The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1865-05-16 00:00:00

THE ANTIQUARIANS AND THE CHURCHES.

To the Editors.

Your columns recently' contained archaeological
notices of the churches, halls, lee., of this neigh-
bourhood, and the Archaeological Society, amongst
others, must feel very grateful to "Archaeologist" for
his careful compilation of the said notes, detailing as
he does, every particular connected with the places
mentioned, and to that gentleman be all thanks for his
trouble. In many cases, how,ver, his representation
may be misconstrued, that is, some readers may receive
from the notes impressions of a totally different
character respecting the places, to what the places really
are; no that (as far as churches, at least, are concerned)
If he had placed side by side with eaoh archaeological
note a description of the churches themselves de-
scribing the amount of pew accommodation, SW., it
would greatly have added to the information of
the general reader, and such a description might
possibly catch the eyes of those who have
the power to amend defects, where they severally occur.
This part of the question, it is needless to say, presents
no attraction to a body of archaeologists on a tour, they
of course go about looking at old monuments, brasses,
and probably even old bell ropes, ever and anon
descanting at length, perhaps upon the features of some
distorted stone countenance, ingeniously placed by the
lisulpter under a projecting column in the wall (dread-
fttl weight I), and which countenance appears to express,
in many cases, the great discomfort attending such an
" Atlantean" position.
These and such like "objects of interest" the ardseo-
logiets make full notes of, adding thereby greatly to the
"information" of the society; but society in general
would be far more benefrtted if a similarly organised
' body were to go rmnd a district, and practically inspect
the churches therein, reporting publicly the results of
their tour. Such a report might possibly be an induce-
ment for some of those possessing "gold and lands" to
come forward and give Material help In restoring aiome
of those defective places of worship ; or it may be
1, stimulate musical societies, Ste., to came forward, and
OMNI the appearance in your columns of snob
an advertisement now and than, as appeared a
short time back with respect to Broadmayne
Church, which kind of advertisement, by the way, '
-would be a far greater ornament to your coluisurs'
than their occupation by archaeological notes,. pp.. 1
awing, as these latter do, interest only to a few4,l,
whereas every honest and sound churchman mist.]
feel a glow of pleasure as he reads of a "char& mato-
ration." Bringing thus the real state of the several dar•
fective churches under the notice of the publio would
prove, in some instances, the first step to their reno-
vation.
Veracity is one thing, and archaeology may be another;
as an instance. I will refer to one place, and one ortly,
mentioned in the archaeological notes, and that is
Puddletown Church. It is described in the "notes" to
which I refer as "Fine Church." This opinion of it,
I think, cannot be endorsed by many, and the first re-
mark (in ten Case. out of twelve) of visitors, after seeing
the new schools now in course of erection, is, "Now
you want a new church." Now, I ask, where is the
" fineness ?' it certainly does not strike the ordinary,
observer. The fine "empanelled roof" spoken of might
have been so a hundred years ago' but the said roof is
now as rotten se to be pronounced almost dangerous by
the eminent Mr. Scott. The "beautiful monuments"
do not in any way add to the appearance of the church,
or aid Divine worship, and one of these said
"ornaments" has the advantage of excluding the
view of the preacher from one part of the
clmroh altogether I The " kehniston &entry," too,
follows suit in this respect, being so placed as ,to
exclude th,e whole chaacel from the view of its &animas*,
Togo farther, the seats are breast high, and so construct&
as to render kneeling impossible. The reading-desk aoltl
pulpit contains timber auflicient to form an important
item in thebnilding of moderately-sisedlieuen I sad te
conclude, a hideout old gallery; Minteining, of rotng,j
Olt harmony with the rest MN the arraitgemente,) ,
&aid These facts rather, thieki.coafete the rept
,“ rime Church," at aby rate, to ec.practieel point '
view. I will new conclude these ceemikk Icarinertliep
will beer:cue ton Iriniitiq for Your pPa 1444 ?Osaka targ
:favour, from all who contribute A leologleal noPise.,
„toylaoe side by side with them "real not or or in 0015
words Common sense view's of the'respWite
H.—[We may state that where Diocesan Limbo*.