Historical Memorials of Westminster Abbey

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Arthur H. Beavan continued his survey of Westminster Abbey in Imperial London, 1901, with a look at the Abbey records:

The records of Westminster Abbey can best be studied by reading the fascinating and exhaustive work of Dean Stanley, "Historical Memorials of Westminster Abbey," truly a labour of love, published in 1868.

But as a national Campo Santo, as a record of British history, written in the silent dust of the departed, England's past can be pondered on the spot.

"Not even the Parthenon at Athens," says Dean Farrar, "or the Temple of Jupiter Capitolinus at Rome can claim precedence over it in the multitude of its associations. Through its precincts have coursed the majestic stream of a nation's history."

The first sight of Westminster Abbey's interior of course produces varying effects in different temperaments, and I know a certain impressionable young lady, fresh to London from the north, where flourish "the oak and the ash, and the bonnie ivy-tree," who, entering for the first time the sacred fane, could give vent to her feelings only by quiet weeping.

For the devout, there are daily services at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., supplemented on Sundays by evensong at 7, when the singing, to the accompaniment of an organ that may be regarded as absolutely perfect, can only be equalled at St. Paul's Cathedral.

One is Maundy Thursday, when the Royal alms are distributed to aged men and women, the number of each corresponding with the age of the Sovereign.

This quaint and picturesque ceremony was transferred from the Chapel Royal at Whitehall to Westminster Abbey some years ago.

The other is December 28, the Festival of the Holy Innocents, when special services are held, and the sermons preached are usually of a rare order of excellence.

Dean Stanley made them quite a feature, and his notable discourse in 1865 (the day happening to be the 800th anniversary of the dedication of the Confessor's Abbey) is one of the bright memories of the past.

The 13th of October is, to Roman Catholics, specially noteworthy; as in the year 1163, King Edward was on that day "translated," or canonized, and the "Ransomers," a special religious order, are every year, as the 13th of October comes round, permitted to offer orisons at the shrine for the conversion of England.

In various churches in the neighbourhood, Mass is said, after which the congregations walk to Westminster Abbey and visit the tomb.

Many of these pilgrims are priests, but the majority are women. Their conduct is always most decorous and reverent. Each person awaits patiently his or her turn to touch the shrine, then kneels down, prays, rises, and makes room for others.