7 
84 NOTES ON HOPE CHURCH. 
building by its re-construction in the 15th century. Therefore, 
to do away with the parapets and to substitute a high roof 
would certainly throw the chancel out of harmony with the 
rest of the church without, as far as I can see, any compen- 
sating advantage, excepting that the defect I have mentioned 
arising from the points of the east window and chancel arch 
being cut of by the flat roof would be removed. This may, 
however, be got rid of in a much more simple manner by 
raising the present roof a foot or rather more without altering 
it in any other way. This need not affect the parapets. It 
would probably be necessary to omit the western tie beam to 
clear the chancel arch completely, the principal rafters over it 
being kept. 
These are the points in which I would suggest the proposed 
plans might be altered so as to effect a more conservative 
restoration. I am convinced that the result would be far more 
interesting, and give greater satisfaction than if the chancel 
were dealt with in a more sweeping manner. I am glad to 
hear that all the old panelling is to be retained ; no doubt the 
same will be the case with the monumental slabs. In rebuild- 
ing the chancel walls it would be well to retain something of 
the present character of walling, as this is evidence of their age 
differing from the rest of the church. 
Believe me, my dear sir, yours very faithfully, 
J. OLDRID SCOTT. 
The Very Rev. the Dean of Lichfield. 
The permission of the Dean and Chapter was obtained, and _ 
Mr. Scott’s report was published, together with that of Messrs. 
Hope and Robinson, in all the local papers. The Dean, in 
giving his consent to the publication of the report said, “ It may 
help the cause of church restoration on sound principles in 
future cases. I am much disappointed at the result of my efforts 
in the case of Hope.” Many independent letters appeared in 
the papers, and among them one from the Rev. J. Charles Cox, 
author of the “Churches of Derbyshire,” which was to this 
effect— 
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