298 Description of Limehouse Church. The length of this Church from east to west is 145 feet; its breadth 78 feet; height from the ground to the large cornice which runs round the Church, 50 feet; and the whole height, from the pavement to the top of the tower, 183 feet. It is of Portland stone, and cost 38,000l. The vaults, the stone floor of which is but a few feet below the level of the Church-yard, are formed by massive stone piers and groined segmental and semi-elliptical arches; the walls at this level are six feet in thickness*. The western, as well as the other elevations, present to the architectural student a singular specimen of Roman composition. The principal entrance, approached by a flight of stone steps, is formed in front of the segmental vestibule which is finished with square pilasters (enriched as to their capitals), supporting an entablature and semidome roof. The clock-room contains only bells sufficient for the purposes of striking the hours, tolling for burials, and calling the inhabitants to Church. The third story of the tower forms in the plan a curious outline, and in its elevation is equally unsightly with the part rising immediately above it. It may not be amiss here to observe that either an alteration in the upper part of this tower has been made since its first erection, or that the author of "Chamberlain's London" made a mistake in his description of this Church, where he says, "from this part rises a turret at each corner, and a more lofty one in the middle." The side elevation of the tower, as to its lower story, is very unfinished, and would naturally lead one to suppose that the plan only had been atdesign. The whole of this tower has tended to in this part Hawksmoor's settled towards the middle part. The walls forming the vestry room at the north-east angle of the Church, and those corresponding on the opposite side, are carried up several feet above the large cornice, and form two unfinished towers curiously ornamented. To the construction of the roof the architect did not pay sufficient attention; for a few years since, it was found In these vaults bodies are interred contrary to the Act of the 10th of Anne, which says that no burials shall be in or under any of the 50 Churches intended to be built. [Oct. necessary to insert iron trusses to many of the principals, in order to prevent a greater depression of the tie beams and enriched ceiling, which is sadly disfigured through want of necessary precaution in this important part of constructive design; these trusses have, however, had the desired effect. In the interior of this Church there is nothing remarkable as to the general arrangement. The Roman style is preserved throughout. The stone columns standing upon square pedestals in the body of the Church, are of the composite order; these support an enriched cornice, continued only over part of the side ailes. Small Ionic columns of wood are placed, as supports, under either gallery, the entrances to which are equally crude in design with many other portions of this edifice. The most striking feature is the altar window, in which is a fine picture executed in 1813 by Mr. Backler†, from a design in part by West. When the sun enters from the south, the effect of this painting is very imposing. The pulpit is a fine specimen of carved work, and very elaborately finished. It is stated that the execution of this occupied upwards of two years and a half. Upon the whole, this Church may be considered as a mass of inelegance and crude composition, and I should not advise a pupil of mine to take it for a model. It is seen to the greatest advantage from the Commercial-road, and often times gives rise to strangers exclaiming, "that is certainly a fine structure.' Mr. URBAN, FRANCIS WHISHAW. Exeter, Oct. 1. T favourite pursuit with any, and HE science of mineralogy the frequent treatises published on the subject, indicate it is making rapid pro. gress, I therefore presume that a short account of the newly discovered Haytor Chalcedonies, may be acceptable to several of your readers, especially as they are esteemed by certain mineralists as the greatest natural curiosities that this island has produced, and to constitute almost a new era in mineralogy, the peculiar forms and combinations exhibiting such novel and extraordinary + Mr. Backler is celebrated for painting the window in the Baron's Hall at Arundel Castle. 1828.] Newly-discovered Haytor Chalcedonies. specimens. The iron mine from which these splendid minerals have been extracted is situated on the eastern point of Dartmoor, 18 miles west of Exeter, and about six S. E. of Moreton Hampstead; the Great Tor, near the mine, is called Haytor (or High Tor), and is plainly distinguishable at the right, on the great turnpike road leading from Exeter to Plymouth. On descending a hill at about ten miles from this city, it assumes something of a sugar-loaf shape, and appears at this distance like an ancient edifice or venerable tower. Mineralogists inform us that no instance is known in this kingdom, or elsewhere, of such a vast accumulation of different specimens of Chalcedonies associated in one place, and on such a very limited spot, the mine being scarcely 100 yards in length, and 12 in