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XVII.

But Dutchmen don't incline much to the risible, So all these things with them are still the go. Absurdities are on the Y still visible,

Which were so on the Thames some time ago. Mynheer would think his daughter quite a Jeesabel, Should not the whole remain in statu quo. The plaits of gold or silver on the foreheadThe flannel girth-protuberance most horrid.

XVIII.

But if I once should fairly enter in

To what at present I am glancing merely,
To strip a Dutchman's madam to her skin,
I can assure the reader most sincerely,
So wide a subject, were I in the pin,

Would last me out at least a canto clearly.
Perhaps I'll do it at some other season-
Just now it must be rhyme, but scarcely reason.
XIX.

But to return-(in this new style of Frere's,
A phrase which oft hath been, and oft must be)-
I dined, when last in Holland, at Mynheer's;

No one was there but David Laing and me,
And a Dutch minister, one Vander Schpiers,
Domestic tutor in the family-

To give Mevrouw the praise that is her due,
The dinner much invited a set-to.

XX.

Nor did we baulk it. No; we feasted purely
On excellent boiled pig and roasted salmon :
The Parson hummed us a long grace demurely,
But otherwise he seemed to sink the Flamen.
I noticed, though his guts, he said, were poorly,
He laid in full three pounds of grease and gammon.
Braun set some famous Rhenish on the table;
We drank and smoked as long as we were able.
XXI.

In course of talk, the Clergyman and Braun
Enlarged upon the charms of Dutch society,
Its comfort-none that attribute disown-

And, what some won't agree to, its variety.
David and I sucked all their doctrines down,
But over-doses generate satiety;
So we, to pay them back in their own coin,
Began in praise of Scotland to rejoin ;
XXII.

A fruitful topic, it must be confest,
And in good hands, I mean in Laing's and mine.
(David, the most sagacious and the best,

As all Old Reekie's erudites opine,
Of Scottish Bibliopoles, who knows the zest
And cream of every title-page Aldine ;
A famous Bibliomaniac, and a shrewd,
Who turns his madness to no little good.)

XXIII.

We touched on many subjects, I and David.
He chiefly sung the praise of a sale dinner;
I on Young's tavern principally raved,

Ore soluto-I'm a glorious spinner.

I painted to the set, in colours vivid,

The portrait of fuil many a curious sinner Who comes, with ready head and readier tongue, To kill his evenings in thy house, Bill Young! VOL. III.

XXIV.

They're pleased to call themselves The Dilettanti:
The President's the first I chanced to shew 'em;
He writes more malagrugrously than Dante,
The City of the Plague's a shocking poem ;
But yet he is a spirit light and jaunty,

And jocular enough to those that know him.
To tell the truth, I think John Wilson shines
More o'er a bowl of punch than in his lines.
XXV.
Wilson discussed, the tenor of my speech
On to his Croupier-Secretary ran,
A person thoroughly qualified to teach
The linguo of the Virtuoso clan,
Pictures and prints alike within his reach.

-He is, in short, a most uncommon man ;
The Painters view him with a fearful eye;
For me, I'm always mute when David's by.

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REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE, AP- plan for this repair tended to remove these feelings.

POINTED BY THE SOCIETY OF DILETTANTI TO EXAMINE MR ELLI

The Committee hold, that in alter

OTT'S PLANS FOR THE REPAIR OF ing an ancient building, the principle

THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST GILES, EDINBURGH.

THE Committee, to whom it was referred to examine the plans of the intended repair on the cathedral church of St Giles, have now to submit the following report.

This church appears to have been originally planned on a regular design: but having been erected at various intervals, it is far from being uniform in its architecture. More recently, likewise, the alterations which it has undergone have invariably been in a vitious taste; and while not beautiful in themselves, they have obscured, or altogether superseded, those parts of the original structure to which they applied. As it now stands, therefore, the Committee do not view this building as a fine specimen of the Gothic architecture. Still it is one which deserves considerable praise. Its general form approaches near enough to regularity to give it all the grandeur of a cathedral. There is much beauty also in many of its individual parts; and the tower with which it is surmounted is one of the noblest of that description in the island.

