so majestic as to be only equalled by that of York Minster—which alone is a rival of Lincoln .

The various and elegant sculptures betweenthe arches in the presbytery , consist of angels playing upon divers instruments , and have given name to this part of the Cathedral , which is denominated the " Angel Choir . " The Library contains one of the four existing copies of Magna Charta , which is exhibited 'in a glass

case . THE NUNNERY OF COLDINGHAJI , in Berwickshire , was the oldest nunnery in Scotland . Mention is made of it as early as A . D . 661 . It was inhabited by both mocks and nuns , who were not so effectually separatedan old account says ,

, as to prevent some unspiritual . communications . In 1098 the monastery having been burnt , was re-founded by Edgar , King of Scotland . Among other privileges granted it was that of sanctuary for 37 days to all who fled thither—similar to

the privilege enjoyed by Lindisfarne Abbey . It is related that upon one occasion , when the Danes invaded Scotland and threatened this monastery , the Abbess and her nuns cut off their noses , so as to disfigure themselves and prevent . their

being violated by their foes . A single aisle of the old priory remains , together with several ruined arches at the east and west ends . Several years ago , in taking down a tower , a skeleton of a woman was found , who appeared to have been immured therein .

COMBE ABBEY , Warwickshire , 87 miles north-west from London , was founded A . D . 1150 , by Richard de Camville . Combe is Saxon for valley , and denoted its situation . When the "killing frost " of the Dissolution abolished the

monasteries , it became the property of the Earl of Warwick , but it is now the seat of the Earl of Craven . What were originally the