MOTORING

Palace Eye, on the east side of the Market Place. The Palace (the grounds are usually open to visitors on Wednesdays and Saturdays in summer from 3-4.45 p.m.) is surrounded by an embattled wall, and further protected by a wide moat, well known as the home of some highly intelligent swans.

by a moat crossed by a drawbridge leading to a castle-like entrance, all adjoin the Cathedral and combine to form a picture of medieval interest not to be surpassed even by Canterbury or Chester.

WELLS CATHEDRAL.

Admission to Nave and transepts free. To Choir, Choir aisles, Chapter House and Crypt, 6d.

Services.—Sundays, 8, n and 3 ; Weekdays, 8, 10 and 4.

The bishopric of Wells was founded, in 909, by Edward the Elder, son of Alfred the Great, who chose for its centre a church already standing by “ the great fountain of St. Andrew.”.

During the centuries, successive Bishops have exerted their genius in rebuilding or beautifying the Cathedral, leaving us a building which may be regarded as Gothic, in its successive stages of Early English, Decorated and Perpendicular, combined with traces of Transitional Norman. The West Front, with the exception of the upper parts of the two towers, which are Perpendicular, is pure Early English ; as also is the Central Tower to the level of the roof, the upper stages being in the Decorated style.

The best point from which to get a first view of the Cathedral is by way of the Dean’s Eye, a fifteenth-century gateway in Sadler Street, leading out of the Market Place on the left. Passing beneath the arch we are on a broad lawn, and before us is The West Front, so majestic, yet graceful, in its proportions, with tier upon tier of exquisite statuary, that it ranks as the finest existing example of Early English work. No one disputes that it was designed to be a hymn in stone. The rows of figures, mostly in the act of adoration, are evidently pictorial representations of the Te Deum. Prophets and Apostles, Angels and Saints rise, line after line, in symmetrical succession, and the whole magnificent conception is crowned by the figure of Christ seated in glory.

Space will not permit a description here of a building which is closely described in our Guide to Wells, Cheddar and Glastonbury; but the visitor must be advised not to miss the Chapter House, with its lovely stairway; the old Clock (made in 1325, but the works have been renewed) in the North Transept, and the many humorously carved capitals above the piers in the nave and transepts.

South of the Cathedral, beyond the Cloisters, is the Bishop’s Palace, reached from the city by the gateway known as the