On the Use of the Hour-glass in Pulpits (Vol. vii., p. 489. Vol. viii., p. 82.).—The complete iron framework of an hour-glass remained affixed to the pulpit of Shelsley Beauchamp Church, Worcestershire, until the restoration of the church, about eight years ago, by the present rector, the Rev. D. Melville, who carefully preserved the hour-glass relic. In order to show how much had been done for the church, I drew interior and exterior views of the old building, with its great dilapidations and unusually monstrous disfigurements, which drawings were hung in the vestry, at the suggestion of the rector, as parish memorials; a proceeding which I think might be copied with advantage in all cases of church restoration. In the one drawing mentioned the hour-glass stand is a conspicuous object.
Cuthbert Bede, B.A.
The following extract is from a tract published by the Cambridge Camden Society, entitled A few hints on the Practical Study of Ecclesiastical Antiquities:
"Hour-glass Stand. A relick of Puritanick times. They are not very uncommon; they generally stand on the right-hand of the pulpit, and are made of iron. Examples Coton, Shepreth. A curious revolving one occurs at Stoke D'Abernon, Surrey, and in St. John Baptist, Bristol, where the hour-glass itself remains. Though a Puritanick innovation, it long kept its place: for Gay in his Pastorals writes:
'He said that Heaven would take her soul no doubt,
And spoke the hour-glass in her praise quite out:'
and it is depicted by the side of a pulpit in one of Hogarth's paintings."
I saw, a few weeks ago, an iron hour-glass stand affixed to the pulpit in Odell Church, Beds.
W. P. Storer.
Olney, Bucks.
"The inventorie of all such church goods, etc. ... which the church-wardens [of Great Staughton, co. Hunt.] are and stand charged with. May 31, 1640.
[Inter alia.]
"Itm. A pulpit standinge in the church, having a cover over the same, and an houre-glasse adjoininge."
Joseph Rix.
St. Neots.