In later examples the window is usually of three or more lights, separated only by mullions, with circles in the head, either with or without foliation, as at Raunds, Northamptonshire, and Acton Burnel, Shropshire. The west front of Nun Monkton church, Yorkshire, affords a very singular example of the combination of a small tower with the west gable, over a fine triplet. The west front of Duston church, Northamptonshire, is a good plain example with a triplet.

THE EAST END is almost invariably square in Early English work, although we have a few examples of the apsidal termination, generally a half octagon, or half hexagon, as in Westminster abbey, and several other large churches. In the small parish churches this form is very rare, an example occurs. at Tidmarsh near Pangbourne, Berks, an elegant little structure, the roof of which was carefully restored a few years since. On the continent the apsidal form is almost universal at this period, but this is only one of many variations between English and foreign Gothic.

EARLY ENGLISH TOWERS are in general more lofty than the Norman, and are readily distinguished by their buttresses which have a great projection. In the earlier examples an arcade is frequently carried round the upper story, some of the arches of which are pierced for windows, but in later buildings the windows are more often double, and are frequently very fine compositions. The tower generally terminates in a SPIRE, which in some districts does not rise from within a parapet, but is of the form usually called a broach spire, of which there are several varieties. In other districts the towers are terminated by original parapets, these probably had spires rising within the parapet. Pinnacles are sometimes inserted at the angles, and produce a very good effect.

The general appearance of Early English buildings is magnificent and rich, rather from the number of parts than from its details. In those buildings where very long windows are used there is a grandeur arising from the height of the divisions: in the smaller buildings there is much simplicity of ap

pearance; but the work all appears well designed and carefully executed.

CHAPTER IV.

THE DECORATED STYLE.

THE change from the Early English to the Decorated style was so very gradual that it is impossible to draw any line where one style ceases and the other begins. Some parties, indeed, deny that it is a distinct style at all, but whatever may be the case as a matter of abstract theory, or on philosophical principles, all parties are agreed that as a matter of practical convenience the distinction is useful, and necessary. It has its own very characteristic features; the windows, doorways, buttresses, mouldings, and sculpture, are all different from those of either the preceding or the following style. On the other hand, some parties have proposed to divide this style into two, the geometrical style,