tant, to retain, as far as possible, the effect of airiness and space, together with the monumental power of solid masonry. But the interior dome is raised, apparently, above the building, like a firmament; and without coloured decoration it looks dull and cavernous and misty, and it seems and is, too high. It wants the strong effects of colour and of gold to bring it down, and nearer to the eye. Thus, also, by its tone and power of coloured decoration, it would supply at once effective contrast and harmonious sympathy with the more simple architectural display. Wren's use of contrast was magnificent. He was not great in 'opus sectile' and 'tarsia work; the entire Cathedral was the subject of his grand artistic strategy. He would have crowned his solid masses of supporting stone with a huge hemisphere of overhanging splendour, and would have smiled with negligent contempt at this laborious scheme of little patches of black marble and majolica and bronze. But though Wren wished to give full glory to the dome, he never hints at polish; and of mosaic work he only says that it is 'more durable' than painting, and at St. Peter's has a splendid and magnificent appearance.' If, as the Executive Committee conceive,' Wren had wanted the richest Greek marbles and mosaic work and gilding for the rest of the building, he would not have been silent about it. He was as free to tell if anything was wanted to complete the choir and nave, as to suggest mosaics to adorn the dome. Perhaps it would be as easy and as charitable for the Committee to conceive that Wren really did not mean to say what he has actually said, as to believe that he would have 'said some wondrous nonsense when he had completely finished, and so held his tongue. These gentlemen appear to have no knowledge of the use and power of contrast in the arts. With them, too much of a superior thing is inconceivable.' The cheek of beauty has its well-contrasted pink and white, but our Executive' would never be content with such a loss of opportunity. By them it would be inconceivable' that nature, having tipped the cheeks with soft and delicate carmine, has, without oversight or error, left the rest of the complexion cold and unadorned.' The skin of the Red Indian would be their true sample of high art; and ladies might beware of some attempt to make their charms 'complete' and so to carry out Dame Nature's 'evident intentions.' Dark eyes, again, would be a source of trouble inconceivable;' and for complete adornment,' the brigade of shoeblacks would be needed to illuminate the fair, but very sombre,' skin, and thus to give the much desired brightness.' The persistent assumption that Wren had not completed his work, reads like a case of mental aberration. If further proof were needed, that the systematic decoration of St. Paul's was contemplated by its architect, it is supplied by the fact that every Act of Parliament relative thereto, passed in Wren's lifetime, is entitled "An Act for the completing the building and adorning of the Cathedral." If this quotation supplies evidence that the intended adornment was not carried out, it equally proves that the cathedral was not built. In fact, however, it effectually proves that Wren's whole church was built, completed, and adorned at the same time, and as the work went on. Every moulding and column and carving was an adornment; and the very omission of some carving, here and there, with evident intention and excellent result, proves that the adornment' of the walling was complete. This project for the completion of Sir Christopher's design is a delusion. There is not a particle of truth in it, except it may be in the possible mosaics in the dome. And to desecrate the church with a hideous caricature of Christ and seraphim, and call that a completion of Sir Christopher's design, with an aside that Wren had no design at all for such completion, is an outrage both on the religious instincts of the living and on the sacred memory of the dead; an insult to the man whose name is constantly invoked as the great motive for a scheme which, were he living, he would most eagerly denounce. As to the dome mosaic, we may wait with patience for its execution. No one in Europe has been yet discovered fit to undertake it, and the European public is entirely incapable of making the discovery. To touch the dome at such a period of universal ignorance and incapacity would be to play the fool with Wren. A word in season may be offered with becoming deference to the Dean and Chapter. If we have used a phrase or two not full of approbation of Church influence in architectural affairs, it shows no want of personal respect for the Cathedral dignitaries, or of esteem for their profession. A marked distinction of the early Christian character and life was that the brethren were full of goodness, filled with knowledge, and able also to admonish one another.' The memory of many a sermon makes us feel that this great Christian grace has not been made