of the publisher is sufficient warrant for the somewhat uncommon combination of elegance and precision; and we apply the remark, in the present case, in spite of a few misprints in the introduction: these have however been remedied by an issue of corrected sheets. A series of more than a hundred and twenty exquisite and accurate engravings of fonts, accompanied by terse architectural descriptions and measurements, cannot fail to be at once of the greatest use and interest at the present day. By far the larger number of examples are executed by Mr. Jewitt, whose all but monopoly of ecclesiastical wood-engraving, has been, of late, most successfully broken in upon by Mr. Thompson, an artist of distinguished taste and most delicate execution, who has contributed to this series some of its finest specimens. We may instance, as coming from his hand, the Fonts of All Saints', Liddiard-Milicent, and SS. Samson and Mary, Cricklade, Wilts. The chronological arrangement might perhaps, in some respects, be altered for the better: the example from Locking, for instance, and those from East and West Haddon, are surely placed relatively too late in the Norman series. We merely mention this, because we believe a strictly chronological sequence is intended to be given. The collection is prefaced by an Introduction on the diagnostics of the different styles of Fonts, by Mr. Paley. This volume is to be followed by a series of Decorated Windows, under the editorship of Mr. Sharpe; a subject which we can scarcely think so well chosen in respect either of its utility or its interest: but we hope the Fonts will find it a worthy successor.

REPORT OF A QUARTERLY MEETING OF THE EXETER ARCHITECTURAL SOCIETY.

JULY, 1844.

P. MILLAR, Esq., M.D., having taken the chair, the Treasurer's Report was read, and the following gentlemen elected members:—

Rev. R. W. K. Buck, Bideford.
Rev H. Arundell, Cheriton.

R. Fulford, Esq., Mount Redford.

Numerous drawings were presented by T. G. Norris, Esq.; and a paper on Roofs, read by the Rev. J. L. Fulford, of S. Thomas's.

The next Quarterly Meeting of the Exeter Architectural Society, was held on October 31st, 1844.

The Right Rev. Bishop Coleridge took the chair, and the usual business was transacted. G. N. Gould, Esq., architect, of Barnstaple, read an interesting paper on the "Perpendicular Towers of North and North-West Devon." This paper was illustrated by several beautiful drawings, copies of which were promised to the Society. Some drawings were presented by the Rev. J. L. Fulford. The Rev. P. Clay, of Chawleigh, exhibited numerous examples of glazed tiles, in which the patterns were raised. This kind of tile is common in the northern part of the county, and came, it is supposed, from the potteries of Bideford and Barnstable.

[We regret that the above arrived too late for insertion with the proceedings of the other Architectural Societies.-Ed.]

NEW CHURCHES.

All Saints', Grindon, Staffordshire.-We have seen lithographs of the exterior, and also of the interior of the chancel of All Saints' GRINDON, Staffordshire, as proposed to be rebuilt by Mr. Francis. The church consists of a west tower and broach, a nave, with aisles, south porch, correctly placed, and clerestory, and a chancel without aisles. The style is Decorated, and yet the roofs are of the low Perpendicular pitch, and the clerestory has quite a Perpendicular character. Is it too late to amend this? The chancel is however very well developed, and apparently devoted to its legitimate objects. The prayers are read from a stall-like desk on the north side, looking south, and apparently large enough to hold two if not three persons. Facing this there is a quasi-stall on the south side, for one. The altar is solid, and therefore we trust, of stone, but unfortunately panelled in two divisions. When shall we see the true form of this most sacred part of a church restored? There are no indications of sedilia, credence, or piscina. Though the usual writings appear at the east end, yet they are not immediately over the altar. The engraving not including the chancel arch, does not indicate whether there is to be a rood-screen. The situation of Grindon church is surpassingly beautiful.

We are better pleased with another design, by the same architect, for the chapel proposed to be attached to the New Hospital for Consumptive Patients, at BROMPTON, of the Decorated style, and composed of a nave, north porch, and chancel. The roofs are of a good pitch. The chancel is not long enough, and we must protest against its side window being of the rose form, as being without authority, and ungraceful. The bell turret might with advantage be made lighter. A rose window has been inserted over the porch, in a position where an architect of the olden time would have continued the row, only truncating the lower part of this particular window. We trust this notice may not be too late to induce Mr. Francis to adopt this alteration, as well as that of the north window of the chancel. We trust, likewise, that he will lengthen the chancel. What the internal arrangement of the chapel may be we are not aware. The hospital is of the Tudor style.

