air-ways in the fame pit, fome of whom had afcended again; fix others (who had previoutly extinguifhed their candles for fafety) were in the act of afcenfion, five in the chains and one upon the knot of the rope, when, onfortunately, the current of hydrogen from the pit, blended with the air of the atmosphere, was blown by a brifk gale of wind in contact with a fire that had been left inadvertently burning about three yards to leeward of the pit head, and caufed an explosion, which proceeded down the pit, towards the fource of the hydrogen, involving the miferable colliers in a volume of flame. At the moment of the combustion, they had afcended upward of 100 yards; and one of the poor fellows, preferring inftant death to the acutenefs of his pains, made an effort to difengage himself from the chains, and precipitate himfelf to the bottom, but failed in the attempt; another fainted from extreme pain, and was brought up hanging by his legs in the chains; four others came up in the ufual fitting pofture; and the man who was riding erect upon the knot of the rope, miraculoully retained his hold, though his clothes were intirely confumed, and his body fcorched all over, and reached the furface in that pofition. On being difengaged at the pit-head by fome perfons whom the noife of the explosion had brought to witness this truly affecting fcene, one of them in a delirium, arifing from excruciating pain and terror, rushed homeward in flames; the others, more enfeebled, required to be carried to their abode. Five died foon after in the greateft agonies, and the other expired his day. Two widows and fome children remain to lament their unfortunate exit. The other four were unmarried. The explofion blew the caps from their heads 40 or 50 feet above the furface, and reduced a great part of the timber framing of the pit to a flate of carbon. Some perfons who were in the vicinity of the pit at the time faw, previoufly, partial combuftions take place between the fire and the pit-head, which proves that the hydrogen was then deficient in quantity, or not fufficiently blended with the oxygen of the atmosphere to produce a general one. Had they removed the fire immediately (and it is probable there was fufficient time to do it in) the accident would not have GENT. MAG. Auguft, 1806. taken place; and the men who have juft funk into the filent tomb, might. have remained many years longer ufeful members of fociety. The accident is over, and irretrievable; but it is hoped its terrible confequences will preclude. a fimilar one; and that no coilier or miner will hereafter be fo unmindful of his own fafety, as to make a fire near to a pit containing hydrogen gas, or fulphur, as they generally (though wrongly) term it. C. D. PURSUITS OF ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION, N° C. (Continued from p. 628.) (1790) KNARESBOROUGH. THE CASTLE. Memorable for being the refuge of thofe execrable affaffins who murdered St. Thomas à Becket in Canterbury cathedral. Richard II. was confined here previous to his removal to Pomfret-castle, where he was put to death. The Knaresborough people defended this cafile for Charles I. When furrendered to the Parliament forces, all the buildings were demolithed, fome few parts excepted, which now prefent little elfe but ruins. The fite fhews a circle of about 300 feet diameter, overlooking the river. The lines of the exterior wall of the works are difcernible; and in a wall taking a diagonal direction acrofs the works is a gallery of communication. Two circular towers are vifible. The keep, by the parts left, moft certainly was a grand defign: confifling of three flories; on the fecond, or principal ftory, the windows are large, which with other decorations warrants its former magnificence. Taking an Eaft view of the remains, they come very picturefque in the centre the keep, to the left veftiges of a gateway, and on the right a distant view of the river and country. St. Robert's Cave [or Chapel.] An excavation in the rocks near the town. On the exterior a Pointed doorway and window. On the right of the doorway is a curious figure of a knight in the attitude of drawing his fword, as ready to defend the entrance. This fculpture is cut in the rock. The interior of the Chapel [8 feet fquare] is worked into two divifions with groins. The Eaft end has three cants of an octagon, where is an altar with compartments, and over it a niche. On the South fide are many