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lEtoan Cttt'tStian, 
 
 ARCHITECT. 
 
 PRINTED FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION. 
 
 
 ©ambrftge: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 
 
 1896 
 
Our friend has gone to his well-earned rest — gathered to the great 
 harvest like a sheaf of corn fully ripe — surrounded by all those things 
 which shotdd accompany old age, as '•Uove, honour, obedience, troops of 
 friends,"''* leaving us to chronicle and to cherish the fresh, green memory 
 of his genial, kindly presence; bequeathing to us the bright example 
 of the kind and courteous Christian gentleman, the enthusiastic lover 
 of his art, the honourable and honoured architect, and what more can I 
 say, or what more would he have wished to be said of him than, Let 
 me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.'* 
 
 (From Mr Christian’s Presidential Address at the R.I.B.A., 
 ■2 Nov. 1885 — referring to the late Prof. Donaldson.) 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Introduction v 
 
 Chapter I. Life i 
 
 In the Sunday-school 47 
 
 Chapter II. Work 52 
 
 Obituary Notices 72 
 
 Chapter III. Character 79 
 
 Mural Legends 98 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Those of us who feel that a bit of the sunshine 
 of life passed away with the tidings that we should 
 never again have the cordial greetings and the cheer- 
 ing presence of Mr Christian in our homes, cannot 
 but rejoice that, before the echoes of his kind voice 
 have grown fainter, some record of that high and 
 gracious character should be preserved for us, and 
 spread further among those who only knew him 
 through his work. 
 
 The memory of lives lived fully, to the very last — 
 in keenness of intellectual power, in faithful carrying 
 out of duty, in freshness of heart for all dear ties of 
 relationship and friendship, — is indeed among our 
 most precious “ Intimations of Immortality.” 
 
VI 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Enthusiasm for all that is highest, carried out in 
 faithful work through a noble career from youth to 
 age, is an inspiration for the young, and an illumina- 
 tion through the shadows of age for those who are 
 growing old. 
 
 And, besides this general human reason for 
 welcoming a sketch of Mr Christian’s life, there is the 
 special reason for it, on account of the great oppor- 
 tunities he had, as a leading member of the profession 
 of the great Builders, of linking the Present with the 
 Past, not by a servile copying of the work of olden 
 times, but by a free fulfilling of the spirit, and a faithful 
 treading in the footsteps of the workers. Delight in 
 designing, — thoroughness in working, — wideness of 
 grasp with minute care for detail, — reverence for the 
 beauty of the past, with freedom in adapting the 
 methods of the past to the circumstances of the 
 present, — all this can be best estimated by those 
 who can understand the difficulties he met and 
 conquered, whether in restoration of ancient work, 
 or in original designs of his own ; in the restora- 
 tion of Cathedrals, or in the new National Portrait 
 Gallery (now all but completed), the plans of which 
 were among the last things on which his dying 
 eyes rested. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 vii 
 
 Victor Hugo^ has said, le livre tuera rddifice. But 
 '‘the Book” need not “kill the Building,” as long 
 as there are Builders left who can make Books of 
 their Buildings, — sacred or secular, — who can express 
 their own best thoughts, and those of their age, 
 through what they build, giving us “sermons in 
 stones,” because they themselves have found " God 
 in everything.” 
 
 Elisabeth Bundle Charles. 
 
 ^ In his Notre Dame de Paris. 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 LIFE. 
 
 Who is the honest man? 
 
 He that doth still and strongly good pursue, 
 
 To God, his neighbour, and himself most true : 
 
 Whom neither force nor fawning can 
 Unpin, or wrench from giving all their due. 
 
 George Herbert. 
 
 The Portrait which forms the frontispiece of 
 this little book is a copy of a life-sized crayon^ 
 sketch drawn in the year 1876 by Mr George 
 Richmond, R.A., at his own desire, in gratitude for 
 certain friendly services. In writing to present the 
 picture to Mrs Christian, the artist thus expresses 
 himself, “ I am not always pleased with my own 
 work : but in this sketch I felt that I had not wholly 
 missed the grace and sweetness of my model.” To 
 many who knew and loved Mr Christian well, it 
 will seem, perhaps, that ‘grace and sweetness’ are 
 hardly the fittest words with which to characterize 
 him : that he impressed them rather with a sense of 
 
 ^ Another portrait, painted by Mr W. W. Ouless, R.A. in 1886, is in 
 the possession of the Royal Institute of British Architects. 
 
 H. 
 
 I 
 
2 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 force and decision, of a vehemence ever ready to 
 break out from restraint, of a spirit earnest and lofty, 
 but approaching somewhat to severity, and even stern- 
 ness. Yet grace and sweetness there were, in the 
 countenance as in the character, — the grace of a pure 
 soul, the sweetness of refinement and warmth of 
 heart, — for those who had, like the artist, an eye to 
 discern them, and a congenial spirit to draw them 
 out from their habitual reserve. 
 
 The signature which stands below the portrait 
 symbolizes well the union of old and new ; the name 
 and worth of an ancient family descent, with the 
 strong individuality of its living representative. The 
 name of “ Christian ” belongs to the Isle of Man, and 
 in its earlier form, McChristen, preserves the memory 
 of the time when the Scandinavian invaders of the 
 9th and loth centuries, mingling with the Celtic 
 population of the island, adopted their Celtic pre- 
 fixes. The name “ Ewan,” or as it is sometimes spelt, 
 “Huan,” is probably a Celtic form of “John,” and has 
 been borne by some member of the family in almost 
 every generation. In 1408 one John McChristen was 
 Deemster or Judge in the Isle of Man, and in 1422 
 was still a member of the Tynwald Court. In 1511 
 his third successor, John McChristen, also Deemster, 
 purchased the estate of Milntown in the parish of 
 Lezayre. Five generations later, Ewan, who became 
 Deemster in 1605 at the age of 26, and held the office 
 for 5 1 years, changed the family name to its present 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 3 
 
 form, Christian. He was Deputy Governor of the 
 Island and Constable of Peel Castle, and in his time 
 the Earl of Derby, “ King in Man,” writing of the 
 Christian family, says, “they have made themselves 
 chief here.” The William Christian known by Manx- 
 men as “ Illiam Dhoan,” — “ Brown William,” — who 
 is introduced by Sir Walter Scott into Peveril of the 
 Peak^y was his son. The great-grandson of the above- 
 named Constable, also Ewan, added the estate of 
 Ewanrigg in Cumberland to that of Milntown, and 
 is noted in the Bishop’s visitation as a generous 
 friend to the Church, restoring to the poor Vicar of 
 Deerham the corn-tithes which belonged to himself 
 as Impropriator. This Ewan Christian was succeeded 
 in 1719 by his son John^ whose descendants represent 
 the elder branch of the family. A younger son, 
 Thomas, became Vicar of Crossthwaite in the Lake 
 Country, in 1728, a man of strong and independent 
 character, who established his son Joseph in business 
 in London. In the next generation a second Joseph 
 Christian married his cousin Katharine, daughter of 
 
 ^ Readers of this novel will remember that William Christian is 
 represented (not unfairly) as a man who took a leading and tragic part 
 in the troubled events of the day, and whose memory was very differently 
 regarded by the opposing factions. The ‘ Edward Christian ’ of the tale, 
 however, is avowedly no portrait at all, but ‘a mere creature of the 
 imagination.’ 
 
 2 Of this John Christian one grandson became Lord Ellenborough : 
 another was Fletcher Christian, who headed the mutineers of the 
 ‘Bounty,’ and left descendants in Pitcairn, subsequently transferred to 
 Norfolk Island. 
 
 I — 2 
 
4 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 I 
 
 Mr John Scales of Thvvaitehead in Lancashire, and 
 died in 1821, leaving nine children; of these the 
 seventh was Ewan, to whose memory the following 
 pages are lovingly dedicated. 
 
 Mr Ewan Christian was born in London on Sept. 20, 
 1814. Of his infancy and early years we have oc- 
 casional glimpses in his mother's letters. These letters, 
 written in a full and graceful epistolary style, more 
 common formerly than now, show Mrs Christian to 
 have been a woman of singular beauty of character, 
 refined, unaffected, warm-hearted towards all except, 
 perhaps, “ artificial people.” Her practical wisdom in 
 the affairs of daily life was penetrated through and 
 through by the earnestness of Christian faith, and by 
 a sympathetic love of Nature in all its various aspects, 
 especially of her native Lake Country. To her “dearest 
 Christian ” she was a true and loyal wife, to all her 
 children a wise and tender mother. Though she died 
 when he was but eight years old, Mr Christian cherished 
 his mothers memory with chivalrous affection, and 
 it is not difficult to see how much he owed to her. 
 Of him at the age of three months she says, “my dear 
 babe is grown so fine a fellow”; and again, writing from 
 her step-sister s beautiful home at Casterton, she de- 
 scribes his enjoyment of the country: “Dear Ewan” 
 (now aged four) “ is grown quite a rosy, hardy man : 
 he helps Edward in the stable-yard, dines by his own 
 choice at a side-table in the kitchen, and helps to milk 
 the cows under the shade of those beautiful trees we 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 5 
 
 see from the drawing-room window, and rides in the 
 donkey-cart, with many more delights...” “As I 
 write, I see going past in the shrubbery Ewan and 
 Agnes wheeled by John in the wheelbarrow, which 
 the gardener has left.” About the same time ; “Ewan 
 will find it very soon too cool for nankeens,” and is 
 to have “ a frock and trowsers the size of his plaid, of 
 pepper and salt trimmed with black,” — in case the 
 Queen (Charlotte) should die. 
 
 Mr Joseph Christian died in June, 1821, and his 
 wife, whose health was failing, survived him but little 
 more than a year. The grandparents, however, were 
 still living at Mortlake. Their old-fashioned garden 
 with its abundant fruit trees was one of the well- 
 remembered delights of little Ewan’s childhood, and 
 they seem to have interested themselves much in his 
 education. “ Grandpapa,” writes Miss Emma Christian 
 (afterwards Mrs Wontner) in April, 1822, “thinks 
 Ewan’s abilities wonderful : whatever he applies him- 
 self to he will accomplish.” There was some thought 
 of sending him to St Paul’s School, and of training 
 him ultimately to take Holy Orders. But “Grand- 
 papa and Grandmamma desire to get him into Christ’s 
 Hospital,” as it was thought that the air of Hertford 
 would be beneficial to a delicate child. 
 
 Accordingly at the age of eight (June, 1823) Ewan 
 began his career in the junior branch of Christ’s 
 Hospital, established at Hertford. He used to speak 
 in later days of the simple old-fashioned style of 
 
6 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 living, and how the boys “slept the clock round.” 
 His younger brother Joseph was also admitted to 
 Christs Hospital in 1824, and becoming in course 
 of time a Grecian, proceeded to Pembroke Hall, Cam- 
 bridge. Of this early period of Ewan s boyhood little 
 can be discovered. One of his younger contem- 
 poraries, the Rev. F. G. Nash\ has given us this slight 
 sketch of his character at school. “ I was only nine 
 years old when he was fifteen. The impression that 
 seems to have remained in my mind is that he had more 
 than usual influence among the other senior boys, 
 and that the juniors felt that they had in him a friend 
 and protector. I cannot recall anything that he did 
 or said to account for this impression, and suppose 
 it must have arisen from his appearance and kind- 
 liness of manner.” One of the reminiscences of his 
 school days was that he took great interest in the 
 building of the Great Hall. The area of the build- 
 ing operations was forbidden ground, but Ewan had a 
 little corner from which he could watch what was 
 going on unobserved, and the workmen would smuggle 
 him out to save him from punishment. Thus early 
 were the instincts of the future architect discovered. 
 
 With all the gratitude which he felt to his old 
 school, Mr Christian never ceased to regret that in 
 his boyhood he had so few opportunities of being 
 acquainted with country life. To the advantages 
 of such training he alludes long afterwards when 
 
 Vicar of Clavering, Essex. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 7 
 
 writing to his eldest daughter on the question of 
 exchanging her rural home at Silsoe for the town 
 life of Cambridge. 
 
 “ Thwaitehead, 
 
 “ is^tk Mayy 1887. 
 
 “Many a small country vicarage like yours has been the 
 workshop and source of large instrumentalities of good. Bishop 
 Fraser’s best years were passed in smaller centres of usefulness, 
 and yet his influence was as widely felt as that of any man of 
 the present century. Richard Hooker minded the sheep on 
 the glebe of a small vicarage, and in the quietude of his study 
 produced immortal work, spite of the scoldings of the shrew to 
 whom he was mated. ... If there is anything I have regretted 
 more than another in my course of life, it has been that I could 
 not give my children the inestimable advantage of the education 
 of a country life. I know what a loss it has been to myself to 
 have been brought up in a town ; how much I am ignorant of 
 which might have been learnt by merely opening my eyes to the 
 every-day sights and sounds of Nature’s teachings, and certainly 
 some of the most cultured people I have ever met, and some of 
 the most learned men, have been found in what would be deemed 
 by some country solitudes.” 
 
 And again, in the latest letter which she received 
 from him, he reverts to the same subject. 
 
 “ Thwaitehead, 
 
 2^ Atf^us/y 1894. 
 
 “. . . . I enclose a cutting from the Hampstead Express^ 
 written, as I am told, by an ‘ Old Gardener.’ I wish there 
 were many like open-minded cultivators of the earth, with 
 eyes and brains of the same sort. What I lost in my youth 
 by the want of such teaching I have long and often keenly 
 felt, but 1 rarely saw a flower or field till after I left school, 
 though the delights of one month of August just 70 years 
 since, I can still remember, for August 1824 I spent in a de- 
 
8 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 lightful farm-house with a very large garden, and most of my 
 days in the harvest field. I have never known how it came 
 about; but old Mrs Martin of Southery was a very kind 
 motherly woman, and her husband a very fine specimen of the 
 gentleman farmer. ... I remember his face, even now, of bright 
 intelligence. That was in the old days of coach travelling, when 
 we dined at the ‘Hoop^ at Cambridge, and got to Southery, 
 near Downham, to tea, and it was accounted very fast travelling 
 at eight miles an hour ! Now you will think it very odd that 
 the sending of this newspaper extract should summon up such 
 a store of recollections, but they come out naturally enough 
 when I remember also the contrasting circumstances of burial 
 in the bricks and stone and mortar, and no trees, flowers or 
 insects, in the six years of Christ’s Hospital, and never in 
 
 contact with anyone who cared for country delights The 
 
 faculty of all others that it is important in my view to cultivate 
 carefully is that of observation. ‘ Eyes and no Eyes ’ is a tale 
 that ought to be written in letters of gold, for it just makes the 
 difference between man and man, whether or not that faculty is 
 brought out. I know it too well, for though I have acquired 
 some power, it is not by any means so keen as I know it 
 ought to be.” 
 
 A few months after leaving school (1829, aetat. 15) 
 he was articled to Mr Matthew Habershon, a London 
 architect. It is interesting to note that his indentures 
 are dated Sept. 20th— his birthday. At once he began 
 to study hard for his profession. He became a student 
 at the Royal Academy; and about the same time 
 was attending the French lectures of M. Delisle at 
 the London University. In 1832 he passed some 
 time at Nottingham, engaged on work for Mr Ha- 
 bershon. A letter written by him to his sister, Mrs 
 Lloyd, at Hawkshead, dated Oct. 24, 1834, shows us 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 9 
 
 the young man full of energy and confidence at twenty 
 years of age. He has been trying to get an appoint- 
 ment to superintend the building of a church at 
 Clappersgate, and has sent in a design “ on specula- 
 tion.” He is thinking of preparing also a design for 
 a new church at Kendal, “ in the hopes of stirring 
 them up to build.’’ He urges his sister to “keep her 
 children at home, as her little chaps by being brought 
 up in the North will (as all North countrymen do), 
 be sure to get on ” if they come to London. He then 
 describes his first tour abroad, a visit he has lately 
 made to Paris. In company with a friend, he started 
 by the Times coach to Southampton. Arrived at 
 Havre the next morning, he notices the picturesque 
 houses chiefly built of wood, filled in with plaster, and 
 apologizes for this “ methodical stuff” instead of a 
 description of the “ sensations ” usually felt, or “ pro- 
 fessed to be felt,” on first landing in a foreign land, 
 with the excuse “ I have not much ideality in my 
 composition, and I do not profess to feel what I really 
 do not.” The letter is however full of enthusiasm. 
 The beauty of the Seine, illustrated by a slight sketch; 
 the glory of the west front of Rouen Cathedral, and 
 St Ouen’s (though throughout the whole of his 
 travels he has “ seen nothing at all to compare to our 
 own majestic Abbey,” i.e. Westminster); the diligence 
 to Paris (illustrated with diagrams) ; the approach to 
 Paris by the Champs Elysees, — all come in for glowing 
 description, notwithstanding his professed lack of 
 
lO 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 “ ideality.” He is greatly impressed by the galleries 
 of the Louvre, but thinks Notre Dame inferior to 
 Saint Sulpice, and the Panthdon superior to St Paul’s! 
 From Paris the friends proceed to Orleans, which in 
 its decay suggests the reflection, “ how are the mighty 
 fallen,” and thence to Tours, where the grapes receive 
 appreciative notice. From Tours, “by a conveyance 
 called a Trycycle,” they are taken along the high 
 river bank to Saumur and Nantes, whence they turn 
 their steps homeward. He calculates, characteristi- 
 cally, that he has travelled 1300 miles in three weeks, 
 and brings his letter to a hasty finish, as he has a 
 design in his head for the new Kendal Church \ 
 which he intends to commit to paper. 
 
 The next few years of his life were spent in pro- 
 fessional work in various parts of the country, but it 
 is not easy to arrange the events of this period in 
 exact order of time. In 1835 he was searching out 
 and sketching half-timbered houses in Lancashire, 
 Cheshire and Shropshire for Mr Habershon’s book 
 on the subject. He spent some time with Mr Brown 
 of Norwich, and was also employed at Colchester, 
 where occurred an incident which he used to relate 
 with great enjoyment, — how he detected some work- 
 men laying down sand instead of concrete, watched 
 them from a little window guiltily hurrying over 
 their work, and then broke out upon them to their 
 
 ^ This design appears to have been exhibited in the Academy in 
 1835. See p. 57. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 II 
 
 speechless discomfiture, with a thunderlike “You 
 rascals !” In 1840 he helped Mr Railton to prepare 
 his competitive designs for the new Houses of 
 Parliament, and in 1841 we find him superintending 
 the erection of Lee Church (for which he received an 
 honorarium of 50 guineas), submitting designs and 
 seeking posts in different places, and at home work- 
 ing often as much as 1 1 hours a day. At the same 
 time he spent a night weekly at the Institute of 
 British Architects, of which he had just become a 
 member, and gave some hours regularly to lessons in 
 French and Italian. In his diary the wind, thermo- 
 meter, and weather are carefully registered day by day. 
 
