1836.] St. Peter's Church in Fort William. 211 



intrusted with a task seemingly as difficult as the original construc- 

 tion, and fraught with more danger to the workmen employed. 



The true nature of the case will strike every one who looks attentively 

 at the accompanying section, namely that the cutting of the holes for 

 the punkahs was the origin of the whole mischief. Had the cracks in 

 the roof existed at the time, it can hardly be imagined that orders could 

 have been issued to cut away the only props of the superstructure. 

 The effect of such an improvident order was however fully represented 

 at the time by Lieut. Mallock, Major H. being then in England. 



It is probable that the chief engineer relied upon his experience of 

 the firm tenacity of the materials : that he had good reason to do so in 

 many respects is proved by the fact recorded in the report, that the 

 semi vault stood firmly when the keystone was knocked out, and was 

 with difficulty broken away piecemeal. 



Hence it appears, that after all, the roof might have stood with per- 

 fect safety had the punkah holes been refilled with care, and the side- 

 vault been braced together with light iron rods, as in the well known 

 Muste des Arts et Metiers at Paris. The continuity of the main arch 

 from the crown of the upper vault, through the flying buttresses to 

 the ground, does not appear to have been broken ; and if so, the 

 opening or crack was of little consequence. Yet in face of all the 

 above facts, the restoration of the vault was interdicted, and in lieu of 

 a solid " vaulted roof embracing the highest branches of constructive 

 science, after the manner and principles pursued by freemasons in the 

 beautiful gothic edifices of Europe," it was resolved to descend to an 

 imitation in wood- work with a flat roof above. 



Though of minor importance and beauty, the wooden roof is well 

 spoken of in the Report of the Committee of Survey : " The groined 

 roof of the nave is, we believe, the first work of the kind ever attempted 

 in this country, and involving as it does the practical application of 

 some of the most difficult principles of constructive carpentry, the suc- 

 cessful completion of such a work under all the difficulties attendant 

 on the employment of native carpenters, who had to be instructed 

 in every stage of the work, is highly creditable to the skill and science 

 of the executive officer, Major Hutchinson." 



Before closing these preliminary remarks, we would fain notice the 

 painted glass windows of the west and east ends of the nave. They 

 are decidedly lions in our town, admirable specimens of rich transpa- 

 rent colouring, not frittered in small fragments, but in the new style, of 

 colours burnt in on large panes of 24 by 16 inches. 



The design of St. Peter receiving the keys is from Raphael's Car- 

 toon ; Moses and Aaron are on either side, and the four Evangelists 

 2 e 2 



