Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 9.djvu/223

 THE ABHEY CIIUUCH OF DORCHESTER. 163 always effective, even when not actually coniinendablc. This is here gained by throwing the aisle of the nave and that of the choir into one unbroken range. The effect is better from their being thus unbroken ; mark the commencement of the choir by any difference of height or breadth, and the charm would be lost ; the ideas of vast- ness and unity presented by the present arrangement would be shattered, and the mere disproportionate excess of length would stand out in its natural deformity. The break produced by the interposition of a transept promotes the effect of unity, that effected by difference of size does quite the contrary. But besides the unbroken length, the unbroken height is to be taken into account. The absence of a clerestory, while it detracts nothing from the real grandeur of the effect of length, does in a manner correct the dispi-o- portion. I need not go about to show how the whole appearance would be marred if the height of the Avail were divided between an aisle and clerestory, and cut up into two ranges of little windows. In such a case the excess of length which now disarms criticism by its bold and striking effect, would amount to a simple deformity. The present arrange- ment then secures this effect in its fulness ; it also produces a magnificent range of windows and buttresses, Avhich, under any other circumstances, could only have occurred in a church of much greater positive size. The east end again, whether strictly beautiful or not. East End ^^ stokiug aud majestic in the highest degree. Now this also could hardly have assumed its peculiar character consistently with any other general arrangement of the church. For instance, if the choir had been vaulted, this superb window could never have possessed its present proportions, and any change in its proportions would at once destroy its whole character. The main idea of the east end, wdthin and without, is clearl}^ that it should be one mass of tracery, divided by the central buttress, which may very probably answer a construc- tive purpose, and which most certainly serves to enhance the effect of vastness. In no way could this be effected except by the forms of arch and gable employed ; with no other could so great an extent of wall have been occupied by the window. This hardly need to be shown at greater length. Now if the choir were vaulted, the window would lose about