Monumental Brasses Removed from the Churches of Fulham and Chelsea.
Mr. Geo. Willis,—Your Correspondent, under the head of "Antiquarian Sacrilege," (Current Notes for December, p. 91,) seems not to be aware that almost all Church Brasses, with very few exceptions, were torn from their places by the sectarian soldiers in Cromwell's time, who affected to consider such things idolatrous. They were for the most part sold for old brass, and some authority (I forget who at this moment), tells us that, in consequence of the number at one time brought into the market, the price of brass was decreased in proportion. There were very few Antiquaries in those days, consequently a very small number of these desecrated Brasses have been preserved, and for those we possess we are indebted to such men as Ashmole, Lilly, and others of that class, who, though sufficiently fantastic and visionary in their pursuits, were still men of some learning and taste.
Some, if not the whole of the lots alluded to by your Correspondent, came into the possession of the late John Meyrick, Esq., through an ancestor of his wife, whose name was "Rush," and the only sacrilege committed by the late Mr. Meyrick seems to have been the preservation of these things from destruction.
I have frequently heard the late Sir S. R. Meyrick mention these Brasses, and regret they were not in his possession.
One of his Executors.