Architecture And Archæology.

religious wars were raging and the fanatical armies were leaving Europe lor Asia , which were composed of the noble blood and talent of tho land they belonged to , who , when they looked upon art , could appreciate it , and carrying their thoughts and experience to tho land they lived in , introduced it into the service of the religion they loved . It is also a remarkable fact that the second Crusade commenced in the twelfth century ; and on their return , churches in the Pointed stylo were built in all parts of Europe .

Iu the short time allowed for this paper we cannot go further into the discussion of the origin , but must proceed at once to view briefly the three periods in connection with the Gothic style . We will adopt those which are most generally known , namely , the styles of the thirteenth , fourteenth , and fifteenth centuries , or the Early English Decorated and Perpendiculars .

Early English or Pointed style is marked by its longnarrow , lancet-headed windows , to or three-fold and in some cases seven , eight , and nine , without mullion , high gabled roofs and spires , slender clustered shafts , little ornament , which when introduced consists of some loquo leafor flower , which gives it an air of nature-like simplicity . There are to this day buildings of that period ; I will

mention two or three—Salisbury , Winchester , Lincoln , and Westminster . On looking at these edifices we are struck with their stability and grandeur of detail and outline . About the middle of the fourteenth century the narrow lancet-headed windows became blended together with mullions introduced , giving the architect greater scope for the introduction of tracery and sculpture ; the

vaultingis more subdivided , and at the intersection of the ribs rich carved bosses are used ; there is a greater display of moulding and ornamental decoration , but in my opinion , it does in no way add to the general sublimity of the Gothic style : at the same time there is no doubt that at this period this style of architecture had risen to its zenith—York Chapter House , Ivirton Church , Lincoln , Exeter Cathedral , York

Minster , and the cloisters of Westminster Abbey , are all of this period . Tho next period or that of the Perpendicular , we may look upon as one of decline , certainly the architectural display and mechanical skill are more exemplified in this period than in those preceding , but I feel the beauty grandeur , and sublimity of tho other periods is lost , by covering its walls and ceilings with profusion of ornaments

, thus giving it au air of luxury , and robbing it of that naturelike effect which characterised the previous periods . If you look upon St . George ' s Chapel , Windsor ; Henry YII . ' s Chapel , Westminster ; King ' s College , Cambridge ; or tho Houses of Parliament , you may weary your eye to discover any grand marked outline ; in fact , it has tho appearance of a iumbled mass of profuse ornament .

I must now proceed to the consideration of the question , uamely , "is Gothic architecture adapted for ecclesiastical and general building purposes ? " My idea is , that when a building is raised , whether it is for tho worship of the Supreme , to exhibit art and antiquity , the transaction of business , or domestic use , there should be no need to ask the question— " For what purpose is this building ? " but that the architecture should speak for itself .

As regards edifices for devotion , I would say I know of no style of architecture so well adapted as the early English Gothic . If the Christian ' s God is to be worshipped and praised in buildings made by hands , it should imitate as much as possible his wonderful display iu nature . I do not mean to say that _ colour should be introduced , but there should be the stability , and the simple and sublime outline

that moves with awe and admiration the thinking soul . I think the early English Pointed style is capable of doing this . If you gaze upon its exterior elevation , you will see it marked by a figurative expression in a spiral and pointed form , which seems to point to the God who is worshipped within . On entering the edifice we sec its clustered columns , with the pointed termination of the archwhich ives it a

, g forest or bower-liko appearance ; the sombre light , piercing through its narrow windows , and playing with its deep shadows , seem , to awe the mind into meditative thought , and the echo of every stop you take or word you utter , seems to say , " One besides I , am here , " and as the organ

peals forth its sounds , and the well-regulated voice is raised , a hallowed feeling seems to pass through the soul and utter in stronger language than words , "This is the dwelling place of God . " But there is a vast difference between buildings for devotional and those for secular teaching and business ; in the one you go to submit to the influence of tho unseen , in the other to be taught by voice and vision ;

in the one a sombre light may help devotion , in the other it impedes the spirit in its intellectual flight . Does the House for the assembly of our Legislature speak for itself ? I maintain it does not , it ought to speak of strength and power , not of crumbling morality and decline ; it ought to impress those who enter with a sense of the lory and the greatness of their country . You can well

g account for the lifeless speech , and words without vitality in that convent-looking place . Enter its room of business , it speaks of luxury and ease . The careless attitude of those who ought to be the leaders of a great people , I think it is to be attributed , in a great measure , to the sombre influence of the building ; there is nothing to strike you with majesty . In fact it ought to be left to decay or put under a of

canopy glass , to show to future ages the folly and extravagance of the British people , and another should be built , open to the public gaze , after the Roman or Greek models , where the light of heaven can shine in upon the actions of those who use it , and the nobleness of the structure make them feel they are mon acting for men .

If I turn my attention from the Legislatureo the t Picture Gallery or Museum , I cannot see that the style is adapted for them ; the exterior should be bold and chaste , the interior plain , light , and lofty , there should be nothing to distract the eye or carry it from the object for which the building was raised . No shadowing influence is wanted , you go there , not to behold architectural display , but to feast

upon the works of nature and her mighty men , where the mind ought to be free from influence , and nature ' s own light help tho vision and thoughts . If I look at those buildings where monetary tranactions arc carried on , I have the same objection to the style . Thanks to the past ages , we have buildings that Englishmen can bo proud of , such as Somerset House , Bank of England , General Post Office , and Treasury , and , I may add , that I hope to see the proposed Government Offices in the same noble style .

I will now say a few words as to domestic buildings . I have said before that a building should speak for itself , and , I would add , it should be light , convenient , and moderate in expense . Mr . Scott has said tho two former may be carried out , but I do not know the building in which this has been accomplished ; I cannot see anything warm or English-like in the style for domestic buildings ; there is a chilly ,

convent , covetous , death-like appearance , where life , with all its happy associations and responsibilities , appears to die out , unnoticed , and unloved . Give me the bold-looking window , with the large hospitable door , which seems to speak to a passing world , "This is one of tho happy homes of England . " I find it impossible in the time allotted for this paper to treat the subject as I would wish . I have been compelled

to omit entirely the historical associations in connexion with the dawning and dying out of the styles . I should like to have gone more into detail in describing the periods , and trace more at large its non-adaptation to general building purposes ; but this must suffice , trusting the Gothic mania will lose its influence , except in ecclesiastical buildings . It is true that we are not architects , and therefore do not

possess much influence in the matter , but I feel we are called upon to do our utmost , so that the buildings which are raised in this favoured land , shall speak with sublime , grand , and joyous language to a passing world , and be of such stability that when England as a nation shall not be known , when her banner as mistress of the seas shall be given to anotherwhen her colonies have released themselves from

, her grasp , and her name only be known as belonging to the past , they may yet remain , and be subjects of study for now infant empires , and cause them to love and honour the name of Britain . But long may sbo continue in power , and use it with wisdom for the benefit of the civilised and the uncivilised world !