Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

58 ANCIENT AND
obscured the stone screen and shut out the east window
from the choir. The partitions between the east-end of the
choir and the side aisle are also glazed ; by which arrange
ment, a view of several painted windows is obtained from the
choir. Gas was introduced into this part of the Cathedral
in 1 827 ; and it is lighted every day for evening service,
from the feast of St. Luke to Candlemas. A conspicuous
object in the choir is the brazen eagle-stand, from which
the lessons are read. It bears the following inscription :—
" Thos. Croft, D.D., gave this brazen eagle for the use
of the Cathedral church ofYork, sacred to St. Peter, 1686."
The windows in this end of the Cathedral, particularly of
the little tbansepts north and south, are deserving of
careful examination ; in especial the uppermost window of
the northern aisle, called by Drake, " the window armo
rial."—The shields of arms upon which, are from the top,
first, St. Peter, then the Imperial, England, old France,
Arragon, king of the Romans ; Castile and Leon, Jeru
salem and Navarre. The figures in coats armorial are,
first, the emperor, king of Arragon, old England, old
France, twice over; Beauchamp, Clare, Warren, Beauchamp
again, Ross, Mowbray, Clifford, and Percy.
The end window in the south aisle, remarkable for its
fresh and vivid colours, was presented to the church by
the right hon. the earl of Carlisle, in 1 804 ; by whom it
was brought from the church of St. Nicholas, in Rouen.
The annunciation, copied from Sebastian de Piombo, is
painted on the glass ; and the arms, crest, garter, and
coronet of the illustrious earl are represented in the
compartments.
The best and most imposing view of the choir and
Cathedral, is obtained from the gallery that runs across
the wondrous east window. Mr. Britton, who had the
advantage of ascending thither, says, " the view from this
gallery is inconceivably grand and beautiful. The whole
length of the interior of the church is shewn in perspective,