ON THE PERPENDICÜLAR OF SOMERSET. 21 



occurs also at North Petherton, Langpoit, and Klngsbiuy, 

 and it clearly has been also the case at Crewkerne, although 

 there the building Itself has been destroyed. There is 

 another at Hawkhurst in Kent. 



ßoth at Ilminster and Crewkerne the north transept is 

 the most enriched and elaborate portion of the church. At 

 Ilminster, though more ornamented, I cannot consider it as 

 rivalling the simpler beauty of the choir. A square spandril 

 is not generally a desirable finish for a window, and I cannot 

 but think that crocketting, as in the north front, is by no 

 means a suitable enrichment for a gable. The similar view 

 at Crewkerne, from the north-east, is very striking, but I can- 

 not think it is equal to Ilminster. There is an affectation 

 of irregularity about it which does not suit the Perpendicu- 

 lar style and low roof ; nor is the eifect improved by the 

 actual presence of a high one in the choir itself. Regulär 

 aisles to the chou- and transepts would have been eifective 

 one way ; a thoroughly picturesque structiu-e, with distinct 

 chapels and apses, would have been equally so, another. At 

 present neither effect is gained ; it is irregulär without being 

 picturesque, and that while the whole character of the 

 architecture cries for the strictest regularity of design. In 

 detail and masonry, however, these portions of Crewkei-ne 

 church are much the best that I have seen in the southern 

 part of the county, and, except in the use of a heavy battle- 

 ment instead of an elegant pierced parapet, they approach 

 very nearly to the beauty of Wrington and Banwell. The 

 work, however, in its general character, and especially in 

 the forms of its windows, some of which are very broad, 

 with excessively flat arches, Struck nie as not being 

 strictly of a Soraersctshire type. It rather reminded nie of 

 Bomc of the best Perpendicular work elsewhere, as at St. 

 Mary's in Oxford, at Fairford, and at Whiston and Brington 



