OUR EXHIBITION FOR 1851. ARCHITECTURAL DEPARTMENT. Church Architecture. No. 7. Middle and Third-Pointed. The transition (or gradual change) from First to Middle-Pointed or Decorated Architecture, took place towards the latter part of the 13th Century. The date is generally computed from the commencement of the reign of Edward I., A.D. 1272; the Early English or First-Pointed style, described in our last number, having prevailed through the reigns of Henry II., Richard I., John, and Henry III.; that is, for little more than a century. In the Decorated Style, Christian Architecture is thought to have attained its culminating point of perfection," from which it gradually declined. Its most beautiful and distinctive feature is its windows. The light, wavy, flowing tracery, which springs like foliation from the mullions, expresses an idea of architectural beauty which has never been surpassed. The windows were included sometimes under an Ogee arch, which arch, often cusped and crocketed, and supported on elaborately moulded jamb-shafts, forms a sort of canopy over the whole window. This style has been sometimes subdivided into the Geometrical, and the Flowing; the window tracery of the earliest period being generally arranged in circles, trefoils, quatrefoils, and other geometrical figures, which, later in the style, were exchanged for more flowing patterns. These latter again gradually developed into the Flamboyant style, at this period very prevalent on the Continent, so called from the extreme flame-like, wavy, confused eccentricities of its tracery. But in England, the MiddlePointed, at its decline, frequently degenerated into the Perpendicular. This decline began to be visible towards the close of the reign of the third Edward. The accession of his grandson, Richard II. (A.D. 1377,) is generally fixed as the date of the introduction of Perpendicular or Third-Pointed. Bishop William of Wykeham was one of the first who used it, on a large scale, in his great works at Winchester, Oxford, and Windsor. It is remarkable that the change took place contemporaneously with the religious innovations of Wiclif and the Lollards. "As the Third style dawned," says a writer on the subject, "it began to lose its verticality, its boldness, its reality; mouldings became shallower; pillars more complicated with less effect; roof flatter. Instead of the beautiful variety of earlier work, the same details are repeated over and over again, till the eye is perplexed and wearied; and there is a great disposition to make one side of a building the same as the other," (an artificial stiffness of uniformity,) "which is essential to Pagan, and opposed to the true spirit of Christian art. The peculiar sharpness and hardness of outline in foliage and the like decorations, is very different from the free, bold gracefulness of the preceding styles." (Hand-Book of English Ecclesiology, pp. 24, 30, 31.) To this description it may be added that, in the grotesque. and often indecent figures worked into the corbels, gurgoyles, and the ornamental wood-work on the reverses of misereres, of this period, we have abundant proof of the irreverence of the age. The distinctive characteristic of Third-Pointed work, is, of course, the perpendicularity of its window tracery. The mullions are carried up to the very crown of the arch, which itself gradually assumed a more depressed and stunted form; and the lower lights are often stiffly divided up by cross-bars, called transoms, cutting the mullions at right-angles. Another feature of this style is the square arrangement at the head of doorways, producing what are called spandrils at the corners on either side, filled either with geometrical or foliated mouldings, or often with an heraldic shield. 66 Elaborated open wooden roofs, as was said before, are the produce of this period," the only feature," it has been remarked, in which the style surpasses its predecessors." Indeed, almost all the ornamental wood-work in our Churches is of this date. Panelling, whether of wood or stone, almost covering the roof or walls, is another characteristic. The style at a later period, in the reign of Henry VIII., was still further debased, displaying a coarseness and vulgarity both in its proportions and design. It is thence sometimes called the Tudor style, and is often characterized by the ornament called the Tudor-flower. Attaining to a still lower depth of deterioration, it was named the Elizabethan or Debased. And here our papers on this department, may very properly be brought to a close. Our purpose, throughout, has been to touch chiefly, upon leading points, for the instruction of beginners; to give them a sufficient idea of the general character of Church Architecture prevalent at the different periods, to enable them, on entering any one of our old parish Churches, to