|
Gentleman's Magazine 1855 part 1 p.282
frivolous multitude. The antiquary, having taken courage,
and ventured forth from his cell in Somerset House, finds
himself courteously received in all the provinces, where
well-educated men of every class co-operate with him to the
best of their power, expressing their sense of the merits
and utility of his pursuits, and only lamenting their own
comparative inexperience of his peculiar lines of study.
This honour has he received a hundred times during the last
few years, from men of talent and judgment, as well as rank
and education; and the result has been to the mutual
advantage and pleasure of those who have thus overcome
unreasonable distastes and antipathies. In some cases men of
accomplished scholarship, though not hitherto versed in
archaeological enquiries, have been tempted themselves to
embark on the illustration of our national antiquities, and
have at once discovered in their pursuit a greater interest
than they have previously suspected. In the present
instance, we have the late learned Master of Rugby coming
forward to instruct the townsmen of Carlisle upon the
historical antiquities of their ancient church and town,
disclaiming at the outset any pretensions to adequate
architectural knowledge of his subject, or sufficient
antiquarian research, and yet producing a composition which
will diffuse instructive information, and cherish a just
appreciation of the treasures of antiquity, more efficiently
than many a strictly professional dissertation, because
offered in an attractive form, and from an authority to
which all would be predisposed to listen and pay respect.
Important repairs are now in progress in the cathedral
church of Carlisle, under the superintendence of Mr.
Christian; and any proceeds that may arise from the sale of
the present Lecture will be appropriated to stained glass
for the windows. It presents an interesting review of the
early history of the North, particularly in the time of our
Norman kings, connecting the progress and influence of
public events with the rise and increase of the city and
church of Carlisle.
|