By Mr. J. Waylen. 123 
proceedings of the authorised agents, by corroborative entries in 
the churchwardens’ accounts of St. Thomas’, and says, “It seems 
probable that under the authority of these visitors, the images 
which had been objects of worship, and possibly some of the figures 
in the stained glass of the windows, were removed from our Cathe- 
dral and parish churches,” page 257. Very probable indeed, and 
not only probable but quite certain. 
And here the question might seem to be settled, and the respect- 
able authority of the historian of Salisbury be cited as a sufficient 
set-off against the proverbial ignorance of local Cicerones, were it 
not that Mr. Hatcher, on arriving at the era of the civil wars, 
himself re-opens the controversy. Under date 1643, he states, 
“that ravages were committed in the different Cathedrals and among 
them in that of Salisbury. To this period,” he adds, “we may 
assign the destruction of the stained glass, the numerous images 
adorning the west front, and those exquisite specimens of ancient 
sculpture which graced the chapter house.” Page 405. 
Mr. Hatcher conceives that his second statement is ratified by 
the fact that Hollar’s etching of the church contains statues in the 
niches. But who would repose trust in the rude engravings of 
that day? Some of the niches retain entire statues even now; and 
it is only the exactness of modern draughtsmen that would stop 
to depict which of them had whole figures, which headless, and 
which nothing but the feet. No one acquainted with the history 
of topographical engravers or engravings, would accept this as 
evidence of any weight. 
Something also may be said about Van Ling, the occupier of the 
palace. Is it quite certain that he was the destroyer described by 
Dr. Pope? Is there no room for the suspicion, that, when the 
gentry of the county took the place of Dean Bayly as guardians of 
the Cathedral, they acted in concert with the Dutchman, and pro- 
cured his services as decorator and restorer of the fabric? The 
family of the Van Lings were, it is well known, in high repute as 
the best glass stainers in England, and that the Salisbury member 
of the family was a fai/or, is given by Dr. Pope, we should bear in 
mind, on hearsay evidence only. 
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