THE PRESERVATION OF ANCIENT CHURCHES. f To ran Entree or
tar ”Srrersroa."1
Sin,—The attention of my Committee has been called to a letter in your issue of December 12th, 1914, in which unfavourable reference is made to this Society, and it hopes you can give it apace for a brief reply. The Society wishes first to express its appreciation of the work done by the Ancient Monuments (Churches) Committee. It welcomes the proposals made in the Report to protect old churches front restoration. The Ancient Monuments Committee, in making its Report, used certain papers prepared by this Society as an index for reference by members of a deputation which the Archbishops graciously received in July, 1913. The Ancient Monuments Committee used these papers without informing the Society, as if they had been drawn np formally as evidence to be laid before it.
Your correspondent refers to the notes in this index as " stories." The facts as to the harm done by "restoration" to the churches briefly mentioned in this index can be proved in every case. The only error in the Report was the presump- tion by the Society that faculties had been granted where it had no proof to the contrary. That faculties bad not been obtained in twenty•one out of forty cases is proof of the past laxity of the Church of England in connexion with its great responsibility in looking after the works of art under its care. If the recommendations made in the Report are adopted, the Chancellors will still retain power to grant a faculty even if opposed by the Diocesan Advisory Board. Again, the Advisory Board may include men who advocate " restoration "—men who believe that modern reproductions are a satisfactory substitute for mediaeval work. The Society believes that the Church is now awake to its responsibility, and my Committee thinks that in future mediaeval and other church architecture will receive greater care, though it cannot yet hope that all that remains is immediately safeguarded, nor would the sug• gestions made in the Report, though helpful, justify this
belief.—I am, Sir, &c., A. R. Powys, Secretary. The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, 20 Buckingham Street, Adelphi, W.C.
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