New-York tribune., 1900-07-01

TO The art critic who is accustomed TO keep /
,ES7e2st OF his subject II current literature a
2s8 book on Gothic architecture is in the nature
4 boon II almost invariably shows one
u-ore author il what may fairly be designated
- q state Of mind" Some writer's there are
go can keep their heads in dealing with this
me There is, for example, Professor Charles !
z---bert Moore, OF Harvard, who has written in
Is Development and Character Of Gothic
--chitectuTe" e work as constantly judicious as
L Is scholarly and enIightening. But the latest
Il the field. M. Prior. is one Of those who must
plunge into controversy, and must, therefore, by
lie same token, delight his reviewer. The con- !
--cversy Is the old one between those who main
--ta that French Gothic Is the purest and those
=1o refuse TO admit that English Gothic IS in
fz--or; between those who think that England
a-1s q debt TO the medieval French architects !
--Z those who have doubts on that subject
E--5ts-n, Of course, plays its part in the quar-
--- ard We are not surprised though We are
-------ly amused. 70 find Nj Prior saying of
-= <zi-h Of the French IN their Gothic, that It
-.5 patriotic. and usually as exclusive as the
z---z-iC1' Of certain religious sectaries. who
=--ld keep heaven 10 themselves" He thinks. !
-l- that Professor Moore IS more jealous for
france even than the Frenchmen." For him
-5-E q course. he IS al for art, and patriotism
nay 80 hang; only. being human, We find him
'----5-g s--h al the ardor of z rabid English
--C---
TIE theory Of Gothic architecture maintained
- T-51et Ie Due and developed with convinc-
-z -CE=r by Professor Moore in the book 10
z---h We have alluded Is that the earliest
Gothic designers proceeded on q basis Of thrust
zzz counter thrust The church architecture
q -he lie O. France Illustrated a definite de-
-z--u-e from the principle Of inertia to that Of
-=- Al II The parts u q building were so ar
---zez As 10 be inrerdepen6ent 4 cathedral
-=el-= . living organism from which logically, /
-e-E1rg could be taken away without 5etri-
--=-- 20 the whole. Not single detail in the
e-.-= vast fabric was without its constructive
import THIS is reasonable enough. and II all
essentials can be proved al Amiens. at Rheims,
e E=auvals ard =-ze7vh There is. so far as
ran see u7 reason why patriotism should
moline any man e. adopt q different view. Il IS
-.- matter u rracsc=aEeut Importance
whether -a= English cathedral builders derived
--=-- Inspiration absolutely from th= French or
-.- l-- does j make The English car..= 5-als any
less beautiful Il they happen u Illustrate us IL
---.-5 - -le ru-= % 1-1i- i5aa. Bu- with most
E-s=1 writers ao Gothic architecture life Is
--a-E-rzal= i they cannot question The 81
--g and the priority - The French school
IT, misfortune is. TOO thar In their advocacy
55 one -E-y 2a- only g. injustice 10 the other
. 1-- they are very al- u fall ln-o serious error
Thus Z--. Prior Is aware 9f tle differences be-
gwen The French and English masterpieces he
E-s studied. ana h= Is ready To admit these Gif-
f--=-r=s- but in his anxiety lest We should
render 100 much honor To France he protests
z=a.-=- the definition = Go-a.c advanced by
----= lie Professor Moore Ia grants that
--1= --.-g n an organic perfection lay in I@e
creations Z French art" but h adds tha- th=
---=- rz-r Of this perfection was 'rhe rnecHaT--
c-- SIKH .E which The processes II building have
l--- -=.L u perfect The portrayal u rh- idea
Here -- loses sizzr II The fact that the n-eAal-
--. --- -= merely The expression Of an idea.
-.a- .- IS al Indispensable part ot Gothic arc---
-----. --l- l- Is. IT short ire tA-Es ics-L1 Air.
E-..- seems n regard + a. sub ordinate detail,
a. -------= .r which --= early buffers "-r=,
certain sense unconscious. TIE Comic
---.- b. says. was that r aspiring e-1"-h La.
-=a95-g upward e fame. th- Ei--a.1= u
a.-n sl-r= l11 pinnacle The uplifting oS
ribbed vau.-.~ and he considers The modern
.---y II -hr-s- and counter thrust - the key
me whole question. in the Light II q theory
--z1la-ez after tEe event Here We believe he
=rcng and his own words confirm our op-n-
.-- Ca-hed-aL building III France, he says
..=-ar1e The passion ot the community rising
- revolt against The pressure Of monastlc
.u-.-atlcn- This which does not seem at first
.-sn 70 look 70 the technical side OF the matter
-r--- al really involves II. because It states one
ar-= embracing fact the fact Of Gothic archi-