1819.] East Meon Church, Hants, described.

298 years, has been pulled down and en. the Church by means of a narrow tirely removed. At the same end of staircase. The East window bas made the Church is a beautiful window in way for a door, and the place of the the Poioted style, the tracery of North door is now occupied by a which is exquisite, elegantly sur- chimney. Underneath the abovemounted by a quatrefoil.

mentioned deal floor is a dark room, On entering the Church, the first in which fuel is kept for the use of object in the nave worthy of notice, the school. is the stone pulpit, - curiosity of I beg to suggest to the jobabitants which few churches can boast. It is of East Meon, that this now miserable apparently of excellent wormanship; room migbt, were the floor raised but sorely disfigured by an execrable only twelve or fourteen inches, be crust of thick white-wash. The front converted into a decent vestry, a and sides are divided into several comfort and convenience to the offi. compartments ; and from the arches ciating clergyman, much wanted here, and pappel-work it contains, the exe- as well as at most country churcbes. cution of the whole may perhaps be By such alteration, this part of the assigned to the reign of Henry VII. Church would no longer be prostiOn ihe North side of the body of the tuted to ignoble purposes, and the Church, is an original lancet-shaped stability of the transept would, by the window. A little more to the East, exclusion of damp, be effectually sethe eye is disgusted at seeing the cured. thick and almost impenetrable wall In the chancel are tablets, or of the building broken through and monuments, erected to the memory disgraced by the introduction of a of the antiept family of Dickens, formodern square light.

merly of Riplington in this parish, The strong massive tower, by far but now merged in distant branches, the noblest ornament of the Church, and nearly extinct. stands on four semicircular arches, I copy the following Inscriptions, as supported by columns or pilasters, worthy of insertion in your Miscellady: the capitals of which are ornamented with plain upright leaves. Like the

Francisci Dickins Armr, area in the Church of St. Michael's,

qui multis domi militiæq; Southampton, so ably described by

pro Rege ac Patriâ, labori's exhaustus, that eminent Antiquary Sir Henry C.

hic tandem requievit. Englefield, it forms a sort of vesti- Et Magdalenæ Uxoris ejus, bule to the chancel, and is open to quæ conjugi plures annos superstes, the South transept, but separated

nec ipsa morte divellanda comes, from the North door by a modern

non alios voluit inter cineres jacere. wall, through which is a small door: Obijt { Illa

17032

86 A.D.

Æt.suæ { way similar in design and execution

176."

« M. S. to its neighbour the square window, before described.

Francisci Dickins de Ripplington, LL.D. The North transept is now used as

antiquâ familiâ ortus,

antiquis ipse moribus, a Sunday and day-school for the

apud Cantabrigienses neighbourhood. I was much grati

in aula S. S. Trinitatis fied to learn, that on Sundays po less

Juri Civili incumbens than 160 children are collected in

à divå Anna this room for religious instruction, ad Cathedram Professoriam evictus est; a considerable number, when it is

quam summa cum laude recollected that the neighbouring quadraginta per annos titbiogs or hamlets, from which many

implerit. of the children come, are, some of

In prælectionibus them at least, three or four miles

assiduus, facundus, doctus ; from church.

in disputationibus It cannot but be a matter of regret,

dulcis sed utilis;

illustrissimam Academiam illustriorem that when this room was first de

reddidit. voted to the purpose of instruction,

Dei cultor haud infrequens; it was not done with more taste and

homines omni charitate complexus 5 care. The present deal floor is raised

inter amicos six or seven feet from the ground, verax, candidus, festivus; and a communication is made with parcus sibi, pauperibus dives,

.66 M. S.

} a.d. {1798}

a

a

HEARE LYETH THE
BODY OF RICHARD

PARTED THIS LIFE IN

HOPE OF A BETTER,

obijt celebs,

The South transept is of the same non sine maximo bonorum omuium luctu, size with the North transept, and A. D. 1755, ætat. 78.

measures within the walls 25 feet is Hoc grati animi testimonium

length, and 17 in breadth. It is optiino Patruo poni curavit

lighted by an acute-angled window, AMBROSIUS DICKINS, Armig."

similar to one in the pave. Here is " M. S.

the burying-place of the highly-reReverendi Viri Joanois Downes,

spectable family of the Eyles's. To A, M. hujus Ecclesiæ novissimi vicarij ; viri planè simplicis et

the memory of different branches of

this family, five mural monuments innocui, in literis tam sacris

are erected, the simple elegance of quam profanis minimè hospitis ;

which will secure attention. denique ad omne bonum opus semper prompti et parati, qui

On a small tablet of Sussex marble, apud vicinas ædes, brevi hujusce

on the West side of the transept, is vitæ stadio decurso, ubi natus ibi the following inscription, which, froin

denatus, heic tandem inter its simplicity, I take the liberty of patrios cineres reponit suos utrosque

inserting :
resuscitandos securus.
Diem obijt supremum 15 Januarij,
1732, ætatis 50.

