International studio (19.1903)

Their possessions let them share
With the poor and needy;
And to grief, distress, and want
Let their help be speedy.
Translated. W. H. Ward.
Jan. 1903.
With regard to gilt and
copper cocks, it is interesting
to read that in the year 1444
" The spire of the oid St.
Paul's Cathedral was by
Bishop Kemp adorned with a
copper weather-cock, <2
/72W7Z/Z<272."
Another quaint record is to
be found in the Spaiding Ciub,
Aberdeen Burgh Records.
"16 Aprii 1606. David
Anderstone maister of Kirk
Wark to send brazen cok
of the Stepiii of Sanct Nicolas
Parish Kirk this burght of
Fianderis to be mendit thair
and owergiit — and to be



WEATHER-VAKE



DESIGXED BY O. MAXWELL AYRTON


WEATHER-VANE, GUIl.DHALL, ROCHESTER
FROM A DRAWING BY O. MAXWELL AYRTON

erectit and set vp vpon the hicht of the said
stepiii."
As the weather-cock is the usual form of vane to
the church spire or steeple, so one hnds hundreds
of instances of the ship vane on pubiic buitdings
ail over the country. One of the finest vanes of this
description is undoubtediy the ship which Hoats
over the Guild Hall at Rochester; with her mizzen
set, she rides there perfecdy balanced on the heavy
turned standard under her. Some seven feet long
over aH, she is like the cock of St. Nicholas "ower-
gilt." The gilding weathered in some places to the
most magnihcent crimsons and purples, she is in
absolute harmony with the beautiful old building
beneath. Dated 1687, and ascribed to Sir
Christopher Wren, or one of his pupils, the whole
building is certainly worthy of that great master.
Among other notable examples must be men-
tioned the Dragon on St. Mary-Ie-Bow, also by
Sir Christopher Wren; the Grasshopperon the Corn
Exchange—this giant measures eleven feet over all;
and the splendid dial-working vane in the King's
Gallery at Kensington Palace, where the Hag-shaped
vane without, records on the gilt-banded map

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