THE CATHEDRAL GROUNDS.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 10480, 19 October 1899, Page 2

THE CATHEDRAL GROUNDS.

TO THB EDrrOB or THE PBKSS. Sir,—ln our good Bishop's excellent address last evening one thing surely was superfluous. He had no need to speak of religious apathy. A servant girl once said: "Mγ door-mat knows 1 am converted." The miserable outside appointments of the Cathedral not only know, bat continually preach, religious apathy more eloquently than all the Bishop's words. What pulpit eloquence could for one moment compare with, the wealth of sermon which proceeds from that utterly broken and forlorn Cathedral fence opposite Warner's. A survey" of this calls up visions of Jerusalem during tbe captivity. The Bishop tod hie Cathedral clergy, I am sure, work .hard. But I fear they must be held guilty of one of two things. They have either no eyes for things beautiful, or they are culpably ignorant of the fact that hundreds of persons withHi a stone's throw would willingly give all the money that is needed to make these grounds beautiful. The turning of this desolate spot into a pretty garden ie a work that would appeal to citizens of every creed. The grotesque desolation of the eastern section of the grounds is difficult to exhaust. I find there & common vehicle somewhat like a milkman's trap. I discovered also a dejecte J , looking horse seeking an evidently precarious livelihood among the pestilent weeds. That -horse, I am sure, could contribute a pregnant word on religious apathy, and the sad dearth of corn on . consecrated ground. The presence of the rough trap and the , horse suggested the possibility of the eastern section having been let as a milk run, but after a diligent search. I found no cow. In full sympathy as I am with the Bishop's laudable efforts to complete the Cathedral, I would respectively suggest that at this season he should invite his Synod and tbe Anglicans generally, to explore these wretched Cathedral grounds. After fifty years of such prosperity and progress, I submit that the present condition of these grounds is a great disgrace to this city and district. Amidst surrounding wealth the very central feature of a great Church settlement remains in part a howling wilderness, and in its very best parts a mere sluggard's garden,—Yours, etc., A MEMBER OF Cu.u.wiiTEE BEAUTIFYING ASSOCIATION. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PBKSS. Sir, —I am delighted to see by your edition of the 17th inst. that someone eke beside myself is disgusted with the state of the Grt/hedral precincts. Enough on that score. How is it to be remedied? There is only one way which would be effectual, and that is by -wiring round the separate plots so to keep tQw dogs out. It is little use to mow, etc., as long as all the dogs in the place can and do make a play ground of it, big and little, well bred and mongrels, many of all four kinds may generally be seen there. I believe it is correct that the Chapter faave not any money to expend upon it, which *boy all very much regret. Suppose a box was put up at the west door, outside of course, and a. p-'acard over it, a large one which the ordinary passer by could not help seeing, "One shilling subscriptions are invited to wire in these grounds to fceesp Kab and his many friends out, so that it be no more a disgrace to the City. Plea* help vs." I think sufficient shillings would soon be forthcoming to expend £10 upon it, and that would do it well and effectually. Not liking anonymous letters, I write my name. —Yours, etc., JAMES IRVING.