CHAPEL ARCHITECTURE.

stone for building, they retained the same wooden type, and even moulded and carved their ornaments to represent the beam ends,

London: Hamil

THE clerical title attached to the name of the writer may lead some of our readers to take him for an amateur; but it seems Mr. Jobson was articled, at Lincoln, to Mr. Edward James Willson, F.S.A., and left the drawing-board for the Wesleyan ministry; nor has he since been totally disconnected from architectural pursuits, having been for many years secretary of the Wesleyan Chapel Building Committee. In this capacity he has rendered some service to architecture, having greatly influenced the movement for building chapels in the Gothic styles, and of more architectural eharacter, and having published several articles on the subject in the Watchman newspaper, which now form the beginning of the work before us.

These observations will cause our readers to feel a greater interest in the work, and will enable them to judge of its especial tendency, which is to promote improved architecture, and the employment of the medieval styles, at the same time giving such counsel to the ministers and other officials interested as may enable them to co-operate with the architect, and obtain an efficient building. We may hereafter have occasion to notice Mr. Jobson's remarks, advocating and enforcing the necessity of strictly acting under professional advice in all structural operations.

Mr. Jobson very naturally introduces his subject by an appeal to the higher emotions, of which religious architecture is the exponent, and sympathy with which is too often lost sight of by many well-intentioned but little reflecting persons.

"What surpassing power there is in the mere theme of religion to impel human energy to its highest efforts, and to enable genius to transcend the artistic description of merely mortal concerns, let the immortal poem just quoted testify. The greatest triumphs in music the 'Messiah,' with its unequalled grandeur and pathos; the 'Israel in Egypt,' with its overwhelming choral magnificence; the 'Creation,' with its elevated joy and rapt sweetness; the 'Mount of Olives,' with its wondrous sublimity,-all bear witness to the might there is in the theme of religion to raise and sustain the powers of genius in its noblest exercises. The most perfect achievements of the pencil-those of Raffaelle, and Michael Angelo, and Leonardo da Vinci-verify the same position. Sculpture is an art which, in modern times, has been merely imitative of ancient models; and those models of perfectness were, notoriously, connected with religion. Ancient poets, like ancient sculptors, consecrated their best efforts to religion; and seemed, indeed, as if they dared not to begin to sing without invoking the aid of Divinity, under such imperfect conceptions as they had of the Divine Nature and existence.

"The writer of these remarks is, nevertheless, not pleading for a high style of elaboration and ornament in the erection of Wesleyan Chapels. He is prepared to maintain that they should have no unnecessary adornment. Let open spaces for hearing the word of God, and for prayer be inclosed with walls and roofs. But, however plainly constructed, our chapels should be of suitable forms and in good proportions; these will not increase their cost. Simplicity, rather than profuse elaboration, is the characteristic of beauty. Deformity shocks the universal taste of civilised man. How symmetrical, how simple and pleasing in their forms, are all the works of God!"

Our writer next discusses the question of style, and his predilections, as much as anything else, lead him to the preference of the medieval styles, for which he is an enthusiastic votary.

If

"A Methodist Chapel is a place for Christian worship. then, any style of architecture can be shown to have arisen out of the Christian religion, and to have been moulded by, and associated with it, from early times, so as to have become the outward and visible representation of Christian worship,-it is reasonable to say that such a style should be preferably selected; more especially if it can be shown that this Christian style of architecture is not inferior to any other style ever devised; that it is not more expensive; and that it is better adapted to the country and climate in which we live. Such a style is that usually called 'Gothic.'

"Gothic architecture is Christian architecture, as distinctly and emphatically as the Egyptian, Greek, and Roman, are Pagan.

"Grecian architecture was, in its origin, wooden. It was first composed of trunks of trees, with lintels laid across the top, and with rafters resting upon them. These were afterwards covered with ornaments; and when the Greeks came to employ marble and

temple was made for offering animal sacrifices. The priests, only, went within, while the worshippers remained outside. The interior was comparatively small and dark, being only lighted from the top; and if, in professed imitation of the true classic model, windows be made in the front and at the sides, and the interior be large, seated. and galleried, the proportions and beauty of a pure Grecian building must be violated.

"Again, the roof of a Grecian building is low. A high pitch was not required in the climate of Greece. With us, roofs must be constructed so as to resist the weather, and most readily throw off snow and rain; so that a much higher pitch of roof is required."

