Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 4.djvu/350

 326 LOW SIDE WINDOWS. a special benefaction might account for the opening of a special window at any period. The inscription over the win- dow at Wetherall seems to support this theory"; the windows by the side of chantry altars would also agree with it. The objections to it are that many of the windows are not convenient for the purpose, and some it would be almost im- possible to apply to such a use, as the one at Othery, and the two that are on the first floor. 10. To give light to the reader of the Lessons, all the other wuidows being tilled with painted glass, which scarcely allows light enough for reading to pass through it. This theory has the support of M. VioUet-Leduc, the eminent architect of Paris, who is employed in the restoration of " La Sainte Chapelle," and who says that the low side window in that building was glazed wdth white glass, covered by an internal shutter which was closed when the window was not in use, in order not to interfere with the general effect of the " dim religious light" from the large painted windows. The objection to this theory is the constant habit of using candles at all hours in the Roman Catholic Services. 11. For the purpose of ventilation only. The objections to this theory are its evident improbability, and that there seems no reason for always choosing the parti- cular situation occupied by these windows for such a purpose. 1.2. The symbolical theory, that it was intended to sym- bolize the wound in the side of om^ Saviour on the Cross, the chmTh itself being considered as representing the body of Christ. The objections to this theory, besides those which apply to this kind of symbolism in general, are the entire want of authority for it, and that it is not consistent with the general theory that the chancel represents the head, and the nave the body on the Cross, and the transepts the arms extended, or when there are no transepts the aisles the arms by the side. The cases in which there are two windows opposite to each otlier are also fatal to this theory. We believe that many other theories have been started to account for these low side windows, but none occur to our memory at present. i. h. p.