The in a manner we could not have anticipated from an honest man. Fifth-of-November sermon quotes from accredited writings, but falsifies where it quotes. We must now recommend Mr. Close, when next he brings a charge against us, to quote from our own accredited writings, and to quote fairly. Perhaps upon the whole, it will be safer for him not to bring charges at all. "THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR." THE ARCHITECTURAL ROOM AT THE ROYAL THE sight of the Architectural Room of the Royal Academy must, for the last few years, have given more or less both of pleasure and of pain to good ecclesiologists of pleasure, because it shows, even in some of its more tasteless contents, that the appreciation of the decorum of holy things is on the increase, that people have begun to find out that Grecian and Norman are not the appropriate styles for churches; that the altar should be the crowning point of every place of worship; that fonts should be of stone:-of pain, because with this growing appreciation, there is evidently so much of haste, of display, of ignorance of first principles, of unreality, of eccentricity. The ecclesiastical portion of the architectural room this year, with which we are alone concerned, is decidedly, to use a homely phrase, far from up to the mark. We miss many a name of sterling worth, and many of popular reputation, and as will appear, we have much to object to the works of those architects which are exhibited. The Third-Pointed style decidedly predominates; and of the remaining churches, nearly all are of the first age. 'Telling on the Committee” is too clearly the leading idea of not a few of the designs. Middle-Pointed hardly oc curs. 66 Mr. Railton leads off with a First-Pointed church, erected for the Metropolis Churches' Fund (1099). We are sorry not to be able to praise it. The same gentleman contributes an interior of Ripon Cathedral (1128), showing the effect of the plaister" assimilated Norman" groinings in the transepts, which by the way are FirstPointed. Our opinion of this proceeding has been already given in our first series. Mr. J. Clark exhibits an external design contributed in limited competition for the new church of S. Mark, in Hamilton Place (1105), which if it have aisles, and be not spanned by one vast roof, is deserving of some commendation. The vestry however is incorrectly placed, and the pedimental buttresses are very unsatisfactory to our eye. Another design for the same church, by Mr. G. Legg (1139), we cannot approve. Mr. J. Little has two churches. The first (1134), intended to replace the old church of S. Andrew, Fairlight, near Hastings, is entirely modern in feeling. The tower is capped by battlements, and has the corner beacon turret of Kent, both features of a later style than that chosen for the church. His second,-a church to be erected in S. John's Wood (1286), is not good: the style is Third-Pointed, while the arrangement and intended effect are First-Pointed. Mr. S. H. Hake will contributes (1145) an interior view of Kentish Town church, showing the alterations now in progress. The drawing is profusely illuminated with crosses.* Mr. E. C. Hake will exhibits a drawing of his new South Hackney church, a cross church, tame and unsatisfactory. No. 1146 is an interior of a church, with galleries and no aisles, in poor Third-Pointed, by Messrs. Stevens and Alexander. It is best described as a capriccio on S. Paul's, Wilton Place. Mr. F. C. Penrose, with much boldness, contributes sketches for the exterior (1228) and interior (1066) of a cathedral or collegiate church. We advise him to aim lower, at least at first. The "cathedral" is Middle-Pointed, and externally far too foreign in its character. We may however say this for it, that it decidedly is not a parish church enlarged. It does not claim detailed criticism. Mr. Cottingham has sent an external view of the church of S. Helen, at Thorney, Nottinghamshire (1179), which he is building. It is in the Norman style, and presents nothing which we can praise, excepting the length of the chancel. Mr. Derick has sent two interesting contributions; 1220 is a drawing of the new Choristers' School and Master's House, to be erected at S. Mary Magdalene College, Oxford,-a work which this gentleman gained in a competition, in which Mr. Pugin was one of the competi tors. The building possesses considerable merit. An effect both solid and picturesque is produced with simple materials. Perhaps there is too evidently an effort in it. 1291 is the interior of an Anglican church now in the course of erection," taken just west of the rood-screen. The church, which is Third-Pointed, is of lofty proportion, and the screen is good, excepting in the manner in which the portal is carried upwards to bear the Cross, which breaks the horizontality which should always characterize the rood-beam of a wooden screen. We trust the church itself will be as highly decorated as it is represented in the