Chap. 2] ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 75 



■window in the north wall, by Warrington, of London. On the walls 

 are some good paintings of sacred subjects, two of which deserve 

 mention. One, " The Holy Family," is supposed to be by Tintoretto, 

 while the second one is by Fra Angelico. The altars are very elabo- 

 rately decorated ; and the pulpit, a handsome oak one, has carved on 

 four panels the heads of the English Catholic Martyrs— Barlow, Fisher, 

 More, and Pole. The pulpit and carving have been worked by a 

 former member of the congregation. Close to the altar stands an old 

 carved oak chair in an excellent state of preservation, elaborately 

 carved with angels' heads and various devices. It bears the following 

 legend :—" John Towers, 1631. Peterborough." At each corner 

 are carved the mitre and bishop's crook, while below are a pair- of 

 " cross keys. " John Towers was Bishop of Peterborough ; 

 and doubtless this chair was made in honour of his elevation 

 to the bishopric. Dr. Boardman obtained it from a shop in Liverpool 

 some years ago. I have also been enabled to furnish my readers with a 

 photograph of this chair, by the courtesy of the reverend gentleman to 

 whom it belongs. 



The singing is of a high character, while the congregation, needless 

 to say, are very attentive and devotional. 



The old Chiu'ch is used as a school, and has an average attendance 

 of 165. Attached to the Church, there is a Cemetery. 



The Eev. Charles Boardman, D.D., is the Eector of St. Wilfrid's 

 Eoman CathoUc Church, Longridge. For many years he was the 

 librarian at Stonyhurst. He is a somewhat cold and serious-looking 

 man of about 60, but he is exceedingly fond of old books and curiosi- 

 ties, and is a very clever and well-read man. He is fond of poetry, 

 and I shall not soon forget his masterly exposition and elocutionary 

 powers when giving a dissertation, some years ago, on Tennyson's 

 "Elaine." 



As a collector of old and scarce books. Dr. Boardman is well-known. 

 He has succeeded in forming a large library, which contains more 

 copies of rare books than almost any private library in Lancashire. 

 Among these I may mention — foHo edition of the " Hercarar 

 Saga" in old Gothlandish and Swedish, 1671 ; editio princeps 



