Beschreibung

Lizenz

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Transcription

RESTORATION OF ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.

About eight months since we published at length an account of the progress made in the great work of restoration of this fine venerable pile, through the princely munificence of Mr. Benjamin Lee Guinness. At that time great difficulties had been overcome, and obstacles deemed to have been insurmountable were removed through the energy, forethought, and skill of Messrs. Murphy and Sons, Amiens-street, the eminent builders. It had been repeatedly prophesied by men learned in the profession that the whole building would tumble to the ground, if any attempts were made to remove the old walls—the roof to a certainty would come down—in fact, the old Cathedral was to have been reduced to a heap of ruins. Notwithstanding all that had been stated by the prophets, the old walls were removed and replaced without disturbing the roof. Columns sustaining ponderous weights were taken down and rebuilt by the Messrs. Murphy without the slightest injury having been sustained by the structure, or by any of the men engaged on these great and, we must confess, hazardous undertakings. Those who feared that the plans adopted would not succeed saw with surprise, while the public generally beheld with delight, the great southern wall of the nave of the venerable pile completed, and the roof securely resting on it—the southern transept with its charming triple window and appropriate ornaments, standing cross, surmounted in all its pristine integrity and beauty. Those who had known the cathedral well and had watched year after year the rapid progress which ruin and desolation were making on “the hallowed fane,” so fraught with historic associations and traditionary glories, saw the old minster spring up in newness and grandeur, at a period at which they believed at one time, it would lie prostrate in the dust, and the finest ecclesiastical monument in the kingdom numbered amongst the ruins that are broadcast throughout the land. Though much was done, much more remained to be accomplished, and at every step new difficulties had to be approached with extreme caution. But still the work went on vigorously and well, and under the skilled workman's hands the wreck of the spoiler and of time, daily began to disappear. It was much dreaded by many that in attempting to restore the building, its old and honoured characteristics would be destroyed, and that vandalism and innovation would obliterate every vestige of its antiquity. Mr. Guinness saw this danger, and, with the sound judgment and good taste for which he is so remarkable, took every precaution to guard against the church being modernized or “improved” in its style, as he had determined on doing nothing more than to restore it as far as possible to what it originally was. Photographs were taken of the oldest parts of the structure which were to be removed, and careful drawings taken of other portions which were much decayed. By close and carefull investigation it was fully ascertained what St. Patrick's was architecturally—say four or five hundred years since, and to make it what it was then was the work which Mr. Guinness undertook to accomplish at his own cost, a circumstance that stands unequalied in the annals of the kingdom or in the records of individual liberality and munificence since the Reformation. In the work of the restorer, the Messrs. Murphy strictly adhered to their instructions, and, faithfully copying the old and authentic remains, the majestic fabric gradually assumed its beauty in detail and its exquisite proportions. A recent effort was made to get up a controversy by a statement or series of statements which appeared in an English journal to the effect that the original design of the church was not carried out in the restorations, and that several innovations had been made. These statements, we believe, are erroneous, and may have arisen from professional jealousies or other causes with which we have nothing to say. It is clear that the greatest pains have been taken to obtain the most authentic information as to the character and peculiarities of the cathedral in ages gone by—the information earnestly and faithfully sought for has been obtained beyond the shadow of a shade of doubt, and whatever may be said or written to the contrary, the work of restoration, as far as it has gone, has been well and faithfully performed. Now it may be said that the external works are complete, with the exception of a portion of the norther transept (formerly the parochial church of St. Nicholas Without.) The view of the southern side of the church is most imposing and effective, and perhaps there is nothing in this country equal to the transept on this side. The general view to be obtained from the cemetery would be very fine were it not for the presence of the building which has been erected at the eastern end on the site where the Ladie chapel stood. The material alteration of this building, if not its removal, would be most desirable. The apex of its roof interferes with the five light window in the sanctuary, other portions also interferes with the aisles, while its presence mars to some extent the general harmony of the exterior of the cathedral.—

