Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society.

At the last meeting of the above society, Mr. A. D. Watson gave the second and concluding portion of his paper on “The Rise and Development of Gothic Architecture in Britain”. In resuming the subject, he reviewed the leading features of the Saxon and Norman periods, as set forth and illustrated in the previous lecture.

Of the former type he showed two good examples – Earl’s Barton, Northamptonshire, and Sompting, Sussex – the first being one of the most elaborate and perfect specimens we possess, and the second plainer, but illustrating the usual method of roofing towers at that time.

Of Norman work good examples were shown in Durham Cathedral nave and choir, and a portion of Fountains Abbey gave a fair idea of a “middle” Norman exterior, while later and richer work was to be seen in the west fronts of Rochester and Lincoln Cathedrals. The pyramidal roof to one of the turrets on the former was pointed out as amongst the first indications of the afterwards lofty spire, which was not developed until the succeeding style was well advanced,

Transitional work from Norman to Early English was shown in several views of Arksey Church, Jervaux and Roche Abbeys, and Ely Cathedral, where features peculiar to both the Norman and succeeding styles are to be seen side by side, suites of moulding on the arches, which are frequently pointed, became frequent, in place of the small single round or the chevron type. The general effect became much lighter and bolder, the principle of verticality, which underlies all Gothic design, beginning to manifest itself.

Of early English work some magnificent examples were shown. Amongst others were St. Hugh’s and the Angel choirs at Lincoln, the former being the earliest and purest examples of this style known, while the latter is later and shows signs of transition into the Decorated style. The exterior of the nave was shown and described as a very good example of the work of this period, attention being drawn to the boldness of the buttresses for the support of the stone vaulted ceilings. The west front of Wells Cathedral is supposed by some to be a masterpiece of design, but others consider it over-wrought, leaving no ground for the eve to rest upon and so grasp the composition of the whole; while that of Salisbury, whatever may be said of its spire or other portions, is thought by most people to be a failure. In a view of York Minster attention was called to the graceful beauty of the south transept, built by Archbishop Walter Grey 1215-55, with its beautiful Rose window, supposed to be the finest in England. Riveaux Abbey furnished a very good example of a typical east end, with two tiers of three uniform lancet windows, the arcades on the north and south sides being very rich in Clustered shafts, moulded caps, bases, arches, corbels, and vaulting shafts.

The lecturer then described the difference between the two classes of spires, the broach and those which rise from behind parapets, and also the reason of the entasis or swelling in the middle frequently to be observed in such structures, the one at Arksey being an exaggerated example.

The Decorated style was not of long duration, and few works of any magnitude were executed during that period. The chief were perhaps, the naves of York and Exeter Cathedrals, The main characteristics of the style are in the tracery of its window, where the lines of the stonework take most beautiful and diversified forms, not in the general display of ornament throughout the edifice, for in this style the parts are few but of good proportions and in excellent taste, though the carving has been lost some of the freedom and naturalness of the preceding style. The vaulting has more ribs, and the towers and spires are frequently rich compositions – the former with large belfry windows, and the latter with numerous lucernes on the sides and crockets on the angles.

The interest of the lecture was greatly enhanced by the very effective display with the oxy-hydrogen lantern of a series of architectural views, lent for the occasion bt Dr. Fairbank and Mr. Stiles.