that this ceiling cuts off the top of the western arch of the lantern, which at once spoils the effect of the latter, and gives an unpleasant appearance to the unfinished pendants of the ceiling, when seen from behind, out of the choir. Still this very view of the roof, in which hardly any other part of the nave is visible, is wonderful in the extreme” (J. & F., p. 59). Having noticed the details and their curious effects in the nave, the observant visitor still feels that he has not fully explained to his satisfaction the complete secret of its bizarre effect. It only unfolds itself on measuring and levelling. The whole nave floor slopes considerably--more than two feet--from east to west, following the natural fall of the ground, and the arcades slope outwards respectively north and south, and, in consequence, their piers lengthen as one nears the west end. A settlement, owing to the very wet site and bad foundations, probably aided by an earthquake (1248) and the unusual width of the nave (for a Norman church) are enough to account for these peculiarities; and the slope of the nave floor seems to have been purposely so devised for the sake of drainage in flood-time. At the west end of the south aisle, on three octagonal steps, stands the =Font=. Its original shaft is missing. The marble base is octagonal, and rudely arcaded with sixteen pointed arches, but no part is specially beautiful. The nave aisles do not call for any very special remarks. At the east end of both will be seen traces of the original vaulting, and on the north side the vaulting-shafts are taller than on the south. Also on that side the Perpendicular flying-buttresses are seen which make such a strange show outside, where once was the cloister garth, with their huge props. Speaking of the aisles generally, Freeman says: “It must be remembered that none of these preparations for vaulting were ever carried into effect. This is, indeed, no unusual phenomenon, yet there is certainly something striking in so many designs for a stone roof being traced out upon the same walls, and none of them being ever brought to perfection. In the nave aisles it may perhaps be accounted for by the strange and untoward shapes which the great width of the pier arches compelled the lateral arches of the vaulting to assume; it may have been found actually impossible to vault the aisles either at this (1328-1347) or the earlier Romanesque period. But this argument does not apply to any of the other unfinished vaults in the church of whatever date.”[10] The interior of the west front has been as nearly as possible restored to its former state, but has now no triforium passage. There are a couple of tiers of windows over the original west entrance. All the lights are round-headed and are set in a Norman rear-arch.