THE LIBRARY.

AT the earliest period our Cathedral Establishment was provided with a Library. In the account of the founder, bishop Osmund, the reader will have seen that he imitated the example of other prelates, whose names have been transmitted with honour to posterity, and did not disdain to transcribe, bind, and ornament books with his own hand. But when the only mode of multiplying copies was by the slow and imperfect labour of the transcriber, * the number of books which the most opulent establishment could accumulate was small; and chiefly confined to works on divinity and religious discipline. Of this kind was the library formed by the liberality and exertions of Osmund; for though we have no evidence to ascribe to his hand any of the manuscripts still remaining, yet some are evidently of a date as early as his time. The number at present amounts to about one hundred and thirty; and there is no reason to doubt that they formed the principal part of the original library, before the invention of printing. We shall, therefore, class the most remarkable, according to their apparent antiquity.

The most early is the Gregorian Liturgy, with an anglo-saxon version. This was probably anterior to the time of Osmund; and the decorations of the capital letters, which are drawn with the pen, exhibit a respectable skill in design, and uncommon fertility of imagination; for no two are exactly similar. The celebrated

*As a proof of the high value annexed to books in former times, we may notice a regular bond executed between bishop Erghum and the Chapter, in 1379, for the return of a copy of the Bible and Psalter, which were furnished for his use. A similar loan, under similar conditions, appears to have been made to his successor, bishop Waltham. In 1381 is also an entry of 147. 6s. Id. paid for the transcript of two volumes.

anglo-saxon Scholar, Mrs. Elstob, borrowed it to transcribe the hymns for publication. Besides this manuscript there are several others, which we may date in the eleventh century. The dialogues of Pope Gregory, Adhelm in praise of Virginity, Jerome the presbyter on Isaiah, and Bede's Treatise on Chronology, with two others.

Those of the twelfth century are more numerous. They consist of various works of St. Augustin, a collection of Epistles, Decrees of Councils, &c. Isidore's Maxims of the Learned, the Maxims of Hilary, the Diadem of Monks, and Rufinus, Jerome the Presbyter, and Anselm on parts of the New Testament, &c.

Among the manuscripts of the succeeding century, are different books of the Old and New Testament, some of which were apparently transcribed under the auspices of bishop Poor. There are, besides a few treatises of Pope Gregory, some works of Isidore, particularly that on Grammar and the liberal Arts, Collections on the canon and civil law, Legends of the Saints, and a copy of Geoffry of Monmouth.

The Manuscripts of the fourteenth century consist of parts of the Old and New Testament, a short Concordance, Sums of Divinity, the History of the Pentateuch, a collection of Homilies, Looking Glass for Laymen, a Catalogue of illustrious Men by Gerard of Marseilles, a treatise on the Decretals, &c. Some of these were given by Henry de la Wyle, Richard Andrew, and John Stopyngton, archdeacon of Dorset.

In the century which gave birth to the invention of Printing, the number is small. They consist only of Meditations on the Scripture, by the Hermit of Hampole, a treatise of Divinity and an English translation of Boethius.

The present Library is contained in a spacious room, built over the cloister, and originally occupying one side of the quadrangle. The structure is ascribed to bishop Jewel, and the books are said to have been furnished by bishop Gheast, but the collection was considerably increased by subsequent benefactors, among whom we particularly distinguish Dr. Richard Watson, in 1671; Dr. Whitby, in 1673; Isaac Walton, and bishop Ward. It is rich in early printed books, and, though not large, contains many valuable works in different languages, on various branches of literature and science, particularly Divinity and Ecclesiastical History, Philology, History, and the, Mathematics.

General Survey of the Structure-Hungerford and Audley ChapelsCloister and Chapter House-Episcopal Palace.

SITUATED in the midst of a level and extensive area, the Cathedral of Salisbury is seen to peculiar advantage. In no point does it present an uninteresting view; but to catch its features in proper order, the stranger should commence his survey at the eastern extremity. Here the lofty termination of the choir, and the side elevations of the transepts assume a character singularly light and bold, and the effect is heightened by the majestic form of the tower and spire, which surmount the mass of building. Proceeding towards the west, the transepts and body of the church gradually open, and at every step the structure displays a new aspect, till, on reaching the north gate of the cemetery, it stretches before the eye in all its grandeur. The prospects towards the south-west are marked by similar features; but they acquire additional beauty from picturesque groupes of trees, of which the foliage is contrasted with the mellow hue of the stone.

Approaching the west front, we are struck with the chaste and appropriate elegance of its parts and the majesty of the whole: the proportions display admirable symmetry; the ornaments are rich and tasteful, without being minute or confused; and the general effect delights and satisfies, without fatiguing the eye. The principal entrance is formed by a large arch subdivided into two, with cinquefoil heads. On the face of the superior arch are traces of niches, which once contained a series of small figures, in the same style as some which still remain over the door of the Chapter House.