The Upkeep of Cathedrals
SIR,—As reported in The Times of March 20th, the Dean of Winchester is, it seems, of the opinion that the State might fairly be asked to help in preserving the fabric of some of our finest cathedrals and churches. He must know that the present is about the worst time for casting addi- tional burdens on the State, which really means the taxpayer. But apart from this, many of our greatest in the past have wondered whether even the Established Church should not be dis-established and dis-endowed. As a Churchman I should deeply regret either step.
Surely there is another side also to this question. The Dean bases his plea largely on a reminder that these great cathedrals and churches are " among the greatest attractions to people from oversea, especially to those from the Commonwealth and America." A most unworthy motive ; not for the glory and worship of God, but for visitors to say: "That's line." Let him remember the countless small, even if ugly churches which must be built in our new towns and elsewhere. Truly our Church leaders have lost all sense of proportiOn if this represents even a tithe of
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