34 PAPERS, ETC. 
the subject in the first instance, it is by their means that I 
am enabled to treat it in a somewhat less imperfect manner. 
Even thus, Ihave of course examined only a very small 
proportion of the numerous churches of so large a district ; 
but I have gone, as far as I was able, into different parts of 
the county, and I trust that I have been enabled to see 
some specimens of most of the leading types that it contains. 
And, ifit be not demanding too great a sacrifice of your 
patience to my own egotism, I cannot help venturing the 
remark that I have acceded to such a request as emanating 
from a Somersetshire Society, with a peculiar pleasure 
beyond what would have attached to it from any other 
quarter. Though I am in no way connected with this 
county by property or residence, and though I had not the 
honour to be born within its limits, it is one in which I 
venture to challenge a degree of interest, and whose boun- 
daries I never pass without a feeling of satisfaction on 
many grounds. I may call myself all but a native of it, 
as my very first recollections appertain to the town in 
which we are now assembled, when the striking objects of 
its natural scenery, Worle Hill, Brean Down, the Channel, 
the Holms, and the distant mountains of Glamorganshire, 
made an impression upon ıny childish imagination, which 
is not likely ever to be effaced. And to come more directly 
to our immediate subject, I have always maintained, and 
that with a very intimate knowledge of the churches of 
Northamptonshire, and some little acquaintance with Lin- 
colnshire itself, the claims of the churches of Somerset to 
take precedence of all specimens of parochial architecture 
in the kingdom. To my mind, contrary, as I am fully aware, 
to the general opinion, they exhibit the most perfect style of 
architecture in its most perfect form, and are particularly 
admirable for that feature, which itis well nigh the greatest 