Holy Trinity, SOUTHWICK, in the parish of S. Peter, Bishopwearmouth. This building, so far as we can form an idea of its demerits by the aid of an evidently poor engraving, appears to be a very incorrect and faulty design, with wide, low roof, covering the entire span of the church, after the usual modern fashion, and the equally objectionable features of couplet lancets, and Early-English pinnacles, on each side. The tower can hardly be so bad in reality as it looks in the lithograph; if it is, every detail is most meagre and unsatisfactory. The east end of either a chancel, or vestry, is shewn in the engraving; we hope the former, though it is rarely indeed an appendage to churches of this class.

New Church at Wood Green, Tottenham.-We are glad to be able to

speak favourably of the general effect of a design for a new church, at WOOD GREEN, Tottenham, of which we have seen a lithographed view taken from the south-east. There are chancel and nave and southwest porch. The style appears to be very early Decorated. The bellgable seems to be rather common-place, the side-walls too high, and the porch not simple enough for the unpretending character of the design. But there is a boldness in the string-course and eave which pleases us. The architects are Messrs. Scott and Moffat.

S. Edmund, Walpole, near Lynn.-The chapel of S. Edmund, WALPOLE, near Lynn, has been recently erected under the superintendence of the rector. It is (unfortunately) Norman in its style, and apsidal in plan; the windows are filled with rich stained glass by Mr. Wailes. The Altar is of stone, with a plain solid front. There is a western door and bell-gable. The design is simple, as a whole, and better of its kind than usual, so far as we can judge from the engraving; but the vestry with its conical capping does not altogether please the eye.

Lower Cam, Gloucestershire.-Constant readers of the Ecclesiologist will remember several favourable notices of the new church at LowER CAM, Gloucestershire. This building has now been finished and consecrated, and may safely be pronounced to be one of the most successful of modern times. Built almost entirely, we believe, from the designs of the Vicar, and erected with funds collected by his own generous and nearly unassisted efforts, it may be taken as an example of what may be effected under unfavourable circumstances by selfdenying devotion. The church is remarkable for its noble solidity as well as for its general architectural features. The style is that of about 1350: the details copied from ancient examples, as far as might be, taken from the neighbourhood. We may notice with approbation the position of the bell-turret over the chancel-arch: a situation, we have observed, remarkably common in that county. Several symbolical features were designedly introduced; which it is interesting to know, as the fact illustrates a position taken by some symbolists to the effect that certain symbolical canons having been laid down, or principles understood, before the date of any building, it would be generally fair to conclude that these canons or principles influenced the later builders in adopting particular symbolized arrangements. We have already had occasion to express our disapprobation of certain parts of this design. We need not therefore refer to them more particularly than to say that our opinion remains unaltered; but on this occasion we prefer to look at that which we can contemplate with unmixed pleasure, the successful completion of a good and substantial church in the spirit of a better age.

S.

S.

CHURCH RESTORATION.

Pyecombe, Sussex.-The restorations in the church of PYECOMBE, Sussex, on the whole, are creditable. The old

pues have been entirely ejected; poppy-head seats have been substituted, though one or two have doors. The triple Norman chancelarch now stands out well. There are two square pues in the chancel. The ancient tiles have been collected, and laid down before the altar; the latter is very mean, and the upper step composed of hollow boarding. There is an east window pretending to be Norman, but much too large and thick. We observe that this church has been arranged on the model of KINGSTON-BY-SEA: we most earnestly beg our Sussex readers not to be seduced by a pretended neatness, and a false taste; and in no way to regard the arrangement of that church in any other light than as a thing to be shunned.

