North Wales, and they cannot feel it consistent with the interests of religion, or with the demands of justice, to unite those Sees, in order to divert a portion of their funds to the endowment of a Bishopric in a district unconnected with Wales, and one of the wealthiest in the empire.

For these reasons, and especially from the strong sense which they entertain of the evil and danger of interfering with ancient institutions (productive of vast benefit to the interests of religion and morality), your Petitioners most earnestly pray for the Repeal of so much of the said Act as relates to the union of the Sees of St. Asaph and Bangor.

"And your Petitioners will ever pray."

A single word of recommendation from ourselves is superfluous: when our Most Holy Fathers thus cast themselves, and the cause of the Church, upon our exertions, success, even without the encouraging example of Sodor and Man, is certain. Our course is clear: let every Clergyman transcribe in duplicate, (one for the Lords and one for the Commons,) the above Petition: let him get it as numerously signed as possible, and then transmit them, one to a peer-and one to a member of the House of Commons, for presentation in the ensuing session of Parliament. It would be most desirable were the clergy of each archdeaconry, or rural deanery, or even of a single extensive parish, to unite in one petition: our ordinary clerical meetings are useful occasions for this sort of communion of purpose and feeling; the laity will then gladly follow the example thus set them.

It may be well to suggest the addition of another paragraph to the above petition, viz., that although we desire to retain the Welsh Bishoprics, we are not disposed to relinquish the proposed creation of a See at Manchester. It is time for the Church to speak decidedly.

We earnestly invite our readers' attention to the subjoined statement, which has just reached us. We can hardly conceive a more interesting object than that here presented to the lovers of ancient architecture. And the sooner the necessary funds are supplied the better. [Ed. C. R.] The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, or the

Round Church, Cambridge. The committee for conducting the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, beg to report the progress which has been made in the work, and

earnestly to solicit renewed assistance in carrying it forward to a complete and speedy accomplishment.

This church, commonly called the Round Church, or St. Sepulchre's, has long been celebrated as the oldest of the four round churches* (built in imitation of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem) now remaining in England; having been consecrated in the year 1101 (1 Hen. I.) Its condition previous to the accident which gave rise to the present undertaking will be understood from the following account, corrected from Rickman. "The circular portion is Norman, with short massy piers and semicircular arches; some few of which, as well as part of the groin ribs, have zigzag enrichments. The (original) clerestory forms a round low tower, (to which an upper story was added in the fifteenth century for the reception of bells). There are some perpendicular additions, and all the Norman windows, with one exception, have been taken out, and most of the apertures enlarged, and filled with perpendicular tracery."

When the fall of a portion of the building in September, 1841, bad rendered prompt measures necessary for its preservation, the partial repairs which had been commenced on a scale, as was to be expected, suited to the ability of the parish rather than to the interesting character and permanent security of the fabric, were considerately suspended by the parish authorities at the instance of some members of the University, to allow time for ascertaining, after the best advice and deliberation, the precise nature and probable cost of such measures as should be found necessary to a complete and substantial restoration.

After minute and careful examination of the building by an architect (Mr. Salvin) distinguished for his knowledge of this department of ecclesiastical architecture, it appeared that the failure, which first manifested itself in an outward inclination of the south wall of the circular aisle, was produced by the sapping, or sliding away, of the solid gravel on which the bases of the columns and of the outer wall rested, in consequence of, or accelerated by, graves having been dug too close to foundations originally shallow. From this cause the Norman groining of that part of the aisle, which abutted on and partially supported the round tower, fell in; and the crowns of the triforium arches, imperfectly constructed at first, and weakened by vibration from the bells, became extremely insecure. The

tower was thus left in imminent danger of falling from the weight of the belfry story, to sustain which it had not been originally intended. The first and most important point was to strengthen the walls and bases of the columns, to restore the groining, and to secure the round tower by iron bands. But it was moreover proposed to take off the belfry story; to clear away the earth, which had accumulated against the walls, to the original earth line; to restore the semicircular Norman windows (of which fortunately one remained in the clerestory, and served as a model); to remove all the pews and the gallery from the circular part; to procure equivalent and more convenient, if not increased, accommodation, by building a south aisle to the present chancel, corresponding to that on the north aisle; to recast and relay the entire leaden roof of the chancel; and to provide for the reception of the peel of bells. The cost of the alterations then contemplated was roughly estimated at something above 1,000l.; 300%. of which the parishioners had resolved in vestry to raise on the credit of the rates.

