Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/516

 484 FRENCH AECHITECTURE. Part II. and more especically with that of the cathedral at Angoulerae, it will be seen how nearly it resembles them — the great difference being that, in- stead of cajDolas over each square compartment, it has the intersectincy vault of the northern styles. Its buttresses too are external, but less in jji-ojection than might be gene- rally considered necessary to suj)- port a vault 52 ft. in span. They moreover show a tendencv towards a northei-n style of construction ; but the absence of free-standing pillars or of aisles, and the general arrangement of the whole building are rather Southern peculiarities. Externally the facade has been suc- cessively piled u]) at various times from the I'Jth century, when the body of the church was commenced and nearly finished, to the 16th, when it Avas completed in the style of the Renaissance. Another church in the same city, of equal interest, though not so large or important, is that of the Trinite. It consists of one nave without transepts, 52 ft. wide measuring into the recesses, though it is only 32 ft. Avide betAveen the piers. It is roofed Avitli an intersecting vault in eight comi)artments, of somewhat northern pattern, but Axitli a strong tendency towards the domical forms of the Southern style. It possesses, moreoA'er, a peculiarity rather fre- quently attempted, viz., that of try- ing to ol)tain a greater ajipearance of length by lowering the vaults from the entrance toAvards the altar. Thus at the entrance the building is 80 ft. in height, but it gradually sinks to 65 at the eastern end. Tliis 350. St. Trinite. Audits. (From Fauitrier.) coutrivancc is a mere trick, and, like Scale 100 ft. to 1 in. . ^ ., all such m architecture, is a tailure. The details of this church are rich and good throughout, nnd 349. Cathedral at Angers. (From Fauitrier, "Anjou et ses Monuments.") Scale 100 ft. to 1 in.