being left), and placed upright, supporting planks. This beautiful church was the chapel of the friary, which (turned into a private residence) still remains attached to it as of old on the north side. There is no cross on either gable. There is no screen, but some wretched toy-like altar rails.

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

WE desire to call our readers' attention to the prospectus lately issued of the History and Antiquities of Saint David's, by the Rev. W. B. JONES, and Mr. E. A. FREEMAN. Names of subsc ibers are received by Mr. W. Mason, of Tenby. We extract a sentence from the prospectus. We need not say how interesting and valuable the work is likely to be, considering who are its authors:-" This work was intended to form one or more of the annual volumes of the Cambrian Archæological Association, and a portion would probably have appeared in that shape during the present year. In consequence however of a contemplated change in the arrangements of that society, this intention has been unavoidably relinquished. It has since been found that justice could not be done to the portions of the book requiring illustrations, without a sufficient security against pecuniary risk. The method of publishing by subscription has therefore been necessarily resorted to."

Mr. BLOXAM and the Rev. J. M. GRESLEY are going to publish, by subscription, two views of the very remarkable monumental effigy of a Pilgrim, from the church of Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

Turning towards the East in public worship: Is it right or wrong? (London: Richardson) is the title of a somewhat fanatical brochure, answering the question very decidedly indeed in the negative. The author, it is clear, cannot even form a conception of that temper of mind, in which this and other pious practices should be considered. M. PROSPER LAFAYE must forgive us for merely mentioning here the receipt of his Essay on Stained Glass, (Paris: Firmin Didot, 1851,) with a prefatory letter addressed to the Commissioners of the Great Exhibition. Some delay unfortunately occurred in the pamphlet reaching us. We shall probably recur to this essay in our next number. Meanwhile we thank M. Lafaye for this token of his sympathy with our labours.

MY DEAR SIR,-My attention has been called to your strictures on a plan for a new church proposed to be erected in Otago, from a sketch by Mr. J. W. Hugall, of Cheltenham. I am inclined to think that these strictures would have been at least modified had you been aware that the sketch in question was the hastily executed result of an application from a surgeon (on the very point of leaving Cheltenham) that Mr. Hugall would suggest a structure which should make available certain

windows and doors, which the gentleman in question had already purchased and packed up ready for embarkation to New Zealand.

When the drawings were made it was rather with a view to Mr. Richardson's canvass for subscriptions, and as calculated to show what might be done with the materials at command than with any idea that they would be submitted to the ordeal of ecclesiological criticism. I have the honour to be, my dear Sir, Faithfully yours,

ALEX. WATSON.

[We have omitted part of Mr. Watson's letter, which seemed to us to introduce unnecessary considerations. We allow that the fact he mentions is important in abatement of any severe criticism upon Mr. Hugall's design.-ED.]

To the Editor of the Ecclesiologist.

SIR,-In your list of places where the bier and hearse is used I perceive that Tutbury, Staffordshire, is not down. The clerk told me that it is invariably used for all persons, except children. It is painted black, and the wood is, I think, deal; I do not know of what material the hearse is constructed. It occurred to me afterwards when I came home that Tutbury was not in your list. I did not think of it when I was there or I would have paid more particular attention to the construction of bier and hearse.

Yours obediently,

A. Z.

P.S.-The hearse and bier are always kept in the church, and a pall is used of course. I should say that it is, I believe, carried underhanded, but without straps.

Sept. 10th, 1851.

To the Editor of the Ecclesiologist.

