of pillars on each side, and great variety of carvings; the larger windows had mullions of stone for ornament, and for the conveniency of fixing the glass; the pillars that supported the roof were lofty and slender, and frequently surrounded with small pillars, that made them appear like a cluster; the arches of the roof, like those of the doors and windows, were pointed; the roof was covered with lead, and the fabric ornamented on the top at each end with pinnacles, and with a tower over the middle of the cross, on which very lofty spires of wood and stone were frequently erected. *

The term Gothic always associates with it notions of stupidity, ignorance, and barbarism, and seems peculiarly ill applied to a style of architecture which exhibits so much ingenuity and skill. Gibbon tells us, that, in A. D. 250, the Emperor Decius was first summoned to the banks of the Danube by the invasion of the GOTHS; and that powerful people remained masters of that country, and of Italy, till the year 553, when they were overcome by Narses, the Emperor Justinian's general. But it was not later than between the 12th and 16th centuries that Gothic architecture (so named) flourished, and was found in cathedrals, and many other stately edifices, throughout several countries of Europe; and nowhere are there such fine examples to be discovered as at this day exist in Britain.

The application of the term Gothic, therefore, to such buildings, is, in point of taste and truth at least, doubtful, and to most persons it appears, as indeed it does to me, absolutely absurd. Now that the + Luckenbooths have been safely carted to Leith Wynd, (would it had been done some dozen

Sir Christ. Wren's Parentalia, p. 298. Bentham's Hist. Ely. Pref. Grose's Antiquities, Pref. p. 70.

As the etymology of this word is not generally known, we shall quote Maitland's account of it: The Scottish commerce formerly extended no farther than to France and the Low Countries; from the latter we got woollen-cloth, by the Flemings called Laken, the sellers whereof occupying the Booth-raw, that name was forced to give way to Laken-booths." A name which, the same author correctly predicted, would continue to be borne by these buildings, which, in 1753, he described as being "rotten, noisome, and offensive."

years ago!) and the Tolbooth (to the unutterable delight of the inhabitants) is journeying quickly to Fettes' Row, there to be transformed into common sewers and drains, the irregular and grim visage of the Cathedral has been in a great measure unmasked. There yet remain, however, the vile booths, with their still more execrable chimneys, to disfigure the south side of the Cathedral in the Parliament Close ; but, Whitsuntide will come anon, and the existence of these aged deformities will be no more.

These changes have now rendered it necessary to embellish the exterior of the venerable Cathedral of St Giles; but as it may yet be some consideraable time, Mr Editor, ere the final arrangements are completed, I purpose at present, with your permission, to submit to your readers a few remarks on this interesting subject, which I hope will be acceptable to them, and perhaps prove useful to the directors of our public works. These observations may probably induce our municipal rulers to contemplate the advantages of studying that cardinal virtue, PRUDENCE, without which, as a celebrated philosopher once said, "Knowledge becomes useless, wit ridiculous, and genius contemptible."

On this Cathedral it is quite practicable, and, we believe, at a moderate expence withal, to make most interesting and attractive alterations.

The first object is unquestionably economy in conducting the whole operations. The next thing of importance is an accurate investigation of the features of the Cathedral itself, whereby the period or periods of its erection, and the precise character of its architecture, may be nearly ascertained, and thus the judgment guided in drawing suitable plans. This building was not erected when the rich and florid description of the Gothic obtained, and care ought therefore to be had, not to produce plans which would only tend to throw the whole out of keeping. A melancholy instance of

* Lack of judgment, and want of attention to this virtue, have been severely felt by every person of sound taste in this city, in the melancholy case of St George's Church; where a disgusting substitute has been placed at a vastly greater expence than the magnificent church in the original plan of Adam could have been erected

for.

this may be discovered in the new County-buildings lately erected here, where the ponderous entablature of the edifice suits so badly with the starved representation of that feature in the one adjoining---indeed, they mutually destroy each other. It is admitted, that the architect found some authority in Stuart's Athens (Temple of Erechtheus) for the decorations of the county-buildings; but the Greeks knew better than some of us in modern Athens, how to adapt one edifice to another, and how to indulge in variety without injuring the general effect of the whole.

