cipal ship-timber there, will never be with us more than a small stinted shrub. Four years ago, I was favoured with some of the seeds, which I sowed; and observe that the plants begin to put forth leaves at a very early period, which are as regularly checked by late frosts; so that the small plants have not yet reached one foot in height, when the common kinds of the same age will grow to four and five feet high. The case is different at Archangel, its native place; it there enjoys, as the Plane does in America, either Winter or Summer, without those changes that are so inimical to vegetation in this climate.

Yours, &c. W. SALISBURY.

ARCHITECTURAL INNOVATION.
No. CXLVIII.

"Divisions," &c. p. 38. read, "Divisions both externally and internally of the Abbey Church, Westminster."

still darts from his usual lurking-holes, to prey upon my "errors". and "misrepresentations;" yet, notwithstanding my "absurdities," I hope it will at least be allowed that I possibly can see as well as my opponent, that certain parts of the uprights of Gloucester, York, and Lincola, are of much later construction than the primæval walls themselves; yet, I may presume to advise, that " ornaments" are distinct features from masonic lines; ornaments literally meaning no more than statues, foliage, &c. These particulars "Amateur" jumbles together, even like an amateur, not being able to separate, in argument, one from another. I observe again (and what was before intended to express my meaning) that when any building is about to be, or has been erected, at one given period, it has always been, and is still the custom, to finish the exterior work before that of the interior. This is so obvious a conclusion, that none but a mere amateur could have run over such a stumbling block with his eyes open ; but the man has plunged into a whirlpool that will go nigh to overwhelm him: therefore it is natural in him, poor creature, to catch at every rotten twig, to save himself from simking into that contempt with professional people, which his inexperience in Architectural matters must eventually

bring him into. As for Major Anderson, he will soon (as premised in my last) answer for himself, and turn this "Amateur," this deserter from our National Arts, over to the drum-head. The name of Mr. Gough, his works, and his established fame as an accurate Antiquary, stand on too firm a basis to be overturned by the breath of calumny, blown from such a dark corner of this Controversy. And now I recollect myself, I have more than once witnessed the like hollow-hearted attempts to sap this learned man's Literary Reputation. "THE PAINTINGS IN THE WINDOWS OF THE CHOIR TEWKSBURY ABBEY CHURCH." Let this challenge draw out, if he dare come forward, the man I have in my mid's eye; let him be either "Amateur" himself (and now methinks I know this vindicator), or him who cannot mistake my meaning at this time. Let him with faltering tongue explain: J. Carter will answer him! -"Mechanical skill." I presume "Amateur" is the first person who ever thought of debasing the Arts of his own Country, by terming those attempts in delineation by its profes

OF

sors a mechanical effort. Here the English Artists are humbled with a vengeance! Bring them on a level with a wire-drawer, a house-painter, an engraver of pewter pots, or a planner of hot-beds and cabbagerows! Would this our Vindicator of French "superiority," have so screwed the fantastic genius genius and cobweb skill of that Country, the abilities of his dear friends, and our detested foes, "the horror of the world," in the vice of derision ? No: he would have styled the production of the draftsman of Amiens' West front, divine inspiration!

About "bows, or arch-buttresses," enough has been said; and I must still (notwithstanding "Amateur's" prodigious knowledge about dates, if he knows nothing with regard to mouldings, ornaments, statues, &c.) remain fixed to Moore's list.

at the last dash of your pen, in bringing forward one French Cathedral arrayed in regular professional order of comparison, against one English Cathedral? Not one stroke of your vindicating powers, to describe the several decorations, as opposed one to the other; in spires, buttresses, windows, door-ways, niches, mouldings, ornaments, tombs, screens, high-altars, and all the long train of et cæteras, appertaining to Antient Art, which still adorn our sublime Piles; whatever France, from the wreck of all her former glory, can now produce? But all is hushed ! "Amateur" is now no more; and I will not insult a fallen foe. Would that the intruded renown in favour of the Arts of France had had a less share in the conflict !-I have done my duty; and that is my wreath of triumph!

POINTED STYLE, &C.
(continued.)

We are at length arrived at the summit of our Architectural fame, even the time when Edward the Third swayed the land; therefore I cannot express my own thoughts better, or more aptly at this section of our Rise and Progress, than by quoting the following passage from No. XXIV. of the "Antient Architecture of England."

" In this reign (Edward III.) the English Nation seems to have arrived at its meridian of glory. Laws, Arms, and Arts, shone in all their splendour: the Monarch was as munificent as he was brave; and his love and encouragement for the works of ingenious and enlightened men was great and unbounded; indeed, the noble and gorgeous display of Architecture arising around him in every part of the Kingdom sufficiently demonstrates this position."

