WESTMINSTER ABBEY, [INTRODUCTION.-The paper here given is from the Sketch Book, a collection of essays written in England during Irving's second visit to that country (1815). These were sent home, and, during 1818-19, were published in parts in New York.] 1. On one of those sober and rather melancholy days in the latter part of autumn, when the shadows of morning and evening almost mingle together, and throw a gloom over the decline of the year, I passed several hours in rambling about Westminster Abbey. There was something congenial to the season in the 5 mournful magnificence of the old pile; and as I passed its threshold, it seemed like stepping back into the regions of antiquity, and losing myself among the shades of former ages. 2. I entered from the inner court of Westminster School, through a long, low, vaulted passage, that had an almost sub- 14 terranean look, being dimly lighted in one part by circular perforations in the massive walls. Through this dark avenue I NOTES.-Lines 4, 5. Westminster Abbey. See Addison's paper, page 138, 9. Westminster School. In the reign ster Abbey was made a "collegiate church.” Westminster School is a part of the collegiate establishment, and is endowed out of the revenues of the former abbey. LITERARY ANALYSIS. — 1-8. The student will observe the beautiful simplicity with which the introduction to this paper is made in two sentences. 1-5. On one... Abbey. Grammatically, what kind of sentence? Rhetorically, period or loose sentence?-What two epithets are applied to "days?" Is this a literal or a figurative use of these words?-What fault may be found with the expression "mingle together?" 5-8. There was . . . ages. Point out an instance of alliteration in this sentence.-Point out a simile. 9-27. I entered... decay. Notice the admirable variety of sentences (as to kind and length) in paragraph 2.—How many sentences? How many simple? Complex? Compound? - What kind of sentence (and that of how many members) rounds off the paragraph?-Which sentence brings before the mind a vivid picture, and hence is picturesque? 11, 12. Substitute Anglo-Saxon words for the italicized words of Latin origin in the phrase "by circular perforations in the massive walls." had a distant view of the cloisters, with the figure of an old verger, in his black gown, moving along their shadowy vaults, and seeming like a spectre * from one of the neighboring tombs. 15 The approach to the abbey through these gloomy monastic remains prepares the mind for its solemn contemplation. The cloisters still retain something of the quiet and seclusion of former days. The gray walls are discolored by damps and crumbling with age; a coat of hoary moss has gathered over 20 the inscriptions of the mural* monuments, and obscured the death's-heads and other funereal emblems. The sharp touches of the chisel are gone from the rich tracery of the arches; the roses which adorned the keystones have lost their leafy beauty; everything bears marks of the gradual dilapidations * of time, 25 which yet has something touching and pleasing in its very decay. 3. The sun was pouring down a yellow autumnal ray into the square of the cloisters, beaming upon a scanty plot of grass in the centre, and lighting up an angle of the vaulted passage with 30 a kind of dusky splendor. From between the arcades the eye glanced up to a bit of blue sky or a passing cloud, and beheld the sun-gilt pinnacles* of the abbey towering into the azure heaven. 13. cloisters. A cloister is a covered arcade forming part of a monastic or collegiate establishment, surrounding the inner quadrangular area of the buildings, with numerous large win 14. verger, beadle, or attendant. 24. keystones. A keystone is the stone dows looking into the quadran- 29. square of the cloisters, the inner gle. quadrangular area. See note 13. LITERARY ANALYSIS.-13. cloisters. Etymology? 22. funereal. (Glossary.) ize. Distinguish between the adjectives funereal and funeral. 22-27. A vigorous mode of statement is first to specify and then to general· Show how the principle is exemplified in this sentence. 25. dilapidations. What is the primary signification of dilapidation? Is there a peculiar felicity in its use here? 4. As I paced the cloisters, sometimes contemplating this min- 35 gled picture of glory and decay, and sometimes endeavoring to decipher the inscriptions on the tombstones which formed the pavement beneath my feet, my eye was attracted to three figures, rudely carved in reiief, but nearly worn away by the footsteps of many generations. They were the effigies of three of the early 40 abbots; the epitaphs* were entirely effaced; the names alone remained, having no doubt been renewed in later times (Vitalis. Abbas. 1082, and Gislebertus. Crispinus. Abbas. 1114, and Laurentius. Abbas. 1176). I remained some little while musing over these casual relics of antiquity, thus left like wrecks 45 upon this distant shore of time, telling no tale but that such beings had been and had perished; teaching no moral but the futility of that pride which hopes still to exact homage* in its ashes, and to live in an inscription. A little longer, and even these faint records will be obliterated, and the monument will cease to 5o be a memorial. 