DREAMS AND VISIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 280, 26 November 1938, Page 21

DREAMS AND VISIONS.

BISHOP ON ARCHITECTS. INSPIRATION OF BT'ILDTNOS. The Bishop of Bristol gave some pleasant words to architects at the annual banquet of the Royal Institute of British Architects. "There is no body of people whom I would rather meet and have conversation with than the architects of this country." he said. "I am very envious of architects. In the first place, they have tion of seeing their visions taking actual and material shape. I sometimes dream dreams and see visions— and dreams and visions they remain; but you, gentlemen, have the joy of seeing your visions- coming true. It may be that sometimes you regret it! It is recorded of the architect of a famous London church that when he saw what he had done he committed suicide. "And, secondly, architects are helping -to form the soul of the nation. We clergy try to do that, but anyone can sleep throtigh our sermons, whereas no one can avoid tookfng upon ihe buildings which stare liiin in the face as he walks through the streets. Quite seriously, I feel that those who design our. public and pur private buildings have a tremendous responsibility because they arc helping to form the minds and souls of the nation. "Let me give illustrations of what I mean. I spent part of my life in a part of London where there were acres of streets without a beautiful building to be seen. The result was quite obvious in the character and outlook of the great majority of the people. There was little idealism in their lives. Bound by drab streets and ugly buildings, their souls tended to become like the place in which they lived. "Then I had the good fortune for some years to be associated with Westminster Abbey. lam bound to say that the Henry VIT. Chapel—ornamental frilling some may call it--does, as one stands or kneels within its walls, lift up one's heart and soul. It makes one realise something of what beauty is. Or. again. I sometimes stand in front of the Battcrsea power station. I think that if I lived permanently in sight of it I should be inspired with such strength and courage that I should not be afraid to beard Hitler or Mussolini in their dens. "Or. once more, in the midst of all the worries and turmoil of the present dav 1 go from time to time to a little building near mv house. Rcdland Chapel, a classical building of the middle ciglitentli century. Its perfect proportions (ill one's soul with peace and quietness. We owe the men who gave us tliesebuildings. past and present, a great debt. They have given beauty, strength, and peace to our inner life. "I am not quite certain that the time has not come to bring back a little of the 'ornamental frillings' of the past. I agree that what is merely prettypretty is enervating and does not inspire us with the strongest qualities. But I would plead to-day for a little of the pretty and ornamental type of architecture to modify what' is merely hard and utrong and virile in modern life." - _