reciprocal, and so complete. On this account it is that we have written the more boldly in some sort,' with reference to the clergy, as putting them in | more knowing and decidedly maleficent; mind' that when they deviate from clerical and the remainder are those gentlemen of affairs into the work of art, some prepara- excellent intentions and absorbing zeal, who tion, not entirely pedantic, or at second have gone into captivity because they have hand, is needed. Where this is wanting no knowledge.' These shortcomings it is there will ultimately be no satisfaction, even exceedingly painful to proclaim; but it is, in achieved success, but only sorrowful still more, needful. We would of course be amazement, and a sense of sharp responsibi- silent were it in our power; but danger lity. We therefore venture, with much de- presses, and we thus remonstrate, not that ference, to submit an early illustration of we respect these gentlemen the less, but that this common way in which the priesthood we reverence Wren more. err. Moses, the lawgiver-those who read their Bible may remember-went as a pious layman up into the holy mount; and Aaron stayed below. Being thus left without judicious guidance all the multitude became impatient, and were set on mischief;' stupid, in fact, as in their ignorance most people are. Aaron then did not turn as Moses used to the wischearted' workmen. His quick appeal was to the sumptuously endowed, to whomsoever had any gold.' These then contributed their golden earrings, not their brains; and Aaron, probably, like others nearer home, not seeing clearly what he was about, prepared an impious, and doubtless hideous form; and, just as at St. Paul's, there came out this calf.' 'And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?' The Executive Committee at St. Paul's are, like most public bodies, open to rebuke on every side. Their state of difficult and anxious search is not, however, new in history. A young man, we read, once asked a Greek philosopher to advise him whether he should marry or remain in statu quo; and for reply was told it mattered little; for in either case he would repent it; so, likewise, whether the Committee do little, or do much, or even cease to do, their 'trial' will proceed. But, taking matrimony as a figure, let us advise them to postpone their decoration of St. Paul's until they have arrived at architectural maturity. At present they are babes in art, subject to untaught tutors and to infantile delusions; and they are also apt, like youth, to go astray. But here we drop the mentor; and, referring to the ten signatures of the majority of the Committee to their published letter, we can testify our unreserved respect for every individual name. These gentlemen are all distinguished, either by their aptitude for business, or for their mental culture, or, by a favouring Providence, they are otherwise endowed. But in the world of art they range themselves in other categories. There are the clergy who pretend to have a little architectural knowledge, and are dangerous; then come the connoisseurs in church design, What should be done about the decorations of St. Paul's it is not necessary now to state; but what the Executive Committee, the subscribers, and the public should endeavour to attain is obvious. They should seek to learn what art really is, and then they should so cultivate that knowledge that they may entirely free themselves from the misleading guidance of a class of men who pass among the clergy and the architectural trade for connoisseurs. These people, like the conies, are a feeble folk, remarkable for want of mental scope, and grasp, and penctration. They, with various diligence, have climbed some barren heights of worthless knowledge, where few care to follow them, and being thus relieved from the correcting pressure of opinion, they become inflated and are like windbags, destitute of solid weight, but ocupying an absurd offensive prominence and space in public observation. These ridiculous distentions must be softly punctured, and allowed to quietly collapse; and then the public sight will be relieved, and, by judicious use, it will become both powerful and clear. Two courses, in the meantime, may be offered for consideration. The Executive Committee, by their prompt heroic action with the small Fine Arts Committee,' have proved themselves quite capable of dissolution. Could they not make another application of this power, and, with a conscience quite assured of popular respect, dissolve themselves? Or, if the natural recoil from such a sacrifice should prove too powerful, let them at least avoid all further demonstration of their, very pardonable, incapacity. The scheme that they have chosen for their entertainment at St. Paul's is ignorant, ridiculous, presumptuous, and bad past all belief. Wonders repeat themselves; and that an architect' should have been enabled to design so strange a thing is capped by the amazing sanction of the Executive' majority. Not many months will pass ere the Committee find some doubts arising in their minds, and these perhaps will grow and fructify, with multiplying seeds of knowledge and enlightenment. 