hat higher than the others, is
admirable. It is to be observed also that the turrets, or large
pinnacles, that are placed between the gables, are not placed exactly
above the central line of the great piers beneath them, but are in each
case a little further towards the outer arches; and it will be seen,
immediately that this is pointed out, how much the upper part of the
facade is thereby improved. The two great piers may be roughly taken as
having for section an isosceles right-angled triangle, the right angle
being towards the west. The mouldings of the arches are supported by a
series of banded shafts, six on each side of each arch. In the spaces
between the shafts of the middle arch, but not of the others, are
crockets for the whole height, and the innermost cavetto is entirely
filled with dog-tooth ornament. All the shafts have floriated
capitals; and the great arches have similar mouldings. Four sets of
ornaments run round each arch; a continuous chevron, a richly floriated
roll, a roll with bands, and a series of billets. Between the arches
there rises a clustered shaft which reaches to the level of the highest
points of the arches: here these shafts combine with an ornamented
stringcourse which runs in a straight line along the entire front. In
each of the six spandrels are a deeply recessed quatrefoil, two
trefoiled arches (like the upper part of a niche), a pair of
lancet-shaped niches containing figures, and a beautifully designed
hexagonal ornament, with wavy edges, the cusps uniting in a central
boss. The pinnacles on each side of the middle gable are at first
square, then there are two octagonal stages, the uppermost pierced, and
finally a short spire. The lowest stage has a double lancet with
floriated capitals; the second has a lancet, also with floriated
capitals, filling up each face of the octagon; the last stage has
round-headed lancets, without capitals, entirely surrounded by zigzags.

[Illustration: Plan of Central Portion of the West Front.]

The gables are richly ornamented. At the head of each is a massive cross
of very fine workmanship. Along the edges of the gables are two rows of
billets and the wavy ornament. Just below the crosses are three large
statues, in niches of which the gable mouldings form the heads. That in
the centre is S. Peter, with a mitre, the right hand uplifted in
blessing, and two keys in the left hand; the other two are S. John and
S. Andrew. Below plain, straight stri