11- 



PAPERS OF 7'HE LlTERART CLASS. 



I. On the Origin and Principles o/' Gothic Architecture. 

 By Sir James Hall, Bart. F. R. & A. S S. Edin. 



IRead April 6. 1797.} 



INTRODUCTION. 



LONG after the arts of ancient Greece and Rome had been 

 loft, and before any effedlual attempt was made to retive 

 them, a ftyle of building, known among us by the name of 

 Gothic Architedlure, began to appear in Europe. 



Ar firft, a few only of its pecuHar forms were employed, 

 which, in fome old buildings, are to be met with, intermixed 

 with uhe remains of a ftill more ancient ftyle. Afterwards, ri- 

 fing by degrees into favour, it fupplanted, in all the depart- 

 ments of arcbitetfture, every other fpecies of defign, and main- 

 tained an unrivalled dominion during three hundred years. 



a 2 In 