6 However, the Committee are entitled to carefully preserved as a delight, for centu bounded opportunity to show their taste in every kind of building, from a railway tavern to a ritualist church, from a west-end club or hospital, to an insurance office or city bank. These might be thought sufficient to assuage the absorbing craze for brightness,' and to save the masterpiece of Wren from the tormentors. The scheme proposed is not alone an outrage on the present and the past, but is a fraud upon the unprotected future, a violation of a sacred trust, which an efficient court of equity would punish and prevent. the public sympathy and thanks. They are not the only people who have been honour-ries to come. The present public have unably zealous from an inferior motive or for a mistaken idea; and are to be distinguished from the multitude who have no zeal for anything at all. They have been placed, by those incapable of judging of their fitness, in a situation having duties utterly beyond their cumulative power. The public were annoyed and scandalized at the condition of the church. They were not satisfied with it, though they could not tell why and they were glad that any gentlemen should undertake to find both cause and remedy. A meeting was convened, and the chief talk was of the undiscovered, but assumed, necessity for finishing' Sir Christopher's design. This was the leading subject of discourse, but there were various motives influencing various minds; and, as at a meeting held with reference to a church,' some eighteen centuries before, some desired one thing, and some another; for the assembly was confused, and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.' But what the public want is clear enough. Their great desire is showiness, and that coarse sense of moral influence which any demonstration of their ruling deity is sure to give. Mammon must always be exhibited in some material form. This is impressive.' It gives dignity,' and it evinces 'culture;' marks, or even is, civilization, and can stir the gross imagination of this 'age of progress and enlightenment.' The public cry for art is a false cry. They have its name upon their lips, but their heart is far from it. Their understanding does not reach, nor does their mind accept it. That which the public most desire, the modern 'architect,' the publican, the ritualist cleric, and the manufacturer of fashions can most properly supply. Each has his special means to gratify and lead the public taste. They want, as we have lately heard, more ornament, more ritual, more stateliness.' With them the evidence of 'art' is in enrichment,' and its calculable or incalculable cost. Were a true artist to arise, even a Giotto or Massaccio would be repudiated by the cultivated' public, and, therefore, by the Executive Committee; unless indeed he had, by some good fortune, a distinguished reputation; that is to say, the power that fashion gives its favourites to quote their price at a high figure in the market. It is this public, in respect of art, the most degraded and elaborately corrupt in history, that now pretend to finish Wren; and that resolve' to mutilate and make ridiculous a noble monument, admired for two centuries past, and made to be revered and The latest news of Mr. Burges's designs is, that the Chapter, accepting those for the apse alone, have requested the Executive Committee to delay the work until after their next meeting. This changes nothing. The principle of the scheme, as we have been carefully instructed, is that 'the whole of the interior is to be completed on one system.' The apse (will be the initiative work, and, as with Dante's portrait, one part first is thus to be adorned' and then the rest will follow. Mr. Burges is at present confined to the apse. the apse. The public, therefore, should at once perform an act of mercy,' which we were told is fitting for the place, and by a new process of Orientation' eject the 'decorator,' and thus save Wren's work from injury and insult, and the Cathedral from an insidious and outrageous venture of church-wardenism in excelsis. In the meantime a great amount of simple household work is wanted at St. Paul's; much energeticcharing' is required. The ordinary staff of servants there is clearly insufficient; and the Committee, if they would but help, might really earn their title of Executive,' by thorough doing, in the place of futile scheming. They might entirely clean the church, outside and in; and while this work is going on they will have time to think, and form some true art notions of their own. Then, as their minds thus healthily expand, their views will moderate, and thus, perhaps, will not be found so utterly beyond their measure.' The Executive Committee, learning wisdom, will endeavour to preserve the good they have in