The next point Mr. Jobson proceeds to urge on the Wesleyan body is a very important one-the question of expense; and his remarks will not fail to command the attention of architects, because this is one of the points on which they are often called upon to do battle in the cause of their art. Mr. Jobson contends, and all practical men will go with him, that good architecture is, at any rate, not more costly than bad, and that, indeed, the balance is against the latter. He shows, moreover, that whatever false economy may plead, the paid services of a good architect are better than the unpaid and voluntary services of no architect, or of an amateur, however well meaning. His remarks are—

"In adopting Gothic Architecture, we need not be inconsistent with our professed form of Christianity, as Protestants, and Methodists.

"But it may be said that Gothic Architecture, while appropriate in the erection of churches, is not so as to chapels; and being, as it is generally supposed, much more expensive than the Grecian or Roman style-that is, if carried out in all its details-it would be imprudent for Methodists, who have no 'government grants' for chapel-building; who are not partakers of 'Queen Anne's bounty; and who have no landed property to support their fabrics with the necessary repairs, to adopt such an unsuitable and costly style. The answers to such objections are brief and decisive. The Gothic style of architecture is as fully suited to chapels as to churches, and much more so than either Grecian or Roman. These 'classic' styles, as already shown, must be barbarously interfered with, in their proportions, to place tier above tier; to make numerous openings, both in the front and sides, for windows; and to cover the whole with a roof of such a pitch as to be suitable to our climate. On the other hand, Gothic architecture admits of expansion or contraction to any extent. It may be as lofty in its erections, or as low as we please. It may be simple and economical in its forms, as in the Early English-moderately ornamental, as in the Decorated-or elaborately adorned, as in the Perpendicular. It has models, from the plainest chantries, which are small in their dimensions, to the spacious and sumptuous chapels of St. George's, Windsor-Henry VIIth's Chapel, 'Westminster-or that of King's College, Cambridge.

"And, as to Expense, it is a mistake, fostered by prejudice, to suppose that Gothic Architecture is necessarily more costly than Grecian or Roman. In the forms most frequently employed in the erection of ecclesiastical buildings, it is the cheapest. The District Church Building Committees, and the Free Church of Scotland, have proved this for themselves. And the Methodists have proved it. The Model Plan Committee, appointed by the last Bristol Conference, applied to six of the most able architects, residing in different parts of the kingdom, for designs, specifications, and estimates, in their quantities and prices, of a chapel to accommodate seven hundred and fifty persons, in Gothic, Grecian, or Roman styles: each architect to supply two designs-one in Gothic, and the other in Grecian or Roman-with their estimates. The result was, that in every case, the estimated cost of the erection of the Gothic design was less than the estimated cost of the others; and, in some. instances, considerably less. And this is what might be expected; for one great recommendation of Gothic Architecture is, that it employs no unnecessary forms merely in the way of ornament, as other styles do. It requires no expenditure of 500. on five or six heavy and lofty columns to support nothing, as does Pagan Architecture. I know of one Grecian front of a Methodist Chapel which must, with its quadrangular tiers of columns and entablature, and with its flight of numerous steps (necessary for its elevation, but most dangerous in frosty weather-and, at all times, difficult for the aged), have cost as much as all the chapel besides. And I could name another Grecian Chapel in Methodism that had no less than 5001, expended on its fluted-columned recess for the Communion-Table,

almost wholly hidden behind the Pulpit and the Reading-Desk; and which Chapel left the Trustees with a debt, that by its many thousands, has oppressed them most grievously. But I forbear, for while I write freely, I must not even seem to condemn good and generous men, who, in their great zeal for God, committed, unintentionally, some improprieties.

"Gothic Architecture requires no such extravagant outlay for ornament. All its ornaments are parts necessary for the strength and convenience of the building. Its buttresses support and strengthen the walls, and make them as strong as if twice as thick. Its mullioned windows prevent the blinding glare of a mass of light, such as shines in a large Grecian opening. Its pillars, if within, support the middle roof, and hold fast the gallery, Its tresses, and prevent injury; and its parapets, cornices, and basement-mouldings, are all, if properly employed, conductors of water from the building. It requires no artificial accompaniments -such as do-nothing front gables with blank windows and with iron bar supports behind. It is-incontrovertibly-the most consistent and the most economical style of Chapel Building that can be employed."