With the amount they had collected, the committee proceeded to strengthen, as was proposed, the walls and columns at the foundations by beds of concrete interposed; to restore the groining of the circular aisle; to remove the belfry story, and surmount the original part of the tower with a conical roof of stone; to replace the unsightly perpendicular insertions by Norman windows, which have since (all but two in the clerestory and two in the circular aisle) been appropriately filled with stained glass of great beauty, the gift of individual contributors; and lastly, to erect an entirely new (south) aisle, to supply the room for divine worship, which had been lost by the removal of the pews and gallery that previously disfigured the round part of the building.

In the progress of the works, the masonry of the east end of the chancel, and that of the north aisle, (composed of red brick much decayed, and pierced with square-headed windows divided by wooden mullions, presenting altogether a painfully offensive contrast to the rest of the fabric, now restored in appropriate architectural character, and in stone), was found besides to be so insecure, as to make it impossible, with any regard to propriety and safety, and eventually even to economy, to put the roof on that part of the church intended for divine worship,

while they remained. This had not formed part of the original design, which was confined to the two objects of restoring effectively the ancient building to its primitive character, and providing, by an improved arrangement of the more modern part, for at least an equal amount of accommodation. At the point to which the works had now advanced, the interior being exposed to the weather, and the graves in the chancel being actually full of water, the committee had no choice but to yield to a necessity, to which, however serious the risk to which it committed them, they will not pretend that they were reluctantly compelled. They felt themselves pledged not to leave their work imperfect, as would have been the case if it remained half stone, half red brick, with a mean crumbling debased building on the north (the most exposed) side to correspond with the handsome new perpendicular aisle, unhappily covered by surrounding houses, on the south. They therefore directed the works to proceed, resolving to rebuild these portions uniformly with the rest in appropriate style and character. The church will thus have a new north, as well as a new south, aisle, presenting, in the rear of the ancient Norman circular vestibule, an eastern elevation of three beautiful and uniform parallel gables, with highpitched roofs, and crosses at the ends; its foundations (in concrete) are by this time as hard as a rock, effectually obviating any further risk of the walls being undermined by graves, the proximate cause of the late disaster; it will be of stone, complete and symmetrical in its details, and (so far as stability and amount of provision for divine worship are concerned, and as consists with a scrupulous adherence to the ascertained character of the ancient building) a new church. It will not be thought entitled to less sympathy than a new church usually commands, because God has been worshipped in it already for almost seven centuries and a half: nor has it appeared to the committee to be a consideration of trifling importance, that the choicest sacred edifice erected in this university town at an epoch of universal religious movement should be one in the communion of the National Church. It will be among the most curious ecclesiastical monuments of Europe; it will be the most interesting antiquity of Cambridge; and it may last a thousand years. But to make it so will yet cost 1,400%.* The committee can spend this well, and more.

It will not have been overlooked that many expenses yet remain, after the restoration of the building shall have been completed, before it can be opened for public worship with its interior arrangements in harmony with its exterior interest and execution. The committee of course will not be satisfied without its being furnished with (to say the least) a suitable provision for the celebration of either sacrament: it is impossible on entering the church not to desire, may it not be rather said, not to foresee, that the Round Church, with its lofty vault, and now vacant of pews, will have for its sole furniture a rich and elaborate font crowned with an aspiring cover: the chancel moreover and its aisles will require to be supplied with all that is necessary to the reception of the parishioners and the due celebration of Divine service; the floor to be laid down with encaustic tiles; appropriate provision made, whatever that may be, for the reception of the bells; and the whole precinct to be bounded by some more decent substitute for the present brick wall.

