Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/560

This page needs to be proofread.

430 NOTICES OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL PUBLICATIONS. All Mr. Sharpe's examples are taken from cathedral churches, and a corresponding portion of the structure is in every instance selected for illustration. In the first point he has in one respect judged wisely ; our cathedral and collegiate churches no doubt served as models of style to the builders of our lesser ecclesiastical edifices, and no expenditure either of thought or of labour was grudged in developing their styles into their utmost perfection and beauty. It is, however, perhaps, in consequence of this limitation that several of Mr. Sharpe's examples appear somewhat inappropriately chosen for this purpose. The very peculiar example of " Curvilinear " from the choir of Ely, does not afford a characteristic specimen of the style. The large triforium, the great use of shafts, and the large corbels supporting the vaulting shafts, are all instances of direct imitation of the Eaily-English presbytery, and of deviation from the usual arrangements of the style. The example given of the Rectilinear period, the nave of Winchester, is likewise one more peculiar than typical, the design being not only modified by the preservation and encrustation of the Norman piers, but also bearing in a marked manner the stamp of the peculiarities of style of the architect. The plates are very beautifully and effectively engraved, and the illus- trations in general appear to have been most carefully and accurately drawn ; the whole work is well calculated to bring clearly before the student the characteristic peculiarities of the several styles or " periods " of medieval architecture in England ; it must form a valuable addition to Archaeological Literature, highly acceptable to many of our readers, who are already so largely indebted to the tasteful researches of Mr. Sharpe for the elucidation of our architectural antiquities. TRANSACTIONS OF THE KILKENNY ARCH^OLOGICAL SOCIETY. Vol. I., Parts I. and II. Printed for the Society. Dublin, 1851. 8vo. The success by which the energetic proceedings of this body of antiquaries has been rewarded, claims our cordial congratulations. We have briefly noticed from time to time the valuable communications which it has called forth in the sister kingdom since the first impulse given, three years since, by the Rev. T. Graves. The second portion, lately distributed to the members, comprises Memoirs received in 1850, including Notices of Cromleacs and Primeval Monuments, by Mr. Graves and Mr. Byrne ; Mr. Windele's Illustrations of Ogham Inscriptions; collections on "Folk- lore " and popular traditions, with several curious papers on Local history and Medieval objects; on way-side crosses ; Bannow, the Irish Herculaneum, buried in drifted sand ; the ancient stained glass and sepulchral memorials of Kilkenny Cathedral ; a memoir by Dr. 'Donovan on the Tribes and Territories of Ossory ; with other subjects to which we invite attention, as an interesting contribution to Irish Archaeology.