heads cut in in relief. The whole work is evidently done by an unfkilful hand; perhaps the first hermit, who took up his abode here in the reign of King John, einployed himself in the execution of the defign, as the lines, though tending to the early Pointed ftyle, are incorrect and irregular; at leaft there is wanting that uniformity which follows the labour of profeffional men*. The Dropping Well [I call it the Weeping Rock] is an extraordinary natural curiofity; and whoever attentively views it mult foon difcover many ftrange and romantic forms, fufficient to bewilder the mind of the curious inveftigator, yet fill not without fome pleating returns of rational and useful reflection. HAREWOOD CASTLE. Plan: The firft ftory gives the hall 56 feet by 29 feet; adjoining is the kitchen. This is but a part of the general arrangement of buildings, they having been nearly demolished in Charles I's reign. There are two entrances into the hall; that from the Eaft is a regular pafs through a portculliced archway [grooves remaining], while the other commanicated with fome court. Second ftory alters but little in plan, and gives rooms correfpondent to those below, with the addition of a fmall chamber over the principal entrance called the chapel; and on each fide the exterior of the window are fhields with arms. It may be worthy of remark, that in the hall is a rich recefs in manner of a monument. The arch in the centre has many turns, with ornamented fpandrils and ornaments in the lentablature, which finishes the defign. In Harewood church are fix very beautiful and rich tombs, with knights and their ladies. Some fhew by the fashion of the armour as old as Edward III. others as late as Edward IV. Among them isSir W. Gafcoignet [in his robes] that firm judge who committed Henry V. when prince, for contempt of court, and who refufed to pafs an unjuft fentence against Scroope Archbishop of Canterbury. The armours and female dreffes are fplendid and elegant, and the execution of the fculpture masterly, and in a fine fiyle. What may be deemed extraordinary, the flatues have not fuffered any mutilations. KIRKSTALL ABBEY. magnificent religious eftablishment with that of Fountains is, however, rather fecond in confequence, with reference to defign, dimension, and richnefs of parts: its flate of ruin differs alfo. Fountains preferves the whole of the offices; Kirkstall is deficient in this. Fountains has loft fome of the walls of the church; Kirkstall fhewed that part of the pile very entire [that is, the mere tiprights] until of late, when nearly half of the centre tower fell to the ground. Plan. At fome diftance to the North Welt is the gateway. Ranging with the West front of the church is an ambulatory, and over it the dormitory, fimilar to the arrangement of Foun tains. Adjoining is the infirmary. The cloifters [which only preferve the interior walls] with the chapter-houfe lie on the South fide of the church. Other buildings fill up this afpect of the religious mound, but from their ruined condition cannot be particularized. The church is in length 224 feet. Nave and fide ailes as ufual; the tranfepts have each three chapels: the choir is exceedingly fmall. Here is no Lady chapel, nor does there appear ever to have been one. On Elevations. The Weft front is much richer than Fountains; the doorway is highly embellifhed; over, two conjoined windows; ftill higher, a fingle window, once lighting the roof. the fides of the front, breaks, or buttreffes, which with the pediment terminate with embellished turrets. The ambulatory in continuation is much ruined. The Eaft front of the church accords in decorations to the Weft front; the Eaft window is large. Viewing the interior part of the church from the Weft doorway, the nave has loft the groins; thofe to the fide ailes remain. The choir retains its groins. The centre tower has remaining its South and part of the Eaft fides. The chapter-houfe is not only uncommon in defign, but poffeffes much of the fublime. It is an oblong, divided into two portions by double arches; that portion contiguous to the cloifters has the remnant of a cluster of columns in the centre fupporting two divifions ofgroins; and fo ftrongly is the mafonry united, that, notwithstanding all the columns are gone except the centre one, the capi tals belonging to them, and the spring ing of the groins, retain their pofitions, to the utter aftouifhment of all be holders. holders. Ever let