A B C of Gothic Architecture

THE EARLY ENGLISK STYLE. 109
such ornament can be introduced. It is very characteristic
of this style,and begins quite at the commencement
of the style,as in St. Hugh's work at
Lincoln; for though in the ItTorman we find an approach
to it,in the Decorated various modifications of
it occur ;
still the genuine tooth- ornament may be considered
to belong exclusivelyto the Early English.
The natural use and the profusion of moldings in
the English buildingsof the thirteenth century is considered
as one of the proofsof the English originof
the Gothic style. The French imitated it rapidly,but
in a cheaper manner, and their buildings are, on the
whole, not quite equal to ours, that is, taking into
account both exterior and interior. The profuse suites
of moldings so common in English doorways and
arches, are almost unknown in France : some things
they developed more rapidly than we did, but in the
moldings they were behind us.
The Yadxts are distinguishedfrom the Norman by
their greater boldness, and from succeeding styles
by their
greater simplicity, as at Salisbury. In the
earlier examples there are ribs on the angles of the
groins only; at a later period the vaulting becomes
more complicated,as at Westminster. There is a longitudinal
rib, and a cross rib along the ridge of the