It is now that a new scene of Architecture (still keeping its progressive state) arises before us; a new mode of design, of arrangement, of decoration, beams in every direction of our august Fabricks. The proportions of door-ways (with their iron foliaged wrought doors) and windows are rendered more consonant to geometric rule; the mullions and tracery to these latter decorations run out in the most delightful and elegant manner; the buttresses become one of the principal features, from their infinity of parts, and high embellishment.

The parapets, or breastworks on the walls, changed into battlements, with perforated compartments. The clusters of columns to all situations, are masoned in one solid mass in their several courses without bands, the shafts rising from base to capital in a clear and uninterrupted line. This circumstance of the disuse of bands is thus accounted for; the small surrounding columns project little more than half a diameter from the main centrical column. The groins present tracery, compartments, &c.; and it should appear that the great aim of the Architects at this period was, to embellish the faces and lines of their structures in the most brilliant and luxurious manner, as each particular in the interiors was gilded and painted in various colours; a kind of fascinating principle was every where afloat to rivet attention, and to claim unceasing admiration. Every decoration had its peculiar grace, and peculiar use; accommodation and convenience were ever combined with some ornamental beauty, and some masonic security. These all-powerful characteristics are: most wonderfully brought upon our view, in the various parts of

YORK Cathedral; date, 1304. As J. Carter has lately gone through a regular survey of this Church, commencing Vol. LXXVII. p. 629, I shall refer the Reader to the particulars therein contained for more satisfactory information on this head, and confine myself at present to some principal notices as immediately connected with the subject under our observation.

I am not to be told, although I have lately called down such amateur correction on my head, that the upper halves of the Western towers were added in the reign of Henry VII. Every eye indeed can see later variations from the lower halves, in the pediments, mullions, tracery, pinnacles, &c. to confirm all this. Thus of every other building that has submitted to subsequent repair or alteration: but, when adverting to an erection in general terms, allusion is always had to its prior or principal existing walls, its decorations, and other matters, done at or about the. same period; for who indeed could suppose me so miserably uninformed, as not to know the differences in the Architectural examples found in

Gloucester

Gloucester Cathedral, from its first lines of erection, down to its extinction as a Monastic Pile? The knowledge of this kind is indeed so familiar to the observers of our Antiquities, that, had not "Amateur" strove to disturb a pursuit so pleasing, and full of instruction, I should not now have been under the necessity to apologize for descanting on his "Refutation," as he is pleased to call his Six Letters, concluded Vol. LXXX. p. 626.

West Front. There are characters on this upright that must have effect on every mind, as bearing new and beautiful creations. In the several pediments are found compartments, crockets, and finials; the heads of the niches in some instances take an ogee sweep, instead of a pedimental one; the tracery to the windows, more immediately considering the great centre window, is constructed rather upon an ornamental or foliage system, than after any apparent geometric idea, in the extraordinary construction of the ramifications, sweeps, and intersections of the various lines, Surely some uncommon genius, soaring to effect a great and sublime proof of his art, bid the mazy forms unite and live, even unto Time's remotest morn! In fact, the traceries of the 14th century are peculiar in themselves, both as to beauty as well as durability.

Interior. It is with increasing gratification we must contemplate the work of the architect, the mason, and the sculptor, so disposed as to give a just and appropriate continuation of their labours. As every Pile has its own excellencies, and some few seeming deficiencies, I am constrained to note that the Gallery story is in itself of a very simple turn, in comparison to those of Salisbury, Wells, and Westminster; its lines are independent either with regard to columns or arches, being portioned out of the mullions of the upper windows. It must be confessed that in this instance a decrease of magnificence is to be noticed; yet, however it comes to pass, there is a certain something of interest in the design, not wholly to be disapproved or overlooked. What is found deficient in this respect is amply made good in the dado's of the nave; and it may be maintained that the assemblage of arches, buttresses, pediments, and

ornaments worked thereon, are hardly to be surpassed; and when the interior of the West end is contemplated, the same dado is found bearing up tier over tier, the same richlyconceived kind of embellishments, which, with the great centre window, altogether affords an elevation of that superior cast, that we must exclaim, Sublime traits of the skill of our Forefathers, of their munificence, and their unbounded exertions, to bring to perfection such works, in honour and praise of the Most High!:

