DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.32037#0020
XIV
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
cause of truth : knowing tliat it was formed according' to an erroneous hypotliesis, it
ceases to convey any erroneous idea, and becomes correct by its conventional application.
The toleration of etymological inaccuracy, by whicli a derivative becomes a radical, and
obtains a new primitive meaning, is one of the most ordinary processes of the formation of
language.”—Vol. xxv. p. 139. “ The plirase Gothic Architecture conveys no reproach ; does
not necessarily imply any hypothetical belief; and as it seems confined, by universal
consent, to that style whicli, liowever otherwise varied, is ever characterised by the
pointed arch, we see no reason why the first efforts of the developement of this style
should not be ealled Early Gothic.”—British Critic, No. iv. p. 375. (Publislied in July
1826.) The futility of the appellation of Enylish Architecture was ably exposed in
tlie above periodical works ; see also the “ Remarks ” prefixed to vol. ii. of “ Specimens of*
Gothic Architecture.” Tlie novel term of “ Christian Architecture” has been proposed by
Mr. Britton, which, “ as a generic term,” lie apprehends, “ will be not only unobjection-
able, but will be appropriate, precise, and correct.”—[Architectural Antiquities, vol. v, p. 31.]
This appellation would imply too mucli, since Christianity had been established in all the
civilised parts of Europe for several ages before the Gotliic or Pointed style appeared ; nor
was it ever received in the chief city of the Christian world, Rome. If a term were to be
borrowed from religion, it might be more properly denominated “ Catholic Architecture,”
inasmuch as the sublimest productions of tliis style were originally dedicated to the
solemnities of the Catholic liturgy; and, on the other hand, its destruction immediately
followed the subversion of Catholicity. But it is too late now to expect that the accus-
tomed phraseology should be superseded by any new term, excepting only so far as may
relate to some particular details or varieties of style.
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.
cause of truth : knowing tliat it was formed according' to an erroneous hypotliesis, it
ceases to convey any erroneous idea, and becomes correct by its conventional application.
The toleration of etymological inaccuracy, by whicli a derivative becomes a radical, and
obtains a new primitive meaning, is one of the most ordinary processes of the formation of
language.”—Vol. xxv. p. 139. “ The plirase Gothic Architecture conveys no reproach ; does
not necessarily imply any hypothetical belief; and as it seems confined, by universal
consent, to that style whicli, liowever otherwise varied, is ever characterised by the
pointed arch, we see no reason why the first efforts of the developement of this style
should not be ealled Early Gothic.”—British Critic, No. iv. p. 375. (Publislied in July
1826.) The futility of the appellation of Enylish Architecture was ably exposed in
tlie above periodical works ; see also the “ Remarks ” prefixed to vol. ii. of “ Specimens of*
Gothic Architecture.” Tlie novel term of “ Christian Architecture” has been proposed by
Mr. Britton, which, “ as a generic term,” lie apprehends, “ will be not only unobjection-
able, but will be appropriate, precise, and correct.”—[Architectural Antiquities, vol. v, p. 31.]
This appellation would imply too mucli, since Christianity had been established in all the
civilised parts of Europe for several ages before the Gotliic or Pointed style appeared ; nor
was it ever received in the chief city of the Christian world, Rome. If a term were to be
borrowed from religion, it might be more properly denominated “ Catholic Architecture,”
inasmuch as the sublimest productions of tliis style were originally dedicated to the
solemnities of the Catholic liturgy; and, on the other hand, its destruction immediately
followed the subversion of Catholicity. But it is too late now to expect that the accus-
tomed phraseology should be superseded by any new term, excepting only so far as may
relate to some particular details or varieties of style.