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nently maintain its ground as the ecclesi- | they dexterously availed themselves of its
astical architecture of this country. But powerful influence. The tendency of the
not content with this concession, many present day is to overrate the importance
seem so far to mistake their own arbitrary of architecture as a means of fostering de-
associations of ideas for the common in-votion. Circumstance at all times affects
stincts of humanity as to imagine that this us more strongly than architectural effect,
popular style has by inherent qualities of and, as circumstance varies, the same ob-
its own some necessary affinity with reli-ject excites the most different emotions.
gious impressions. Many a youth whose In a remote sequestered district an humble
awakening taste has been first touched by chapel, gray and time-worn, shaded by its
the glories of the Gothic style is led, in de- yew-tree, and surrounded by the moulder-
fiance of fact and in ignorance of history, ing graves of the rude forefathers of the
to dream of some mysterious union be- hamlet, may often produce a more devout
tween piety and genius, of some imaginary emotion than the most gorgeous cathedral
period when Christian art,' advancing to in the centre of its close. Place the same
perfection, walked hand in hand with holi- building under circumstances which con-
ness of life and purity of doctrine, till at nect its rudeness and dilapidation with the
some happy moment both arrived together ideas of neglect and irreverence, as for in-
at their culminating point. All this is stance in the neighbourhood of new and
entirely fantastic and arbitrary; but there expensive buildings and in the midst of a
are no limits to the power of the will over bustling population, and it excites only
the associations; men in this state may so feelings of pain. In this country and at
mould their feelings to their fancies as to the present time we have already said it
be devoutly affected where the windows would be contrary to our own principle not
are geometrical, to be lukewarm where the to avail ourselves in church architecture of
tracery is perpendicular, and to be so dis- the connexion which is established in many
turbed by the sight of the classic orders as minds between the Gothic style and devo-
to be unable to pray in an Italian church. tional feelings, but we must not forget that
In truth, however, the power of Gothic this association is by no means universal.
architecture to predispose to devotion, in- A pretty close observation has led us to
dependently of the association of ideas, is the conclusion (which is important as con-
only that which is shared by every other nected in many ways with practical re-
object of nature or art sufficiently striking sults) that among the middle and busy class-
to exalt the imagination, and of course can es there is scarcely any preference for the
act only on minds sufficiently refined to be Gothic model, nor indeed do devotional feel-
amenable to such influences. Neither the ings seem to be assisted by architectural
Gothic, nor, indeed, any other of the grandeur of any kind; while on the other
many styles adopted in different ages and hand, the poorest classes in our great towns
countries by the Church, has any essential are unquestionably revolted by it. They
connexion with Christianity, or can claim associate the idea of fine people with grand
to be called emphatically Christian archi- churches, and nothing can persuade them
tecture.' The Italians cannot understand to enter the doors of a building the very
what we mean when we complain that architecture of which flouts their rags.
their gay Basilicas, with their magnificent
colonnades and golden rather than gilded
roof, do not look like a church. To their
eyes they look like nothing else. The
Jesuits, who sought by a revival of devo-
tion in the Romish Church to withstand
the advancing tide of the Reformation, and
in order to effect their purpose studied
minutely every movement of the human
heart, made their churches attractive and
devotional by airiness, lightness, and grace
-by gay
colour and profuse gilding. They
did not deny the effect of the dim reli-
gious light, the sober splendour, and stately
grandeur of Gothic cathedrals, but they
felt that no style of architecture is privi-
leged exclusively to convey religious im-
pressions; they saw that Fashion had de-
clared itself in favour of classic models, and

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It is frequently urged against the advocates of economy, that if our ancestors had reasoned thus we should not have inherited from them those magnificent structures which we owe to their piety-models to guide our taste and rouse our emulationan enduring protest against the littleness and the selfishness of the present day. No one can rate more highly than we do this legacy of our forefathers. Nor will we scan their motives too closely, nor inquire how far the abuses and superstitions of the Romish Church contributed to constitute. that which, mystified by the haze of time, appears to us as their piety. We will at once accept the reductio ad absurdum which it is desired to force upon us, and admit that, if no majestic cathedrals had been bequeathed to us by former ages, we should

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not be justified in endeavouring to raise them, so long as the present state of spiritual destitution and ignorance, and our many other social evils, have prior claims on our energies and resources. That we possess these noble monuments is a matter of rejoicing; but we must also recollect that, because we do possess them, it is less necessary to produce repetitions of them, even if it were in our power to do so.

