The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-02-01 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD

-

GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE.

We mentioned in our last, that Mr. Rimmet had deli=
vered a very interesting lecture on this subject at the
meeting of the Literary and Philosophical Society,' the
previous evening. Mr. Rimmer said, there were at pre-
sent in England only two or three buildings which could
be proved to have been constructed during the time of the
Saxons, and Saxon architecture was in fact nothing but
debased Roman. Under the Normans, architecture flou-
rished, and the four styles prevalent were the Norman,
the lancet, the decorated, and the florid. There are
Norman remains in nearly every county in England.
The little church of Bebington, Cheshire, contains some
good work of this period. St. John's, Cheshire, is a fine
example. The noble west front of Lincoln, the nave and
aisles of Norwich, and the interior and transepts of Dur-
ham Cathedral, are all beautiful specimens. The pointed
arch appeared earlier in England than in France, and the
various varieties of style were the growth of English im-
provement, and not of foreign importation. Since the
time of Henry the Eighth, there was scarcely a truly
Gothic edifice built ; the Elizabethan style was a mixture
of Italian, French, and indeed nearly every other kind of
architecture. After some elaborate remarks on each of
these styles, Mr. Rimmer noticed some of the ecclesias-
tical structures of this town, and his remarks on these
buildings we give in &demo :

" Liverpool is very short of good Gothic buildings, far
more so than of classical. St. Luke's Church, which,
from its size and cost, stands first, is by no means without
faults. The details (excepting perhaps the windows) are
very beautiful ; the railing and piers of the gateways are
also good, but suitable to a building on a much larger and
grander scale; the outline also from the top of Leece-
street is very pleasing. But the proportion of its side-
elevation is very inferior. its appearance from Bold-street
extremely meagre, and the porches on each side of the
tower ill correspond in size and character with any part of
the building. There are several periods in the style of
its architecture; one rather singular error would make the
upper story of the tower, which contains a window of the
fourteenth century, built 100 years before the lower, which
contains one of the fifteenth, and we could point oat se-
veral more faults.

" There are in Liverpool many churches with even much
less beauty to recommend them than St. Luke's ; but we
must except one or two recently erected, and now in pro-
gress of erection. The most beautiful and pure Gothic
building in Liverpool, perhaps, is a small incomplete
chapel in Canning-street. It is of the Decorated or 14th
century architecture, with a large variety of beautiful
windows, and a graceful doorway ornamented with flowered
mouldings. The stained glass on most of the windows is
very well arranged, and the colours finely harmonised.
There is also a Roman Catholic chapel in Edmund-
street, by A. W. Pugin, which contains a very beautiful
altar-piece and two elegant stained windows ; though,
from its position, the front is necessarily flat and without
buttresses: the two doorways are well composed.
" Another large chapel in Salisbury-street is good
' Early English.' St. Martin's-in-the-Fields is not a bad
piece of composition. But with all these exceptions, Li-
verpool is short of anything approaching a fine Gothic
edifice.

" We may remark, in conclusion, how strange it appears
that while we have so immensely surpassed the middle
ages in arts and sciences, we should remain so far behind
them in architecture. One reason is mentioned by Alison
in his beautiful essay upon taste If, besides the cost-
liness of the subject, it is also permanent or durable,• this
character is still further increased. Those productions of
which the materials are perishable and must often be re-
newed, are, from their nature, subjected to variety ; but
buildings may last, and are intended to last, for centuries.
The life of man is very inadequate to the duration of such
productions; and the present period of the world, though
old with respect to those arts which are employed upon
perishable subjects, is yet young in relation to an art
which is employed upon so durable materials as those of
architecture. Instead of a few years, therefore, centuries
must probably pass before such productions demand to
be renewed; and long before that period is elapsed, the
sacredness of antiquity is acquired by the subject itself,
and a new motive given for the preservation of similar
forms.'

" We are thus mere copyists, and no one who follows
the steps of another can ever pass him. Again, Gothic
architecture for a period of two hundred years fell into
disuse, its beauties were unktr)wn, and its principles for-
gotten ; but we are beginning now to be justly proud of
the national monuments with which England abounds,
and to confess at last that there is beauty in the pointed
arch, and that a cathedral is not as Sir C. Wren has de-
scribed, ' A huge monkish pile, unworthy of the name of
architecture.' Such prejudices are fast losing ground ;
and we may hope before long to see Gothic buildings
erected with some portion of their former excellence."

THE FIRST SOIREE OF THE ROSCOE CLUB

The first reunion of thi young club promises, from the
spirited character of the arrangements made by the direc-
tors, to be one of the most successful entertainments ever
provided upon an occasion of the kind in Liverpool, if it
does not even vie with the more pretentious Atheneum
soirees of Manchester. The only circumstance of regret
connected with the soiree is the fact of its having been
determined upon too late to allow of notice sufficient being
given ; the day fixed being more convenient for members of
parliament and literary men to confer upon us the favour
of their attendance. As it is, it is anticipated that the
soiree will be attended by Sergeant Talfourd, M.P.,
Messrs. Charles Dickens, Thackeray, (Michael Angelo
Titmarsh of Fraser's Magazine.) Mark Lemon John
Leech, George Cruikshank, Daniel Maclise, and other
gentlemen distinguished for their literary or scientific at-
tainments.

