340 
all their architectural productiens; but as 
their buildings iwwcreased in number, 
the workmen improved. in execution ; 
and in some of their later instances we 
find a profuseness of decoration that ap- 
pears little analogous to the principles of 
their style; particularly in the mouldings 
of their arches, in many of which may be 
seen a number of different ornaments 
blended together, giving the whole a 
rich appearance, though not with that 
degree of simplicity which we are led 
to expect from the plainness of many 
other parts of their buildings. 
On an accurate inspection and com- 
parison of these ornaments, we perceive 
the influence of the Roman architecture, 
particularly 1 the embattled and trian- 
gular frettes, which scarcely differ in 
form from those so frequently used among 
the ancients. The other ornaments that 
appear principally worthy of notice are, 
1. The billited molding, composed of 
pieces of stone of a cylindrical form, 
placed at small distances from each other. 
@. The nail head 3. The hatched 
molding, so named from its having the 
appearance of a thin substance of stone 
notched by the stroke of an axe; this.was 
frequently used asa string course, and in 
Norwich cathedral, there are some co- 
lumns entirely composed of it; but the 
ornament which appears by its more ge- 
neral use to have been the favourite, is 
the cheveron, or zig-zag work, of which 
many specimens may be seen in different 
parts of the kingdom. 
It appears that the style first pursued 
by the Norman conquerors, differed in 
its characteristics very little from the 
Saxon; and that in the beginning of the 
twelfth century, not the least deviation 
from the circular to the pointed arch 
hattaken place. The pointed arch, Mr. 
Bezzley supposes to have been produced 
by tbe accidental intersection of two se- 
micicles,which will be found to vive that 
angle which was used in our earliest in-- 
stances, The short massive column was 
changed for a cluster of small pillars, and 
the semicircular arched windows gave 
place to pointed ones, containing num- 
beriess mallions and mtersections. 
The style of this architecture being so 
peculiarly adapted to the solemnities of 
religion; it was at first principally used in 
cathedrals, but was soon adopted in pub- 
he edifices, and till the end of the fif- 
teenth century, reigned with a more ex- 
tensive dominion than the most admired 
of the Grecian oyders. Almost every ca- 
thedral was built on the plan of a cross, 
Proceedings of Public Societies. 
[May 1; 
some having two towers at the west end, 
aud others with a tower rising from the 
centre at the intersection of the nave and 
transepts, and frequently with the ad=- 
dition of a spire. 
During the thirteenth and fourteenth 
centuries, most of the exterior of our 
Saxon and Norman churches were trans- 
formed into Gothic, which by this means 
became’the general characteristic of als 
most every religious edifice in the coun- 
try. Some of them were almost totally 
new faced with stone, others were altered 
in the arches, whilst porches, pinnacles, 
and statues, were added to others. From 
the end of the fourteenth century, no re- 
markable variation can be discovered, 
except as to the point of the arch, which 
was made more acute or obtuse, accor- 
ding to the fancy of the architects. To- 
wards the end of the fifteenth century, 
no mixture of the Gethic with any other 
style had taken place, although this was 
a common error in succeeding years. 
At this time the depressed arch was in 
the most general use, and im many in- 
stances the lines were but slightly curved. 
Gothic architecture had now been at the - 
height of its perfection for nearly two 
centuries; and if reference be made to 
the historical accounts of the styles of 
this art among the ancients, we shall find 
that none arrived at sucha great degree 
of perfection in so short a period. 
The third paper is by Mr. Joseph 
Woods, jun. president of the society, and 
is on the-situations and accompaniments 
of villas. The word villa, Mr. Woeds 
observes, as generally used, will perhaps 
neither include an ornamented cottage, 
nor a palace; but he wishes it to include 
both, ifin the country, and therefore uses 
it inthatsense. The cottage of a labourer 
may occupy many situations, but that of 
a gentleman must be secluded. No ap- 
pearance of splendour or magnificence, 
no affected imitation of sublime objects 
is admissible, but every thing which can 
convey the ideas of neatness and comfort 
isto be sought for. 
A cattage ought to be placed ina gar= 
den, this seems to be absolutely necessary. 
Adjoiing to~the garden an orchard is 
desirable, but neither park, nor dressed 
cfounds, which are appropriated to dwell- 
ings of greater magnificence. If itis ad- 
ded that the whole should be ina shel, 
tered situation, shaded by trees, but not 
buried amongst them, all that is neces- 
sary to be said on cottages will be com-= 
pleted. / 
In the intermediate class between a 
cottage 
