CLOSED CATHEDRALS.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—Your article in the Spectator of November 24th on thin subject, left out of account one of the important considera- tions which clergymen have to face in deciding whether their churches shall be opened or closed ; they are solicitous not about the "hassocks, hymn-books, and church-services with silver corners" of the "habitual worshipers," but about the fabric of the edifices under their care. I am acquainted with one remarkable instance Many of your readers will know of the beautiful church which the late Lord Herbert of Lea built at Wilton, and adorned with valuables collected from all parts of Europe. It has been found impossible to rely on any- thing in the shape of reverent admiration on the part of the many hundred visitors who annually go to see the church ; it was discovered that pieces of precious mosaic were chipped off and carried away, and various other acts of vandalism per- formed. Clearly the church could not be left indiscriminately open, and at the same time visitors could not be sent away empty. So an attendant had to be placed in the church,—not to "exhibit the sacred edifice to visitors," but to stay the hand of the destroyer. And the same will be found to be true of many cathedrals and churches all over the country. And it is surely more satisfactory in these cases to charge a set fee than to leave visitors to settle the matter by private arrangement with the verger. The nuisance of " tipping " is abominable enough at restaurants and railway-stations, and it is most undesirable to extend such a -worrying system further than absolutely necessary. The evil is well illustrated on its amusing side by a story told of an aged sexton in the church at Wilton just mentioned. Complaints were brought to the rector that it was the habit of this functionary, after showing visitors round the church, to lock the door upon them, and to refuse them their release until they had communicated through the keyhole their willingness to pay the amount he considered their general appearance warranted.
At the same time, I entirely agree with the criticisms of your article, on the assurance by the Rector of St. Albans that he would be "the first to welcome the opportunity of throwing open the abbey to all comers, if funds were provided for the salaries of the attendants." In most of the parish churches throughout the country, the incumbent has to find the salary of the verger as beat he may,—generally out of his own pocket, or from the offerings of his parishioners. And the far wealthier cathedral bodies have no right to expect that the same expenses in their case shall be defrayed by the -" admission fees" of outsiders.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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