transept crossing have never been raised higher than

the ridge of the roof.

The two towers at the

west end of Westminster Abbey are modern additions built by Sir Christopher Wren in imitation of a later style, and though perhaps the general effect at a distance might be worse than it is, yet the detail on close examination is wretched.

Speaking generally, the spires of our own country

differ from those on the Continent in being more solid in their construction, although in Vaud and Lower Wallis (Old Savoyard lands) there are spires which look as if they had come out of Northamptonshire. The Continental spires as a rule, notably those designed for Cologne and the one at Fribourg, are much lighter in their construction and consist more of open work, and open

tracery
is also much used in them. The Caen and
Bayeux type is something between, but as a rule
England is stronger in spires than France.

One of the objects of a tower is to contain an apartment called a belfry, for holding a peal of bells. In very small churches, however, where only one or two bells are required, they are contained under a small gable or bellcot, built at the end of the roof of the nave, either at the west end or between the nave and chancel (fig. 102).

For examples of Early English work exhibiting the simple elegance and chaste beauty yet richness of the style none better can be named than Salisbury Cathedral, though this building suffered cruelly from the ruthlessly destructive character of the treatment it received from its restoration by Wyatt from 1782 to 1791, and Westminster Abbey, each of which are nearly completed throughout in that style pure and unmixed.

In the interior as well as the exterior of Salisbury Cathedral is especially to be noticed the uniformity throughout in the earlier principles of the style, proving that though the building must have been many years in erection the original plans were strictly and consistently adhered to. In Westminster also there is the same uniformity of a later period with a few exceptions.

Early English.

For illustration, however, of the progressive development of the style we cannot do better than go to Lincoln Cathedral, which was commenced so long before either, showing as it does not only the transition from late Norman to Early English work, and the Early English in all its purity and simplicity, but also the transitional progress from Early English to Geometrical Decorated.

The Chapter-house at Lichfield is also a most interesting example, notwithstanding numerous repairs and additions in cement with which it was disfigured before that true revival and appreciation of Gothic feeling had begun, which is manifested. in the recent restoration of the Cathedral by Mr. Scott. Parts of Beverley Minster, Worcester, Wells, and Ely Cathedrals contain much Early English work; and Polebrook Church, Northampton, may be especially mentioned as one out of the many parish churches built in this style.

In comparing the examples of this, as of other styles, in different parts of the country, it will be observed that although the type and general treatment of the style is identical, yet there are variations which characterise the specimens from various localities. Although Northamptonshire was fond of using the round arch very late, yet that county possesses some of the best specimens of Early Eng