"SECUNDUM MISERICORDIAM SUAM SALVOS NOS FECIT PER LAVACRUM REGENERATIONIS ET RENOVATIONIS SPIRITUS SANCTI." The cover is flat, with an ornamental scroll in iron diverging at right angles from a Norman cross in the centre. The Queen's arms executed in stained glass are placed in the west window, and underneath is written on a scroll, "Fear God, Honour the Queen."

It may be remarked, that in this arrangement of an old custom of the Church, a highly decorative ornament has been substituted for that which is often a sad disfigurement to our churches, at an expense, too, so moderate as not to exceed the usual charge for an emblazonment executed by the village painter.

The sacramental vessels are of silver, parcel gilt, and consist of a paten, two chalices, a flagon, and a basin for the offertory, the whole executed from designs by William Butterfield, esq. in imitation of ancient examples.

The exterior of this church is generally very plain; the windows of the aisles, chancel, and clere-story are separated by shallow buttresses running into a corbel table above. The roofs are of a high pitch, covered with a Cornish slate, and the gables surmounted by the Than cross. More ornament has been bestowed on

the west front. The centre doorway is an excellent specimen of Norman work, consisting of cable, chevron, and other mouldings very happily disposed. Above is the west window, flanked by an inter. secting arcade, of which two recesses, one on each side the window, are pierced, thus forming a triplet within. The north door opening into the tower is also ornamented with chevron mouldings, which have a chaste effect.

We cannot close this account without noticing that the church has been erected chiefly through the munificence of the Marquess of Ailesbury, who has also largely contributed to the endowment fund; nor can we omit to pay a tribute of commendation to the architect Mr. Ferrey, who has so eminently succeeded in his exertions to make this church a truly Christian Temple.

thereabouts. Our attention was more particularly directed to the parish churches of Bebbington and Woodchurch. My remarks on the former I shall reserve for the ensuing month, and, in the meantime, I have great pleasure in communicating to you the following interesting intelligence concerning the latter.

The parish of Woodchurch, in Cheshire, lies midway between the Mersey and the Dee, and, in former ages, it was a portion of the great forest of Wirrall. A short time before the death of King Edward the Third the whole was disforested. At that time the present church was built, and appears to have been completed early in the reign of his successor. It stands on the site of a much older one, "the church in the wood," and consists of a handsome square tower, a nave, south aisle, chancel, and vestry. The structure is entirely of the old red sandstone, and has not been much injured by the lapse of time. It seems to have been generally kept in good repair. The style is decorated English, with a slight indication of transition to that which followed it. The original work has been well preserved throughout the sacred edifice, with the exception of the windows of the nave and aisle, and the front of the south porch. These were all renewed early in the reign of King Henry the Eighth, a period distinguished for great zeal in re-building, enlarging, and repairing churches. They are all of the square-headed kind, the windows large and altogether of handsome workmanship.

While visiting at Woodchurch we had many conversations on the practicability of in some measure restoring the venerable structure to its original state. We happily found the materials in good condition; but the fine old timber roofs, and the graceful chancel arch, had been entirely hidden by low and flat white-washed ceilings. The richly carved screen had been removed, the entrance to the chancel encumbered with pews, and that portion of the church disfigured by four more that were large, square, and of considerable height.

By the praiseworthy exertions of the good rector, his lady, and one of his nephews, all the projected improvements have been carried into effect, and are now nearly completed. They have shewn

Cheshire.

MR. URBAN,-Having in the course of last summer passed a few weeks in Liverpool and the neighbouring parts of Cheshire, among several good old friends, we took the opportunity, according to the bent of our minds, to examine carefully some interesting old churches and mansions

parishioners, at the late Easter meeting a rate in aid of what had already been done was unanimously voted, without a single objection.

In examining the walls the following remains of past times were discovered, and have since been repaired and kept open, viz. 1. On the north side of the chancel, and a few inches within the altar

rail, an aperture rather more than two feet in height, seven inches in its narrowest width, and arched at the top. It communicated with the vestry, and had been intended for the convenience of persons necessarily within during the performance of divine service. 2. Indications of steps near the south-east angle of the nave that had led to the rood-loft. 3. A very neat arched niche in the south wall of the aisle, near to its eastern termination, where are some indications of there having been an altar, doubtless that of the blessed Virgin Mary. 4. A plain small opening for a locker on the north side of it. A small niche for the hallowed water in the north-east angle of the porch, close to the south doorway. 6. Nearly the whole of the nave still bears the remains of a painted surface. Much of it is on dressed stone-work, which has long been covered with repeated coats of whitewash. All these had been very carefully concealed on the settlement of the Reformation; and, as a good part at least of the south wall of the chancel was rebuilt about forty or fifty years ago, there are no remains of the sedilia that must certainly have adorned it.

5.

THE RESTORATIONS.-The white ceilings of the chancel, the nave, and the aisle, have successively been taken down, and the high-pitched roofs within are now laid open, together with the chancel-arch; the oldest persons of the present generation never saw them before, and it is very gratifying that their well-proportioned timbers and good condition have far exceeded the general expectation. The workmanship is for the most part plain; but the principals in the roof of the nave are terminated on each side with carved heads.

The piers and arches of the nave and chancel are of polished stone, and the well-formed figure presented by each of them is entirely freed from the mass of paint with which for a length of time it has been covered.

A western gallery, far from being handsome, though of small projection, will shortly be taken down. The opening behind it will then admit of the original decorated window in the west side of the tower being seen from all parts of the church eastward. The tracery of it is intended to be filled with ancient stained glass. The organ, when removed, will most probably be placed on a platform at the west end of the aisle.

Between the organ and the south door is a fine old font of stone, that was much admired by Mr. Lysons when he visited this parish. It has the sacrarium or water.

drain; and at this font the holy sacrament of baptism has always been administered after the second lesson, according to the order of the Church.

The encumbering pews at the east end of the nave will be removed, for the space of nine feet in width; and at the entrance of the chancel will be an elegantly carved screen of Dantzic oak.

The pulpit with its sounding board will be set diagonally at the northern angle, and the reading desk beneath it, looking southward and westward.

The pews that were within the chancel are replaced by a range of stalls on each side, chiefly of oak. They are of good design, and their ends are terminated by richly-carved poppy heads, that have been preserved in the church from the time of its erection.

The altar rails were of such a substance as to admit of being re-modelled according to the justly admired style of the fourteenth century.

New tables of the Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, and the Apostles' Creed, have been set up, having the letters painted of a beautiful blue, on a light stone colour, and all the capitals richly illuminated in the three primitive colours. Above the first of these is this inscription,

"The law was given by Moses. "Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." Above the Lord's Prayer, "After this manner, therefore, pray ye.' Above the Apostles' Creed,

Repent ye and believe the Gospel." The mouldings are all suitably decorated.

The original eastern window has been composed of ancient stained glass, from the rare and beautiful collection of Mr. Watson, of Hanway Street, London, brought about half a century ago from the churches of suppressed monasteries in France. The upper parts of the two south windows of the chancel are also decorated with glass from the same source.

The following inscription is inserted at the bottom of the east window.

"Deo et Ecclesiæ hanc Fenestram humiliter dedicavit Georgius Smith King, A.D. MDCCCXLIV."