But its great age would entitle it to be held sacred by Scotsmen, even if it possessed no intrinsic beauty deserving of preservation. The records of this church stretch back into an antiquity so remote as the ninth century: it has since become connected with many important events in Scottish history: here, particularly, Knox and Melville asserted the liberties of their country, and preached up the Reformation ;— and within it and without, are deposited the bones of martyrs and great men, whose high names serve to cast a lustre over the very decay of its walls. Relics such as these are to be touch ed with a delicate hand. Looking around upon the prison-houses with which this building has been polluted, the incongruous repairs which it has suffered, and the paint with which its tower has been disfigured, and its fading inscriptions obliterated, the Committee confess, that it was not without alarm they heard of a new alteration extending to all its parts being in progress; nor has the examination of the

to be followed is, that of adhering as closely to the original plan as is consistent with any tolerable degree of beauty. Feeling in all its force the influence of time and ancient associations, they would rather sacrifice a considerable beauty, than lose any part of a structure, venerable for its age, or rendered illustrious by its history. In this point of view, they regard the repair now going forward upon Westminster-abbey and York-minster, as in the purest taste, because it is a mere renewal of the stones of those buildings in their original form. They do not contend that this species of repair is applicable to their present subject. They are willing to admit, that here there is much to remove; but they are, at the same time, anxious to impress, that there is also much to retain; and that it is the duty of the guardians of taste to resist all changes which can with propriety be avoided.

In this way, it is with no small regret they have observed, in the plans how submitted to the magistracy, a very marked disregard of the ancient building. The new cathedral may, or may not, be beautiful. The Committee do not deny that it possesses considerable beauty: but it bears no resemblance to the ancient cathedral it is an original building in the school of Mr Elliott, not a renovation of the ancient building; and this they hold, without reference to its intrinsic character, to be a primary and fundamental objection to the design.

Another observation which they have made, is of a character akin to the former. If there be reasons, in good feeling and just taste, for resisting deviations from the original plan of the building, it is obvious that these apply with tenfold force to any project for its absolute demolition. But it is one branch of the plans under consideration, to make away with a part of the building, and that, perhaps, the most highly ornamented of the whole, the Tolbooth church, which is to be removed in order to enlarge the access into the Parliament Square, and at the same time to save the corner room in the adjoining building (itself a monument of the worst taste, and unlikely, from its appearance, to endure so long

as the cathedral), now occupied as the gown-room of the faculty of advocates. It may be proper to remove this church; it does not boast of an antiquity so remote as the adjoining building; and the Committee are ready, therefore, to learn cause for its destruction; but they neither perceive the necessity of the enlarged access wanted, nor do they see any thing in the adjoining building entitling it to immunity at the expense of its more venerable neighbour; and undoubtedly they hold, that this building cannot be touched without a reason approaching nearly to necessity.

Having stated these sentiments, the Committee feel, that it may probably be conceived unnecessary to make any observations on the details of a plan, the general scope of which they are thus disposed so strongly to condemn. But it is due to the artist who has prepared it, and perhaps may be regarded as a part of their duty to the society, to offer some remarks of a more limited character; and, in doing so, they trust that the society will give them credit for acting in a spirit of perfect conciliation towards the architect, who has not failed even here to display much of that genius and scientific knowledge by which his works are in general distinguished.

With these feelings, it is gratifying to the Committee to be enabled to commence their remarks with praise. In the disposition of the interior, Mr Elliott proposes to divide the church into three great halls, one occupying the transept, and the others being placed in the nave of the building. This plan meets the entire approbation of the Committee. They particularly approve the suggestion of throwing the transept into one great hall, adapted, as it will admirably be, for the purposes of music, and yet to become, as they hope, a receptacle for statuary and painting.

