144 Mr. Wilson on Brinkbiirn Priory. 



the early English quatre-foil flower, and presents as beautiful a 

 specimen of the mingling of these two styles as any we have left 

 us. 



The tower partakes of the marked transitional character of the 

 rest of the building, being sxipported by Norman piers spanned by 

 early English arches. The transepts appear to have been the only 

 part of the building vaulted with stone ; the roof of the nave, 

 aisles, and chancels having been in all probability constructed of 

 timber. Such at all events is the interpretation put upon the 

 evidence by the architect, Thomas Austen, Esq., under whose 

 auspices a handsome timber roof, covered with small tHes, has 

 been placed over the building. The effect of this restoration is 

 most pleasing, the quiet red hue of the tiles of the new roof 

 maldng a cheerful contrast to the deep green of the umbrageous 

 trees with which it is surrounded. Very little sunshine ever falls 

 upon Brinkburn Church, for the shadows seem to love to linger 

 in its quiet precincts, but when the rays of a sunset burnish the 

 rose windows of the gables and send autumn tints quivering over 

 the climbing foliage on the steep banks around, a scene is pre- 

 sented to the eye that memory will cherish after many others are 

 forgotten. 



It is impossible to find, upon the whole, a more perfect and 

 chaste representation of the transitional period of two important 

 eras in our national architecture, than we see in these remains. 

 The characteristic feature of Gothic architecture, namely its 

 thorough adaptability to the requirements of any given site, or 

 for the wants for which the buildings were intended, are in our 

 subject exemplified to a most charming degree ; and if we except 

 the romantic ruins of Foimtains Abbey, or the grander and more 

 elaborate remains of Tintern Abbey, there is no parallel to be 

 found throughout England or Wales, to the choice ruins of Brink- 

 burn Priory. The illustration which I have the honour to present 

 to the Club is from a photograph taken by Mr. Trotter, of Aln-v\dck, 

 from the opposite side of the river looking upon the west end. It is 

 engraved on wood by the eminent architectural wood engraver, 

 Alfred Williams, Esq., of The Illustrated London News. 



The restoration of the Church has been in contemplation for 

 many years. It is unHkely that service has been held since the 

 dissolution; but burials were made as late as 1745. Grose men- 

 tions that a few years before his time a scheme was set on foot, 

 for the fitting up part of the church for the performance of divine 

 "worship ; and Wallis records that a brief was obtained for that 

 purpose. But this great and interesting undertaking has been 

 reserved for the several members of the family who at present own 

 this long neglected edifice, and who, with fitting appreciation of 

 the importance of the work in an archaeological point of view, 

 have brought every accessory at command to the dif&cult task. 

 Operations were commenced in the spring of 1858. It is notice- 

 able, as a proof of the excellence of the workmanship of the Early 

 Enghsh buildings, how well the masonry has stood the wear and 

 tear of 700 seasons. The situation being remarkably sheltered, 



