Englishmen!" cried the Knight to the Parishioners, who had flocked in considerable numbers to the church, "Englishmen! you hear how this shaven priest revileth brave men. Take away Master Barker with you, and keep him out of the man's hands. I give you notice I will put up a rood at my own charges, and I will at once appeal to her majesty, who will stop this wild beast."

NOTICES.

ART. XV.-The Temple Church. By C. G. ADDISON, Esq. Ar present, we leave it to others to account for the remarkable veneration which has awakened towards the ancient, and especially ecclesiastical, edifices and monuments that still abound amongst us. Not only is this a feature in the feelings of the nations on the continent, but in Protestant England a similar spirit is manifesting itself in many restorations; but nowhere so notably, at such an enormous expense, and with such magnificent effect, as in the case of the Temple Church, by the two societies which now occupy that seat of an ancient order, whose religion was that of chivalry. A grander or a simpler record they nowhere bequeathed; and not a nobler or more interesting monument exists in the land. Most justifiably, therefore, did' Mr. Addison, the author of the "History of the Knights Templars," undertake to give to the world an historical and descriptive account of the edifice, which is partly taken from his larger work, yet contains a considerable amount of what is new, especially such particulars as the discoveries made during the restoration have furnished; the whole thrown into a sufficiently popular and attractive shape, and cleverly illustrated by lithographic views, conveying a good idea of the architecture of the church. Of the decorations no adequate notion can be formed from the sketches.

We need not go into the subject of any of the chapters of the work. Suffice it to say, that having brought down the history of the church, subsequent to the dissolution of the order, and to the present time, a complete account is given of the nature and extent of the recent restoration. A distinct chapter is allotted to the cross-legged figures, and the personages they are supposed to represent. All, in a word, that the general reader can desire to learn of the past and present condition of the edifice is here communicated. And when it is understood that no less than 50,000l. have been expended in the repairs and restoration, it will be believed that its present appearance is not unworthy of its great fame and almost unique character.

It is proper that we give a specimen of Mr. Addison's account, and cannot do better than quote what he has to relate concerning the sort of "improvements" that have been replaced, by the recent alterations.

"Shortly after the Reformation, the Protestant lawyers, from an overanxious desire to efface all the emblems of the Popish faith, covered the richly painted ceiling of this venerable structure with an uniform coating of

simple white-wash; they buried the antique tesselated pavement under hundreds of cart-loads of earth and rubbish, on the surface of which, from ten to fifteen inches above the level of the ancient floor, they placed another pavement formed of old grave-stones.

"In the reign of Charles the Second, the fine open area of the body of the church was filled with long rows of stiff and formal pews, which concealed the bases of the columns, while the plain but handsome stone walls were encumbered, to a height of eight feet from the ground, with oak wainscoting, which was carried entirely round the church, so as to shut out from view the elegant marble piscina, the interesting almeries over the high altar, and the sacrarium on the eastern side of the edifice. The elegant gothic arches connecting the Round with the Square church were filled up with an oak screen and glass windows and doors, and with an organ-gallery adorned with Corinthian columns and pilastres and Grecian ornaments, which divided the building into two parts, altogether altered its original character and appearance, and sadly marred its architectural beauty. The eastern end of the church was, at the same time, disfigured with an enormous altar-piece in the classic style, decorated with Corinthian columns and Grecian cornices and entablatures, and with enrichments of cherubims and wreaths of fruit, leaves, and flowers, beautiful in themselves, but heavy and cumbrous, and quite at variance with the gothic character of the edifice. A huge pulpit and sounding-board, elaborately carved, were also erected in the middle of the choir, forming a great obstruction to the view of the interior of the building, and the walls and many of the columns were thickly clustered and disfigured with mural monuments."

We subjoin an anecdote that contains a homily.

"To enable the builders to prop up the Round Tower during the progress of the delicate operation of replacing the old columns with new ones, it was found necessary to take away all the sarcophagi and coffins with their interesting contents. The mouldering bones of the renowned knights and warriors who had made kings tremble on their thrones, were accordingly removed, after having been entombed for more than six centuries, into a shed erected in the Temple, where they were visited by hundreds of anxious inquirers. Exposure to light and air unfortunately soon produced an unfavourable effect upon them; the sackcloth which enveloped the bodies crumbled to dust, and after a few days nought remained in the coffins but some bones and skulls and a dark-coloured powder."

We have alluded to the feeling of veneration which is beginning to evince itself for our national monuments, and which is displayed not only by provisions against decay and dissolution, but by repairs, restorations, and replacings; we quote some proofs and additional instances, as we find them collected in the Athenæum from the local journals. After referring to the proper spirit which has in this respect been manifested at Hereford, Oxford, and Cambridge, the paper proceeds in these terms:

"Such of our readers as reside in the neighbourhood of London, have, no doubt, already admired the Ladye Chapel at St. Saviours, Southwark, the

