Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/184

166 row of Scriptural subjects in colours, extending originally (it is believed) all round the church. The lower range is within an arcade of pointed trefoil arches, each arch containing a distinct subject. The subjects at present made out are, the three kings bringing presents to Herod; the flight into Egypt; the meeting of Elizabeth and Mary; the presentation of Jesus in the Temple; and the archangel Michael overcoming Satan. Mr. Corner states the paintings to be exceedingly well drawn, and to be in his opinion as early as the thirteenth century, the probable date of the chancel.

Mr. John Sydenham informed the Committee, that in consequence of a reservoir being about to be erected by order of government in Greenwich Park, for the purpose of supplying the hospital and dockyard with water, the Saxon barrows, the examination of which by Douglas forms so interesting a feature in his Nenia Britannica, would be nearly all destroyed, a fate which Mr. Sydenham thinks may be averted by a representation to the Government from the Association.—The Committee suggested to Mr. Sydenham to make application on the subject to Captain Brandreth of the Royal Engineers.

A letter from Mr. E. J. Carlos was read, containing remarks and suggestions relating to alterations said to be contemplated in Westminster Abbey. He observes;—"Feeling that one of the objects of the Archæological Society will be answered by calling the attention of the Committee to the projected alterations in Westminster Abbey, I venture to make the following suggestion, which you will oblige me by laying before them at the next meeting. It is now understood that it is proposed to afford additional accommodation for those who may attend Divine service in the abbey church, to throw open the transept to the choir, and occupy the area with seats for a congregation. The principal objections to this measure are, the interference with the integrity of the design of the choir and the placing of the worshippers with regard to each other and to the church in a novel and hitherto unknown position: it having been, as far as I am able to judge, an universal practice to arrange the congregation so that during Divine service they shall look towards the east, at least whenever the Altar is raised in that quarter. I need not urge the ancient and pious feeling which sanctioned, if it did not give rise to, the usual arrangement, nor indeed any argument based on the ecclesiastical arrangement of churches, as on the ground of mere utility it is obvious that the proposed arrangement will not answer the designed object. In every public assembly, and for whatever purpose it is convened, the eyes of the persons present are centered in that part in which is contained the main object for which the meeting is brought together: thus in a meeting for any public purpose the busting or platform, in a theatre the stage, in a concert-room the orchestra, will be the part to which the attention of the assembly will be directed, and an architect proceeding to arrange the seats of a building for either of these purposes, would so construct them that the eyes of the persons assembled should be directed to the principal object, and if he did not do this the inconvenience would be manifested by the interruptions occasioned by the auditors endeavouring to arrange themselves more conveniently. If he were to arrange a large portion of the auditory so that one half should look directly at the other, and neither see the principal object, greater confusion would ensue, and he would be blamed for making an unsatisfactory arrangement. Now in a Christian church the Altar, in consequence of the sacred mysteries there celebrated, would be the part to which the vision of the congregation should be directed, and to effect this object the seats of churches.