TABLE OF CONTENTS. Page Utility of Antiquarian Investigations.-Redcliffe Church is highly curious, beautiful, and interesting.-Historical par- Account of the monuments, and anecdotes of persons interred in the church.-Lamyngton, 29: Simon de Burton, 29: Wm. Canynge, 31; and extract from the church register 26 Philip Mede, 40: Mrs. Fortune Little, 40: Sir John Inyn, 41: Everardus le French, 42: Thomas Young, 42: Rev. INTRODUCTORY PREFACE. HAVING purchased several drawings of Redcliffe Church, it was my intention to have them engraved for the Architectural Antiquities; but after mature deliberation, I was induced to appropriate them to a separate and complete publication. In this I was also tempted to enter more fully into the illustration of the building, and to comprehend a more extensive field of disquisition than at first I had intended, or than is usual in the general work. This volume is therefore now submitted to the public, in its present form and style, with no small degree of anxiety; for though success generally inspires confidence, and often presumption, I own that I feel more than usual solicitude concerning the reception the present work may experience with its varied classes of readers. To make it amusing, or interesting to the uninitiated antiquary, I have endeavoured to adapt my sentiments and style of writing to the peculiar character of the edifice, and to the poetical associations with which it is connected. For that mind must be dull and cold indeed, which can remain perfectly tranquil and unwarmed, after surveying the one, and reflecting on the other. "Far from me, and far from my friends," as Dr. Johnson observes, "be such frigid philosophy, as may conduct us indifferent and unmoved over any ground which has been dignified by wisdom, bravery, or virtue. That man is little to be envied,, whose patriotism would not gain force upon the plains of Marathon, or whose piety would not grow warmer among the ruins of Iona.”* If the plains of Marathon, and the ruins of Iona, be calculated to stimulate curiosity, and awaken rational and pleasing reflections, I am persuaded that the edifice, which we are about to investigate, must also be entitled to more than common notice. Indeed, it cannot fail to claim from the genuine antiquary, and tasteful critic, much of diligent inquiry, and unmixed admiration. In reviewing the history of an ancient edifice, we are imperceptibly led into the company of venerable personages long since departed; we are carried back to remote ages, and shewn, distant events, over which Time has spread its obscuring veil.— These pursuits are not merely amusing to the fancy, but may be rendered useful and instructive. Whatever," says the eloquent author just quoted, withdraws us from the power of our senses, whatever makes the past, the distant, and the future, predominate over the present, advances us in the dignity of thinking beings." Thus, by contemplating, and analyzing the best works of others, we may acquire wisdom: and it is universally admitted, that the grand ecclesiastical edifices of this country, were executed by men highly skilled in mathematical and geometrical knowledge. Science is unanimously conceded to them; but their claims to taste are not so generally admitted. On this * Journey to the Western Islands. point the most accomplished scholars and critics differ in opinion. Many contend, that beauty, grace, elegance, and sublimity of architecture, isonly to be found in Grecian edifices; whilst others admit, that some of these characteristics belong also to Roman buildings; but they will not allow that any thing approaching to tastefulness, propriety, or harmony, is to be found in "the Gothic" structures of the middle ages. The partial admirers of the latter, are too generally as indiscriminating, and intemperate in their panegyrics on one species of architecture, at the expense of the other; and thus contention and opposition are excited. Controversy is produced, and it too generally happens that controversial writers rather advocate an hypothesis, than calmly and dispassionately endea vour to substantiate fact, and elucidate mystery. * Since Bentham wrote his History of Ely Cathedral, A.D. 1771, in which he endeavoured to prove, that the remains of the Conventual Church in that city, are of Saxon architecture, "founded in 673," many volumes and essays have been published concerning the criteria of Saxon and Norman architecture, the origin of the pointed arch, and the country in which this was first adopted. Warton, Gray, Grose, Milner, Whitaker, Hall, Whittington, Millers, Sayers, Dallaway, Hawkins, Carter, Englefield, Lysons, Kerrich, Wilkins, Dutens, King, Haggitt, and others, have all employed their pens, either in this controversy, or on the subject and to some of these gentlemen we are indebted for much substantial information. In the "Architectural Antiquities" which I am now publishing, and in the "Cathedral Antiquities" preparing, almost every class and style of ecclesiastical, domestic, and castellated architecture, will be carefully delineated; and from the various specimens and facts adduced, with the accompanying descriptions and elucidations, it is hoped that the controverted points, above noticed, will be settled, and the history and principles of ancient English Architecture will be clearly established. |
