Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Carlisle Part 9

Its acutely-pointed windows are practically of identical pattern, the mullions and side-mouldings having richly floriated capitals.

The last arch of the main arcade is supported by a bracket of foliage. A fragment of rib still remaining was for the cross-groining of the aisle; but as this would have interfered with the arch mouldings, the rib was terminated higher up the wall upon a bracket in the form of a crouching figure.

The wall-arcade has three divisions, the capitals of the columns are foliated, and the point where the hood mouldings meet is ornamented with the carving of a human head.

The low doorway forms the entrance to a staircase leading to the upper part of the cathedral, and the belfry.

Beneath the great east window there is a plain tablet in memory of Archdeacon Paley, and another in memory of his two wives and infant son.

Another tablet is in memory of Dean Cramer: "Apud Oxonienses Historiae Profr. Regius," died 1848.

Opposite is a monument to Bishop Law, the work of T. Banks, R.A. A figure of Religion leaning on a cross is above the tablet. This monument was originally fixed on the pillar behind the pulpit ("Columnae hujus sepultus est ad pedem"). It was removed to the north aisle because of the weakening of the pillar through having been cut to receive the memorial; and in 1894 was again removed and fixed here, about as far away from the bishop's grave as it could possibly be placed.

Under the great window, a little to the south, is a tombstone, similar to that of Bishop Bell in the choir, but the bra.s.s is missing.

On the south side the last arch of the main arcade is supported by a bracket representing a human figure sustaining mouldings, resembling the one at the end of the north aisle.

The small east window is in memory of John Heysham, M.D. (1753-1834). He graduated at Edinburgh in 1777, and settled in Carlisle where he practised till his death. He is famous for his statistical observations; a record of the annual births, marriages, diseases, and deaths in Carlisle (ten years to 1788); a census of the inhabitants in 1780 and 1788. The actuary of the Sun Life a.s.surance Office used these statistics as the basis of the well-known "Carlisle Table of Mortality." Aided by the dean and chapter he established the first dispensary for the poor at Carlisle. He died in 1834, and was buried in St. Mary's Church.

One of the heads ornamenting the wall-arcade is said to represent Edward I.

The #South Choir Aisle# is in most particulars the same as the corresponding aisle on the north. The windows of its two bays next to St. Catherine's Chapel are Early English of a later period than the others, but the effect they produce is not by any means so pleasing. The decorations of the capitals of the Early English columns are not so elaborate as those in the north choir aisle.

In the third bay east of St. Catherine's Chapel, two arches of the wall-arcade have been thrown into one, forming a doorway. The arch is formed by seven segments, and its hood-moulding terminates in the cornice immediately above the arcade.

#Monuments in South Choir Aisle.#--At the east end is an altar tomb with rec.u.mbent effigy in white marble, of Bishop Waldegrave, by H.H.

Armstead, R.A.

The words "vae mihi si non evangelizavero" (1 Cor. ix. 16) are on the edge of the upper part of the tomb. Below this is the following inscription:--

Samuel Waldegrave 57th Bishop of Carlisle Born Sept. 13, 1817; Consecrated, Nov. 12, 1860; Entered into rest Oct. 1, 1869.

"To me to live is Christ and to die is gain."

Phil. i. 21.

A tribute of Affection, Admiration, and Respect.

Raised by public subscription.

A.D. 1872.

A recess with low pointed arch beneath the third window from the east formerly contained a monument to Sir John Skelton, Knt. (1413-22).

Outside St. Catherine's Chapel is an altar tomb with a damaged effigy in red sandstone of Bishop Barrow (1423-29). Originally it was painted and gilt, and, although greatly injured, the remains show that the statue was well executed.

Opposite, under a carved oak canopy, is a bronze rec.u.mbent figure by Hamo Th.o.r.n.ycroft, R.A., of Harvey Goodwin. The following is inscribed on a bronze tablet:

In memory of Harvey Goodwin, Fifty-eighth Bishop of Carlisle.

at Cambridge, and Ely, and in this diocese a proved leader of men.

