From this period, an insatiable disposition to vary and increase decorations, already so profuse, the dreadful ha voc which took place at the Reformation, and the incli nation which began to prevail of introducing the ancient Roman style, (which early in the 16th century, had been revived in Italy,) led to all the confusion and despicable intermixtures which took place for almost a century.
Having now given as full an account of the state of architecture, from the decline of the Roman style to the period of its revival, as a work of this nature admits of, the reader is referred for farther particulars to the au thors who have been occasionally mentioned. The Rev. Mr Dallaway, more especially, has given a very full, masterly, and well arranged view of the subject.
The reader having now before him an account of the changes which the art underwent during the before men tioned period, and the leading historical circumstances connected with it, he will readily perceive, that always in Italy, and in Britain, ti11.1135, the great features arc those of a depraved Roman style. He will recollect, that, about this time, the intercourse with the East, by means of the Crusades and settlements in Palestine, was frequent and extensive;—that, about this time, a orpo ration of builders, consisting of Greeks, Italians, French, Germans, and Flemings, united, under the sanction of papal bulls, to construct ecclesiastical buildings; and, for this purpose, travelled wherever their labours were required. The information acquired by the ecclesiastics who visited the East, when united with the experience and dexterity of this incorporated school of builders, and supported by the influence the church had acquired, will account for the improvements which took place, and for the expedition with which such a number of edifices, of so extraordinary magnitude and splendour, were eve-• ry where erected. It will also open a wide field for spe culation, respecting the probable causes for the varia tions in the manner which took place.
For the pointed arch, which, in the pure Gothic, is accounted a governing feature, there will be found a striking resemblance in the intersection of the beautiful Saxon or Norman arches in the cathedral of 'Winches ter, constructed previous to the first Crusade; and in the east end of the church of St Cross, near Winchester, erected by Bishop Blois, 1132. There are twenty high
ly pointed windows which enlighten the chancel, formed by the intersection of circular arches. On the inside of the wall, the pillars which support these arches, and al so others at Winchester, are divided into tall slender forms. Long, narrow, and lancet-pointed arches, are formed by the intersections of the circular arches, with out pillars or mouldings, which are placed, by way of or nament, on the upper part of the outside of the south transept at Winchester. These casual occurrences may perhaps be reckoned to have afforded sufficient hints to ingenious men to improve into more perfect forms; and when united with the taste for minute and delicate orna ments, as practised by the Moors, and also with other ideas collected from the architecture of Egypt and Sy ria, and impelled by every motive which religious zeal, vanity, caprice, and the most ardent spirit of competition could impose, will probably, to many, afford a satisfacto ry explanation for the changes and improvements which took place, from the period of the most simple to that of the most magnificent and luxurious style of this school.
But such interest has Gothic architecture of late ex cited, that not only the periods in which it appeared have been disputed, but the claims of rival kingdoms, as to priority, have been contested with much ability and zeal. The late Mr Whittington has endeavoured to prove that the original hints came from Asia, and that France, pre ceded and surpassed England in producing fine speci mens of this school of architecture. While Dr Milner has boldly claimed the merit exclusively for our own country, and has, with much distinctness and assiduity, traced the progressive steps by which the changes took place. These two able men having taken masterly views of the architecture of the two countries, we cannot re sist presenting our readers with a sketch of their state ments, referring to their valuable performances for more perfect information.