If it were in our power! We have hitherto permitted the assumption that our modern architecture is all it claims to be, as pure in taste as perfect in execution. Logically our argument gains no strength by proving the worthlessness of the decoration, which, good or bad, we have no right to purchase at the expense of higher considerations; but, practically, we should gain a great deal, we should remove much of the temptation to go astray, if we could make our lovers of church architecture feel how doubtful and transitory is the good they strive to obtain. Much, it must be owned, of the decoration which they so much admire arises from poverty and not from wealth of imagination. The architect who is not gifted with what Michael Angelo called the compass in the eye (and how rare is the gift!) finds himself unable to please even himself with the meanness of his proportions and the meagreness of his designs. He adds buttress and battlement, and gurgoyle and pinnacle, circular crosses, windows like diagrams in spherical trigonometry-whatever his eclectic archæology can collect from different styles and periods of Gothic art to make a showy plan; and by all his struggles only more completely exposes the poverty he intended to conceal.

the last thirty years are now undergoing a second transformation. At S Pennington, in Hampshire, we are informed ('Ecclesiologist,' cvii. p. 130), a most miserable pseudo-first-pointed church was built at a considerable expense some twelve years ago. Mr. has been called in to recast it in a more ecclesiastical form.' This is quick work. Only twelve years ago a considerable expense was incurred to build a pseudo-first-pointed something-which we cannot call a church, for it was not in an ecclesiastical form: who can say what will be thought twelve years hence of the present renovation, and whether by that time it will be held to exceed or to fall short of what is necessary to constitute a church? By writers on these subjects it seems to be assumed that we are just emerging from a period when churches are designed without any distinctive character or any regard to their sacred destination. We know of no such period. For the last two centuries churches have been built, as they ever have been and ever will be built, in the prevalent taste of the day, whether that taste be in its character imitative or original; and as the Great Fire of London took place shortly after the introduction into this country of what is called the Renais sance,' the larger part of the metropolitan churches belong to that now proscribed style. The cheapest and the meanest are the proprietary chapels, built on speculation and endowed only with their pewrents; but not even in these do we see any absence of distinctive physiognomy," nor of anything else which is needed for decency or reverence. The churches built under the Million Act' are sneered at for retaining the use of galleries. They were erected under a special grant from Parliament (the first ever made for such a purpose), to supply a pressing need in the speediest and most effectual manner; nor could the persons entrusted with this fund have dealt a heavier blow to the interests of the establishment' than by daring to fritter it away by wasteful designs and questionable decorations. It is, doubtless, no easy matter to reconcile Gothic architecture with a gallery, and in rural districts it may be possible to provide for the church ao

If the prudence or the taste of building committees were wont to reject these superfluous decorations, so far from checking the progress of architectural improvement, they would greatly contribute to it by compelling the architect to give more of his mind to the more important study of proportion and design. To stop the fluctuations of taste by endeavouring to impress on church architecture a permanent character, is a dream. Whether hereafter the reaction will be in favour of the classic style, or whether our successors will devote them-commodation of the population without havselves more exclusively to medieval art, they will rate what we are now doing much as we rate the works of our immediate predecessors. Nor need we look to any remote futurity for this result. At the present time not only are the churches of William's and Anne's days pulled down, but many which have been restored during

ing recourse to this unsightly contrivance; but how in attempting to relieve the spiritual destitution of our large manufacturing towns the Established Church can afford, in the present state of her resources, to deprive herself of an expedient, by which at a slight expense the accommodation of every place of worship may be nearly

