Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 49
perhaps, saved the east window. Martin was tried at the
York assizes ; and, his insanity being proved, he was
removed to St. Luke's Hospital, London, where he died,
in 1838. The Cathedral, however, soon again exchanged
"beauty for ashes ;" subscriptions to the amount of £65,000
being placed at the disposal of the chapter. Wood was
granted by the government: Sir E. M. Vavasour, Bart.,
of Hazlewood Hall—following the example of his muni
ficent ancestor, furnished the necessary stone ; the com
munion-plate was provided by the Archbishop ; the organ
was presented by the Hon. and Rev. J. L. Saville, one of
the prebendaries, (since Earl of Scarborough) ; and on
the 6th of May, 1832, the Minster was re-opened for
public worship.
On the 20th May, 1840, through the carelessness of a
man employed to repair the clock, a fire broke out in the
south tower of the western front. The flames spread
quickly; and before they were extinguished the roof of the
nave was completely demolished, and the beautiful peal of
bells were destroyed. At first, fears were entertained that
the tower could not stand ; but, subsequently, it was not
found necessary to take it down. Subscriptions were
almost immediately opened ; and before the spring of the
ensuing year the tower was repaired externally, and a new
roof was placed upon the nave.
Having said so much in illustration of the history of the
edifice, we proceed with a description of York Minster as
it now exists.
The wonderful facade at the west end, containing the
principal entrance to the church, first demands our atten
tion. Two uniform towers, strengthened at their corners
with buttresses which diminish at four divisions as they
ascend, rise from the western ends of the aisles of the nave.
Between these towers the front of the middle aisle is carried
up to the same height as its side walls, and an open battle
ment runs across the whole breadth, round the towers, and
continues along the sides of the nave.
E
A number of niches,