But in this part of the architect's plans, the Committee submit that there has been an important omission. Whoever has visited York-minster will remember, with no ordinary emotion, the feeling with which, standing in the centre of the church, he looked up from below upon the whole unbroken height of that noble tower. Such pleasure, the Committee think, it is in the power of the artist renewing St Giles, to give to those by whom it

shall hereafter be visited. The tower of this cathedral, so beautiful without, has never yet been brought to heighten the effect of the interior. Till the year 1599, it was used as the common prison of the town; and since that period, it has been appropriated to the bells,-at all times separated from the halls below by a flooring which exists to this day. But the Committee, while they regard it as contrary to good taste, that any part of the exterior of a building (as in the dome of St George's church here) should excite expectations,which, within, are disappointed, are strongly led to recommend, that the tower of St Giles should be cleared of all its incumbrances, and thrown open within, so as to become a part-and a glorious part-of the central hall.*

Among the advantages resulting from this suggestion, it would be no inconsiderable one, that the ancient windows of the tower would improve the light of the transept (a light too, it will be remembered, coming from above, and therefore of the finest quality); while the opening of these windows would give beauty to the exterior.

The dial-plate and bells might, in this event, be disposed in turrets to be erected at either extremity of the transept, or, more properly, at the west front, which was originally, and ought perhaps once more to be rendered, the grand entrance of the cathedral.

Having thus far commended the architect's disposition of the interior, the Committee regret that they have little more to approve in his designs. The extreme regularity of his whole plan (giving it too much the character of an enlarged modern chapel), and the uniformity of his windows and whole details, they should doubt being according to the feeling of the true Gothic: which, though not without rule, is yet impatient of restraint, and undoubtedly wanders, in its finest specimens, into many fantastic singularities. And here, perhaps, is to be found the danger and difficulty of re-modelling, in our times, an ancient Gothic structure. Our ancestors, without character to sustain, and indulging thus in all the license of barbarism, could venture

The Committee take it for granted that this is practicable, a matter, however, which will obviously require to be determin ed by professional men.

upon irregularities, which yet, by a fortunate error, have proved beautiful. But where is the modern who can safely accompany them in such a cause? He must remember his name; he must bow to rule; he dare not wander beyond precedent; and thence it will ever result, that his designs, imitated after a model not formed by rule, will be deficient in that boldness and variety of design which redeem the probable defects of the original. This, the Committee humbly think, is remarkably the case in the present in stance; and acknowledging, as they do, the talents of the architect, they cannot help regarding this circumstance as a confirmation of the general views with which they felt it their duty to set out in this report.

Descending a little more into detail, the Committee beg to observe it as a curious circumstance, that the architect, in planning the new windows, has taken the present eastern windows as his model for the whole; while it is believed, that the eastern front altogether (to the depth of twenty or thirty feet) is an addition made to the ancient building in times comparatively modern, and this may be regarded as not the surest guide to the original plan. Another circumstance, which occurs no fewer than three times, the Committee cannot help disapproving. They allude to the design of making the greatest windows on the church rest immediately on doors. The Committee have heard doubts expressed, as to the admissibility of this circumstance in a pure Gothic structure; but they do not rest their objection on this ground, because they are aware that it is warranted by numerous precedents. They venture, however, to assert, that it offends against picturesque beauty, to bring the two openings so close together, as to be embraced unavoidably in one view; while each differs so much in dimensions and in style from the other, that they cannot harmonize; and that it thus would be advisable to separate them by a decided interval, leaving each to be felt by itself.

The Committee farther object to the form which the architect has given to the upper wall of the four extremities of the cross, which descends from the centre in a slightly inclining line. The whole other upper walls of the cathedral are horizontal; and the

Committee do not see why here there should be a deviation; at the same time that they doubt extremely, how far the inclined line (not forming an acute angle, which is usual in Gothic buildings, and accords with the present architecture of this church, but one very obtuse) is in itself beautiful.

The Committee have observed, with some regret, that of the numerous niches and rich canopies in the outer wall of the cathedral, and which apparently were a favourite ornament of the original architect, the plan under consideration retains only one or two, and these of the meanest character. The Committee regard this as an improper disregard of the original style of the building; and it is one which reminds them of another most important suggestion,—that whatever alterations may ultimately be made, especial care should be taken that every ornamental stone now existing in any part of the building, and removed in the course of the repair, should be preserved and replaced in some other situation; so that, in every particular, as much of the original character may be retained as is possible.

