Page:A tour through the northern counties of England, and the borders of Scotland - Volume II.djvu/281

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Thomas, has the beautiful tomb of its founder in the centre, bearing the effigies of himself and his -wife in hard white plaister, a substance different from alabaster. The right hands of the figures are clasped in each other; an amiable and beautiful emblematic representation of that affectionate faith, " strong and unconquerable e'en in death," which characterised this couple. A curious cornice sur- rounds the slab, which is formed of beautiful composition in imitation of marble; a grey ground with yellow and white spots. The roof of this building is of a design equally singular and pleasing; it consists of open work, formed by the intervals between the ribs that ramify from the pillars to the centre of the ceiling not being filled up, as is usual in masonry of this kind; the effect and relief are very striking.

To the north of the choir is the old library of the monastery, a low room, now converted into a vestry. Adjoining is the chapter-house, a semi- octagonal apartment, which Fulke Lord Brook turned into a mausoleum; erecting in his iife-t'me a splendid monument for himself and family. 'The design is a sarcophagus under a canopy with this inscription round it: " Fulk Greville, servant to "' Queen Llizabeth, counsellor to King fames, and " a friend to Sir Philip Sydney;" an inscription

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