breadth, from which I have collected more than four hundred distinct varieties; every one of which is entitled to a precise description, either for colour, formation, or singularity. There are botryoidal, mainmilated, and amorphous, including all sizes, from one inch to near one foot diameter. The colours are various, consisting of rich purple, prussian, azure, and light blues, white, red, orange, green, yellow, and browns of different shades. The minute specimens are remarkably curious and exquisitively beautiful, and some so delicate and finely worked by nature, as to require the aid of a glass to disclose their quality and real beauty. To describe each article would exceed my present design; however, allow me to give a concise illustration of a dozen specimens, which may serve to form some idea of their character and feature. 1. A very delicate specimen, mamillary and stalactetic, and partly hydrophanous, with an aluminous coaling of blues of various tints, azure blue, prussian blue, &c. 2. Spathiform Chalcedony, of a clear yellow brown, on a mass of amorphous quartz, the bass encircled with minute crystals of Haytorite, supposed to be unique. 3. A small Goede of yellow Chalcedony, inclosing mammilated and hydrophanous blue chalcedony, surrounded by Haytorite glittering crystals. 4. A large specimen of Chalcedony, 9 inches by 4, mammilated and botryoidal, of 12 colours, with an aluminous coating of blue, yellow, green, milk white, and brown of various shades. 299 5. A large specimen of mammilated Chalcedony, on flint, 8 inches by 8, of milk white, blue, and violet of various shades, with numerous globular elevations. 6. A large Goede of quartz and flinty matter, with Chalcedony investing quartz crystals of deep orange, red, brown, and blue, with a luminous coating, the blue part hydrophanous. 7. A rich purple and prussian blue mammilated Chalcedony, comprising part of a large Goede. 8. Mass of Chalcedony matter, specular iron, with cavity of ferruginous quartz, with delicate Chalcedony on the apex of beautiful blue stalactite. 9. Spatiform Chalcedony, crossing in various sportive forms, minute size, of light lilac hue, of a curious and embossed appearance. 10. Greenish brown Chalcedony, passing into red and yellow, on an amorphous mass of flint. 11. Mass of amorphous Quartz of various colours, with mammilated brown Chalcedony of different shades. 12. Mammilated Chalcedony, a minute and beautiful specimen of red, crimson of various shades, and shining appearance. The Haytorite, which is called a new mineral, is a species of Chalcedony of which I possess several choice varieties; this mineral has been anxiously sought for by collectors, and the prices given for it enormous; good specimens having produced from ten to thirty guineas each. The rage for it is perhaps somewhat abated, but it still continues very dear and rare. "Quanto minor est quantitas, tanto etiam pluris vendetur.' This collection of Haytor Chalcedonies, is the only complete one that has been formed; and it is not probable there will ever be another of this description, the mine from which they were excavated being exhausted, or nearly so, and in the newly opened one adjoining, few or none have appeared. Respecting the Haytor minerals in general, they have been found but very sparingly, and in faults of the mine, only a few feet below the surface; it is observable that almost all of them hitherto discovered, have a peculiar locality attached to them, discernible on the slightest investigation. Yours, &c. SHIRLEY WOOLMER. 300 Mr. URBAN, On the Establishment of King's College. INCE the establishment of King's [Oct. for the accommodation of the inhabi- : tants of that portion of London. Let S'College has been determined upon, each of these institutions possess pro considerable discussion has taken place with regard to the situation in which it shall be erected. Various sites have been proposed, and objections have been urged against each and every of them. At present the Regent's Park appears to be the most likely to be selected, as a sufficiently large portion of land for the purpose can there be obtained without much difficulty, and it therefore possesses a great advantage over the other places which have been named. But it must be obvious that the Regent's Park possesses scarcely any other recommendation than the one already mentioned. It is situated almost at the extremity of the metropolis on one side, and of course most inconveniently for the resort of the greater number of those who may be expected to become students within its walls. Its distance indeed from other parts of London will most certainly prove a considerable obstacle to its utility, while at the same time it must be acknowledged that it would be extremely difficult to select and obtain a site which would be entirely free from similar objections. Even Somerset House, or the neighbourhood of St. Saviour's Church, though undoubtedly preferable to the Regent's Park, would be still inconvenient sites for many who would wish to enjoy the advantages of the College. Indeed every consideration of the subject will but serve to impress more strongly the propriety of dividing the College into several separate institutions, say three or four, which might be so placed as to render the attendance of the inhabitants of any part of the metropolis a matter of no difficulty whatever. These institutions might be subject to the administration of one general council, though each had its distinct officers and professors. Let a College be erected for the western division of the metropolis, in the Regent's Park, or what would certainly be more eligible, at Somerset House; another adjacent to St. Saviour's Church for the denizens of the City and the lower parts of the Borough; and a third still more to the eastward, upon the Middlesex shore of the river, It has since been reported that Knightsbridge is determined on as the most desirable situation.