Welsh Journals

340 The annual excursion of this Society took place on Thursday, June 24, and notwithstanding the electioneering claims, winch kept so many of its memhers in Chester, was well attended. The party left Chester hy the 7. 30 train to Sandhach, for breakfast at the George Hotel; after which they commenced their archaeological—or rather architectural pursuits hy an examination of Sandbach Church, lately restored by Mr. Scott, in the perpendicular style to which the church belonged. The j udicious manner in which this restoration has been effected, and the consistent propriety of the whole arrangement of the Church—the seats, pulpit, font, screens, &c, gave great satisfaction and deserve high praise. After walking through the national schools for boys and girls, which are a perfect model for arrangement and working order, the ancient crosses were inspected, and some extracts from an old work relating to them kindly laid before the Society by Miss Salmon were read to them by one of the secretaries. The grammar school, which has lately been erected, was next visited, and thence the party proceeded to the new Church at Elworth, over which they were escorted by the Curate, the Rev. A. Jones. Much admiration was very justly expressed respecting the simplicity and good taste evinced in its whole design, which is in the pointed Early English style, one particularly well adapted to a country Church of limited dimensions. Of course, like everything else, were it to be built again, experience and the advancement of architectural science might suggest some improvement in the detail; but it is a good Church as it is. On reaching Crewe carriages were in attendance to convey the party to Nantwich, mainly for the purpose of inspecting the Church, which used commonly to be called "The Minster," as being the central place of rendezvous for the clergy of the whole deanery, and more especially when the Diocesan summons them to hear his triennial charge. A more than local interest is thus felt towards the edifice, which is also the finest example of decorated architecture in the county ; but its present condition is most deplorable. A huge gallery blocks up the arch between the nave and chancel, so that the Clergyman (when at the table) is only visible through a kind of loophole underneath. The oak stalls are sadly dilapi¬ dated, and so crowded up as to be of no use,—the tabernacle work, richly carved with curious designs, and of admirable structure, being covered with paint and filth. The ancient highly-wrought stone pulpit still remains perfect, but in hidlands, and only a subject for archaeologists to sketch. In short, the whole interior, which, if restored, would rarely be equalled for magnificence and capacity, is at present more like a lumber-room than a Church, defying all description. Ormerod charitably supposes that "the necessary accommodation for a large parish " must account for this; but it is easy to shew that in this instance, as in every other of a like kind, the comfort of the few, to the great hindrance of the many, has originated such