NOTES ON HOPE CHURCH. gi 
The following letter was also written by Mr. Irvine to Mr. 
Cox :— 
Dear Sir, 
Having yesterday visited Hopé Church, I will now, 
in reply to your request, put in writing a report on the 
general state of the fabric of its chancel, then standing 
empty of all fittings. The lead removed from the roof timbers 
of the said choir, together with the whole stone work of 
_. the battlements of south wall. Those parts of the roof timbers 
most decayed having also had the thin oak boarding removed, 
on which the lead rested. The chancel is of good length, 
and of fine width and height. The architectural remains 
prove it to consist of parts of three successive rebuildings [at 
least], in early times. Besides which it also presents traces of 
some two, or it may be three, sets of modern (eighteenth or 
nineteenth century) repairs, executed probably at the cost of the 
Chapter of Lichfield. Time not allowing of sketches being made, 
I am obliged to illustrate from memory, but believe the 
rough mems. given will be found not much different from 
