5irrtjitertimü " Äwrtanitiatra." 



BY THE REV. THOMAS HUGO, M.A., F.S.A., F.R.S.L., ETC. 



AVEßY conspicuous and very frequent result of the 

 popularity accorded during the last few years to 

 archajological studies is presented in tlie desire, evinced by 

 persons to whom whether as owners or official guardians is 

 entrusted the custody of ancient edifices, of restoring those 

 buildings to the appearance which they are fancifully sup- 

 posed to have originally exhibited. Is the rector, or the 

 squire, or the lawyer-churchwarden, for example, possessed 

 of some knowledge of ancient architectural forrus, and of 

 some taste for the marvels of mediaeval skill, ten to one 

 but you shall presently hear that the grey old parish 

 church, breathing from every stone of ages long passed 

 away, is to be forthwith " restored," its crnmbling mould- 

 ings recreated, its half-obliterated sculptures renovated, 

 its time-worn Ornaments replaced. Circulars are issued, 

 subscriptions solicited, sums collected, (princely sums too, 

 not unfrequently) meetings held, with chairmen and com- 

 mittees, and treasurers, and secretaries, and gratifying 

 reports of progress. Then, to go a step further, Divine 

 service is suspended, masons and carpenters are called in, 

 and the old church is transformed, transfigured, and meta- 

 morphosed with a celerity characteristic of our age and 

 temper. Some months äfterwards there is a great gather- 



VOL. VII., 1856-7, PAKT II. N 



