DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32037#0019
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. xiii
Normandy have published a few essays, illustrative of the history
of some early buildings in that province,* but the study of Gothic
architecture in France is still in its infancy, and may be dated half
a century later than in England. Nor has the inquiry been ex-
tensively prosecuted in Germany, where, however, some highly
interesting facts have been brought to light, particularly in the dis-
covery of several ancient and original designs for Gothic edifices of
great splendour, j- whereas scarcely any thing of the kind has been
found in England of earlier date than the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
although many such drawings were undoubtedly preserved in the
libraries of the cathedrals, monasteries, and colleges previous to the
ravages of the sixteenth century. f
The comparison of the Gothic style, as seen in the cathedrals
and other principal edifices of tlie continent, with the monuments
of it in our own country, would furnish matter for a very interesting
inquiry. But as even a hasty discussion of such an extensive subject
would exceed the limits of this essay, it shall for the present be left
untouched, and a conclusion be put to these Remarks on Gothic
Architecture. ||
EDWARD JAMES WILLSON.
Newport, Lincoln, May 14, 1831.
* “ Memoires de la Societe des Antiquaires de la Normandie,” 8vo. 1824, 1825,
1826, &c.
f Dr. George Mollers, of Darmstadt, has published several scientific works on the
architecture of tlie middle ages in Germany. An essay on the origin and progress of
Gothic architeeture, prefixed to one of liis works, has heen translated from the German,
and puhlislied in the English language, hy Messrs. Priestley and Weale, 1824. See also
Boisseree on the Catliedral of Cologne, &c. The “ Architectural Notes on Gennan
Churches,” by Professor Whewell, [8vo, Camhridge, 1830] contain some valuable informa-
tion ; but the system of technieal phraseology adopted by the learned author is defective, and
the defence of the terms “ Early English,” “ Decorated English,” &c. is quite untenable.
+ An original design for the bell-tower of King s College, Cambridge has been
engraved for Lysons’s “ Magna Britannia,” vol. ii. p. 116; Pl. XXX.
|| An intelligent writer in the “ Quarterly Review” has observed, that we may safely
use the term Gothic, incorreet as it sounds to the critical ear, without prejudice to tlie
Normandy have published a few essays, illustrative of the history
of some early buildings in that province,* but the study of Gothic
architecture in France is still in its infancy, and may be dated half
a century later than in England. Nor has the inquiry been ex-
tensively prosecuted in Germany, where, however, some highly
interesting facts have been brought to light, particularly in the dis-
covery of several ancient and original designs for Gothic edifices of
great splendour, j- whereas scarcely any thing of the kind has been
found in England of earlier date than the reign of Queen Elizabeth,
although many such drawings were undoubtedly preserved in the
libraries of the cathedrals, monasteries, and colleges previous to the
ravages of the sixteenth century. f
The comparison of the Gothic style, as seen in the cathedrals
and other principal edifices of tlie continent, with the monuments
of it in our own country, would furnish matter for a very interesting
inquiry. But as even a hasty discussion of such an extensive subject
would exceed the limits of this essay, it shall for the present be left
untouched, and a conclusion be put to these Remarks on Gothic
Architecture. ||
EDWARD JAMES WILLSON.
Newport, Lincoln, May 14, 1831.
* “ Memoires de la Societe des Antiquaires de la Normandie,” 8vo. 1824, 1825,
1826, &c.
f Dr. George Mollers, of Darmstadt, has published several scientific works on the
architecture of tlie middle ages in Germany. An essay on the origin and progress of
Gothic architeeture, prefixed to one of liis works, has heen translated from the German,
and puhlislied in the English language, hy Messrs. Priestley and Weale, 1824. See also
Boisseree on the Catliedral of Cologne, &c. The “ Architectural Notes on Gennan
Churches,” by Professor Whewell, [8vo, Camhridge, 1830] contain some valuable informa-
tion ; but the system of technieal phraseology adopted by the learned author is defective, and
the defence of the terms “ Early English,” “ Decorated English,” &c. is quite untenable.
+ An original design for the bell-tower of King s College, Cambridge has been
engraved for Lysons’s “ Magna Britannia,” vol. ii. p. 116; Pl. XXX.
|| An intelligent writer in the “ Quarterly Review” has observed, that we may safely
use the term Gothic, incorreet as it sounds to the critical ear, without prejudice to tlie