The mode I would recommend to secure the best chance of success in obtaining a plan for the Cathedral is as follows, viz. Let the measurement of the building, as it now stands, be accurately taken, together with the elevations of the four sides, and perhaps a longitudinal and transverse section of the building, and let these be engraved merely in outline. Let a set of these impressions be sent to such artists as Mr Wyatt, Mr Wilkins, and Mr Smirke, of London, and to that most accomplished scholar in Gothic architecture, Mr Blore, and request of these gentlemen to furnish plans for the alteration of the building in question. Impressions should also be sent to Mr Burn and to Mr Elliot of this city, (for "in the multitude of counsellors there is safety,") and, having procured and paid for the ideas of all these gentle men on this very important subject, let the whole be submitted to the most competent judges of which this city can boast, (a greater number of

Notwithstanding the assertion of our worthy Sheriff, (to whose exertions in promoting the many great improvements now in progress, we are so very much indebted,) "that not a line of this building was without its authority;" we apprehend that the architect will have some cudgelling of his brains, ere he can produce authority for the manner in which he has introduced and squeezed the columns of the northern front,

betwixt the lumpish and unmeaning Antæ, which he has thought proper to place there, in positive defiance of simplicity, and with out the slightest appearance of utility. Certain we are, that the Erechtheum (from which he has taken the proportions of the columns, &c.) can furnish no authority for

so doing.

whom will be found, than "is dreamt of in your philosophy,") and by their decision let the choice of the plan be determined.

We shall write nothing at present about that vile interpolation, the Police-office, with its cabinet d'aisance in front, and "the deep damnation" incurred by placing it under the hallowed roof of the Cathedral; because, from good authority, we know that it is soon to be removed-and " 'twere well 'twere done quickly."

is

In forwarding these projected and desirable repairs on this Cathedral, it very likely that if the matter be conducted with prudence, some pecuniary assistance towards defraying the expence would be readily authorised by the Honourable the Barons of Exchequer. The Cathedrals at Dunblane and Dunkeld, the chapel at Holyrood, and other edifices, have undergone considerable repairs at the sight of the Honourable Barons, and, if my information be correct, which Í doubt not, they recommended public aid. Good reasons doubtless existed to induce these repairs thus to be defrayed; but there appear far stronger grounds for prompting these judges to afford the necessary aid in the repair of our metropolitan Cathedral. There the representative of majesty itself yearly holds a place. In this Cathe dral the Barons have a seat appropriated exclusively to their use. The Lords of Council and Session likewise attend divine service under the same roof; and in this church is the original seat of the magistrates of the city.

The Cathedral of St Giles is certainly capable of being formed into one of the most attractive edifices of this city, but, again and again, we state, that every thing depends on the judicious selection of the plan for altering and improv ing the building. I shall now take leave of this subject for the present, in the hope, that before any thing conclusive is determined on, every bearing of the case will be carefully conweigh this matter deeply; and, lest sidered. May our public officers the adage shall have escaped their re collection, may I just be permitted to whisper, Qu'il n'y a pas quelquefois moins d'habilité à sçavoir profiter d'un bon conseil, qu'à se bien conseiller soi

même.

B.

ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ORGAN INTO THE SERVICE OF THE SCOTTISH CHURCH.

MR EDITOR,

THE delight which the clergy of Edinburgh seem to take in improving church-music, while it is exceedingly creditable to their taste and good sense, leads to hope that they will at length sanction the introduction of the organ into our church service. The obstacles which have hitherto opposed this appear now to be reduced to a very small number. In former times, the Scottish Presbyterian ministers opposed instrumental music, for no other reason than because it was used by the Roman and Lutheran churches. More lately, when their own prejudices began to give way, the opposition was continued out of respect to the prejudices of the people; and, at this day, some difficulty may be found in any attempt to eradicate what was sown with so much care, and nourished until the root became too mighty to be moved. But the sturdiest oak at last yields to age; and time effects, without effort, what baffles the strength and ingenuity of man. We have had the good fortune to live to see the mighty stem of prejudice begin to decay, and we may hope soon to see the mouldering of

the root.

An argument which I lately heard stated against the use of the organ, and which seems to be the last that is likely to have any weight with the strict Presbyterians, deserves, in my opinion, some more particular notice, than any of the foolish unmeaning cant which, in past times, was found sufficient to keep prejudice alive. It has been stated, that, when the human frame is so constituted as to derive pleasure from music, the gratification of the ear becomes more important than the duty to that Being to whom praises are sung. I must confess that, at first, this argument felt somewhat weighty; and I was rather at a loss how to answer it, although I was at once satisfied that it could be answered. It appears to me that much, if not the whole, of its force may be neutralized, and perhaps overcome, by attempting to resolve these simple questions, Are we to praise God in a manner agreeable or disa greeable to ourselves? and, Are we to

believe that the Supreme Being is better pleased with what we dislike than with what is gratifying to us?