 In October, 1841, he started for the tour to Rome 
 and Naples, which formed an epoch in his life. His 
 diary records his progress through France, and gives 
 spirited descriptions of many portions of his route, 
 such as the “ magnificent country ” between Paris and 
 Chambdry, and the snowy crossing of Mt Cenis to 
 Turin. With Turin he is disappointed at first, and 
 finds the churches “ unbearably offensive.” Genoa 
 (reached by “ velociferi ”) he thinks “ may be truly 
 called superb, but the town is a labyrinth.” 
 
 The following extract from his Notes describes 
 his impressions in his own words : 
 
 Genoa. The situation of the city is truly beautiful, and the 
 views in every direction from the ramparts, the heights above 
 the town, or in any situation from which the sea is visible, 
 are most splendid. It is completely shut in by the lofty hills 
 
12 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 behind, and the sea in front, and is strongly fortified. The 
 hills, except close to the town where they are covered with 
 olive trees and vines, are exceedingly bare and rocky, but from 
 their beautiful and varied outlines offer great attractions to , 
 the admirer of nature unadorned ; and the prospects from the 
 heights looking up the valleys, where here and there a little 
 hamlet is placed, with its church tower built almost invariably 
 upon an eminence, and appearing in the distance so peaceful 
 and smiling, are truly enchanting. But to be appreciated and 
 to produce their full effect, they must be seen when the bells 
 are in motion, for nothing seems more in character with this 
 description of scenery than the sound, far off, of “ the church- 
 going bell.” To me, when alone and away from the bustle of 
 men, it is perfect enjoyment to sit and drink in the beauties 
 of nature, and listen to such sounds which are always, I think, 
 calculated to produce a delightful and refreshing effect upon 
 the mind. 
 
 At Genoa he spent a fortnight, detained by the 
 difficulty of recovering his books, which the “set of 
 unprincipled thieves, king and people,” had taken 
 from him at the frontier. Thence he started by 
 steamer to Naples, but was driven by a gale to 
 Spezzia ; and this led to further adventures, for 
 having coasted to Leghorn, he and some fellow pas- 
 sengers made an excursion to Pisa. But on their 
 return they found the sea so violent that their boat 
 failed to reach the steamer. After a second and a 
 third attempt the other passengers became alarmed 
 and gave it up. Mr Christian went down a fourth 
 time alone to persuade the boatmen to try again, 
 but by this time the steamer had gone and he was 
 d^teniE' However, two days later he succeeded in 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 13 
 
 getting on. Eight days were spent at Naples busily, 
 but without much occasion for comment in the 
 diary. A few more days were occupied in a trip to 
 the neighbourhood of Psestum and Amalfi, the de- 
 light of which was keen with him for fifty years. 
 On Thursday, Dec. 9th, he arrived at Rome. 
 
 At Rome he settled down for three months’ work, 
 seeing the city, making sketches, studying Italian, 
 and amidst it all, devoting several mornings to de- 
 signs for a church at Tonbridge, i.e, probably Hilden- 
 borough^ where he built his first church in the 
 following year. Memorials of his industry still re- 
 main in the form of a number of very careful pencil 
 sketches, a closely written diary, and many pages of 
 descriptive notes, partly written in Italian, studies for 
 the most part of architectural buildings, but including 
 also some impressions of scenery. Of these notes 
 another extract may be given, as worthy of more 
 than passing consideration. 
 
 P cesium^ Dec. 2nd.... It is only by visiting and seeing them 
 in their own proper atmosphere that one can appreciate the 
 full beauty of the Grecian Temples. Setting aside all the 
 interest attached to their antiquity, and their appropriate 
 character as memorials of other customs and modes of worship, 
 and considering them simply as masses of architecture, it is 
 only in their clear atmosphere that all their beauty can be 
 seen. No copy, however accurate, can give an idea of the 
 extreme beauty of every portion whether in detail or mass. 
 In every part the marks of close study are visible, and there 
 
 ^ Hildenborough is a village, then in the parish of Tonbridge. 
 
H 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 can be no greater enjoyment than to endeavour by close atten- 
 tion to discover from them the meaning and intentions of their 
 authors. 
 
 While at Rome he also formed the friendship, 
 destined to ripen into lasting intimacy, of Mr (after- 
 wards Professor) T. Hayter Lewis, and (Sir) Horace 
 Jones, by whose society his hitherto solitary life 
 must have been much enlivened. On one occasion 
 the three friends with four others formed a united 
 party, to make a four days’ walking tour to Tivoli 
 and Frascati. On the third day they found them- 
 selves benighted at a little village called Calonna, 
 boasting only a very primitive albergo. “ The rooms,” 
 writes Mr Lewis, ‘'were unfurnished, they had no 
 beds, no mattrasses, no linen. But the night was 
 dark, the road difficult to find ; there was a good 
 fire, and • very clearly some very good ham, so we 
 determined to stop. Accordingly we had some hay 
 laid on the brick floor, a thick cloth or something 
 of that kind laid over it, and there we all seven lay, 
 four on one side and three on the other, one’s heels in 
 the other’s face. It was cold outside and most dread- 
 fully hot in, for we had two thick coverlids over us. 
 However, we had had a good supper of broiled ham 
 and poached eggs, and got several hours of very 
 sound sleep.” Many a good laugh was enjoyed over 
 this adventure by the friends in later times. And 
 more than 43 years afterwards, in June 1885, when 
 Mr Christian, as President of the Royal Institute of 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 15 
 
 British Architects, had occasion to receive on behalf 
 of the Institute the portrait of Sir Horace Jones, he 
 wove the reminiscence of the tour into his reply to 
 Mr Barry with singularly happy effect. 
 
 Horace Jones is one of my oldest friends. You did not 
 include my name amongst those who met him in Rome, but 
 Hayter Lewis and I, with Horace Jones, are the only surviving 
 members of that party of young fellows who walked the Cam- 
 pagna forty-three years ago, and studied with all the zeal that 
 we could the great works that we found in Rome and elsewhere. 
 It is a great pleasure to me to see that picture here. It is 
 not exactly the portrait of the young gentleman who sat 
 side by side with me, sketching a palace of Bramante, and 
 appointing Hayter Lewis as the arbitrator of our sketches, but 
 it is the same genial face, in the portrait of the substantial 
 city magnate that we see before us, that I remember of old, 
 and have known all through my professional life as one of my 
 best friends, and therefore it is a peculiar pleasure to me to be 
 able on this occasion to receive that portrait. 
 
 There are a great many young men present here, some to 
 whom I have presented medals, and one to whom I suggested 
 the possibility of occupying this chair in the future, and I am 
 able to tell them a remarkable thing, — that out of a party of 
 seven, three, the only three remaining members of that party 
 of students, have occupied this chair as Vice-President. If 
 it had not been for our friend Professor Lewis’ health, which 
 would not allow him to take office as President — and he would 
 have been a most popular President amongst us — we should 
 probably all have occupied the presidential chair. 
 
 Therefore I think it is worth mentioning, and may be some 
 encouragement to the young men on the benches behind, to 
 think what is before them. If any kind angel had whispered 
 to me, “You will be occupying the great chair which the 
 Institute has to bestow,” I should have dismissed him with 
 the contemptuous remark that it was utterly impossible, but 
 
i6 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 here I am, and if some of the young men that I see before 
 . me will follow out their profession as Professor Hayter Lewis 
 and Horace Jones have done, and with all the energy and zeal 
 of their characters, and never lose any opportunity of learning 
 whatever they can, as Dr Schliemann^ has done, they may also 
 come to occupy this chair, and I hope they will. 
 
 The Roman visit came to an end. On March 3rd, 
 1842, Mr Christian said goodbye to the Eternal City, 
 and to his friends there. On his return he visited 
 Florence, Bologna, Venice and Milan, and having 
 crossed the Simplon to Paris, arrived in London on 
 May 7th. It was characteristic of him that while he 
 was away he kept a minutely accurate account, both 
 of his expenditure and of the number of miles 
 travelled each day, of which the following is his sum- 
 mary : 
 
 No. of miles, 3377. Coach-fare and all convey- 
 ances ^40, or 2 84^., nearly, per mile. 
 
 Time, 30 weeks. Expenses of lodging 8zc. 
 £6s. 7s., or 4-6^., nearly, per mile, or 10s. ^d. 
 per week. 
 
 The end of the year 1842 saw Mr Christian in- 
 stalled at No. 6, Bloomsbury Square^ as a residence 
 and place of business on his own account. His habits 
 were then, as they always continued to be, very simple. 
 He rose early, and, after drinking a glass of water, 
 
 1 Dr Schliemann was also present to receive the Gold Medal of the 
 Institute. 
 
 2 A very fine house at the corner of Hart Street (now No. 5) in 
 which Isaac Disraeli once lived. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 17 
 
 would take a run round the Squares ” before break- 
 fast, usually with a book in his hand. This practice 
 of a morning walk he was wont to recommend to his 
 friends as a panacea for all ailments, and the instinct 
 was still strong in him in all seasons, winter and 
 summer, to the end of his life. To this period of his 
 life he may have referred when in the course of a 
 discussion at the Institute (in 1885) York 
 
 Water-gate\ he said, “ I think it a very beautiful 
 building... and I am old enough to remember it as 
 a real approach to the river. In my young days I 
 was very fond of boating, and frequently passed 
 under it on my way to the water.” He worked till 
 late at night, and would often ask his first pupil, 
 Mr C. H. Purday, who entered his office in 1845, to 
 come in and write in the evening after office hours, 
 and frequently also to take away some dimensions to 
 ^square up’ before breakfast the next morning. His 
 frame was strong and elastic. He is described already 
 as carrying his head slightly bent forward like one 
 absorbed in thought. And owing to a temporary 
 weakness of the eyes, contracted, or aggravated, by 
 close application to minute drawings, such as those 
 with which he had lately been helping Mr Railton, 
 he had already begun to wear the broad-brimmed 
 style of hat long familiar to his friends. While resident 
 
 ^ A fragment of a Palace built by Inigo Jones for George Villiers, 
 Duke of Buckingham. It is still standing near the Thames Embank- 
 ment, at the end of Buckingham Street, Strand. 
 
 H. 
 
 2 
 
i8 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 at Bloomsbury Square he was a regular worshipper 
 at the Parish Church, of which the Rev. Montague 
 Villiers was Rector. He used afterwards to say 
 that the church was so full that only after two years’ 
 waiting could he obtain a sitting ; and before that 
 time he never sat down in the church, for if ever he 
 got a seat in the aisle he had to give it up to some 
 lady less fortunate. 
 
 His establishment at Bloomsbury Square was 
 practically the commencement of business on his own 
 account. During the first few years there were times 
 indeed when work failed him, and his ardent spirit 
 chafed against the oppression of enforced idleness, 
 as will be seen from words written to his sister 
 Mrs Wontner in 1846. “I am now again alone in 
 the great city, and need some refreshment from the 
 Provinces. Many and various are my schemes, and 
 few of them do I seem to bring to bear ; but I feel 
 now I must rise up and act, and not sit dilly-dallying, 
 conning them all over one after another. I am sadly 
 too fond of day dreaming, and lately I have been 
 very idle, seemingly without any fixed purpose of 
 action. I suppose the true secret is want of sufficient 
 work, and with this view I intend to undertake the 
 illustration of another church, and publish it, pay or 
 not pay ; for idle and comfortable I cannot be, and it 
 is better to do what does not help one onwards, than 
 sit still and envy the busy people.” 
 
 But it was not very long before the tide of 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 19 
 
 success began to flow. In the previous year, in 
 spite of absence from home, his diary records that he 
 had completed and delivered designs in four compe- 
 titions. In 1843 the fruit began to appear. Hilden- 
 borough Church, “my first church won in competition,” 
 was the commencement. In the same year the re- 
 storation of Austrey Church, Warwickshire, became 
 what he called “the first foundation-stone” of success. 
 Four years later (1847) he competed for the restora- 
 tion of the important Church of St Mary’s, Scar- 
 borough. It was a bold venture, for men of note 
 were in the field ; and it brought out not only all 
 his professional powers, but also that same un- 
 daunted resolution which he had shown at Leghorn. 
 For he persisted in crossing from the Isle of Man, 
 where he was staying, in the face of a stormy 
 sea, and in spite of the urgent solicitations of his 
 friends, in order that his designs might be delivered 
 on the appointed day\ The result was felt to be a 
 turning-point in his career. It brought him the 
 warmest congratulations of his friends, and his own 
 comment, written some years later, seems still to thrill 
 with the elation of his first rise to distinction : “ The 
 corner-stone of success. The fruit of open competi- 
 tion... won by unanimous vote.” After this he re- 
 ceived (in 1850) the appointment to restore Wolver- 
 hampton Collegiate Church, “a fruit of the last-named 
 
 ^ The ‘snowing up’ described in his letter p. 33 seems to have 
 belonged also to this journey. 
 
 2 — 2 
 
20 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 {i.e. Scarborough), a work extended over 24 years.’" 
 Meanwhile the year of his success at Scarborough 
 had witnessed another recognition of his rising repu- 
 tation, in his election to the office of Consulting 
 Architect to the Lichfield Diocesan Church Building 
 Society. It was his first unsolicited honour, of which, 
 though the remuneration was small, he was justly 
 proud, and for its timely encouragement, as well as 
 for the close connexion it brought with the See of 
 Lichfield and its occupants^ he regarded it with 
 peculiar affection, and held it for nearly 50 years, 
 till his death. It bore moreover substantial fruit. 
 For this Lichfield appointment, following upon his 
 work at Scarborough, gained for him the important 
 distinction which he bore for the rest of his life, and 
 by which he became so widely known, of being ap- 
 pointed Architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. 
 
 From a letter written in 1847 it appears that the 
 idea of marriage was beginning to exercise the 
 thoughts of his friends on his behalf, and possibly 
 also his own. At any rate on July 6, 1848, he 
 married Annie, daughter of Mr William Walker 
 Bentham, of Rochester, a kinsman of the cele- 
 brated Jeremy Bentham, and thenceforward he en- 
 joyed for the rest of his days the peaceful joy of a 
 marriage assuredly made in Heaven. Shortly after 
 his marriage he took a small house, No. 6, Eton 
 Villas, in South Hampstead, thus beginning that con- 
 
 ^ Bishops Lonsdale, Sehvyn and Maclagan. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 21 
 
 nexion with the neighbourhood which ended only with 
 his death. And in 1851, in consequence of his recent 
 appointment as Architect to the Ecclesiastical Com- 
 missioners, he removed his office to No. 10, Whitehall 
 Place \ 
 
 From this point Mr Christian’s life was one of 
 quietdomestic happiness, and ceaseless labour — labour, 
 however, which he supremely enjoyed, and which 
 brought him a well-deserved reward of wealth suffi- 
 cient for his wants and his liberality, of reputation, 
 honourable position, and the esteem of valued friends. 
 His work required him to spend many days each 
 week in travelling about England. He estimated 
 the total distance in one year at 27,000 miles. But 
 travelling seemed to cause him no fatigue. By careful 
 planning of his journeys, an art which he well under- 
 stood, and was always ready to employ in the service 
 of his friends, and by the happy gift which he pos- 
 sessed of being able to sleep soundly in the train, he 
 was enabled to economize his strength. Economy of 
 time was also effected by his practice of examining 
 plans and writing letters and reports in railway car- 
 riages. These letters and reports, under whatever 
 circumstances they were written, were always models 
 of lucidity and careful accuracy. But in spite of all 
 economies of strength and time, the office duties of his 
 profession, involving the minute examination of de- 
 signs and estimates, were laborious and exacting, and 
 
 ^ He removed finally to 8a, Whitehall Place, in 1861 or 1862. 
 
22 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 left no space for leisure. In his earlier years he was 
 frequently at work, as on his wedding day, before most 
 men were about, and often continued until late at 
 night. In his later years the Saturday ‘half-holiday ’ 
 was almost invariably so employed. On Sundays he 
 scrupulously abstained from business, and gave his 
 energy to the Sunday-school. 
 
 The progress of Mr Christian’s professional career 
 has been reviewed, by one better qualified to deal 
 with it, in a separate chapter. In this therefore, 
 which aims at sketching, however inadequately, the 
 /lome life of the man, it is unnecessary to follow his 
 career in detail, though a brief glance onward may 
 be permitted at one or twp incidents characteristic 
 both of the architect and of the man. In i86i the 
 progress of the restoration of Chichester Cathedral, 
 by Mr (afterwards Sir) Gilbert Scott, revealed the 
 fact that the old Norman central tower, with its 
 lofty spire, was in imminent peril of collapsing. 
 Mr Christian, who had a reputation for judgment 
 and experience in such matters, was at once called 
 in to give his advice, and a day was fixed for his 
 visit of inspection. By some accident however, as 
 it might be called, his visit was postponed, and on 
 that very day the tower suddenly fell. . Happily it 
 occurred at an hour when there was nobody in the 
 building. But the inspection would probably have 
 been going on at the time, and, by a devout mind, 
 Mr Christian’s absence could not but be regarded 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 23 
 
 as an instance of that Providential care which he 
 loved to recognize in the whole direction of his life, 
 and to which he used humbly to attribute his pre- 
 servation from all accident in the course of his many 
 years of incessant travelling. The restoration of the 
 cathedral was completed, and the tower and spire 
 rebuilt by Sir Gilbert Scott. A similar catastrophe 
 on a smaller scale was imminent, though happily 
 averted, in the case of Alconbur}^ Church, near Hunt- 
 ingdon, which was being restored by Mr Christian 
 in 1876. The church possessed a tower of the 
 thirteenth century, surmounted by an upper storey 
 and a stone spire of the fourteenth. In the course 
 of the restoration the lower storey of the tower 
 showed ominous cracks, and other signs of giving 
 way, so that the local builders were frightened and 
 forsook the work. Mr Christian immediately called 
 in a more experienced builder, and he used to tell 
 how it came to him, as he lay awake one night, what 
 plan he should adopt, and how the difficulties must 
 be overcome. A huge framework of wood was con- 
 structed by which the upper storey was supported, 
 as it were in the air\ while the lower part was taken 
 down and rebuilt on new foundations, until it could 
 support the superstructure again. The work was, 
 at the time, regarded as a triumph of hardihood and 
 prompt resource. But it might hardly have been 
 
 ^ A brass tablet representing the tower in its state of suspension, 
 was prepared by Mr Christian’s direction, and set up in the church. 
 
