Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/183

Rh Bk. VI. Ch. Ill, EXTERNAL PROPORTIONS. 167 Canterbury is the best in England, and is superior to any of the same class of towers to be found elsewhere. It is difficult, however, among so many beautiful objects, to decide which is the best. The highest tower at Wells is only 165 ft. from the ground to the top of the pinnacle, yet it is quite sufficient for its position, and groups beauti- fully with the western towers. Though of different ages, the three towers at Durham group beautifully together, and the single tower at Gloucester crowns nobly the central point of that cathedral. But the same is true of all. The central tower or spire is the distinguishing 600. Lincoln Cathedral. feature of the external design of English cathedrals, and possessing it they in this respect surpass all their rivals. The western fa9ades of English cathedrals, on the contrary, are generally inferior to those on the Continent. We have none of those deeply recessed triple portals covered with sculpture which give such dignity and meaning to the fa9ades of Paris, Amiens, Rheims, Chartres, and other French cathedrals. Beautiful as is the sculptured • facade of Wells, its outline is hard, and its portals mean. Salisbury is worse. Winchester, Exeter, Canterbury, Gloucester, indeed most of our cathedrals, have moan western entrances, the principal mode of