Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/436

 358 Sloan 's Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [Dec, grew, day-by-da}'-, in strength and beauty. One tower reached a com- manding height. Its sister tower arose to a point lower, when the archbishop happened to send for the architect ; and, displaying to him a drawing of the tem- ple at Jerusalem, asked his opinion of it. The architect, drawing himself up, declared he liked his own better. In- stantly the room echoed the peal of fiendish laughter, which told the con- science-stricken man he had committed the dreaded crime Pride ! The archbishop, grieved at his fall, sent him at once to seek pardon in repentant prayer to God. After a time he seemed to receive consolation ; and mustered courage to seek his beloved work again, lie mounted the ladder to the top of the unfinished tower; and stayed there directing, watching and studying, until the approach of night and a storm warned him, it was time to retire. He sought the ladder— it was gone ! The storm increased ; his terror grew. At last, following a heavy crash of thunder he perceived, by the succeed- ing; flash of lightning, that the fiend stood, in all his hideousness, before him! His Jbrfain reeled, his e}'es closed, and headlong he fell in the tumultuous dark- ness of that dreadful October night. The fiend winged rapidly down after his prey; but the ' God have mercy on my soul !" which had come, as the last words, from the dying architect, received a ready answer, in the form of two angels, who caught him mid-way, and bore him to heaven. The fiend passed them — and, even amid the awful peals of thunder, the architect caught his mock- ing cry — " Unknown — unknown — unfin- ished and unknown /" The prophecy of the fiend is realized. The architect is unknown — the Cathe- dral is unfinished. Yes, nearly six centuries have elapsed since the foundation was laid ; and still this mighty minster stands unfinished! The Choir, consecrated September 2T, 1322, was finished 74 years afterwards. It was more than one hundred years, before the works recommenced. The south tower was carried up 150 feet and the north 20 feet above the ground. The original design, which is still extant, was lost for centuries and re- covered in a remarkable manner. It comprehended two great towers with spires, at the west end. These towers and spires were designed to be 536 feet high. They were to be unsurpassed m beauty and delicacy of ornament. The height of the nave was to be 150 feet. It was to have double aisles, including which, the breadth would be 150 feet. The transepts and choirs beyond these, were to be 208 feet in height. The total length of Cologne Cathedral is 500 feet or 3^ times its width, being considerably less in proportion than the received standard rule for such build- ings, viz. : six times the breadth. At the end of the 18th century the condition of the works was as follows : The choir and aisles, the chapels, the two northern aisles of the nave, and the sacristy were the only portions which were completed. The nave and two south aisles were carried up to the height of the capitals of the great arcade, and covered with a temporary roof. In this half-finished condition it lay. when the soldiers of the French Repub- lic took possession of the city, and con- siderably injured it by stabling their horses in it. Notwithstanding all the strenuous endeavors made, after the peace, to have the building restored, it was not until 1821, that, through the energetic efforts of the King of Prussia, and enthusiastic aid of the citizens of Cologne, a society was formed, to carry out the project of continuing the works and completing the building, in its unity and integrity, in perfect accordance with the original design. All Germany and France took up the enterprise. Foreign princes made themselves re- sponsible for large sums of money, and general contributions flowed in liberally