re arose a mania
for heraldic devices; in some cases an unsatisfactory mode of
decoration, but in this building one that possesses not only historical
interest, but great decorative value.

During the time when these styles of Gothic architecture prevailed that
are now called the Decorated and the Perpendicular, the roof,[14] the
columns, the stained glass windows, the seats, altar, tombs, and even
the flooring, were filled with emblasonment. Nor was heraldic ornament
confined to architecture; it formed the grand embellishment of the
interior of palaces and baronial castles.[15]

In the middle of one of the roses at the west end, toward the south, may
be seen a small figure of the Virgin Mary, about which Malden says:
"Foreigners make frequent enquiries, and never fail to pay it a
religious reverence, crossing their breasts at the sight, and addressing
it with a short prayer." I cannot say that, in my long experience, I
have ever observed an instance of this.

FOOTNOTES:

[13] Heads of Colleges have the right of impaling with their own arms
the arms of the College of which they are the head in the same way as a
Bishop impales the arms of the See over which he presides. Deans of
secular churches and the Regius Professors of Divinity at Cambridge
(since 1590) have the same privilege.

[14] Of Melrose it is written:

"The keystone that locked each ribbed aisle
Was a fleur-de-lys or a quarterfoil."

[15] "The gorgeous halls which were on every side
With rich array and costly arras dight."

Memorials of the Dead

HAPPILY the chapel does not abound in _epitaphs_, a species of memorial
often extravagant or even ridiculous, but there is one, viz. of Thomas
Crouch, a former Fellow, M.P. for the University, who died 1679, written
by himself, which, in my opinion, is of a high character. It is as
follows:

"At the last day
God will lay open the graves, and bring forth
All men from their sepulchres.
It shall be known, when that day
Shall come, what manner of man I was."

One may notice two striking features contained in this epitaph: (1) He
believes in the resurrection; (2) he does not care what man thinks of
him, it is God who shall decide whether he was good or bad.

Money was not a dominant motive with those employed on our old
buildings, but master and man worked together for a common object, with
a common sympathy; and especially