Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/190

1:3S REMARKS ON THE CHURCH OP Bloxliam, Spilsbuiy, Kidliiigton, &c. But that which excels all the rest is the spire of St. Mary's, in Oxford, the Uni- versity Church, the battlements whereof were repaired, and thus set thick with pinnacles, as it noAv stands, by Dr. King, then Dean of Christ Church, and Vice Chancellor of the UniversitN^ afterwards Bishop of London."'* Dr. King Avas Vice-Chancellor of the University from 1607 to 1610, and the architectural style of the pinnacles now standing on the body and chancel of the Church, as well as of those which have been recently removed from the base of the spire, corresponds so closely with the undoubted work of that period, as to leave no difficulty in the way of accepting Dr. Plot's representation. The material employed for the construction of the pinnacles put up in the time of Dr. King, being the perishable stone found in the neighbourhood of Oxford, they have become much decayed in the course of the two centuries and a half which have elapsed since their erection. This, in addition to many serious defects in the masonry of the upper portion of the tower, having rendered extensive repairs absolutely necessary, the charge of executing the required operations has, as of old, been undertaken by the University, and it is hoped that in a few months the whole will be completed. The general admiration which this magnificent Church commands, and the familiarity with its general character of almost all whom I have the honour to address, forbid any attempt of mine to describe them. A few remarks, how- ever, upon its chief architectural peculiarities, which I advance with greater confidence, because they are chiefly •• The following extract from Hearne's but excepting here and there a letter, Diary is deserving of notice :— defaced, yet so as perhaps with paines « On Tuesday last, being the th of the traces might be explained. May, St. Mary's (Oxford) weather Cock "I ^^^ told the repairs of the steeple fell down, as the great Bell was ringing ^'^^^ about 53 libs. at 9 o'clock in the morning for a Congre- " Between 20 and 30 years since, I gation. It had been loose for some time. think nearer 30 years agoe, the said The Cock fell upon the Church, the tail Steeple was new pointed by a man who into the Churchyard. Upon this tail was in many parts of England on the was fastened a piece of Lead, on which same account. He at that time took down was this Inscription : the Weather Cock, and 'twas mended, and afterwards he fixed it again. THOMAS BOWMAN .„„.•.= " I afterwards heard, that that man was THOMAS ADAMS killed from some Steeple he was pointing, GEORGE WEST ELhXT cuuRCHWAUDEN the ropc breaking which drew him up in •PMio cTiri.-r,tt. T,..o T>..T, T^.,„ the Basket, or frame prepared for him. THIS STEEPLE WAS REPAIRED ,. .„, i i .. /-.i i D .. r C* AN DOM 1669 "The oldest Church Kate for bt. Marie's is of the year 1500." — Hearne's Upon the Cock was also an Inscription, Diary, 1734, 142, 78, 70.