24 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 successful had not the Squire of the place, Mr George 
 J. Rust, caught the enthusiasm of the architect, and 
 given orders that no cost should be spared in 
 giving effect to ‘the baseless fabric of this vision.’ 
 Mr Christian assisted also in 1883 in preserving the 
 tower of Norwich Cathedral, with its lofty stone 
 spire of later date, from a similar fate, being con- 
 sulted by the Dean and Chapter and their architect 
 Mr Brown ; he was consulted also in several other 
 similar cases at different times. His restorations of 
 Carlisle Cathedral and of Southwell Minster are 
 alluded to on a later page. Thus Mr Christian’s 
 business continued to increase, and in course of time 
 outgrew his own unaided powers. In 1875 he asso- 
 ciated with himself his two partners, his cousin, 
 Mr J. Henry Christian, and Mr Charles H. Purday, 
 both of whom had for many years assisted him in 
 his numerous works, and to whose valued co-opera- 
 tion he would have been the first to acknowledge his 
 indebtedness. 
 
 With his settlement at Hampstead Mr Christian 
 began that connexion with St John’s (Episcopal) 
 Chapel, Downshire Hill, to which he remained faithful 
 all the rest of his life. Sunday after Sunday he was 
 a regular worshipper in the congregation, and for 35 
 years he was constant to the duties of Teacher or 
 Superintendent in the Sunday-school. Out of this 
 connexion with St John’s arose some of his most 
 valued and lasting friendships. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 25 
 
 In 1858 he removed with his wife and family of 
 now three daughters to No. 3, Oak Villas, Haver- 
 stock Hill, — their home for the next 24 years. It 
 was a home in which the sweet charities of the family 
 circle spread out into wider sympathy with needs 
 abroad. Thus began the interest which Mr Christian 
 and his family thenceforward never ceased to feel in 
 the neighbouring district of Gospel Oak, and in which 
 they were constantly associated with their friends and 
 neighbours, Mr and Mrs Robert Woodd. Gospel Oak 
 was then in great part a benighted region of un- 
 finished streets, muddy brickfields, and railway 
 excavations, lying at the back of Haverstock Hill, 
 in which the struggling energies of a newly-formed 
 parish cried out for encouragement. Mrs Christian 
 and Mrs Woodd opened the first schools and mothers’ 
 meetings. Mr Christian and Mr Woodd were always 
 ready to further with advice and assistance every 
 good undertaking. To the daughters of both families 
 work amongst the poor of Gospel Oak became a kind 
 of vocation. So the years went on. On June 25, 
 1872, Mr Christian’s eldest daughter Eleanor was 
 married to the Rev. Joseph Hargrove, and ex- 
 changed her home for the sphere of her husband’s 
 labours in the parishes successively of Gedling, Har- 
 penden, Silsoe, and St Matthew’s, Cambridge. 
 
 The other members of the family still maintained 
 their interest in Gospel Oak. Encouraged by her 
 father, Bessie, the second daughter, was instrumental 
 
26 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 in establishing the Rose and Thistle Coffee Tavern 
 in 1879, and also gathered round her a large Men's 
 Bible Class out of the same district. And it may 
 here be added that some years later the connexion 
 was drawn still closer by the marriage, in 1888, 
 of this daughter with the Rev. George Cuthbert 
 Blaxland, second Vicar of the parish. And when after 
 a short married life she died on Jan. i, 1890, Mr 
 Christian’s help was largely instrumental in the com- 
 pletion of a Mission Hall in which she had taken a 
 keen interest, and in the erection of a Church Room 
 to perpetuate her work and her memory. 
 
 For the recreation of his busy life Mr Christian 
 desired little beside the quiet enjoyment of his home 
 and the companionship of his wife and daughters. 
 To this must, however, be added his autumn holiday. 
 Waiting generally till September or October, for the 
 sake of a meeting at Lichfield, and making many plans 
 but adopting none till the last moment, he spent four 
 or five weeks in travelling about Great Britain from 
 Land’s End to the Orkneys, or on the Continent, with 
 a preference always for the sea, or for lofty situations 
 and bracing air, no matter how cold. He was accom- 
 panied either by some member of his family or by 
 some congenial friend. Into the enjoyment of these 
 annual tours he threw himself with as much zest and 
 energy as into his work ; and it was, doubtless, largely 
 due to the refreshment derRed from them, that he so 
 long maintained unimpaired his faculties of mind and 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 27 
 
 body. In 1874 when travelling on business, accom- 
 panied by Mrs Christian, he was suddenly seized 
 with a virulent attack of erysipelas, which kept him 
 prostrate for nine weeks in a hotel at Saltburn. But 
 except for this illness his health was usually good, 
 though symptorhs of a weak heart from time to time 
 caused him uneasiness. Erysipelas reappeared again 
 fatally at the last. 
 
 Some extracts from letters written to his daughters 
 at different times are here inserted. They show the 
 writer as he was to those who knew him best, — keen 
 in the enjoyment of life and activity ; ardent in his 
 love of the beautiful and grand, whether in Nature or 
 art ; tender in sympathy with little children, his own 
 and others, whether adapting his words to their 
 understandings or providing them with pleasures ; 
 sympathetic too with dumb animals ; but wherever 
 he was, always a lover of home — 
 
 “My heart untravelled fondly turns to thee.” 
 
 The first two extracts are written from abroad to 
 a little daughter aged successively five and eight, and 
 have the freshness of sympathy with the mind of a 
 little child. 
 
 The Giant Hotel, Coblenz, 
 
 So^/i, i860. 
 
 ...My room looks out on to a very broad, beautiful river, 
 across which there is a bridge made of boats tied together, and 
 on each of these boats a fine flag has been flying all day in 
 honour of the birthday of some great person. Such beautiful 
 flags ! with all kinds of different animals painted on them. The 
 
28 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 river is called the Rhine, and it comes down from the mountains 
 a long way off, and all sorts of boats and steamers sail upon it, 
 up and down, up and down, all day long... .Yesterday I was 
 waiting at the side of another river, the Mosel, for another 
 steamboat to bring me here, and as it was a long time coming, 
 amused myself in talking to the little children on the shore — 
 they could not understand what I said, but they laughed very 
 much and I laughed too. I had a long time to wait, so I set to 
 work and built them a church with some stones upon the sand, 
 and put up a great stone with a sharp point as a steeple, and a 
 little boy gave me a red apple to stick on the top of it, which I 
 did, and stuck a quill tooth-pick into it as a spike. Then I 
 levelled the sand all round, and put some stones on the outside 
 to form the walls of the churchyard, and stuck in some smaller 
 ones to represent grave-stones. 1 made it very complete, and 
 the little children were very much amused by it. 
 
 Genoa, Sept, i^th, 1863. 
 
 ...I and my four companions travelled over the mountains in 
 a carriage with two horses, one of them called Nina, the other 
 called Hans. Hans was a tall strong fellow who went straight 
 on with his head right up, as much as to say, I can pull you up 
 wherever you want to go. Nina was not so strong, and a little 
 inclined to be lazy, so that the driver was always calling out 
 “Nina! Nina! in avanti,” which means go ahead, but Nina 
 looked a nice little thing and gave a very affectionate glance 
 every now and then to Hans, as much as to say, How good you 
 are to help me, and how strong! But Hans kept his head 
 straight on and trotted on nobly, and pulled us up to the top of 
 the mountain, or rather those of us who chose to ride, but I 
 walked and so did Mr Woodd : they had the assistance of 
 another horse for the very steep part, a capital strong fellow, but 
 I don’t know his name. When we were up on the top of the 
 mountains we saw in several places great masses of ice and 
 snow not much higher up than ourselves, and the wind blowing 
 over them was cold.... We saw plenty of goats, some of them 
 such pretty creatures ! One with a fine beard came up to 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 29 
 
 Mr Teulon and me, and we plucked some green stuff, and it 
 took it out of our hands and then let us stroke its back. In the 
 afternoon when we passed, the sajne goat came out of the flock 
 frolicking and skipping towards us as much as to say, I am ver\'’ 
 glad to see you again. Was not that funny.? While we were on 
 the hill the whole of the ground seemed alive with grasshoppers, 
 they hopped and skipped and jumped about and made such 
 a whirring with their wings!. ..On Monday Nina and Hans 
 brought us down from the mountain in safety, and we bid them 
 goodbye under a grape-vine, which was trained all over a lattice- 
 work close to the inn, so as to make a green roof of vine leaves. 
 ...In this place the streets are almost all paved with white 
 marble, and there are strings of mules constantly going along, 
 jingling the little bells which are fastened to their collars. You 
 would be very much astonished to see them, they wear such 
 great collars all covered with bright coloured stuffs and bells. 
 They bring all sorts of things on their backs. Some are loaded 
 with wood, some with wine casks, and jingle, jingle, jingle, on 
 they always go. 
 
 The next extract shows the father in his home. 
 Birthdays were always days of great observance among 
 the young people of Oak Villas, and Mr Christian 
 always chose his presents to them himself, sparing no 
 pains to make them suitable. 
 
 8a, Whitehall Place, 
 
 April i^th, 1868 . 
 
 ...I have not bought you a book this time for a birthday 
 present, but a picture; only I have not yet got it home. It is a 
 lovely picture, one which I have often wished I could get for 
 you, and now I hope I have secured a good one. It is so soft 
 that it looks like velvet. Two little squirrels cracking nuts, and 
 a sweet little bullfinch looking up at them from a twig, and 
 piping with all his might. It is to be your own property but, 
 like Mr Owl on the breakfast table, to remain in Mama’s 
 drawing-room... there it will be always to look at, for you and all 
 
30 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 the others, and I intend to have it nicely framed....! hope you 
 have had a very happy day at Southboro’....Now that you have 
 got into your teens you must try more than ever to advance in 
 learning and knowledge, and wisdom which is the beginning of 
 all true knowledge, and the beginning of that is the fear of the 
 Lord. You must look in the Book of Proverbs and see what is 
 said about wisdom, and read and remember it all your days. 
 Goodbye, my dear child, may God’s blessing be always with you 
 and as you grow in years may you grow in grace like the blessed 
 Jesus. 
 
 Home love breathes through all the details of the 
 following description from Scotland with its vivid 
 picture not only of the several features of the land- 
 scape, but also of the movements and even the 
 dresses of the various actors in the scene. It was, 
 moreover, always a pleasure to Mr Christian to note 
 the simplicity and naturalness of the home life of 
 persons in high position. 
 
 County Sutherland, 
 
 East Sea Coast, 
 
 ' Latitude about 58°. 5'. 
 
 SepL 30//^, 1870. 
 
 ...Whilst waiting for Mr Chalk to come down to breakfast, I 
 take pen in hand this bright sunny morning to have a little talk 
 with you. We left Inverness yesterday morning and came to 
 Golspie, a pretty village on the coast of this count)^, in which is 
 Dunrobin Castle, a splendid house like a French chateau, 
 perched high above the sea-shore, but with terraces and woods 
 and gardens all the way down to the shore. Such a magnificent 
 house, and such beautiful gardens, I have not seen before in 
 Scotland, and just now the Prince and Princess of Wales and 
 all sorts of grand people are staying there, and to-day there is 
 to be a grand review of the Volunteers. We walked through 
 the gardens and on to the beautiful pasture which lies between 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 31 
 
 them and the sand of the sea, and there I stayed to see the rifle 
 shooting, where the Duke’s eldest son the Marquis of Stafford, and 
 his cousin and several noblemen and gentlemen were contending 
 for the prize. Presently there came on to the ground a beautiful, 
 light-coloured pony with baskets on each side of his back, covered 
 with scarlet cloth, and in the baskets two little children in white 
 dresses trimmed with black, and straw sailor hats with pink 
 ribbons, and on another black pony a pretty little girl in light 
 blue ; the two first were the Princess’s two youngest children, 
 and the girl. Lady Alexandra Gower. Soon afterwards a lady 
 drove a little basket carriage down with a Highland gentleman 
 sitting with her ; who she was I don’t know, but presently after- 
 wards the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sutherland walked 
 down and some more gentlemen, one of them leading the two 
 elder princes in grey Highland dresses. They seemed very fond 
 of him and he played all manner of tricks with them. Prince 
 George climbed up on to his shoulders, and then he made the 
 two hold on to his walking stick and he drew them up. The 
 Princess got into the pony carriage for a seat and the Duchess 
 sat down on the grass. The Princess had a nice brown silk 
 dress (short), and the Duchess a black and white small check 
 dress with pink ribbons and streamers. The Duke of Sutherland 
 had a Highland dress of his own green and black plaid, but 
 I should like you to have seen the rough dresses worn by the 
 gentlemen in attendance. And the scene was so exquisitely 
 beautiful, the fine expanse of grass near the sea, the beautiful 
 hills and mountains stretching away to the westward of the Firth 
 of Dornoch, the hill and park rising behind covered with most 
 beautiful trees from bottom to top, then the lower garden 
 stretching away for a quarter of a mile in beautiful colours with 
 only a low grass bank between it and the field, then the great 
 chateau rising up with many turrets and towers, standing out 
 against the sky and clothed all round with trees of rich and 
 varied colours, and the beautiful sky, and the calm sea, and the 
 glorious sunlight, it was like a scene in fairyland! There!... 
 When the Princess and Duchess and the little people left, I left 
 too (5.30) and walked up to the hotel for dinner, and afterwards 
 
32 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 we hired a small waggonette and in it with a pair of horses we 
 started on our north journey, and after two hours’ drive arrived 
 at our resting-place. We are now on the road to Wick in 
 Caithness, and I am sitting in the carriage whilst the horses are 
 baiting. There is a terrace in front of the little inn, and down 
 below it some 50 feet or more a rippling river sparkling in the 
 sunlight. The sea is a very little way off and the air is fresh 
 and pleasant. There are a lot of men in the house making a 
 prodigious gabbling in Gaelic, so that we almost seem to be in 
 a foreign land. I shall probably send you a telegram to-morrow 
 which will announce the coming of this letter. It is so pleasant 
 to let you all know where I am at the time when one is passing 
 through the country, that I cannot help enjoying the luxury now 
 that the post is so long in conveying letters. I am just now 
 more than 700 miles from home, and to-morrow, at John o’ 
 Groats, shall be 40 miles still further North. Look at the map. 
 We are going on in the same carriage and with the same horses 
 all across the North of Scotland, and there is room for two little 
 people besides ourselves. I heartily wish that you and Meg 
 could fly over and join us. 
 
 The extract which follows is interesting not only 
 for its own grace of description, but also for the 
 allusion to the difficulties which beset a former 
 memorable journey to Scarborough. This journey, 
 which he tells us took place in 1847, was probably 
 that which laid for him ‘ the corner-stone of success.’ 
 
 In the train, Scarboro’ Station, 
 
 ' March 2 4th, 1871. 
 
 ...Walking up the steep hill towards Hackness this morning 
 early, I pulled off the enclosed twig for you though I am afraid 
 it will not retain its beauty ; it looked so lovely in the bright 
 morning glistening with mist drops ! 
 
 I left York this morning before six, and was very glad of my 
 thick watchman’s coat... Now it is bright and hot. Hackness 
 is such a lovely place, one of the most beautiful of its kind in 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 33 
 
 England. There are several valleys branching out in different 
 directions, with banks and cliffs covered with wood of all kinds 
 to enclose them, beautiful streams gurgling along in the bottoms, 
 with stretches of fine grass on each side, and in the distance, 
 though not very far off, wild heathery moors, making a rich 
 purply-grey background to the view'. If you could see this as 
 I have twice seen it in the early mistiness of a bright frosty 
 morning, you would be charmed and wild with delight ; and 
 I wish you could ! I have been restoring a nice little church 
 there which was founded before the Conquest. It stands so 
 prettily with the road on one side and a brook on the other, 
 dividing the church-yard from Sir Harcourt Johnstone’s beau- 
 tiful park, and its spire which is more than 600 years old, looks 
 so pretty as you see it amongst the trees. I am now on my 
 way to another church which is still older, and am just passing 
 the station where I was snowed up more than 24 years ago, 
 and had an army of 100 men to cut me out and get the train 
 through to Scarborough. Fancy going 8 miles in 8 hours, 
 with the snow on each side half-way up the carriage windows ! 
 But that is exactly how it was, and then fancy the delight of 
 going out of the warm station-room at daybreak and plunging 
 into the snow up to your neck by way of a wash : but that 
 is exactly what I did, and I never enjoyed a bath so much 
 before or since. You may fancy how I enjoyed my breakfast 
 when I got it, and my dinner too 8 hours after, when I got 
 at last into Scarborough after going 42 miles altogether in 
 23 hours and a half. How would you relish that? And yet 
 I always think of it with delight, and have many reasons for 
 remembering it besides that of passing the station just now. 
 
 Florence, visited in the autumn of the same year, 
 exercised its wonted fascination over him, and its 
 charm of natural beauty and of historical interest is 
 thus not unworthily described: 
 
 Alassio, Oct. ^isty 1871. 
 
 I got your message at Genoa this morning and am minded 
 
 3 
 
 H. 
 
34 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 to send you a letter.... We have been travelling to-day from 
 Genoa along one of the most beautiful roads in Italy called the 
 Riviera, or sea-side road, and sometimes the Corniche or Cornice 
 road, because it is carried along on the top of the rocks close 
 over the sea, and sometimes 1600 feet above its level, rather 
 higher than the great hill above Rydal and five times as high 
 at least as Tintagel Head. So you may imagine how grand 
 it is !... Our road to-day, — sometimes cut out of the rocks over- 
 hanging the Mediterranean, sometimes through grottoes or short 
 tunnels cut through the rock, and when more inland bounded 
 by olives and vineyards and orange groves and pines and figs 
 and palms, and fringed with hedges of aloes, and with the 
 deep blue waters dashing upon the rocks, or rolling upon the 
 beach, — has been one constant succession of beautiful scenes.... 
 Then we went on to Florence, or as it is called in Italian, 
 Firenze or Fiorenze, meaning a city of flowers, one of the most 
 beautiful cities in the world ; in a most lovely situation on 
 a plain watered by the river Arno, and bounded by hills and 
 the more distant Apennines. A really charming spot, and 
 within it has some splendid palaces, and a very fine Cathedral 
 with a bell tower close to it, the highest and most beautifully 
 enriched perhaps in the whole world. It was designed by 
 Giotto, a famous artist of the 14th century, and he was told 
 to build a tower higher and more beautifully enriched than any 
 building of Greece or Rome, and he succeeded in his task.... 
 There are some very beautiful gardens close to Florence, and 
 the view from the heights beyond the city, at a place called 
 San Miniato, where there is a very fine ancient church, is the 
 most lovely I know. You see the whole city below you with 
 the dome of its Cathedral, the finest in the world, Giotto’s 
 tower, the palaces, and the river running past them, and then 
 the level plain stretching away to the mountains, so richly 
 cultivated that you may see corn, wine and oil growing all 
 together, the vines twining between the olive trees, and stretch- 
 ing from tree to tree in festoons, and the space between the 
 olive trees filled with wheat or other such plants. Then 
 on the hill opposite is Fiesole, where the famous astronomer 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 35 
 
 and philosopher Galileo lived, and was visited by our poet 
 Milton.... But I could go on all night telling you of the great 
 men and wonderful treasures possessed by Florence, and you 
 must not forget that the greatest poet of Italy, Dante, lived 
 and was persecuted there, for it has been a city of cruelties 
 as well as of beauties, and Savonarola, one of the greatest 
 preachers who ever lived, was put to death there, because he 
 told the truth and reproved the wickedness of the priests and 
 people. 
 