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doubled, we must leave the admirers of ec- | longs or by whom it was built.
clesiology to explain. The onus probandi
lies with them. Mr. Petit most justly re-
marks (in a paper read before the Ox-
ford Architectural Society), that in the
condemnation of galleries we are setting
aside our own wants for the sake of our
architectural system, rather than adapt-
ing the system to our wants.
In po.
licy, if we wish for permanency to our own
labours, we should not set the example of
destroying those of our predecessors; and,
in common sense, we should not destroy
what, if not perfect, at least is serviceable,
while that which is wanting cannot be
numbered.' Dives, in the wantonness of
his wealth, builds up and pulls down :

'Diruit, ædificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.'
But he professes no higher principle than
the gratification of his own caprice, and the
money he is squandering is his own. Yet
even thus he is laughed at for his folly by
his brother Epicureans.

Of all the sources of beauty, that which is least subject to the caprices of fashion is fitness. To those who are dealing with the resources of others, it is the only guide which it is entirely safe on moral grounds to follow-it is a secondary consideration that, on architectural grounds, they could not have a better. Our domestic archi tecture is improved of late years both in comfort and picturesque effect, chiefly because the sense of fitness is more generally deferred to. The citizen no longer builds on an area of 30 by 40 feet a battlemented castle, flanked with towers, armed with loopholes, and perforated with ogee arches and quatrefoil windows. Why should the country curate be tormented with visions of aisles and transepts, and all the pomp of cathedral design? When the rector of a Tudor church repairs the chancel in what he considers the purer taste of Plantagenet times, how does he act with more regard to fitness than Inigo Jones, who, under similar circumstances, and for precisely a similar reason, would have copied a classic model? and what right has he to complain that the Sybarites,' his parishioners, refuse to pull down their beautiful and venerable church because it is no longer in harmony with his modern medievalism? The present age is vaunted for acknowledging the principle that every public building should, as such, have a 'distinctive decorative physiognomy. To a certain extent this principle may be admitted. But it is far more important the building should bear the impress of the purpose for which it was designed than of the body corporate to whom it be

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site adaptation of means to ends is more worthy of a powerful agent than any amount of embellishment. The taste for decorative physiognomy' has made the union workhouses, speaking generally, the most absurd specimens of modern art. Better internal arrangements for the comfort and the edification of the inmates would have redounded more to the credit of the British public than these fantastic elevations. If we would carefully study the buildings of the age which we profess to admire so much, we should observe that a scrupulous regard to fitness was their most striking characteristic. Not only every building, but every part of each building, is designed according to the use for which it is intended. An hospital for old women, a school for poor children, is not built in flimsy imitation of the palace of a sovereign. Even in the noblest foundations the architectural decoration is reserved for the gateways and the chapels. Brewhouses and stables are not decked with pinnacles nor pierced with trefoils and Norman arches.

We entirely agree with our author that the arrangement of a church is a matter much too serious to be treated as a question of taste. Churches, he says, should be contrived so that all can hear and all can see. Yet every day, in defiance of what might appear a truism, plaster is scraped away to expose dark grey or red stone, and internal walls are made to exhibit red brickwork, which, by some strange confusion of thought, is supposed to be a more 'real' material than other combinations of lime and clay; and the result of all this is, that, except on a very bright day towards noon, it is impossible to see to read. This in some churches, where the ritualistic arrangements' are such that the congregation cannot follow them, is of little consequence. But it seems that even the officiating minister may be doomed to darkness. The Ecclesiologist' (No. cxiii. p. 160) mentions a report that a certain curate has put a skylight into the roof of his church, and his excuse seems to be considered an aggravation of his offence. The man alleged (we are told) that the light had been so excluded by donations of painted glass, that he could not see to read. The Ecclesiologist' will not vouch for the fact, but seems charitably disposed to suspend his belief of the enormity till positive proof is adduced.

