NOTES ON ASHBURNE CHURCH, 103 
the eastern chapels—viz., the Lady Chapel on the north, and the 
Saint Oswald Chantry on the south, with their arcades, were 
added at a later date than the other portions, is also made 
manifest by the string course which runs continuously from the 
external walls of the chancel along what is now the internal wall 
of the chapel; and a glance at the wall itself will teach us that 
it has been built against the chancel, and not bonded in with it. 
When the present central tower was erected, it was found 
advisable to add a strong buttress at the north-west corner, in 
order to counteract the thrust of the tower arch in that direction, 
whereas at the south-west corner, the nave arcade served for this 
purpose. 
To begin with the special object of this paper, on Sunday, 
July roth, 1881, I gave notice that on the following Monday I 
should commence operations. For years I had been planning 
the restoration of this noble building, and I felt a true conviction, 
that if my parishioners could once see in reality what I had 
already planned in my mind’s eye; they would lay aside all 
prejudices and objections, and heartily support me in my work. 
The result has fully justified my expectations. 
Like so many of our parish churches, Ashburne exhibits the 
gradual growth and glory of English architecture ; and alas! bears 
upon its face the no less common and convincing signs of a 
debased and destructive period, extending from about the year 
1640 to the present century inclusive. We fear, indeed, that the 
age of Vandalism has not yet passed away ; its baleful shadow 
hangs yet over many a modern “restoration.” Truth to tell, the 
archzeologist and the architect should work hand in hand together, 
if the features of our ancient churches are to be retained, and at 
the same time the fabrics rendered secure. 
I should mention zz “mine, that the chancel was “restored” 
under the advice of the late Sir G. G. Scott, in 1876-78, after 
undergoing sundry alterations, extending over the years 1839-70 ; 
and that the Lady, or Cokayne Chapel, was repaired under my own 
care during the years 1879-80, when the double gables were 
rebuilt precisely according to the pitch given by the weather- 