S. John's, Merrow, Surrey.-The munificence displayed in the restoration of S. John's, MERROW, Surrey, is deserving of all praise. All the fittings have been made in the most substantial materials; but there are some points which we would have wished otherwise. But first as to its merits: the altar is of stone (panelled, however), and so is the pulpit. The font canopy has not, as is too often the case, been omitted. The chancel is benched stall-wise. The church itself is interesting. It is a one-aisled church, with chancel, all being Decorated, except the aisle, which is Early-English, and the arcade, which is Norman. The material is flint, with stone dressings, and there is that beautiful feature, a shingled broach, on the west tower. (When will our architects learn not always to throw away their means upon stone spires ?) The seats, though uniform, unfortunately have doors, and there is no screen. The most objectionable features are however the arrangement of the sedilia, if sedilia they can be called, as they occupy the place of the old-fashioned altar-chairs, and are worked up into the reredos.

S. Martin's, Canterbury.—The famous church of S. Martin, at CANTERBURY, is in course of restoration. We are however sorry to say that we cannot speak altogether in praise of the works. The reredos

is not satisfactory, being of clumsy Norman work, surrounded by an Early-English triplet. The internal roof of the chancel is so low, as apparently to rest upon the triplet, and this without any visible reason, as it is externally of good pitch. Nor do we approve of the vestry, and of the enormous arch by which it opens into the chancel. The pointed canopy over what is said to be S. Martin's tomb, has been replaced by a Norman one, which is certainly not legitimate restoration.

All Saints', Kempston, Bedfordshire.-Some repairs, generally in excellent taste, have been executed in the church of All Saints, KEMPSTON, Bedfordshire. A rood turret however has been destroyed to make way for a chimney; and an ugly staircase built on the outside to communicate with the parvise. A new font, of good design and work, and of the ancient dimensions, has been placed against the westernmost pier of the north aisle.

S. John Baptist, Slymbridge, Gloucestershire.-The church of S. John Baptist, SLYMBRIDGE, Gloucestershire, has been undergoing extensive restorations. During their course, the open roof of the nave was repaired, and an ancient painting of the Last Doom was

discovered in the usual place, the wall above the chancel-arch. The group consists of five figures, and over the crown of the arch our LORD in judgment is seated on the rainbow. To the right stands the Blessed Virgin Mary, in scarlet, with ermine mantle; by her an angel kneeling, and holding the Cross, upon which are the Nails and the Crown of Thorns. The angel's right hand holds the Hammer. To the left of our LORD is seen S. John Evangelist, with uplifted hands, and by him an angel, standing, holding in the right hand the Spear, and in the left the Scourge. The paintings are in very good preservation, although the surface had been pecked with an axe, to make the plaster adhere. We hope most sincerely that this "Doom" will be preserved at least, if not restored. We can scarcely believe that, at this day, such a painting could be destroyed, particularly in a church to which so much public attention has been called as Slymbridge.

S. Mary-le-Crypt, Gloucester.-The restorations at S. Mary-leCrypt, GLOUCESTER, are proceeding favourably. We are in hopes that the most interesting paintings in the chancel of this church will be restored. The east window is to be filled with stained glass. The peculiar size of this window will make it a difficult task to design a suitable cartoon for it.

Extensive alterations and repairs are about to be undertaken in the noble church of S. Mary, NEWARK.

All Saints', Maidstone.-Restorations of a very satisfactory character have been made in All Saints' church, MAIDSTONE, a fine Perpendicular building formerly collegiate, which we trust are but the prelude of further amelioration. A frightful pagan reredos has been swept away, and the whitewash scraped off a rich parclose on the Gospel side of the altar. The chancel has been cleared of rubbish, bringing out the fine stalls which are perfect, though the rood-screen and parclose have all perished except that in the sanctuary. A cumbrous pulpit has given place to one more seemly, and an enormous organ-gallery, straddling across the west end of the nave, has been pulled down, the organ being placed on the ground at the west end of the south aisle.

S. Mary, Stourbridge.-The ancient and long-disused chapel of S. Mary, STOURBRIDGE, has been temporarily fitted up for Divine service, for the use of the railway labourers. It is pleasing to know that this interesting building will once more, before it falls to decay and utter ruin, be restored to its proper use. But it is far from gratifying to find that the fittings up consist principally of the three usual modern deformities:-1. A sky-light cut through the fine old oaken roof. 2. A great black stove, with flue thrust through another part of the same. 3. An unsightly and awkward structure like a porch, of wood and baize (intended, we suppose, to keep out the draught), erected within the doorway. No altar has, as yet, been provided, but we presume this will be considered essential for the due performance of Divine service. The interior is furnished with a lectern, and some plain and low open seats.