the stones composing it had
been carefully numbered, with the intention that it should be rebuilt
in a new position. But although these materials are still wantonly
distributed about the cathedral and precincts, no attempt has been
made to use them again, either as a screen or as an evidence to show
by contrast that the result has justified the change. Its removal was
the beginning of a series of alterations, both by accident and design.
The old reredos, that quiet and beautiful witness of things so sacred
and some so profane, was torn away. The whole of the choir was to be
rearranged. But when the piers of the central tower were exposed by
the removal of the screen, it was discovered that they were in a
precariously rotten condition at the core. Other indications of
weakness, which had been overlooked before, were now observed. Large
and deep cracks and various earlier signs of apprehended weakness both
in arches and piers were remarked. That the work now begun had given
impetus to the fall has been denied on excellent authority, and to
discuss such a question at this time is useless. The serious trouble
now was that the whole tower with the spire was rapidly settling on
its base. Every method that could be used was tried in order to save
the piers. They were propped up with shores, and the arches held up
with centres, while new masonry was bonded into the older work. But
the labour availed nothing, for towards the end of the year 1860
matters had developed seriously.

"Old fissures extended themselves into the fresh masonry,
and new ones made their appearance.... But in the next
place, the walling began to bulge towards the end of January
1861, first in the north-west pier, and afterwards in the
south. Cracks and fissures, some opening and others closing,
and the gradual deformation of the arches in the transept
walls and elsewhere, indicated that fearful movements were
taking place throughout the parts of the wall connected with
the western piers."

On Sunday, February 17th,

"the afternoon service was performed in the nave of the
cathedral, as usual, but ... was interrupted by the urgent
necessity for shoring up a part of the facing of the
south-west pier.... On Wednesday, crushed mortar began to
pour from the old fissures, flakes of the facing stone fell,
and the braces began to bend. Yet the workmen continued to
add shoring until three h