Fergusson, James: The illustrated handbook of architecture: being a concise and popular account of the different styles of architecture preveiling in all ages and all countries (London, 1859)

674

FEENCH ARCHITECTUEE.

Took III.

passecl in France. Even in the sonthern or older of the two, which
was probably finished in the 12th century, we fincl all the eleruents
which were so fully developed in Germany and elsewhere in the fol-
lowing centuries. The change from the square to the octagon, and
from the perpendicular part to the sloping sides of the spire, are
managed with the most perfect art; and were not the efiect it produces
destroyed by the elaborate richness of the other spire, it would be con-

542. Nortli-West View of the Cathedral at Chartres. From Chapuy.

sidered one of tlie most- beautiful of its class. The new or northern
spire was erected by Jean Texier between the years 1507 and 1514.
Notwithstanding the lateness of its date, this must be considered as
'on tlie whole the most beautiful spire on tlie continent of Europe—
certainly far surpassing those at Strasburg, Auenna, or Antwerp. If
it has a rival it is that at. Freiburg, or those designed for the cathedral