Illustrations of Kilpeck Church, Herefordshire, with an Essay on Ecclesiastical Design; by G. R. Lewis The Liber Landavensis, Llwfr Teilo, or the Ancient Register of ... Arcade to the Clerestory of St. James's Church, Bristol ... ... Window in the South Chapel of Boyton Church, Wilts, with coat of ... ... THE BRISTOL AND WEST OF ENGLAND Archaeological Magazine; IN CONNEXION WITH THE BRISTOL AND WEST OF ENGLAND ARCHITECTURAL AND HERALDIC SOCIETY. No. I. MAY 1st., 1843. VOL I. PRELIMINARY ADDRESS. OWING to various causes, amongst which we may place foremost the establishment, in the Universities, of societies which have for their object the preservation of our ecclesiastical antiquities and the diffusion of a better taste in modern church architecture, public attention has lately been much directed to archæological pursuits; a subject, that for a long period previously had excited so little general interest, that the few who devoted themselves with zeal to antiquarian studies were looked upon as a singular and harmless race of monomaniacs, spending their lives among old parchments and dust, for the achievement of objects or the gratification of tastes that no souls but themselves could understand. And, doubtless, long lives have been spent, in describing old stones and reading illegible inscriptions, without rendering the possessors much more wise or learned; but there are antiquaries of another class; and if it be confessed with Solomon, that "there is nothing new under the sun," or with Plato, that "all knowledge is but recollection," the study of antiquities, properly directed, must be as wise and profitable as any other human pursuit. There are labourers who work in the dark to amass the material; but there are those, also, who melt and refine it, and apply it to useful purposes. The establishment of the societies adverted to, at the Universities, has already spread a very general enthusiasm in the study of ecclesiastical antiquities, among that large and enlightened body, the English Clergy: and, as tastes cultivated, or feelings fostered by this class, are spread more readily among the multitude than those which have their origin B with any other intellectual order of men, an awakening of interest in the architectural antiquities of our churches is becoming perceptible among all ranks; and the technical terms pertaining to the details of Gothic structures, are beginning to be heard, and even understood, in drawing rooms. The example set by Oxford and Cambridge, and the increasing fondness of the public for ecclesiological and antiquarian studies, has led to the formation, in various parts of England, of other societies, with objects similar to those stated above; of which, that immediately in connection with our own purposes, "The Bristol and West of England Architectural and Heraldic Society," was established about two years since. It gives us much satisfaction to be able to state that the number of the members of this society augments in an accelerating ratio, and that an increased degree of ardor is beginning to manifest itself in its proceedings. Of course, as the labourers and funds augment, the transactions of the society are likely to assume a more extended field and a more interesting character; and one of the leading objects of "The Bristol and West of England Archæological Magazine" will be, to make its existence and objects more generally known, and to furnish it with a medium of communication with the public. Our aim will be one with that of this, and of the parent societies,—to promote the love and study of English Antiquities; to increase the feelings of reverence with which the venerable houses devoted to the worship of God should be regarded, and the care bestowed upon their conservation; to preserve memorials of the beautiful and interesting structures of former ages, whether civil, military, or ecclesiastical; and to spread more generally a knowledge of the laws and principles which guided the architects by whom they were erected, in their arrangement and embellishment, so as to conduce to a more widely-diffused taste, and a more systematic application of precedents and principles, to direct in modern imitations. We are fortunate, certainly, in the field over which we range. Somersetshire has always stood in the first rank among the English counties, for the number and beauty of its churches. Those of Gloucestershire are scarcely inferior, in the one respect or in the other. The lavish display of carved work, both in wood and stone, in those of Devon, attaches a particular value to the interiors of that county. Monmouthshire and South Wales supply an inexhaustible source of attraction in their castellated remains; whilst their churches, which, though small and simple, possess many interesting peculiarities, have hitherto been little examined. These, with the counties of Worcester, Hereford, Wilts, Dorset, and Cornwall, all rich in architectural an tiquities, constitute the particular region to which our labors will be devoted. To illustrate with the pencil and the pen the more beautiful or singular features of the structures of the olden day, contained within these bounds, will be our leading object. But we shall not confine ourselves to this:-it is our purpose to admit papers relating to general questions connected with christian architecture, and the collateral studies that may tend to its illustration; and, perhaps, as it is probable that a considerable proportion of our readers may have devoted but little attention previously to these matters, and may not have opportunities of reference to works that would explain the difficulties that must sometimes occur to them, we may give such outlines of the beforementioned subjects, as may render more intelligible, descriptions, necessarily technical, of objects of antiquity; but this is for future consideration. The notice of books, relating to those matters with which we are engaged, and of engraved representations of ancient buildings, will form part of our plan; and we shall devote some space, occcasionally, to retrospective criticism. We include, also, in our scheme, announcements of the destruction, or alteration, contemplated, or carried into effect, of old buildings, possessed of interest. We stated in our Prospectus that we should notice, likewise, new buildings, if in imitation of the styles of our ancient edifices: but this we can do only to a limited extent, as motives of delicacy must often restrain us from a free expression of opinion upon the works of our brother masons; and this will, of course, be more particularly the case, with regard to those of our own city. We believe we have now pretty fully explained the intended scope of our proposed publication: we do not, however, engage to confine ourselves strictly within the limits above marked out ;-any interesting particulars, but little known, connected with the antiquities of our own country, of Ireland, or of foreign lands, will be welcome to ourselves, and, we trust, will prove so to our readers: but our chief aim of course will be to illustrate the more remarkable objects within the bounds at first mentioned. There is one point connected with the manner in which the Magazine will be issued, to which we must particularly advert. The Prospectus has stated that it will be continued monthly: but, at present, we feel rather undecided upon this point; much must depend upon the support we obtain, as well in literary communications as in subscriptions to the work. The president of our society has suggested, that in a provincial district where an interest in the subject of antiquities is hardly yet fully |