DEAR SIR,-I perceive in the August number of the Ecclesiologist that my papers on the "Cornish fonts" and "Romanesque remains" have drawn forth letters from two of your correspondents. They both agree in the matter of the "vat." While I acknowledge that their solution of the mystery is probable, yet I am still inclined to doubt it, and think that that proposed by you in the foot note is at least equally likely to be correct. And if the woman meant the word she used for "font," why was she surprised (and I perfectly remember that she was not a little astonished) when I told her it was a font? Old customs and old traditions (e.g., "the custom of bowing to the altar at S. Juliot's," and "the possession of the north side of Forrabury churchyard by the devil,") still exist here, and why should there not old words?" But this is really such a trifle that I will not waste any more of your valuable room by adding any thing further on the subject. Your correspondent "O." finds fault with my dedications. Now it is well known that a great many of the Cornish Churches retain their saints' names almost uncorrupted, e.g., S. Enoder, S. Endellion, S. Mabyn, &c., and a great many others have names derived from the saints, the prefix "S." being dropped, e.g., "Mevagissey," SS. Mevan and Issi, and I would add, " Lanteglos," S. Lantey; "Morwenstowe,' S. Morwenna. Eglos" is the Cornish for church, therefore I would

"

suggest Lanteglos, "the church of S. Lantey." But where did your correspondent find that Lan is Cornish for holy? I have examined Borlase and Polwhele (standard authorities), and find that it is a noun substantive, and means church or enclosure.

Morwenstowe."

"

But I did not in writing the paper on Romanesque remains" put down "S. Lantey" by mere guesswork, my authority was the “Liber Ecclesiasticus," published in 1837. I believe it to be very good authority. I will next consider Stow" means "place," e.g., in Cornwall, Michaelstowe, the place of S. Michael; Davidstowe, the place of S. David; Jacobstowe, the place of S. James; and so Morwenstowe, the place of S. Morwenna. Mor" is Cornish

for "sea," but wherefore so extraordinary an arrangement of the composition

Mor

S. Morwenna is the patron named in the With many apologies for the length of this letter,

stowe

I place?

Liber Ecclesiasticus.”

I am, dear Sir, your obedient servant,

We cannot resist extracting from a private letter a notice of the services at S. Ninian's Cathedral:-"I regret much that I did not think of asking you to run down on S. Ninian's day, as under Mr. F. Helmore's direction and the Dean's ritual knowledge, the services were most magnificently conducted, particularly those in the evening, when the choir was lighted with gas, a long line of beads of which light is concealed very skilfully by the chancel screen, and produces an effect of unparalleled beauty. The music was most excellent, and I really never in any foreign church saw services so perfectly carried out, with so much splendour, dignity, and yet simplicity and good taste. The example in ritual is already exercising a most important effect on our country clergy, and even on our laity, and I see plainly the germs of a great ecclesiological and ritual advance." There is attached to the cathedral a choral college, which we can safely recommend to churchmen as an object especially deserving their zealous and active support. It is needless to remind them of the pledged orthodoxy of every thing connected with S. Ninian's. The Scotch Eucharistic office is the invariable use of this cathedral church

A correspondent mentions some wall-paintings, of figures of saints and bishops, an angel, &c., discovered in the chancel of Colton church Staffordshire, while in process of being pulled down for rebuilding. Mr. Street is the architect employed, we believe, and we doubt not he, will have sketched the designs before they perished. Careful uncovering of the paintings by hand is the safest way in such cases.

In answer to Clericus Sarisburiensis, we may say that we know of no real authority, save the usage in colleges, for laymen reading the lessons in church. We never heard of the lesson in the Burial Office being read by a layman.

Received H. B. S.-J. H. T.-L.-J. R. G. (too late for this number.

THE

ECCLESIOLOGIST.

"Surge igitur et fac: et erit Dominus tecum."

No. LXXXVII.—DECEMBER, 1851.

(NEW SERIES, NO. LI.)

NOTES ON THE CHURCHES OF ANGERS.

PERHAPS no city in France suffered more from the excesses of the great Revolution, as regards destruction of religious buildings, than Angers. Up to that period it possessed forty-seven churches, twenty-seven convents, and five abbeys, amongst which was the superb foundation of Ronceray. Five churches besides the cathedral are all that now remain; and of the religious buildings, Ronceray and some others have been turned into engineering and manufacturing establishments.

