Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/193

 ST. jMAIx'Y TlIK VIIKMN, oXFolM). I,*};) due to the accurate observation and i)ia('tis(Ml judgineiit of the gentleman whose kind assistance I have already acknow- ledged, will not inapproi)i'iatcly close this conninniication. It is evident that the present Churcli, with its noble dimensions and symmetrical design, owes its existence to the necessity of rebuilding the ancient structure. The progress of enlargement by partial re-edification may be traced with considerable distinctness ; the tower and spire presenting architecture of more early date than is attributable to any other portion of the edifice. The ])lan of the ancient structure, which preceded the present Church, cannot now be ascertained, but the remains of laro-e windows on the east and west sides of the Towner evidently show that this conspicuous feature w^as originally intended to stand clear on three out of its four sides. On the south side of the Tower, the condition of the buttresses proves that at a certain elevation they were formed upon walls extending southw^ard to a distance now uncertain. When the old Church was pulled down to make way for the present structure, these walls, which had belonged to a part of the interior not admissible in the new j^lan, w^ere removed ; such portions only being left as were required for the basement of the massive buttresses which rise to the parapet of the Towner. The steep pitch of the gabled roof of this member is shown by the water-table descending from its apex on the sloping sill of the belfty window- on each side to the outer face of the walls or buttresses. The altitude and w^dth of this building lead to the supposition that its length was considerable ; but as nothing is known of the figure or extent of the earlier Church, it is impossible to conjecture the manner in which this transverse portion, in union with the Tower, was connected with it. It is doubtful whether the original design of the Tower included a north door. The present entrance on that side is of very late date, and in a debased style. It is evident, that in order to its insertion, a portion of the ancient wall was taken out and rebuilt, and that the large window above it was considerably reduced in height, and its design materi- all}^ impaired by the operation. The present walls of the old Congregation House, and of the chapel westward of the Tower, both built in the reign of Edward the Second, are of the original construction ; but