The Northern Daily Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-04-14 00:00:00

MEMORIAL TrIATO Tr 47' BEBLVOTON.

Many of oar readers will probably reeolhot the sad
death of !Miss Fanny Peiidea, the second daughter of the
rector of Bebington, in consequence of having taken a
dose of poisonous fluid by mistake for fluid magnesia. The
parishioners of Bebington resolved at once to erect a
Monumental window of stained glass in the parish church
to the memory of the bright christian example of one
who, by her modest virtues in private life, and her unwea-
ried ministrations in the school, the cottages of the poor,
and at the bed of sickness, had won the hearts and admi-
ration of all classes. A large sum was rapidly subscribed
by rich and poor, and as the centre east window was
selected; the committee determined to unite the great
truths of the Christian faith with the more peculiar sub-
ject of the memorial. It is a large window, in very
late perpendicular—a curiosity—being a specimen, so rare
in England, of the transition into the flamboyant or
the Elleabethean style. The committee fixed on the death
and the ascension of our blessed Saviour as the lower and
upper centre subjects, eccupyiog three lights each. The
four side lights were devoted to the manorial. They re-
present the life of a female Christian, in subjects from
Scripture—" Mary learning at the feet of Jesus," " The
widows' showing the clothes Dorcas had made for them,"
" Women bringing lithe children to Christ," and the end
of all, The resurrection of Jairus' daughter." The -
design of Wailes, of Newcastle, was selected from many
others, and on Saturday last, the anniversary of Miss F.
Veilden's death, he put in a splendid window, in every
way wdrthy of his high and long established fame, as
among the first, if not the first, of English artists in glass.
It is in the pictorial style of the date of the window, the
reignof Henry VIII , in some respects modified by modern
improvements. Colour is the first requisite in a stained
window, and in this it is superb ; in a proper light it equals
in depth and richness the best specimens of ancient glass.
The richest-. masses of colour are combined in the most
perfect harmony and brilliancy of effect. We were parti-
cularly struck with the beautiful gradations of neutral tints,
rich browns and gentle greens, that blend the more positive
colours into so beautiful a whole. Nor is the composition
of the window a whit inferior to its colouring. It is in
the noblest style of art—the mind and soul are painted,
not merely the texture of the cheek or the dress. Expres-
sion, high and holy, yet perfectly natural, is the prevailing
characteristic. The faces are of the noblest type, and the
grouping and action of the figures have that peculiar
clearness in which Wailes so greatly excels. The simplest
spectator, who is acquainted with his bible, may at once
recognise the scenes; the large size of the figures, nearly
that of life, greatly aids the attainment of this very impor-
tant object. The whole window is filled with a richness
and variety of minute detail, the half of which is not
perceived until after loag and minute examination, but
which aids inexpressibly to the charm of the whole. It
has altogether a most religious tone, and is in strict keeping
with the ecclesiastical character of the edifice in which it,
is placed. It is one of the greatest ornaments of the neigh-
bourhood, and we can well believe Mr. Wailes when he
assures us that it is one of the very finest works he has ever
sent out.

THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

We believe that all arrangements for the laying of the
foundation stone of the Free Public Library will be complete
by noon to-day, The bed for the reception of the stone has
been formed out of the solid rock; and a temporary amphi-
theatre has been formed round it, for the accommodation of
those who will be fortunate enough to have sufficient
influence to obtain one of the very limited number of
tickets that have been jotted. The proceedings of the day
will commence with a general meeting of the Historic
Society, at the Town Hall, where an address will be pre-
sented to Mr. Brown, as also addresses from were'
other bodies in the town. Afterwards a procession wilt be
formed at the Town Hall, and will pass to Shaw's brow,
where the mallet and trowel will be handed to Mr. Brown
by the Mayor, or his deputy, and the stone will be laid in
the usual way. The religions services of the day will be
conducted by the Rector. We understand that a company
of the Artillery will attend from the North Shore Battery,
with their guns pieced in a harmless position, and fire a
salute at the proper signal. The tickets for this part of the
day's proceedings have been in great demand, and the 7.50
issued will probably not accommodate more than a tenth
of those who would wish to witness it. The stone will be
laid abaut twelve o'clock, and at half past two p.m., there
will be a banquet in St. George's Hall, at which 800
guests will be seated ; and at six in the evening a tea
meeting will he held in the Concert Hall, Lord Nelson
street; and other addresses will be presented to Mr. Brown.
With regard to the banquet we may mention that the
list of guests is now so far complete that we can lay it before
our readers. It is expected that the Mayor will be reale_
rented on the occasion by Samuel Holme, Eiq, who passed
our civic chair four years ago, and whose generous hospita-
lities, and admirable arrangements, gave great satisfaction
on the occasion of the Roscoe testimony.
Besides the guest of the day, William Brown, Esq, the
whole of the following, with perhaps one exception, contin-
gent upon health, may now be stated as the guests who will
occupy the high table—The Earl of D Irby, Earl Talbot,
the Eirl of Burlington, Lord S'anley, M.P, Viscounts
Ingestre and Cavendish ; the Right. Hon. C. Pelham
Villiers, M.P, the Lord Bishop of Chester, the Right Hon.
Sir John Pakington, Bart, M.P, Major General the Hon.
Sir Edward Cost, I( C.H, Sir Thos. B. Birch, Bart, Lieut.
General Sir Harry G. W. Smith, Bart, G C.B. Sir James
P. R y Shuttleworth, Bert, Venerable Archdeacon Jones,
Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P, John Cheetham, Esq, M.P,
the Rev. the R,c'or of Liverpool ; Mess,s Joseph C.
Ewart, Wm Ewart, T. B. Horsfall, Monckton Milnes,
J. Bramley-Moore and Thomas Thornley, members of the
new House of Commons, the Mayor of the city of Chester,
and the Mayors of the boroughs of Lancaster and Salford ;
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Esq., United States' Consul at Liver-
p.:ol; and P. Al•Dewell, E'q. The arrangements in the hall
are progressing rapidly, and a large number of tickets have
been disposed of, though there are stilt some good seats
unappropriated. Excellent regulations have been made by
the police; and the attendance of one or two military bands
have been secured. The artillery band will play some
favourite airs in the north hall during the entrance of the
company. It is expected that the doors will be thrown
open at a quarter past one, to enable gentlemen
who have witnessed the ceremony of laying the
foundation stone to take their places at ()Pee.
We are given to understand that the Museum and Gallery
of Art at the Royal Institution, will be open to the public
free, and tha' the Museum of Art Treasures of the Board
of Trade will also he open on payment of one Penny,
to-morrow, (Wednesday), in commemoration of the laying
of the foundation stone of the Library.