Learned, eloquent, wise, untiring, he used his rare gifts of mind and heart in the service of his master for the good of the English people, and of the Church of Christ at home and abroad.

Born, Oct. 9, 1818; Consecrated, Nov. 30, 1869; Died, Nov. 25, 1891.

Next to this, under a richly-carved canopy, is a rec.u.mbent figure in white marble, by H.H. Armstead, R.A., of Dean Close. The monument bears the following inscription:--

Francis Close, D.D., 25 years Dean of this cathedral, died 1882, aged 85.

Erected by public subscription as a mark of affection and esteem (1884).

The canopy, given by his son, bears the words following: "This canopy was erected by Admiral Close in memory of his father."

Francis Close was born in 1797, and was educated at St. John's, Cambridge. From 1826 till 1856 he held the living of Cheltenham. He was a liberal subscriber to societies for various philanthropic purposes whether in connection with the Established Church or not. In 1856 he was nominated Dean of Carlisle. Although a very popular preacher his theological views were far from broad. He was, also, a strenuous opponent of betting, theatre-going, indulgence in alcoholic liquors, and smoking. The poor people of Carlisle lost a good friend when he pa.s.sed away. His failing health obliged him to give up the deanery in 1881, and at the end of the following year he died at Penzance, where he was wintering.

The fourth window is filled with gla.s.s in memory of members of the Mounsey family, and Captain John Oswald Lambert.

The following subjects are represented:--

Our Lord The Transfiguration. Pilate writing rebuking the t.i.tle the Sea. for the Cross.

The Adoration The entry into Our Lord of the Magi. Jerusalem. before Pilate.

St. Paul St. Paul before St. Paul before the King Agrippa. on board Chief Priests. ship.

At the back of the bishop's throne are some shelves containing a few standard devotional books for the use of the congregation before and after divine service. It would be a good thing if this custom could be generally adopted, and every church in the land furnished with a small library of the works of such men as Thomas a Kempis, St. Augustine, Taylor, Law, and Keble.

The low doorway in the north-eastern angle of the retro-choir opens on a staircase leading to the upper part of the cathedral, and the tower.

If we ascend to the clerestory we may pa.s.s along the ambulatory, and obtain a nearer view of the great east window (especially the old gla.s.s in the tracery), the choir roof, and the clerestory windows. At the end of the ambulatory we come to the belfry.

There are six #Bells#, one of which, bearing the date 1396, was furnished by Bishop Strickland. It is inscribed as follows:--

In: voce: sum: munda: maria; sonando: secunda.

Another bell bears the following sentence:--

"Jesus be our speed." Date 1608.

A third has on the rim--"This ringe was made six tuneable bells at the charge of the Lord Howard and other gentree of the country and citie, and officers of the garrisson, by the advice of Majer Jeremiah Tolhurst, governor of the garrisson 1658." This bell was cracked while ringing during the rejoicings held in honour of the peace after Waterloo.

On a bell dated 1657 can be read, "I warne you how your time doth pa.s.s away, Serve G.o.d therefore while life doth last, and say Glorie in excelsis Deo."

Of the remaining bells, one is dated 1659, and the other 1728.

In war time the tower was useful as a watch-tower, especially when the enemy was approaching from Scotland. The small turret was used for fire signals.

There is an interesting record in connection with the tower which is found in an account of the trial of the Governor of Carlisle in 1745. It is as follows:--

"I desired that two men might be posted upon the high Tower of the Cathedral with a very large spying gla.s.s I had brought with me, and to send me a report of what they observed in the country. The Chancellor proposed to the clergy to take this duty, which they readily did, and were very exact and vigilant, and when the Rebells came before Carlisle they took up arms as Volunteers most of whom served under me as aides-de-camp."[6]

[6] "Guide to the Cathedral of Carlisle," by R.H. and K.H.