WORCESTERSHIRE.

THE CITY OF WORCESTER.

WORCESTER, a large, populous, and exceedingly wellbuilt city, is situated on the gradual ascent of the eastern bank of the Severn, here a broad and tranquil stream, which, after passing the noble bridge built by Gwynn, traverses the vale of Evesham to Upton; between the Malvern Hills on the N. W., and the Bredon Hill, a bold eminence, on the S. E. Towards the north-west of the city are the Abberley Hills, and the eastern view is finely terminated by numerous eminences tufted with trees. The Cathedral of Worcester is said to have been founded by Ethelred, King of Mercia, in the year 680. It suffered more than once by fire subsequent to its erection, and was entirely rebuilt by Bishop William de Blois, and re-consecrated in 1218, in the presence of King Henry III., when the Church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St. Peter, St. Oswald, and St. Wulstan. King John, who died at Newark in 1216, was interred in the choir before the high altar; his tomb is the earliest royal monument in the kingdom. There are parts of the original Church, built before 1150, which

may yet be traced. The refectory of the Convent is still perfect, and the nave of the Cathedral is extremely beautiful both in style and porportions; the stalls in the choir, finely carved, were constructed in 1397, of fine Irish oak; there are twenty-six on each side, those on the south terminated by the Bishop's throne, and those on the north by the Archdeacon's stall. The pulpit of stone is much admired; it is sculptured with the symbols of the Evangelists, the arms of England and of the See of Worcester. On the south side of the choir is the sepulchral chapel of Prince Arthur, eldest son of Henry VII. and brother of Henry VIII., who died at Ludlow Castle in 1502. The dimensions of the Cathedral are five hundred and fourteen feet in length, seventy-eight feet in breadth, and sixty-eight in height. The tower rises one hundred and sixty-two feet from the pavement. Adjoining to the Church are the Cloisters and the Chapter House, which last contains a copy of the descent from the Cross, by Rubens, and several curious MSS. in the library, to which purpose it is now

converted.