6 
tions of the building already lost, or in danger at present of 
falling; and also an estimate of the cost of the entire restora- 
tion. It should be added that the work may be undertaken in 
two portionsand may be spread over a few years. If the sum 
of £1800 can be raised during a term of a year and a half, 
the work can be commenced, and many of the more serious 
evils arrested, and by the expiration of this term a further 
sum would perhaps be found. I believe that the upper stages 
can be restored by a scaffolding built out from the windows, 
and this will prevent the serious inconvenience which a 
permanent frame work raised from the ground would cause. 
Interruption would of course ensue to the bell ringing, 
but not to the church services. 
I am, Gentlemen, 
Yours very faithfully, 
CHARLES EDMUND GILES, 
To the Vicar and (for Carver and Grles.) 
Churchwardens of the 
Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton. 
Portions of the Tower which have either fallen, or have been 
removed for safety at different times. 
Three of the large pinnacles in the middle of the para- 
pets on either side. Portions of the third are lost, and 
when the whole has fallen, all authority for the restoration 
of this feature will have perished. 
Two of the small overhanging pinnacles at the angles of 
the parapet have been more than half removed, and the 
two remaining are on the eve of falling. 
All the gurgoyles which were excellently carved, are 
almost obliterated, fragments only remaining. 
Many portions of the large pinnacles and of the parapet 
are lost. 
The whole of the battlements and pinnacles of the stair 
turret have fallen, and only a few fragments remain on the 
roof inside, or at the edge overhanging. 
Nearly all the small pinnacles on the faces of the but- 
tresses have perished. j 
The richly carved niches are so much decayed, that in a 
short time their restoration will be only conjectural. 
All the carved angels and heads amounting to more than 
a hundred, will soon retain no traces of their original design. 
