A grand defect in the structure of this Cathedral, as it strikes me, is, that the nave and transepts do not seem to belong to such a western front.  They sink into perfect insignificance.  Nor is the style of their exterior particularly deserving of description.  Yet there is one feature in the external architecture of this Cathedral—­namely, a series or suite of DROLLERIES ... of about four or five feet high ... which cannot fail to attract the antiquary’s especial notice.  These figures are coarsely but spiritedly cut in stone.  They are placed upon the bracket which supports the galleries, or balcony, of the eastern side of the facade of the tower, and are about sixty-five English feet from the ground.  They extend to thirty-two feet in length.  Through the kind offices of my friend Mr. Schweighaeuser, junior, (of whom by and by) I have obtained drawings of these droll subjects,[210] and I am sure that, in common with many of our friends, you will be amused with the sight of a few of them.  They are probably of the date of 1370;

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

The common people call this series the Sabbath of Demons, or the Dance of the Witches.  You are to know, however, that on the opposite side of the cathedral there is a series of figures, of the same size, and executed nearly in the same style of art, descriptive of scriptural events, mixed with allegorical subjects.  Having now pointed out what appears to me to be chiefly interesting in the exterior of this marvellous building, it is right that I give you some notion of its interior:  which will however occupy but a short portion of your attention.  Indeed—­I grieve to speak it—­both the exterior and interior of the nave are wholly unworthy of such a magnificent west-front.

The nave and choir together are about three hundred and fifty-five English feet in length; of which the nave is two hundred and forty-four—­evidently of too scanty dimensions.  The width of the nave and side aisles is one hundred and thirty-two feet:  the height of the nave is only seventy-two feet.  The larger of the nine clustered columns is full seventy-two feet in circumference; the more delicate, thirty feet.  There is really nothing striking in this nave; except that, on turning round, and looking up to the painted glass of the circular or marygold window, you observe the colours of it, which are very rich, and absolutely gay, compared with those of the other windows.  There is a profusion of painted glass in almost all the windows; but generally of a sombre tint, and of a correspondent gloomy effect.  Indeed, in consequence of this profusion, the cathedral absolutely wants light.