1. From 1235 to 1272, including the reigns from the accession of Stephen to that of Edward I., termed _Early_, _English_, _Simple_, and _Lancet Gothic_, characterised by long narrow openings, with a very sharp high arch. Early part of the period shows the gradual introduction of the pointed style. 2. From 1272 to 1377, to the accession of Richard II. This has been designated the age of the _Pure Gothic_, or _Decorated English_, being more highly ornamented than the former, but without exuberance; especially characterised by an arch which circumscribes an equilateral triangle, hence proposed to be named, _Triangular Gothic_. 3. From 1377 to 1509, terminating with the accession of Henry VIII. This constitutes the age of the _Florid Gothic_, which, between these dates, underwent a succession of changes; first, from aspiring, to flatly-pointed and obtuse arches, with large daylights, in panels and straight mullions, instead of tracery; hence the names _Obtuse_ and _Perpendicular English_; becomes more and more ornamented; ceilings of the richest and most complicated tracery, with pendents; Henry VII.'s chapel fine specimen. 4. From 1509 to 1625; when the reign of Charles I. introduces Inigo Jones, and the revival of ancient architecture. First part of the reign of Henry the Eighth a continuation of the Florid Gothic; subsequently the designs of Holbein, and of the Italian artist employed by that monarch, entirely ruined the Gothic, introducing a most barbarous mixture of Roman, Italian, and Gothic. In the succeeding reigns, a stiff and most unmeaning style arose; and, in Scotland, we trace a near approach, if not in magnitude, at least in excellence, to the English examples of Gothic; while the fortunes of the art are found to assimilate to its history in Germany, in as far as a character of great perfection was early formed, and longer preserved, than in the south. It must appear a singular proof of hasty and inconclusive inquiry, that, while an English origin has been claimed for the pointed arch, its elements are found of a date more ancient in Scottish ecclesiastical buildings, not to mention those on the Continent.