308 
stating, that many Continental structures exhibit the same, of 
which I may mention Milan Cathedral, Bayeaux Cathedral, 
and L'Abbaye aux Hommes, Caen. The great difficulty of 
obtaining correct ground-plans of ancient buildings, is a suf- 
ficient reason, I presume, (added to the circumstance of the 
few works to which a young provincial architect can have 
access,) for not adverting to other cathedrals and churches. 
I may also observe, that the frequent injury sustained by fire, 
the not unfrequent rebuildings, and the many examples in 
which different styles are found incorporated in one building, 
will account for the few examples I have produced upon this 
occasion. In conclusion I would say, the only question is 
whether the principles adverted to are deserving or unde- 
serving of attention. 
It has been boldly asserted by Mr. R. P. Knight, in his 
" Analytical Inquiry into the Principles of Taste," (2nd 
Edit., p. 162.,) that "if we ask what is meant by pure 
Gothic, we receive no satisfactory answer ; there are no 
" rules, no proportions, and consequently no definitions." 
And again, (p. 175,) that "the Gothic architects recognised 
" no rules ^ but worked merely for effect." It is, indeed, true 
that while we have beautiful artistical representations of our 
cathedrals, (in some instances the actual details,) while we 
have " Glossaries of Gothic Architecture," and Archaeologi- 
cal Dictionaries defining the names of the details, we look in 
vain for works elucidating the actual principles of the pointed 
style. A grammar of Gothic architecture clearly developing 
its first principles is still a desideratum. But as no one, 
assuredly, would deny the beauties of the Greek and Latin 
writers, because they may happen to be written in a language 
which to him may be really dead, and therefore unintelligible ; 
so must we maintain that our ignorance of the principles of 
Gothic architecture, is no proof that that style is devoid of 
principles. 
