The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1869-09-05
THE ARCHITECTS DAUGHTER

Who does not know of the magnificent ca
thedral of Strasburg that work of four long
centuries! lnaugurated in the fifteenth cen
tury, it has since resisted all the ravages of
men and time, and still stands as firm, as i'm
posing as ever. How many lives have been
consumed III carving this host of statues! How
many have there embodied the wonderful in
spirations of their genius! How much courage
and patience was essential to interweave this
immense fabric of stones, which commences at
the ground and finishes almost in the clouds a.!
God alone can tell!
But from among the generations ofillustrions
unknown who successfully pursued this work.
some few names have been preserved by
popular Tradition, which, oblivious of the
great, has perpetuated more touching memo
ries; and whilst ignoring the origin OF the
hrst plan of the holy basiiica, vet recalls the
story OF a young girl who sculptured the last
stone. All that the people have retained of
TINS long history of the science and art of the
medieval age is a legend which the peasant
girls OF Alsace relate as they while away the
evening.
The following is substance of tfri11r-
cital
In the thirteenth century the architect
Irwin de Steinbach, was entrusted with the
construction OF the tower which was to crown
the cathedral. He was an old man who asked
OF heaven his genius and only used IL So
greater glory of Ch";-- - -. the
s"" God had given him
80. FAMED Jean, and daughter named
Sabine, who helped him ia his work jean
was his strength, Sabine his heart; with the
was happy in executing.
both had received celestial gifts, and nodded
the stone in obedience to their thoughts; Int
the young girl had, besides, the beauty OF an
angel Wherever she appeared, her couHl ten
ance swecty beguled the heart, and capti-
waited all who beheld her when she spoke, her
face was forgotten in the charm of her voice,
and any one of the young architects and sculp-
tors who worked under her fathers direction
would have given all the wealth of tho world
to obtain her love.
Two especially had openly declared their
pretenstons. One was n Sitesian named Ber-
nard de Sunder the other q Frenchnan from
BoulOgne, called Polydore. They possessed
equal ability in the production and execution
OF scuiptural designs, but their characters
were as unlike the tempest is unlike the
calm of cloudless sky. Bernard was humble
subdued, full of respect 70: men and love fol-
Goa. Polydore, on the contrary was nroud
audaeioHs, rebeffious against earth and heaven.
When they mounted together the lofty scat
iolungs OF the tower, suspended over the abyss
ny fragile rope, Bernard never failed to cross
nliselI repeating the words of the psalm, go
Hod! we are iii thy hands as chaff before the
wind, as water which floweth away :" while
Folydore looked laughingly up to the sky
singing the refrain of the stonecarver's songs
Maliet and chseI aIoft bearl
Lhough above the clouds the swahoEsfy,
l. WITH n1ught but my courage, dare
Nount higher still toward the distant sky
Sabine had remarked these. Discrimination
ana aVowed her preference~for the young Ger
man. from the knowledge of this Polydore
.SeA A.Po grief which soon became trans
iioiheu INTO suIlen rage. Nevertheless, hC
IhPeI that the young girl might vet be IN
N'iSeu 10 change her sentiments
..rWlny died, and the Council of Strasbure
sts" proclamation announcing that the