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The conviction that these wants will be supplied, and in harmony with the general character of the fabric, has been one motive with the committee for proceeding in the restoration on a scale the most complete and generous. this respect the present undertaking, if successful, will hold out to future churchrestorers a practical proof that the most liberal plan is likewise the most economical that help is sure to be obtained when it is found to be well bestowed. The presents of this sort already given or promised during its progress testify sufficiently to the truth of this principle; a principle, however, which, as it cannot be concealed that there will always be not a few who either have not yet been convinced of it, or unhappily feel themselves committed to disprove it, would seem to give to the promoters of this work a proportionally stronger claim upon the prompt and cordial co-operation of all, who, whether connected immediately with Cambridge or not, know that on the diffusion of it depends in a great degree the effectual restoration of our churches and of church architecture throughout the land.

Enough is now done in the work, and known of the proposed design, to enable every one to form a judgment as to the merit of its execution, and to contribute

more or less to its eventual completeness. Those hitherto engaged in it have nothing more that they can do. The parish, in addition to a vote in vestry double in amount of what it was thought practicable to collect for any purpose, has promoted a supplemental subscription within itself amounting to about 1007. The committee are entirely satisfied with the skill and vigilance of the clerk of the works, as well as with the ability and zeal of the architect: they consider the contracts to have been carefully made and faithfully executed; they have certainly spared no pains or watchfulness on their part, to hasten the period at which the parishioners shall no longer be excluded from the offices of religion in their own church. The work is now proceeding on the personal security of those engaged in conducting it, with a view to the roof being put on the chancel before the winter sets in. If it be, as they believe, matter of general congratulation that, at the risk and through the exertions of a few irresponsible individuals, the church has been preserved, it will not be unreasonable in them now to ask for that assistance in carrying the work through, in reliance upon which it was undertaken, and without which it does not appear how it should be accomplished.

The committee respectfully submit that they have no resources at their disposal for the execution of such a work as this, which the unhesitating gift, by each individual who approves of it, of a contribution too small to be felt, would accomplish in a moment. The funds of the CAMBRIDGE CAMDEN SOCIETY are barely sufficient to cover its current expenses, and enable it by small but judicious appropriations to originate restorations which others are thus induced to carry out; and the committee have hitherto abstained from making application to the Incorporated Society, though fully entitled to do so, by the fact that the intended alteration will now include a large increase of accommodation desiring to set an example in this, as well as in other particulars, of the duty incumbent upon all church-restorers, of doing every one his own work as well, and as far, as he can; and they are themselves manifestly unequal to so large an outlay, even if it should be thought right to leave it to them as the reward of their interference.

Northumberland.-We beg attention to an interesting paper which will be found appended to our present number; a circular by the Hon. and Rev. J. Grey, vicar of Wooler, on the subject of St. Ninian's Church, Fenton, which he proposes to build on the old site, where the foundations of the former Church distinctly remain. Mr. Grey may well hope that "the case will be found to be more than locally interesting," as our readers may judge by referring to his very pleasing address. We wish it were accompanied by the vignette which embellishes the larger copies, and which gives the promise of a very beautiful building in the ancient style. The following are some of the particulars:

The east window will be of stained glass, by Mr. Wailes of Newcastle. The subjects will be a Blood Red Cross with a scroll underneath. "God forbid that I should glory, save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The four windows in the body of the Church will also be of stained glass, the subjects the four Holy Evangelists, one in each window.

Two of these, St. Matthew and St. John, are already undertaken by some of the parishioners. The east window is also promised. In the west, over the doorway will be a handsome rose window, and probably with representations, in stained glass, of the chief events in the history of St. Ninian.

Pews.-The following extract from a Staffordshire paper speaks for itself"Ex uno disce omnes" ::--

"There are parties living who can well remember the time when there was not a single pew in the body of the church of Ashton-under-Lyne; there were only open benches. Pews, therefore, are of comparatively recent innovation. Gradually, pew after pew was erected, and the then churchwardens seem to have allowed parties to enclose the floor of the church, and to exercise rights of ownership over the portion so enclosed, to the exclusion of the other parishioners. These pews have, in many instances, been regularly, the most illegally, bought and sold like other property; and locks have been placed upon the pew doors, in order that no one but the owner (so called) might have entrance. What is this but shutting out the poor from the worship of God in his holy temple ?—that temple which was erected by the piety of our forefathers, not for the use of the exclusive few, but for the parishioners of Ashton-underLyne generally. And what, in reality, has been, and is the effect of these pews?

