Manchester Mcinoirs^ I 'oi. x/iv. {\goo), No. 14. 47 



seats, the Charity chilihen were seated in the aisle, & about 20 of these & 



4 or 5 grown people have been taken out dreadfully mangled and all killed 



— it is impossible to say how many are still under the ruins, but had the 



accident occurred one quarter of an hour later, a hundred people at least 



must have perished — the spire was old X' fell in upon the roof & into the 



Church — Often as we read of the Carnage on board a Man of War, or the 



losses in the field of Kattle, yet a domestic calamity of this kind is truly 



distressing. 



Mrs Taylor unites with me in best remembrance »S: believe me my 



dear Sir 



Yours always 



r. MEADOWS TAYLOR. 

 Sunday Evening 



[Feb. 12. iSid\ 



The " Old Church " is the Church of St Nicholas. In 

 1774 it was thoroughly repaired under the direction of 

 Mr. Joshua Brooks, the interior of the roof being painted 

 to represent the heavens, with the " blue ceiling, black and 

 white clouds, golden sun moon and stars painted and gilt 

 upon the roof" At the falling of the spire, which dated 

 from 1360, 23 people were killed, ij of them being children. 

 The antique font was destroyed in the accident. 



Meadows Taylor failed in 18 10, and Philips made 

 many offers of assistance and friendship. The following 

 letter is from the Rev. Philip Taylor, father of the unfor- 

 tunate merchant : — 



Harolds Court lo'li July iSio. 

 IVIy dear Sir, 



Your truly kind and welcome letter of the 24th last demanded a more 

 speedy acknowledgment than I had the ability to give it. It found me 

 labouring under a severe fit of Gout which commenced on Midsummer day 

 & has continued to harass me with violent and almost incessant pain until 

 the end of last week. I am now restored to a state of comparative ease. I 

 am again able to sit up in my chair ; and the first act I do, however imperfectly 

 it shall be performed shall be to return you my most sincere thanks for the high 

 and & well timed consolation which you have afforded me under an affliction 

 that has touched me to the quick, for the friendly interest you take in my 

 dear son's welfare, and for those sentiments of personal attachment to him 

 which you express with so much warmth of affection. Your letter was in 

 truth, one of the happiest cordials which I could have received from the 

 hand of friendship : be assured that I feel the efficacy of the consolation you 

 have administered though I cannot express my gratitude for it as I could 



