& 
[ so] 
have not failed to procure it the moft general approbation. By 
others however it is maintained, that this arch originated from 
the interfeGion of. circular arches in Saxon architelure; and 
others, laftly, from the like interfeGtion of circular arches in Grecian 
architeCture. 
4. Wutu regard jto the firft opinion, which has been coun- 
tenanced, or rather firft advanced by Sir Chriftopher Wren, fome 
weighty objections obvioufly prefent themfelves. And firft; in- 
fiances may be produced, of the .exiftence of the pointed arch in 
Europe antecedent to the Crufades. _* Dr. Stukely is of opinion, 
that the antient fanciuary at Weftminfter, in which the arches 
were pointed, was built by Edward the Confeffor: “ Neverthelefs,” 
fays' he, “ I fhall not be ayerfe to think it much older.” o The 
church of Kirkdale has alfo the pointed arch, and is of the age 
of the Confeffor.  Croyland bridge in Lincolnfhire, which confifts 
of three) Gothic arches, and is fuppofed to have Fecgi built in 
honour of the Trinity, is of an earlier date than the Crufades, the 
time of its. building being determined to be. the year.860. Befides, 
it does not appear,|.that what we: call the Gothic i is the prevailing 
ftyle of architefture in) the Eaft; on, the contrary, the ftyle 
which predominates in that country is a corruption of the Gre- 
cian. This-is a pointfo univerfally admitted, that Dr. Warburton 
thaintains, that the Saxon archite@ure, is ‘an imitation of the 
ne Eaftern. 
*tArcheol, vol. i. 
+. See Ledwich on Churches, Archzol. vol. viii. 