The clergy of Edinburgh, and by far the greater number of the whole church, have distinctly allowed that it is proper to sing psalms in parts; and some of themselves are known to bear their parts extremely well. The object of the Institution for Sacred Music, and of all the subordinate psalınsinging societies, is to teach singing in parts. Now, this is undeniably for the gratification of our own ears, and a clear admission that we believe that which gratifies ourselves to be agreeable to Almighty God. Now, I would ask, Is there not as much risk, if not more, of the attention being called away from the object of devotion, by the care which is requisite to keep the voice in tune, (in whatever part it may be adapted to,) as in going along with the heavenly sounds of an organ? In the care which the clergy of all parties and persuasions have of late bestowed on the improvement of psalm-singing, there is a clear admission that we ought to sing in tune, in time, and in parts; or, in other words, in a manner agreeable to ourselves. It follows, of course, that the admission must extend to the belief that the Supreme Being is best pleased when we sing according to those laws which he has himself ordained for sound. He has also so constituted us, that we are offended when any of those laws are broken.

I believe that it is very generally felt, by all who are devout, and who have a musical ear, that their devotion is powerfully roused by the accompaniment of an organ. I humbly conceive that such is human nature, as to justify a parallel between worship and manual labour. The mind and the body are in such close connection, that when the one is pleased the other is also pleased, and when the one is depressed and languid, the other feels oppressed. Some farmers in your vicinity take advantage of this fact; and it is easily observed, that the poor Highland reapers work more cheerily to the accompaniment of a bagpipe than when they are left to think on the distance they have travelled to earn their food, and a scanty pittance to maintain them on their dreary journey homewards. How lustily do boatmen row, when the ca

dence of a song regulates their strokes! How steadily the ploughboy, and his horses too, keep on a measured pace when he whistles! So I maintain it is with worship. The earnestness with which a psalm is sung when accompanied, far outstrips the languor and harshness of voices, each voice pitching its own key, and drawling out its tone in discord, to the often untuned voice of an unlearned precentor. How dull and sleepy a congregation becomes, when a sermon, however well composed, is delivered in a voice neither melodious nor impressive! How eagerly it is listened to when the intonation and emphases are skilfully and agreeably employed upon language properly adapted to the organs of pronunciation!

Every one is offended when a voice in church is out of time or tune; and this so frequently happened, that the clergy themselves were sensible that some remedy was necessary; and, accordingly, to be able to teach church music, is a qualification commonly_required in parish schoolmasters. But it has never been stated as a reason for improving church music, that the improvement would be agreeable to the object of worship. The reason was, undeniably, that it was necessary to remove what was offensive to ourselves, and to substitute what was agreeable. How very short the next step is need not be demonstrated. To call in the aid of an organ, to direct our voices, and to add force and solemnity to the sound of the praise which we offer, cannot be less pleasing to our Maker than were the sounds of the harp, the dulcimer, the sacbut, psaltery, cymbals, &c. which his chosen people employed in their devotions.

It is no unfrequent argument in the pulpit, "You pay respect to the great men of the earth; how much more ought you to pay respect and give honour to Him, who is greater than the greatest?" If, when we entertain a great personage, we offer to him every thing which can gratify sense, why should we not add to the power of our voices the finest artificial sounds that can be produced, when we offer homage to Him on whom we all depend? Such sounds gratify no gross sense: they soothe and elevate the soul. We have ceased to think that the Almighty can be pleased with the

fat of oxen and the blood of lambs; and mankind have now reached that eminence on the mountain of knowledge, from whence they look down with pity on the ignorance of man while in that state which required much ceremony to impress on him the awfulness of heavenly_majesty. But still we consider melody as acceptable; and we now universally admit that harmony is proper. If an organ be objected to, because it is artificial, the same objection ought to have excluded harmony, which is also artificial. If harmony adds force and agreeableness to the voices of a congregation, the force and agreeableness are vastly increased by the accompaniment of an organ; and surely, if improvement be sought for at all, there can be neither reason nor sense in fixing a limit to it. more agreeable church service can be made, the more will men be attracted, and the more earnestly will they perform it. Nay, I maintain, that, if a man can be attracted into a church by no other wish than to hear an organ, a most important object is gained; for, if a sinner be once tempted to behold the good assembled and joining in devotion, his heart may be turned, and he may repent. Can there be any thing bad in what may produce such an effect as to draw the heart of a sinner towards the seat of mercy and forgiveness?