me feize each opportunity to hold up to praife the wonderful fkill of my antient brethren, and ever cry, What was their fyftem of conftruction, and what were their materials thus to combine, bidding after ages look on and marvel? The fecond portion Eastward is without a centre clufter of colums, the groins fpringing from angle to angle. The windows are large, and contain feats, no doubt, intended for the religious when feated in council. Much of the Architecture of Kirkstall is Saxon; and that which prefents the Pointed flyle is as low down [feen chiefly in the centre tower] as the Tudor date, It is impoffible to leave thefe exalted ruins without lamenting (unavailing paffion!) to fee them left open to every depredation and defilement. Is the remembrance of former ufes forgotten? Are all the fine feelings for English Antiquity abforbed in heedlefs indifference? Does the noble owner recollect he is for fuch culpable neglect under the thread of a retributionary pang, which may, at fome hour of compulfive meditation, break over his unguarded apathy? Let him ponder, and ponder full five fathom deep," in that cell where dwells the "Warning Voice!" that those who have deftroyed, and thofe who defpife our antient Sacred Structures, have not always been the moft happy, or the most fortunate. So, go to your book-room; read, read the Hiftory of Sacrilege." It was on this fpot, when, revolving on the various remains I had paffed over on this divifion of Yorkshire, I conceived a plan for a dramatic romance: Time Henry VI, action previous to the battle of Wakefield, fought between Queen Margaret and Richard Duke of York, and of fome fubfequent tranfactions; commixing Harewood and Sandal Caftles, Harewood Foreit, Kirkstall Abbey, knights, ladies, nuns, a necromancer, fpirits, and other fupernatural beings. This chaos I brought into fome kind of regular poetical order, fet it to mufic, and drew the feveral fcenes, fome real and fome imaginary, according as the nature of the tale required. With this production I have often amufed my friends by rehearling my dwarf exhibition, fometimes with fuccefs (when thofe attuned to harmony lent their willing ears), and at other moments lefs fortunate (all feel not the dulcet train). Our managers of both theatres have more than once beftowed attention, and an eye; but too fcrupulous an adherence to the coftume and manners of old times, fuit not their giant boards; as we but too often prove, by the unclaffical and poverty-like way in which they get up the hiftorical plays of our Immortal Bard; when at the fame time, they lay open their attention and their treasures, to bring forward ballet-dances, and heterogeneous pantomimes. But of this enough; digreffions are oftentimes irrelevant; perhaps we here fall into this error! WAKEFIELD BRIDGE. Built by Edward IV. A fine example of antient mafonry, and on a large fcale; in the centre is a chapel projecting from the Eaft fide of the bridge, four arches ranging on either hand. At the North-ealt angle of the chapel is a stair-cafe for afcending into it from the water: the Eaft window has much tracery, and the parapet is perforated. The windows on each fide the building, North and South, are equally rich. But all embellishment feems inconfiderable, and all praife inadequate, when referring to the Weft front, immediately connected with the pafs on the bridge. This front, however, may be particu larized as to its feveral features; then let the Antiquary's imagination lively paint that eulogium which may be felt, but cannot be defcribed. The defign is 26 feet in breadth; and is divided into feven parts by buttreffes 5 thefe parts are made out as fo many receffes, with Pointed arched heads, and lofty pediments. The fecond, centre, and fixth parts, have door-ways (the centre one and the fixth bricked up); above is an entablature fupporting niches, turrets, and five bafforelievos: thefe latter decorations are crowned with fmall battlements. The feveral grounds are filled with compartments and traceries, which, with the crotchets, finials, and other ornaments, are minute and delicate in the extreme. The baffo-relievos fhew the Nativity, Refurrection, and Afcenfion; the fourth not quite intelligible (being with the reft much mutilated), but appears to contain two perfonages, one on each fide an altar. So much did the magick of this chapel rivet my attention, that I paffed three days making my fketches; indeed, the nature of