themselves. Thus we may say that archi- | which has changed in different periods tecture should be understood by all Among all classes and communities of men there has probably been, from the dawn of civilization, a desire to decorate their dwellings, and places of public resort. In this way some characteristic style has become prevalent among all nations, according to the advance or decline of public taste and opinion. To one of these styles we now direct the attention of our reader. It is usually called the Gothic architecture on account of an erroneous opinion as to its origin, but may be more appropriately called the English, having been most successfully employed in our own country. The Gothic architecture is generally distinguished from the Grecian, and those derived from it, in the form of its arch, and the want of any constant form, proportion, or decoration in its columns. The Grecian architecture derives all its power to please from the extreme symmetry and harmony of its parts; while in the Gothic these are entirely neglected, and we find grotesque figures of men and animals combined with columns and cornices, having no fixed proportion or decoration. In the Grecian architecture, the running lines, as in entablatures, are horizontal; in the Gothic, the running lines are vertical; in the former, entablatures are necessary where columns are used; in the latter, they are never employed. In the Grecian, arches are not used, and in the Roman are not necessary; while, in the Gothic, they cannot be dispensed with. This singular opposition of character between the two styles, has induced many intelligent writers to condemn the Gothic as barbarous and unfit for use in any character of building. But however singular it may appear that things contrary to each other, and governed by directly opposite principles, should be able to excite equal sentiments of pleasure, it is no less true; and we do not envy the man who can examine with admiration the relics of ancient art, and yet turn with either pretended or real disgust from the cathedrals of York and Salisbury, SAXON AND NORMAN GOTHIC. In describing the varieties of Gothic architecture, it has been customary to commence with that style adopted by our Saxon and Norman ancestors. This is not absolutely necessary, for although it has many characters in common with Gothic architecture, it has many that are dissimilar, and there may be some doubt as to the propriety of classing it with that style. But as it immediately preceded it in regard to time, some notice must be taken of it, before we proceed to speak of the style more immediately under consideration. There are but few specimens of Saxon architecture in this country, and they are so rude and imperfect, that but little notice can be taken of them. The style employed anterior to the conquest, was a barbarous imitation of the Roman, decorated, or more properly debased, by the introduction of singular and unmeaning ornaments. The only specimens of Saxon architecture that are now in existence, are huge square towers, with out windows, battlements, or decorations of any kind. These towers are commonly much larger at the bottom than at the top, and were styled earth-works, being erected for the purposes of defence. There is a great difference of opinion among writers as to the state of architectural knowledge among the Saxons; some deny them any acquaintance with the art, while others give them the credit of erecting many gorgeous, if not elegant structures. Dr. Milner says they copied the ornaments of the Roman Corinthian order, substituting the forms of men and animals, for the richer embellishment of foliage. The Saxon churches, according to another writer, consisted of a rectangular nave, with a portico at the western end; the eastern end was similar in form to the place of the tribune in the Basilica, and the nave was divided into three parts by two arcades, above which were galleries. The arches were semicircular, and rose immediately from the capitals of the columns. The shafts of these were very massive and generally cylindrical, though columns of a different form seem to have been sometimes used. Here we have a particular, almost minute description of the Saxon churches, the accuracy of which many antiquaries deny; we leave them to dispute the question, and proceed to speak of the Norman style, upon which there can be little difference of opinion. The Norman Gothic is distinguished by its semicircular arches supported by massive columnar piers. The doors and windows are similarly arched, and are decorated with thin columns, which receive the mouldings; when the columns are not introduced, deep mouldings are carried down the jambs of the doors. The zigzag, and the chevron are the most common ornaments; animals, foliage, and flowers are also introduced as enrichments. This style was practised in that period which intervened from the conquest to the reign of Henry II., when the pointed arch made its appearance. Those who believe the style to have been progressive from the time of the Saxons, imagine that the only difference between the architecture of the two periods was in the manner of execution. There are many interesting and wellpreserved specimens of Norman architecture in the country. The vestibule of the Inner Temple church, the chapel of the Tower, and parts of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, are the best in London. The nave of Rochester cathedral is one of the best remains of the style in the country, but in nearly all the other cathedrals some specimen may be found. Iffley church also affords some exemplifications of the character of the architecture; we have given a view of the doorway, as an illustration, on p. 4. Mr. Rickman mentions two specimens as peculiarly worthy of observation; the vestibule of the chapter-house at Bristol, which is remarkable for its simplicity and beauty, and the staircase leading to the registry of Canterbury cathedral, the enrichments of which are peculiarly fine. In the Norman churches a square tower was usually erected at the western end, which was the principal entrance; but sometimes one was placed on each side of the entrance. These towers were frequently ornamented with tiers of arches occasionally intersecting each other, though commonly separate. The churches of Germany and France, erected during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, have a great similarity of appearance to those of England. Specimens may be seen in the cathedrals of Aix la Chapelle, Spires, Mentz, and Worms. It is, however, exceedingly difficult to determine the precise age of these relics of art, either in our own or in foreign countries, for one portion after another has been removed, so that it is not uncommon to find a Norman door in a structure of comparatively recent date. At the close of the twelfth century, in the reign of Henry 11., the pointed architecture was introduced into England. Writers usually divide this style into three classes, which Dr. Rickman has denominated the early English, the decorated English, and the perpendicular English; other writers have spoken of these varieties in reference to the periods |