From the Ecclesiologist, April 1851, page 156.
S. Mary’s, Truro.—During the last few years, eight windows of painted glass by Mr. Warrington, have been put up in this church, at three several times; and it is gratifying to add that each set betokens a degree of improvement. We will describe them in order, beginning at (1) the window over the altar. This is large of five lights—in the lower part of each of which is a canopy, and under them the figures of SS. Philip and John the Evangelists, our Blessed Lord and SS. James Minor and Simon. The canopies are of the same design and height, and consequently our Lord appears as a Saint among saints merely. We must demur also at the treatment of the nimbus around our Lord’s head; the aureole itself is blue, and the cross on it yellow; the consequence is that it looks like nothing else but a turban. This has been pointed out to Mr. Warrington, and we believe he will alter it. Above the canopies is a towering mass of little niches, pinnacles, &c. The effect is not satisfactory; there is certainly too great a preponderance of white. In three of the smaller niches are represented SS. Peter, John Baptist, and Paul, some six or seven sizes smaller than the figures below: this is certainly incorrect. There is no tracery in this window. (2.) At the east end of the south aisle, a large window of five lights. The ground is diapered and flowered, and on it are the evangelistic symbols, and the sacred monogram “J. H. C.” in medallions, and the instruments of the holy passion on five shields. In the tracery-lights are two angels, flowers, &c., but we were pleased to observe, no crowd of symbols. The remaining six windows range up the wall of the south aisle. We will begin at its east end. (3.) [Each of these windows is of two large lights, and the subjects were chosen by the donors.] In this window are represented the taking down from the cross, and the entombment. It is a not unsatisfactory one, (being of the latest work.) There is not the slightest smudginess, and the drapery is careful. Some of the faces are of great beauty. The inscriptions are as follows:—“He brought linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen;”—“and laid Him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.” This window is the gift of Rev. W.W. Harvey, rector of S. Mary’s. There is fortunately no attempt at antiquating in this window; indeed the effect of the evening sky peeping through the cave and falling upon the dead face of the Lord is very commendable. (4.) This window represents the Resurrection. In the first light are two Roman soldiers, and an angel; in the second S. Mary and the Lord arising. This window is one of the second set, and is not so happily treated as No. 3. There are appropriate texts, and at the bottom the memorial inscription: This window was also presented by the Rev. W.W. Harvey, in memory of his wife. (5.) A memorial window, presented by Humphrey Wylliams, Esq., M.P. The subjects are (1) the anointing of Christ by S. Mary. (2.) The visitation of the sick, (why was not a scriptural subject chosen? Scarcely any one would know what this was unless they were told.) In the upper part are appropriate texts, and in the bottom the inscription, “In Memoriam Redowi Wylliams,” &c. Some of the figures in this window struck us as being a little antiquated. On the whole it is not so satisfactory as the others; the figure of our Lord is in a very awkward posture, looking exactly as if He were crouching down to prevent the oil being poured upon His head. (6.) The subjects are, (1) the raising of Lazarus; (2) the good Samaritan. The figures in this window are on the whole good; but there are two antiquated things which must be pointed out, viz.:—A tree which looks for all the world like several balls of green cotton tied up to a stake; and certain light drab clouds fringed with lead-work, and looking exactly like smoke: in order to render this effect complete, Mr. Warrington has made these coming out of the roof of a house in the background, so that it looks like nothing else but a house on fire. (7.) This, and the next, (and No. 3 already described) constitute the last set, and are by far the best. The subjects in this are:—(1.) The blessing little children. (2.) The raising of Jairus’ daughter. The most striking improvement is in the faces; those of our Lord and of the daughter of Jairus are of great beauty. There is not the slightest attempt at antiquating in either of these windows: the trees are free and graceful, even as much so as in an oil-colour painting. The inscriptions are: “Suffer little children to come unto Me,” &c., and “weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” (8.) The Pharisee and the publican in the temple, and the entry into Jerusalem. Inscriptions—“Whoso exalteth himself shall be abased, but whoso,” &c.—“Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, Hosanna.” In the first are two figures only, very skilfully treated. In the second seven, but no appearance of confusion, the mule is very successful, and the tree really quite graceful. It is gratifying to add that Nos. 6, 7, 8, were presented to the church by Wm. Daubuz, of Killiow, Esq. in memory of his father, mother, and brother. They are of Mr. Warrington’s best glass, and all of his original designs. We detected a little smudginess in Nos. 1 and 2, but the others are free from it. If we may judge from these windows, Mr. Warrington appears to have abandoned the nauseous practice of antiquating of which we are so often obliged to complain; and in this church at least the tracery is not filled with symbols. Nos. 3, 4, 7, 8, have angels in the tracery light (a large one in each.). Nos. 5 and 6 the arms of the donors. The effect of the chancel of S. Mary’s, although there is no architectural distinction between the nave and chancel, is exceedingly solemn. It is late Third-Pointed. The south-aisle windows afford a magnificent field for stained glass, being fourteen in number, close to one another; there yet remain eight of plain ground glass. The handsome reredos of Caen stone has been polychromatized very successfully. Sedilia of oak have been placed in the chancel, a good litany desk, and a lectern, resembling (with a few variations,) that in No. 1 of Instrumenta Ecclesiastica. In the spandrels of the chancel arcades have been painted the evangelistic symbols, and angels in the south aisle. The pillars and arches have also been painted, which harmonizes well with the stained glass. On the wall by the font has been stencilled a miserable diaper pattern, presenting the appearance of a common bedroom paper. The sooner it is effaced the better. The ancient poor-box of rich arabesque work has been restored. The church is still disfigured with galleries north and west, and with an odious coved roof of plaister, glaringly white-washed, and harshly contrasting with the windows and the painting. Under it a richly carved oak roof is known to exist, but it is chopped all to pieces with bars, &c. stuck in all directions to support the mass of plaister below. The great grandfather of the present clerk could remember when every window in the south aisle was full of stained glass—a little of which remains in the tracery. Inconceivable vandalism which could have destroyed these!
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