the work demanded fo much of my feeble efforts. After the defcrip tion as above, will it be credited, that this Chapel, this Divine Edifice, was, previous to my arrival, let to an oldcloaths- man, who was in the practice of hanging on the precious traceries his filthy ware, he cutting and driving in nails for that purpofe. It is true the front of the chapel is now free from fuch contamination; but the interior was converted into a den for flaxdreffers, where oaths and execrations alone prevailed. Strange reverfe! Did it not once refound with prayers and holy ejaculations? Near Wakefield is the remains of SANDAL CASTLE, under the walls of which Richard Duke of York loft his life, in the battle with Queen Margafet. Of this cattle little exifts but two uprights of about 20 feet each in length, containing a few windows, &c. NOTTINGHAM CASTLE. Nothing is left of the original works, but the archway of the defcent down the fallyport, through the rock, on which the cafile ftood, being called "Mortimer's hole *.' The prefent ftructure was erected in 1674, after the old one had been deftroyed in the grand rebellion. The fituation feems to have made the walls inacceffible, at least on the South fide, the rock being nearly perpendicular. The above archway is Pointed, and recedes for fome feet with this form in continuation, where fteps begin the defcent for a fhort diftance; then the defcent is followed by the mere footing through the excavation down to the ground at the bafe of the rock. This defcent is tedious and tremendous; loop-holes at certain difiances are cut to admit light, and for fhooting arrows through. At fome diftance from the caftle, where the rocks till continue in line, though declining gradually in height, are excavations upon an extenfive fcale, their face bearing due South. Before them is a finall and clear ftream. The arrangement of the excavations are monaftical; and we with much fatisfaction trace out the Infirmary, Refectory. Dormitory, Chapter-houfe, and the Chapel. This latter place gives two ailes, divided by perforated arches, with head ways in manner of groins; and at the East end an altar. Many Roman tiles are worked in the chimneys; and a Roman column with an ornamented base make * Engraved in "Antient Architec ture." a part of the chapel*. Too much ftudy cannot be devoted to fo curious and fo peculiar a fubject; and we may fairly conclude the excavation to be as old as Christianity itfelf with us, when we find the early converts reforted for fafety and fecrecy to grots and caves. In our day, it is fid, the unfortunate alone fly to grots and caves; "Where life, though joyless, ftill iş calm; And fweet Content is Sorrow's balm †.” Happy or unhappy, I fly to mounting walls, to view the high majestic arch, the heaven-afpiring groin, the graceful cluttered pillar, the gorgeous tomb, the pale religious glare of light, and oh to dwell on the foft breeze of holy fong, which, through the lengthened aile, wafts the fond foul from joy to joy, until at length each dying found is loft, and all is hufhed in peace! Even now I dwell amidit thefe glories, preparing fresh theme for kind attention, which at a future hour may inftruct, may amuse. In this mood then I terminate my Yorkshire memoranda, I bid farewell, to whom? fure none but friends. AN ARCHITECT. EAST INDIA DOCKS. Auguft 6. HE arrival of the Eaft India fleet, a month at leaft earlier than was ΤΗ expected, made an uncommon exertion requifite at the Docks, to be able to receive them; and the progrefs made in the fhort time between their arrival and reception into the Docks was fcarcely credible. It was fach, notwithstanding the very unfavourable flate of the weather during the last week, that the Lords Commiffioners of the Treafury, on the reprefentation of the Board of Cuftonis, were pleafed to grant the certificate preferibed by the Act, of the fitnefs of the Docks for the reception of fhipping, and in confequence, Monday laft, Auguft 4, was determined on for the admiffion of the Company's fhips into the inner Dock; and the requifite arrangements were made for that purpofe. It was by the Directors of the Eaft India Dock Com-' pany alfo refolved, that the Honourable Company's fhip Earl Camden, from the gallant defence made by her under Sir Nathaniel Dance, against the Ma * Engraved in "Antient Architecture." Oratorio, Handel, rengoa rengo, Admiral Linois, and the hip Admiral Gardner, Capt. Saltwell, in confequence