Fig. 121, is a plan of an ancient basilican or Romanesque church; fig. 122, a sectional elevation of the same. Fig. 123 is a plan of a Gothic

church in which C is the chancel, usually at the eastern extremity, TT the transept, and N the nave. In general elevation the Gothic and Romanesque agree; a high central nave and low side aisles. In the later Romanesque the transept is also added.

The basilicas aggregated within themselves all the offices of the Romish church. The circular end or apex, and the raised platform, or dais in front of it, was appropriated entirely to the clergy; beneath was the crypt or confessional where were placed the bodies of the saints and martyrs, and pulpits were placed in the nave, from which the services were said or sung by the inferior order of clergy.

The plan, fig. 123, is that of the original Latin cross, the eastern limb or chancel being the shortest, and the nave the longest. Sometimes the eastern limb was made equal to that of the transepts, sometimes even longer, but never to exceed that of the nave. In the Greek cross all the limbs are equal. In most of the French Gothic churches the eastern end is made semicircular, often enclosed by three or more apsidal chapels, that is, semi-cylinders, surmounted by semi-domes.

The Byzantine church consisted internally of a large square or rectangular chamber, surmounted in the centre by a dome, resting upon massive piers; an apse was formed at the eastern end. Circular churches were built in the earlier ages for baptisteries, and for the tombs of saints and emperors.

Having thus briefly treated of the general form of ancient churches, we proceed now to the consideration how far they may be applied to the requirements of modern church services. The prime necessities are those of the lecture room; comfortable, seats, convenient for hearing and seeing the preacher; and proper provision for ventilation. In addition, an eligible position for the choir, a small withdrawing room for the clergyman, and a room suitable for Sunday Schools and for parish meetings.

Seats are arranged by pews or stalls, the width of each pew being in general about two feet ten inches. The length of pews is various, being generally of two sizes, adapted to either small or large families, say from seven feet six inches, to eleven feet six, eighteen inches being allowed for each sitter. In arrangement it is always considered desirable that there should be a central aisle, and if but four rows of pews, two aisles against the wall; if six rows, one row on each side will be wall pews. Few churches are now without an organ; its dimensions should of course depend on the size of the church. In form it may be adapted somewhat to the place which may be appropriated to it. In general it is oblong in form, the longer side being with the keys. The dimensions suited to a medium sized church are about nine feet by fifteen, and twelve feet in height. The withdrawing room for the clergyman may be but of very small dimensions, and should be accessible from without. The Sunday School, in general, requires in plan about half the area of the church.

As city residences differ from those in the country, from the same necessities do the city churches differ from the rural ones. A very common form of city church is, in plan, that of the Latin cross, with extremely short transepts and chancels; sometimes the roof is supported by pillars, with imitated vaults in plaster, but often with a double pitch roof, and open timber finish in the inside. The organ loft is sometimes in one of the transepts, sometimes at the back of the congregation over the door of

entrance.

A sort of basilican church is also very common: rectangular in form with a small semicircular niche behind the preacher, and small withdrawing rooms or vestries at each side of it. The ceilings are finished after the Greek style, with sunk panels, sometimes coved, with pilasters but seldom pillars, except short ones, to support the galleries which are adopted in this style of buildings, but not so commonly in the Gothic. The rooms for Sunday Schools are almost invariably in the basement of the city churches.

The basilican form is evidently the most economical in its occupation of land; if the church be situated at the corner of two streets, it can cover the whole lot, one side, or a portion of one side being left blank of windows. If an elevation similar to fig. 122 be adopted, the light can be taken in at clere-story windows. But this form is objectionable as requiring pillars in construction, which, unless made of iron, and of small size, very much interfere with sight and hearing.

The position of our city churches is usually as we have said at the corner of streets, but if they can be placed so far in the centre of a lot as to receive the light from the back areas, the position is preferable as removed

from the noise of passing vehicles. In that case the church proper is approached by a long aisle, above which may be the room for the Sunday School. This room should be fitted with water-closets, in fact they would be often of great convenience connected with all churches.

In elevation, city churches are Greek with porticoes in front, Romanesque and Gothic, occasionally Byzantine. The Greek have no tower but often a spire above the portico; the Romanesque and Gothic generally one tower, over the central door of entrance, or at one corner; sometimes two, one at each side of the principal door, almost invariably surmounted by spires, high and tapering, usually of wood, but in some instances of stone.

Plate XXX. is an elevation in perspective of a church in the Romanesque style, colored to represent the materials of which it is composed, viz: brick with mouldings of freestone. Plate XXXI. is an elevation of a church in the English Decorated Gothic style. The tower as we have stated before was not attached to the earlier Roman churches, but were generally separate campaniles or watchtowers. According to the requirements of modern architecture, whatever be the style, they are usually placed at the extremity near the main entrance, either centrally or at the sides, or with two towers, one at each side. It will be observed in the Gothic that there is a side entrance with its appropriate gable; in a similar way, small edifices may be attached to the main one, for necessary offices, parsonages, or Sunday schools, adding much to the picturesque effect, and particularly appropriate to country churches.

With regard to the windows of churches, it is the custom, in Episcopal churches, to place the chancel at the eastern end, and very often to make a large window at this extremity. This is very objectionable, as the light falls directly in the eyes of the congregation; if a window is indispensable at this end, it is better that it should be a side or top opening, to give light to the clergyman, whenever he is placed within the recess―a very beautiful effect is produced by skylight in the apse of the Romanesque church, which, being high above the congregation, does not interfere with them, and affords the best light to lead the services. The light in churches should not be garish, but well diffused, which will be best effected by light by windows placed as high up as possible. A single north window, in many small churches, would be sufficient for all purposes, would not injure the eyes of the congregation by cross lights, and were the walls painted in fresco or distemper, would add very much to the effect. Were suitable means provided for ventilation no other windows would be necessary. In some city churches the light in the daytime is taken entirely. from skylights, and gas burners being placed in the roof of the church,