On the history and antiquities of Bath / [J.H. Markland].

  • Markland, J. H. (James Heywood), 1788-1864.
Date:
[1857]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the history and antiquities of Bath / [J.H. Markland]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Thus, in the journey of life, the pursuits of this society present resources which ensure both ease and relaxation to the traveller,'—the search after truth dignifies the in¬ quiries in which we are engaged. Our ancestors, Leland, Camden, and Dugdale, were no ordinary men : they have bequeathed to us much for which we should be grateful; but, after their days, a blight came over us, and antiqua¬ rian studies, as you are well aware, were either altogether neglected, or became the occasional subject of ridicule. In our time there has sprung up a love of what is old, of what is beautiful, of what is venerable,—a desire to cherish memorials of the past, and to keep before our eyes the vestiges of times which are brought vividly before us in no other way. Not only the zeal displayed in their investigation, but the endeavours which now are made for preserving the remains of antiquity in their integrity, are marked features of excellence in our modern archaeological societies. Instances exist where they have happily exer¬ cised a beneficial influence, either by timely interposition preventing absolute destruction, or, what is equally to be deplored, the restoration, so called, of an ancient and inte¬ resting structure by ignorant and daring hands. In how many works, undertaken in the ages immediately preced¬ ing our own, have history, and what is truly exquisite in mediaeval art, been altogether sacrificed! The subject has most properly engaged the attention of our most able architects; and Mr. Scott’s volume on “ the faithful resto¬ ration of ancient churches” should be well studied by every one about to be engaged in this difficult and delicate task. To sweep away the walls of a venerable building, and replace them by what is new, however beautiful in itself, offers a violence to some of our best feelings. Cecil, in his Remains, scruples not fo say that— “ Within these walls have been resounded, for centuries, prayers and praises. The very damp that trickles down the walls, and the unsightly green upon the pillars, are far more pleasing to me from their associa¬ tions, than the trim, finished, heathen piles of the present day.” Who will not agree with Mr. Petit in his judicious re¬ marks ? “ There are few of our parish churches that have not a certain indivi¬ dual character, as impossible to define, hut as easy to recognize, as the