YORK, a city of England, and capitol of York shire, is situated in the midst of an extensive plain on the banks of the River Ouse, which is crossed by a bridge of three elliptical arches, the central one of which is 75 feet wide, and 221 feet in rise, the span of the lateral arches being 65 feet each, and their rise 20 feet. It was begun in 1810 and finish ed in 1820. The town is entered by four principal gates, with four posterns. The town forms an ir regular pentagon, being about 1340 yards long from north to south, and 1360 from east to west, includ ing within its walls an area of about 300 acres, being about two miles and three-quarters in circuit. The streets are irregularly laid out, but they have been greatly improved by paving and widening, and they contain many handsome buildings, both public and private. The river Foss, which was lung a piece of stagnant water, has been rendered navigable, and is crossed by five hridges, Foss bridge, which is 35 feet wide, and consists of an elliptical arch 35 feet span, Monk bridge, Layerthorpe bridge, Castlegate bridge, and the New Walk bridge. The great orna ment of York is its cathedral or minster dedicated to St. Peter of which we have already* given the di mensions and various particulars. This magnificent building was completed between 1227 and 1377, and consists of various styles of Gothic architecture. The western front, with its two uniform steeples, is par ticularly grand. It was all cloistered for statues, but many of them have been carried away. The eastern end containing the choir is built in a more florid style, and is crowned with elegant niches of airy pinnacles. The statue of Archbishop Thoresby, the founder of the choir, is placed over its superb window, and at the base of the window are the heads of our Saviour and the Apostles, with that of a sovereign supposed to be Edward III. The great tower or lantern steeple is sustained within by four large and massy columns, forming four arches, and is of a different style from the other towers. The south transept, the latest
part of the minster, is distinguished by a number of narrow and acutely pointed arches with slender pillars. The windows are small, and their orna ments different from the rest of the church. The south side of the choir is peculiarly striking, from its massy columns terminating in highly ornamented pinnacles, the size and beautiful tracery of its win dows, and the screen work before the three south east windows of the upper tier. The north side of the minster is equally grand. The north transept and nave, and chapter-house are rich and interest ing. The interior of the church corresponds with its exterior magnificence. The cross aisle is su perb. The circular arch is here seen enclosing others of a pointed form. The windows are long, narrow and pointed.
The north and south transepts are in the same style. The windows in the north end are disposed in two tiers, the lowermost of which consists of one window of exquisite beauty, divided into five lights, each about 50 feet high and 5 feet broad.
The view from the western entrance to the cathe dral is unequalled, the eastern end of the minster, with its columns, arches, and superb window, being finely displayed. The screen which separates the nave from the choir is of the most florid and curious workmanship. The eastern window is un rivalled for beauty and magnificence. Upwards of 200 compartments are filled with representations of the Supreme Being, monarchs, prelates, and saints, and the chief events of sacred history.
The chapter house is a magnificent and singular structure. It is an octagon 63 feet in diameter and 68 feet high. Not a single pillar stands in this im mense space, the roof being a specimen of great mechanical ingenuity. The cathedral of York con tains the remains of a great number of distinguished characters; but though their monuments have perished, yet many of those of later date still remain to remind us of the vanity of all earthly grandeur.