pronounce at once upon its date, and proceed at once with the study of its details. + THE PAINTERS' CALLERY. A VISION OF THE FUTURE; OR, THE PRAYER-BOOK OBEYED. PART FIRST. "What is my niece thinking of?" said Sir Henry Milton, kindly, as he found Ellen in the gallery, examining one of the old family portraits. "I was thinking," replied Ellen, "of what my aunt said last night, when she told me that was the picture of my great grandmother, who died in the year 1850;-of how thankful she was she had not lived in those days, when the Church in England was so sadly divided, so little obeyed." "And you wish to know more on that subject?" "Yes, uncle." "You shall, my child, but not now; it is a great subject to begin upon, and the Abbey bell is ringing, it is only five minutes to seven, so fetch your bonnet." "The Service, here," remarked Ellen, "is an hour carlier than is customary in towns." "In agricultural districts," replied Sir Henry, "the rule is to suit the hour of prayer to the labouring classes, and to fix the time at about half an hour before they begin work. Willingly should the few rich accommodate themselves to the many poor in this particular." The Abbey of Walton was a beautiful old building, and more than ever beautiful did it appear at this season of the year, when the rich autumnal tints of the virginian creeper twining round the ancient mullions, contrasted so well with its sombre architecture. Ellen walked with her uncle through the orangery, and across the lawn which separated the Abbey from the house. "Dear old Abbey," she exclaimed in delight, "well might mamma love it so much, from little children she has taught us to think of it with reverence.' "And you are not disappointed with this first view of it?" asked Sir Henry. "Disappointed, oh no, uncle, and to see it reflected in the lake, beautiful as it is in reality, it appears still more beautiful in the calm water." "I have often thought," said Sir Henry, "that a less earthly and more holy light is cast around the reflection, as it thus blends with the spring, such a change as our spirits may undergo when they blend with holier things above." They had reached the porch, and were joined by Lady Milton, and the rest of the household, in themselves a large congregation, only one or two of the servants taking it by turns to remain at the house. The Church was full, the Village School was there, young mothers with their children, the old and infirm, and many a stout labourer, all loved to join in prayer at the matin hour. The rich deep tones of the organ swelling with the loud Amen, and the simple tones of the Gregorian Chants, could not fail to draw their hearts above. The short and earnest service was over in half an hour, and Ellen still lingered to look around her. "You seem unwilling to leave the Abbey," said Sir Henry, "would you like to walk round it before we return to breakfast." In a low tone Sir Henry answered the whispered observations of his niece, for whether the Service was going on or not, he always felt a deep reverence for the consecrated house of God. At breakfast, Ellen enquired what changes took place in the venerable building at the time it was restored. "Mamma has often told me," she continued, "that my grandfather restored it when she was quite a child." "Yes," said Sir Henry, "we were children at the time, the Abbey had not been used for Divine Service for many years; the roof was in a sad state of dilapidation, letting in the rain; the aisle was divided into irregular shaped pews-" "Pews!" interrupted Ellen, "pray describe to me what they | were like!" "Many of them were quite rooms, with doors, and curtains all round; our family pew was within the Altar-screen, twenty feet wide, with a carpet and curtains, and a fire-place; but as the Communion Service was never said there, it was merely a show place, and the old house-keeper was very proud of telling how much larger the family pew was than any other." "And the poor where did they sit?" enquired Ellen. "There were seats such as we all have now, down the middle aisle for the poor." "Quite forgetting," observed Lady Milton, "the Apostle's injunction, If there come to your assembly a man in a gold ring, &c., and ye have respect unto him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place, and say to the poor man, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool; are ye not then partial in yourselves.' S. James, ch. ii." "And the disregard of the Bible precept," said Sir Henry, "was not the only evil; the Church accommodation that was lost by these large pews, prevented many of the poorer classes from finding room, and also the pride shewn by the rich in this matter, had its effect on their poorer brethren. I heard of a cottager, who, when asked why she never went to Church, said she 'did not choose to go, to be