I am informed, that at the present moment there are not forty free sittings in the whole parish church; and what few there are, placed in the worst position, where the aged and infirm can with difficulty see or hear; and yet the parish contains 40,000 souls! Again, in the Sunday school connected with the parish church there are more than 1,400 children, and yet not more than forty or fifty of these poor children can attend their church each Sunday, and these are placed on the steps round the railing of the altar; the pews forbid further space being allotted to them. I need not say that numbers of these Sunday school children can never attend their parish church at all. The question then is, whether the body of the parish church shall be again made free, and restored to the use of the parishioners generally, or whether it shall continue in the hands of a few pew owners. That the parishioners have a right to the body of the church is undeniable; and though some who have purchased their pews may naturally feel angry and reluctant to the idea of their being removed, and open sittings again restored and substituted in their stead, yet I feel convinced, that on calm consideration, they will gladly relinquish their fancied rights to these unsightly pews, and hail, with the delight which every true Christian must feel, the sight of their fellow-parishioners meeting together with them for the worship of God in his holy temple; they will gladly lend their aid to bring together larger numbers of parishioners to the parish church; and they will remember, that in God's house worldly distinction should be laid aside, and that there rich and poor meet together, the Lord being the Maker of them all.' "I am, sir, your very obedient servant, LEGH RICHMOND, "Ashton-under-Lyne, Nov. 17, 1842.”

ANCIENT MUSIC.

[It may surprise some of our readers to learn, that the following extract occurs in an American periodical. If our fellow-churchmen in America are indeed reviving ecclesiastical music, we shall soon have to learn a lesson from them. Some of our churches, which boast most of a return to ancient usages are, alas! in the very predicament supposed in the concluding paragraph.]

"The restoration of the Gregorian chant is another sign of a return to the good old things of the Church. We shall be in less danger of modern innovations in religion, if we are accustomed to the simple and solemn strains of the ancient ecclesiastical melodies. We shall love

an revere the liturgy more if we use it in connexion with music almost as old as some parts of the service to which it is sung.

"Were these chants universally introduced, and properly used, as they might be, if clergymen would interest themselves in a subject which they can hardly neglect with a due regard for the decency of divine worship, the religious effect of our services would be greatly heightened. We should have the aid of devotional music, without the hindrance of worldly associations. We should not be continually seeking new tunes any more than we seek new prayers, and we should perceive the profanity-to which, unhappily, we are now accustomed-of singing the words of inspiration to the light and tripping airs of the dance or the opera." - New York Churchman, Sept. 24.

Opening of the New Romish Church, Pontefract, Yorkshire.-This edifice, built by Mr. Pugin, and erected, without regard to expense, by Mrs. Tempest, in the grounds of her mansion, the Grange, near Pontefract, was opened for consecration on Wednesday, the 12th of October, when a

solemn pontifical high mass was celebrated by the Right Rev. Dr. Brown, assisted by a large body of the clergy. The choir sang Haydn's Mass, No. 3, with equal judgment. Miss Parsons, of Preston, sang the principal solos. The organ, built by Bevington, of London, from a design by Pugin, is on a novel plan, there being no top of casework above the gilt pipes, and showing the west window through the centre. It has much power and sweetness; and the effect produced by the choir singing the Gregorian vespers, with alternate verses by the clergy from the sanctuary, caused us to regret that the ancient music of the church is not more studied and adopted in this country.—The Catholic.

[If a consistent restoration of ancient music is really desired, the sooner Palestrina or Vittoria are substituted for Haydn and Mozart the better. It is true, there would be no opportunity then for Miss Parsons to exercise her powers in solos. One grand effect of the restoration of the church-style would be the total exclusion of these showy individual exhibitions. Hence, partly, the dislike which many of our modern singers entertain to its revival.]

Okehampton.........

Nov. 1.

521, 527,