rule his wishes in this particular.' On the ensuing Saturday it was evident, from his increased weakness, that he could not long survive. He, however, ordered some alms to be distributed; and at mass, which was said in his presence in the chapel of the infirmary (at which, however, he could do little more than look his devotion), whilst the Gospel was being read, he caused himself to be raised erect, out of reverence for the mystery therein celebrated. The proper services for the hours were still continued in his presence as usual, throughout the day. As evening approached he lost his speech, and up to midnight lay without voice, but in full possession of his senses. Soon afterwards his last moments drew on. The usual signal of striking with a hammer was made, he was placed upon a hair-cloth, and the monks pressed hastily into his chamber. After repeating the Creed, and chanting the Psalms and the Litany, they began the Commendatio Anima, the voice of the reader barely audible for the sobs and weeping around. Thus, "in hac tremenda expectatione", he lay for awhile, the brethren still praying and chanting for his soul's repose. Just as they came to the passage in the 79th Psalm, "Deus virtutum, convertere, respice de cælo, et vide, et visita vineam istam", "Turn Thee again, Thou God of hosts, look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine", his spirit left the world. He passed away as morning was breaking, about to look upon a brighter day than ever shone on earth; and thus, calmly and blessedly, "fine sancto functus", "left the vine which he had planted, to wit, the congregation of his church, which he had abundantly instructed in the study of heavenly discipline, to the care and visitation of the Almighty Creator." The chronicler narrates that the attendants who watched his body saw it assume a marvellous whiteness, which they interpreted as significative of his charity, devotion, and unspotted sanctity. His decease fell on the third Sunday in Lent and it was remarked that the office which was sung on the day of his death was the very same as that on the occasion of his consecration thirty years before. "Oculi mei semper ad Dominum", it ran, " quoniam Ipse 3 1 MS. Cott., Nero, A. vIII, f. 78b; Angl. Sacr., ii, p. 291. 2 Ps. lxxix, 15 (lxxx, 14, vers. Angl.) 3 Will. Malmesb., lib. i, f. 133a, edit. predict. 4 MS. Cott., Nero, A. vIII, ff. 78b, 79; Angl. Sacr., ii, 291. 5 Ibid. 270 MEMOIR OF GUNDULF, BISHOP OF ROCHESTER. evellet de laqueo pedes meos."1 "Mine eyes are ever towards the Lord, for He shall pluck my feet out of the net"-words which were considered especially applicable to the events of his life and the graces of his character." He expired on the 8th of March, 1108, in about the eighty-fifth year of his age, the fifty-first from his assumption of the monastic habit, the thirty-first of his episcopate, and the eighth of the reign of king Henry I. His body, dressed in pontifical vestments, was borne into the cathedral church of S. Andrew, and laid before the altar of that apostle; whence it was removed a few days afterwards, and interred by S. Anselm, who had been sent for from Canterbury for that purpose, with all the honour becoming his station and deserts, before the altar of the crucifix, at the junction of the nave and choir." So lived and so died this renowned, accomplished, and saintly bishop. Here we must leave him. The pens of angels can alone record the continuation of that which was so holily on earth begun. I have nothing further to add than the remark that, in one of the niches of the arcade on the west front of the north-west tower of the nave, there is a very ancient episcopal statue (see plate 29), intended, as it is thought, for Gundulf. It is very much mutilated, but enough, nevertheless, remains to shew its character. There is no tomb at present existing, which can, with the smallest degree of probability, be appropriated to him." Gundulf, however, wants no such monumental record in Rochester. You have but to traverse its streets and look around you, and evidences of his presence, his energy, devotion, skill, and vigour, meet the eye on every side. Of him, as of a great though not a greater man many ages afterwards, it doubtless has been often, and may still be rightly, said— "Si monumentum quæris, circumspice." 1 Ps. xxiv, 15 (xxv, 15, vers. Angl.) 2 MS. Cott., Nero A. vIII, f. 80; Angl. Sacr., ii, 291. ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL. BY ARTHUR ASHPITEL, ESQ., F.S.A. THE architect and antiquary has great difficulties in treating of this most interesting cathedral. First, from the paucity of the records concerning its history, compared with the stores of leiger books, chartularies, and chronicles possessed by some collegiate bodies; and secondly, from the numerous alterations and restorations,―attempted with the best motives it is true, but executed at a time when the subject was not at all understood. From this cause the external character of the work is often entirely changed; and those indications of additions to, or alterations from, the original designs-those slight matters which in an untouched building catch the eye, and guide the observer to such important results, are here quite obscured or obliterated -those tests which have been so successfully applied elsewhere are here entirely lost. It is then with considerable diffidence the following remarks are offered. However defective they may be, the building itself is of such great interest, that any attempt, however imperfect, to throw light on its foundation and history, must necessarily be of some value. The authorities I have consulted on the subject, besides the Textus Roffensis, as published by Hearne, and the Registrum Roffense, published by Thorpe, are chiefly the following MSS. in the British Museum-a Registrum Roffense, marked Faustina B.V.; another Registrum, marked Vespasian A. CXXII; and a Chronicon Roffense, marked Nero D. II. There are a few notices in the Cole MSS. 28, but of little importance. I have also gone through all the collected materials, and the sketch books, of the late Mr. Essex, who was employed, about sixty years back, in executing some repairs to the cathedral, but have found nothing in them worthy of notice. By far the most curious of the manuscripts is that marked Nero D. II, which I shall call the Rochester Chronicle". It is a most beautiful MS. of the time of Edward III, and contains a complete history of the world from the earliest period down to those |