SMYTHER, WHO DE-
Marm. Downes, S. T. B.
coll. D. Joann', apud Cant. soc.

defuncti frater germanus, natu minimus, saxum hoc, amoris ergo

MARCH ye 16, 1633.” poni voluit.”

The communication of the South “ M.S.

transept with our Lady's Chapel on Quondam Richardi jacet bìc Joanna the East and the aile on the West, is Dunæi

made by the segment of a circle, nunc Salvatoris sponsa fatura sui.

which appears to have been broken Abiit Sept. 3, 1659, ætatis 40."

in each of the walls, when the addiFrom the extreme dampness of the tiou hereafter to be mentioned was walls in the chancel, it has been made to the Church. Passing under deemed necessary to interline the wall one of these segments, we enter the within the rails of the altar with a aile, by far the most disgraceful part pannelling of oak. It must be la- of the edifice. At the West end, near mented, that it has not been exe- the steps leading into the organ-galcuted in a style more suitable to the lery, is another wood-house, which, antiquity of ihe edifice. It is strange, since no fires are kept in the Church, that a tablet having a Latio inscrip- appears to be altogether superfluous. tion, the top of which is partly visible, At the opposite end of the aile is a should have been excluded from the rude and unsightly gallery, the workobservation of laudable curiosity. manship of which would disgrace the

Passing vader an elegant Pointed most ignorant village mechanic. Asarch, we enter the East end of the cending the steps of this gallery, we South aile, which, till furnished with observe in the South wall two oblong a more suitable appellation, I shall narrow windows, placed together afdesignate our Lady's Chapel. Here, ter the manner of the latter end of doubtless, stood the Prothesis, or the twelfth century, when the poioted side altar, the remains of which are,

arch was

as yet scarcely known. perbaps, still visible in the present “ This disposition of lights," as the old table, which has occupied its sta. learned Antiquary of Winchester obtion under the Eastern window from serves,

" occasioned a dead space betime immemorial. Two steps, ex- tween their heads ;” doubtless, the tending the whole breadth of the village Nestors had just discernment Chapel, and leading up to the altar, sufficient to mark the defect; and still remain; as dues also a projection conceiving it would add to the beauty in the wall, somewhat in the form of of this part of the Church as well as a cornice, on which was formerly increase the reflection of light into placed the bason containing the holy the gallery, determined to fill up the water. Here, in two miserable boxes, space between the heads of the offendon the top of one of which is painted iug windows, by the introduction of a memento mori, the archives of the trefoil or a quartrefoil. But, unforChurch are preserved.

tunately, the man employed to make

the

It is pro

1819.) East Meon Church.-On Phrenology.

301 the projected improvement was not ever, is built with a durable stone, possessed of the sapience of bis em- scarcely effected by the destructive ployers; and iostead of introducing hand of time. It is perfectly square, either of the above-mentioned orna- and measures on the outside 24 feet. ments, actually perforated a hole in It rises' square above the roof of the the wall, neither square, round, nor pave upwards of 20 feet, and is suroval; and, without the least addition mounted by a spire, which, whatever of moulding, or tracery, finished his may be said as to its propriety or undertaking, by placing in the aper- impropriety, certainly adds to the efture one solitary piece of glass ! fect of the surrounding scenery, and

When this gallery, commonly call- constitutes an interesting and pleasing ed The Oxenborne Gallery, was erect- object. Though by no means to be ed, I have had no means of ascertain- compared in magnitude to the masing. In the tithing of Oxenborne sive tower at Winchester, it is not formerly stood a Chapel belonging saying too much to affirm, that it is to this Parish. Not the least vestige, equal in workmanship, and superior however, now remains. The plough in design. Its treble circular arches, has repeatedly passed over the place its numerous chevron and billeted where once stood the sacred fane de

mouldings, the capitals and orna. dicated to St. Nicholas.

ments of its columns, together with bable, that at the demolition of this the modest magnificence of its outChapel, the people resident in the line and structure, are conclusive evitithing might be compensated by be dence of its antiquity. ing allowed to erect the gallery in The Church-yard of this Parish is question. It appeared necessary that uncommonly spacious ; and from its à place should be provided for this extent, and from the fineness of its part of the parishioners; but the only mould, seems peculiarly suited to the subject of deliberation appears to mournful purposes to which it is dehave been in what manner the Church voted. It is kept tolerably free from could be most effectually disfigured ? nuisances, and abused only by one This question was fully answered in foot-path. It still retains its antient the event. This assertion I shall ex- appellation of Liten. At the West emplify by stating that the gallery, end of this cemetery is an elegant occupying the span of one arch only, marble tomb, erected to perpetuate fronts the pulpit, and looks into the the memories of the different branches pave of the Church. In this conspic of the antient family of the Bonhams cuous situation, it might reasonably of this county. have been expected that some regard Yours, &c.

