Page 236 [236]
OCR
214 THE CHURCHES FOUNTAIN COURT, TEMPLE Italian details and that marvellous sense of proportion to be seen in all his work, the best points of Gothic architecture could be adapted. The result, whether in itself or in contrast, was most satisfactory, and was greatly enhanced by the opening of the wide street between the two churches. I shall not soon forget my distress when, after a long absence abroad, I went once more to enjoy the view, and found to my horror that St. Antholin’s had utterly disappeared. On the whole, this is the greatest vandalism perpetrated in our time. We abuse the architects of the past for destroying the bell tower at Salisbury, but that was a meritorious action compared with the removal of St. Antholin’s; and I have been assured on the highest authority that the destruction was carried out in spite not only of the protests, but even the
