DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0180
148 HISTORY OF
taking every inch to the walls of the church to be in their leases, this ground,
already too narrow, is divided, as the backsides to the houses, with wash-houses,
chimnies, and privies, the vaults of which, if indiscreetly dug against the foot of
a buttress, may inevitably ruin the vaults of the chapels ; and, indeed, I perceive
such mischief is already done, by the opening of the vault of the Octagonal cha-
pel on that side; and without means be taken to prevent all nuisances of this sort,
the work cannot proceed; and if finished, may soon be destroyed. I need say
no more, nor will I presume to dictate; not doubting but your lordship, in your
great wisdom, will consider how this noble structure may be preserved from such
nuisances as directly tend to the ruin of it*.
And now, in further pursuance of your lordship's directions, I must distinctly
set down what remains to finish the necessary repairs for ages to come, that it
may be no burthen to the successors of your venerable body: and in the second
place, since the intentions of the founder were never brought to a conclusion, I
shall present my thoughts and designs, in order to a proper completing of what is
left imperfect, hoping you may find for this the assistance of the public.
I say nothing of King Henry Vllth's chapel, a nice embroidered work, and
performed with tender Caen stone; and though lately built in comparison, is so
eaten up by our weather, that it begs for some compassion, which I hope the
sovereign power will take, since it is the sepulture of the royal family.
I begin, as I said, to set down what is necessary for completing the repairs;
and I confess I can but guess, because I cannot yet come at the north side, to
* Much indeed appears to have been done to the abbey church under the direction of Sir Christo-
pher Wren, and during the time when Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was the dean of it. But
much still remained to do: and it seems to have been reserved for the present very reverend dean,
Dr. Vincent, to employ his influence and taste in promoting, with the liberal aid of parliament, the
improvements suggested by the great architect.
taking every inch to the walls of the church to be in their leases, this ground,
already too narrow, is divided, as the backsides to the houses, with wash-houses,
chimnies, and privies, the vaults of which, if indiscreetly dug against the foot of
a buttress, may inevitably ruin the vaults of the chapels ; and, indeed, I perceive
such mischief is already done, by the opening of the vault of the Octagonal cha-
pel on that side; and without means be taken to prevent all nuisances of this sort,
the work cannot proceed; and if finished, may soon be destroyed. I need say
no more, nor will I presume to dictate; not doubting but your lordship, in your
great wisdom, will consider how this noble structure may be preserved from such
nuisances as directly tend to the ruin of it*.
And now, in further pursuance of your lordship's directions, I must distinctly
set down what remains to finish the necessary repairs for ages to come, that it
may be no burthen to the successors of your venerable body: and in the second
place, since the intentions of the founder were never brought to a conclusion, I
shall present my thoughts and designs, in order to a proper completing of what is
left imperfect, hoping you may find for this the assistance of the public.
I say nothing of King Henry Vllth's chapel, a nice embroidered work, and
performed with tender Caen stone; and though lately built in comparison, is so
eaten up by our weather, that it begs for some compassion, which I hope the
sovereign power will take, since it is the sepulture of the royal family.
I begin, as I said, to set down what is necessary for completing the repairs;
and I confess I can but guess, because I cannot yet come at the north side, to
* Much indeed appears to have been done to the abbey church under the direction of Sir Christo-
pher Wren, and during the time when Atterbury, Bishop of Rochester, was the dean of it. But
much still remained to do: and it seems to have been reserved for the present very reverend dean,
Dr. Vincent, to employ his influence and taste in promoting, with the liberal aid of parliament, the
improvements suggested by the great architect.