drawing. Mr. R. W. Billings exhibits (1255) a screen for the Vicar's Chapel in Malvern Priory, executed by the new patent machine. The screen is overdone, especially the parapet, which is extravagant, and appears as if intended to test the powers of the machine. Mr. E. B. Lamb gives, besides an obituary window and monument (1229), some laboured designs for the Choristers' School, S. Mary Magdalene College (1256); a village school (1242), and a new chapel at Holloway (1259), which last is Third-Pointed, and all front. Mr. H. Clutton appears twice successively (1265, 1266.) The first is a cemetery chapel looking like a chapter-house gone mad. The second, an internal view of S. Jude's, Bethnal Green, now erecting, is deserving of severe condemnation. It is a huge Romanesque preaching * A review of this church will be found in the present number. The Architectural Room at the Royal Academy. 171 house, which being in the picture divested of the galleries it is clearly meant to contain, and being a little dressed up, is made to appear solemn and basilican at a distance. It has no aisles, and is apsidal. The precise reason for the arrangement of windows, lower range and clerestory, might seem mysterious to those who do not recollect the invisible galleries. The whole mass appears to groan under what is made to look like a ponderous barrel-vaulted roof. We cannot praise Mr. C. Innes's design for a church (1272). The prize of boldness is due to Mr. H S. Coleman, who exhibits a design for a church (1274) in the classical style of Nash and Soane. Truly this gentleman is ultimus Romanorum. Messrs. Gough and Roumien send a design for a church and Elizabethan buildings, to be erected in Tollington Park, Holloway (1282), a strange mass, looking like a travestie of S. Catherine's Hospital, Regent's Park. 1285 is the east end of All Saints, Thelwall, "as originally designed, but subsequently altered," by Mr. J. M. Allen. A semi-Catholic structure, without depth of chancel, and yet contriving to contain sedilia and credence. We have already criticised the design. We omitted 1266, which is a design for a cross church, with central spire, by Messrs. Stevens and Alexander, which is proposed to be erected near London,-a building of the Third-Pointed style, showy at a distance, but unsatisfactory when examined. Before we quit this subject, we must advert to one design, which, though no church, is yet so horrible a caricature of church architecture, as to call for our loud condemnation,-a design for a country house, by Mr. C. Burton, made to look like an impossible cathedral, with a central spire, which being surrounded with galleries, has a peculiar and Chinese aspect, and is, as we are told, to be ascended by machinery. We should suggest pro bono publico that any one who is bold enough to build this house, should never be allowed to descend from his tower. In conclusion, we must exclaim against the architectural room, which is itself of very small dimensions, not being exclusively reserved for architectural drawings. At present this important branch of art is most inadequately provided for at the Royal Academy. Perhaps if the accommodation were better, the character of the architectural exhibition might be improved. REPORT OF THE FORTY-THIRD MEETING OF THE On THURSDAY, April 24, 1845. The Venerable the President took the chair at half-past seven. Two new members were balloted for and elected : Street, G. E. Esq., Cornwall Terrace, Lee, Kent. The following report from the Committee was then read by the Rev. B. Webb, The Committee have to announce the publication of the Elevations, &c. of the Chancel of All Saints' church, Hawton, Nottinghamshire. The copies will be forwarded to subscribers at an early opportunity. They take this opportunity of strongly recommending to the members a proposed work on Decorative Architectural Painting, by Mr. E. L. Blackburne, F.S. A., architect. This work, to be published in parts, will contain coloured plates, representing the decorative colour of cielings, screens, roof-beams, architectural panelling, &c.; and is likely to be very useful now, when the employment of colour is becoming more general. The Society will head the list of subscribers, and the Committee hope that many of the members will encourage the undertaking. The Committee have now to address themselves to the question of the proposed dissolution, The members are probably aware, that at a meeting held on February 13, 1845, the Committee concluded their report with the following announcement: "The circumstances just communicated to the Society by the President demand from the Committee, at this the earliest opportunity, a statement of their view as to the manner in which these announcements ought to affect its conduct at the present juncture. "The retirement of two of its episcopal patrons, accompanied in the case of one of them by a public expression of disapprobation, and followed by that of the Chancellor and his representative, have appeared