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to replace excellent original pure English stalls by a poor imitation 
of what his lively imagination persuaded him had existed in the 
same place at the beginning of the 14th century. 
From my own personal knowledge I am able to add that in 
1874, when a scheme, which was prepared by Mr. Burgess, for the 
complete destruction of the interior of St. Paul’s Cathedral, and 
the substitution of a vulgar and feeble design of his own, Sir 
Gilbert Scott was not only a consenting party to the project, but 
also its active supporter, and gave his voice in that sense whenever 
a vote was taken in the committee. Indeed, at the last moment, 
when the force of public opinion was being brought to bear to 
rescind a decision, in accordance with the views of the clerical 
element of the committee, to commence the work at once, Sir 
Gilbert Scott was whipped up to swell the ranks of the destructive 
faction, and responded to the call. When, therefore, the recognized 
leader of the modern Gothic, “ our greatest church restorer,” as Sir 
Edmund Beckett styles him in his “ Book on Building,” was doing 
these things, and encouraging by his example men of less experience 
and ability than himself to the like, it is not surprising that the 
lovers of genuine art should at last be aroused to arrest the progress 
of mischief, and concentrate their forces upon some coign of 
vantage whence an effectual resistance might be offered. 
Tewkesbury Abbey was the straw that broke the camel’s back, 
and gave the first signal for action. Mr. William Morris having 
seen in the newspapers that this noble building was about to be 
handed over for sacrifice to Sir Gilbert Scott, addressed a strong 
remonstrance to the Atheneum newspaper, and suggested that an 
association should at once be set on foot to keep a watch on old 
monuments, and for their general protection. The publication of 
this letter led to a meeting which was held on the 22nd March, ° 
1877, and which was attended by a number of highly influential 
gentlemen, and then and there the Society for the Protection of 
Ancient Buildings first saw the light, with the object specified in 
the prospectus of the Society, which is too long for me to read, 
but which I have taken care shall be accessible to all. The new 
Society grew rapidly both in strength and numbers. Its proceed- 
