Mr. URBAN,

Jan. 1.

TI now present to the Gentleman's O illustrate the engraved plate Magazine, I offer a few remarks upou the origin and use of Towers, from the period when their utility was alone considered, to that when they became ornamental; and when, with out their addition to the fabrick, a design was not considered complete, and certainly till then could not be conspicuously grand, graceful, or prominent. And in tracing this feature of a building from its first invention, it may not be improper to observe generally of all others, whether those accessary to the effect of the whole or essential to utility, that each admits the same scope for scrupulous examination, and affords equal entertainment and gratification to those who are curious in the study of Antiquity, whether the object chosen be from the narrow to the expanded Window, flat to prominent Buttresses, massy to light Walls, Doors to Porches, single to cross Ailes, or rude sculpture to the refined execution of later ages; and, lastly, of Fonts, the remote Antiquity of which, and removal first, from the cemetery to the porch, from thence to various parts in the body of the church, till, finally, they had their situation towards the Western extremity of the nave, on the North side, and were so placed as to avoid interference with the processions consistent with former modes of worship. But to return to the particular object under present consideration, and to enumerate a few examples of various buildings raised at different periods, in illustration of our remarks, it is necessary to state (though a thing well known), that on the earliest buildings raised for the service of Religion, in a regular though rude order of Architecture, promulgated by our Saxon ancestors, no more labour was expended than was consistent with safety, utility, and convenience: they were neither extensive nor enriched, because the science of building on a regular plan, and with stone, was then but in its infancy: these increased as such works flourished, and with their advance were Towers added to the structures to complete their grandeur. A Tower is the only portion of a building (in this particular style) which can admit GENT. MAG. January, 1817.

either of elevation or diminution without injury to its purpose or that of the Church, excepting only when viewed as a design or in the group. In our Ecclesiastical Architecture there are no fixed rules for proportion, more than for ornament; a foot added, or a foot taken away (comparatively speaking), would not destroy the appearance so much here as in the Grecian Architecture, where a portico, a pediment, or a column require to be raised to fixed rules. This is fully exemplified by the proportions of no two buildings being found to correspond: some are more spacious, others more lofty, and these plain or enriched, as best suited the wealth of the town or neighbourhood; yet each claim our admiration, and all receive our approbation when viewed, for their justness of proportions, their simplicity and grandeur, their richness and magnificence. But it is not so with a Porch : this must be in proportion to the building; both height and width are by this fixed: the extent will also accord with these proportions. By the same rule Transepts are also regulated; the height, length, and width will be found to agree, except only where some manifest cause obliges it to be otherwise, and of this only one example occurs to my memory, viz. the South Transept of Chester Cathedral, built as a Parish Church, independent of the Cathedral. It so far exceeds the dimensions which ought to be maintained between these great portions of a Church, that the Nave and Choir appear, in comparison, mean and diminutive.

Saxon Towers were never lofty; on the contrary usually so low as to add very little to the effect of the building. They frequently consisted of one story, sometimes of two, and there are not wanting examples of three; but the united elevation of these in the latest and most improved works, bear no proportion to the Towers which succceded with the Pointed style. In some of the latest Norman structures, about the period when that venerable Architecture was fast declining to the superior elegance and beauty of the Pointed, there are indeed to be found many noble Towers; but either the style would not admit the superior embellishment of pinnacles and other prominent ornaments, by which aloue

heavi

heaviness could be reduced, and additional height gained, or (what is probable) they were replaced by others of a new invention. Of the several kinds may be named Winchester, Ripon, Yeofley near Oxford, Stewkley, Radford Abbey, Wimborne Minster, Old and New Shoreham, Sussex, St. John's Church at Devizes, Southwell, Exeter, Norwich.

This is sufficient for our present purpose. With few observations we may mention some of the most magnificent Towers which grace and give grandeur to the works which succéeded those more antient, and of a different character, of which we have been speaking. Among those conspicuously elegant in the Pointed style are, Caerdiff, York, Boston,

Taunton, St. Cuthbert's at Wells, North Petherton, Derby, and Magdalen College Tower at Oxford. Of this selection it would be difficult to name one as demanding greater admiration than another, or possessing the best proportions, the most chaste enrichments, or the most scientific arrangement of these characters; each has its peculiar beauties, and each is admired either for its simplicity, its richness, or its loftiness.

The Frontispiece to your Volume represents the last-named of these noble appendages to our antient and venerable buildings; and has, for no particular reason, been selected on this occasion, though perhaps for every character which marks the hand of science and ability, and which can render such a Work deserving admiration, it is little inferior to any in the country. Its four first stories of unequal dimensions (they increasing in height as they rise from the base); have each a small window. Upon this is raised the principal story, every side having two elegant windows, being surrounded with an enriched parapet of quatrefoils, between cornices, with various grotesque figures and ornaments; and over this, perforated battlements. The angles are crowned with octagonal turrets rising from the ground, and terminating above the battlements in a pinnacle. A small square turret and pinnacle also rise from the base of the windows in this story in the centre of the sides, having towards the upper part a niche and figure in each. This Tower is situated bear the Eastern extremity of the

South front of Magdaleu College, in the High Street; and is the first grand object seen on entering from the London road. No other building comes into view at this point, and the beautiful bend which gradually opens upon the sight the other noble features composing this unrivalled street, admits of uninterrupted contemplation and admiration of every object by itself: and the rich tinted foliage of a large group of massy elm trees, forcibly contrasts with the glowing yellow masonry of Magdalen College, forming a scene which, for beauty, variety, and grandeur, cannot be exceeded. I. C. B.