Wren's great masterpiece; and, when severely tempted to 'complete' it, calling to mind a useful proverb about letting things alone, they will remember that there are a thousand specimens of decoration quite as sumptuous' and 'bright' as those that Mr. Burges so admires at Genoa and Rome; but that for the men of London there has never been but one Sir Christopher, and that in all the world there is but one St. | tell why.' This want of accurate discernPaul's. And now, again reverting for a moment. to the writer whom we quoted from the Guardian, that charitable' correspondent, at the long expected hour of projection,' received a letter from his operator,' which evinces so much wisdom, candour, and refined politeness, that the Executive Committee may esteem it worthy of approval, and, in some respects, of imitation. Let us suppose the recipient of the note to be the body of subscribers to the Fund for the Completion of St. Paul's,' and it would run as follows: After having got out of you everything you can conveniently spare, I scorn to trespass upon your generous nature, and therefore must ingenuously confess to you that I know no more of the philosopher's stone (architectural completion') than you do. I shall only tell you, for your comfort, that I never yet could bubble blockheads out of their money. They must be men of wit and parts who are for my purpose. This made me apply myself to persons of your wealth and ingenuity. How I have succeeded you yourselves can best tell. 'I have locked up the Laboratory and laid the key under the door.' 6 ment we have sought to remedy. Instincts are not unerring,' out of the House of Commons, and many a decision of the public will is seriously deficient in instructed mind. In this case of St. Paul's it will not do to snatch a verdict from a half intelligent tribunal. St. Paul's must not escape alone, or only once. Our object is to make the pubof the whole question; so that in every case lic understand what is the principle and root they may be able not merely to object or to concur, according to their fancy, but may decide with conscious aptitude and sound discrimination; and then for ever, and entirely, repudiate the class of notorieties that have so nearly compassed the artistic ruin of St. Paul's. For these reasons we have determined that our article shall stand. ADHERENTS of the religion exhibited in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures are in the NOTE. All honour to the Dean and to present day often significantly called upon the Executive Committee of St. Paul's! The to apply to them the scientific method of scheme which we have carefully described study, by which all adequately ascertained has been abandoned, and the Cathedral is knowledge has been arrived at. The defor the present saved. This is the first and mand is made by way of challenge, in the most important subject for congratulation; apparent or assumed confidence that the reand a second is the resolute revolt of the Ca-sult of such an inquiry will be the renunciathedral clergy and the Executive Committee from the pernicious influence of eminent' professionals and ecclesiastical art connoisseurs. St. Paul's, instead of being made a martyr to fanaticism and ridiculous conceit, will be a monument of their discomfiture, and may possibly become the scene and subject of a new beneficent departure' in artistic architectural affairs. We cordially congratulate the Dean on the salvation of his noble church; and, with great respect, would compliment him on the frank, unhesitating way in which he recognised the public judgment, and then made this judgment the instructor of his own. 6 tion of Christianity. It is with the opposite anticipation that the writer of this paper would seek to apply the inductive method, as severely as possible, to the matter which the documents named present to observation. Of course only an outline of the argument can be attempted in the space here available. The position assumed by science towards the Bible has varied in a remarkable manner during the progress of modern physical knowledge; but the changes have illustrated not any failure discovered in the reasoning of the Scriptural personages, but only too great haste to generalize on the part of those calling themselves scientific reasoners. The medieval error of making the Scriptures a universal authority was a mistake not of theology, but of science; which then thought that it had found a short road to physical knowledge, in assuming as Divine dicta on that subject any Scriptural expressions which seemed applicable. Natural, to hasty reasoners, perhaps, but unworthy of inductive philosophy, was the recoil which the scientific mind suffered itself afterwards to make, when, in casting off its self-impos- | tical systems of the universe, instead of ined bondage to the very letter of the Scrip- ductively gathering true religious knowledge tures, it rushed into the rejection of their from the historical facts of the Bible. authority