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But even if architecture of a certain class were as effectual in influencing the feelings as its warmest admirers have ever dreamed, it would not be right, even in order to secure so great an advantage, to set aside

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those rules which it is thought dishonest to | ble and upright his character may have violate in the ordinary concerns of life. been, the more instructive is the warning When the managers of a charitable fund get his example conveys.* We beg it may into debt by carrying out their own notions not be supposed we are finding fault with of architectural propriety, they are hardly the necessary repairs or the restoration of acting fairly by the rest of the contributors. one of our noblest monuments. The subIf, for instance, the building committee of ject of restoration, it is true, is not the a school believe that sound instruction can simple .matter which it appears to many; be communicated only under a roof of true it is full of difficulties, and much mischief Gothic pitch, and that piety and mullioned has been perpetrated in its name; but windows are inseparable, let them say so, this is a question of taste, and, though well and diligently canvass the neighbourhood deserving attention, does not belong to our for increased subscriptions, but let them not present subject. We are now making our recklessly accept an estimate which exceeds protest only against the improvidence by one-half the amount of their funds. which begins an undertaking without funds. to complete it, and the disingenuousness which asks for subscriptions in the name of charity and necessity, and applies them to the purposes of taste.

That we may not, however, freeze all zeal into the methodical prudence of a billbroker, we will admit that there may be cases of such urgent need that the Christian is justified in throwing himself headlong into a host of liabilities from which he can be rescued only by the exertions of the charitable, just as of yore the Roman leader has been known to throw the eagle into the thickest of the fight, in the desperate confidence that the legionaries must rush for. wards to redeem it. But such cases are rare, and must each be judged on its own merits; and, above all, to ensure an acquittal for the insolvent philanthropist, it must be proved not only that the necessity was great, but that nothing has been wasted on superfluities.

We will take an example of actual occurrence and general notoriety. Some sixteen years ago the inhabitants of the diocese of Hereford were informed by a circular letter that the tower of their beautiful cathedral was in a dangerous state; a subscription was consequently opened, and a large sum was raised. Shortly afterwards those who visited Hereford found that the choir was dismantled, the additions of later date had been swept away, the tombs of several generations had been torn down and lay smashed together in the cloisters in confu sion that defied, and it might be suspected was intended to defy, all future restorations. In the nave also great alterations were projected, and the diocese were asked for a second contribution. For a long time divine service was suspended. At last the nave was completed. The roof of the side aisles has been painted with a light scroll pattern which contrasts as strangely and disagreeably with the stern plain masonry Our concession thus guarded will, we of the walls as a French lace cap with the fear, in practice be found to exempt but naked limbs of a Grecian Venus. But it few cases from our censure. Those who is not the taste of this proceeding with will take the trouble to examine the statewhich we are now concerned. We com- ments containing the piteous tale of defiplain that the questionable and the super- cits and debts which they weekly receive, fluous parts of the design were finished will be struck by the want of care, and first, in the belief, as we must infer, that want of knowledge of business, which have what was essential must of necessity, by for the most part led to these entanglesome means or other, be provided for. If ments. Half the amount of patience, ingethis was the calculation it has failed. The nuity, and perseverance which are displayfunds are long since exhausted, and the ed in begging might have prevented the choir still remains unfinished. Divine ser- necessity for begging. The time that is vice is performed in the nave by the help of lost in poring over the Court Guide and the some clumsy woodwork belonging to the charity lists, might be profitably spent in old choir, and of a canvas screen which acquiring a practical knowledge of business shuts out the unfinished part of the build- which, of all accomplishments, is the most ing. We profess to give no more of the useful to those engaged in works of chahistory of these repairs than may be learnt rity. by a perusal of the circulars and a visit to the cathedral. The dean, under whose superintendence these works were carried on, is no more. We charge his memory with no heavier imputation than an excess of ecclesiological zeal; and the more amia

