“7 
journals, has recently had the charge of the restoration of the 
cathedral churches of Wells and Rochester, and of the abbey 
church of Bath, and is now clerk of the works at Lichfield 
Cathedral. A more competent and thoroughly practical judge on 
the vexed question of ‘restoration’ it would not, I suppose, be 
possible to secure. 
We visited Hope on the afternoon of the 16th inst., and found 
the chancel cleared of all its fittings ; the panelling, and in many 
places the plaster, removed from the interior wall, the flat ceiling 
cleared away, and the lead, with much of the thin planking upon 
which it rested, taken off the roof. It was therefore now far more 
easy than heretofore to form an accurate opinion as to the age and 
durability of the old chancel. 
Mr. Irvine and myself examined the roof and walls with all 
possible care, and we had the advantage of the presence of 
Mr. Hill, the courteous builder, who has taken the contract for 
this unfortunate demolition, but who will be better remembered 
by the excellent way in which he has carried out other real 
restorations in this district. Mr. Irvine has kindly promised to 
make for you a detailed report, and I will therefore content myself 
88 NOTES ON HOPE CHURCH. 
with a few general remarks, independent of the more valuable 
opinions he may have formed. 
The roof has been a good plain example of Perpendicular work, 
and some of the timbers clearly showed that they had been 
previously used in a Decorated or fourteenth century roof. Of the 
four tie-beams, three were in good condition, and one badly 
decayed in a place on the south side where it is joined bya purlin. 
A small portion of the purlins would require renewing or splicing 
with new oak, and the damaged tie-beam would require re-backing 
and pinning up. The greater part of the rafters would have to be 
replaced. I have seen old church roofs in quite as bad, or worse, 
condition as this, which have amply repaid conservative treatment. 
As Derbyshire instances, I could mention Youlgreave and North © 
Wingfield. I walked about everywhere across the old roof, re- 
peatedly traversing the damaged tie- beam, and could see noreason 
for anticipating any immediate danger from its condition. I 
j 
