Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/587

 Bk. II. Ch. IX. COLLEGIATE CIIUECHES. 555 thoutjh not easily descrioev., anrl consists in the fact that the o.d catlic- drals were built by men who had a true perception of their art ; while the modern example only bears evidence of a well-learnt lesson, dis- tinctly repeated, but without any real feeling for the subject. Tliis want betrays itself in an unmeaning repetition of parts, in a deficiency of depth and richness, and in a general poverty of invention. Collegiate Churches. It would not oe difficult to select out of the collesriate churches .._ France as complete a series as of the cathedrals, though of inferior size. But havinsr al- ready gone through the one class of build- ings, we must confine ourselves to a brief notice of the other. The church of Charite sur Loire Avas one of the most picturesque and beautiful in France. It is now- partial ly ruined, thouo'h still retainino- enough of its original features to illustrate clearly the style to which it belongs. Originally the church was about 350 feet in length by 90 in breadth. One tower of the western front, one aisle, and the whole of the choir still ^'^*^- '^i«'" m theChm. i,..r ( hantpsm Lone. by the Author.) remain, and belong without doubt to the church dedicated in 110(3 by Pope Pascal. The presence of the pointed form in the pier-arches and vaults has induced some to believe that this cliurch belongs to the reign of Philip Augustus, about a century later, and when the church was restored after a great fire. Its southern position, however, the circumstance of its being the earliest daughter church of the abbey of Cluny, and the whole style of tiie l)uilding, are proofs of its earlier age. All the decora- tive parts, and all the extei-nal openings, still retain the circular form as essentially as if the pointed had never been introduced. (Piom a Sketch