CHICHESTER CROSS, SUSSEX. THE Cross at Chichester stands near the cathedral, at the intersection of the four principal streets of the city. It was erected in the fifteenth century by bishop Edward Story, and was, till within the last two years, used as a market-place; but the increased population of Chichester requiring a more extensive area for that purpose, a large and convenient market-house, has recently been built in the north street, on the completion of which it was proposed to take down the ancient market cross, then considered as a nuisance. But the city is likely to be exempted from the odium of such a proceeding by the public spirit of an individual, who purchased certain houses on the north side of the Cross, intending to widen the street on that side by their demolition: it is likewise in contemplation to restore the ornamental parts of the Cross where they are decayed, and to enclose its several entrances with an iron fence; by this means its beautiful interior will be preserved from the rude assaults of the clowns that continually infest it. It is much to be wished that these improvements may be extended to the removal of the clumsy modern turret that surmounts the Cross, and the restitution of its ancient termination. E CHICHESTER CROSS. Chichester Cross is one of the most elegant buildings of the kind now existing in England; its form is octangular, having a strong butment at each angle, surmounted with pinnacles; on each of its faces is an entrance through a pointed arch, ornamented with crockets and a finial. Above this, on four of its sides, is a tablet, inscribed to commemorate its reparation in the reign of Charles II.: above each tablet is a dial that presents the hour to three of the principal streets; the fourth is excluded from this advantage by standing at an angle. In the centre is a large round column, the basement of which forms a seat; into this column is inserted a number of groinings, that, spreading from the centre, forms the roof, beautifully moulded; the central column appears to continue through the roof, and is supported without by eight flying butments that rest on the several corners of the building. |