5. While I was yet looking down upon these gravestones, I was roused by the sound of the abbey clock, reverberating from buttress to buttress, and echoing among the cloisters. It is al 39. in relief. A figure in relief is one that projects above or beyond or representation of a person, kinds-high, demi, and low re- 41. abbots, superiors or governors of LITERARY ANALYSIS.—35-40. As I passed... generations. sentence rhetorically? Change into the direct order. What kind of 35, 36. mingled picture of glory and decay. What were the points of glory in the "mingled picture?" What the features of "decay?" 45. casual relics of antiquity. Explain. - left like wrecks, etc. What is the figure? What fact in the inscription authorizes the phrase "distant shore of time ?" 48. pride which hopes, etc. What is the figure? (See Def. 22.) 51. memorial. What is a memorial? Why will the monument 66 cease to be a memorial?" most startling to hear this warning of departed time sounding 55 among the tombs, and telling the lapse of the hour, which, like a billow, has rolled us onward towards the grave. I pursued my walk to an arched door opening to the interior of the abbey. On entering here, the magnitude of the building breaks fully upon the mind, contrasted with the vaults of the cloisters. 60 The eyes gaze with wonder at clustered columns of gigantic dimensions, with arches springing from them to such an amazing height; and man wandering about their bases shrunk into insignificance in comparison with his own handiwork. The spaciousness and gloom of this vast edifice produce a profound and 65 mysterious awe.* We step cautiously and softly about, as if fearful of disturbing the hallowed silence of the tomb; while every footfall whispers along the walls, and chatters among the sepulchres, making us more sensible* of the quiet we have interrupted.* It seems as if the awful nature of the place presses 7o down upon the soul, and hushes the beholder into noiseless reverence. We feel that we are surrounded by the congregated bones of the great men of past times, who have filled history with their deeds, and the earth with their renown. 6. And yet it almost provokes a smile at the vanity of human 75 ambition to see how they are crowded together and jostled in the dust what parsimony is observed in doling out a scanty nook, a gloomy corner, a little portion of earth, to those whom, : * LITERARY ANALYSIS.-57. has rolled. Is this expression literal or metaphorical? Does a billow roll anything? Is "rolled" the best word then? Substitute a better. 63. and man. Supply the ellipsis. 66. awe. Discriminate between "awe" and dread and reverence (Glossary, "awe"), and show that "awe" is the fitting word here. To the thought raised by the word "awe," show what is added by the epithets "profound" and "mysterious." 70. as if. Query as to the use of "if." 75. it almost provokes, etc. "It" is the anticipative subject to provokes : what is the full logical subject? (This instance well illustrates the convenience of this idiom.) 77, 78. How many expressions does Irving employ to denote the small space given to each of the dead great ones? Is this combination chargeable with tautology? Give reasons pro or con. when alive, kingdoms could not satisfy; and how many shapes and forms and artifices are devised to catch the casual notice of s the passenger, and save from forgetfulness, for a few short years, a name which once aspired to occupy ages of the world's thought and admiration. 7. I passed some time in Poets' Corner, which occupies an end of one of the transepts or cross aisles of the abbey. The 85 monuments are generally simple, for the lives of literary men afford no striking themes for the sculptor.* Shakespeare and Addison have statues erected to their memories; but the greater part have busts, medallions, and sometimes mere inscriptions. Notwithstanding the simplicity of these memorials, I have always observed that the visitors to the abbey remained longest about them. A kinder and fonder feeling takes the place of that cold curiosity or vague admiration with which they gaze on the splendid monuments of the great and the heroic. They linger about these as about the tombs of friends and companions ;* 95 for indeed there is something of companionship between the 84. Poets' Corner. Poets' Corner oc cupies nearly a half of the south 87, 88. Shakespeare and Addison speare stands like a sentimental dandy." CUNNINGHAM: Handbook of London. The body of Shakespeare lies in the church at Stratford-on-Avon. The statue of Addison (by Westmacott) was erected 1809; his body lies in another part of the abbey (Henry VII.'s Chapel). statues. The monument to LITERARY ANALYSIS.-84-110. To what is this paragraph devoted?-State briefly, in your own language, the different feelings with which visitors (of sensibility) regard the memorials of illustrious authors and those of the merely worldly great.—Explain what is meant by the remark that the intercourse between the author and his fellow-men is "ever new," etc. 88. have. What is the grammatical construction? 89-92. Notwithstanding... them. Analyze this sentence. 95. these. What noun does "these " represent? Is there any ambiguity in the reference? |