made a spectacle of to the rich.' This," continued Sir Henry, 66 was one of the many evils which called forth your aunt's observation, when shewing you the old picture, but this was a very minor evil." "I do not think I should have thought it so minor," said Ellen, "I love to see the poor mixing with the rich in the House of God, and to feel with that ancient poet, George Herbert— 'All equal are within the Church's gate."" "It is nine o'clock," observed Lady Milton, rising from the breakfast table, "and I have a little commission for you, Ellen, if you feel inclined for a drive with your uncle this morning." "I shall be only too glad," was the reply. "You will see a lovely part of the country," said Sir Henry, "and we shall arrive at our destination at half-past ten, the hour when in former days many of our fashionable forefathers had only just finished breakfast, some not even began." "Impossible!" said Ellen, whose whole life had been spent under a different system. "It was but too true," continued Sir Henry, "but this state of things was gradually altered by the voice of our Mother Church, calling to her children to attend her Morning offering of prayer and praise." Was there ever then a time," enquired Ellen, "when the Daily Morning Service was neglected?" "There was, alas! a time when this great blessing was almost unknown, though it had continued unbroken in the Jewish and Christian Church since the beginning. In England there was a sad forget fulness on the subject, but God, in His mercy, did not suffer it to depart altogether from this branch of His Church. In the middle of the nineteenth century a revival took place. Holy men were raised by the Hand of God to labour earnestly for the cause, and to devote their whole energies to restore true Church principles and discipline. They met with sad disappointment and opposition, but many persevered nobly to the end; some in despair forsook the communion of the Church of England. Could they but have known that their hearts' best wishes would be fulfilled, as they are at this day, they would have been supported under their trials, and contented to have lived without the consolations they desired, in the hope that their children's children would see that day. "One of the most beautiful writers of that time, in a Sermon on the Daily Service,' answered most forcibly, every objection that could be urged on the subject. And in his own earnest language, reminded his brother Clergy that, 'Wheresoever there is a Church, an Altar, and a Priest, there God looks for His daily homage, and there He will hallow by large gifts of daily benediction, the souls of the two or three who wait upon Him.' He reminded them also that once the world waited upon the Church,' and that a little firmness might soon restore this state of things again. Gradually things did alter, the feasts, and fasts, and festivals and prayers of our beloved Church, long though they had been neglected, became acknowledged, valued, and strictly followed by her true children. And great were the blessings that accompanied this change." Uncle, I must ask you one question, was the Prayer-book changed?" "No," replied Sir Henry, "not in one single iota." "Most extraordinary!" exclaimed Ellen. "Then the daily prayer, weekly Communion, the fasts and vigils, the festivals, the comfort of confession, the power of absolution, the same Catholic, unalterable points of faith, were the privilege of Churchmen, in that day the same as they are now in ours." 66 They were indeed, Ellen, and I must tell you that two Churches at least set a noble example, in restoring the Daily Communion which is now to be found in so many places. But these privileges few would then acknowledge, many cavilled at them, and many were quite ignorant that such things formed part of the teaching of their Church. And what is more surprising, it was not merely those whose careless lives made them opposed to religion that did so; but also holy and devout persons, who could not see in this beautiful system and discipline of our Church, the blessings it was formed to bestow. But if you had told them that they did not love the Church of England they would have been astonished at such an accusation." "But I would have told them this," said Ellen, "for surely if they had loved her, they would have obeyed her better." Certainly," said Sir Henry, "such was the true test of love repeatedly given us by our Blessed Lord,lf a man love Me, he will keep My words.' Strange indeed, it was, that people should not have remembered, that one of those words was to 'Hear the Church,' and that, moreover, that word was spoken by Him just before He gave us that precious promise which the Church daily pleads, (in the prayer of St. Chrysostom), for the constant observance of her services, 'Where two or three are gathered together, |