in ecclesiastic and domestic work) during the fifteenth century and
onwards, viz., a tendency to imitate Norman and early pointed details.
This tendency is also seen in the nave piers of Dunkeld Cathedral, in
the piers and arches of the naves of Aberdour Church and Dysart Church,
in the imitation of first pointed work in the late cloisters of Melrose,
and many other examples which might be cited. But the later counterfeit
is never perfect, there being always some touch of contemporary design
which reveals the imitation. The two exceptional piers, above referred
to as not being cylindrical, are the fourth piers (Fig. 1242) from the
west end (Fig. 1243). These piers are composed of clustered shafts with
moulded capitals, the upper members of which do not follow the contour
of the piers, but sweep unbroken across the cap in the same manner as in
the caps in
[Illustration: FIG. 1242.--Stirling Parish Church.