The

The performance of voluntaries, in the English service, has been objected to, and, I am disposed to think, justly. Lovers of music are apt to be employed, during the performance of such pieces, in judging of the merits of the composition, of the skill of the organist, and of the power and other qualities of the instrument. I must acknowledge, however, that I have heard voluntaries of a character which powerfully impressed on me a feeling of deep solemnity; and an organist of judgment may, unquestionably, second the preacher in a very effectual manner. On the whole, however, I am against voluntaries, and every thing in which the congregation does not join.

I will not occupy your pages, nor the attention of your readers, longer at present. There may be objections to the introduction of the organ of which I am ignorant, and which I should be happy to see fairly and can

didly stated. Toleration is all that is wanted; not that every Presbyterian church should have an organ. It is well known, that, in an extent of Scotland, nearly equal to one half, the gown and band dare not be worn, lest the wearer should be stoned; but it is tolerated elsewhere, and those who do not wear it find no fault with those who do. I trust that the time is at hand, when those congregations who may choose to have organs, will be as little molested as those whose pastors preach in the gown and band. I conclude by observing, that those of Scotland are the only Presbyterians, I believe, who have not organs in their churches. A very fine one, built under the direction of a Scotch minister, Mr Liston, has been lately sent to the Scotch church at Calcutta.-I am, Sir, yours, A PRESBYTERIAN. Edinburgh, October 1817.

REMARKS ON THE HISTORY OF PAINTING IN SCOTLAND.

MR EDITOR,

As the very respectable journal which you have lately undertaken to conduct, has long been distinguished for its cordial support of every improvement peculiarly Scottish, I trust you will readily give admission to the following observations on a subject which I consider to be of the very first importance, both to the character of this city, and to the progress of the country-I mean the present state of painting in Scotland. It is a subject to which, amidst the multifarious discussions that have lately engaged all minds, far less attention has been given, than, from its importance and interest, we might naturally have expected; and I shall, therefore, take the liberty of introducing the more immediate object of this paper by some observations on the previous history of the art in this country.

Scotland cannot be considered as having ever possessed a school of painting. The poverty of the country it self, and the active part which its inhabitants have taken in the political transactions of the last two hundred years, have combined in turning the attention of Scotchmen rather to studies connected with the conduct of affairs, than to those more tranquil pursuits which aim at the improvement of nas

tional taste; and, though a few individuals, during the last century, attained considerable eminence as professional painters, it is impossible to name any one of these whose accomplishments and genius were of so transcendant a nature, as either to shed a new lustre upon the character of his country, or to give a decided impulse to the taste of his contemporaries.

Most of the eminent painters who formerly flourished in this country, had studied abroad; and it is curious to observe how decidedly the exertions of their genius were determined by the combined influence of the mo. dels they had studied during their preparatory labours, and of the circumstances of the society in which they were placed, when they returned, as practitioners, to their native land. The style of painting in which the great foreign masters seem chiefly to have delighted, was that appropriated to history or portrait; and in a country like Scotland, which was chiefly remarkable for the poverty and dependence of the mass of the community, the feudal pride of the great proprietors, and the military achievements by which its history had been distinguished, the genius of its artists was naturally directed into a line of study corresponding to these circumstances. We find, accordingly, that the works of Jamieson, who is generally considered as the Vandyke of Scotland, were chiefly of that kind which can be appropriately employed in decking the sombre walls of an university;-and that those foreign artists who, from time to time, settled in this country, and who seem successively to have led the taste of the nation, have left us scarcely any thing but those solemn figures which now throw a sepulchral gloom over our public halls. Of this order are those pseudo-portraits of our Scottish monarchs which cover the walls of Holyroodhouse, and which were the productions of De Wit, an artist, it is said, of the Flemish school, and in his own days of no slender reputation. To the same class belong also the portraits executed by Sir John Medina, a native of Brussels, who, for his eminence as an artist, had been knighted in this country, and whose chef-d'œuvres are still, I believe, to be seen in high preservation in the Sur