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i'he next style of decoration which demands our attention is that di-,,,;.
nated the Gothic, or according to modern designation, the pointed.     The
use
of the term Gothic, as applied to a peculiar style of architecture, has been
productive of much inconvenience; and has, at the same time, caused a
misapprehension in the minds of the uninformed, exceedingly injurious. Epi-
thets, however unjustly applied, are incalculably mischievous to the object
which they are supposed to designate; and with a knowledge of this fact
designing men have frequently, without any apparent violence, undermined
the very foundations of truth, and have dressed falsehood in colours which
have made it fascinating.    To give instances of this is as unnecessary
for
the man of observation and reading, as the detail would be unfitted for our
pages. We do not assert that the Word Gothic was applied with any intention
to throw a reproach upon a peculiar style of decorative architecture, or
to
prevent investigation; although it seems to us probable, that such motives
may have influenced those who gave authority to the use of that term.   
    So
extensively, however, is the word employed, and so deeply has the prejudice
entered the public mind, that it has required the united efforts of the masters
of architecture for many years to shake the false and mistaken notions which
had been built upon a word.      Nor is it, evez now, a useless task to insist
upon the excellence and propriety of that style.
   It is always difficult to understand what is meant by Gothic architecture;
for there are so many varieties of the beautiful style of which it is the
misnomer, that no real meaning is conveyed to the mind of the man who uses
it, beyond the mere circumstance of the introduction of pointed arches. It
is
true that a general designation is at all times useful, when it can be appro-
priately used to combine a variety of objects having a similarity of form
or
character; but when that designation is one of reproach, and is indifferently
applied to all the grades between extremes, it is unjustly ,and injuriously
employed.    There are varieties of Gothic architecture which even the lovers
of the art consider bald and unsightly, and only interesting as antiquarian
                                       R