Transcribed from the 1874 J. Hewetson edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org [Picture: Pamphlet cover] REMARKS UPON THE PROPOSED DESTRUCTION OF THE TOWER OF THE PARISH CHURCH, OF ST. JOHN, HAMPSTEAD, BEING A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE REVD SHERRARD B. BURNABY, M.A. VICAR OF HAMPSTEAD. BY GEORGE GILBERT SCOTT, M.A. _Sometime Fellow of Jesus College_, _Cambridge_. * * * * * 26, CHURCH ROW, HAMPSTEAD. _May_ 1_st_, 1874. MY DEAR MR. VICAR, Will you permit me to address to you, and through you to others, some remarks upon the subject of the Restoration of our Parish Church. Such a request needs I think no apology. As a parishioner I cannot be indifferent to such a question. As an architect, whose attention has been directed professionally to the subject for more than two years, I may fairly ask a hearing. Did I need a further excuse the address at the head of this letter would supply it. Living as I do, and, please God, shall do for many years, almost under the shade of the Parish Church, and having it before my eyes continually, I have every opportunity of coming to a clear opinion upon the matter, and every motive to form a sound one. The movement of public opinion which issued in the invitation to certain architects to submit in competition designs for the restoration of the building had two sources. The existing arrangements of the church are not in accordance with the improved ecclesiastical taste of the present day. The high pews which encumber the interior, the galleries which disfigure its really fine proportions, the cramped space about the holy table, the unsightly reading desk, the absence of any proper chancel, and of any conveniences for a well-conducted choir, shock the taste and offend the judgment of all well-informed churchmen. It is probable however that this feeling would have failed to produce a general movement in favour of restoration had it not been aided by a fact, the force of which was apparent to every one. I allude of course to the settlement of the Tower which had become serious as early as 1829.