Wonders Of Operative Masonry.

WONDERS OF OPERATIVE MASONRY .

From the " Keystone . " IV . WE haA'e already pictured to the reader , so far as words can picture , a number of the ancient Abbeys and Cathedrals of

Great Britain , and yet we seem to haA'e entered only on the threshold of the subject . Saxon , Norman and Gothic edifices , having the most brilliant architectural features , have been described , and still there are others as yet unnamed that are epiite as remarkable . We select from these some in Avhich the reader can scarcel y fail to bo interested .

BATTLE ABBEY derives its name from the memorable fight at Hastings between William the Conqueror and Harold , aud is built upon the spot where the battle was fought , Avhere Harold planted his standard , and his body was found at the close of the conflict . It is in Sussex

, in the village of Battle , fifty miles southeast from London . ' it was founded as a Benedictine Abbey b y William the Conqueror , in commemoration of his triumph , and he Avas present at its consecration . Among the privileges granted to the

Abbot was that of pardoning any condemned thief Avhom he should chance to meet Avhile going to execution . A part of the Abbey ( which Avas mostly rebuilt in the times of the later Henrys ) has been

altered mto a dwelling house , lvhich is occupied by its present proprietor , Sir Augustus Webster . The grand entrance gateway remains , square , with a series of pointed arches and pilasters , and embattled Avith octagonal turrets . There are also preserved parts of the cloister-archesand

, the ruins of the monk ' s refectory , Avith a detached hall of large extent , having pointed windows—now used as a barn . Beneath is a crypt , curiously vaulted , Avith elegant pillars and arches . Here Avas formerly preserved the famous . Roll of Battle Abbey

, believed to be a list of the eminent persons who accompanied the Conqueror to England , prepared by the monks , that perpetual prayers might be offered for them . Hohnshed and StoAV have both printed Avhat purport to be copies of this Roll .

Camden , however , doubted its authenticity . The Roll Avas destroyed by fire , in 1793 . The old Church of Battle was built also in Norman times , though subsequently to the Abbey . In its chancel stands a heai'y , rich aud elaborate marble tomb , on the top of which repose statues of Sir Anthony

BroAvne and his lady , AVIIO were the Lord and Lady of Battle Abbey in Henry VIII ' s time . The former is in armour , and the latter in stately garb , and , barring their broken noses , in excellent preservation . The best pew of the Church is that of the

Webster family . It is curtained and carpeted and resembles a parlour more than a pew , and oven has a fire-place in it . On the opposite side is the pew of another maguatecontaining a stove . As Hawthorne remarks , the rest of the parishioners have

to keep themselves Avarm Avith the fervour of their piety . Although so little of Battle Abbey proper remains ( having been built into the mansion of the Websters ) there is much to fascinate the antiquary ; and every one can enjoy the Monk ' s Walk , an avenue of old yeAv trees which meet in the air like a cloistered arch .

iE . AirLE CHURCH is situated in the rear of the south side of Fleet street , near Temple Bar—once the extremity of the city limits , westward , and near the Thames between Blackfriars and Waterloo Bridges , London . It is the finest of the four round churches still existing in England— -the

other three being at Cambridge , Northampton , and Maplestead in Essex . It Avas built by the Knights Templar , after the model of the church of the ILoly Sepulchre at Jerusalem , and dedicated A . D . 1185 . The architecture is partly Norman and

partly Gothic , the round church ( 57 feet in diameter ) being of the former , and the later extension ( 87 feet in length , completed A . D . 1240 ) of the latter . The recumbent cross-legged figures of mail-clad crusaders , on the floor of the circular churchare

, especially interesting , as is also the Avestern portal , Avhich has clustered receding p illars , Avith enriched capitals , all excellently preserved . The ornaments in the roof of the nave are , the Lamb—emblem of St . John ; the Pegasus—emblem of the Templars ;

the Boauseant—their battle flag ; and a Maltese Cross . The windows are a blaze of gorgeous hues , in a thousand exquisite designs . Among the interesting objects is