Proceeding towards the Eastern division of the Church, I pass without comment the transepts, and lanthern of the centre tower, they being of dates either prior or subsequent to the style of Architecture under illustration. The Choir, in the major part, goes on with the work of the Nave; yet on the lines there are evident deviations in the smaller characters: they not only become extremely profuse, but lose in a few instances some particles of that chaste regularity, so conspicuous in the latter place. These deviations are principally visible in the dado's, galleries, and traceries to the windows: a consequence naturally arising from new conceptions in design and execu tion, which must have taken place during so long a period as the Nave and choir were under completion. Notwithstanding so many of the windowsretain their paintings in tolerable. preservation, yet those paintings necessarily once adorming the walls are wholly obliterated, by the vulgar and cruelpractice of white-washing. Those paintings seen on the walls of the Chapter-house have in this way been also banished from us, to the great loss of historic research and splendid shew. Yet that such mode of adornment did exist, there are still left unsullied the gildings and paintings to the stalls of this "fairest" of all Architectural "flowers," the Chapter-house of York!

of late

Referring to "Viator," p. 28, who has so honoured me by his approbation of my humble endeavours in the cause of our Antiquities, I can assure him, that York's Chapter-house, and its elegant avenue, although not

"FITTED UP" as a "CONVENIENT PLACE to put faggots and coals in," are however converted, the latter into a mason's shew-room, and the former

into the Clerk of the Works' office, to make therein working drawings, and for other the like purposes.

T

AN ARCHITECT.

(To be continued.)

S. Sea Common, near Mr. URBAN, Portsmouth, Aug. 10. HE want of Specie is generally felt, but nowhere more than at the Sea-ports, Eastward and Southward of the Metropolis; and this perhaps arises from the opposite Coasts, now under the tyrannical rod of the modern Attila, hoarding through fear all the Coin they are able; with the circumstance of the many foreigners now in the Metropolis, who receive, or endeavour to obtain, their freights in Specie; exclusive of the villainous projects of smuggling Cash out of the kingdom, which have been detected several times. It has been computed that 1000 sail of foreign vessels have been in the Port of London at one time this Summer; most of whom would, no doubt, (especiall those in the home-trade, as it is called) obtain, if possible, Cash to carry away. A waiter at an eating-house has been known to obtain £200. in seven-shilling pieces, for which he received a premium, to give a Papenburg skipper. To obviate this growing evil, and previous to the meeting of Parliament, it is submitted to gentlemen (through the medium of your wide circulation) the necessity of turning over in their minds, prevention and relief; perhaps the latter can be best afforded by a new Coinage of Gold and Silver, whosenominal value shall exceed its intrinsic, in such proportion as may prevent the inducement to smuggle it away; whilst an exquisite die may be the best means to prevent forgery.

As all your Readers no doubt have Rapin's History of England, they can refresh their minds by referring to his account of the Coinage in each Reign.

Yours, &c.

Mr. URBAN,

T. W.

Bath, Aug. 12.

DID not see till this day the letter

himself a Constant Reader, Vol. LXXX. p. 618. His objection to a passage in the Tournament of Rowley is so handsomely expressed, that I shall with great pleasure give it all

the attention which it merits. I regret that I have not leisure to do this in your Number for the present month; but I will, in the succeeding Magazine, convince him that the word unthylle is a correct antient expression, replete with meaning; of which the late ingenious Editor Mr. Thos. Chatterton had not the smallest idea; and that your Constant Reader is himseif as wide of the mark as Thomas Chatterton. He, and your other Philological Readers, may in the mean time exercise their ingenuity in endeavouring to find out that which will be perfectly clear to all, the moment that it is properly explained.

JOHN SHERWEN, M. D.

Mr. UREAN,

THE difficulty

Aug. 17. of gaining access to

or

Libraries, whether public private, and the expence of purchasing valuable works, have induced considerate men to make extracts from valuable Authors. The great advantage of compilations is, to furnish young and frugal students with such passages as may induce them to proceed when a change of condition shall afford them greater opportunities of study; or to attract the wealthy heir, whom indulgence has indisposed to folios, to take up a few flowers, that will probably lead him to the riches of the garden. Of this the " Elegant Extracts" furnish a proof. In Theology, also, we have been indebted to a Collection of Sermons, made, according to report, by Dr. Knox; but such is the smallness of the print, that it is rendered almost useless to the middle-aged, who might otherwise use it in a course of theological instruction. Even Cruden's Concordance is scarcely legible: an edition in two volumes, 4to, printed by subscription in the letter of Johnson's Dictionary in folio, would be very acceptable to the Clergy. But what I would at this time particularly mention, is the want of some Collection of the Fathers. My pupil has been reading Black wall's Sacred Classicks, and is desirous of seeing some extracts from the Fathers whom he has so justly celebrated,

from Clemens Romanus, Ignatius, Polycarp, Irenæus, &c. So much has been done by the Clarendon press, that we look for more. The Curators deserve our praise for their learned