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FALCONRY

we recollect the idle portion of the clergy frequently indulgedin those barbarous sports, being now privileged by laws which

boys, whose recreation consisted in throwing stones at the numerous windows full(as was previously noticed) of the most beautiful stained glass ; and adjoining thisplay-ground was a dog-kennel, from whence hideous yells filled at intervals(servicetime, or otherwise) the cry of the unrestrained juvenile assailants. In the interior of thechurch, on the eastern wall of Jesus' Chapel , was stuck up a large pigeon-house,belonging to the vicar, (at did the school and dogs,) then the Reverend Air. Philips,who enjoyed the vicarage for near fifty years, and died Alay 1801.”-— Antiquarianand Topogruphicdl Cabinet, vol. i.

To the honour of the present vicar, the Reverend Mr. Graves , son of the vene-rable rector of Clavcrton, a subscription has been raised to endeavour to remedythe prostration and destruction which his unworthy predecessor had occasioned.Cut repairs of the nature of these are, we know, impossible even in architecture,at least, with such artisans as a village or country town can afford. It is physicallyimpossible for those rude hands, whom parsimonious churchwardens will select, orrather choose without selection, because they come the cheapest, to imitate thelaborious delicacy of the architects of ancient days. We have seen this fabricbefore it was repaired and since, and therefore are, perhaps, qualified to judge ofthe effect produced. To see the careless smears of vulgar whitening bedaubing allthat was beautiful or tasteful in the Saxon tracing of the masonry, is to us horridlydisgusting. To repair or reinstate any antique building, doubtless, must require thefirst professional skill of the most learned architects. What these, under such cir-cumstances can produce, the recent repairs of Henry the Seventh's chapel, at West-minster, can testify; (this church, by-the-bye, is presumed to have been built by thesame architect who built that chapel, Sir Reginald Bray, as his picture, with that ofPrince Arthur , was among the paintings on stained glass,) a work that docs thegreatest honour to whomsoever has the direction.

The very elegant pen of Dr. Bro oker produced some charming lines upon thiscelebrated church; as it, with its beautiful vicinity, cannot be too much admired,we shall be pardoned if we insert them.

“ What marvel, that a scene so rich, so grand,

Should admiration e’en in royal breastsAwaken?* Admiration, that inspir'dOf old, for yonder venerable pile,

Devotiou, and munificence, and zeal,

To rear those richly tinted windows; now,

Alas! with ivy, and with weedy mossObtrusive hung; some by the. gusty wind,

Or striplings—thoughtless in their boyish sports—

Fractur’d; and heedlessly by hand uncouthWith ill according workmanship repair’d,

Such once their grandeur—that, in sequence, toldAlan’s bliss primeval, and too speedy fall;

His various fortunes in time’s earliest age,

Recorded in Jehovah’s sacred tome ;•—

Nor less mysterious those, how God ’s own SonIn later time perform’d, depicted there;

His Restoration of the sick and lame

To health and soundness,—of the deaf and blind

To hearing and to sight, the dead to life !

His conquest o’er grim death—

Soul damning sin !—Then, (with eventful truthsCountless, and of concernment great to man,

From time’s beginning, to its last dread hour,)

* kL appears to have been a favourite spot with Henry VII . who bestowed large donations.