that on the right being the "cornu epistolæ," from the Epistle being read there, as the Gospel was on the left. Near the altar, in the South wall of the chancel, are to be observed three seats frequently under as many beautiful subdivided Gothic arches, supported by buttresses, and enriched with finials, &c. Seats of this nature are still to be met with at Cliff, at Cobham, and the cathedral at Rochester, in Kent; at which last they are at a great distance from the East end of the choir: and it is probable, the high altar was not fixed against the wall, but had a space behind it, which is common in places of this kind, and called "concameratio;" by means of which it was possible for the altar to be surrounded in processions by the monks. The very agreeable Gothic structure at Camberwell, in Surrey, also furnishes seats of this kind; not to mention many other places. Between the last seat and the East wall, is a small nich, generally in the same stile, and frequently appearing like a fourth arch. The nich is also to be met with where the seats are wanting; and in other parts of the church besides the chancel the bottom is also hollowed, and sometimes a double hollow. The intention of these seats has been of late a matter of doubt, they were by many thought to have been for hearing confessions, which opinion has been sufficiently controverted. They have been also supposed for accommodating the visitor and his two attendants, with per haps as little probability. For it cannot be argued that they were brought into use at the general visitation held for centuries before the Reformation in much the same mauner as at present, viz. in some convenient part in each diocese, and at one time. Nor does it seem reasonable that the chancel should be incumbered with three seats, which at most could come but into annual use by the archdeacon in the parochial visitation; at which time a single seat appears more to the purpose, he being allowed six, not two, attendants; for each of whom he received an equal procuration. It must also be acknowledged he could only be seated in service-time, since an actual survey was to be taken of the building itself, its books and ornaments, which no one can suppose could be done in the chancel. The archdeacon might also visit several churches in one day; whence it must be impossible he should be obliged to hear service performed. But shortly after the time of Archbishop Langton, who was succeeded in the see of Canterbury 1228, archdeacons began to perform *Fuller's Church History, 286. their visitations by inquiry at two annual chapters; so that, soon after that period, there could be no more necessity for these seats in parochial than general visitations. I shall now, Mr. Urban, with the merited deference to the judgment of yourself and antiquarian readers, endeavour to point out what appears to have been the purpose of the nich and seats in question. It will be necessary just to hint, that the mass, the most august of all the ceremonies of the church, was performed in the chancel; and from thence take occasion to conclude it to have been furnished with every thing necessary for the due solemnity of its celebration, either when said by a single clergyman, or by several, accompanied by the choir. In a rubric, "De Junctione Manuum," it is mentioned, "Vadit (sacerdos) ab altare ad piscinam et revertitur;" and, in another place, "declinet ad abluendum manus*;" also, "reliquus (sc. ceroferarius) pelvim cum aqua et manutergio portett." These will be explained by another, from a missal of later date, in which it is said the altar should be provided with "parva campanula, ampullæ vitreæ vini et aquæ cum pelvicula et manutergio mundo, in fenestella seu parva mensa ad hæc præparatat." Now it is very plain, by what is here termed "fenestella," is signified the small nich above described; and this particularly points out the places once occupied by altars. As a further proof of this, "two altars stood in either wing of the choir (at Canterbury) viz. in each semicircle there is one§." On the right hand side, in each of these places, a small nich, or fenestella, of this kind, yet remains. By the word "piscina" a vessel or bason for washing hands, &c. seems to be designed, as "pelvis" assuredly signifies, which probably filled up the hollow found in the fenestella. Two pair of such basons were bequeathed by Cardinal Beaufort to the altar of the chauntry by him founded in his cathedral at Winchester. The present method of making the "lavabo" rather differs; for "accedit (sacerdos) ad cornu epistolæ ubi stans ministro aquam fundente lavat manus." The triple seat comes next under discussion, and I flatter myself its use will be pretty well explained by what immedi ately follows: "Quo facto sacerdos et sui ministri in sedibus paratis se recipiant et expectent usque ad Gloria in excelsis*." Also, in the rubric of instructions for Saturday before Easter," Finitis orationibus exuat sacerdos casulam et in sede sua juxta altare se reponat cum diacono et subdiacono." In order to explain the two last quotations, take another rubric: "In missa solemni, celebrans medius inter diaconum et subdiaconum sedere potest a cornu epistolæ cum cantantur Kyrie eleison, Gloria in excelsis, et Credot." Notwithstanding the last rather differs from the others, as to the times of sitting, yet they all sufficiently agree in explaining the matter in agitation, viz. That the above seats were intended for the priest, deacon, and subdeacon, to sit on during some parts of the high or solemn mass; and that they were situated on the South side, and near the altar, and were three in number. This, of all the purposes to which conjecture has consigned them, is certainly the most natural; and it must add considerably to the solemnity, for the three officiants to be seen in their mass habits, seated under these beautiful canopies.