The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-26
Some Churohes Of Parls.

II we could for "a moment dcwolsh and
clear away the towers and buildings which
hem Il in, We should be better able to see and
admire the enchanting entrance and front Of
-. German lAuKerrOls a. II stands chOked
and hidden on all sides and fOrbiddIng any
clear view of its superb perspeciives II is
doubtful whether, amid the numberless
ecclesiastical monuments Of Paris there
a match for this structure. 1t is
Enthusiastically French-Gothic in its
earliest and purest form. 10 hE the national
stamp IF combined and contrasted heaviness
and hghtness, Darkness and decoration. II
hacks the cOmpactness of English design, or
the faultless proportion and simplicity of an
Italian facade OF campanile. But IL has the
magnificent play of light and shadow. the
broken surfaces. the deep embrasures of true
Gothic, as well as the varied skyline peaked.
splred and WAY erlng as that Of forest Of DIFF
fefent sorts Of trees The front Of ST. Ger
main PAuxerrois IS full OF mystery and of
brightness. Of plainness and variety. II alter
natelY dlsappOluts. amaZes. charms and tas-
cinates one. IL is, in point Of fact a great
piece If Gothic architecture. and possesses all
the vagaries of that most marvellous express
SION Of human ingenuity and human emotion.
Let us take the main lines of the church as
II appears IN our illustration. We SEQ before
Us porch pierced 10y five archways. The
central arch is wider than the two which
flank II. and these in turn arc higher than the
porch. Above the porch q horizontal bal
ustrade OF richly-caryen stones extends
There are three gables rising above tins bal
ustrade. The central one is surmounted b. a
statue of the Angel Of Judgment by NlarOchet-
q and hanked by two small towers. between
which is the great r0so window. the glory
Of the western wall. This central gable is ~
wide as the three central arcbways Of the en-
trance and over each side and way there rises
8 lower and narrower gable, aud beyond these
three gables, crosses the transverse ridge Of
the Transcripts nus at glance We take I'm
all the different parts of a Christian temple
a. they are thus distinctly set before us The
great gable and the two lesser ones indicate
nave and aisies. the double row o.. chapels we
discern in the buildings which are visible
sinking right and left from each of the lesser
archways. This is a striking example of what
should be an unfalllng feature Of Gothic archi-
lecture namely. thai every internal arrange
ment should be evident from the grouping Of
Its exterior.
The church has been the growth of many
centuries Its foundation by Bishop GER
main Is set by historians IN the fifth century.
German was beloved by Childebert. and his
wife Queen Ultrogatha and 1t was at this
saints suggestion that these piOus s0voreign-
built st. German des Ires Oh the other bank
Of the Seine. They also perpetuated the
name of German in the present structure. 10
this sanctuary was buried 1T. Landry, Bishop /
of Paris in 656. The beautiful tower which
rises at the junction of the choir and southern
transept was added IN the twelfth con-
fury. In the eighteenth century. which
seems TO have been as fatal 10 Gothic archi- /
lecture IN France as 10 WAS IN England the /
exquisite stone spire ami the four bell turrets
were torn down. The apse at the east end /
with its tall. pointed windows, remains intact
from the thirteenth century, during which /
also was added the abundance of fiOTatei or /
nament which clothes the main features of /
the church. The porch which we have de- /
Bcribed, with its fine pointed archways and its |
ford balustrade, Is the work Of the.sculptor !
Jean Camel. who tOurshed IN the fifteenth |
century. For ornament IS laylshed every /
where. The nave and transepts have a rich |
balustrade In Open-wOrk carving running t
their entire length and the whole grotesque
zoology Of Gothic IS represented IN the mon
STEERS that SQUAT and peer and cape from every
fold of the tracery.
The interior of the building is simple, and
reflects the proportions and ornaments of the
exterior. il is nearly PSI feet long and IN in !
width. The roof of the aisles and chapels have
many curiously carved bosses. which are
worthy of examination. Il Is 70 be deplored
that the marvellous rO0d-screen, a master
piece of Pierre LescOt. was removed in l7i5.
because Il Obstructed the view of the sanctu
AIRY. The ancient stained glass vanished
about the same time though some rose win
Qows still survive. The chapel of NOtre
Dame IS complete church If itself. It con-
lalns stalls, organ, pulpit and altar. The re-
table IS adorned with Jesse tree of remark
aole workmanship. Ii dates from the four
Ieenth century. Many celebrated person
ages are buried IN this church. II may be
added that a melancholy interest attaches
= ~. German PAuXerrois from the fact That
from rs believers was given the signal for
Tue massacre of st Bartholomew on August
a, l5S2.--The Churchman.