It will be seen Mr. Jobson does not rely upon theory or upon arguments à priori, but he appeals to the experience of facts; and besides those already adduced, he gives abundant evidence in the course of his work that he does not speak without authority.

Lately, in noticing a chapel, we had occasion to point out that the requirements of the congregation were not always so well attended to as in the design to which we were referring; and we are glad to have the opportunity of referring those architects who wish information on the subject, to the pages of Mr. Jobson's book. This writer remarks, that the nature of the accommodation required was a subject which particularly attracted the attention of the Building Committee appointed by the Wesleyan Conference in 1846. He says:

"It appeared to the committee that, in preparing to erect Wesleyan chapels, sufficient consideration had not generally been given to the want of Class-rooms and Vestries. These are indispensable to the working of Methodism in the present day. Formerly, they were less needed than they are now. In the past time, classes were scattered, as to their places of weekly meeting, throughout a city or town; but, of late years, there has been a growing feeling towards meeting for weekly fellowship on the chapel premises. Class-rooms on chapel premises must, in the present day, to a much greater extent than formerly, be provided. In addition to these, it is also requisite that, in connection with a chapel of considerable dimensions, at least one larger room for prayer-meetings and social gatherings should be supplied. The increased agencies of Methodism require this. Of course, additional buildings will require additional expense; and it is important that ministers and trustees, in their first meetings for the erection of a new chapel should consider that, as Methodists, they have not only to build a chapel, but also vestries, class-rooms, and a larger room for prayermeetings, annual or other tea-meetings, &c.

"Another consideration which engaged the attention of the committee, was the arrangement of the buildings in such a manner as most easily to admit of enlargement when required. And the committee found, by applications to practical men, that it would be easy, generally, to provide for enlargement, by including the classrooms, and the larger room over or below them, under the roof at the farther end of the chapel. On this plan, the roof not having to be disturbed, it would be necessary only to take down the wall behind the pulpit, and the floor and cross-walls of the rooms behind; and then the chapel would be enlarged."

This latter consideration is one very important and applicable to churches, as well as to many classes of public buildings; where, in consequence of its neglect, very serious and needless expense is in a few years created, or very great inconvenience submitted to, and which judicious arrangement in the first instance would have avoided; nor are many of our leading architects free from forgetfulness in this respect.

"Another and a very important object to be seen in Methodist chapels, and which was carefully and anxiously considered by the committee, was the furnishing of seat-room for the children of Sabbath and Week-day Schools.

"A farther important subject, which engaged the serious deliberations of the committee, was seat-accommodation for the Adult Poor. "There is another subject which demands the serious consideration of Ministers and Trustees who may engage in chapel building; and that is, the evil, as I regard it, of erecting very large Methodist

Chapels. It may be found expedient to have one large chapel in the central part of a populous city or town,-to be used on general occasions, such as the District Missionary Anniversary; but, to erect several such chapels in one town, is likely to retard the progress of Methodism, rather than to promote it. If two moderately-sized chapels were built instead of one of great dimensions, each containing, say, a thousand, or twelve hundred persons, of course, two Ministers would be required for their supply, instead of one, as in the case of the very large chapel. And who, that considers all the circumstances to be taken into account on this subject, will not say, that a thousand or twelve hundred persons are quite as many as should usually be assembled together for worship in one building?

