* ftall-work in the Choir depends on the caprice of one of the Retidemiaries: of this Church; who has it in con ever, the next fight the County will be treated with, will be the roof firipped of its lead, the rafters levelled with the battlements, and flate fubstituted_templation to destroy the whole, and" for an article which would have endured as long as the ftone-work which it covered. By taking away thefe fpires, one principal fource of external grandeur in Lincoln Cathedral is now entirely loft. Every one knows how defiitute the County is of natural beauties, from the flatnefs of its fituation. To fopply this deficiency in the works of Nature, our ancellors refolved to adorn the County with the works of Art; and erected on one of its moll lofty fituations, a fabric fearcely equalled inpoint of fize and magnificence by any building in the world, an object vifible almoft from one extremity of the County to the other. What the general effect was before the centre tower Joft is fpire by a form, can only be conjectured; what was the effect of the two remaining fpires, every one knows and let any unprejudiced perfon judge if the appearance of the building is improved by their demoli tion. to erect common pews as a fubftitute." To exprefs wonder at all this, feeing much wore has been done in almoft every Cathedral in the kingdom, would be of no ale; in fhort, I should not wonder if the whole building was foon to be annihilated as ufelefs lumber. In the third volume of Dugdale's Monaliicon are feveral, engravings of this Cathedral by Hollar. The following are the principal alterations the building has undergone fince 1672, when the views were taken. 4. North view, including the Cloifters and part of the Chapter-houte. In this view the Centre Tower appears with its majeftic Spire, as it flood previous to its deftruction by a fiorni in 1547. The North fide of the Cloifters (not feen here) has been deffroyed, and a Grecian colonnade with a Library over it fubftituted, which must have been done about Hollar's time. 2. South view. No alterations, except the wall running round the bafement ftory, which has been removed, and its place fupplied by a modern railing of wood, 3 Eafi (or ratherNorth-eaft) view;comprehending the Weft Towers with their Spires in perfpective, the Centre Tower, North Tranfepts, and Chapter house. The Chapter-houfe was laid open 1805, by the removal of the wall which here furrounds it. The County have viewed this tranfaction with a concern which, while it reflects credit on their judgment, fhews how carefully the repairs of buildings ought to be conducted which are coniidered as national, on which the individuals of a Nation have an undoubted right to deliver their opinion, and which may tend to reflect credit or difcredit on the national talie, No City in the kingdom has, perhaps, undergone lefs altera tions in a modern point of view (confidering the wealth and extent of the County) than Lincoln. What, however, it has loft in modern improve- 5. Interior view, locking from the iment, is fill feen in the remains of Weft, and comprehending the entire antient magnificence fcattered through-length from Eail to Welt: which is out every part of it, the detruction of which all the uniformity of modern elegance can never amend. It may not be amifs to mention a report now abroad, that the gorgeous' 4. Wefi (or rather North-Wefl) view; with the North Tranfept and Chapter-house in perspective. No alterations except the Spires, which here appear to molt advantage. now in fome meafure obftructed by the organ, which is placed over the fereen, The brafslefs flabs on the pavement of the Nave are likewife removed, and placed on each fide theChoir, On Thursday, September 10, when the principal families in the County were affembled at the Races, one Spire was quite levelled, and the workmen had just commenced their operations on the other: a good opportunity to form a judgment of the efe" of the operation. By this time, it is most likely, nothing remains of either of them. The many fplendid parochial churches with which the County of Lincoln bounds, and thofe too erected in its mon fiat and fenny fituations, will bear witnefs to the truth of this obfervation. 6. Interior view of the Choir, with the Lady Chapel ooking to the Eaft. In this view the following alterations have taken place: the lower part of the fall-work has been removed, and modern pews fubftituted; the upper part will probably foon fhare the fame fate. The organ feen on the North fide is now placed over the entrance into the Choir. The Grecian Altarpiece has likewile very properly been deftroyed for one fomewhat more in confonance with the reft of the building, in which is a modern painting of the Annunciation, by the Rev. Mr Peters. And the Eaft window, which here appears to be of plain glafs, is now filled with colours vying with the rainbow! 7. Ichnography of the Cathedral. The braffes and numerous monuments perfon noticed at the end of Dr. Enfield's Hiftory of Liverpool (publifhed in 1772) faid then to be collecting materials for the Hiftory of Lancashire; the person there alluded to was Dorning Ramfbottom, efq. of Bitch Houfe, in the neighbourhood of Manchester ; a neat draughtfman, and the intimate friend of the late Sir Afton Lever, knt. of Alkerington, of whole drawings of fhells I have feveral fpecimens, with many of Mifs Stone's, formerly in the collection of Sir Afhton, and which drawings I purchased at Bolefworth Catile, on the death of Sir Ofwald Mofeley, bart. about the year 1795. Mr. Ramfbottom was Sheriff of the County in the year 1769; Nicholas Athton, efq. of Liverpool in 1770; and Sir Afhion Lever in 1771. were left to me, after devoting a fmall legacy to the Public Infirmary at Liverpool, and now remain with me entire as he left them in 1801 (fee your volume for that year, pp. 285, 798.) The Hiftory of Liverpool, or rather here referred to, have for the moft part the Collections for the Hiftory of Livereither been deftroved, or removed from pool, collected by the late Mr. John their fituations over the graves of the Holt, of Walton, near Liverpool perfons they commemorate; a practice (whofe Survey of the Agricultural which no culiom can juflify, or opi-State of the County is to well known), nion authorize. The Cloifters appear to be made ufe of only as a receptacle for the remains of thefe monuments, which are fcattered about in all directions. Had the immenfe fums expended in unneceflary repairs, been applied to the proper-reftoration of the chapels and monuments in different parts of the building, how