ARCHITECTURAL, RESTORATIONS. 107 



instances has suggested such works, or on the liberality 

 and self-devotion which have carried them into execution. 

 111 would it become nie so much as to hint dispraise of 

 what is in many cases so dutiful, so reverent, so disinter- 

 ested, and so pure. Still I would remember tbat I am 

 addressing a learned Society, establisbed for the very 

 pursuit of those studies, the cultivation of which has, more 

 than aught eise, led the way to the result that I have just 

 noticed ; and I would seriously and earnestly endeavour 

 to view the subject as one of our temptations and dangers, 

 as well as one which furnishes an evidence of kindly zeal 

 and an amiable desire of improvement. I feel, indeed, 

 that I ought not so much as to approach the topic on 

 which I desire to make a few remarks, without first pre- 

 senting its bright side and saying what I can in its favour. 

 Perhaps I may be weakening that which I have subse- 

 quently to bring before you. At any rate I shall be 

 honest. I love too well and reverence too deeply the 

 feelings which have prompted many such " restorations," to 

 take an evil advantage of any power which I may possess 

 of exhibiting their real defects, and of pointing out for 

 condemnation and consequent avoidance the issue in 

 which they have resulted. 



But I must not be dissuaded by the excellent intentions 

 which in so many instances have taken the lead in carry- 

 ing out such labours, from boldly stating and truthfully 

 exposing the pernicious efFects to which they have contri- 

 buted. " Eestoration " is the title too generally giveu to 

 such alterations of ancient structures, while " destruction " 

 would be by far the more correct expression. Abundance 

 of zeal is indeed conspicuous ; but it is too frequently a 

 zeal without knowledge, if it may not even be said to be 

 an irreparable display of Ignorant presumption. Precious 



