ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY The eighteenth century is usually looked upon as a time when little care was taken for the outward fabric of the churches of England, and the com- plaint is no doubt just ; but in Leicestershire there was apparently rather a better state of things than in some other parts of the country. Nichols records the complete rebuilding or repair of the churches at Walton on the Wolds, 892 Wymeswold, 898 Saxby,' 9 * Stapleford, 8 " Scraptoft, 296 Lubenham, 897 Ragdale, 298 Market Harborough, 899 and the chapels of Carlton, 800 Rolleston, 301 Mountsorrel, 302 and Stretton Parva ; 80S while the Churchwardens' Accounts of Sapcote, Loughborough, and St. Martin's, Leicester, show that a good deal of money was spent in this way during the period in question. Nichols, indeed, makes it plain that he was sadly familiar with the sights we imagine too common in his day * churches in shameful neglect, the Gothic tracery broken or defaced, the windows for a mere saving to the parish half stopped up with dabs of mortar '; 804 but he describes the profusion of hart's-tongue fern which grew under the communion table at Waltham on the Wolds with more interest in the species to which it belonged than indignation at the fact. 806 He only draws special attention to the miserable state of Frisby on Wreak (already described) 306 and of Sysonby chapel, a ' little wretched build- ing, dark and damp,' where prayers were said but once a month. 807 Of course the standard of requirement, even amongst the devout and earnest, of that time was very different from our own. The terriers of 17089 show fairly well what was expected at the beginning of the century. Almost every church had one decent ' carpet-cloth ' for the altar (the colour being a matter of indifference), and a pulpit-cushion to match ; one surplice, one white linen cloth, and a single napkin being considered amply sufficient. There was usually a silver chalice and paten ; but pewter was good enough for the flagon and alms dish, unless some wealthy benefactor replaced it by better metal. 808 A church was ' handsomely furnished ' a little later if its altar cloth (and the indispensable pulpit cushion) were of crimson velvet with gold fringe ; if it had a panelled ' altar-piece ' framing a sacred picture, or more often the Commandments ; and perhaps Moses and Aaron painted on the eastern wall. 809 The clergy did not apparently sigh for many changes of altar linen, or a succession of frontals for the seasons. The highest ideal of the time may be seen in the schemes recorded of that eccentric but devoted son of the church, William Hanbury of Church Langton. This worthy man devoted the whole of his life and energy to the project of endowing a great charity, which was to include the rebuilding of the church, the founda- tion of a hospital, college, and picture gallery a complete 'Temple of Religion and Science.' To this end he gave himself up to the work of 191 Nichols, Leu. iii, 499. "* Ibid. 504. "* Ibid, ii, 311. 195 Ibid. 296 Ibid. 785. * Ibid. 498. " Ibid, iii, 387. 199 Ibid, ii, 496. * Ibid, iv, 514. *> l Ibid, ii, 444. 303 Ibid, iii, 91. 3M Ibid, ii, 738. " Ibid, ii, 250. Mi Ibid. 382-4. 508 In connexion with its vicar, William Wragge. sw Ibid, ii, 283. The churches of Elmesthorpe, Brooksby, Knaptoft, and Wigston (St. Wulfstan's) had been ruins for a long time. 808 Many of these are quoted by Nichols, and also by Trollope. 509 There are enthusiastic descriptions of Lubenham and Loughborough churches, which were furnished in this style. Nichols also gives an appreciative notice of the re-casting of the bells at Hinckley. In 1793 they were made to play as follows : Sunday, Psalm civ ; Monday, God Save the King; Tuesday, Woodland ; Wednesday, Highland Laddie ; Thursday, Grammachree ; Friday, Jubilee Minuet ; Saturday, The New German Spa. It is evident that this arrangement was thought to be suitable and delightful. 395