-EDIT. fessors of the usual and more common branches of education, but let them all be subject to the general Council, which should have attached to it a number of men of the highest cele brity in their respective vocations, and whom it should direct to deliver lectures upon the higher and more abstruse divisions of science and knowledge, in succession, to the different institutions. Under the system here proposed, continual instruction would be offered at each establishment in those departments of education which possess the greatest interest and attraction, and which are most likely to prove of practical utility to the students; and series of lectures would be delivered at proper intervals upon other subjects calculated to be of service to society, though not perhaps entitled to such general attention. The regulation of the different establishments, of their courses of study, of the manner in which instruction should be given, the conditions upon which students shall be received, &c. &c. would all fall within the province of the Council of the College, and thus a regular and uniform plan would be preserved throughout. The funds already raised for the establishment of King's College, are amply sufficient for the erection of at least three such institutions as are here contemplated; but the experiment might be tried with two only, until the subscriptions and contributions which still continue to pour in shall enable the Council to proceed to the establishment of a third. Each institution or College must possess theatres for lectures, class rooms, a library, and though last not least, a Chapel, and perhaps if residences were added for one or two of the professors, a very essential object might be accomplished, that of having a constant personal superintendence extended over the students and the inferior officers of the establishment. It will be admitted that every leading object proposed by the intended College, will be better accomplished by dividing it into different institutions, than by continuing it to one establishment: these objects are the affording a superior education without requiring those who receive it to quit their homes-to bestow the advantages 1828.] On ancient and modern Customs. of a liberal course of instruction at a I trust that whether only one or three Colleges be erected, a Chapel will be considered an indispensable requisite, and that the students will be required to attend the public service of the Church of England, except indeed they entertain conscientious objections to its doctrines; and even this latter plea should not be too readily admitted. If a student states that his religious principles differ from those instilled in the College, let him be required to detail the points of difference; it will then be seen whether the objections are real and well founded, or whether they are merely advanced as a disguise to scepticism and infidelity, because if the objection lies only to the discipline of the Church, or the form of its ordinances, the student will surely not object to attend lectures upon the general doctrines and duties of Christianity, its evidences and its illustrations, or to be examined touching his knowledge of these subjects, whilst the junior disciples of the superficial philosophy of the present day will be prevented from extending the contagion of unbelief. The expense of supporting a Chapel to each College would of course 301 be not worthy of much consideration, as many of the professors will undoubtedly be Clergymen of the establishment, willing and able to instruct their hearers in divine as well as in human lore. Allow me, in conclusion, to express a hope that arrangements will also be made to secure to those who shall qualify themselves properly in King's College, ordination as ministers of the Established Church; as otherwise, if the Bishops persist in the rule most of them have adopted of ordaining only graduates of Oxford, Cambridge, or Dublin, many who would willingly study for that purpose in London will be compelled either to enter into other professions, or to quit their homes and families, and thus be subjected to an inconvenience from which those designing to follow other vocations in life will be free; but perhaps it will not be necessary to say more upon this topic, when we consider who holds the See R. H. of London. O many traces of the ceremonies and usages of ancient nations still exist in the popular superstitions and manners of modern times, that an endeavour to point out their resemblance, and to describe some of