The soiree will be held this evening, in the Concert-
hall, Lord Nelson-street, which will be lavishly decorated
for the occasion, and, from its construction, will afford an
opportunity for those visitors, who may be disinclined to
mingle in the dancing, which will conclude the evening's
entertainments, to view the gay scene below, and listen to
the splendid music to be provided.
The quadrille band, which has been provided by Mr.
Goodall, and will be under his excellent leadership, will
be one in every way worthy of the occasion, if we may
judge from the unsparing expense which has been gone to,
and the first-rate talent engaged. It will consist of Mr.
Goodall himself, (leader,) one re-piano violin, violin se-
condo, violincello, two double basses, flageolet, first and
second cornopeans, first and second horns, opheiclide,
trombone, drums, triangles, castanets, &c., in all seven-
teen performers. We learn that Mr. Goodall has com-
posed a new set of polkas for the occasion, to be called
the " Roscoe Club Polkas," and, as soon as published, to
be dedicated to the club. The band will play several fa-
vourite pieces whilst the company are entering the hall,
after which they will retire until the dancing commences,
which is expected to be about half-past ten o'clock. Dur-
ing the soiree several songs, glees, &c., will be sung by
the vocalists engaged—Miss Whitnall, Mrs. George Hol-
den, Mr. Ryalls, and Mr. Roberts. Mr. George Holden
will conduct on the occasion. . . _ _ _

—..--
The occasion is, we understand, to be signalized by the
liberality of several of our leading tradesmen and lovers of
arts in the town. Mr. Mayer has promised the loan of
his " Roscoe Chair" for the use of the president, and it
is intimated that when a club-house has been provided by
the club, it will be presented by the present owner. Mr.
Illidge, the eminent artist, who was one of the invited
guests, but is deprived of the opportunity of attending in
consequence of his professional engagements, has, to serve
the interests of the club, presented a first-class proof im-
pression of the portrait of Lord Sandon, (now the Earl of
Harrowby,) one of the patrons of the club. Mr. W. W.
Mortimer, of Birkenhead, has also presented a copy of his
excellent History of Wirral.

The North and South Wales Bank have concluded ar-
rangements for an immediate resumption of business.
About eight of the smaller branch establishments are to
be discontinued. The directors and manager have received
much credit for their exertions.

ROSCOE CHAIR.-Mr. Mayer, of Lord-street, has lent
to the Roscoe Club for the use of the president, at the
forthcoming soiree, a chair made out of art oak beam,
taken from the house in which Roscoe was born, Should
the club acquire a house of their own, the chair is to be
presented to them.

SUDDEN DEATHS.—On Monday, Mrs. Lever, of Upper
Pitt-street, left her child, ten months old, on a pillow
before the fire, and on returning, in about twenty minutes,
found it dead. It had been suffering for some time.—On
the same day, an old man named Langshaw, was taken
ill in St. Ann-street, and was carried to the Rose-hill
station, where he died.—On the same morning, John
Kilfillan, living in Regent-street, was found dead in bed.
He had gone to bed the previous night without making
any complaint.

COLLEGIATE INSTITUTION.—LECTURES.--The season
is about to commence on Tuesday (this day), under the
most favourable auspices, Mr. J. Sheridan Knowles being
engaged to deliver a lecture on oratory. The great repu-
tation which this celebrated poet has so justly attained,
would, under any circumstances, ensure for him an over-
flowing audience, still more so when connected with a sub-
ject, so attractive. The list of lecturers announced to
appear during the season is of an extraordinary character,
and indicates an unceasing desire on the part of the direc-
tors of this noble institution to keep pace with the spirit
of the times.

THE BRUNSWICK CLUB.—We learn from the report of
the annual meeting of this excellent institution that it is
now progressing most satisfactorily,—new members are
daily added—and many who originally were only quarterly
subscribers have become annual ones. The new commit-
tee who were balloted for by the members, and of which
Mr. Brooke is chairman, and Mr. J. Walker vice-chair-
man, are using every energy to promote the usefulness of
the society, not only in the diffusion of intelligence, but
in the advancement of the many healthy exercises pro-
vided. A discussion and a music class are already in
course of formation.

FEMALE AMERICAN SERENADERS.—The performances
of this troupe of American serenaders have, during the
past week, attracted crowded audiences to the Concert-
hall, in Lord Nelson-street. Several of their songs are
beautifully harmonised, and some solo songs given by
them are full of spirit. Miss Jumbo is a very clever
singer of " nigger melodies," and " suits the action to the
word" in all her performances. Cora is also a very supe-
rior singer; and her " Mary Bine" is a first-rate song.
The finest voice, however, amongst the serenaders is that
of Yurico, whose song of "A Life in the Woods for me,"
is a perfect gem. We understand that the female Ame-
rican Serenaders are to visit us again very shortly. _

ENCOURAGEMENT IN WELL-DOING. -On Tuesday
last, the Rev. Thomas Nolan delivered a most beautiful
and interesting address to the young gentlemen of that
excellent establishment, Great George-street Academy, in
this town. He thanked them kindly and affectionately
for their handsome contribution to the Southern Hospi-
tal. After alluding to the honourable and important po-
sition which Mr. Fisher, their much-esteemed preceptor,
occupied among the higher circles of society, and the cele-
brity he had attained in his professional career, he expa-
tiated very fully on the advantages which must accrue to
the youthful mind from the study of mathematics and
science, especially the sublime pursuits of astronomy.
These, he said, in connexion with classics and polite lite-
rature, could not fail to impart a reality and a solidity to
a Wieral education, and prepare them for the honourable
discharge of the various duties which lay before them in
future life. The vast importance of a sound scriptural
education was clearly proved—the necessity of a living
faith in the atonement of the Redeemer—as well as the
renewing and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit
upon the heart, to prepare them for the higher honours
and more enduring realities of another and a better world.