"And if chapels of moderate dimensions be built, it will be found that the present plan of raising very deep and heavy galleries within them is neither necessary nor expedient. The introduction of galleries into buildings for divine worship is comparatively recent; and was resorted to rather in the way of a temporary convenience, than as a principle to be continued and permanently carried out. Perhaps congregations rapidly increased, as did the congregation at Kidderminster, under zealous Richard Baxter, who had not less than five galleries in his church, and some of them most grotesque in their forms. To place the greater portion of the congregation in the gallery, is like putting the pyramid to stand on its apex, rather than on its base; and is as contrary to the right order of things, as seating some five hundred persons in a gallery behind the minister. It is better, where circumstances will allow it, to have no side galleries. There may be an end gallery, without much interference with convenience or order; and, if the congregation should much increase, and that quickly, side galleries might then be added, and thus enlarged accommodation be readily made, and at a comparatively small expense. But it is better for the Minister, who, if not surrounded by galleries, can nearly see all his congregation at one view;-it is better for the worshippers, who shall have their faces all turned one way, and that towards the minister, rather than be looking at each other from opposite sides of the chapel;-it is better for the whole congregation (for it is next to impossible to ventilate thoroughly a chapel choked up with huge galleries) to have but a moderate number ground can be obtained at a reasonable price, it will not be found of sittings in the upper part of the building. And, where sufficient which, having no ponderous galleries to support all round its much more expensive to build a chapel with a larger area, and interior, may be comparatively low in its walls, and light in its materials. Indeed, the best practical men that I have conversed with on this subject have declared that, under ordinary circumstances, they would undertake to erect a chapel to accommodate a thousand or twelve hundred persons on the ground-floor, for as little expense as they could build one that would accommodate the same number, having galleries on three or four of its sides. I am not urging the entire exclusion of galleries, but the moderate use of them; and would say, let the gallery that may be put up look as if it were built for the chapel, and not the chapel appear as if it were built for the gallery.

"There should be no aisle down the middle of the chapel, but seats: it being much better for the preacher to look directly upon his hearers, than upon an open space.

"There should be no gallery behind the pulpit; lest the Minister should be annoyed by the shuffling of tune-books; or the worshippers should be disturbed in their devotions by the movements

in the orchestra."

The question of galleries is one which frequently comes under the consideration of architects; and, therefore, we have been induced to extract from the work on this subject at greater length than we otherwise should have done, because it gives the opinion of a man who may be considered, in a double capacity, as a practical authority.

MR. PATRIC PARK is fond of bold undertakings, and the one we now notice is bold and novel. It seems a gigantic model of his proposed statue to Wallace is to be erected at Glasgow, on the area near Burns's Monument, for exhibition. The proceeds are to form the nucleus of a fund for the erection of a national monument to the hero, to be placed in an important situation in the city, hereafter to be decided on. The intended monument will stand fifteen feet high without its pedestal, and the model has consumed nearly twelve tons of clay, every pound of which the artist himself carried to the spot upon his own shoulders. We think this a very good and legitimate proceeding, and we trust Mr. Park will be successful in

his endeavours.

It is singular sometimes to notice the influence of one form of improvement in superseding others; and little do we think, when contemplating and applauding progress, that we are likewise witnessing the first seeds of decay. There is, indeed, in things human, nothing without its alloy of evil; and we ought, therefore, always to be on our guard in all cases of innovation, lest we may, by adopting one new and good thing, destroy a still greater amount. In architectural matters this caution is particularly

necessary, for the balance often is so very delicately held that the least change disturbs it. The consequence is, we have frequently, in our technical history, to notice the gradual decay of old processes in consequence of the extension of others. Thus, internal decoration has greatly suffered by the facility of moulding and reproduction; and wood carving, and ornamental ceiling work, are superseded by the repetition of composition and plaster patterns. Thus, at length we are obliged to regret we can no longer achieve, except with difficulty, the ornamental interiors of the Elizabethan or Jacobean period. In metal-work the same evil is felt. So long as the smith hammered out the details, a separate design was made for each work; but now that casting has become easy, and cast-iron cheap, design is virtually extinct in forged metal-work, and we are compelled to witness the rudest and most monotonous extensions of rails and spikes. The height of mischief once reached, regret is felt, and a strong desire evinced, if not to retrace our steps by giving up the cheaper material, at any rate to get back to good design. In the furtherance of this, nothing can be more useful than reference to good examples of the olden time; and we have therefore thought it worth while to give publicity to the accompanying sketches.

It will be noticed as the more strange that the decline has taken place when we have greater resources at our command, for the latent capabilities of iron were little imagined previous to the introduction of steam-engines, railroads, and machinery. Indeed, what would the artisans of a century and a-half ago say, could they behold the multiplied forms in which modern ingenuity has turned it to account? Now it is viewed as a valuable constructive material, of whose application every day furnishes fresh proof; then it was more usually a medium in which the cnnning workman delighted to display his art, by fashioning it into those slender and graceful forms most generally adorning the lofty gates and railings of public buidings of that date.

Not a few of these tasteful specimens meet the eye of the inquirer as he lingers among the antiquated squares and once famous bye-streets of the metropolis or its vicinity; and we