The Committee might point out other circumstances in the plan which have attracted their observation, such as the baldness of the east front, which is without ornament, and wants the buttresses found in the other quarters of the church. But they are anxious to quit this part of their duty, and to bring their report to an end, by submitting the views which they have taken as to the mode in which the proposed repair should be conducted.

They have already intimated, that there is much in the history of this church deserving of investigation, and they are informed, that in various quarters it abounds with inscriptions, which may tend to elucidate this, and probably at the same time may throw light on the original plan of the building. The Committee, therefore, are of opinion, that, previous to any other step whatever being taken, a careful survey should be made of the whole antiquities of the church, the result of which, aided by a collection of all the drawings connected with it which can be procured, will materially facilitate, and in all probability greatly improve, the works of the artist who is to be employed.

This being done, the Committee would recommend that advertisement should be made of certain rewards to be given for the best plans which shall be offered for the repair; and they make this suggestion, because they believe that, in a work so eminent, and in its character so national, as the present, the greatest artists of the island will not deem it unworthy of them to enter into the competition.

With regard to the principles on which the alteration ought to be conducted, the sentiments of the Committee may in general be discovered from the observations which they already have had occasion to submit. The chief difficulty to be expected will of course arise from the question, whether the church should be restored to the proper cathedral form in which it may be supposed to have existed before the chapels and accessary buildings now attached to it were erected? or, whether these buildings should be suffered to remain? and, whether the east end, which is new, should be taken down, and thrown back to its original place? or, whether it should be allow ed to stand, in the hope that it may be laid open hereafter, by the fall of the buildings now opposed to it?

On these subjects, the Committee are, upon the whole, inclined to think, that it would be unadvisable to remove either the Tolbooth Church, the Assembly Aisle, or the east front. The Tolbooth Church and the Assembly Aisle they would retain; because, while they are beautiful in themselves, they create no irregularity inconsistent with the principles of Gothic architecture, but rather produce a variety reconcileable to its best taste: and because, farther, the Committee are informed, that the Assembly Aisle is insufficient for its purposes, unless by means of an encroachment on the area of the adjoining church; in which way, it might be expedient to devote the Tolbooth Church to the meetings of the Assembly; and they would protect the east front, because it undoubtedly is of great antiquity.

Should these suggestions be adopted, it will at once occur, that the west front of the church will require considerable alteration. This, which, in cathedral architecture, is the grand entrance and most decorated part of the building, is, in the present instance, the most mean. Still, however, the

Committee have reason to believe, that, without the destruction of any of its parts, or at least by means of a diminution in the height of the aisles terminating here, this front might easily be rendered worthy of its place, and be again restored to its dignity, as the great entrance to the cathedral.

With regard to the interior of the new churches, the Committee would fain hope, that they might be completed without the incumbrance of galleries, destroying, as these do, the symmetry of the arches in which they are placed; and that, if seats of dignity are wanted, these might be found by means of something slightly elevated, in the manner of the stalls which are found in cathedrals. The pulpits also, they think, ought not, as in these plans, to be placed before windows. And having long felt how greatly the seating of the churches detracts from their beauty, they cannot help wishing, that, by means of sofas screwed to the ground but not concealing it, or in some other way, a more elegant substitute might be found for the ponderous and suffocating boxes now in use, and which have nothing to recommend them but ancient custom.

Retaining those parts of the building which have now been pointed outdecorating the west front in a manner worthy of the grand entrance of the ancient cathedral-raising bell-towers there, and again rearing the cross in the east-restoring the ancient ornamented gate of Haddow's Hold-returning to the original doors and windows, with no slavish adherence to their defects, but with a general regard to their original appearance-exposing the interior of the tower to the hall below, and probably giving a new front to the north transept-removing the paint from the spire, and pointing the whole building with lime

removing the galleries from the churches-restoring the ancient inscriptions to their primitive freshness

rejecting every alteration which is not imperiously demanded by the rules of good taste, and in every change adhering, in the style of the additions, ornaments, and whole design, to the original character of the cathedralthis Committee think, that the Magistrates of Edinburgh will thus perform a work reflecting honour on themselves, and tending to the permanent advantage of their city.

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