 In 1879 Mr Christian extended his travels as far 
 as to America. Starting early in September, the 
 party, consisting of himself, with his daughters Bessie 
 and Alice, and some friends, crossed to Quebec and 
 made a tour through Montreal, Toronto, Niagara and 
 Detroit to Chicago, including a detou 7 ' to the White 
 Mountains. From Chicago they returned via Cleve- 
 land, Philadelphia, and Boston, to New York. Mr 
 Christian’s letters are full of graphic descriptions of 
 the enjoyment of the voyage, the keen air and the 
 ‘‘ grand waves, brilliantly lighted up by the sun, rush- 
 ing past us in miglity volume, oh, so beautiful, so 
 grand ! ” — of the glorious scenery’ on the Continent, 
 especially of Niagara, and of the novelty, luxury and 
 profuse magnificence of the cities. He w’as most im- 
 pressed, perhaps, by the marble buildings of Phila- 
 delphia, and also by the Sunday-schools, “ of magni- 
 ficent dimensions,” carried on by Mr Wanamaker in 
 the same city. “ There can be no doubt they do things 
 grandly here, though mixed with a considerable amount 
 of buncombe.” He was much interested to notice at 
 
 3—2 
 
36 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Boston “ that the Washington arms are quartered with 
 the shield of the Christians.” 
 
 The following characteristic account of his unpre- 
 meditated visit to Longfellow shall be given in his 
 own words. 
 
 On our way to Auburn cemetery the coachman stopped at 
 a nice old-fashioned wooden house in a beautiful garden, and 
 told us it had been Washington’s head-quarters in 1775, 
 was now the residence of the poet Longfellow. Another 
 carriage drove up while we were there, and its occupants 
 called : and our coachman wanted us to do the same, as he 
 said Mr Longfellow was very glad to see strangers. However, 
 our impudence was insufficient, and we drove on, and on the 
 way voted that it would not do to call. However, as we came 
 back, I plucked up courage to send in a card to ask permission 
 to gather a few leaves in the garden, and the answer came 
 out that Mr Longfellow would be very glad to see both myself 
 and my daughters ; so in we all went and were most kindly 
 received by the old gentleman, and left him quite delighted 
 that we had made such a venture, which was pretty strong 
 for three shy people ! The chair in which he sits was made 
 out of the chestnut tree described in one of his poems about 
 the blacksmith. 
 
 In the following year he was in Northern Italy, in 
 the keen enjoyment of Verona and Venice. 
 
 In the train, Trent to InnsprOck, 
 
 Oct. 2'jtA, 1880 . 
 
 ...Now I must go back to Verona, which we left after dark 
 last night, Verona la Degna, as it is justly called, for it is a 
 beautiful city, beautifully situated at the foot of mountains, 
 and with the Adige river and its snow waters rushing rapidly 
 through it. It has always been an important city, and has 
 had many worthy citizens, not omitting the poetical ones of 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 37 
 
 Shakespeare’s creation. There is a fine photograph amongst 
 mine at home of the tombs of the Scaligers, with the beautiful 
 grilles of iron round them. Yesterday was fresh and beautiful, 
 and we had seven good hours of seeing and walking, visiting 
 the beautiful churches, and winding up with the great Roman 
 amphitheatre, one of the most perfect now remaining... The 
 Verona marble is of a rich red colour, and in the churches 
 it is used in large blocks, some polished ; the interiors are 
 very spacious, and the large and tall pillars look very fine and 
 grand in their simple dignity. The great church of San Zeno 
 has a grand tall tower of brick and marble, which was more 
 than loo years in building ; in the lower part it is quite 
 plain, but at the top it has two tiers of belfry windows and 
 a fine projecting cornice. There are two such towers in the 
 city, the other being at the Municipal buildings, and more 
 than 300 feet high. I can fancy what a fuss would be 
 made in our country if an architect were to go on building 
 quite plain for over 200 feet before he put in any ornament, 
 except quite at the base ; people would say how bare and 
 ugly it is, and yet these great architects knew what they were 
 about, and everybody allows that the result is beautiful. They 
 look so grand and dignified. I delight in them ! and all 
 through North Italy the towers abound in the cities and in 
 the plains, and on all the hill sides you see them shooting 
 up into the sky and giving point and character to every 
 landscape... 
 
 But now I must take you further back to Venice, which we 
 sorrowfully left on Monday night after three fine days, including 
 Sunday, spent on its waters. Our hotel was near the mouth 
 of the Grand Canal, which our rooms, quite at the top of the 
 house, each with its stone balcony, overlooked, — a charming 
 position, such as I had never had in the old city before. It 
 was delicious to walk out of the hall marble-paved, on to the 
 steps going down into the lovely sea-green clear water, to 
 get the fresh air before breakfast, and to step into our gondola 
 afterwards. On Saturday and Sunday it was bright and clear 
 and warm as in our July, but on Sunday afternoon there came 
 
38 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 a sudden storm of wind and thunder and lightning which swept 
 up a great sea, and showed a different aspect of the place. 
 But while the clouds were sweeping up there was a most 
 magnificent sunset, and the contrast between the rich glow 
 in the west and the dark rushing storm-clouds from the east, 
 was something truly magnificent... The storm lowered the tem- 
 perature some degrees, and brought us still clearer skies on 
 the morrow, and such a sunrise ! Right out of the sea it came 
 with a sudden rush, lighting up the summits of the churches 
 and palaces in the clear crisp morning air, and sending a glow 
 of warmth over everything, — body and mind of the beholder 
 included. Oh ! it was beautiful, and that is another advantage 
 of the October holiday, that you have, night and morning, 
 such beautiful sights, and ample time between for all reason- 
 able sightseers ! Well, we have got into the city, but have 
 as yet said nought of its delights. It is a great matter to 
 be well housed by a sea- water canal in Venice, everything is so 
 fresh and nice, and it is a delight simply to exist by the water- 
 side with the fresh soft un-dusty air about you. I did enjoy 
 it. But to San Marco — San Marco ! What a glorious fane 
 is that ! You must not, if you wish to understand it, go and 
 look at it like an ordinary church, but must go and live in it 
 and read its mysteries slowly and laboriously, if you wish 
 thoroughly to know and enjoy it ; and this takes time and needs 
 instruction, and Ruskin has very charitably reprinted those 
 parts of his great book which relate to this church, and there 
 is no guide like it. Without such guidance you may look at 
 its mosaic-covered walls and say how beautiful this and that 
 sparkling light is upon them, and how extraordinarily rich is 
 the gold, and the time-coloured marbles of its walls and domes 
 and floors, but you will go away without understanding the 
 wonderful course of Scriptural teaching the pictures are in- 
 tended to convey, or half the reasons, why in the ages long 
 ago this great church was covered with such a grand pictorial 
 history. And there, during the whole period of the rise and 
 fall of the great republic, has the teaching been for all, rich 
 and poor alike, who would care to read and understand it ; 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 39 
 
 and it is very interesting to see all classes of people there, 
 young and old, rich and poor, freely walking about and re- 
 garding it as their home., to enjoy its teaching or to worship 
 at its altars ; and throughout the church there is nothing of 
 Mariolatry or superstition on its old walls, whatever there 
 may have been introduced in more modern times...! do wish 
 you could have been with me when I took my last look at 
 the grand old front, lighted up by the last rays of afternoon 
 sunlight. Not only the mosaics and the pictures, but the glass 
 of the great west window glittered like burnished gold, and 
 the whole Place of St Mark was brilliant in its effulgence... 
 On Monday we went to see some very beautiful pictures which 
 I had never before heard of ; there is a small church called 
 San Georgio, quite in a back part of the city, where the 
 walls have all been painted by one of the greatest artists, 
 Carpaccio by name ; the church is only like a room of good 
 size with a flat ceiling of timbers, and the pictures cover the 
 whole surface of the walls in separate compartments ; they 
 represent St George conquering the Dragon and delivering the 
 maidens, and scenes in the life of St Jerome, — a most wonderful 
 series of subjects most beautifully treated ; Ruskin has de- 
 scribed them capitally, but the only place for reading what he 
 has said, is in front of the pictures themselves, of which he 
 brings out all the points. 
 
 In 1882 Mr Christian with his family moved from 
 Oak Villas to the house which he had built for himself 
 on the edge of the East Heath, Hampstead. Erected 
 according to his own designs, by builders^ in whom 
 he had the fullest confidence, and growing up under 
 the eyes of himself and family, the house may be 
 said to have gratified his almost every wish, and to 
 have been in many ways an embodiment of his own 
 
 ^ Messrs Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham. 
 
40 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 character. The very walls and windows seem to utter 
 his thoughts, being adorned with inscriptions, under 
 the cornices of the chief rooms, round the outside, 
 and on the window-panes, — texts, mottoes, and verses 
 chosen with singular felicity from Holy Scripture 
 and his favourite authors. There is not a chamber, 
 moreover, into which the sun does not at some time 
 shine. The house was named Thwaitehead, after the 
 home of his mother’s family in the beloved Lake 
 Country. Here he settled down to enjoy in his latter 
 years, not rest, for that he desired not, but labour light- 
 ened by the assured position he had won. His health 
 was still vigorous, his faculties unimpaired, his con- 
 science clear, his home life unclouded. His friends, 
 moreover, were numerous and true. Here he attained 
 to one of the highest distinctions of his profession, 
 becoming President of the Royal Institute of British 
 Architects in 1884-6, and Gold Medallist in 1887. 
 Here some of his most responsible works were under- 
 taken, e.g. the judgment of designs for Liverpool 
 Cathedral, and the survey of the City churches for 
 the Charity Commissioners. Here he was called 
 upon by the munificent donor, then anonymous, to 
 design the National Portrait Gallery, which is pro- 
 bably the greatest, and likely to be the best known 
 of his works. No better estimate can, perhaps, be 
 given of his life and of the position to which he had 
 attained at this time, than that which is contained in 
 the modest yet dignified words in which he reviewed 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 41 
 
 his career, in a speech returning thanks for the gold 
 medal of the “ Institute,” referred to above. 
 
 Mine has been a life of independent service, not of exploits. 
 I have undoubtedly done much work, and some I hope of a 
 valuable kind to those most interested ; but I could not think of 
 comparing myself with many of the men of mark who have pre- 
 ceded me in receiving this distinction; with the indomitable 
 explorers, or the great architects and archaeologists of our own 
 and other countries ; my highest ambition has been that of doing 
 to the best of my ability the duty from time to time set before 
 me to accomplish, and of maintaining unsullied, in every sense, 
 the high character of an honourable and independent architect. 
 
 This medal, the gift, by their recommendation, of Her Most 
 Gracious Majesty the Queen, I take to represent the general 
 opinion of my brother architects that I have not been un- 
 successful in attaining that end, and for that reason I accept, 
 and must ever most highly value it, as the best reward, and 
 greatest honour I could possibly desire, after a long career of 
 professional labour. We most of us know what a laborious life 
 is that of an architect ; how numerous its risks, how many its 
 disappointments, and although these are not unmixed with joys 
 and delights of no ordinary kind, yet the burden is sometimes 
 heavy, and the ordinary rewards hardly proportionate in value. 
 At such times the possession of this visible token of your regard 
 cannot fail to be cheering; and therefore, instead of regretting 
 that it comes so late, I would rather rejoice that it has not 
 reached me until the time when the evening light is approach- 
 ing, and soothing thoughts are not unwelcome. 
 
 “ The evening light is approaching ” — it could not 
 but be so. Mr Christian had now passed the ‘ three- 
 score years and ten,’ the ordinary lot of man. He 
 had had in his earlier years to battle with many 
 disadvantages. He had had experience that 
 
 “ life hath room 
 
 For many blights, and many tears.” 
 
42 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 He had seen all his brothers and sisters pass away 
 before him, and had keenly felt their loss. But 
 he had had many blessings, uncertain though he 
 knew well his tenure of them to be, and now while 
 the ‘ labour and sorrow ’ of old age yet tarried, he 
 still could, and did, enjoy to the full the health and 
 happiness with which God had blessed him, especially 
 the dear home ties which throughout his married 
 life had remained unbroken. But the evening was 
 approaching, and, with evening, also shadows. The 
 first inroad into this citadel of his earthly happiness 
 came with the death on Jan. i, 1890, of his second 
 daughter, Bessie, at the birth of her son, Mr Chris- 
 tian’s only grandson. It brought a dark cloud over a 
 family that had not experienced bereavement before, 
 and Mr Christian felt it deeply,- though silently. He 
 had secretly vowed to complete the Mission Hall, 
 mentioned on an earlier page, as a thank-offering, if 
 it should please God to restore his beloved daughter 
 from the gates of the grave. And accepting with a 
 heavy 'heart, but in humble submission, the issue 
 which was good in the sight of God, he still carried 
 out his purpose as a memorial of her whose desire 
 was thus accomplished, though she lived not to see 
 it. He still kept up his habits of assiduous labour, 
 and of needful recreation. In the spring of 1890 he 
 travelled to Italy to meet his old friend Prof. Hayter 
 Lewis, and his son-in-law, the Rev. G. C. Blaxland, 
 returning from the East, and found something of his 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 43 
 
 old delight in retracing the steps of his early travel, 
 Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi and Rome, with his old 
 travelling companion. In the autumn of the same 
 year he paid a visit to his beloved Lake Country, 
 with his wife and younger daughters ; and by a happy 
 coincidence his eldest daughter, with her husband 
 and children, was near by, so that for a week the 
 now narrowed family circle was complete in a place 
 which was hardly less dear to each than Hampstead 
 itself The cherished memory of those days has been 
 recorded by one of the party — 
 
 “ From the Ferry Hotel on the banks of Winder- 
 mere they took long drives, the old man delighting 
 to revive memories of the past, and to revisit scenes 
 familiar to his youth. The school at Hawkshead, 
 where his father had sat side by side with Words- 
 worth ; his grandmother’s tomb at Rusland, and 
 that of the old Vicar of Crossthwaite, — husband of 
 three wives, of whom the two later were laid in a 
 tomb separate, though of equal dignity, while he lay 
 down to rest with the first, — all were revisited, and 
 care taken that any needed repairs should be done 
 to each. But it was apparent to all that the deep 
 shadow of the sad New Year’s Day was upon his 
 spirit, and that though he said no word of it, he was 
 bidding a long farewell to scenes endeared to his 
 heart by ancient family ties, and by the memory of 
 many happy days, as well as by their own loveliness.” 
 In the autumn of 1892 however, and also of 1893, 
 
44 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 he made acquaintance with the fiords of Norway, 
 voyaging in the “ Victoria ” with parties of congenial 
 friends. And in the following year, 1894, he went for . 
 a short holiday to the South of France with Mr W. 
 Harris. It was to be his last tour. But his letters 
 still show the same keenness of observation and 
 interest, and clearness of description as of old. 
 
 St Jean de Luz, Hotel de France. 
 
 18/10/94. 
 
 ...As I have been buying a scarlet cap (Spanish, from Tolosa) 
 for Christopher, I send you a line or two of thanks for your last 
 cards, which I greatly appreciated.... This day we have taken an 
 open victoria to come to this place, 9 miles from Biarritz, and 
 the drive was very refreshing. This is getting quite close to the 
 Pyrenees, of which we can see some minor points of no great 
 height ; to-morrow we hope to get closer, and to see St Sebastian 
 and Fuentarabia....This is a nice little town,. ..There is here, 
 what is very interesting to me, a large church ; simple nave, 
 
 60 feet wide, and 125 feet long up to the transepts, and probably 
 at least 60 feet beyond, with small transepts and chancel, the 
 walls of the latter literally covered with niches and statues 
 painted and gilded, but hard to discern. A very fine model of 
 a church for a great preacher. But another peculiarity is that 
 there are three stories of galleries made of timber with open 
 fronts, only wide enough for a single row of seats in each, and 
 not at all obtrusive. A large organ occupies the western end, 
 and, if filled, such a church would be a splendid spectacle. 
 Oddly enough, this is roofed in the same way as that I am 
 building at Stoke Newington, and there was a church at 
 Poitiers on the same simple plan almost identical in idea with 
 mine, which has a triple arch at the east end. My church is to 
 be consecrated next month, and you must go and see it. Only 
 of course, my church, which will cost less than ;^9ooo, cannot 
 compete with such monsters as those of the 12th and 14th 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 45 
 
 centuries....! wish I could find a photograph of oxen dragging 
 carts from church for Christopher, but have so far not seen one. 
 I must write him a letter as soon as I can, but I also want to 
 write to other small folk, and have but small chance of doing it, 
 except as I am doing this, by picking up the fragments of time 
 as I go ; so I always carry my letter-case with me, sometimes 
 fruitlessly, often usefully. 
 
 Mr Christian was never the same man again 
 after the sorrow of 1890, and had to acknowledge a 
 sense of the growing infirmity of age. There was 
 indeed no warning of rapid decay. In February, 1895, 
 in his eighty-first year, he could still climb a ladder 
 with many a younger man, and was most unwilling 
 to relax any of his habits of work. But the energy to 
 resist or shake off an attack of illness was failing. 
 