restorations at Crosby Hall, Bishopsgate, and observed other and equally interesting evidence of a like character. St. George's Chapel, Windsor, also comes within their reach, where extensive repairs are going on under the advice of Mr. Blore. The modern glass is to be removed, and ancient stained glass substituted, and when this cannot be procured, new will be used of a superior character, and in harmony with it. The repairs of the great west window have been just completed under Mr. Willement's direction. At Eton, the estimated expense of the alterations is nearly 30,000l. The College chapel has already undergone very extensive alterations. The side walls of the principal part of the edifice were covered with wainscot to a considerable height-this, and also the screen which concealed the fine old Gothic stonework, have been removed, and the old altar-piece, as well as several ancient monuments, brought to light. A stone pulpit elaborately carved is being erected, near the altar, in keeping with the character of the edifice. It is also in contemplation to remove the remainder of the wainscoting, and throw back the screen and organ gallery about sixteen feet into the antechapel. The old organ has been removed, and a new one erected at a cost of 800 guineas. The alterations and improvements, in the Chapel alone, will cost little less than 4,000l. They have been executed under the direction of Mr. Shaw. Restorations are about to be commenced at Wells. At St. Alban's at Rochester-as we have lately had occasion to notice; and at Chichester, repairs and restorations are going on in a right spirit, and at the latter the obituary window of painted glass, put up at the cost of the Dean and in memory of his sister, kas roused quite a spirit of emulation among the gentry of the neighbourhood; another has already been erected by a private gentleman-Mr. Humphrey-to the memory of his brothers; a third is preparing for Mr. Smith, the Member for the city dedicated to his father, and others are talked of."

Great improvements are looked for in Westminster Abbey from the new dean, Dr. Turton; and certainly there is abundance of scope for them, both as regards the processses of removal and restoration, and the admission of the public to meditate and to cherish all the proper sentiments which the grand ecclesiastical structures of ancient times, with their monuments and epitaphs, are calculated to awaken.

ART. XVI.~Days in the East. A Poem. By J. H. BURKE, Esq. LIEUTENANT BURKE, Bombay Engineers, having contracted ill-health while actively employed in the jungles, felt obliged to return to his native country. During his home-bound passage he composed the greater part of this poem, in which he has attempted to portray the departure from birth-place, voyage to India, and subsequent career of an officer in the East India Company's army. “As far as India is concerned, the scene is laid in one or two only of its western provinces.' "Should this specimen please, he may perhaps be induced to continue and conclude the subject." Now, the subject has scope and offers abundance of points to kindle poetic fire, provided it be irborn.

Mr. Burke, however, is not very full of the element, and can only

lay claim to its superficial warmth. Still, he is a fluent versifier, has a pleasant manner and cherishes proper feelings. His ideas are natural although not vigorous; his fancy is ready, although not inspiring; so that he conveys in an agreeable and very readable way, a good idea of the Indian life of an officer in the Company's army. The form and the style of the piece are Byronic, but without the darkness of spirit of the noble bard. We think that the lieutenant may take courage and "conclude the subject.' A few stanzas may be acceptable. The first sample is from the beginning of the poem, giving the very starting of the cadet.

"There is an isle by Nature blest,
There is an isle by Nature deemed
As she is fertile to be free;

Washed by the dark Atlantic wave-
Alike that wave she shares not rest,
But seems the same eternally;
On her all glorious has beamed
Enough of talent the worlds to save,
Yet she is still in misery.

“Such is the land from whence my lone one sprung,
For he was born there, and he owned her sire,
From childhood had he with deep rapture hung
Upon the thrilling numbers of her lyre;
And if at times the wild notes he had strung
Swept o'er the hills, or wandered by the shore
That he did love in solitude to track,
Deem not in fancied frensy he did soar,
To wish for other days, recall past ages back.

"For he did love his home, and was a boy,"

*

We give a scene and a specimen of description.

"But are all Britons dreamers in this land,
As he who wandereth would seem to be?
No!-but a chivalrous and stirring band,
Full of wild venture, and of energy.

Their home, yon tents beneath that mangoe tree,—
There view them dauntless, careless, and elate,
Free in each action, in expression free,
As if existence were a lengthened fête

And they had but to wish, enjoyment to create.

"This is their holiday, their day of sport;
They meet, the tenants of the wild to slay,
Beneath the frown of yon majestic fort
Their fellows stormed upon some former day;
Each gallant Arab's sympathetic neigh,

Chimes with the ardour that enlivens all,
On to the jungle side, there roams the prey,

That soon a victim to their spears should fall—
Its well-won spoils soon grace their forest festival.

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All mounted, haste along the covert side,

The willing Indians raise tumultuous cries,
Beat the loud tom-tom, range the thicket wide,
And scour the cane-field where the monster lies,-
Half daunted, yet unwillingly he flies,

Then turns, as if the covert to regain :

Foiled by the crowd who view the destined prize,
That wonted shelter is besought in vain,
And as a last resource he bursts upon the plain.

"It is a scene of ecstacy, that burst

A scene of rapture-a soul-stirring sight!
On rush the hunters, emulous which first
May check the current of his headlong flight.
Bold are their wishes as their spears are bright,
And swift their progress as their souls are true ;-
Nought save the chase their rapture to excite,
None save themselves their venturous deeds to view,
No gaping crowd to mark what they may dare to do.

"Swift close the horsemen with a fearful speed;
Their lances glitter in the morning sun :-
Ah! vain his strength, his vigour vain indeed,
Unless that yonder range of hills be won:
There in security the chase may run,
For horses cannot follow, but more near
The fate approaches that he may not shun ;
Already pushed, behold the threatening spear,

His life's best blood to drink-to close his stern career.

"Onward they bound, as if devoid of care,

(He wins the prize by whom first blood is shed ;)
Where is the leap they would not gladly dare?
O'er the cracked earth, across the torrent's bed,
Stretched is each form, strained forward every head;
And well-plied spurs enforce the rider's will.
One lucky thrust-the monster's course is sped,
His last wild charge is turned with practised skill,-
That blood-shot eye is closed, that grisly form is still."

ART. XVII.—The Omnipotence and Wisdom of Jehovah; two Orations. By J. W. LESter.

WE should have liked fewer and better ordered words,-less of boisterous rhetoric on this august and stupendous subject, than swell out these Orations.