-I shall beg to trouble you with a word or two concerning chauntries, and conclude. Dr. Heylin informs us, they consisted of salaries to one or more priests to say mass daily for the souls of their founders deceased, which, not subsisting of themselves, were generally incorporated and united with some parochial, &c. church as there were forty-seven chauntries in the old church of St. Paul, at London, and but fourteen altars§, it was possible for several to be founded at the same altar. From the remaining" fenestella" it is not unreasonable to conclude, that at the East ends of the North and South ailes of many parish-churches, two such altars to have once stood, whose officiants were bound by an oath to exhibit due obedience to the curate of the mother church; and the four priests appointed to officiate in the chauntry of John Holland, Duke of Exeter, in St. Katherine's, near the Tower, were bound to the choir every double feast in the year. In chauntries founded for more than one clergyman, it was usual for each to say a different mass, one of which was always of "requiem**" When a person was not sufficiently rich to endow a perpetual chauntry, it was common for an anniversary chaplain to sing masses for the repose of Missal, 1515, general rubric to the mass. Heylin's History of the Reformation, 51, Ayliffe's Perergon Juris Canonici, 166. Royal Wills, p. 287. ** Royal Wills, p. 287.. his soul during a certain space, for which a stipend was left, as appears by the will of Robert Wolsey, the father of the famous Cardinal*. From what has been said concerning chauntries, it is evident there might have been several founded in the church, though but the vestiges of one or two altars yet remain; from the subjection of whose officiants to the curate they might have assisted him in many duties, as, with his licence, in hearing confessions, which must have been very laborious at certain times of the year, particularly at Shrift or Shrove Tuesday, when it was the custom to begin Lent with this duty. And though they were generally prohibited from receiving the Eucharist more than once on the same day, yet they might assist in solemn massest, as deacon or subdeacon; as also in the choir, probably in the place of its rectors, &c. Nor can this be brought as an argument that there were sufficient numbers established in every parish to fill each stall in the chancel of its church, as has been hinted at in its proper place. 1787, Aug. INDAGATOR. CVIII. On the Original Embankment of the Thames. London, June 13. MR. URBAN, ALL persons here, who have read the account of the embankment and improvement of Martin Mear, in Mr. Young's "Annals of Agriculture," No. XXXI. are astonished at the greatness of the attempt, and much more so at the successful execution of it. This work excites the curiosity of the ingenious, who look for any instance of a similar undertaking, but can find none to be compared with it in this island, but the embankment of the river Thames: and, what is very singular, there does not seem to be any record or trace in history, when, or by whom, the Thames was embanked. As there is not any person who is so knowing as Mr. Whitaker in the early state of this country, so no person can give so satisfactory an account of this matter. If Mr. Urban would please to request Mr. Whitaker to give his opinion on this subject, he would give much pleasure to a constant reader of your useful collection of general information, and I dare also say to all your readers. *Fiddes's Life of Wolsey, Collect. p. 1. The embankment of the river Thames must appear to have been a very great work indeed, if we consider that it reaches from the Nore almost to Richmond in Surrey, on one side or the other of the river, as the land lay. Some judgment may be formed of it by the difficulty and expence of repairing Dagenham breach in Essex. The embankment of the Thames evidently shews, that the inhabitants of this island were very early possessed of great skill and perseverance in whatever they undertook. There is another instance of their industry, the atchievement of an astonishing work, I mean the Maiden Castle in Dorsetshire. Many people now-a-days give the Romans the honour of whatever surpasses what they think themselves: could execute, without inquiring into the probability of such an opinion. Dorsetshire was a Roman station, of which vestiges still remain in the town, and an amphitheatre near it. But at the Maiden Castle no vestige of Roman work, such as bricks, coins, &c. have been found. The ramparts. are made only of earth, and the entry into it is defended in a manner different from the ruins of any Roman camp now remaining. When, standing on the ramparts, one looks around, the whole horizon is full of tumuli or barrows. These are, undoubtedly, the burying places of people at a very distant period, and probably of the same period with the building of Maiden Castle. There are, in that country, many remains of Druidical worship. It would hence appear, that the Maiden Castle was cast up when that worship existed. The area of the Maiden Castle is so extensive, that it is probable it was intended not only for a defence of the inhabitants in case of an attack by a powerful enemy, but also of their flocks and herds. May I not mention Stone-henge as another remain of the labour of the inhabitants prior to any. tradition, and probably prior to the arrival of the Romans, who had acquired a taste in architecture, of which no trace is to be found in Stone-henge? There is in Dorsetshire a large altar remain ing, which has retained its original name Cromleach, a Celtic word, implying bending the body in adoration of the deity worshipped by the Druids. 1787, June. MR. URBAN, IN compliance with yours and your correspondent's request, which I did not see until a few days ago, I take up ay pen, to give you and him all the little information that I |