portion of the tower is embattled, and has at each of its four angles a large octagonal pinnacle ornamented with crockets and finials. By an arrangement which is observable in the engraving, the tower here loses somewhat of the square form, and renders the transition from that to the rich lantern which is octagonal, less abrupt than would otherwise have been the case. The lantern, perforated so as to appear exceedingly light and elegant, has buttresses at the angles with pinnacles, and is surmounted by an enriched open parapet-somewhat high.

1

The introduction of the lantern renders the appearance of the upper part of the tower different from anything that we have in the metropolis; although similar to several ancient buildings in different parts of England. Indeed it may not claim to be entirely singular, so far even as regards modern structures. St. George's church at Ramsgate built by H. E. Kendall, Esq. Architect, in the year 1825, offers a lantern somewhat similar; and it is not improbable, that the architect of St. Dunstan's may have received the first idea of it from that building. 1 It has been urged, that the height of the lantern at St. Dunstan's as compared with the height of the tower, is too great; and if looked at on paper, or even if the building itself be viewed from a distance, this may appear to be the case. When seen however, from its immediate neighbourhood, the lantern is necessarily so much foreshortened, that if it had possessed less height, it seems to us, the appearance from Fleet Street would have been injured, and we may not therefore quite agree with this objection.

All the mouldings and ornaments on the tower and lantern are bold and mostly well designed, but many of them display incapacity on the part of the workmen to

1 Boston Tower, Lincolnshire, and a tower at York, are their prototypes.

execute the wishes of the architect-an ignorance of effect and absence of taste-and the same want of artistical feeling is observable in the sculptured heads which terminate the labels over the side doors to the lobbies below.1

any

In regard to the principal doorway we would remark, before concluding this description, that it is somewhat too small for effect; and we are compelled, farther, to coincide with an able critic,2 who has urged, that the entire plainness of the story above it-the absence of thing like variety of surface, save a single loop-hole-is inimical to the beauty of the building. Nothwithstanding both which points for cavil however, and some others of minor importance, we may safely point out the church of St. Dunstan in the West, as an admirable specimen of modern skill.

This account cannot be considered complete, without a brief mention of the most celebrated of those individuals who, at different times, have been connected with the church, namely, William Tyndale, the Reformer; who, in 1526, published the first translation of the New Testament; Richard Baxter, the eminent non-conformist divine; Dr. Donne, Dean of St. Paul's, whose singular monument we have elsewhere spoken of; 3-and the Rev. William Romaine. This latter gentleman, sometime Rector of St.

'The want of a school of practical masons has long been felt by architects. During the middle ages, when masonry was studied as an art, the architect had but to suggest the leading features of decorations,—the details seem to have been filled up by the operatives themselves. We may hope that the national" School of Design" lately instituted, by disseminating and fostering an admiration for beautiful forms, and rendering more general the power of drawing them, will materially improve the character of our artisans generally. 2" Gent's. Magazine." Vol, CII. pt. 2. p. 298.

3" London Churches." History of St. Paul's p. 46. The heads which support the label over the principal entrance, are intended to represent Donne, and Tyndale; and are considered faithful portraits.

Anne's Blackfriars, was born in 1714, in the county of Durham, and studied at Oxford, where he early obtained a reputation by his aquirements. He was ordained in 1736; and from that time up to the period of his death, appears to have devoted himself to the duties of his calling with an earnestness as unremitting as it was fervent.

It was in 1749, that he was appointed lecturer of St. Dunstan's, and it was there that he first excited that great degree of public attention which he ever after held. A division occurred between Mr. Romaine and the Rector of the church; and many impediments being thrown in his way by the latter, he often preached by the light of a single candle which he held in his hand. The crowds of persons, however, who flocked to hear him, were so great as to cause disturbances in the street; and Malcolm states, that during this period, the pew-opener's place was worth £50 per annum.1 He was the author of many theological treatises; particularly of three, entitled, "The Life, Walk, and Triumph of Faith ; " which rank to this day among the standard works of that class.

The present incumbent is the Rev. Thomas Snow. M.A.

1 See "The Christian Guardian." 1831. pp. 361, 401, and 441. for many particulars of his life.