the principal corresponding customs, may not be considered either useless or uninstructive. Among the Romans, especially, we find in various points so striking a similarity, as to leave no doubt that many of their usages have been transmitted to, and adopted by later ages, with little or no alteration. room for The ancients were accustomed to surround places struck by lightning with a wall things were buried with mysterious ceremony. Persons killed in this manner were wrapped in a white sheet, and interred on the spot where they fell. Bodies scathed, and persons struck dead, were thought to be incorruptible, and a stroke not fatal conferred perpetual honour on the man so distinguished by heaven. Bullenger* relates that the Curtian lake, and the Runcival fig-tree in the forum, having been touched by lightning, were held sacred, and in commemoration of the event, a puteal, or altar, resembling the mouth of a well, with * De terræ motu et fulminibus, lib. v. Notes to Childe Harold, Canto iv. cap. 11. stan, xli. 302 On ancient and modern Customs. a little chapel, was erected over the cavity supposed to have been made by the thunderbolt. Places or objects struck by lightning, remarks the historian Gibbon, were regarded by the ancients with pious horror, as singularly devoted to the wrath of heaven. The fate of the Roman emperor Carus, whose death was supposed to have been thus occasioned on his expedition to Persia, and an ancient oracle which declared the river Tigris to be the boundary of the Roman arms, so dismayed the legions, that they refused to continue the campaign, and required to be conducted immediately from a spot which had become distinguished by so fatal an event *. When a place was blasted by lightning, it was called bidental, and an atonement or expiatory sacrifice was offered of sheep two years old, called bidentes, from having at that age two teeth longer than the rest; and the spot was ever afterwards held sacred and inviolable. It was considered the height of profaneness and impiety to disturb the ground, or to venture within the consecrated precincts. Horace, in his Art of Poetry, makes the following allusion to this custom: "Utrum Minxerit in patrios cineres, an triste bidental Moverit incestus." 470-472. The term bidental was also applied to a person struck by lightning: "Triste jaces lucis, evitandumque bidental.” Persius. 66 The eagle, the sea-calf, and the laurel, are mentioned by Pliny, in his Natural History, as the most approved preservatives against the effects of lightning. 'Aquila, vitulus Marinus, et laurus fulmine non feriuntur." (Lib. ii. cap. 55). Jupiter chose the first, Augustus Cæsar the second, and Tiberius never failed to wear a wreath of the third when the sky threatened a thunder storm. (Notes to Childe Harold, canto 4). Lord Byron thus alludes to the ancient popular superstitions on the subject: "The lightning rent from Ariosto's bust, weaves Is of the tree no bolt of thunder cleaves, [Oct. And the false semblance but disgrac'd his brow; Yet still, if fondly Superstition grieves, Know, that the light'ning sanctifies below Whate'er it strikes ;-yon head is doubly sacred now." Childe Harold, Cant. IV. xli. A relic of the custom above referred to, of using imaginary preservatives against lightning, still exists in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and other Catholic countries. The branches of palin which are used in the religious processions on Palm Sunday, after having been blessed by the priests, are sent by the clergy to their friends, who fasten them to the bars of their balconies, to be, as they imagine, a protection from the effects of thunder and lightning†. The ancients entertained the idea that omens furnished by lightning portended some approaching calamity. The shepherd Melibus, in the first Eclogue of Virgil, thus introduces the prevailing notion: “Sæpe malum hoc nobis, si mens non læva fuisset, De cœlo tactas memini prædicere quercus : Sæpe sinistra cavâ prædixit ab ilice cornix." Ecl. i. 16. The brazen image of the celebrated Roman wolf, which suckled Romulus and Remus, having been struck by lightning, was held sacred by the Romans, and preserved with the greatest care and sanctity. Considerable doubts, however, exist amongst antiquaries as to the identity of the image, some contending that it was the one kept in the temple of Romulus, under the Palatine, alluded to by Livy in his History, and by Dionysius in his Roman Antiquities; and others affirming it to be the image mentioned by Cicero and the historian Dion as having suffered a similar accident. The various conflicting authorities on this question are collected and commented on with great learning and ingenuity in the notes to Childe Harold, Canto iv. Stan. lxxxviii. The ancients observed the custom of casting stones on the graves of persons who had suffered or inflicted upon + See Don Leucadio Doblado's Letters from Spain, p. 249. "Bene hæc ad superstitionem talium hominum dicuntur," observes a Commentator on the passage above quoted, "cum adversi aliquid iis accidit. Debuisse se hanc cala * Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, mitatem prævidere ait ex arboribus frequenter chap. 12. fulmine tactis, quod est inter ostenta.” |