CORNWALL out of the world," and the town, though fairly central, would not have been con- venient. Truro seemed best to answer all requirements. To lessen the excessive moder- nity of the new erection, and give it that touch of mellow age which always heightens the impressiveness of ecclesiastical buildings, it was resolved to incorporate the old church of St. Mary's, or at least a portion of it. The S. aisle of the church, its oklest and best portion (dating from the sixteenth century), was preserved to become a portion of the cathedral, which its presence entirely benefits, except in one particular. There can be no doubt that the position of the cathedral is crowded and inconvenient ; it is surrounded and pressed upon by narrow streets and humble dwellings in quite a Continental fashion. A different choice of site would have allowed for the customary dignified breathing-space of other English minsters. The best monuments of the old church find a place in different parts of the new edifice ; these include the Jacobean memorial of John Robartes and his wife, and some memorials of the Vyvyans. These now stand in the N. transept. Some excellent stained glass, a fine waggon roof, and a striking wooden pulpit, are the more noticeable relics of old St. Mary's. In 1876 the Diocese of Cornwall was revived by Act of Parliament ; in 1877 Dr. Benson was consecrated its first bishop ; and till anything further could be done St. Mary's was the pro-cathedral. Some 252