laudable would have been the example! As it is, those who venerate this Cathedral, can only lament what they cannot remedy. If, however, an A of Parliament can be procured for a branch of Medical Reform, which tends to knock free agency on the head, by withholding Medical affittauce by which life may be preferved and death prevented, unlefs legally fanctioned by an Univerfity, furely it would be no difficult matter to obtain a Bill to refrain thofe to whom the repairs of Cathedrals are delegated. from using that power, unless approved of by more competent judges in Architecture than theinfelves. J. Mr. URBAN, Liverpool, Sept. 22. YOUR ingenious correspondent * If I mistake not, the fuperb canopy which within this twelvemonth was over the monuments of Lord Cantelupe and Canon Wymbif, is now tying in fragments at the foot of the Library stairs. Since then, I have faved no labour or expence in making additions when opportunity ferved, and my bufinefs and other avocations would permit ; and have taken every pains to enquire after and purchafe any book, MS. or copy, which has fallen in my way, relating to the County and Duchy of Lancafier. I have also been favoured with many communications and donations by different gentlemen (which will hereafter be acknowledzed); and shall fill farther be obliged by the copies, &c. of any authentic documents, pedigrees, armorial bearings, parochial accounts, number of inhabitants, &c. all neceffary for the elucidation of the Hiftory of Lancashire. I am the more confident I fhall be favoured with many communications on this extenfive head, when I acquaint the publick that the whole amount that may arife from the fale of Mr. Holt's materials, or the profits on the publication of the work, under the iminediate infpection of fome learned Editor, I intend to devote as a foundation or beginning of a find intended to be raifed "for the eliablifhment and encouragement of Drawing in the various Charity-ichools in Liverpool," and for the poor boys taugh. taught therein, who are likely to be trained as mechanics; fuck as finiths, joiners, cabinet-makers, turners, wheelwrights, carpenters, coach-makers, or mariners; convinced as I am, from my own experience in a bufinef's where tome talle is expected (for thirty years and upwards active employment warrants the affertion), that I cannot make a more grateful facrifice to the interefts of my Country, and at the fame time more beneficially contribute my endeavours, as well as mile, for the extenfion and profperity of the trade of Great Britain, than by fuch an eftablishment, which I fruft will be followed by fimilar inftitutions over the country, For, fuppofing Peace to come, and Commerce once again open to all the world, what have we not to fear from the French, our neighbours? Nothing in execution; much in refpect to defign! Here they defervedly, I acknowledge, take the lead, in all the fashionables, in carriages, in furniture, in drefs. And fince the War, what additional advantages have not the French acquired? and what models of perfect beauty do they poflefs! What an eafy accefs has every Native and Foreigner to view thofe invaluable works of the Antients, and all the hue models of Rome, now brought to Paris, and fixed in the various Palaces! How much more encouragement is given to defign thau in England and how many more Schools of Design are opened gratuitoufly for the Publick. The Louvre, filled with the works of the Antients, and other galleries, are publicly opened, eafily entered, and gratuitoufly viewed by all ranks of people. When we confider how great a va lue Tafte ftamps upon every work of art, can we for a moment withhold our affifiance! How much do our Nobility and Gentry now encourage it! and can we do lefs than encourage it by every means in our power? What additional value does the introduction of a tafty design give upon a piece of calico printed as an article of furniture, or as a piece of drapery in drefs! When the defign is really tafty, and the fubject appropriate, how very much it enhances the value of that calico! Yet it cofis no more in printing, when the defign is made, than the moft ordinary drawing of the most vulgar figure, or conception of the most literate draughtfman. A good tafie leads to propriety. In furniture we confider convenience and beauty; and they indeed are primary confiderations, and ought to be attended to. But furely there is an impropriety in Sienna marble, or any other marble curtains of calico; and carpets with Gothic ruins and landscapes are abfurdities which cannot escape the cri ticifin of the most unlettered. I mention this as one of the many fpecimens of bad taste in the prefent day. If our mechanics were intructed in Defign, it would more generally contribute to the extenfion of our trade, by making our manufactures more fought after; in execution they are unrivalled. Let a Frenchman of the prefent day defign, let him execute; in the first we cannot claim the preeminence, but in the fecond they can thew nothing like the execution of an English artift or mechanic. By ftudying Design, I do not mean that all our boys fhould be Painters. No: I mean only that they should un derftand a draught, and be draughtfinen only with pen and ink, chalks, or black lead. I mean no more than to draw correctly a Ready outline; no fhadowing, no washing, fave only with, pen or pencil, by lines only; fo much taught in every Charity-fchool would be an advantage to the public welfare. The people would learn to fee, of courfe to use their eyes; and the art would in many inftances be of greater advantage to a mechanic than writing, and full as eafily acquired, though all would not attain the fame proficiency : neither do they in writing. To them who have no taste or inclination, the introduction may be ufelefs, for it will be troublefome; but if one tenth part is inftructed, what invaluable advantages may be calculated upon! what additional value will be flamped upon every thing that goes from under the hand of an English artizan! Every thing under the hands of an artizan acquires an additional value, even where neither more time nor labour is expended. But I am afraid my ardour on this point will lead me to greater lengths than you can find room for, or than I fat down to write. Permit me, however, to add, that the Hiftory of Liverpool now publishing by Mr. Troughton of this town, has no part of the Collections of Mr. Holt (the contrary being underflood); nor was any contract ever agreed fully upon for the ufe or perufal of any of his papers, or of thofe of Yours, &c. MATHEW GREGSONE. |