 The end came suddenly. On Saturday, Feb. i6th, 
 1895, while iron-bound frost lay on the land, and the 
 east wind of a prolonged winter blew chill and keen, 
 he paid a visit to a friend, and on leaving was seen to 
 shiver as he wrapped his overcoat around him. The 
 next day he was unwell. Erysipelas soon disclosed 
 itself, and after four days of painless, because uncon- 
 scious, illness, on the morning of Thursday, February 
 2 1 St, he breathed his last. With what feelings of 
 startled sorrow the news was heard among his many 
 friends, especially of Hampstead, has been touchingly 
 told in the preface to this sketch. For the ‘ sadness 
 of farewell ’ to those who were closest and dearest 
 there are no words. But to grief, even the deepest, 
 staying itself in Christian Faith upon the comfort of 
 
46 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 ' a voice from heaven,’ it is often given to find cause 
 even for thankfulness in the manner of its visitation. 
 So now to those who mourn in Mr Christian a 
 husband, father, friend, it is given to be thankful for 
 his long and noble life, to which death brought swift 
 release from present suffering and from the fear of 
 lasting consequences. He came to his grave ‘ in a 
 full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in, in his 
 season.’ No narrowing of the full stream of his life 
 into contracted channels, no trial of long-continued 
 sickness or of enfeebled powers, sadden the memory 
 of one who, ‘ after he had served his own generation 
 by the will of God,’ thus ‘ fell on sleep.’ 
 
 The funeral service was held on Monday, Feb. 
 25th, in St John’s Chapel, Downshire Hill, where for 
 45 years he had worshipped in simplicity, and his 
 body was laid to rest in Hampstead Cemetery, by 
 the side of his daughter. The spot is marked by a 
 plain granite slab, signed with the Cross, and bearing 
 the following inscription : — 
 
 In reverent and loving memory of 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN, ARCHITECT, 
 
 Sept. 20, 1814— Eeby. 21, 1895. 
 
 With good will doing service as to the Lord and not 
 TO men. 
 
 That I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own 
 righteousness... but that which is through the faith of Christ. 
 
 Salus per Christum: Trust and Strive. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 47 
 
 IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 
 
 The following notice of Mr Christian's Sunday- 
 School work has been writtc7i for this book by the 
 Rev, J. Kirkntan, Vicar of St Stephen's, and formerly 
 hicumbe7it of St John's Chapel, Hampstead. 
 
 Mr Christian was Superintendent of the Down- 
 shire Hill Sunday-school for upwards of 35 years. 
 His devoted ness to the work was a very strong 
 feature in his character. It was his constant rule, 
 hardly ever broken, to return home from any distance 
 on Saturday evening, that he might be at his post 
 and in Chapel on Sunday. His extreme regularity 
 was most remarkable in a gentleman so incessantly 
 occupied with important work during the week. And 
 
48 
 
 EWAN CHE/ST/AN 
 
 this served as an irresistible example for the Teachers. 
 He was particularly punctilious about the marking of 
 the attendance Register, as to Teachers as well as 
 children. Whenever not actually engaged in marking, 
 or in visiting the classes, he was reading the “ Teacher’s 
 Bible,” standing at the desk. He would never sit down. 
 In later years, although feeling the work and the 
 contact with boys somewhat of an effort, he was but 
 very gradually persuaded to resign. I could never 
 arrive at any precise reason why he carved the curious 
 motto over the new wooden architrave of the fire- 
 place, “A tale-bearer revealeth secrets : ” and another, 
 “ Where no wood (fuel) is, the fire goeth out; so where 
 no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth.” I considered 
 them characteristic of his severe integrity, and noble- 
 ness of disposition. 
 
 Two of our red-letter days worth remembering 
 were his silver wedding-day, on which he took all 
 the children and Teachers to Bushey Park, and feasted 
 us handsomely : and the great centenary gathering, 
 of all London Sunday-schools, in the grounds of 
 Lambeth Palace, in 1880. 
 
 The following are entries in our Register-book : 
 
 On the title-page — in his writing'. 
 
 “ In quietness and confidence shall be your 
 strength.” 
 
 Here are tzvo pages opposite each other : one in his 
 handwriting : the second in mine : 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 49 
 
 “A blank page to record a blank in the old 
 Sunday School. 
 
 George Edward Smith, for 57 years 
 a teacher in Downshire Hill School : 
 died, I January, 1889. 
 
 Eheu ! 
 
 Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. 
 
 Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from 
 their labours : and their works do follow them. 
 Amen. 
 
 Zeal. Constancy. Perseverance. Truthfulness. Love. 
 A bright example of a faithful servant 
 of the Master.” 
 
 “A blank page to record another blank in the 
 Old Sunday School. 
 
 Ewan Christian^ for 30 years Teacher and 
 Superintendent in Downshire Hill Sunday School, 
 Died 21 February 1895 : aged 80 years. 
 
 We shall not look upon his like again. 
 
 Know ye not that there is a prince and a great 
 man fallen this day in Israel ? 2 Sam: 3: 38. 
 
 Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou 
 into the joy of thy Lord. Matt : 25 : 21. 
 
 The opposite page is in his handwriting. 
 
 Earnestness : strictness : constancy : sincerity : 
 love of his Bible : doing all, secular and sacred, as 
 Architect or Teacher, in the name of the Lord Jesus.” 
 
 4 
 
 H. 
 
50 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 In connexion with S. Stephens Church may be 
 mentioned his cordial determination and influence to 
 maintain a kindly Christian good-feeling between the 
 newly-created Parish Church and S. John’s Chapel. 
 His great interest in the building had much influence 
 in various respects upon our architect Mr S. S. Teulon. 
 He was urged to undertake the position of architect, 
 but retired in Mr Teulon’s favour. He insisted strongly 
 upon a tremendous excess of concrete foundation for 
 the east end of the Church. This exactly indicates 
 his character : severe integrity and thoroughness : 
 and a good foundation in all things small and great, 
 temporal and spiritual. He was very strong in the 
 particulars of plenty of lights and abundance of air and 
 ventilation, and wide freedom of ingress and egress. 
 I never knew a man who took more sympathetic 
 judicious views of beauty, and harmony, in form 
 colour, proportion : and even so also in literature and 
 all art, as well as his own speciality. 
 
 His particular gifts to St Stephen’s Church were 
 the sturdy font^ with its beautiful marble central 
 and side shafts; and the most charming one, in a 
 pleasing simple design, free of demonstrativeness, 
 of all the capitals of the pillars of the nave, with 
 a mosaic disc above, inclosing a likeness of Bishop 
 Latimer. 
 
 I never conversed with him without learning 
 something from him, and feeling stronger because of 
 my contact with him. I invariably had this feeling 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 51 
 
 over me. I cannot remember that, in my humble 
 opinion on any subject, practical or speculative, I 
 could ever differ from him in a matter of judgment 
 He knew well how greatly I appreciated him. 
 
 
 4—2 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 WORK. 
 
 Friend to truth, of soul sincere, 
 
 In action faithful, and in honour clear; 
 
 Who broke no promise, served no private end, 
 
 Who gained no title, and who lost no friend. 
 
 Pope. 
 
 The passing away from among us, full of years 
 and honours, of a man so distinguished in the pro- 
 fession as Ewan Christian^, deserves to be recorded 
 fully, and his professional career traced systemati- 
 cally, while the recollections of his strong personality 
 and his skill as an architect are fresh in our memory. 
 Over fourscore years at the time of his death, age 
 had not dimmed his eyesight nor impaired his judg- 
 ment. Active and vigorous to the last, there were 
 none of those symptoms which we look upon as 
 inseparably connected with old age, when men arrive 
 at that limit when their “ strength is but labour and 
 
 1 This notice was written for the Journal of the Royal Institute of 
 British Architects by Mr George H. Birch, F.S.A., Associate R.I.B.A., 
 Curator of the Soane Museum. The author has since kindly corrected 
 and enlarged it for this memoir. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 53 
 
 sorrow/’ Of him it might be truly said, “ He died in 
 harness”; like Edward Barry, George Edmund Street, 
 and William Burges, called away when the produc- 
 tions of their graceful fancy were being realized ; and 
 yet unlike them in one respect, for while they were 
 removed in the vigour and prime of life, Ewan 
 Christian had passed the allotted term and was still 
 at work. 
 
 His early years were passed at Christ’s Hospital, 
 and it may be that he owed much of his good health 
 and freedom from fatigue in after life, and his active 
 and strong disposition, to the healthy surroundings, 
 the open-air life, and almost Spartan fare of the 
 school in those days. In every sense he remained an 
 old Blue ” to the end of his days, always speaking 
 of his school with affection, ever ready to help those 
 who required his help and whom he had known in 
 former years. He became a Governor afterwards, 
 and up to the very last assisted the governing body 
 of the Institution with his sound advice and mature 
 judgment, in the vexed question of the proposed 
 removal to some place far distant from its old asso- 
 ciations and historic site, on account of the parrot- 
 like cry of “ insanitary surroundings.” 
 
 After leaving school he was articled to Matthew 
 Habershon, in whose office he was distinguished both 
 for his industry and zeal in acquiring a knowledge of 
 his profession. From Habershon’s office he passed 
 to that of Brown of Norwich, who was surveyor to 
 
54 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 the Cathedral. Returning to London, he was for 
 some time with Mr Railton, with whom he worked 
 on one of the competition sets of drawings for the 
 Houses of Parliament — the busy record of a busy 
 period. His close application to work injured his 
 eyesight, and it became absolutely necessary for him 
 to abandon for the time all fine drawing ; so he be- 
 came a clerk of works, and superintended the pro- 
 gress of several buildings, especially St Margaret’s, 
 Lee (which, since then, has been largely altered and 
 transformed by Mr James Brooks), and the large 
 Union at Colchester. At this period he was also 
 helping Habershon, and making sketches for his 
 work^ on half-timbered houses. All this varied ex- 
 
 1 The Ancient Half-Timbered Houses of England^ by Matthew 
 Habershon, Architect, London, 1836. The author states in his 
 Preface that “the specimens which he obtained were in the first instance 
 almost exclusively limited to the County of Worcester, and the more 
 immediate neighbourhood of Droitwich. Having however obtained 
 information that there were some remarkably fine ones in other places, 
 particularly in Lancashire and Cheshire, he sent one of his pupils, 
 Mr Ewan Christian, to try to find them out and sketch them. The 
 result of this journey far surpassed his expectation, and produced the 
 most ample and beautiful materials for the completion of the work.” 
 Mr Christian’s commission seems however to have extended to Shrop- 
 shire also, and eleven of the eighteen large lithographs in the book 
 are from his sketches. The subjects of these are an old House in the 
 Market Place, Preston; the Hall i’ the Wood, near Bolton; Samlesbury 
 Old Hall, and Ince Hall, Wigan — all in Lancashire ; Bramall Hall (two) 
 and Moreton Hall in Cheshire ; and in Shropshire, Pitchford Hall ; an 
 old House in Butchers’ Row, Shrewsbury, and Park Hall, Oswestry. 
 He contributed also a view of an old house in Hereford, and some 
 measured drawings of architectural details. All these are most in- 
 teresting, both as views of some of the most picturesque old houses 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 55 
 
 perience, undertaken and carried through with that 
 devotion to duty, that minute attention to all small 
 details and complete mastery of them, which emi- 
 nently distinguished him in whatever he undertook, 
 made his advice and guidance in after life so valuable 
 to those who had to submit to him in his official 
 capacity the drawings and specifications of any build- 
 ing. His reports as a clerk of works were perfect 
 models in their way ; nothing was forgotten or unre- 
 corded, and no defect was unnoticed. Strictly true 
 and upright himself, he looked for the same in others, 
 and woe betide them if they were found wanting ! 
 
 In 1841 — 42 he went abroad, studying for a time in 
 Italy, where he made acquaintance with (Sir) Horace 
 Jones, and Arthur Green, both of whom died before 
 him, and Professor Hayter Lewis, happily still sur- 
 viving. Very beautiful and accurate were some of 
 the sketches he made. The writer remembers on one 
 occasion being shown a minute sketch of some lovely 
 Italian work, which he took for a print. “ Print ! no 
 print — look again ; you should use your eyes as I 
 did when I made the sketch.” It would astonish a 
 good many to see these sketches, and contrast them 
 with the “ scratch and splash ” style of the present 
 day. 
 
 On his return he commenced practice, taking part 
 in several competitions, many of which he gained. 
 
 in England, and as specimens of Mr Christian’s wonderful skill and 
 accuracy in architectural drawing. 
 
56 
 
 , EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 About this time he built his first Church at Hilden- 
 borough, near Tonbridge. The restoration of the old 
 church of St Mary, Scarborough, was the result of a 
 competition in which he was successful. From that 
 time his position as an architect was assured, and 
 his works followed in rapid succession. His earliest 
 Churches, such as Hildenborough and St Stephen’s, 
 Tonbridge, show a distinct advance on the usual 
 style of that period, although they may fall short 
 of the high standard of the ultra-correct ideal of the 
 Ecclesiologist. He had a thorough knowledge of old 
 work, and how carefully he had studied it is ex- 
 emplified, in his Architectural Illustrations of Skelton 
 ChurcJI ^ — the only hook which he ever published, 
 although several of his reports on Churches were 
 printed in pamphlet form, and many of his addresses 
 and remarks in the course of discussions are to be 
 found in the volumes of the R. I. B. A. Journal. 
 
 He had become a student of the Royal Academy 
 early in the “thirties,” and must necessarily have 
 attended the lectures on architecture given by the 
 then Professor of Architecture, Sir John Soane, with 
 whose works he could have had but little sympathy. 
 
 ^ This is a monograph on an exceedingly interesting Church of 
 the first half of the 13th century, evidently by the hands of the same 
 masons who had worked on York Minster, a building of the Same 
 period. The author alludes to a tradition current in the parish that the 
 Church was built with the stones that remained over after the South 
 Transept of the Minster was finished. The volume contains views of 
 the exterior and interior, with carefully measured drawings, and de- 
 scriptive letter-press. Skelton is about four miles from York. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 57 
 
 A fellow-student ^ older than Ewan Christian, still 
 alive and hearty, who well remembers him, and who 
 only recently renewed an acquaintance first formed 
 sixty years before, when telling the writer of his inter- 
 view, said, “ I found him just as enthusiastic in manner 
 and conversation as he was sixty years ago.” 
 
 His first drawing exhibited at the Royal Academy 
 was in 1833, and was probably an Academic one, as 
 it is called in the catalogue a “ Design for a Mauso- 
 leum,” and the address given is 61 Mortimer Street, 
 Cavendish Square, which was Mr Habershon’s office. 
 He was then in his 19th year, and in the third year 
 of his articles, and from that time until 1855 he con- 
 tributed some sixteen drawings, but not annually. 
 After that date comes a long interval, and it is not 
 until 1874 that he is again represented on the 
 walls of the Academy, this time with three drawings. 
 The last time he exhibited was in 1879. Ap- 
 pended is a tabulated list of the subjects which he 
 exhibited : 
 
 1833. Design for a Mausoleum. 
 
 1834. Design for a Lodge and Park Entrance to a 
 
 Nobleman’s Mansion. 
 
 1835. Design for a New Church to be erected at 
 
 Kendal. 
 
 1843. South-east view of the New Church at Hil- 
 denborough, Kent. 
 
 ^ Mr John Green Waller, F.S.A. 
 
58 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 1846. South door at Skelton Church. 
 
 Proposed Church at Pembury, Kent. 
 
 1847. Design for New Offices for the Imperial 
 
 Assurance Company. (Competition Draw- 
 ing, 2nd premium.) 
 
 1848. Church of St Mary, Scarborough. 
 
 1850. New Church, Wickham Bishops. 
 
 Abnalls, Lichfield. 
 
 1851. Interior of Church — Wickham Bishops. 
 
 1854. Interior of St Luke’s, Nutford Place. 
 
 1855. Collegiate Church of St Peter, Wolver- 
 
 hampton. 
 
 Interior of Choir, Carlisle Cathedral. 
 
 1874. Highlands, Gloucestershire — two views. 
 
 St Mark’s, Leicester. 
 
 1879. Glyndebourne, Sussex. 
 
 It would be a long record to give his works in 
 their successive order, the bare list of Churches, Epis- 
 copal and Capitular residences. Rectories, Vicarages, 
 Schools, private mansions, and houses of business, 
 which he had built, restored or enlarged, filling many 
 folio pages. Of these some of the more important 
 are enumerated at the end of this chapter, but we 
 may here offer some brief comments upon a few of 
 those of chief interest. Among these was Carlisle 
 Cathedral, then in a terrible state of disrepair ; its 
 choir had been covered with a plaster vault, which 
 he removed, opening out the old oaken roof above ; 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 59 
 
 and subsequently he had to clear out and repair the 
 transepts and the only surviving bays of the nave. 
 The Collegiate Church of St Peter, Wolverhampton, 
 being much decayed from the soft nature of the red 
 sandstone of which it was built, was substantially 
 repaired by him ; while a ruinous chancel, which had 
 usurped the place of the old one, was entirely rebuilt; 
 and so conservative was he, that he rebuilt it as a long 
 collegiate chancel, although the Deanery of Wolver- 
 hampton had for years ceased to exist. Another care- 
 ful ‘restoration,’ in the best sense of the word, was the 
 fine old Minster at Southwell, now a Cathedral Church. 
 As an instance of his extreme carefulness, it may be 
 mentioned that when it was a question of rebuilding 
 the leaden spires which once adorned it, he came 
 across a sketch by J. M. W. Turner, R.A., showing 
 these spires ; he resolved to follow that sketch, rather 
 than make them higher — which, many would have 
 preferred — “because,” he said, “Turner was always 
 “ correct in his architectural drawings, and he sketched 
 “ those spires as he saw them, and as they undoubt- 
 “ edly existed.” 
 
 He was not yet forty when he became Consulting 
 Architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners — a 
 most important appointment, though not a very 
 enviable one, it being incumbent upon every architect 
 to send in for his approval drawings and specifications 
 of every Church intended for a district Church, and 
 of every house proposed to be conveyed to the 
 
6o 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Commissioners for a Parsonage. On these drawings 
 he had to sit in judgment, and sometimes, un- 
 fortunatel}^ very severe judgment; confining him- 
 self, however, principally to details of construction 
 and plan, and never interfering much with the 
 design, unless money were absolutely wasted on 
 unnecessary ornament. Some of his professional 
 brethren may have thought him exacting and capri- 
 cious ; but he was always just, and his requirements 
 were invariably dictated by sound common sense. No 
 one could have filled that position better than he did, 
 “ without fear or favour” ; whether the drawings before 
 him were the works of an intimate friend^ or a perfect 
 stranger, it was precisely the same to him ; he had a 
 duty to perform to the Commissioners, and he did it. 
 
