A ON THE COMPARATIVE METHOD . FOR THE STUDENT, CRAFTSMAN, AND AMATEUR BY PROFESSOR BANISTER FLETCHER, F.R.I.B.A. AND BANISTER F. FLETCHER, A.R.I.B.A., Architect University Extension Lecturer on Architecture; Formerly Lecturer on Architecture, King's FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED WITH 256 PLATES, COMPRISING 1300 ILLUSTRATIONS LONDON B. T. BATSFORD, 94, HIGH HOLBORN PREFACE TO THE FOURTH EDITION. IN issuing a new and enlarged edition of this work, some remarks are necessary to explain the alterations and additions that have been made. It should be mentioned that the book has been out of print for some fifteen months, and that in consequence of the death of the late Prof. Banister Fletcher the work of revision has fallen entirely on the junior author. This has occupied a considerable portion of his time during the last two years. The original text has been carefully revised, in fact, almost re-written, and the additions enumerated below have been made : 1. A note on Prehistoric Architecture has been added. 2. The remarks on the architectural character of each style have been re-written, and a more comprehensive examination given of the underlying constructive principles. By reading these notes in succession, a summary of the progress and evolution of architecture, with special reference to such features as the arch, dome and vault, will be obtained. 3. A note on the religious orders of the Middle Ages is given in the chapter devoted to Romanesque Architecture in Europe. 4. A new chapter on "Gothic Architecture in Europe," similar to those devoted to Romanesque and Renaissance Architecture, is added. This contains an account of Gothic vaulting, and will be found useful as an introduction to the style in general. It may also enable the student to grasp the fundamental differences between English and Continental Gothic. 5. An account of the timber roofs of the Middle Ages has been t added, and, with the sheet of illustrations (No. 85), will sufficiently explain this characteristic feature of English Gothic. 6. The portion devoted to Examples of English Gothic has been re-written. It now includes a list of the English Cathedrals arranged in alphabetical order, and illustrations from photographs of models (Nos. 86, 87 and 88), so that their general external character can be seen at a glance. A note on English Parish Churches, and on the castles and residences of the nobles, has also been added and illustrated by many plans showing the evolution of such buildings. 7. Short notes are given on Scottish and Irish Architecture, indicating the main stream of development in these countries, also descriptive notes on Elizabethan mansions and on British Colonial Architecture, together with a chapter on American Architecture, showing the influences which have led to such remarkable results in that country. 8. The main addition to the letterpress is the inclusion of Part II. This affords a comparative treatment of what are known as the non-historical styles, viz., the Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Saracenic. They have been kept apart from the Historical styles, with which they are but little connected, as they cannot be said to form part of the evolution of Western Architecture. Nevertheless, a history of architecture, as a whole, is bound to take account of these Eastern styles, whose interrelations and individual characteristics are of no little interest. 9. The most important change, however, in the entire book lies in the illustrations. These now consist of 256 plates; 128 are reproduced from photographs of the chief edifices in the world, including their details; 128 are from line drawings specially prepared for the book, comprising in all over thirteen hundred illustrations. The object kept in view has been to show the principles of construction, and to give examples of the typical ornaments peculiar to each period from some of the best known buildings. The source of the illustrations is given in each case. They have been numbered throughout, but where more than one occurs upon the same plate, the individual illustrations are lettered as A, B, C, etc.; thus, No. 216 c means plate No. 216, illustration c, a cross-section of St. James's Church, Piccadilly.1 10. The Glossary which ends the book has been re-written, and expanded by the insertion of seventy-five additional names. It now includes all the principal architectural terms likely to be required by the reader. II. The Index has been carefully compiled and should add to the usefulness of the book. 12. I am indebted to my friend Mr. Arthur Bernard Cook, M.A., formerly fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, for useful suggestions in connection with the chapter on Greek Architecture, and to my Publisher for the great assistance rendered in the use of valuable reference books and in the revision of the Bibliography. 29, NEW BRIDge Street, LUDGATE CIRCUS, E. C., October, 1901. BANISTER F. FLETCHER. 1 These plates are published as large lecture diagrams (40 ins. by 27 ins.), and as lantern slides for the use of lecturers, particulars of which may be obtained from the author. |