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It would surprise those who have never served on building committees to find how

*We understand that the present chapter are about to complete the repairs at a considerable sacrifice.

much money may be saved, not merely by the judicious choice of an architect, but by severely scrutinizing his plans, and taking care to ascertain that they provide the accommodation wanted at the cheapest rate compatible with durability and good workmanship. In the case of a metropolitan hospital, we have been assured that an estimate was reduced from 10,000l. to 60007. by a member of the committee who had firmness enough to insist on the duty of economy. It is still more surprising how great is the difference between the tenders of different builders, all responsible and trustworthy men, for the same contract. The cause of this difference is not that one is content with a much lower rate of profit than another, but that the different circumstances of each at the time, arising out of the accidents of trade, alter the combina tions out of which he is to make his profit. But be the cause what it may, the fact is notorious, and should be turned to account by those who have the superintendence of charitable funds. We are not now alluding to the evils of jobbing or favouritism. No doubt we should steadily keep in mind the possibility of their occurrence, though we trust it is rare, and to be apprehended chiefly in the case of long-established and highly-endowed charities. Our present protest is against honest and well-intentioned error alone, and we must urge the credulous and indolent not to resign themselves supinely to the first architect's plan and the first builder's estimate as to an inevitable necessity, and then to reserve all their energies for levying contributions subsequently by circulars, bazaars, and dinners.

It is to be regretted that public boards show as little disposition to economize the resources of the charitably disposed as private committees or as single individuals. The rules of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners seem framed with the view of making gifts to the Church as onerous and expensive to the donors as possible; they act as a tax and a check on liberality; and had Rome shown as little worldly wisdom, the statute of mortmain would never have been needed. The Committee of the Privy Council of Education seem only to fear that they should not impose enough of expense as the price of their patronage and assistance. It is natural that the rector of the parish should treat the school, the building of which he is superintending, as his hobby and plaything, and that he should hear with jealousy any proposal for curtailing its cost. But my Lords' have the cause of education throughout the country to promote, and should extend their views.

One of their first steps, we might expect, would have been to offer to public competition a premium for the plan of a schoolhouse which should combine all their requirements with the cheapest form of construction; but, on the contrary, their model plan is framed without any special regard to economy, and an impression generally prevails that it would be by no means easy to obtain their sanction for any less expensive design. Among the most prominent of their requirements is a boarded floor, a point which has met with much resistance, and to which the committee attach more than proportionally great importance. They even condescend to reason the point, though we must say with something of the looseness with which Dives, who holds the pursestrings, will always argue with Lazarus, who begs. It is unnecessary, say their Lordships, to prove that wooden floors are better than those of brick or stone, because all use wooden floors who are sufficiently well off to pay for them,' a mode of argument which would be quite as valid for the introduction of Turkey carpets. But admitting the premises, which are not quite unassailable, and admitting further the conclusion that those who (like all others who live in their kitchens) must pass their lives on a brick floor ought nevertheless to be educated on a wooden one-for we do not deny that the sedentary habits of school may make a difference-can any reason be given, we would ask, why the simple expedient would not answer of placing a footboard to the forms and tables at which the scholars are seated, and a wooden platform or a few yards of cocoa-nut matting for the teacher?

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It would be a startling calculation could we ascertain how many schools this rule of their Lordships has caused to be rebuilt; and this perhaps in the eyes of many is its principal merit. When a school-committee receive an order to construct a wooden floor in reply to their request for assistance, the builder who is consulted is (of course) of opinion that it is not worth while to effect so expensive an alteration in SO tumble-down a building.' Of course, too, her Majesty's inspector coincides in this decision, and the old school-house is condemned. It is true that their Lordships make liberal grants in aid of the expense they impose. This is an answer to the complaints of the individual contributors; but it is no answer to us. complain that by the local subscribers and by the public, whose stewards their Lordships are, an aggregate sum, varying from about 800l. to 1500/., is spent. We do not

We

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