to them to place the Society in a position incompatible with its character as an association of members of the Church and University. They feel satisfied that any advantages which might be expected from its continued operations would be insufficient to counterbalance the positive evil that must result from even an apparent disregard of the sentiments of those invested with authority. They therefore recommend unanimously that the Society be dissolved. "This recommendation can only be carried into full effect at the anniversary meeting. Till then the ordinary meetings, which have been already convened, will be held pro forma for dispatch of necessary business. The interval will be occupied in winding up the Society's affairs. The recommendation now announced will be submitted to that meeting for, what the Committee earnestly hope it will receive, its ratification." And at the next meeting, held on Thursday, March 6, 1845, the following notice was given, and published in the Cambridge Advertiser, "The Committee give notice, in pursuance of Law XVI., that at the next meeting, April 24, they will propose that the 16th law of the Society be suspended on the anniversary meeting, May 8, in order to facilitate the general discussion of the recommendation of the Committee, which will be submitted to the members. "They have further determined that non-resident members shall be allowed to vote on that occasion, by proxy. Forms of proxy will be furnished to each member at an early opportunity." [Law XVI. is as follows:-"No motion or communication shall be laid before the Society until it has been approved by the Committee. No alteration shall be made in any law of the Society without notice having been given at the previous meeting."] The Committee beg leave to withdraw the above notice given for this evening, and now to give notice, that on May 8, previous to the consideration of the question of dissolving the Society, they will propose that law XVI. be suspended for that meeting. It was the intention of the Committee, on the anniversary meeting, to propose a resolution to the effect that, after the necessary arrangements should have been ratified for settling the affairs of the Society, the Society should be dissolved. They felt it, however, to be their duty, in a case so weighty and delicate, to take no definite step without the advice of counsel; and having laid a case carefully prepared, before the University Counsel, the Attorney-General and Professor Starkie, they have received, only yesterday, an opinion, which, with the questions submitted, they here subjoin. 1st. Whether the Society can dissolve itself by a vote of a majority of the members present at the anniversary meeting on the 8th of May next, such majority not being a majority of the whole number of the Society? If not, can the Society dissolve itself in any other, and what manner? and what preparatory steps ought to be adopted, and what mode of proceeding in particular and in detail ought to be pursued to accomplish this object? 2nd. Assuming that the Society can be dissolved in such way as you may advise, can the members present at the meeting on the 8th of May next adopt resolutions for the appointment of a Committee to be empowered to dispose of the funds of the Society in the manner then to be proposed? 3rd. In case you think that non-resident members can vote by proxy, in what form would you recommend such proxy to be worded, and will it be liable to any and what stamp duty ?" 1, 2. "No provision being made by the laws of the Society for a dissolution, we are of opinion that a dissolution cannot be duly and completely effected in the manner proposed in the first query, that is, by the resolution of a majority of members present at a meeting, such majority not being a majority of the whole members of the Society; and that, in strictness, no consent even of a majority of the whole Society can have the effect of wholly dissolving the Society, so long as members remain who are desirous of its continuance, although it is competent to such majority or such of them as think fit to withdraw themselves from the Society. In order to a complete dissolution of the Society we think the consent of the individual members constituting the Society ought to be obtained. We therefore recommend that a letter should be addressed by the Committee to each of the other members, signifying their recommendation of a dissolution under existing circumstances, and announcing a general meeting for the purpose of dissolving the Society, and of adopting measures for disposing of its funds, and requesting each member to attend personally or by proxy, or previously to the meeting to signify by a letter addressed to the Committee the assent of such member to the proposed dissolution, and to the mode of disposition which may be agreed Report of the Forty-third Meeting of the C. C. Society. 