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HINTS ON GLASS PAINTING. 183 the picturesque and complicated grandeur of the Gothic. We have no more right to pronounce this a pagan building, than that of the preceding age ; we may, upon candidly criticising the architectural merits of the two structures, form an opinion whether it is an improvement or a falling off; we may, in the exercise of an unprejudiced judgment, adopt the one and reject the other ; or perhaps come to the conclusion that there may be yet some undiscovered style superior to both ; but till we have divested our- selves of all prejudice, and determined to appreciate real excellence wherever it may meet us, we may be very sure we shall not find it. A strong argument why we should adopt the later styles, or form a new one upon their basis, is founded upon the very great difference between the material used in early glass paintings, and that which we can now command. This of itself is a sufficient obstacle to the adoption of the Early English, or early Decorated style, whatever may be the character of the window. Modern imitations of these, however well designed or executed, almost invariably have a thin and papery effect. The Appendix contains a translation of such passages from the remarkable work of Theophilus, as relate to the manufacture of glass or the construc- tion of glass paintings. It is supposed to have been written in the tenth or earlier half of the following century ^ This, besides the interest neces- sarily attached to such a document, may furnish useful practical hints to the imitator of ancient works. Some documents relative to the expense of medieval windows ; an account of the early glass which existed in Canter- bury cathedral about the beginning of the last century, and some passages from Piers Ploughman's Vision and Creed, bearing on the subject of painted windows, will also be read with interest. Frequent references are made throughout to the works of several learned continental archseologists, which are very insufficiently known in this country, and merit the warmest com- mendation for the care and profound research with which they have been brought forth, as also for the beautiful character of their illustrations. Amongst these the History of the Art of Glass Painting, by Count de Lasteyrie, now in course of publication, and the magnificent work on the windows of the cathedral of Bourges, noticed in a previous volume of the Archaeological Journal, may be especially mentioned. We have far exceeded the length of an ordinary notice, from a sense of the importance of the work now before us. It abounds in curious matter, which is well selected and well arranged ; it evinces a thorough acquaint- ance with the subject which it treats ; a spirit of close and accurate research, • " Theophili, qui et Rugerus, presby- by the Count de I'Escalopier, with a French teri et nionachi, diversaruni Artiuni Sche- version and notes, Paris, 1843 ; and tlie dula." This important work was first edition recently given by Mr. Hendrie, publislied by Lessing, at Brunswick, 1781, with an English translation and notes, from a MS. at Wolfenbuttel, and a por- from the most correct and voluminous tion, from a MS. at Trinity college, Cam- MS. yet discovered, preserved amongst the bridge, was printed in the same year by llarleian MSS., is strongly commended to Raspe, with his " Critical Essay on Oil the notice of our readers. Painting." It has been again published