. Vanishing England . s by sliding the whole length ofthe figure. This must be a common practice of the boysof the village, as the effigy is worn almost to an inclinedplane. A tradition exists that the figure represents a manwho was building the tower and fell and was killed. Bothtower and effigy are of the same period—Early English—and it is quite possible that the figure may be that of thefounder of the tower, but its head-dress seems to showthat it represents a lady. Whipping-posts and stocks aretoo light a punishment for such vandalism. The story of our vanished and vanishing churches,and
. Vanishing England . s by sliding the whole length ofthe figure. This must be a common practice of the boysof the village, as the effigy is worn almost to an inclinedplane. A tradition exists that the figure represents a manwho was building the tower and fell and was killed. Bothtower and effigy are of the same period—Early English—and it is quite possible that the figure may be that of thefounder of the tower, but its head-dress seems to showthat it represents a lady. Whipping-posts and stocks aretoo light a punishment for such vandalism. The story of our vanished and vanishing churches,and of their vanished and vanishing contents, is indeeda sorry one. Many efforts are made in these days toeducate the public taste, to instil into the minds of theircustodians a due appreciation of their beauties and of theprinciples of English art and architecture, and to saveand protect the treasures that remain. That these may becrowned with success is the earnest hope and endeavour ofevery right-minded Reversed Rose carved on Miserere in Norwich Cathedral CHAPTER VIIOLD MANSIONS ONE of the most deplorable features of vanishingEngland is the gradual disappearance of its grandold manor-houses and mansions. A vast num-ber still remain, we are thankful to say. We have stillleft to us Haddon and Wilton, Broughton, Penshurst,Hardwick, Welbeck, Bramshill, Longleat, and a host ofothers ; but every year sees a diminution in their great enemy they have to contend with is fire, andmodern conveniences and luxuries, electric lighting andthe heating apparatus, have added considerably to theirdanger. The old floors and beams are unaccustomed tothese insidious wires that have a habit of fusing ; hencewe often read in the newspapers: Disastrous Fire—Historic Mansion Entirely Destroyed. Too oftennot only is the house destroyed, but most of its valuablecontents is devoured by the flames. Priceless pictures byLely and Vandyck, miniatures of Cosway, old furnitureof Chi
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