Mr. URBAN, Essex-street, Jan. 5.

Relines in reply to the observaREQUEST your indulgence for a tions of Lord Thurlow in your Magazine for December. I have not the least doubt of his Lordship's veracity and honour, and that he has truly stated his firm persuasion that his late learned and noble relative never gave an opinion in favour of Dr. Priestley in his celebrated controversy with Bp. Horsley. I dare say, that for any thing his Lordship knows of the matter, the late Lord Thurlow never held that opinion, and never expressed it. I can, however, assure his Lordship, that, whether he believes it or not, I have received, upon undoubted authority, the anecdote which he controverts. And I am the more inclined to believe it, as I have no doubt, upon grounds stated in my "Claims of Dr. Priestley," and re-stated in the Gentleman's Magazine, that Bp. Horsley himself was of the same opinion; and that, in the words which Bp. Burgess has so often done me the honour to quote," the Learned Prelate himself would be the first to laugh to scorn the solemn ignoramus who could seriously maintain that the advantage of the argument rested with him."

I perfectly agree with Lord Thurlow, that his Noble Relative had a very high and a just opinion of the learning and talents of Bp. Horsley; and that they had a great respect and friendship for each other. I believe that they perfectly understood one another; and I have no doubt that in their social hours they often amused themselves with laughing at the folly of mankind.

Yours, &c.

T. BELSHAM.

Mr.

Mr. URBAN,

Dec. 28, 1816. the History of English Architec

periods which have been distinguished by a wanton demolition of Religious Edifices. The dawnings of Science and Literature were buried in the overwhelming ruin which marked the progress of the Pagan invaders of the 9th and 10th centuries. The destructive barbarism was renewed under the auspices of the Tudors; and a similar spirit of devastation influenced the gloomy fanaticks during the Great Rebellion.

A very opposite sentiment characterizes the present age; and even those who are most inimical to the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, and who look with a jealous eye upon the wealth and influence of the Priesthood, regard with some degree of complacency those venerable structures which form a striking character in every country blessed with the light of Science and of Christianity. Those who would abolish the solemn splendour of our antient mode of worship, would be inclined to spare the sacred edifices where the chant and the anthem have echoed for a thousand years, and would share in that local pride, which esteems them as the noblest ornaments of their respective neighbourhoods. To those persons who have the happiness to be members of the Established Church, the admiration inspired by these venerable seats of the National Religion should be combined with a higher feeling.

The History and Antiquities of our Cathedral Churches are at present among the most favourite subjects for the pencil of the Artist, and for

the

pen of the Topographer; but while the minutest regard, and the warmest eulogiums are lavished upon the fabrick, the Historian frequently seems to forget the sacred purpose for which this holy magnificence was designed, as if the praise of the Architect alone were intended to resound within the hallowed walls. The numerical strength of the Choir is usually dismissed in a short sentence, as an object of far less importance than the columns or the stalls; and the celebration of Divine Service is passed over in silence, as a matter of perfect indifference.

I have it in contemplation, Mr. Urban, to enter upon this neglected

ties or deformities, and recording the superior Clergy so far only as they have been benefactors or otherwise to their respective Cathedrals, I shall confine my observations to those subjects which are immediately connected with the celebration of the Choral service; and in this brief sketch, the situation of the Children belonging to the several Choirs will be the first object of my inquiry.

In the present liberal and most enlightened age, a rivalry may be said to exist between the friends and the enemies of the National Church, which party shall be most active in the important cause of National Education. While so much anxiety and opposition have been displayed to obtain the superintendence and goverument of new Establishments, it cannot be uninteresting to inquire what course has been adopted in those antient Foundations, where the unlimited right of the dignified Clergy to

introduce their own most approved regulations has never been called in question; and where the doctrines and discipline of our Holy Religion may be inculcated without the hazard of opposition, or the fear of censure.

It may be scarcely necessary to premise that a School is maintained by every Cathedral in South Britain (with the exception, I believe, of Llandaff,) for the Boys who form a part of the Establishment. These Schools are coeval with the several Choirs; and though in some few instances it may be found that they have degenerated in public estimation, they cannot be annihilated so long as the present Establishment shall subsist; because the ministration of Children is indispensable for the performance of the Choral service. The pupils are admitted on these Foundations at seven or eight years of age; they assist in the celebration of Divine offices twice every day in surplices, and usually continue their attendance as Choristers for eight or ten years. They are of necessity instructed in the science of Harmony, to qualify them for their duties in the Choir; and most of our celebrated Musical Professors, and many eminent characters who reflect honour upon dignified situations in the Church, have been indebted to

these