Architecture in the United States, 221 



delicacy of ornament. The pointed arch seems to have been em- 

 ployed, for the first time, soon after the conquest, a well authenti- 

 cated example, belonging to the year 1092, being still to be seen in 

 Winchester cathedral. It seems to have come slowly into use, until 

 about the year 1240, when it drew attention, and its progress be- 

 came more rapid. Up to the year 1272, however, when the first 

 Edward ascended the throne, the style had not acquired much beau- 

 ty : the pillars, it is true, had become tall and clustering, but the 

 windows were narrow and plain, and the arch was suffered to retain 

 an extreme degree of sharpness. All this constitutes what is called 

 by architects the first order of the Gothic, its chief feature being the 

 arch first spoken of, termed, from its shape, the Lancet arch. The 

 second order embraces all between the year 1272 and the end of the 

 following century. During this period the style made rapid improve- 

 ments. The arch was depressed, though still kept considerably 

 above a semicircle; the pillars received additional lightness, were 

 more gracefully clustered, and were united under one capital ; nu- 

 merous tasteful ornaments were added ; the windows were enlarged, 

 and were enriched with tracery; stained glass was employed, some- 

 times forming beautiful devices, sometimes historical pictures ; — the 

 whole style became bold, rich and imposing. Here artists should 

 have stopped ; for there is a point in all species of architecture, be- 

 yond which every attempt at improvement must fail ; and this point 

 had now been reached in the Gothic. Changes however followed, 

 during the fifteenth century, in quick succession. The arch, though 

 still kept pointed, was depressed below a semicircle ; the walls of 

 the churches were reduced to an extreme of thinness, and by the 

 great extension and multiplication of windows, became little more 

 than a case or frame for glass ; the windows were endlessly divided 

 by mullions ; tracery and other ornaments were crowded into them 

 and on the ceiling ; pendants were introduced, and the striking ma- 

 jesty of this style was lost in the multiplication of minute parts. 

 This is the third order of the Gothic. Some of its ornaments are of 

 great delicacy and beauty, and in forming our taste for this style of 

 architecture, should by no means be neglected ; but the period frorfl 

 1272 to 1400, is to be considered the golden age of the Gothic, and 

 to it we should go for the more characteristic parts. 



The main feature in all the three orders is the arch. The lancet- 

 shaped arch has little beauty, and as there is little danger that it will 

 be much used in our country, we will pass it by : the other two are 



