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from their ready assent to our arguments, may be inclined to the belief,
that
all men are of the same opinion; but we are well assured there are men
who profess a love of art, and entertain a theory opposed to that we have
advocated; and still more who believe that the pointed architecture is entirely
unsuited to domestic purposes.     That there are some varieties of the style
which require a greater space and a more lofty extension than can be obtained
in the construction of dwelling houses, we readily admit; but there are
modifications of the style which have been so applied as to retain all the
leading characters, and to secure the comfort and convenience necessary in
private edifices.
  The origin of the pointed arch we will not pretend to discuss, much less
to investigate the theories proposed by authors.   Our aim has been to destroy
the prejudice against a style founded upon a name, and to induce a careful
investigation of its merits.   The several varieties and their application
to
public, but especially private decoration, will be explained in succeeding
pages.
In every country in which the style has been practised, we find peculiarities
of composition and ornament, but it is to the specimens in our own country
that we shall chiefly refer.   Nor will it be difficult to form  such a general
subdivision as may enable us to bring before the reader a not imperfect view
of the application of the leading characters of internal decoration.
Gothic architecture, as practised in our cathedrals and churches, was never
employed  in  domestic   structures, except in those of a monastic character.
Unfortunately, the state of society was such, when these religious edifices
were built, that the nobles of the land were chiefly employed in defending
themselves and their property from the violent encroachments of each other.
Security, indeed, was a more important consideration than comfort, so that
the dwellings of the barons were castles, and the apartments within them
were crowded    with  retainers, the greater number of whom       were  
entirely
employed in defending their lord in his strong-hold, or in accompanying him
upon his various warlike expeditions.