263 Architecture. 



lofty pointed Gothic, the windows tall, unshrouded, divided into 

 many tasteful compartments, and admitting a flood of light. I can 

 believe that even the interior of Yorkminster, a larger and more 

 beautiful cathedral, than Westminster Abbey, if white, with all the light 

 that its vast windows could admit, would hardly produce the slightest 

 impression of solemnity. But I have no doubt it does now produce 

 that impression, in the extreme, in consequence of its sombre color- 

 ing, great antiquity, and mysterious light, connected with religious 

 associations, and the impressive recollection of the ages that have 

 past, and of how many generations which have thronged as worshipers 

 beneath its roof, have gone down to the grave, whilst its walls have 

 stood, for hundreds of years, unchanged, in tranquil grandeur, and 

 may, to all appearance, if contending with no enemy but time, still 

 remain, till hundreds of generations more, have come into being and 

 returned to dust. 



Whatever may be the claims of the English, or other European 

 nations, to what is called Gothic Architecture, I think it must be con- 

 ceded, that there were pointed arches, and slender pillars, in the 

 East, even if the European pointed arch, arose from the accident, 

 as has been said, of an individual happening to see the round Saxon 

 arches, intersecting each other, in such a position, as to give to the 

 eye the impression of the pointed arch. An opinion has been en- 

 tertained that this style was introduced into Europe by the Crusaders, 

 or by the Moors. What the Crusaders had to do with it I do not 

 know, but it is certain that the Moorish Alhambra at Granada, has 

 the semicircular arch, and in some parts of that Palace, pointed arch- 

 es also are seen, and in its profusion of delicate tracery over a great 

 part of the walls, it may well compare, with the rich Norman Gothic, 

 of the Cathedrals of Spain, Italy, and the north of Europe. That 

 the pointed style, was introduced into England, long after the Saxon, 

 I suppose there is no doubt, and it is beautifully noticed, by Scott, as 

 I dare say you well recollect. 



" In Saxon strength the Abbey stood 

 Like vet'ran worn, but unsubdued. 

 It rose alternate row — and row — 

 On pond'rous columns short and low, 



" Built e're the art was known 



By pointed Isle, and shafted stalk 



The arcade of an alley'd walk 

 To emulate in stone." 



