Silk—Perhaps the following quotation from Charles Lamb in Dean Stanley's
"Memorials of Westminster Abbey," referring to the Garrick monument, may be of interest in connection with the interment within the Abbey walls of the late Sir Henry Irving. Dean Stanley remarks that the only serious remonstrance against the introduction of these
theatrical memorials came not from any austere fanatic, but from the gentlest and most genial of mortals :-- " Taking a turn in the Abbey the other day (says Charles Lamb), I was struck with the affected attitude of a figure, which, on examination, proved to be a whole-length representation of the celebrated Mr. Garrick. Though I would not go so far, with some good Catholics abroad, as to shut players altogether out of consecrated ground, yet I own I was a little scandalised at the introduction of theatrical, airs and gestures into a place set apart to remind us of the saddest realities. '
This protest is interesting as showing the existence of conflicting opinions on the subject, then as now.—I am, Sir, &c., B.
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