upon any matter, even of history, because it thought them convicted of scientific error. The modern attitude of scepticism towards Scriptural religion, while avoiding the blunder of trying to ignore important historical documents, departs as much from inductive reasoning, when it makes the very indefinite postulate, that the supernatural be held to be inaccessible to scientific investigation. The term supernatural must be defined before it is used in reasoning; and even then inductive philosophy investigating natural phenomena cannot limit either the direction or the extent of its progress, but it must go on so long as it has foothold, irrespective of where it may have to go. Whatever else may be found by the hopes of Christians, or the apprehensions of sceptics, in the documents forming the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, these documents present to inductive examination certain particulars of a precisely scientific kind, which are capable of being proved or disproved, exactly like questions of history or biography. The case presented, and which alone the writer proposes to treat, so far, that is, as to furnish an outline of the argument, is, in cumulo, as follows:-1. The Christian thoughts respecting God and the connection of mankind with Him, are thoughts which took possession of individuals and communities as detailed in the Scriptural documents during a progressive history of 4,000 The demand, however, to have the data of years. 2. The Scriptural books are a chroChristianity examined scientifically, is a fair nological series; and the religious ideas one and not too soon made, if only sceptics which they exhibit as coming into men's themselves be quite willing that it should be minds in successive generations, show a proresponded to. And yet And yet it deserves to be gressive order of increase-every historical noticed that the fault of modern theology period manifesting an advance upon its prenot being scientific in form, is chargeal le decessor in respect of the number and disupon scientific rather than upon theological tinctness of the thoughts expressed. 3. habits of thought. The Hebrews had not a The progressively increasing body of reliphilosophical theology. Their religious gious conception was no eclectic structure; convictions and habits of thought had re- but was a homogeneous growth, during the spect to a history; and were formed by the whole progress of which, from a meagre bemost strictly inductive reasoning upon facts ginning to large dimensions, no advance had observed and experienced. But at the time to be resiled from, nor any incongruity to when the earliest Christian theologies were be expunged, but every development and inconstructed, Greek philosphy was in a posi- crement formed manifestly a portion of one tion to force the spirit of system upon every whole idea. 4. The successive developspeculation which concerned a theme so ex- ments and increments of the homogeneous tensive as that of religion. Even when the body of thought appear in the history as Protestant systems were formed, all educated arrived at, by the individuals or bodies minds were under the dominion of the phi-there recorded, through the same inductive losophy of Aristotle. Bacon had not yet process, of reasoning from observation and formulated into scientific exactness the pro- consciousness, which yields to mankind cess by which common sense has always daily their most confident knowledge of reasoned accurately in most of the depart-matters of ordinary life. 5. The body of ments of familar knowledge. Philosophy ideas was continuously formed, in the midst was regarded as too exalted a thing to be of facilitated or compelled comparison with approached by such a vulgar method of in- all the successive systems of religion which vestigation, and had a manner of reasoning have been famous in the world. 6. It beof its own. A cosmogony was essential to gan with the commencement of human hisall philosophies of human affairs; some tory; and is the only historical faith tracegrand hypothesis must be presented con- able to primitive times, or which has shown taining the explanation of all things human itself capable of taking possession of the and divine. Theologians did not escape the human mind in all conditions of individual scientific dream of universal knowledge. The or national life, and of surviving all fluctuacreeds that were framed were all, to some tions of civilization. 7. The individuals extent, cosmogonies; and the impressive and communities, in whose minds the succreations of pre-Adamite history, which cessive ideas of that growth of faith arose, were thought necessary by Milton in his were in all moral qualities superior, even to 'Paradise Lost,' show the propensity which, the extent of contrast, to the known framers in their religious thinkings, the greatest or adherents of all other individual or ethnic minds of the age had to construct hypothe-religions, and, in consequence, were better |