Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/378

 310 Sloan's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [Nov., of what are called the Decorated and the Perpendicular Divisions of this style. The several British forms into which it has been classified, according to the dif- ferent chief variations it passed through, in successive stages, from its primary development, until it gradually dissolved into the Tudor, or Debased Gothic ; are, according to Rickman, whose arrangement is allowed to be the most simple, as follows : A. D. Early English,. . 1 189-1 30 7 Decorated English,. 1307-1377 Perpendicular,. . 1377-1630 As to the particular time at which each of these divisions is most accu- rately defined, there has been much dis- pute, owing to the very gradual and almost imperceptible manner in which one merged into the other. But the -. prominent characteristics of each are so strikingly defined, that, when it is seen in its matured and perfect form, no dif- ficulty can be experienced in determin- ing to which it properly belongs. The features most readily distinguish- able are the windows, the shape of the arches, the mouldings, and matters of detail. From these we can generally arrive at a very accurate decision, as to the date of a building. The windows of the Decorated Style, are usually of large size, divided into two or more lights by vertical mullions, which are carried upwards, as far as the springing of the arch ; and, from that point, branch out into various direc- tions, interlacing and forming patterns of varied and beautiful design, denomi- nated tracery. In the Perpendicular Style, the windows vary from those of the first-named in the vertical disposition of the tracery in the heads. The mul- lions, instead of branching out at the springing of the arch, as in the Decorated period, are continued vertically, running up straight from the sill to the head. It was this arrangement of tlie tracery, in perpendicular lines, that led to the name which has been given to this stjde, and forms its most striking characteris- tic. The illustration before us exhibits the transition period, in which the Decorated was gradually, but surely merging into the Perpendicular, which is easily noticeable in the forms of the windows, the disposition of the tracery, presenting partly geometrical features, in the form of circles, quatrefoils, tie- foils, and rose-windows, and interspersed with wavy and flowing lines. The pin- nacles, also, are floriated, and the drip- stones of the windows all follow the line of the, arch almost to its apex, where they have a concave curve, terminating in a knob of foliage — all characteristic of the Decorated. In the Decorated, the tower parapet is most generally adorned with open tracery ; but the Perpendicular is oftener characterized by embattled, or counter- embattled parapets, the first of these occurring in our design. The tower being a predominating trait, we are thus barely enabled to style our church Perpendicular Mixed, as in all other respects these two styles are about equally commingled. The design we have here given, is for a two-story church. Buildings of this class are now but rarely erected, except in localities, where sufficient space can- not be obtained, and it is a desideratum, to make the best use of the ground in possession. We disapprove entirely of such a style of edifice for the purposes of a church, because some very serious objections can be raised against it. In the first place, the Easement story must either be low in its Ceiling, or the Ap- proach to the Audience-Room, on the main floor, will be made difficult, be- long and inconvenient stairways: As the rooms in the Basement would 011I3' be employed for Sunday-schools and lecture-rooms, and primary meetings of various kinds, they would only be at- tended by a limited portion of the eon- sreoation, whereas the Audience-Room on the Main floor would be filled b} r all classes, embracing the old and young,