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While this was the tendency to degeneration from a satisfactory revival of antique art in Italy, the more remote countries of Europe, such as our own, were but casting off the traditions of the long dominant mediævalism, and slowly taking up the more regular types of classical architecture. During the reigns of Henry VIII., Elizabeth and James I., a hybrid style prevailed, by no means devoid of picturesque beauty, and in many respects assimilating, with a grace peculiar to itself, to the predominant scenery of our beautiful country. Happily we yet preserve, as does France also, many elegant residences of the aristocracy, in which details of a semi-classical character combine harmoniously with forms of structure traditionally derived from less regular architecture.
In modrn days in all the countries of Europe a gradual respect has arisen for monuments of architectural beauty of all classes. Fortunately for the preservation of such monuments this conservative spirit has been one of considerable catholicity. So great is the spread of knowledge on the subject of these monuments, that those who in anywise affect a liking for architecture in the present day cannot fail to become eclectics, owing to the abundance of types by which they find themselves to be surrounded.
Whether or not this spread of catholicity in architectural art, which induces us to tolerate a Gothic church in one street, a Renaissance house in another, and a Roman concert-room a little further on, mixed up with a variety of buildings, which, whether good-looking or ugly, can be said to affect the style of no particular historical period, is for the advancement or detriment of our art, is a matter just now of some uncertainty.
We, and indeed all the other nations of Europe, are at present in a state of transition as to our architectural art, but whether we are on the road to improvement or the contrary, it would be extremely hard to say. Much is done now, from day to day, of very great beauty, and much that is very