54 



Chester, were fine illustrations of it, and easily accessible to 

 members of the Society. 



Next to the Norman came the Lancet period, which had 

 been also designated the Early Pointed or Early English. There 

 was great difference of opinion as to the origin of tins particu- 

 lar style; some conceiving that it was of eastern invention, 

 others, that it was a continental discovery : the most generally 

 received opinion of the present day was, that it was a transition 

 from the Norman. There were many instances in which the 

 Norman arches were made to intersect each other, producing, 

 of course, a series of pointed divisions. If the triangular 

 spaces left at the top were to be filled up, there would remain 

 the Lancet arch. It was highly probable that this had been 

 the true origin of this peculiar style, as this very process has 

 taken place at the Church of St. Cross, in Hampshire, which 

 was built A. D. 1136, and is the oldest specimen existing of 

 the Early English. The principal characteristics of the Early 

 English period, were the tall clustered column, bound round at 

 the top with a wreath of foliage, and surrounded at the base 

 by two or three deep grooves ; the Lancet-shaped window of 

 one or three lights ; the acute-angled gable, generally termi- 

 nated with a cross and Catherine wheels ; the dog or shark's- 

 tooth ornament, and the tall and graceful spire. It was in 

 buildings of this style that we first find the crockets intro- 

 duced. Salisbury Cathedral was by far the most beautiful 

 example extant of this style. 



Before proceeding to the description of the Decorated or 

 Pure Gothic period, the author adverted to the elegant fiction, 

 whereby it is maintained that the pointed style took its rise 

 from some architect observing the intersections of the high 

 boughs of an avenue of limes or other trees. Sir James Hall 

 had taken up this idea, and supported it with considerable 

 ingenuity. He considered that he could trace the Gothic 

 order through all its various forms, and seemingly eccentric 

 ornaments, (o an imitation of wicker-work, of which the 