 With regard to the churches and parsonages 
 which he built for the Commissioners, for which 
 they found all the funds, the same rule which he 
 applied to others he applied to himself ; he would 
 rather spend money on sound work and solid foun- 
 dations which did not show, than on external showi- 
 
 ^ In illustration of this absolute impartiality, we may quote some 
 words from a letter of (probably) his oldest surviving friend, Mr Thomas 
 C. Hine, of Nottingham, Architect. Speaking of his “rigid adherence 
 to what he l>elieved was just and right,” he adds, “ This characterized 
 his decision in an Architectural Competition in which I was concerned, 
 and when I was deluded enough to think that if I came anywhere near 
 the mark, his affection for an old friend would induce him to yield 
 a point — but no, had I come only within one mark of what he deemed 
 to be the best design, it would have failed, and it would have been vain 
 to expect the slightest concession for friendship’s sake.” 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 6i 
 
 ness of detail and ornament, which might have made 
 his buildings more attractive, but at the expense of 
 solidity. His hatred of all shams in architecture was 
 proverbial ; his church work was invariably honest and 
 sound, and never in a single instance flimsy or unsub- 
 stantial. During the long period of forty-four years 
 that he served the Commissioners he built many large 
 and fine churches, which are distinguished more for 
 their quietness and repose than for architectural effect, 
 although they are by no means wanting in that. 
 One of his finest and best churches, built by private 
 munificence, was St Mark’s, Leicester. Among other 
 ecclesiastical buildings the group of houses for the 
 Minor Canons of St Paul’s, which form a little 
 Cathedral-close in themselves, with an entrance under 
 an archway from Warwick Lane, deserves more than 
 passing mention. 
 
 His domestic works were also very numerous, in- 
 cluding many large mansions and manor houses. 
 In all these there is the same feeling displayed — 
 quiet repose, no straining after picturesque effects, 
 genuinely English in character, with many mullioned 
 windows and tall chimneys and red-brick gables, 
 carrying on the tradition of the “stately homes of 
 England,” except in neighbourhoods where stone was 
 procurable, for he never neglected local material. 
 
 In London his architectural taste and genius are 
 apparent in a building for the Economic Life Assur- 
 ance Society, Bridge Street, Blackfriars, a fagade 
 
62 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 where for once he allowed the results of his Italian 
 studies of brick and terra-cotta to be utilized ; though 
 he reverted again to a more English type for the 
 fagade of Messrs Cox’s Bank at Charing Cross. The 
 last in the long list of his works is one virtually 
 completed externally, and only lacking a few fittings 
 internally, but which, alas ! he was not permitted 
 to see finished — the National Portrait Gallery. In 
 this building there were difficulties to be overcome, 
 and one may hope for a favourable verdict, when the 
 hoardings are all cleared away, that he did success- 
 fully meet those difficulties. There was the existing 
 National Gallery, with its returned front facing St 
 Martin’s Church, and this Neo-Graeco work of Wilkins’ 
 poor commonplace design — not so much the fault of 
 Wilkins, but arising more from the fact of his having 
 to use up the front of Carlton House, and the pro- 
 portion of the Order used there regulating the 
 proportions of his building. Now, again, this in its 
 turn has influenced Mr Christian’s design, for in 
 the new National Portrait Gallery this work of 
 Wilkins had to be continued and harmonized, and 
 it is not until one arrives at the corner, where that 
 work could be shut out, that he had a free hand. 
 Here he entirely departed from a style of archi- 
 tecture forced upon him by the exigencies of the 
 case in having to complete Wilkins’ returned front, 
 and adopted a free rendering of early Plorentine 
 work, such as one would see at the Palazzi Strozzi 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 63 
 
 or Medici. The result is a building distinguished for 
 its repose and dignity, and one which could not be 
 mistaken for anything else but that for which it was 
 designed — a Picture Gallery, and a Gallery worthy of 
 the long roll of national celebrities whose portraits 
 are to be preserved within its walls. 
 
 In addition to the post of Consulting Architect 
 to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, he was also Con- 
 sulting Architect to the Lichfield Diocesan Church 
 Building Society and to the Carlisle Diocesan Society, 
 and was one of the architects of the Incorporated 
 Church Building Society — all three, however, hono- 
 rary appointments. In 1887 (in consequence of the 
 passing of the “ City of London Parochial Charities 
 Act” 1883), he was appointed Consulting Architect to 
 the Charity Commissioners, in whom were vested all 
 the funds derived from the various charities connected 
 with the old Parish Churches in the City. In this 
 capacity he had to visit and report on the actual state 
 of each church, and what sum of money was necessary, 
 not only for the repairs then needed, but also to keep 
 them annually in repair. Every report was accom- 
 panied with a plan of the church and a detailed 
 estimate of repairs ; and this series of reports, forming 
 the most complete account of the City Churches ever 
 written, is a monument in itself to his untiring zeal 
 and business capacity. 
 
 In later years his wide experience and mature 
 judgment were frequently in demand for judging 
 
64 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 competitive plans for ecclesiastical and other build- 
 ings. Among the more important of such competi- 
 tions were those for the Cathedrals of Edinburgh and 
 Liverpool ; the new Admiralty^ and War Offices ; the 
 Training College at Norwich, and the new buildings 
 for Christ’s Hospital at Horsham, a subject to which 
 he devoted much thought and grateful care, and for 
 which he received a special vote of thanks^ from 
 the Governors. His report on the designs for Edin- 
 burgh Cathedral was considered a model of fairness 
 and lucidity. 
 
 He was one of the oldest members of the Institute, 
 for he was made an Associate in 1840®, became a 
 Fellow in 1850, Vice-President, and President in 
 1884 — 1886. During his presidency the Institute 
 
 celebrated its Jubilee. In 1887 he was the recipient 
 of the Royal Gold Medal. 
 
 His striking personality was remarkable ; to many 
 he might have appeared grim and unapproachable, 
 but under that somewhat stern exterior there lurked 
 the kindliest and best of natures and warmest of 
 hearts. Once strike a chord and the whole nature of 
 
 ^ The recently erected Admiralty is not however from the design to 
 which he gave the preference. 
 
 2 By a singular coincidence the letter conveying their thanks is 
 dated on the 71st anniversary of his admission to the school, June ii, 
 1823. 
 
 ^ In the R.I.B.A. Kalendar for 1894 — 5, his name is fourth in 
 seniority among the 617 Fellows; those of earlier date being James 
 Piers St Aubyn (1837), Henry Glutton (1838), and David Brandon 
 (1839). 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 65 
 
 the man awoke in responsive echo ; he would be 
 carried away by enthusiasm, scarcely finding words 
 to express the fulness of his heart. Boundless in his 
 charity, many a recipient of that bounty will feel his 
 loss. To those in his employ he was ever a kind and 
 generous master ; a terror to wrongdoers, from that 
 impatience of wrong which was so characteristic of 
 him, yet withal he could be patient and forgiving. 
 Of his private life it does not become one to speak, 
 for “ through all the track of years he wore the white 
 flower of a blameless life.” But in his public capacity 
 we never shall look upon his like again. Indeed, we 
 can ill spare him, and his closing words in his Opening 
 Address to the Institute in 1884 read like a legacy to 
 his professional brethren : — “ We have seen, I think, 
 ‘"that the aim of the Founders of this Institute was 
 “ high and noble ; let our standard in the future be 
 “ raised still higher. Their work was begun in weak- 
 “ ness, let ours be continued in strength ; and, putting 
 “ aside all petty jealousies, let us combine not for mere 
 “ personal advantage, but in the truest and most 
 “ liberal sense, for the advancement of our art, and 
 “ the establishment of its practice on that broad basis 
 “ of honourable principle which alone is worthy of the 
 “ noble profession to which we belong.” This was no 
 empty sentiment, but the guiding principle on which 
 he acted throughout his professional life. 
 
 H. 
 
 5 
 
66 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 The following is a list of some of the 
 portant works executed by Mr Christian. 
 
 New Churches. 
 
 1844. St John’s, Hildenborough\ 
 
 1849. St Thomas’, Douglas, Isle of Man. 
 
 1851. Christ Church, Forest HilF. 
 
 1852. St Stephen’s, Tonbridge \ 
 
 1852. St John’s, Kenilworth. 
 
 1855. St Luke’s, Nutford Place \ 
 
 1859. St Peter’s, Rochester'. 
 
 1860. Christ Church, Winchester. 
 
 1860. St Peter’s, Hamsey. 
 
 1861. St Stephen’s, Spitalfields. 
 
 1862. St James’, Tunbridge Wells. 
 
 1868. St Mary’s, Carlisle. 
 
 1868-89. Holy Trinity, Folkestone. 
 
 1871. St Benet’s, Stepney. 
 
 1872. St Mark’s, Leicester, 
 
 1873. St Mary’s, Hoxton. 
 
 1874. All Hallows, Bromley-by-Bow. 
 
 1874. Christ Church, Weymouth. 
 
 1875. St Paul’s, Clerkenwell. 
 
 1876-89. Holy Trinity, Scarborough. 
 
 1877. Christ Church, Stepney. 
 
 1878. St Antholin’s, Nunhead. 
 
 1879. St Matthew’s, Cheltenham. 
 
 1879. St Anthony’s, Stepney. 
 
 ^ These were won in competition. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 67 
 
 1879. Holy Trinity, Dalston. 
 
 1880. St Stephen’s, Upper Holloway. 
 
 1885. St Barnabas, Kentish Town. 
 
 1885. St Dionis, Fulham. 
 
 1885. St Peter’s, Limehouse. 
 
 1885-90. St Paul’s, Longridge. 
 
 1889. St Thomas, Finsbury Park. 
 
 1894. St Olave’s, Stoke Newington. 
 
 Churches Restored. 
 
 Carlisle Cathedral. 
 
 Southwell Minster. 
 
 Romsey Abbey (Chancel). 
 
 St Mary’s, Scarborough k 
 St Peter’s, Wolverhampton. 
 
 And the following Parish Churches : 
 
 Nuneaton, Coggeshall, Holbeach, Knaresborough, 
 East Meon, Prittlewell, Bampton, Dersingham, Castle- 
 acre, Bosham, Eastbourne, Tonbridge, Kempsey, 
 Alconbury, Skelton^ (near York), Margate, St Mary’s, 
 Cheltenham Minster (Sheppey), Tong, St Cuthbert’s, 
 Wells ; and about 150 others in all parts of England 
 and Wales, in addition to the repairs to Churches and 
 Chancels, about 200 in all, done for the Ecclesiastical 
 Commissioners. 
 
 In the City of London a complete survey made 
 for the Charity Commissioners of 54 Churches, with 
 
 1 Won in competition. 
 
 - Note by Mr Christian. “Restored 40 years after E. C. had 
 published his book on it ” (see p. 56). 
 
 5—2 
 
68 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 reports as to general condition, repairs then needed 
 and provision for future maintenance. Also the 
 restoration of the following: 
 
 St Andrew Undershaft. 
 
 Sts Anne and Agnes, Gresham Street 
 
 St Olave’s, Hart Street. 
 
 St BotolpUs, Aldersgate. 
 
 St Michael’s, Paternoster Royal, Castle Hill. 
 
 St Martin’s, Ludgate. 
 
 Episcopal Residences. 
 
 Norwich and Gloucester, almost entirely rebuilt, 
 and works of addition or restoration at Lambeth, 
 Bishopsthorpe, Lincoln, and new Chapels added at 
 Llandaff and Manchester. 
 
 Capitular Residences. 
 
 St Paul’s — six Minor Canonries and Gatehouse 
 (built). 
 
 Westminster Abbey — Choir House (built). 
 
 Bangor — Canon ry (built). 
 
 Chichester — Canons’ Gate (restored). 
 
 Exeter — the Chantry (built). 
 
 Llandaff — Deanery, Canonry, and Minor Canon- 
 ries (built). 
 
 St Asaph — Canonry (built). 
 
 Wells — Chain Gate (restored). 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 69 
 
 Other Ecclesiastical Buildings. 
 
 Rectories, Vicarages, Parsonages and Curates’ 
 Houses, about 200 in all, varying in cost from £800 
 to £ 4000 , in almost every County in England and 
 Wales ; some built for the Ecclesiastical Commis- 
 sioners, others for private patrons. Also Mission 
 Halls, Parish Rooms and Vestries ; National and 
 Parochial Schools, about 20 in number, including 
 the Cathedral Grammar School, Worcester. 
 
 Other Buildings. 
 
 St John’s College, Highbury — Chapel, Hall, Gate- 
 way and other additions ; St Andrew’s Convalescent 
 Home, Folkestone, with large Chapel ; Surrey Con- 
 valescent Home, Seaford ; Economic Life Assurance 
 Office, Blackfriars ; Cox’s Bank, Charing Cross; 
 Whitaker’s Works, Warwick Lane ; McCorquodale’s 
 Printing Works, Southwark ; and his last and great- 
 est work, the National Portrait Gallery, which he did 
 not live to see quite completed. 
 
 Mansions and Country Houses built. 
 
 1862. Lavington Manor, Wilts. Rt. Hon. E. P. 
 Bouverie. 
 
 1864-8. Ascot Wood, Berks. Sir John Shaw 
 Lefevre. 
 
70 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 1 862-9. 
 
 1862-4. 
 
 1865-70. 
 
 1865-68. 
 
 1867-70. 
 
 1870-75. 
 
 1852. 
 
 1 862-64. 
 
 1874-78. 
 
 1876-82. 
 
 1880-85. 
 
 1882- 86. 
 
 1883- 87. 
 1883-88. 
 
 1886-87. 
 
 1883-5. 
 
 1886-92. 
 
 Coombe Warren, Surrey. Henry B. Mild- 
 may, Esq. 
 
 Woodlands, Hampstead. Robert B. 
 Woodd, Esq. 
 
 Abbotswood, Gloucestershire. Alfred Sar- 
 toris, Esq. 
 
 Frognal, Sunningdale. Admiral Sir Fre- 
 derick Grey. 
 
 Foscott Manor, Buckingham. Captain L. 
 R. Hall. 
 
 Highlands, Gloucestershire. Mrs Frith. 
 Oxley Manor, Wolverhampton. Alex. 
 Hordern, Esq. 
 
 Loughrigg Brow, Ambleside. Rev. Canon 
 Bell. 
 
 Eastbury Manor, Surrey. General Hagart. 
 Broadwell Hill, Moreton- in -the -Marsh. 
 Piers Thursby, Esq. 
 
 Lillingstone Dayrell, Bucks. Abraham John 
 Robartes, Esq. 
 
 Holbrook Hall, Suffolk. J. Mitchell, Esq. 
 Bosahan, Cornwall. A. P. Vivian, Esq. 
 Castle Malwood, New Forest. Rt. Hon. 
 
 Sir William Harcourt, Bart. 
 
 Mayes, Warnham, nr. Horsham. Arthur 
 Labouchere, Esq. 
 
 Sykefield, Leicester. William Harris, Esq. 
 Woodbastwick Hall, Norfolk. Albemarle 
 Cator, Esq. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 71 
 
 The following Houses were enlarged or altered : 
 
 Stanmer, Sussex. Earl of Chichester. 
 
 Gopsall Hall, Staffordshire. Earl Howe. 
 
 Mayfield, Surrey. Lord Penzance. 
 
 Pinkney Hall, Norfolk. J. S. Scott Chad, Esq. 
 Tortworth Court, Gloucestershire. Earl of Dude. 
 East Hampstead Park, Berks. Marquis of Downshire, 
 large Conservatory added. 
 
 Glyndebourne, Sussex. W. L. Christie, Esq. 
 
 Burcote House, Oxfordshire. Dowager Countess of 
 Crawford, in progress at the time of his death. 
 
72 
 
 EWAN CHE/ST/AN. 
 
 OBITUARY NOTICES. 
 
 The following letter from Mr Macvicar Anderson, 
 a Fellow and former President of the Institute, is 
 printed in the Journal of the R.I.B.A, for Feb. 28, 
 1895. 
 
 “ But one feeling — a feeling of unaffected sorrow — 
 pervaded the profession on learning of the death of 
 Ewan Christian — a name which for very many years 
 has been universally regarded as the synonym of all 
 that is high-minded and straightforward, not only by 
 architects, but by the outside world. As architect 
 to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners his place will 
 indeed be difficult to fill. All who came in contact 
 with him in this relationship can testify to the rare 
 ability and conscientious devotion with which he 
 unremittingly discharged his duties. Not a few 
 architects will sadly miss the kindly courtesy with 
 which he was wont to offer suggestions, that never 
 failed to be of practical value and to educe grateful 
 acknowledgement. In the exercise of private practice, 
 the confidence and esteem he inspired were such as 
 can only be created by the man of integrity and the 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 73 
 
 architect of ability. With him age was accompanied 
 not so much by weakness, as by undaunted energy. 
 In harness almost to the last, with but a few days of 
 illness, who could have wished for a more merciful 
 or a more appropriate close to a prolonged life of 
 exceptionally earnest work ? Simple-minded, true, 
 and kind of heart, self-reliant, generous, full of enthu- 
 siasm such as is rarely to be found unaccompanied by 
 youth, of wide experience and extensive knowledge, 
 the veteran of whom we were proud, and whom we 
 all regarded with real affection, has passed to his 
 rest, leaving to the profession and to many besides 
 the heritage of a noble example, none the less valued 
 because tinged, as for the time it must be, by the 
 deep feelings of regret and sorrow which all experi- 
 ence who survive him.” 
 
 The Architectural Journals all contained obituary 
 notices ; so much of these as consisted of records of 
 his principal works, similar to that given above by 
 Mr Birch, have been omitted, but the following com- 
 ments of professional critics upon his character and 
 work have a value of their own, and will be read with 
 interest. 
 
