The Newtown bee., 1879-02-11
Origin of Church Pc ws.

Pews were first placed in English churches by the Norman nobles, but it IS certain that for many generations these private boxes for public worship were neither numerous nor allowed to persons of inferior grade or eentility. Formerly the people sat on rude. three legged stools placed dispersedly all over the church. The next introduction was benches or wooden seats. Even to the close of the Plantagenet period Chris tians of all degrees, with few excep- tlons, were content to be equal in the house of God so far as seats were con- cerned.
 Mirk's Instructions for Parish Priests makes no mention of pews, and enioins the laity when in church to re- main on their knees and abstain from leaning against pillars and walls; but the "Book of Nature" by Russell. "sum lyme wythe Duke Umfrey of Gloucester" work like the Instruc- tions," which was published in the first half of the fifteenth century, directs the chamberlain of great man to take due care for the arrangement of his patrons pew:
 Prince or prelate if he be, or any any other
 potentate,
 
 Perceive all thypges for his pew, that it be
 made preparate;
 Both cushion, carpet and curtain, beads and
 book, forget not that
 At the commencement of the seven- teenth century pews had become com paratively common, for in 1911 the fol- lowing ludicrous entry, showing that pews were even baizej, is to be found in St. Margaret's church accounts: "Item, paid to Goodwyfe Wells for salt to destroy the feas in the church war den's pew, 5d." The seventeenth cen tury which witnessed SO many changes in ecclesiastical matters, saw pews come into such vogue that a modish person would have as soon gone to church with out his proper garniture of point lace as have set out service on the old fash toned stool or more modern bench.
 At Chalderton, England, is a pew six feet high, with glass windows in the door to enable the occupants to see the preacher and other windows in the side to enable them to survey the congrega- ton. At Mestham aud Mickleham, Sur ", were pews raised some feet above the level of the damp floor, comfortably fitted and possessing fireplace and table, and by no means uncommon ex amples.
 In Little Bemingham, church, Nor folk, pew was erected by shepherd in the nave to afford accommodation for strangers and wedding parties. It bears at the southwest angle a skeleton carved in wood (which probably was not thought by the occupants particularly cheerful or appropriate) with the inscription: For Couples joined in Wedlock; and my Friend, That Stranger ia; This Sesfe did intende; But Quilt D at the cost and Charge of Stephen
 Crosbee.
 Anno Domini l64o. In the reign of Queen Anne Sir Christopher Wren renonetrated aga!nss the " stately pews," but vanity prevailed against him.
 The pews of many churches were so high as to hide those within-said to be a device of the Puritans to avoid being seen by the officers, who reported those who did not stand when the name d Jesus was pronounced. The servic so that time were very much protraiH ence that many would fall asleep Swift's pithy allusion /
 A bedstead of antiqgsv a io.,d,
 Compact of timber E did use,
 Such as our ancesf into pews.
 Was metamoIpP ancient nature keep
 " Wh1oh 1ohs,ne si,ll tsks disposed to sleep
 s .y siqn of Charles l. the vari-
 Wisn en for heightening the sides oi ous Ieasaa aassaappeared, end from the CIVIL pews they gradually declined to treir ws,ssent height. Recently at the eale or Jews in pr. Halls church on Eiftn avenue. New York, the best were sold as s6. GOO and some brought premium of e1 sfl0