J. D. would have been paid to decency, if not to Deatoess. But alas! neither

ON PHRENOLOGY, &c. neatness nor decency were taken into consideration. Exclusive of the ex- (Continued from p. 207.)

an addition is made, which is, in the strictest sense of the word, intolerable. most remarkable of which will be uniOver the column on which part of formity. These are traits which must the gallery rests, stands a pew, some- be invariable, because they relate to thing like an opera-box, which, sus- the essential formation of the letters, pended by a single rafter, projects but there are others which may be into the nave, and overbangs the varied at will. When we see every pews below, much to the terror of letter made in one precise and upi. the alarmed spectator.

form mapner, we are led to believe The whole of the exterior of the that this singularity is connected with nave, transepts, and aile, have been a great equanimity, of disposition. It besmeared with a sort of yellow wash; is almost needless to add, that this and it was by mere accident, that the has been fully confirmed by expetower, the original work of Walkelyn, rience. The hand-writing should alwas saved from a similar fate. Like

ways be legible; this is the first and the generality of such buildings in most requisite quality, and one which Hampshire, this edifice is composed a careful man will not fail to observe chiefly of hard mortar and small flipts. as indispensable. It is not enough to The above-mentioned tower, how love order: if symmetry prevails in the

treme clumsiness of the workmanship. A present several modifications, the

band-writing, the eye may be satisfied, education. When we write for ourbut the mind is not so, if the rules of selves alone, we commonly display perspicuity be not followed. A trifler more negligence; but the man of will carry bis observation of these taste will never forget what is due to rules to a ridiculous excess. He will himself, though he be bis own judge. omit peither dot, stop, nor comma : Whatever he does ought not to sipk and this remark is so generally true, below a certain standard, whether it that it has given rise to a proverbial be intended for the inspection of expression to mark a man of this cha- others, or merely for himself alone. racter.

We put on full dress only on particuWe may admire what is beautiful lar occasions, but when we are by without being able to imitate it, and ourselves we ought not to be totally those who have the power so to do, devoid of grace and deatness. We do not always profit by it. · The write with more care when writing painter endeavours to copy nature, to others, and this care exerted on because the beauty of the outline, of all occasions is a reasonable evidence the colouring, and of the composic of a constant desire to please. The tion, constitute the excellence of hand-writing may be more

or less the art. In writing, we seek to re- ornamented, but however trivial its present our thoughts, but they are embellishments may be, vanity, affecentirely independent of the beauty of tation, and frivolity, will readily be the characters by which they are re- discerned by the eye of the minute presented. It is this reason which so

observer. often induces neglect : besides, even Beauty is not always compatible though we wished to acquire elegance with the prevalence of the more vioin the style of our hand-writing, it lent passions ; grief and anger disfiis not always attainable. A certain gure the countenance, whilst love talent for imitation, or a taste and and joy irradiate it with charms un. skill with which all are not endowed, known to it before. It was on this are requisite for this purpose, united account that the ancieot statuaries to an application and practice which seldom represented any attitude which too many consider beneath their ge over-stepped the bounds of moderapius. To excel in this respect, sup- tion. A lover, in writing to his misposes either that we have frivolously tress, if he is agitated by violent lost time in the acquisition of it, or passion, will undoubtedly display it that necessity has compelled us to by irregularity in the formation of cultivate a talent, from which we his letters. If he loves, and wishes hope to profit as a profession. Lite. his fair one to believe so, he will artrary men, and men of genius, are fully write in a disordered manperoften reproached for the contrary de- (a little deception is allowable when fect:

