Fountains Abbey, about 2 miles south-west from Ripon in Yorkshire, stands in a beautiful wooded valley, through which runs a pretty stream known as the Skell.  The abbey is noted for the great extent of its remains, which seem to have escaped any wanton destruction.  A fine tower at the north end of the transept still stands, but the central one has fallen into great decay.  Besides the church there are many remains of this famous abbey, which at the time of the dissolution of the monasteries was one of the richest in the country.  The cloisters, 300 feet long, are unsurpassed in England.  They extend across an archway over the stream, and are lit by lancet windows.  There are also remains of the chapter-house, the refectory, and the kitchen with its two wide fireplaces.

The history of the foundation of Fountains Abbey is of considerable interest.  In the twelfth century some monks of the Benedictine monastery of St. Mary at York, being attracted by the sanctity of the inmates of the Cistercian abbey of Rievaulx in Yorkshire, became dissatisfied with their own form of government, and wished to adopt the rules of Rievaulx Abbey and withdraw from their own monastery.  This naturally did not please their abbot; but eventually, after appealing to the Archbishop of York, some land in a lonely valley, known as Skell Dale, was granted to them.  Here, in the depth of winter, without shelter or means of subsistence, the pious monks suffered great hardship.  After a few years Hugh, Dean of York, left all his possessions to the Abbey of Fountains, and after this endowments and benefactions flowed in.

In 1140 the abbey was burnt down, but in 1204 the restoration was recommenced, and the foundations of a new church, of which the present ruins are the remains, were laid.  The great tower, however, was not completed till the end of the fourteenth century.

At the Dissolution Sir Richard Gresham bought the estates, and they are now owned by the descendants of Mr. William Aislabie of Studley Royal.

[Illustration:  Photochrom Co., Ltd.

FOUNTAINS ABBEY.

One of the finest ruined monasteries in England.]

RIPON CATHEDRAL

=How to get there.=—­Train from King’s Cross via Leeds.  Great
  Northern Railway.
=Nearest Station.=—­Ripon. =Distance from London.=—­214 miles. =Average Time.=—­Varies between 5 to 7 hours.

                     1st 2nd 3rd
=Fares.=—­Single 29s. 9d. ... 17s. 5d. 
          Return 59s. 6d. ... 34s. 10d.

=Accommodation Obtainable.=—­“Black Bull Hotel,” “Black Swan
  Hotel,” “Bradford Hotel,” etc.