NOTES ON HOPE CHURCH. 103 
tains some inaccurate statements; not that I should have troubled 
to write to the newspapers to contradict them had they been 
published. 
_ The Chancel was carefully inspected by the Bishop of Lichfield 
on the morning of June 16th. I leave the questions as to 
whether :— 
ist. “ The roof might have safely remained untouched for 
_ another quarter of a century at least ;” 
_ 2nd. “The walls of this Chancel would have remained for 
many .. generation ;” 
- with his Lordship. He is an unprejudiced person, and, since 
_ the Bishop, through his Chancellor, granted the Faculty, per- 
haps it might be courteous to show the Bishop your letter. 
Now, I come to some statementsin your letter which are so 
_ wholly without foundation, that I cannot imagine whence your 
authority comes for making them; you speak of your Society 
_ having secured three things, briefly :— 
1. That the high-pitched roof is to be abandoned. 
2. English oak to be used. 
3. The sedilia are not to be reduced to one level. 
Allow me to inform you that your Society’s recommendations 
Pt ad nothing whatever to do with these changes; the moment 
the reports of Messrs. Robinson and St. John Hope, and of Mr. 
‘Scott appeared in the newspapers, they ceased to have any weight 
whatever with the Building Committee. 
_ You speak of the position of the present windows being retained, 
and also the priest’s door ; it is more than probable this may be 
done, but, I think it only right you should know your letter has had 
, Oinfluence. Iam compelled to make this remark after what you 
say about your Society having caused other changes in the plans. 
I note what you say about the inscribed tombstones in the 
Chancel ; the object of such a remark in a document about to be 
published is self-evident ; had you troubled to enquire from the 
Builder, you would have found his instructions strict and positive 
as to their careful preservation ; but since the fact is true, pray 
publish it, if you think it will help your case. 
9 
