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CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL.

(To the Editor of the Mirror.)

Happening to look at No. 229, of your valuable Miscellany, in which you have given rather a lengthy account of Canterbury Cathedral, I was surprised to find no notice taken of the beautiful STONE SCREEN in the interior of the cathedral, which is considered by many, one of the finest specimens of florid Gothic in the kingdom.  The following is a brief description of this ancient specimen of architecture: 

This fine piece of Gothic carved work was built by Prior Hen. de Estria, in 1304.  It is rich in flutings, pyramids, and canopied niches, in which stand six statues crowned, five of which hold globes in their hands, and the sixth a church.  Various have been the conjectures as to the individuals intended by these statues.  That holding the church is supposed to represent King Ethelbert, being a very ancient man with a long beard.  The next figure appears more feminine, and may probably intend his queen, Bertha.

Before the havoc made in Charles’s reign, there were thirteen figures representing Christ and his Apostles in the niches which are round the arch-doorway, and also twelve mitred Saints aloft along the stone work, where is now placed an organ.

At the National Repository, Charing Cross, there is exhibited a very correct model of this screen, in which the likenesses of the ancient kings are admirably imitated.  P.T.

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ANCIENT STONE.

(For the Mirror.)

There formerly stood about three miles from Carmarthen, at a place called New Church, a stone about eight feet long and two broad.  The only distinguishable words upon it were “Severus filius Severi.”  The remainder of the inscription, by dilapidation and time, was defaced.  It is supposed that there had been a battle fought here, and that Severus fell.  About a quarter of a mile from this was another with the name of some other individual.  The above stone was removed by the owner of the land on which it stood, and is now used instead of a gate-post by him.  I should imagine it was the son of Severus the Roman, who founded the great wall and ditch called after him, Severus’ Wall and Ditch, and as there was a Roman road from St. David’s, in Wales, to Southampton, it is not improbable that the Romans should come from thence to Carmarthen.  W.H.

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THE COSMOPOLITE.

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DIET OF VARIOUS NATIONS.

(For the Mirror.)