SECOND EXCUKSION. 29 



four. As it was, the nave of ^Martock cluircli ^vas grander, 

 having grcater lengtli and richness. Mr. Freeman cor- 

 rected a Statement tliat had been made — tliat he had said 

 it was the finest tower in the world. Ilis words in the 

 Society's Proceedings are, " the finest Square western tower, 

 not designed for a spire er lantern, in all England, and 

 therefore possibly in the wholc world/^ He did not com- 

 pare it with towers of totally another description, or with 

 those of cathedrals and abbeys. 



Leaving Wrington, CoxGRESßUEY was soon rcached ; and 

 here also is a large church, but one of a difFerent character. 

 The tower is surmounted by a spire. Mr. Freeman made 

 some remarks on towers and spires, saying that the com- 

 parisou could hardly be made with fairness in Sumerset- 

 shire, Avhere the towers surpassed those of any otlier 

 district ; while the few spires, like this of Congrcsbury, 

 wcre rather commonpiace. Spires should be stiidied in 

 Northamptonshire, where there arc very few great towers 

 without spire or octagon. Titchmarsh is almost the only 

 cxample of any impurtance ; but the spires, both Early and 

 Perpendicular, are as fine in their own way as the Somer- 

 setshire towers are in theirs. The comparison indeed lies 

 between two cqual forms of beauty, the tower being the per- 

 fection of dignity, and the spire the perfection of elcgance. 

 The pillars of the south aisle are Early Englith, and are 

 surrounded by detached shafts, while the opposite aisle is 

 Decorated. This peculiarlty gives a singular appearance 

 to the church. The detached shafts were addcd in the 

 course of restoration. Mr. Freeman remarkcd that they 

 were not there when he last saw the church, but there was 

 DO düubt that they originally existed, as the bases were 

 there. The clerestory is Early Perpendicular, and is 

 remarkable for its great number of small vvindows, set close 



