South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-01-05
ByPETER
LEBEHER

airy forces. IN the very city OF
Paris itself our men were surprised
at the manner OF heating OF house q
and public hOstelries. With the
exception OF a few OF the large
hotels the old method OF stove AMI
fireplace heating was being usel.
Not only this. but the legislation
and city ordinance. each stove a.
fire place IS required 20 have is
outlet through separate fiue. IN
viii give an idea OF the prodiglo =
wastege OF fuel in the city or Par g
alone which by the introduction u
the American steam heating o.
furnace system could easily d..
avoided This kindly criticism ana
establishment expressed by all o.
our men cannot but have the effe e
OF introducing these comforts in tie
many new structures that will have
to he erected as well as their intr,
ductiOn into the older buildings ar
ter their advantage and economy
have become apparent by expert
ence.
The same unmodern conditions
exist as TO plumbing outside OF "A
few OF the better hotels. When the
everyday Partisan wishes 10 take
a bath he Is required 10 send "a
service company for his hot water.
or even to rent mis- bathtub. which
are delivered 10 him at his homo
and again returned after he has
taken his dip.
The same lack OF facilities obtain
throughout Europe. with the ex-
ception 10 some extent as TO Eng
land. The kaiser himself would not
permit the introduction OF plumb
ing into the old palace at Potsdans
or in the royal palace on the WI
helrstrasse at Berlin, but prefer
red TO have his servants carry tho
required water 10 the different
compartments. The modern sky
scraper as being inartistic has be-
come notorious. but with its ap-
pearance in the larger centers OF
the devastated territory, such as
Louvain and Antwerp we may look
forward TO its further approval.
These are only a very few OF the
many items which will come into
consideration when modern Europe
will rise into being, without LOSING
her charming quaintness or her
historical landmarks.
There IS perhaps no feature %
reconstruction which centers the
interest OF the native European.
who is highly and Justly proud and
appreciative OF his artistic and ar
chitecturaI treasures. so much as
the old Gothic cathedrals OF the
old world. II Is also a matter %
great concern 20 the tourist OF ev-
cry land and as much more so %
him who has already witnessed
these great wonders, as TO any who
are expecting 70 make a visit for
their sake. II was a matter OF uni
versal regret particularly when tho
dispatches from the war front we're
announcing the activity OF the en-
envy in such centers as Rheims.
NoyoE, Laon. and Rouen. where
some OF the most famous OF these
old Gothic structures are situated.
Not only their age. as all OF them
were begun building as early as
1923. in the reign OF Augustus. III
greatest protegee Of art and archi-
lecture Of the French kings OF that
period. These wonderful buildings
are unexampled as great and tn,
expressions OF an entirely original
and individual style OF architecture
which must be seen TO be really ap-
preciated 10 its fullest.
Although none OF these struc-
lures We're entirely destroyed. their
actual restoration 70 what they
were has been doubted by many OF
the best known artists in Europe
and America II has been urged
by some Of them that the partial
ruins be left 10 stand as they are
today. as an everlasting and igno
minious brand upon the ruthless
ness OF war and the frightfuIness
OF Prussian militarism. However.
f. IS 70 be hoped that they can be
restored 10 their original beauty
and grandeur.
To present n fair idea OF the eX-
cellence Of these structures D. NAV
be well 20 describe the one ~
Amiens which Is most represeuta-
tive OF all the others.
It's foundation was laid On 1920.
by the Knights Templars who ara
the original architects and builders
OF all these Gothic structures which
are rightly considered the raresr
architectural monuments extart 30
( the present day. The one ar Ami
I ems is quoted by a master art critic
as the noblest OF It's style in gram
f deur OF size and proportion. - wen
as perfection Of organic construc-
ton. superior IN these principles -
that OF the Notre Dame ar Paris.
+ or those Of Rheims and Cologne. %
4 It's nave reaches the MAGNIFICENT
I height OF IA feet. the Creates ele-
( vation ever achieved IN a Gothic
nave. The western towers are ot
+ height OF 1g1 20 90 fee respee-
F lively. As a part OF the cathedral
proper we find here. both within
and without a sumptuous collection
from the Golden Age or Sculp-
. ture." or the 18th century, al his
, particular medieval period is call
ed. OF this period Is the central
figure OF the whole group on the
west front known as the Beautiful
+ Cod OF Amiens.~ % which John
/ Ruskin. the most eminent Of mod
ern art critics. says. 1T is beyond
what until now has ever been
-aoat,eG "a continual favF arrass %