This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1825 edition. Excerpt: ... baldness; some connexion seems to Lave existed the minds of the contrivers, between the simplicity of the Gospel, and the absence of taste within the edifice where it is preached. These things are now better understood. If however, the congregation want taste, they abound in liberality; this is evinced in a variety of modes, and not least in a Jofty pile of building, adjoining the Meeting, and occupied by Sunday Schools, some of the best conducted, and the most effective in their results, of any in the town. In these schools, about 700 children, iris and boys, are educated. The excellent and istly-celebrated Dr. Priestley, officiated as one of the Ministers of this congregation, from the year 1780, till he was hastily removed by the riots. Carr's-lane, a turn to the right at a little distance, contains another large Dissenting Place of Worship, where a congregation of Independents assemble. This spot was first so occupied in 1748, but the place was twice enlarged; and at length in 1818, it was taken entirely down, an additional space of ground purchased, and the Meeting rebuilt on a still increased scale, and in a style of architecture, novel, bold, and massy, but exhibiting decided marks of genius in the artist. The street being narrow, the idea of rendering the entire front ornamental was discarded as useless, where no adequate view could be obtained. The frontispiece therefore was formed into a gigantic, unadorned, perhaps heavy, mole-like frame, hollowed into an arch of large span; within which, appear the entrances, tastefully, but chastely decorated; thus bringing the ornamental part within the scope of the spectator, when placed only at a few yards distant. The interior is more adorned, the style generally noble and classical, the...