Page:An Elementary History of Art.djvu/145

Architecture in the Nineteenth Century. 115 done in France have, indeed, been chiefly restorations of the decaying cathedrals and chateaux ; and for new struc- tures, even for churches, the neo-Grec has been largely preferred. All this cannot be called living art ; something more is wanted for the creation of a new school of architecture than even a successful revival of a beautiful style like the Gothic, or a resurrection of antique forms, which must ever retain about them something of the savour of the tomb. Within the last few years, however, there have been indications of a possible fusion of certain forms of Gothic and classic architecture. Efforts have been made to combine Gothic details with the regular arrangement of masses and the bold semicircular arches of the Renaissance, and to engraft on old forms novel features suitable to the requirements of the day. Of the late revival in England of the style of architec- ture prevalent in the reign of Queen Anne we shall speak more fully in a succeeding chapter. I 2