Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1912-02-09

II prises now being worked out
In thia country, none is more
W interesting than that to which
Liverpool has set its hand.
Only recently a rather dramatic turn
was given to the progress of this great
undertaking by the announcement OF
far-reaching change Of plan. The
original design of Mr.. Gilbert Scott
/ had two towers, but for various rea-
sons that plan has been abandoned,
and the building will be crowned by a
single tower, as shown in our artists
drawing. So remarkable a change Of
plan must be very rare in the case
Of an undertaking Of such dimensions.
1t has been pointed out that St Pauls
cathedral, as completed. was not in
the least like the design which Wren
submitted to Charles H., but in that
case probably the first drawing was
never intended to be taken seriously.
II one looked for other features, be-
sides this alteration of design, which
distinguish the Liverpool undertaking.
one might find them not only in the
Vi luC AANA O.
In some respects unprecedented for
this country, but also in the fact that,
setting aside St PauPs, this is the
second cathedral the Church of Eng
land has built since the Reformation
The only other has been that of Truro
The building of a cathedral is not
new idea in Liverpool. 1t is, in fact,
nearly as old as the diocese-which is
itself not very old. The see was es-
tablished In 1873, and in 1881 the first
proposal to erect a cathedral was
mooted A site was actually selected,
but the diocese was not yet equal to
the undertaking. Well for 1t perhaps
that 1t was not; for one cannot mag
inc the mood of those days rising ade-
quately to the occasion. The truth is
no doubt that the religious feeling OF
the diocese had not yet been sufficient
ly organized and concentrated. There
was, in fact, plenty of other work to
be done, all Of it urgent and. in
sense, preparatory to the task that is
now being taken In hand with such
courage and devotion.
1t was not until the present bishop,
DR.. Cnavasse, came upon the scene
that the building of a cathedral on a
really great scale was determinedly
undertaken. The way had largely been
made clear for 1t, but the manner In
which the matter was advocated by
DR.. Chavasse was an immediate inspi-
ration. He fired the torch that was
waiting to be lit In a very short !
while promises of 100000 were
forthcoming, and this soon mounted |
up to e325.0 900. The very necessary |
work of raising the funds was chiefly |
In the hands of that broad-minded |
prince of commerce. Sir William B. |
The selected eminence upon which |
the cathedral is being built is sin
gularly suitable one, worthy In every
sense of the most noble structure. The
site is ST. James mount In the south
ern portion Of the city. It is the
crest Of one OF the sandstone ridges
On the slopes OF which Liverpool has
raised itself 1t is finely command
UR bltQdllOu. Ne Blues VI lu6 IuOuul
ire tree-clad; on the eastern side is
he quiet st. James cemetery. Turn
ng to the west one overlooks, from
st. James mount the great panorama
II Liverpoops wonderful trade. The
locks and the Mersey lie below: the
ocean stretches beyond. Across the
liver are Birkenhead and Wallasey.
he bedroom of Liverpool" with the
ILLS of Wales bordering the dim dis
ance.
One of the striking facts in the
tory of this cathedral is the discovery (
4 Mr.. Gilbert Scott, the architect, who
t the age-the tender age, one almost ,
ays-of twenty-five was singled out
or the excellence Of his design. Liv-
rpool has good reason to treasure the .
memory Of another Young architect.