 “Mr Ewan Christian has departed from us after 
 a life which was almost enviable. He had passed his 
 eightieth year ; he had acquired the respect of the 
 numerous architects who met him as the repre- 
 sentative of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. It 
 
74 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 might be said that the greater part of his life was 
 spent in the exercise of judicial functions, and he 
 fulfilled his duty with a sense of justice which was 
 never surpassed in any of the courts of law. As he 
 once said of himself, “ Mine has been a life of inde- 
 pendent service, not of exploits. I have undoubtedly 
 done much work, and some, I hope, of a valuable 
 kind to those most interested ; but I could not think 
 of comparing myself with the great architects and 
 archaeologists of our own and other countries. My 
 highest ambition has been that of doing to the best 
 of my ability the duty from time to time set before 
 me to accomplish, and of maintaining unsullied in 
 every sense the high character of an honourable 
 and independent architect.” These manly and yet 
 modest words expressed an ideal of character which 
 nobody could dare to say was not in keeping with 
 Mr Christian’s daily life. He held an onerous office, 
 and he never endeavoured to turn its functions into 
 indirect advantage for himself, as has happened in 
 other times and places. Sometimes he found his 
 duties trying, as when novices, immature or unskilful 
 architects, endeavoured to uphold their notions against 
 his experience, but in the end he generally enjoyed 
 the satisfaction of a rational victory. Mr Christian, 
 in fact, made the duties of his office more onerous 
 to himself, by the pains he bestowed in trying to raise 
 the character of many of the designs submitted to 
 him, and, if it were not for his endeavours, we are 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 75 
 
 afraid a great many churches would have a more 
 unpleasing appearance. His own work, whatever the 
 style, was always in excellent taste, but he could not 
 escape the fate of all critics in the arts. He became 
 over fastidious, and designed as if his powers were 
 restrained. It was as a judge that his keenness, 
 honesty and skill were most apparent. Mr Christian’s 
 report on the designs for the Edinburgh Cathedral is 
 a model of its kind. Every line reveals the know- 
 ledge of a master who was competent to recommend 
 alterations in the work of the ablest among his con- 
 temporaries, and who was not afraid to express his 
 own preference. Many architects have had reason 
 to be grateful to Mr Christian, and we trust the 
 respect for his memory will be expressed in a per- 
 manent form .” — The Architect, March i, 1895. 
 
 “In our obituary column we have given a few 
 particulars as to the life and work of the late Mr Ewan 
 Christian, whose death will be regretted by all who 
 knew him, and who leaves behind him the reputation 
 of an accomplished and conscientious architect and a 
 kind-hearted and courteous gentleman. Mr Christian 
 was nearly 81 at the time of his death, and therefore 
 cannot in one sense be said to have died prematurely, 
 but one cannot but regret that he should not have 
 lived to see the completion and opening of his most 
 important building, the National Portrait Gallery. 
 In the design of this Mr Christian had contrived, with 
 
76 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 a great deal of judgment, to give a special treatment 
 to the main block of building at the back of the 
 National Gallery, while effecting the juncture of the 
 old and new building on the east side in such a 
 manner as to avoid any clashing with the architectural 
 design of the National Gallery itself. The only point 
 we think rather questionable is the appearance of the 
 assemblage of pediments of different sizes on the in- 
 termediate portion of the building, as seen from the 
 east. But the main block is a dignified structure 
 suitable to its position, and if the interior planning 
 and lighting have been carried out, as will probably 
 be found to be the case, in a practically satisfactory 
 manner, the building will be a worthy monument of 
 its architect .” — The Builder, March 2, 1895. 
 
 “At the ripe age of eighty years, full of honours, 
 and with the best secular work he has ever attempted 
 almost completed, Ewan Christian has gone the way 
 of all flesh, and his host of friends in the Architectural 
 world will know him no more. Mr Christian’s chief 
 works were his church restorations, and he has restored 
 more churches — under the Ecclesiastical and the 
 Charity Commissioners, for whom he worked reli- 
 giously for very many years — than any other six men 
 in England. His principal restoration, if one would 
 pick a solitary instance out of many hundreds, was 
 unquestionably the restoration of Southwell Minster, 
 and the rebuilding of its tower ; but his staircase at 
 
•EWAN CHE/ST/AN. 
 
 77 
 
 the National Gallery, and the important additions to 
 the building which have been for several years gradu- 
 ally growing to completion, and which will undoubt- 
 edly form a magnificent home for the National Portraits 
 which have been buffetted about the world, to our 
 great dishonour, will call him most to the memory of 
 architectural London. We only hear of his death as 
 we are going to press — time enough, however, to 
 express our sorrow at the loss of such an eminent 
 Church Architect, and such a polished gentleman.” 
 The Builders Journal^ Feb. 26, 1895. 
 
 “We regret to have to record the decease of Mr 
 Ewan Christian, for many years architect to the Eccle- 
 siastical Commissioners. In the year 1887 he was 
 elected as the recipient of the Royal Gold Medal, the 
 president for the year, the late Mr Edward I’Anson, 
 remarking that Mr Christian’s ‘long and busy life 
 had been spent in conscientious, honourable work, 
 evincing throughout a thorough knowledge of his 
 art, while no architect could have more zealously 
 and faithfully studied the interests of the Ecclesi- 
 astical Commissioners.’ In replying, Mr Christian 
 said: ‘Mine has been a life of independent service, 
 not of exploits. My highest ambition has been that 
 of doing to the best of my ability the duty from time 
 to time set before me to accomplish, and of main- 
 taining unsullied in every sense the high character of 
 an honourable and independent architect.’ These 
 
78 
 
 EWAN CHE/ST/AN, 
 
 two sentences give a fair epitome of the character of 
 the architect who has just passed away. In no sense 
 a heaven-born genius, or even possessed of brilliant 
 parts, but a man of inflexible honesty, great industry, 
 and good business capabilities, he was a safe man, 
 who would fulfil to the best of his powers any work 
 committed to him. Many are the stories current of 
 the pains he would take to explain to young architects 
 the defects in their designs, and the way in which they 
 might be amended, when plans for new rectories or 
 mission churches were submitted for his official 
 approval, and many have profited by the apparently 
 harsh, but well-grounded criticism, rapidly delivered 
 in nervous, almost irritable, tones. A sequel to his 
 three years’ occupancy of the carved ‘ lions ’ chair at 
 9, Conduit-street, was that a subscription portrait of 
 Mr Christian was painted by Mr W. W. Ouless, R.A., 
 and was presented to the Institute in February, 1888.” 
 — The Building News, March i, 1895. 
 
(Ibvvaitcbcat)- fbampstcab Ibcatb. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 CHARACTER. 
 
 '^.Salits per Cfjnstum.” 
 
 “ Crust anH 5tribe.” 
 
 The name of Christian^ scattered up and down 
 in the records of the old Kingdom of Man during 
 many centuries, and still commonly borne by many 
 people of the Island, takes us back to a distant age 
 when a man who professed the faith of Christ was 
 marked and noted, for good or ill, among his heathen 
 neighbours, and bore the reproach of Christ in his 
 very name\ At a later date, when men began to 
 distinguish families by heraldic devices, the family 
 of Christian, rejoicing in the possession of a name, 
 the reproach of which had long ceased, took for their 
 appropriate cognizance three sacramental cups^ with 
 the motto, Salus per Christum. 
 
 1 The name is thought to have reached the Island from the Danish 
 Colonies in Ireland, but this is uncertain. Another Manx name of 
 similar meaning is Mylchreest, from MacGuilley Chreest — ‘ the son of 
 Christ’s servant.’ 
 
8o 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Of the latest member of this family whom God 
 has called to his rest in a ripe old age, it may be 
 permitted to others to say that he was not unworthy 
 the full significance of his honourable name, and that 
 the ancient family motto was the guiding principle 
 of his life. Sains per Christian — whatever the natural 
 grace and strength of his character, however man- 
 fully he strove to do his duty towards God and his 
 neighbour, he counted all for nought, and for accept- 
 ance with God looked to the merits of Christ alone. 
 The opening clause of his will — a document in which 
 a man may be supposed to disclose his character to 
 posterity — expresses his simple faith in words of such 
 unaffected pathos and so entirely his own, that we 
 transcribe them in full. 
 
 “ Sinful and unholy as I know myself to be, and 
 only fit to loathe myself and repent in dust and ashes, 
 yet I trust I may die in the unclouded faith that 
 in His one all-sufficient sacrifice Jesus Christ made 
 an atonement for me, and that unworthy, utterly 
 unworthy, as I am, His precious blood-shedding will 
 cleanse and purify and make me meet to wear the 
 white robe of His righteousness in the great as- 
 sembly of His saints. Amen ! Amen !” 
 
 Such, in few words, was his creed, but it was 
 one which touched his conduct at all points, and 
 made his whole life to glow with the force of vital 
 religion. Deeply penetrated with the conviction 
 that all which he had, of natural gift or acquired 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 8i 
 
 by his own industry, all his ‘safety’ from peril to 
 soul or body, was the gift of God ‘through Christ,’ 
 he reckoned nothing that he had his own, but did 
 all his service ‘as to the Lord and not to men,’ 
 setting the Lord always before him, whether at 
 home or abroad, in hours of business or in mo- 
 ments of relaxation. Thus it can hardly be said 
 of him that there was what is sometimes called 
 ‘a religious side’ to his character, for his religion was 
 on all sides, behind not a whit less than before. 
 He had opinions of his own, clearly defined and 
 well matured, upon Church questions, being an old- 
 fashioned Evangelical, or as one of the few surviving 
 friends of his early years ' has said, “ he adhered to 
 his old-fashioned Puritan predilections to the last,” 
 but the same friend adds, that “he was singularly 
 free from anything like bigotry,” adducing in proof 
 his liberal support of a certain hospital for children, 
 founded under auspices very remote from Puritan. 
 He was indeed wholly free from the spirit of party 
 strife, but he loved the Church of England and her 
 Prayer Book and her Catechism with all his heart, 
 and he was an Evangelical because he believed that 
 the doctrine and the simplicity of worship presented 
 under that name were the truest interpretation of the 
 mind of the Church. So he would always speak of 
 “the Communion Table,” just because that was the 
 name which he considered to be authorized by the 
 ^ Mr Thomas C. Hine, of Nottingham, Architect. 
 
 H. 
 
 6 
 
82 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 Prayer Book, and much as he loved beauty in church 
 architecture, he contented himself for five-and-forty 
 years with his seat in St John’s Chapel, Downshire 
 Hill, one of the old Proprietary Chapels in which 
 the eye bears little part in lifting the heart to 
 devotion. There, Sunday by Sunday, until the last 
 week of his life, was seen his earnest countenance, 
 with its lines of thought, its prominent brow and 
 crown of silvery hair. True to the oft- repeated 
 maxims of his favourite author, George Herbert 
 (whose church at Leighton Bromswold he restored ‘ 
 with loving care), he was a time-mark for his friends 
 as he walked to church up Haverstock Hill, often 
 telling his family, “Stay not for t’other pin”; and 
 there even in old age he reverently kneeled, again 
 quoting the same authority for devout worship, 
 “ Kneeling ne’er spoiled silk stockings.” In the Sun- 
 day-school of St John’s too he was Teacher and 
 Superintendent for thirty-five years, no stress of 
 weather, no toils or cares of the busy week, ever 
 interrupting the performance of his office. In this, 
 as in everything else, his work was marked by that 
 regularity and method’^ which he could honestly 
 require from others because he set such a noble 
 example. At home he always read the Christian 
 
 ^ He took especial pleasure in placing the pulpit and desk at even 
 height, as the poet-priest had designed, so that neither preaching nor 
 praying should be exalted above the other. 
 
 ^ See the note by the Rev. J. Kirkman on p. 47. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 83 
 
 Year for the day, and sometimes Herbert’s Poems, 
 which, with the Pilgrinis Progress, Walton’s Lives, 
 Matthew Henry’s Commentary (a portion of which he 
 studied daily in his later years), and more recently 
 some of Bishop Westcott’s and Bishop Phillips Brooks’ 
 writings, formed his favourite reading. 
 
 Thus peacefully passed the sacred rest-days of 
 his busy life, his reverence for Sunday being a prin- 
 ciple which he steadily maintained, at home or abroad, 
 in whatever company he might be. But this did not 
 constitute his religion, being only one expression of 
 it, and known to few but his own friends at Hamp- 
 stead, for he would always strive so to arrange his 
 work in the week that he might have his Sunday at 
 home. But strengthened in heart by these fresh 
 springs of service of the sanctuary, or of secret com- 
 munion with God, he went forth to do each day’s work 
 in such manner that none could doubt Whose he was 
 or Whom he served. As one who knew him intimately 
 in professional relations^ once remarked, ‘Mr Christian 
 carried his religion into everything he did.’ 
 
 It is not known when or from what source Mr 
 Christian adopted that other motto, which stands at 
 the head of this chapter — “ Trust and strive,” — but the 
 words were frequently on his lips ; from the windows 
 of his office they met the eye of all who came to see 
 him there, and they are prominent among the words 
 of wisdom which adorn the walls of his own house. 
 
 1 Mr Burford, of Hampstead, Builder. 
 
 6—2 
 
84 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 * Trust’ he did indeed — humbly, heartily, wholly; he 
 never left his house in the morning, never entered 
 a railway carriage (for a long journey) without baring 
 his head reverently, though almost secretly, for a brief 
 commendatory prayer. But this secret ‘trust’ in 
 God’s providence was parallel to, and closely con- 
 nected with, ‘ striving,’ — with that splendid profusion 
 of energy, which made him, as a brother architect' 
 said, “ an example to the young men of untiring 
 energy, as well as of professional dignity.” An archi- 
 tect by the choice of his boyhood, he was indeed the 
 architect of his own fortunes. Orphaned of both 
 parents before he was eight years old, he entered an 
 architect’s office at the age of 15, and without money 
 or influence made his onward way by honest and 
 faithful work, until he attained the honourable posi- 
 tion of President and Gold Medallist of the Royal 
 Institute of British Architects. To the story of 
 his early hardships and struggles he used sometimes 
 to refer in after years, with honest satisfaction that 
 he had been enabled to make his own way in life, 
 and proportionately indignant with any who sought 
 to shorten their road to success by reliance upon the 
 influence of others rather than their own exertions. 
 Any such use of favour was utterly distasteful to 
 him, and great as were the opportunities of influence 
 which his official position afforded, he never made 
 use of them either to advance his own interests or 
 ^ Mr W. Swinden Barber, of Sheffield. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 85 
 
 to benefit* relatives or friends. Writing (in 1855) 
 to his eldest brother John, with whom he had lived 
 during the years that he was learning his profession, 
 he says that he has been reckoning up how much his 
 maintenance had cost, and wishes to repay him the 
 whole amount, adding that this confers on him the 
 proud satisfaction of feeling that from the age of 
 nine he has cost his family nothing, and that he has 
 not a sixpence in the world that is not the result of 
 God’s blessing on his own honest industry. 
 
 This was no idle boast; his industry was habitual, 
 continuous, incessant; from the autumn day in 1829 
 when he entered Mr Habershon’s office as a pupil, he 
 may be said to have worked at his profession without 
 intermission, until that cold day in the long frost of 
 February, 1895, when he left his office in Whitehall 
 Place, within five brief days to enter the “ city which 
 hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” 
 
 He was fond of relating how he rose early on his 
 wedding morning to make a report on a church, and 
 when full 80 years old he climbed into the roof of a 
 church with such steady eye and active foot as sur- 
 prised the younger men who held the ladder below. 
 Even in his summer holidays the same ceaseless 
 activity pervaded all his movements, sometimes to 
 an extent which caused amusement to his friends. 
 “ Where is Mr Christian ^ ” said one of a party on 
 a Highland tour, during the passage of the boat 
 ^ See Mr Birch’s remarks upon his rigid impartiality, on p. 60. 
 
86 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 through a lock on the Caledonian Canal, which per- 
 mitted the passengers to land for a few minutes, and 
 gaze from the hill-side on the fair mountain prospect. 
 “ Oh, I don’t know,” was the reply of Mr Chalk', a 
 frequent companion of his travels, though preferring 
 to take his amusements with more of repose than 
 suited Mr Christian’s temperament, “he was here just 
 now, said it was glorious, and was off again.” 
 
 But it should not be supposed that this cease- 
 less activity, continuing into years when most men 
 seek repose in honourable retirement from service, 
 was occasioned by a desire to add to the comforts of 
 life or to accumulate a fortune. He had indeed 
 excellent opportunities for doing so, had this been 
 his object, through his official position, but in truth 
 he loved to do honest work, which should bring glory 
 to God and be serviceable to the Church and to his 
 fellow-men. To a friend^, telling him of a man who 
 inherited a good fortune, but, having a large family, 
 stinted himself and them with the idea of leaving to 
 each as much as he had received, he replied with the 
 vigorous declaration, “ What a fool ! ” and then pro- 
 ceeded to enforce his conviction that work, and the 
 performance of duty, and the enjoyment of God’s free 
 gifts were the essential conditions of a happy life, 
 with which money had little to do. 
 
 ^ Secretary to the Ecclesiastical Conimission, afterwards Sir James 
 G. Chalk. 
 
 2 Mr Basil Woodd Smith, of Hampstead, J. P. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN, 
 
 87 
 
 It certainly had little to do with his happiness ; 
 whether his work brought him gain or loss — and the 
 latter was no uncommon occurrence through his un- 
 willingness to press clients for payment, where church 
 funds were low — whether it added to his credit with 
 men or not, was to him a very small matter, so as 
 good work was accomplished, work that would last, 
 and be of service to generations yet to come. “ That,” 
 said a builder to him once, “will stand for a life-time.” 
 “ That won’t do for me,” was Mr Christian’s reply, 
 “ I want all my work to stand for 300 years.” 
 
 Such was his energy, known of all who had to do 
 with him ; and his energy was accompanied or- con- 
 trolled, as was equally well known, by the highest 
 integrity of purpose, by unswerving devotion to the 
 strict path of duty, by perfect candour in thought 
 and word. On no point in his character is there such 
 a consent of witness from many friends who have 
 written words of condolence. “Certainly,” writes one 
 clergyman h after acknowledging that he had differed 
 with him more than once in professional matters — 
 “ certainly whatever he did, he did because he thought 
 it right, and no lower motive had place in his calcula- 
 tions.” “ I owe to him,” writes one’* who had been 
 in his office, “ my early impressions in life of what 
 constituted the duty of an architect. He was the 
 very soul of honour, and I always looked up to him 
 
 1 Author of an obituary notice in the Church Times for 1 5 March, 1895. 
 
 2 Mr F. Chancellor, of Chelmsford, Architect. 
 
88 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 as the ‘Bayard ’of our profession.” His rugged in- 
 dependence and fearless honesty, inherited perhaps 
 from his Cumbrian ancestors, were manifest in all 
 that he did, and found a reflection, so to speak, in the 
 style and form of his architecture. He was ever for 
 solid work, the same all round, and he hated buildings 
 with pretentious front of stone, but sides of brick. A 
 gentleman who had engaged him to build a house 
 used to say in after years that he had almost de- 
 spaired of ever seeing it rise above the ground, 
 since Mr Christian made the builders take up the 
 foundations three times before he was satisfied that 
 they were duly laid. He was indeed a relentless 
 foe to any who tried to shirk their duty or scamp 
 their work, and punished such practices unsparingly, 
 as when climbing to the top of a church tower, and 
 finding that inferior materials were being used, con- 
 trary to his express directions, he pulled the turret 
 to pieces with his own hands, and flung the rubble 
 down into the churchyard, much to the dismay of the 
 builders. The perfect transparency of his character 
 found expression also in his well-known love of sun- 
 shine, which he was always planning to bring into 
 church or house. “ Ove non viene il sole, viene il 
 medico,” was a favourite maxim with him, and he used 
 to delight to tell into how many vicarages throughout 
 the country he had contrived to introduce the bright 
 sunshine. He acted as judge in the competition for 
 building the new Training College at Norwich, for 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 89 
 
 which a large number of designs were sent in, and 
 one of the Committee^ relates how being asked at the 
 public opening of the College what it was that led 
 him to give the preference to the plan which he 
 had selected, he answered at once, “ My love of 
 abundant light.” Truly indeed has it been said that 
 “his soul loved honesty and candour, as he loved 
 light and air and breadth of sky and openness to the 
 eye of the sun.” Or in the words of another intimate 
 friend^, “he was intolerant of cobwebs and stagna- 
 tion, and had no dark corners in which the light was 
 not welcome.” He loved to come to the light, be- 
 cause he loved to do the truth. 
 
