DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32037#0016
X
INTE,ODUCTORY REMARKS.
clioir of York Minster, after its destruction by an incendiary, mad
with fanaticism. We may justly expect to see this superb structure
renovated in all its former beauty, since public munificence has
provided ample funds for the work. Winchester and Peterborough
cathedrals, the collegiate church of Beverley, and some other prin-
cipal churches, have received very considerable reparations ; and many
of our ancient parochial churches have participated in the general
improvement.*
This extensive revival of Gothic architecture has excited a more
attentive study of its proportions and peculiarities, and knowledge
has in its turn diffused a better taste. Not only are such gross ano-
malies as the chapel of Lincoln’s Inn, and the towers of Westminster
Abbey, condemned as barbarous, and unworthy of true genius; but
even the imperfect efforts of some later architects, who professed
to admire and follow the style which Inigo Jones and Sir Christo-
pher Wren avowedly despised and neglected,—even these are now
censured, and have their faults exposed. When the cathedrals of
Hereford, Durham, Salisbury, and Lichfield, were altered agreeably
to the taste of the late Mr. James Wyatt, only a few professed
antiquaries dared to remonstrate. Mr. Gough, Sir Henry Englefield,
Dr. Milner, and John Carter, openly censured the gross violations
of antiquity committed in those churchesif but their interference
was generally treated with ridicule, or resented with indignation.
Salisbury and Lichfield were thought to be much improved by the
demolition of their altar-screens, the throwing open of the smaller
# The state of tlie greater number of country churches, however, is very deplorable.
They are either neglected, and become unfit for use, from the damp and dirty state into
whicli they have gradually fallen ; or are disfigured and mutilated by tasteless and
penurious attempts at repair. It is hard to say which of these modes of destruction is
the worst; but, between the two, many noble monuments of the taste and piety of past
ages, which will never be replaced, are daily sinking into ruin.
T See the “ Gentleman’s Magazine” for 1789, 1790, 1796, &c.—Dr. Milner published
“ A Dissertation on the Modern Style of altering Ancient Cathedrals.” Second edition,
4to, 1811.
INTE,ODUCTORY REMARKS.
clioir of York Minster, after its destruction by an incendiary, mad
with fanaticism. We may justly expect to see this superb structure
renovated in all its former beauty, since public munificence has
provided ample funds for the work. Winchester and Peterborough
cathedrals, the collegiate church of Beverley, and some other prin-
cipal churches, have received very considerable reparations ; and many
of our ancient parochial churches have participated in the general
improvement.*
This extensive revival of Gothic architecture has excited a more
attentive study of its proportions and peculiarities, and knowledge
has in its turn diffused a better taste. Not only are such gross ano-
malies as the chapel of Lincoln’s Inn, and the towers of Westminster
Abbey, condemned as barbarous, and unworthy of true genius; but
even the imperfect efforts of some later architects, who professed
to admire and follow the style which Inigo Jones and Sir Christo-
pher Wren avowedly despised and neglected,—even these are now
censured, and have their faults exposed. When the cathedrals of
Hereford, Durham, Salisbury, and Lichfield, were altered agreeably
to the taste of the late Mr. James Wyatt, only a few professed
antiquaries dared to remonstrate. Mr. Gough, Sir Henry Englefield,
Dr. Milner, and John Carter, openly censured the gross violations
of antiquity committed in those churchesif but their interference
was generally treated with ridicule, or resented with indignation.
Salisbury and Lichfield were thought to be much improved by the
demolition of their altar-screens, the throwing open of the smaller
# The state of tlie greater number of country churches, however, is very deplorable.
They are either neglected, and become unfit for use, from the damp and dirty state into
whicli they have gradually fallen ; or are disfigured and mutilated by tasteless and
penurious attempts at repair. It is hard to say which of these modes of destruction is
the worst; but, between the two, many noble monuments of the taste and piety of past
ages, which will never be replaced, are daily sinking into ruin.
T See the “ Gentleman’s Magazine” for 1789, 1790, 1796, &c.—Dr. Milner published
“ A Dissertation on the Modern Style of altering Ancient Cathedrals.” Second edition,
4to, 1811.