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RESTORATION OF ST.PATRICK's CATHEDRAL.

Through the princely munificence of our respected fellow-citizen, Benjamin Lee Guinness, this venerable and historic pile has been rescued from inevitable ruin and destruction. Year after year passed over its hallowed walls crumbling into dust, without a single effort being made to repair the ravages of time and ruthless vandalism. But still, in its desolation and decay, the beauty of its proportions and the simple grandeur of its ensemble exacted from the most critical and fastidious sincere and warm expressions of admiration. The most casual observer who saw it two years ago could plainly perceive that, unless prompt and effective measures were taken, one of the most ancient specimens of ecclesiastical architecture in the three kingdoms would be soon “numbered amonst the things that were.” The strangers and tourists who visited its interior were wont to express their surprise at the old minster being allowed to fall into such a melancholy state of delapidation. Its ceilingless nave, above which were to be seen the bare rafters that supported the roof, made many inquire if any effort had been ever made to keep the church in repair or fit it to continue to be a place of public Christian worship; and those who sauntered through its decaying aisles and transepts, or gazed upon its tottering doorways, may exclaim with truth—

Those who possessed any historic knowledge of the old cathedral–who saw it at the time referred to must have perceived on every side stern homilies on the weakness and mutability of the strongest work of man's hands, as the mind was carried back to the palmy days of the old cathedral, when the interior of its roof shone in the splendour of azure and gold–when the capitals and mouldings of the columns and arches were painted and gilded, the walls decorated with frescoes, and the flooring inlaid in Mosaic, with curious encaustic tiles, which gave (says the old chronicler) to this cathedral an imposing effect. The same authority says, “That it was considered, in point of size and grandeur, to be superior to all the cathedrals in Ireland, if not to many in England.” It is true the worthy and Venerable (Dean Pakenham) made every effort to restore the cathedral, and in that laudable object expended large sums out of his own private resources; but it was found that nothing short of a very large sum, indeed, would be sufficient to effect the work of even partial restoration. A public subscription was also set on foot, and the list of subscribers was headed by the name of her Majesty the Queen, but by this means little more than 2,000l. was realized. All the money collected was most judiciously expended on a small portion of the cathedral, but the nave, transept, and aisles had to be allowed to remain in their falling state, and even the most sanguine despaired of ever seeing the old cathedral of St. Patrick's restored. Scarcely a month passed over without some portion of the sacred edifice falling, and it was generally believed that the time was not far distant when the “hallowed fane” would be levelled to the ground. In the summer of the year 1860, Benjamin Lee Guiness conceived the grand and noble idea of restoring the cathedral, and, with that magnificence of restoring the cathedral, and, with that munificence for which he is so justly distinguished, he determined to undertake the arduous task, regardless of the enormous outlay which it would involve. When Mr. Guinness's intention was first rumoured few persons believed it, but when it became known as a fact men of all classes, ranks, and persuasions were loud in praise of one who had shown so great an example, and by the splendour of his bounty reflected honour or the entire community amongst whom he lived. The difficulties to be contended with were enourmous, and it was feared that any attempt that would be made to restore the church would bring down the entire fabric, as it was in a most shaken and ruinous condition. It was freely asserted that it would be better to rebuild the cathedral. Others remakred that “the old characteristics of the church would be destroyed, and that it would be better to have it in ruins than to be modernised and vandalized, as Christ's Church Cathedral had been, and, like that, to be made resemble a portion of a street roofed in with a clock tower in the centre.” The good taste and knowledge of art possessed by Mr. Guinness were safeguards against serious mistakes of that kind occurring, and it was positively determined that the cathedral should be restored, and that no innovation should be made on the original design, and that in the work of restoration, even to the minutest detail, no alteration in the style should be made. To carry this out effectively, all portions of the building which were to be removed were photographed, and from these pictures the working drawings were prepared. The arduous undertaking of restoring the cathedral was intrusted to Messrs. Murphy, builders, Amiens-street, and in the July of 1860 the work commenced. Science had now to deal with the accumulated wear and tear of ages, and to make that strong, fresh, and vigorous which was in the last stage of feebleness and crumbling into dust. What a sorry and hopeless spectacle did it present on the day the work commenced. It had to be approached like a child's house of cards, as a mistake in the removal of the old work might have been attended with the most disastrous consequences. It was found necessary to remove the south wall of the nave, and the massive columns and arches which divided it from the south aisle had to be taken away. This was a most hazardous undertaking, and the greatest caution was required for its accomplishment, but the plane adopted by Messrs. Murphy succeeded admirably, without, in the slightest degree, injuring the roof. The north wall of the nave had also to be removed, and was effected with similar success. A large portion of the exterior of the church is now fully restored to its pristine beauty and grandeur, and that which twenty months since was a tottering ruin is growing daily into grace and symmetry, under the skilled hands of the judicious renovator who has done his work so well as to completely silence professional jealousy and the affected justice of invidious criticism. The portion of the external works which are now completed are remarkable for their strength and durability, combined with elegance and beauty of detail. The southern porch has been rebuilt and presents a most charming appearance, and the triple lancet windows which have been finished are generally and deservedly admired. The works of the interior are going on rapidly. The columns dividing the nave from the aisles and the arches which spring from them present a most imposing appearance, and a person now visiting the old cathedral can form a conception of what it was in the days of its original splendour. The cleristory windows have been all restored, and the work in the minor chapel is fast progressing. Shortly that portion of the cathedral on which was built the church of St. Nicholas Without will be again a part of St. Patrick's. When the works now in course of construction within the church are more advanced, the organ will be removed and placed in its proper position in the choir. The organ gallery will be taken down so as to leave no unsightly obstruction between one part of the church and another. The groined ceiling of the nave is nearly finished, and when the scaffolding will be taken away those who remember the wretched appearance which the rude rafiers presented will be agreeably surprised at the wonderful change which has been effected. The expense already incurred amounts to something approximating to 50,000l; but before the great work which Mr. Guinness has undertaken will be completed it will cost him fully 80,000l. Taking the restoration of St. Patrick's Cathedral into consideration on purely national grounds, the highest honour is due to Benjamin Lee Guinness, whose name is so familiarly known in connection with anything calculated to promote the cause of charity or contribute to the welface of his fellow citizens. The possession of a princely fortune by him is a benefit to his kind, and the name of so good a man deserves to be perpetuated; but as long as the walls of Saint Patrick's stand they will speak for ages of his munificence, and be an enduring monument of his many and splendid virtues. We cannot close this brief notice without bearing the highest testimony to the artistic taste, skill and judgement displayed by the Messrs Murphy in the discharge of the important duty confided to them.

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