The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 17, No. 478, February 26, 1831 by Various
page 26 of 52 (50%)
page 26 of 52 (50%)
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the author goes on: "I will venture to entreat my countrymen, whenever
and wherever they have power, to protect the remaining antiquities from further demolition or defacement. Every castle, abbey, cathedral, fine church, and old mansion, is a monument and memento of a former age, and of former persons;--they are so many indexes to memorable events, to heroes, statesmen, patriots, and philosophers. Architectural antiquities are objects and evidences of incalculable value and interest; whilst standing--however mutilated--they are indications of the vicissitudes and fluctuations of civilized society;--they show man in his domestic economy, and in his historical relations. The person, therefore, who protects one fine work of antiquity, is entitled to the applause of his contemporaries, and of posterity;--he who destroys, or heedlessly neglects it, deserves the reprobation of the civilized world. As Dr. Stukely indignantly hung, in graphic effigy, the man who wantonly broke up the vast and wondrous Celtic Temple of Abury, so every other similar delinquent should be condemned to the literary gibbet. The miserable fanatic who fired York Cathedral is properly incarcerated for life, and thus prevented from doing further public mischief; but there are other fanatics still roaming at large, and permitted to commit devastations on cathedrals and other churches--on castles, old mansions, &c." "Such men, should not be trusted." VYVYAN. * * * * * MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS. |
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