Page:The first report, etc., of the Lichfield Society.djvu/20

 16 Decorated or the Perpendicular. In these last styles there have been many very questionable attempts; but, as a proof that they may be very successfully adopted, I would refer you to the elegant Decorated windows just placed in the south-aisle of St. Michael's; or the handsome Perpendicular window in the chancel of the new church at Wall.

It is now generally admitted that it is the best and safest way to imitate the ancient models, and also that in order to imitate them, it is not only necessary to take their general character and outline, but that minute attention must be paid to the exact measurement and arrangement of all the different parts. Within the last year or two many successful attempts have been made to rival the churches of ancient days. The most complete structure which I have seen is the beautiful church at Hartshill, in the neighbourhood of Stoke-upon-Trent, built at the sole expense of Mr. Herbert Minton. In this church the style adopted, with peculiar propriety, is that of the cathedral in this city, being a sort of transition from the Early English to the Decorated; which being carried out in all its parts, without limitation of expense, presents perhaps the most perfect parish church of modern times.

Besides fixing on a suitable style of Architecture, there is an important—in some respects a more important subject of inquiry to the church-builder—namely, the interior arrangement. On this subject, after many failures, several points seem to be now generally agreed on by all who have seriously turned their minds to this subject. First and foremost, it seems to be all but universally admitted (and for this we have in no slight degree to thank our Reverend Secretary) that the modern system of ought to be at once abolished. That a few Rich people should monopolize great square compartments in churches, and chive the Poor into holes and corners, and obstruct the public worship, seems, contrary, not only to right feeling and justice, but to the express Word of God Himself. It should, however, be understood, that by the abolition of pews it is not meant that the parishioners who attend divine service should not have their appropriate places, where they may worship with their family around them. It is not meant that the church should be filled with narrow, inconvenient benches, where the people can neither kneel, nor sit, nor stand;—such as those commonly designated free sittings, and that the congregation are to scramble for them, so that he who first comes shall be first served;—but, as I understand the advocates of this arrangement, it is meant that rich and poor alike should have decent, ample, and commodious places where they may all kneel to worship, and sit to hear God's Word, and stand to sing His