44 PAPERS, ETC. 



while they imply the presence of the chancel arch, neces- 

 sarily diminish from its importance. It is often low, and 

 generally disproportionately broad, and with insufficient 

 responds. At Huntspill, for instance, the arcade is 

 continued uninterruptedly into the chancel, and the chancel 

 arch Springs from shafts corbelled off above it. In others 

 again, as at North Petherton, one pier of the ordinary 

 ränge may be seen throwing out arches in four different 

 directions, which is never pleasing. In others there are 

 responds with continuous imposts, or the arch is panelled, 

 as at Weston Zoyland. 



This last remark I may extend to the westem 

 belfry-arches also, but they are features of far greater 

 importance and beauty than the chancel arches. Indeed it 

 is clear that on no part of the church was greater attention 

 displayed. Few architectiu-al displays are more magnificent 

 than a panelled arch of this kind, rather narrow, with 

 responds of a vast height, and the space beyond vaulted 

 with fan tracery. This is seen in all its splendour at 

 Wrington, Long Button, and, above all, Kingsbury 

 Episcopi, where the arch is double, and there is a mag- 

 nificent display of niches on each side of it. The vaulting 

 is usually, but not invariably, of the fan form ; in one 

 instance, Castle Gary, I found fan tracery wrought in 

 wood. 



In cross churches the chancel and belfry arches are 

 brouofht tosfether as members of the central lantern. Of 

 this glorious feature Somersetshire possesses some exceed- 

 ingly fine examples. Sometimes, indeed, as at Yatton and 

 Wedmore, we find the smaU incongruous arches of an earlier 

 church; but Uminster, Crewkeme, Dunster, and Axbridge, 

 all possess taU and stately Perpendicular lanterns. Among 



