ST. PAUL’S IN DANGER

Evening Star, Issue 18052, 21 August 1922, Page 7

ST. PAUL’S IN DANGER

A WORLD-WIDE APPEAL. A sum of £IO,OOO is required to preserve St. Paul’s Cathedral from serious dangers with which it is now threatened. An appeal for help lias been made by Canon Alexander, who writes : “Tho building of Wren's great dome—tho symbol of London and the central feature of its landscape—might b© not unfairly regarded as a somewhat hold and hazardous experiment; but, despite tho ravages of time, it still stands in all its original power and beauty, and the cross that surmounts it is still lifted up to remind us of the high purpose with which it was planned by its architect’s consummate genius. What would London bo without its Cross and its Dome? It is the privilege as well as the duly of the present generation—and particularly, perhaps, of the City of London—to make -a. special effort to preserve this noble structure; and we feel that we may confidently ask for any sum that may ultimately prove to be necessary to safeguard its strength and to secure its permanence.” Work for tho preservation of St. Paul’s has been in progress for nine years, and upwards of £60,000, publicly subscribed, has been spent on repairing and strengthening the two piers in the south transept supporting the dome. Sis more piers have still to receive attention, but tho general course of operations is to be suspended' in order that the surface of the piers and arches may be examined without delay from adequate scaffolding in order that immediate protective measures may be taken regarding stonework which has become loose and defective. It has been found that, owing to tho rusting of iron dowels and to other causes, much of the decorative work and veneer used in the cathedral has become insecure. This special survey is to be undertaken c.n the recommendation of a special commission of architect© and engineers, which has examined the cathedral fabric. Final advice on the best methods of continuing and completing the work of preservation is to bo given after further investigation of the position. The ‘appeal for what Canon Alexander has called, tho "Parish Church of the British Empire ” is made not oniV to .London, but to Great Britain and to tho world.