: we may suspect that it some- we really love); but the most pastimes proceeds from affectation, but sionate letter written in a stiff formal it is in reality more natural than we hand, would be sufficient to awaken are at first led to believe; the latter the suspiciods of the most infatuated suffer themselves to be carried away being, if indeed any thing had the by the power of their imaginations, power to produce such an effect. the former cultivate it too little. One Art is easy of detection to one who party attaches too much importance has been accustomed to make minute to outward forms, the other to men- observations on human pature. Fear, tal orpament. There is, however, a it is well known, renders the actions style of writing, which without being unsteady. Should any one therefore beautiful is pleasing ; it is not cramp- endeavour to express this emotion in ed by rules of art, but it possesses a writing, it would soon be discovered grace, an elegance, a je ne scai quoi that his hand had been shaken with in its formation, which completely too much regularity; and if he sougbt exonerates it from the charge of neg- to represent himself as burried along lect, and prove that the taste is not by the impulse of strong emotion, it confined to any siogle object, since it would easily be perceived that there is extended to things which may be was something forced and stiff in his considered of minor importance; it attempt, very different from that imaffords also the evidence that the petuosity he sougbt to counterfeit. mind has been cultivated by a liberal In short, if we only consider how dif1819.) The Human Character decided by the Hand-writing. 303 ficult it is to imitate the hand-writing on the characters an unusual coarseof another, we need not be surprised ness of form and dimension. When at the many obstacles which present the mind is, on the contrary, devoted themselves when we endeavour to to gaiety, in a person paturally so inpourtray in our owo, sentiments by clined, the band seems to sport lightly which, in point of fact, we are not

over the paper.

The deviations it at the moment moved. In this for- makes are characteristic of carelessgery of feeling, the individual is al

ness, but they are not the impulses ways to be discovered; but not the of passion. Certain extraneous empassion by which he would fain ap- bellisbments may be used,—they may pear to bave been actuated.

be elegant, but they are unaffected ; It has been said that motion is life: and if the hand is not in possession of it is therefore susceptible of the same sufficient skill to flourish agreeably, infinite variety of distinctions. Vi. it is at least exempt from stiffness, vacity supposes rapidity of action, or unpleasant awkwardness. but rapidity of action is not always Lavater has given, in his great work a proof of vivacity of character. He on Physiognomy, a specimen of the who constantly writes with haste is band-writing of a melancholy and desirous of finishing ; he proceeds on phlegmatic man, which exhibits the with expedition for the purpose of inost decided marks of such a chasooner arriving at the completion of racter. The letters appear to have his performance, as a person may be been traced slowly, and apparently laborious from idleness, and persevere with regret: little attention seems to with industry, in order that he may have been paid to their formation, the more .speedily obtain the enjoy- yet there is not one superfluous ment of repose. This desire is visi- stroke, the writing is void of energy, ble in the imperfection of the work; but not wholly destitute of delicacy. and the letters by being, if we may The tardiness of the hand when not so term it, rough hewo, plainly evince governed by that of the comprehenthat no great trouble was taken in sion, can only proceed from the want traciog them. There is another sort of practice, apparent in the stiff manof impatience, different from that on ner in which the letters are formed. which we bave just commented, a This distinction, without due care, certain petulance, distinguishable in will sometimes lead us into error. almost every movement of the pen. Vivacity is almost invariably the temWhen it is moderate it has not much per of our youth, yet at that age we influence on the formation of the let- writeslowly, and with difficulty, owing ters, nevertheless it may be seen that to our want of experience and practice. the hand bas traced thein, as it were, The man who unites much consi. by fits and starts. When we write deration to firmness of mind, appears under the impression of anger, is it actually to be tracing furrows upon reasonable to suppose that the agi- bis paper. It is impossible not to tation of the soul will not also com. allow that the writing indicates the municate itself to the band can it strength of the mind; we have debe for a moment imagined that the scribed in what manner it is influenced writing will be merely hasty, and that under the head of the energetic pasthe pen will trace lightly what is felt sions, and we have shewn the firmso forcibly? Certainly not! it will ness of character (we should perhaps rather partake of that energy which say boldness or decisiveness, for conconvulses the bodily frame, and will stancy is, in our opinion, the peculiar be remarkable for surpassing the li- attribute of Woman*), which distinmits of moderation, and impressing guishes the hand-writing of the male

* We are aware that there is, now and then, an exception to this “golden rule.” To such of our readers, therefore, as may be inclined to receive the above declaration of our faith, in the stability of the fair sex, with an uplifted brow, and sceptical expansiou of the forehead, we beg leave to state, that on this, as well as on many other matters, our opinions are generally founded on experience, which, albeit, but little, as yet, is sufficient to warrant this testification. Whilst, however, we chuckle over our own good luck, we entertain a due proportion of pity for the " pauvres miserables” who are unfortunate enough (upon equally reasonable grounds) to differ with us in the sentiment. We can only refer them for consolation to the trite but sagacious proverb, Experimenta, &c.

from