S. Maurice.-Nothing can be more striking than the position of this cathedral. It crowns the heights up which creep the winding and picturesque streets of old Angers, and forms the central point to which they lead. It is a cross church without aisles to nave or choir, as is generally the case with Angevin churches. This peculiarity deprives them of much of that solemnity of effect derived from the interminable perspective of the piers and arcades of Pointed Architecture. The nave, with two chapels on the north and south sides of its western extremity, is of the 12th century, the transepts and choir of the 13th.

The plan of construction is in some respects peculiar, and observable in other churches of the province. The nave is of considerable length, being 280 feet long, with a breadth of 55 feet, while the choir and transepts are very short. The nave is divided into three bays by clustered vaulting piers engaged in the wall. The walling in each bay rests on low wide arches spreading from pier to pier, and is pierced above with round-headed windows of two lights, below the cills of which a gallery, supported by an entablature resting on grotesque heads, runs round the church. These windows are filled with early glass in medallions and have a very rich effect. The vaulting is quadripartite with richly moulded ribs. The mouldings appear to be toothed on the angles. The transepts are arcaded in four compartments, the capitals of the piers being stiffly foliated. There is a couplet of lancets on each side, with a rich circle in the north and south elevations filled with good glass. The choir is apsidal and arcaded with stilted arches alter

nately round and pointed. The arches of the lantern are of three orders resting on clustered columns, and in the eastern part of it rises a huge baldachin in marble and gold.

The effect of the choir is spoilt by modern panelling which masks the lower part of the arcading and extends a considerable way up it. The stalls are in the same style as the panelling. The west front is flanked with towers completely engaged, surmounted by lofty spires of the 16th century, which, though meagre in form, produce a striking effect for many miles round the city. Between them is an unsightly dwarfed tower. The principal entrance is richly sculptured with three rows of niches filled with statues, surmounted by a gable, in the tympanum of which is a figure of the SAVIOUR enthroned, with the Evangelistic symbols in the corners. Above this projects an encorbelment supporting a series of eight figures popularly called S. Maurice and his companions. Plain square buttresses are set between the windows and at the angles of the transepts. They terminate in a plain coping of a very heavy description and almost of a military character.

S. Martin. This is one of the earliest churches in France, and one that will repay a careful examination. He, however, who enters upon it must possess no ordinary nerves and be prepared to encounter no small amount of danger. Indeed it may be considered as the forlorn hope of ecclesiological enterprise. It is piled nearly to the vaulting springers with faggots, the top of which is reached by means of a ladder of alarming tenuity laid perpendicularly against them. The ascent, however, is a mere nothing when compared with the descent. This requires a degree of hardihood and agility not often possessed by grave and decorous ecclesiologists. A consideration however of this church affords but little subject for mirth. Only a few short months ago it possessed a nave of five bays and a south aisle. Not a stone of these remains, and entrance is now gained through the western arch of the tower which was formerly the point of intersection of a Latin cross.

There seems to be a fatality attending the noble shrines dedicated to S. Martin in the very country which he evangelized. That noble pile at Tours, the pride of the Touraine and mother church of France, is level with the ground, and not much better can be said of S. Martin of Angers. The history of this church as related in the Angevin chronicles fixes its date with a precision seldom attained in the case of churches of so early a character. A question may be raised about certain details, but it appears certain that the tower, nave, transepts, and aisles were all commenced by Hermengarde, wife of Louis le Debonnaire, and finished in that and the succeeding reign.1

Our examination of S. Martin's was almost limited to the tower and transepts, all that now remains of the original church. The causes alluded to above prevented our examination of the choir extending beyond its vaulting and clerestory windows. The former appeared to be quadripartite with plainly moulded ribs and bosses. The latter were single flatly pointed lights deeply splayed. There is no possibility of examining this part of the church from the outside. The tower communicated with nave, choir, and transepts, through round arches of 1 [Louis le Debonnaire was crowned emperor in A.D. 813.-ED.]