[To THZ EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIB, — Thank-you for calling attention
to the question of -closed cathedrals. There seems to be all the difference in the
world between obliging payment for admission, and leaving it to the good-will of the visitor. Last September I visited Exeter Cathedral, and was, at the conclusion of the afternoon :service, just about to pass into the arcade that leads to the Lady Chapel, when a young woman slammed-to the iron gate, and said sharply,—" You must -pay sixpence, Sir; it is the Dean's orders." I had my doubts as to the legality of ob- structing an ancient right-of-way even in a cathedral, and asaid,—" I am willing to give a gift, but do you mean to say that unless I pay, I am not to be permitted on any account to pass through ?" The dragon of the golden gate was grim and firm, but would not answer me to the following question,—" If I am a poor man, and have not sixpence, and have come some way specially to see the cathedral, what am I to do ?" I did not pay, and did not pass on, but waited. Presently an artisan oat for a holiday with wife and two children, came up.
-"Sixpence each," said the dragoness. The poor fellow fumbled in his pockets and talked a bit with his wife, and said, "No; if I can't afford for you all to see it, I won't see it myself," and sauntered off with sore disappointment in his face.
Now, Sir, what is that poor man likely to think of cathedral courtesy and liberality? What are we all who are trying humbly to get the labouring man to be interested in art and architec- ture, and stonecraft and woodcraft, likely to think of Deans and 'Chapters who, holding in trust for the service of God and the best interests of the people of England their great monuments of art, make it impossible for the poor to see them ? I ought to add that the Dean was not at home, or I should have called and told him of the pathetic scene I had witnessed.—I am,
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