We must now ask our readers to accompany us to the interior of the time-honoured “Old St. Patrick's.” From end to end it is free of all obstruction, and as the eye wanders along the rows of massive, though graceful columns which divide the aisles from the nave, the effect is most impressive. The arches which spring from those columns are exceedingly graceful, and carry the mind back to a few short years ago, when this portion of the edifice was crumbling into dust, and to all appearance irretrievably past remedy. The clerestory windows above, and the bold, though simple groined roof are all in harmonious keeping with the rest of the building, and have been erected in the strictest conformity with the ancient models in the church. The ceiling in the nave had to be put up in wood and plaster, as it was wisely judged that it would be hazardous to erect a stone ceiling, owing to the north-wall not being sufficiently strong to bear it. The only fault to be found with this part of the building is the west window, erected about forty or fifty years since. In the first place it is out of character, being a poor attempt at the “perpendicular” style of architecture, while the church is in the earlist style of pointed Gothic. But the great objection to it is that the arched groining of the ceiling cuts off a portion of the upper section of the windows and destroys its effect. The remedy for this is obvious. The introduction of a triple window, similar to those in the transepts, could be easily effected with little cost and with great advantage. The shafts of the pillars to which we have already referred are exact copies of those which existed formerly, and which were found when sinking the floor of the nave. The caps of those pillars, which differ from one another, are also copies of the old originals, and not “the result of the whim or caprice of the workmen,” as was glibly stated in a letter recently published. The bases and plynths which have been found in the excavations were used as models in the carrying out of this stupendous work of restoration. The aisles are charming specimens in their order, and are now to be seen as they were five centuries ago. The lancet opes by which they are lighted are furnished with dull milled glass adorned at the headings with geometrical ornaments. The old style of glazing is strictly preserved. This portion of the work has been executed by Messrs. Barff and Beasly in excellent style. The upper sections of the clerestory windows have been adorned with beautiful stained glass, excellently painted by Messrs. Casey, Brothers, Marlborough street. The southern transept is that which now reveals what the interior of the cathedral will be when the restorations are completed. The fine triple window to which we have alluded above is furnished, with one of the most magnificent stained glass pictures of modern production that we have seen here or elsewere. It represents the Ascension of Our Lord, and the three lights are used for the purpose of making the work one picture and not a series of pictures. The drawing of the faces and figures is admirable, and the management of the light is most judicious. The design of the picture is original, and represents in the lower part the Blessed Virgin, the Apostles, and the men of Galileo on Mount Olivet, as Our Lord ascends into heaven. At either side are the prophets who foretold the coming of Christ, witnessing the fulfulment of their prophecies. In the upper section are angels and the symbol of the Trinity, surrounded by brilliant clouds. As a work of art, this stained-glass picture should be seen to be appreciated. It is treated with consummate ability, and the art with which the warm tones of colour are pleasingly subdued is calculated to excite no niggard approval. The draping of the figures is naturally effected, and the minor details are worked out with much care. The great charm of the picture is, that it tells its own story; and, as viewed as we saw it, in sunlight, the effects are exceedingly fine. It is not as yet entirely finished, and we will refer to it again. It has been produced as the establishment of Messrs. Barff and Beasly, Potter's-alley, and is calculated to do them high honour, and to extend their reputation as ecclesiological artists. The architectural details in the southern transept are exceedingly chaste and full of varied beauty; the triforiums and clerestory opes are furnished with black marble shafts, sustaining their arches, and this section of the building, as seen from the choir, the effect is most telling. The northern transept is nearly complete, and will be furnished with a stained-glass window to correspond with the one opposite. The chancel has not as yet been disturbed, but, as a matter of course, this portion of the cathedral will not be permitted to temain an eye sore to the rest of the building. It is in tolerable repair, but its walls call aloud on good taste to have the miserable attempts at decoration which they bear removed. The ceiling is out of character and cannot be allowed to stand, as it interferes with the harmony of the interior. Up to the present it is supposed that Mr. Guinness has expended between eighty and ninety thousand pounds on the restoration of the cathedral, and, with a munificence that does honour not only to himself but to the community of which he is a member, he has determined to expend all that is necessary to restore the venerable pile in all its original beautiful integrity. The manner in which the Messrs. Murphy have dischared the important duties confided to them does them infinite credit, and has made them, despite of professional jealousies and rivalries entitled to the thanks of those who revere the great old monuments of the past greatness of their country. The old minster of St. Patrick's will for the future be intimately associated with the name of Benjamin Lee Guiness, who has shown a noble example to all in high places and those who have been blessed with wealth. From his princely fortune he has given freely an enourmous sum, and will give more to rescue a great national church from destruction. It may not be made as majestic or sublimely grand as when it was used in the service of the old faith for which it was intended, but it will be again a thing of beauty and a memorial of its munificent restorer, whose many acts of private virtue and public worth deserve to be perpetuated in that which is beautiful and enduring.