CHAPTER IV.

Birth of Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin-His education-Amusements in his father's office-Sketches and measures Rochester Castle -Searches the Well-Narrow Escapes-Goes to Oxfordshire, Norfolk, &c.-Travels in France-Attends Irving's Chapel in Cross Street, Hatton Garden-Mrs. Pugin's Literary Powers-Defence of Lord Melville-Her Adventures in Lincoln Cathedral.

AUGUSTUS WELBY NORTHMORE PUGIN was born 1st of March 1812, at Store Street, Bedford Square, where his father then resided. He was of somewhat delicate health as an infant, and needed the anxious care which was bestowed on him by his mother. At an early age, after receiving from her some preliminary instruction at home, he was entered as a day boy at Christ's Hospital, Newgate Street, better known as the Blue Coat School. The selection of this place for his education was probably made from its then being the nearest public school to which he could easily go and return daily without excessive fatigue, and thus be kept under parental care. The Rev. Dr. Trollope was then head master of the school. Augustus soon began to show that aptitude for acquiring knowledge which was so strikingly displayed in after life. It was remarked of him by one of the masters that whether in Greek, Latin, mathematics,

or any other branch of education, he would learn in twenty-four hours what it took other boys many weeks to acquire. Thus, as a mere child, he was quick in all that he attempted, and fluent in speech, expressing his opinions in the most dogmatic manner with volubility and vehemence. It is not surprising, therefore, that in after years he should have offended at times by the roughness of his manner; indeed such rudeness would not have been tolerated in a man of less genius. Rarely is any one endowed by nature with such abilities, unaccompanied by some drawback; and Pugin, who as a child, in addition to his other nobler qualities, was gentle and refined, gradually permitted a habit of slovenliness in person to grow upon him, amounting at last to eccentricity. It was observed that while at school he mixed very little with other children of his own age, always preferring the company of those who were his seniors. After completing the ordinary course of education at Christ's Hospital, he did not proceed to either of the Universities, but shortly afterwards entered his father's office.

He had an almost intuitive talent for drawing, and as soon as he could handle a pencil, commenced sketching. At first his inclination was towards caricature, and many were the incidents occurring in the office to give him the opportunity of indulging in this fancy. Being quick and observant he remarked that amongst his father's pupils were some who excelled in their artistic efforts, while others were sluggish and unsuccessful. The former were always naturally in

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favour, and his father never failed to express approval or displeasure in a very decided and graphic manner to each youth according to his merits. Augustus (for that was the Christian name by which he preferred to be called) created great amusement by illustrating the ups and downs of the pupils on a wheel of fortune. Every week the rotatory machine was sketched with great spirit, each pupil being represented standing upon a projecting bracket attached to the wheel. The favourite was always at the top, capering and laughing with pencil in hand, while the one least fortunate was seen hurled to the ground by the revolution of the wheel. Others were planted on the ascent or descent, according to the degree of favour in which they stood with their master, their doleful or joyous faces being cleverly expressed by a few spirited touches. Great amusement was produced by this humorous device; and the publication of a new wheel of fortune every week was eagerly looked for by his fellow pupils. Though this was a favourite amusement with him he was not less successful by the droll manner in which he illustrated any passing event wherein he could find subject for fun. Soon, however, his love for architecture showed itself in a decided manner. After passing through the usual elementary courses, and making himself master of perspective, he delighted in taking sketches from Nature, and was scarcely ever seen without a pencil in his hand; more particularly he rejoiced in all opportunities of drawing in Westminster Abbey. Notwithstanding his great power of delinea

tion he rendered but little assistance to his father in the prosecution of his architectural works, as the labour of drawing out the details of building in a strictly geometrical manner from given measurements little suited his active habits or mental energy. Sedentary occupations were distasteful to him, and his imagination sought pursuits more congenial to its natural instincts. As in literature, tales of chivalry and romance delighted him, so in art, the idea of ancient castles and feudal mansions gave him pleasure, and this led him, early in the year 1826, to turn his attention very closely to the study of castellated buildings. Prior to this, however, it should be stated that he went with his parents and some of the pupils to Paris, the elder Pugin being engaged in obtaining sketches for a work upon that city. He was soon very active with his pencil, full of fun, and a great favourite with his father's pupils. Mrs. Pugin, writing from Paris to her sister, observes :

'If he understood how to dress himself I should consider him an universal genius; and a most orderly good creature, if he had not had the skin of his nose twice torn off by a battle of pillows in the suite of rooms they have above, quite out of my observation; however, the second time it happened, I brought him down to a room near me. He does not dislike a little play, but he works infinitely more than he plays, while the rest play infinitely more than they work. His father calls this work of Paris" Augustus's work," and well he may, for he has done more than three parts

of it, and made sketches and coloured them for the first time from Nature, and written some very good descriptions. Nevertheless the fellow cannot dress himself. When he heard that you left Beverley without seeing the churches, he declared, had he been with you, you would have found him the most restive animal you ever posted with; nor whip, nor spurs, nor anything else would have got him on before seeing those churches.'

The stately Tower of London was very familiar to Welby Pugin, but the other great work of Gundulph, the Castle of Rochester, was little known and had been most inadequately illustrated. He therefore determined that this castle should be the first subject of a strict examination; having, upon application to the Earl of Jersey, the proprietor of the estate on which the Castle stands, obtained full permission to excavate the ground and make all needful investigations.

It was in the month of July, 1826, that he set out for Rochester, accompanied by the writer of these pages, then an articled pupil with his father. On reaching the precincts of the Castle, its commanding situation and grandeur of design at once riveted his attention. He therefore stayed at Rochester some days, taking sketches of every part of the Castle, and measuring carefully its several apartments; he then prepared accurate drawings, showing it in a state of complete restoration.

At that time little was known concerning the foundations of these enormous structures; Pugin there