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THERE is no certain account of the real origin of this magnificent building. Sebert, King of the East Saxons, is named as its founder, by tradition; but the middle of the eighth century is more probably supposed to be its date. It had become of considerable importance in the time of Dunstan; but its first most distinguished patron on record, was Edward the Confessor. Its splendour increased during several following reigns: in 1162, the Abbot Laurentius assumed the mitre; in 1220, the foundations of great additions to the Abbey were laid by Henry III., and it was considered beyond episcopal jurisdiction; in October, 1269, the new buildings were opened, and the body of Edward the Confessor was deposited in the magnificent shrine at the back of the high altar.

It now was fully in its character of a sanctuary; and the unfortunate Queen of Edward IV. is known to have sought its refuge with five of her daughters and her son, the Duke of York. In January, 1502, Henry VII. laid the first stone of the exquisite chapel, which bears his name, and added greatly to the wealth of the Abbey. Though it suffered in its rights, revenues, and possessions, in the time of Henry VIII., it was, as some compensation, converted into an Episcopal see, with a Bishop, Dean, and twelve Prebendaries; itself was called a Cathedral; and the Abbot's house, the Bishop's palace, and the Diocese, comprehended all Middlesex, but Fulham.

But in 1550 the see was abolished, and the diocese reverted to that of London; yet the Abbey retained its rank as a Cathedral, and

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preserved its privileges and revenues. Queen Mary restored its condition, but again annulled it; and an unsuccessful attempt was shortly afterwards made to deprive it of its immunities, as a sanctuary. In 1620 it fell almost into ruinous decay: but Bishop Hacket restored it at his own private cost of 4,500l. The Puritans, after having gained the ascendancy over Charles I., discontinued its services, and appointed seven of their own ignorant preachers with stipends and residentiary houses; but at the restoration the old order of things was revived. Subsequent repairs have left to us the Abbey in its present state,

The Latin cross was the original form; but the cloisters and chapels which have been added, obscure this original simplicity. The south transept, known by the title of the Poet's corner, is remarkable for its monuments of our great men. St. Blaize's chapel is chiefly interesting from the notion that it was the ancient treasury: its strength corroborates the tradition. Behind the choir is Edward the Confessor's chapel, containing his tomb, and those of other royal persons; the ancient screen, though much injured by time, is curious, as a piece of elaborate art, and represents on a frieze the traditionary life of the Confessor. It is divided into fourteen compartments, well worthy of the attention of the antiquary. The monarch's tomb is in the centre of the chapel, and the coffin may be seen from the parapet of Henry Fifth's chapel. This mausoleum is surrounded by the tombs of Edward I., Henry III., Queen Eleanor, Henry V., Queen Philippa, Edward III., Richard II., and his consort Queen Anne.

The chapel, in which are deposited the remains of Henry V., comprises the entire eastern end of the Confessor's, and is dated early in the reign of Henry VI. The ancient chair used at royal coronations from the time of Edward I., contains within its seat the prophetic stone, (formerly called Jacob's pillow, and the stone of Scone) from the Scottish belief that the power of the nation which lost it would decline. The painted windows deserve attention: they are remarkable for not being less than the eighth of an inch in thickness.

Henry VIII.'s chapel is the glory of the Abbey, which some have named THE WONDER OF THE WORLD: of its beauty there cannot be a question: it yields infinitely, nevertheless, to King's College chapel, at Cambridge. Sir Reginald Bray is cited as the chief author of the design: but Alcocke, Bishop of Ely, is reported to have shared with him the honour. Henry saw the building nearly completed, and was buried in the gorgeous tomb which he had prepared. The chapel has a nave, two side aisles, and five small chapels, including the eastern end: it is entered from the Abbey by twelve steps, which lead through the porch to its brazen gates. The monumental antiquities are curious, and more in number than the size of the building would induce one to imagine. In the royal vault are the remains of Charles II., William III., and Mary his consort, Queen Anne, and Prince George. Of St. Andrew's chapel and St. Benedict's chapel, nothing requires to be said: that of St. Erasmus, and that of St. John and St. Michael are only remarkable for their monuments; the

latter particularly for Roubillac's sculpture of Lady Nightingale, and the tombs of Admirals Kempenfelt and Pococke.

The dimensions of the Abbey or Collegiate Church of St. Peter, are, length, exclusive of Henry VII.'s chapel, 416 feet; height of west towers 225; length 383; breadth at the transept; 203; length of nave 166; breadth of nave 39; height of nave 102; breadth of each aisle 17; length of choir 156; breadth of choir 28.

Those of Henry the Seventh's chapel are, length 115 feet; breadth 80; height of towers 71 ; height of roof 86; height of west turrets 102; length of nave 104; breadth of nave 36; height of nave 61 ; breadth of each aisle 17.

The cloisters are entire, and are built in a quadrangular form, with piazzas towards the court, in which are prebendal houses: they are filled with monuments. The chapter-house, erected in 1250, is on one side of the cloisters: the gothic portal which leads to it has mouldings exquisitely carved. In 1877 the House of Commons sat there by the consent of the abbot, and continued to sit till 1547. The original Doomsday-book, more than seven hundred years old, is there; and beneath the chapter-house is an extraordinary crypt. Littlington built the Jerusalem chamber, which is celebrated as the place in which Henry IV. died, and as the accomplishment of the prediction that he should die in Jerusalem, which gave rise to Shakspear's well known lines→→→

. Laud be to God ! even here my life must end ;
It hath been prophesied to me many years,
I should not die but in Jerusalem,

Which vainly I suppos'd the HOLY LAND."

The Eleemosynary or Almonry is where the alms were distributed. To speak of the magnificent monuments which adorn the Abbey, as they deserve to be commemorated, would require the whole compass of our Magazine:-to enter into the history of the various antiquities -the origin of St. Margaret's Church, &c., would also lead us to too great a prolixity. Respecting these things, the subterranean passage connected with the Abbey, &c. our readers must be referred to some of the excellent histories which have treated of them: our's is a bird's-eye glance, and may not be concentrated into a microscopic focus.

THE TRACTS FOR THE TIMES.

It is not intended, under this head, to enter on the various subjects which this title comprehends; but to introduce to notice a series of pamphlets (written by a layman of the Church of England, and published by Jackson and Walford, in St. Paul's Church-yard), which are called "Puseyism, or the New Apostolicals." But before we proceed to the notice of them, an article which lately appeared in the British Magazine, from the pen of a person professing himself to be "a Barrister, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford," will demand

our attention.

The violence which is charged against the paper in The Church of