Ir appears from an ancient document bearing the date 960, that there was a church at Croydon in the time of the Saxons. It most likely stood where the present one now stands, the first mention of which we find in an ancient instrument, "dated at Maidston, 2id Jun, in the year 1348." This document contains an ordination made by Archbishop Strafford of what tithes were then to belong to the Rectors and Vicars of Croydon respectively. From this it would seem that the present church must have been built prior to the year 1348. It is a very beautiful gothic structure, far surpassing any other church in the county of Surrey. The tower is square and lofty; built of flint and stone, and supported by well-proportioned buttresses at each angle; upon the top are four beautiful pinnacles, each surmounted by a vane. The interior of the church consists of a nave, two aisles, and three chancels. The length of the nave is seventy feet, and that of the middle chancel fifty-four feet: the breadth of the church with the aisles is seventy-four feet. The nave is separated from the aisles by light clustered columns, and pointed arches, between which are several grotesque heads and ornaments. The east end of the north VOL. VI. Second Series.

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aisle is called Heron's chapel, and is dedicated to St. Mary: the east end of the south, the Bishop's chapel, and dedicated to St. Nicholas. The old font is at the west end of the south aisle, and appears to be coeval with the church: it is an octagon with quarterfoils. In the middle chancel are twelve ancient wooden stalls, of various workmanship. On the north side of it is a very neat vestry; and in the middle of the chancel, before the altar, stands a brass eagle, with expanded wings, on a neat pedestal of brass. The pews are neat and well-distributed: there are also galleries on three sides.

At several periods, during the last hundred years, this church has undergone extensive repairs. The wall at the east end of St. Mary's chantry, and the vestry-room, has been effectually repaired, and the fine gothic window therein restored to its original order. Much has also been added to the beauty of the interior: the ancient gothic screens which separated the nave aisles and chancel have been taken away; the pulpit removed to a more conspicuous situation; the middle chancel, with that of St. Nicholas, seated with new and handsome pews; the beautiful monuments have also been cleansed and restored; the casings cut away from the fine clustered columns, and their sculpture opened to public view, which gives the church, on entering it, a cathedral-like appearance. Further improvements are intended, which, if carried into effect, will restore this ancient and venerable fabric to its pristine beauty.

In this church are deposited the remains of Archbishops Grindall, Whitgift, Sheldon, Wake, Potter, and Herring. Croydon, indeed, was at one time a favourite residence of the Archbishops of Canterbury. The archiepiscopal palace yet remains, though comparatively much decayed. The monument of Archbishop Sheldon exceeds all the others with which it is associated, in beauty of workmanship. It stands on the south wall of St. Nicholas's chantry, and is composed of black and white marble. On the black marble tomb is a figure in episcopal robes, leaning on his left hand, holding his crosier in his right, with the mitre on his head. Under him, in alto relievo, are shells, bones, &c., all very curiously carved; and a little above the figures, on a white marble tablet, is an

inscription, in Latin, to the Archbishop's memory.

After

stating the various offices which he had filled, his character

is thus described :--

Vir

Omnibus Negotiis Par, omnibus Titulis Superior;
In Rebus adversis Magnus, in prosperis Bonus,
Utriusque Fortunæ Dominus;
Pauperum Parens,
Literatorum Patronus,

Ecclesiæ Stator.

De Tanto Viro

Pauca dicere non expedit, Multa non opus est;
Norunt Præsentes, Posteri vix credent:

Octogenarius

Animam Piam et Cælo Maturam

Deo reddidit

v Id. Novembris, MDCLXVII.*

As we have given this high eulogium on Archbishop Sheldon, it is only right to add that he was what is called a High Churchman; exceedingly high, and even violent against all Dissenters. He was very munificent, building at his own expense the celebrated "Theatre," or place of public assembly, at Oxford, where the different prize compositions are annually recited before the whole University, officially congregated; and where, at the same time, honorary degrees are conferred. But, if we take our views of religion from such men as Archbishop Leighton, Sheldon will stand before us deficient to a very melancholy extent. Bishop Burnet, whose just account of Archbishop Leighton, as well as his work on the "Pastoral Care," prove him to have been capable, at all events, of duly appreciating the sacred character of a truly religious man, speaks of him as having no deep sense of religion, and as regarding religion itself mainly as an engine of government, and matter of policy.

* A man to all affairs equal, to all titles superior: great in adversity, in prosperity good; of either lot, controller: of the poor a parent, of literature the patron, and guardian of the Church. Of such a man, to say little were not expedient, needless to say much. They who now live know (his worth), posterity will scarcely believe it; &c.