Bewick Chapel. 55 



in its preservation to commence the work of restoring it as 

 soon as possible. 



I know that occasionally it happens that the destruction of 

 some of the most interesting portions of a work of great 

 antiquity are involved in its restoration, and a choice has to 

 be made between the entire loss of such parts as cannot be 

 repaired, or the loss of the whole buildmg by decay. All 

 who venerate ancient memorials know how difficult it is to 

 decide which course to follow, but it fortunately happens in 

 this case, that so far from the destruction of any one portion 

 of the Church, a skilful restorer, and one who took a real 

 interest in the work, would be able to replace every stone that 

 has fallen and is still left on the ground ; and in point of fact very 

 little new material besides common walling stones would be re- 

 quired to complete the work. The quality of the stone is excel- 

 lent, and unless too long postponed the progress of decay may 

 be stayed, and the Church preserved both as an interesting 

 monument and useful building for many centuries. The 

 walls and arches that are still standing are in a perfectly 

 secure condition, and the only part that need be positively 

 taken down is the north west angle of the nave. A 

 piece of masonry, by the bye, I think of a later date than the 

 other part of the nave. Very probably it would be found 

 necessary to remove the vault over the apse, and the arch 

 that separates it from the chancel, but the stones could all be 

 replaced, and nothing ought to be done without first placing 

 proper centrings under each. 



The Edward II. window in the apse so completely spoils 

 the arrangement of the windows, and is of so little interest in 

 itself, that it would be better removed and the original mndow 

 restored, but it would be as well to leave the buttresses, as I 

 mentioned before, they are curiously constructed, and now 

 assist to strengthen the apse. Whether there would be any 

 use in once more restoring this beautiful little work to its 

 original purpose, and making it again fit for the service of 

 God, or whether if restored it would only be valuable as a 

 monument of the art of past times ; its preservation in an age 

 like this, when so many ancient memorials are unavoidably 

 perishing, would be a labour deserving the gratitude of the 

 present and future generations of all those interested in 

 archseological pursuits. 



For the following notes I am indebted to Mr. Raine. 



The dedication is to the Holy Trinity. 



Matilda, the first wife of Henry /., of England, and 

 daughter of Malcolm, King of Scotland, gave to the monastery 