 In manner Mr Christian was naturally somewhat 
 reserved, and his natural shyness had perhaps been 
 increased by the loneliness of many years of his earlier 
 life, the effect of which he never quite shook off. He 
 had a wonderful control of speech, never opening his 
 mouth, unless he had something to say which he 
 thought should be said. But his ‘conversation’ or 
 conduct was eloquent, even when his lips were closed. 
 One of those^ who enjoyed his companionship and 
 guidance® in foreign travel, and who set high value on 
 
 1 Canon Hinds Howell, Rector of Drayton, Norwich. 
 
 Mr Basil Woodd Smith. 
 
 2 He seemed naturally to lead the way in all expeditions, a habit to 
 which a lady makes very happy allusion in a letter written on hear- 
 ing of his death ; “ in the old days he was always a little way in front. 
 I think it is the same now as it has always been — he is a little way in 
 front.” 
 
90 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 both, relates how one morning at Murren he came 
 upon him reading his Bible on the mountain-side, 
 and how this simple incident deeply impressed him, 
 revealing the man more clearly than volumes of reli- 
 gious talk would have done. He was undoubtedly a 
 man of action rather than of speech, and when he 
 spoke he had a natural tendency to take the side of 
 opposition, in a way which often caused amusement 
 to his friends. In the course of the Highland tour of 
 1870, to which allusion has been made before, the 
 question arose whether the party should take the 
 coach or the steamer route from Oban. Mr Chalk 
 wished for the steamer, as the less fatiguing mode of 
 travelling, but Mr Christian, who always laid out the 
 route for his companions, decided for the coach. “Ah,” 
 said Mr Chalk to the third member of the party, “ I 
 ought to have gone in for the coach, and then we 
 should have got the steamer.” But in matters of 
 serious import, he never opposed without good reason. 
 It cannot indeed be denied, that he had, as one of his 
 oldest friends^ has said, “a profound belief in his own 
 opinion,” and a very decided preference for his own 
 judgment, which to those who did not understand 
 him might sometimes bear the appearance of mere 
 contrariety ; but this is easily understood when it 
 is remembered that from early years he had been 
 accustomed to form his own judgment and shape 
 his own course, and so he never spoke without having 
 ^ Mr Thomas C. I line. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 91 
 
 previously thought out the subject ; “ he knew his 
 own mind, and was not to be coaxed or scolded out 
 of it,” said one^ who knew him well. And naturally 
 this carefully formed opinion took shape in steadfast 
 purpose and deliberate action, such as may be read 
 in the character of his signature — every letter clear and 
 bold at the age of 80, as in his diaries written more 
 than 50 years before. 
 
 The greater part of his life had been spent,” says 
 the writer of an obituary notice in the Architect, “in 
 the exercise of judicial functions, and he fulfilled his 
 duty with a sense of justice which was never surpassed 
 in any of the Courts of Law and the justice which 
 he meted to others he rigorously applied to his own 
 conduct. It was his rule to make good out of his 
 own pocket, and sometimes at very heavy cost, any 
 defects in building, the blame for which rested in any 
 degree upon himself, or could not be brought home 
 to the defaulter, and often he used to take the blame 
 to himself in cases where others would have been dis- 
 posed to acquit him. 
 
 Nor was it only in professional relations that this 
 love of justice was apparent. In all family matters 
 he was scrupulously careful to hold an even balance 
 between his children ; the first money which he earned 
 in his profession he devoted to repaying his elder 
 brother what had been spent on his education, and 
 among the many acts of generosity which the compe- 
 ^ The writer of the notice in the CJmrch Times. 
 
92 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 tence of later years enabled him to perform, none 
 probably gave him greater pleasure than acknow- 
 ledging his indebtedness to his old school by pur- 
 chasing the position of Governor of Christ’s Hospital. 
 
 It may be, however, that some who read these 
 words will hardly recognize the truth of what we 
 have said of Mr Christian’s reserve and silence, having 
 listened to his animated and richly instructive con- 
 versation. The truth is that he had an enthusiastic 
 love of all that was good and true and beautiful, 
 with a corresponding detestation of anything false or 
 foul, and the sight or even the mention of either 
 quickly opened his lips, and let loose a flow of un- 
 stinted generous admiration, or of unsparing and 
 vehement condemnation. Often when reading his 
 newspaper in the evening, while others were engaged 
 in conversation, if his eye or ear caught mention of 
 any deed of thoughtful kindness or chivalrous self- 
 denial, he would loudly applaud ; just as in climbing 
 a Swiss mountain, when past 70 years of age, he 
 would wave his hat wildly and shout “ Hurrah,” as a 
 turn in the path revealed some fresh loveliness of 
 prospect. “No man’s enthusiasm ever kept pace with 
 his years, as Mr Christian’s did,” is the remark of one 
 of his brother architects \ 
 
 Another feature of his character known well by 
 those who did know him — who, as another architect® 
 
 1 Mr Waterhouse, R.A. late President R.I.B.A. 
 
 - Mr F. C. Penrose, President of the R.I.B.A. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 93 
 
 said,“ were illumined by his kindly presence” — though 
 perhaps to some extent veiled from others by the 
 same reserve of which we have spoken, was the 
 deep kindliness of his heart, and generous readiness 
 to help those who were in distress, or to promote 
 schemes of public usefulness. “ I always teach my 
 sons to savel^ said a leading rriember of his profession 
 to him ; “ and I,” was the reply, “ teach my daughters 
 to give!' These alms-deeds were often done so secretly 
 that none but the recipients of his bounty knew 
 whence they came, nor indeed did they always know ; 
 near the close of his life one of his friends received a 
 large donation for a certain object in which both 
 were interested, with the significant inscription on 
 the envelope — “ Silence.” 
 
 But his genuine kindness of heart was manifest in 
 various forms to all who had to do with him. It was 
 manifest in the way in which he used to speak of 
 others, for he never would permit himself to repeat 
 any evil on mere hearsay. It was manifest in all his 
 dealings with those in his office or whom he met in 
 business. “A kinder heart,” says one of his former 
 assistants^ “underlying that sort of reserve which 
 so often is characteristic of the noblest natures, I have 
 never met”; another of his pupils^ — whose prolonged 
 “ engagement faded out like the light of a happy 
 summer’s day” — bears his record, “ next to my own 
 
 1 Mr A. H. Haig, Artist. 
 
 - Mr A. R. Barker, Architect, Diocesan Surveyor for Winchester. 
 
94 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 father he always was to me the kindest friend I 
 possessed”; and a builder^ with whom he had many 
 business relations, adds similar testimony — “ I can 
 never have another earthly friend so great as he has 
 been to me ” 
 
 We have spoken of Mr Christian’s untiring energy, 
 and continued application to the work of his pro- 
 fession, from the dawn of manhood to the sunset of 
 his long life; this was evident even to those who 
 knew him least, but it would be a mistake to suppose 
 that he cared for nothing else than architecture. To 
 the amusements and sports in which many hard- 
 working men seek for recreation, he was indeed wholly 
 indifferent, but he had other delights to which he 
 was wont to recur for refreshment of wearied body 
 and mind. Of his love of his home and family it 
 may suffice to repeat what has been said above, that 
 however far a-field his duties called him in the week, 
 he always endeavoured to return on Sunday to 
 “ Thwaitehead” — his house which he had built on 
 Hampstead Heath, and which with filial piety he 
 named after. the old Cumbrian home of that mother 
 whom he lost so early, but whose memory he 
 cherished and honoured to the last. Though known 
 as a friend in need by so many, he had not a 
 large circle of intimate friends, but those admitted 
 within that circle were tenants for life, and he loved 
 their fellowship and conversation. Those whom he 
 ^ Mr J. Gaymer, of North Walsham. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 95 
 
 used to invite year by year to share in the commemo- 
 ration of his wedding-day, will not soon forget those 
 delightful excursions by road or river — the character- 
 istic order of all the arrangements, the thoughtful 
 provision for the comfort of every guest, young or old, 
 the genial and abundant hospitality which formed the 
 outward expression of his deep thankfulness for the 
 great joy of his life. On such occasions, as well as in 
 longer summer excursions to his ancestral Lake-land, 
 or among Scotch mountains, or the snows of Switzer- 
 land, or even in a brief walk before breakfast on 
 Hampstead Heath, it was seen how his spirit found 
 refreshment in the contemplation of Nature in all her 
 varying moods, and, as a kindly mother, Nature 
 repaid her dutiful child by endowing him with length 
 of years and robust health and wonderful vigour of 
 mind and body. 
 
 This endeavour faithfully to pourtray the cha- 
 racter of a man of whom one^ who knew him well in his 
 professional life for many years, has said, “so near an 
 approach to an ideal man in any capacity never came 
 within my cognizance,” although a pleasant task, a 
 very labour of love, yet has not been an easy matter, 
 even for one whose high privilege and lasting respon- 
 sibility it was to share for nearly a quarter of a century 
 in the sacred peace and joy of his family life. 
 
 If it were required to find one word in which to 
 
 ^ Sir George Pringle, late Secretary to the Ecclesiastical Com- 
 mission. 
 
96 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 present such a character, we should claim, without 
 fear of contradiction from any who ever knew him, that 
 he was a gentleman. If asked to give some explana- 
 tion of the sense in which we used that much-abused 
 word, we should reply by quoting the following letter' 
 written by him : — 
 
 “ Mr Bright is reported to have said that members 
 of Parliament should be ‘ gentleman-like men.’ The 
 writer tenders his respectful compliments, but thinks 
 he should have said ‘ gentlemen ’ ; possibly he has 
 been wrongly reported. ‘ Gentleman-like ’ may cover 
 something really very bad at heart, and cannot be 
 depended on when the trial comes ; but the true 
 gentleman, as described in the lines written on the 
 accompanying page, whether he be peer or peasant, 
 rich or poor, is always sure to be found on the right 
 side.” 
 
 “ The picture of a true gefitleman^ as described by 
 a king who had once been a shepherd.” 
 
 Lord, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle ? who shall dwell in 
 Thy holy hill? 
 
 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and 
 speaketh the truth in-his heart. 
 
 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to 
 his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 
 
 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth 
 them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, 
 and changeth not. 
 
 ^ The letter seems never to have been sent. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 97 
 
 He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh 
 reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall 
 never be moved. 
 
 This Psalm he constantly set before others as a 
 rule of life ; those who now mourn his loss and 
 venerate his memory, can testify how faithful his 
 endeavours to follow the same rule himself ; how 
 near his approach to it may be said only by Him who 
 searcheth the heart, and “ who will reward to every 
 man according to his deeds : to them who by patient 
 continuance in well-doing seek for glory and honour 
 and immortality, eternal life.” Amen. 
 
98 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 MURAL LEGENDS. 
 
 It was an old fancy of Mr Christian’s — “a very 
 wholesome custom,” as he called it — to adorn the 
 walls of buildings with texts of Holy Scripture or 
 other words of the wise ; and those painted or moulded 
 on the windows and walls of his own house and office 
 were so carefully selected with regard to the purpose 
 of the rooms, and even the aspect of the walls, that 
 his own character seems to speak in the words of his 
 choice. 
 
 2TijtDaitef)ealt 
 
 OVER THE FRONT DOOR 
 
 53cnctic auima mea 33ommo. Arnett. 
 
 1848. ( t . 1882. 
 
 (The dates of his marriage and of building the house — the foundation 
 of the family and of their abode.) 
 
 On the Porch 
 
 ^^ai inlrantibu^ — jialu^ crcuntibu$. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 99 
 
 Round the Outer Walls 
 
 (Near the entrance) ^Probilicncc 10 mine indent* 
 
 ancc. 'STJrougj^ toi^Dom an |)ou0e builljeli, but except tf)e 
 Sorb builb tfte Ijou^e tljeir labour but (o^t tjat built) it, 
 ( West side) ^t ebening time it $l)all be ligl)t. (South side) tZTj^e 
 j)eabeng Declare t^e glorg of (SoD, anD trulg tje ligl^t i$ ^toeet, 
 anD a pleasant tljing it is for tj^e eges to bej^olD tje Sun. ^ll 
 '2Tf)g toorbs praise ^Jee, 0 SorD, anD to t^ose (East side) tf)at 
 fear i^ame shall the ^un of righteousness arise. (fBtoan 
 ©hti^tian, Architect, lllobinson CTornish» 3)ohn 0agmer, 2!2EC. 
 l^icharDson, built thi^ house. (North side) ^^eace be to all 
 those loho noto or hereafter herein shall Dfeell. ^nien. 
 
 IN THE HALL 
 
 On the Door 
 
 Welcome the coming, speeD the parting guest. 
 
 On the Window 
 
 ^ruSt anD Stribe. Salus per ©heistum. ^rust anD Stribe. 
 i^onour all men. Eobe as brethren. «^peab no guile. 
 
 90e pitiful. I3e, not Seem to be. 13e courteous. 
 
 On the Chimnev-Piece 
 ipear 0oD, honour the l^ing. 
 
 Round the Cornice 
 
 ?i?e prageth toell, toho lobeth foell both wan anD birD anD 
 beast. ?t?e prageth best, foho lobeth best all things both great 
 anD small; for the Dear 0oD toho lobeth us, l^e maDe anD 
 lobeth all. 
 
lOO 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN 
 
 IN THE DRAWING ROOM 
 
 On the North Window 
 
 Sifc 1 $ real, 3Ufe earnest. 
 
 acljtcbmg, ^till puri^uing, 
 Eearn to labour ant) to toait. 
 
 On the South Window 
 
 Set gour 0geecl) be altoag^ toitb grace. 
 ^ foort) fitlg ggoben, bob gootJ it. 
 
 On the West Window, 
 
 Overlookitig the seat in Well-walk 07 i which the poet Keats used to 
 sit, these woi-ds taken from two of his Sonnets, and f‘om Endymion' 
 
 Cbf goetrg of eartb ueber beat). 
 
 ^Knnumbcret) ^oimbs tl)at ebentng 0tore, 
 
 5)ongs of btrl)0, tbe of tbe leabeg, 
 
 iHafee pleasing music. 
 
 ^ thing of beautg is a jog for ebcr; 
 
 Its lobelincss increases ; it toill neber 
 ^ass into nothingness, but still loill feeep 
 ^ boluer quiet for us. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 lOI 
 
 IN THE DINING ROOM 
 
 On the East Window 
 
 ^^ragcr anil probenDcr iimberctj^ no man. 
 ©at t!bg jog» S*bmg tjanfe?;. 
 
 ^ fontcntcli minb 10 a continual fcajjt. 
 
 On the South Window 
 
 3^e but not cobctou?;. 
 
 (Sibe tbj) honour ani) tj)8 frienli f)i^ but. 
 
 Round the Cornice 
 
 13c useful tojcrc thou Ubc0t. iFinb out mcn'^ toant^ anb 
 toiU anb meet them there. ioodblg jog0 go Ie00 to the one 
 jog of being binbne^ge^. ®hg frienb put in thg ho^om ; toear 
 hi^ ege0 0till tn thg heart, that he mag isee tohat'^ there. 
 
 IN THE LIBRARY 
 
 On the Window 
 
 ^tubtejs gerbe for beli'ght. 
 
 Hct fmobilebge grob) from more to more. 
 i\nob)lebge {?} potoer. 
 
 On the Chimney-Piece 
 
 Silence 10 golben. 
 
102 
 
 EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 Round the Cornice 
 
 Eobc all : ttu^t a fcb : tio turong; to none : 
 tep tj^g frtenl) unDer tj^g oton Hfe^0 feeg» 
 ^f)i^ abobe all : to tbuie oton ^elf be true, 
 anb It mu0t folloto, ag tbe nlgbt tbe bag, 
 tbou can^t not then be false to ang man» 
 
 at i)is ©ffirc in rajitcball ^Place. 
 
 IN HIS OWN ROOM. 
 
 On the Cornice, facing Mr Christian as he sat 
 AT his 'I’ABLE 
 
 ^rust In t^e 2Lorb toitb all tbme b^art, anb lean not to 
 tbine oton unberstanblng, In all tbg toags aeltnotolebge ?^im, 
 anb ?i?e shall birect tbg patbs. 53e not toise In tbme oton eges. 
 
 Facing the Client who came to consult him 
 
 ^btougb toisbom ts an bouse bmlbeb, anb bg unberstanbing 
 It is establisbcb, anb bg fenotolebge shall the chambers be filleb 
 toitb all pleasant anb precious riches* 
 
 On the Cross-Beam 
 
 Set him that tbinfeetb b^ Stanbetb take b^fb lest \)t fall. 
 
 On the Chimney-Piece 
 
 S^abatsoeber tbg banb finbetb to bo, bo toitb tbg might, 
 i^ot toitb fgf Serbice. 
 
EWAN CHRISTIAN. 
 
 103 
 
 On the Cornice 
 
 In all labour t^rrc profit, but tfirougb iblcnc^^ of tjbe 
 banl)$ tbe bou^e broppctb tjjrougb. i^rcparc tfig tuorfe toitfiout 
 anD mafec it fit for tbe^clf in tftc fidD, anti aftcrfcoarli^ builD^tbine 
 bouge, ®br blcgdng of tbr Sort) it mafectb ricb, anti ?i)e abtietb 
 no sjorroto feitb it. 
 
 Under the Skylight 
 
 {Easf, south and west sides) ^mlg tbr light i?^ SStorrt 
 anti a plcasiant thing it i^ for the cgc^ to bebolb the $un. 
 {North side) C^bc non birne il gole, bicne il metiico. 
 
 CAMBRIDGE: PRINTED BY J. AND C. F. CLAY, AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS. 
 
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