_To the Editor of the Every-Day Book._
Sir,
_Oct._ 29, 1825.
The ancient and beautiful collegiate church of St. Katharine finally
closes tomorrow, previous to its demolition by the St. Katharine’s dock
company. The destruction of an edifice of such antiquity, one of the
very few that escaped the great fire of 1666, has excited much public
attention. I hope, therefore, that the subject will not be lost sight of
in your _Every-Day Book_. Numbers of the nobility and gentry, who,
notwithstanding an earnest appeal was made to them, left the sacred pile
to its fate, have lately visited it. In fact, for the beauty and
simplicity of its architecture, it has scarcely a rival in London,
excepting the Temple church: the interior is ornamented with various
specimens of ancient carving; a costly monument of the duke of Exeter,
and various others of an interesting kind. This interesting fabric has
been sacrificed by the present chapter, consisting of the master, sir
Herbert Taylor, three brethren chaplains, and three sisters, to a new
dock company, who have no doubt paid them handsomely for sanctioning the
pulling down of the church, the violation of the graves, and the turning
of hundreds of poor deserving people out of their homes; their plea is,
that they have paid the chapter. I hope, sir, you will pardon the
liberty I have taken in troubling you with these particulars; and that
you will not forget poor Old Kate, deserted as she is by those whose
duty it was to have supported her.