CHAPTER XXI.

Pugin writes to Mr. Minton that he is engaged on a work to produce Mutual Charity amongst Members of different religious Communions -The Work never published-Premonitory symptoms of disturbed intellect-Public sympathy and intended Subscription for his support-Letter of Lord John Russell-Mr. E. Welby Pugin, his son, discountenances the proposed public Appeal as unnecessary-Rumoured change in his Religious Views-No sufficient foundation for the report.

EARLY in the year 1851 he observed, in a letter to Mr. Minton: 'I am almost distracted, for in addition to all other labours, I have a most important work on the real cause of the change of religion in the 16th century, which will place matters in a totally new light, overthrow the present opinions on both sides, and may be the means of tending to much mutual charity on both sides, and a better understanding. The present state of things in a Christian country is afflicting, and it all proceeds from men not being able to separate the temporal tyranny of Catholic States from the religion itself, which suffers all the odium of the system to which one was bound up and tied.'

The work here alluded to was never published. Pugin's opinions respecting the Roman Catholic Church

had latterly undergone some change, and he was now wont to speak of her system with greater freedom and independence than he had ever hitherto done. During the dreadful malady which afflicted him, one of his hallucinations was, that there had been a perfect reconciliation between the separated Churches, and in the course of one night he wrote upwards of sixty pages to his cousin Sibthorp, respecting the union of the Churches, stating that he could now again embrace his previously unfortunate brother-that there was now but one Church-no distinct Roman Catholic, Anglican, nonconformist, or other denomination, and he drew imaginary cheques to be given to clergymen and others for distribution to the poor of their neighbourhood.

Whether the book on which he was occupied contained any actual renunciation of his previous opinions does not appear; but that some great change in his mind was then in progress, rightly or wrongly, was generally believed. The language in which he announces his intended publication to his intimate friend, Mr. Minton, can only be understood on the supposition that a reaction of some kind had taken place.*

The premonitory symptoms which had shown themselves during the last few years, and had been noticed

A prospectus of this work, entitled 'An Apology for the Church of England' was printed, but never circulated; the contents of the book were classified in chapters with their headings, from which it might be gathered that his opinions had undergone considerable change, and more charitable interpretations were now placed upon historical events which had formerly extorted from him expressions of strong condemnation.

by his friends, were now unhappily to be succeeded by that mental darkness than which nothing more dreadful afflicts the human race.

The first undoubted proof of his insanity was discovered by his friend and medical attendant at Ramsgate, when meeting him one evening returning to Saint Augustine's. Pugin, impetuous as usual, began by asking him if he had heard of the dreadful calamity outside the harbour,-five merchant ships having sunk while striving to reach the entrance. He described the catastrophe in such apparently clear and truthful terms, entering minutely into every particular, that his medical man left him impressed with the full belief of the reality of the event, and proceeding to meet some friends at a dinner party soon after related the account he had just heard. The astonishment was great, for none of them knew the occurrence; and upon an inquiry being made it was found that there was not a particle of truth in the story. His extraordinary conduct was also afterwards noticed by his acquaintances in London, whither he had hurried from Ramsgate. He greatly alarmed Sir Charles Barry, as already mentioned, and that gentleman immediately called in Dr. Tweedie. Pugin was then removed to the Golden Cross in Wellington Street, Strand, and put under proper restraint; but his violence became so great that all moderate attempts to tranquillize him were useless. The fact of his deplorable condition soon became well known, and the deepest sympathy for him was felt amongst all classes

of society. In a publication devoted to the interest of the arts and sciences, letters were written, under the most erroneous impressions, suggesting subscriptions. It was said he was reduced to beggary by his religious zeal, that there were no funds to support him, and that he had actually been removed to a public asylum. Invectives of shame and reproach were hurled against his fellow Roman Catholic friends for permitting this degradation to overtake a man so distinguished, and who had rendered such important services to their Church. The Editor of the 'Builder,' participating in the writer's remarks on the melancholy subject, recommended that some endeavours should be made by subscriptions to place him in a private asylum, instead of his remaining in a public hospital for the insane.

The effect of this appeal was instantaneous, and the first response was from a no less distinguished person than Lord John Russell, who in a letter dated Pembroke Lodge, July 10th, 1852, says—

'SIR,

'I do not know whether there is any truth in the assertion of a correspondent of your paper, that Mr. Pugin has been reduced to beggary. I hope not. But if there is any truth in the statement, and a subscription is opened for Mr. Pugin's relief, I beg that my name may be put down for ten pounds.

'I am, Sir, your obedient Servant,

'J. RUSSELL.'

It would be too painful an investigation to re-open the circumstances under which Pugin's temporary removal to Bethlehem Hospital took place. By many persons the fact is even now contested, and the idea of his having been conveyed to a public receptacle for insane patients entirely rejected. There is something abhorrent in the very name of 'Bedlam,' but perhaps it may not be generally known that this noble institution is the refuge of many educated persons and professional men, who unhappily have become proper subjects for the shelter and treatment it affords. There can be no doubt, however, that for a short time Pugin was under the mild restraint practised in this hospital, where he was visited by some of his most intimate acquaintances; but no improvement in his condition taking place, Mrs. Pugin, aided by his old and true friend, the Rev. Mr. Glennie, transferred him to a house in the Grove, Hammersmith, where he resided some time in the midst of his family, under the care of Dr. Dickson (the author of the Fallacies of the Faculty'). While there, great hopes were entertained of his recovery; so much so, that he was removed thence to his own residence, the Grange, Ramsgate; where he appeared to enter into the delights of his old home, visiting with great delight all portions of his buildings. On entering the library, the first thing he noticed was the absence of his original sketches, then in the possession of his son Edward, at Birmingham. At first he was extremely annoyed; but afterwards became calm, and hearing they were safe, expressed a