Bk. III. Ch. II.

AQUITANIA.

79

small scale, of the class of design which is peculiar to the façades of
Aquitania, though it is doubtful if the original termination of the gable
has not been lost and replaced by the one shown in the drawing. The
façade of Angoulême is designed on the same plan, though it is much
richer. Those of Civray, Parthenay, and of many others, show the
same characteristics. They appear to have been designed, not to ex-
press the form and construction of the interior, but, like an Egyptian
propylon, as a vehicle for a most extensive series of sculptures exhibit-
ing the whole Bible history. Sometimes, however, the design is more
strictly architectural, as in the façade of the church at Loupiac, where
sculpture is made wholly subordinate, and the architectural members
are so grouped as to form a pleasing and effective design, not unlike
some instances found farther north and in our own country.

681. St. Eloi, Espalion. (From Taylor and Nodier.)

The varieties of these, however, are so endless that it would be in
vain to attempt either to particularise or to describe them. Many of
these arrangements are unusual, though almost always pleasing, as in
the church at Espalion (Woodcut ETo. 581), where the belfry is erected
as a single wall over the chancel-arch, ancl groups well with the apsidal
termination, though, as in almost every instance in this country, the
western façade is wanting in sufïicient feature and character to
balance it.

Generally speaking, the cloisters ancl other ecclesiastical adjuncts
are so similar to those of Provence, as given in the last chapter, that a
separate description of them is not needed here. They are all of the
columnar style, supporting small arches on elegant capitals of the most
variecl and elaborate designs, evincing that delicate feeling so prevalent