173 upon at such meeting. It is more especially desirable that the consent of those subscribers who have compounded by the payment of 10 guineas each should be obtained, and that provision should be made for returning their subscriptions. 3. "The party appointing a proxy may state that, being a member of the Cambridge Camden Society, he hereby appoints M. N. to act as his proxy in voting at a meeting of the Society to be held in pursuance of the notice, on the day specified, upon all questions to be determined at such meeting, according to the notice issued. Objection to such an appointment, without a stamp, was taken in the case of the Monmouthshire Canal Company v. Kendall (4. B. and Ald. 456), but as the question was not decided in this case, it is still subject to doubt. Although we think it probable that in the present case no objection would be taken for want of stamp, it seems to us better that each member should signify his assent or dissent by letter rather than appoint a proxy. "C Temple, 22nd April, 1845." (Signed) W. W. FOLLETT. As it is obvious from this opinion, that the dissolution of the Society cannot be effected except by the unanimous and expressed assent of every member, and that therefore the resolution which was to have been proposed would be nugatory, if carried, the Committee propose to take the sense of the Society with respect to the expediency of attempting to effect the dissolution in the manner recommended by counsel. The following resolution is therefore suggested, in the place of the one originally proposed. In compliance with the advice of counsel, the votes on this question will be taken by a form to be signed by each voter. "That the Committee to be elected at this meeting be instructed to adopt measures for dissolving the Society in a legal way." The Committee might here consider their duty discharged to the Society; but they have not felt themselves at liberty to overlook either the improbability of accomplishing a measure which any one dissentient member of our Society would have it in his power to impede, or the obligation incumbent upon them to contemplate and provide for the rejection of the proposed resolution; invested as they are with the office of originating every measure on which the Society can be required to deliberate. And these considerations have been pressed upon them more closely by the receipt of memorials from sister Societies and from a large body of resident members, as well as by communications from absent members, including some of high station and authority, and by the expression of public opinion conveyed through the press. The object of such communications, it need scarcely be said, is to suggest the enquiry whether the Committee cannot propose some way, short of the abrupt and final determination of the Society's labours, for obviating the difficulties which induced the Committee to suggest its dissolution. The Committee have felt it to be due to the rights of membership possessed by these parties, not less than to the earnestness of their appeal and the weight of their opinion, to revolve in their minds the several interests implicated in the contemplated decision of the Society, and the different methods, with their several consequences, by which their desire might be accomplished. They have, however, hitherto abstained from even the intimation of an opinion on the subject, lest they should seem to damage their own proposal by suggesting an alternative. Having waited till the last moment at which notice could be given of any propositions to be submitted regularly to the Society at the anniversary meeting, in the hope that suggestions might be received from other quarters which might supersede the necessity of their intervention, they have resolved to announce that in the event of the proposition for taking steps to dissolve the Society being negatived, resolutions will be proposed, such as shall appear to the Committee to present an arrangement to which they can be parties, and by which, in their opinion, the Society can continue to subsist in the spirit of its original constitution, and consistently with duty, usefulness, and honour. The suspension of the 16th law, if carried, will put it equally in the power of every member to propose any measure which may appear to him expedient. After the conclusion of the report, the meeting, which had been held pro formâ, adjourned till May the 8th, the sixth anniversary meeting of the Society. FORTY-FOURTH ORDINARY, AND SIXTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING OF THE CAMBRIDGE CAMDEN SOCIETY. ON MAY 8, 1845. APPENDED to the present number will be found a long report of this meeting, together with a paper from the Committee, explaining the position of the Society, and containing a reply to a "Statement" circulated by some disaffected members of the Society, who, from mortification at their defeat, or from whatever other reason, have not only withdrawn from the Society, but have actively endeavoured, under various pretences, to cause others to follow their example. These docu |