of her beating off the Bellona of 44 guns, during the voyage, fhould be the firft hips admitted into the Dock; and that the City of London, Capt. Landon, from the name having reference to the emporium of British Commerce, and the feat of his Majefty's Government, fhould be introduced at the fame time. ac The ufual proceeding of mooring at Long Reach for a fhort time, in order to clear the fhips of their flores and a part of their cargoes, flowed on the lower deck for the purpofe of lightening them to a certain degree, was neceffarily complied with and it fo happened, that only one of thefe ships, the Admiral Gardner, came up among the early fhips from Long Reach to Blackwall: the Lady Califereagh, the Charlton, the City of London, and the Surry, came up in fucceffion; in time, however, to prepare and fit them to go into the Docks. An unfortunate ftrong Wefterly wind prevented the arrival of the Camden before the morning of the 4th, too late fo admiffion till the evening tide of that day; and the arrangement was of courfe altered for the Admiral Gardner to take the lead in entering the Dock, then the City of London, and the other three hips. They were cordingly introduced into the Bafon on Friday, Saturday, and Monday, as, they were ready The Charlton did not avail herfelf of thofe opportunities, and was in confequence left in the river. It was as unexpected as it was acceptable, that the weather proved uncommonly fine, with fufficient wind only to difplay the flags; and offered to the company affenibled a very grand and picturefque fcene. Over the great entrance gate-way, feats were placed moft commodiously for about 250 perfons; the view from thence commanding the whole of the Dock premifes, the furrounding Country, the reaches of the River down to Purfleet, the Dock-yard at Woolwich, and the Royal Arenal; the profpect of Greenwich Hofpital, Flamfiead Houfe, the hoys, and other vellels dreffed in the river, among which was the Earl Camden that had arrived at her moorings, and was fplendidly decorated with flags, formed altogether one of the moft gratifying and interefting fights imaginable. These feats were filled by perfons of fuperior rank in life, among which were the families of many of the Nobility. On the Wellern Quay were three fheds erected, which had feats for 200 perfons each. The feats in both fituations were covered with flags, and the pillars ornamented with them, fo as to afford a very rich emblematical appearance. Over the gateway was difplayed the Royal Standard, a St. George's enfign, and the Eaft India Company's enfign. The Trinity yacht, a beautiful vellel, was dreffed in a matterly style, with the flag of that antient and honourable Corporation at her waft-head, and all the British colours in the more confpicuous ftations, with those of our Allies next, fo as to form a very appropriate contraft. The Admiral Gardner had only three flags at her maft head, independent of her Jack and Enfign; the Roval Standard at the main, St. George's enfign at the fore, the Company's colours at the mizen. The Admiralty flag, that had been difplayed at the mafl-house, on the entrance of his Majesty's Ministers into the premises (among whom were Lord Howick and Earl Spencer, who formerly prefided at that board), was, on their arrival on-board the Gardner, difplayed at her forema ft-head. The City of London had a profufe difplay of colours. The Caftlereagh and Surry, fuch as the fhortness of time admitted. The Trinity buoy yacht and Sir William Curtis's were at the pier heads in the river, dreffed in every colour and flag that is ufed as national or fignal colours; and the East India Company's armed hoys, with their respective flags, lay on the South fhore, with their ordnance on-board, and barricadoed. Such a fplendid fcene prefented itself on all fides, as was never furpaffed. But, added to all this, there was fuch an affemblage of British dames in all the pride of beauty, grace, dignity, and drefs, as fcarcely ever before collected together. Spectators in carriages open and covered, and on foot, covered the quays; which, with the Eaft India Company's Volunteers on the South quay, their artillery in front, and the Trinity Houfe Royal Volunteer Artillery, who manned 50 pieces of caunon on the South quay of the outward-bound Dock, confiituted one of the grandest fpectacles imaginable, and fearcely poffible to be conveyed by the minutest description. At the back of the was fheds |