Page:History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 1.djvu/617

 Bk. II. Ch. X. DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE. 585 parts generally seem designed solely for ornament without any con- structive or utilitarian motive. One of the most extensive as well as one of the best specimens of French domestic architecture is the house of Jacques Coeur, at Bourges, now used as the town-hall. It was built by the wealthy but ill-used banker of Charles VII., and every part of it shows evidence of careful design and elaborate execution ; it was erected, too, at an age before the style had become entirely debased, and as a private residence situated in a town, and therefore without any attempt at fortification, is the best that France now possesses. House at Vrieix. (Fruiii Gailhabaud.) The chfiteau of Meillan (Cher) is nearly a repetition of the same design, but at least a hundred years more modern. Rouen possesses several examples of domestic architecture of a late date ; so does Paris — and among others, the celebrated Hotel de Cluny. Few of the great towns are, however, without fragments of some sort, but hardly any are of sufficient importance to deserve separate notice or illustration. France is not so rich as either Germany or England m specimens of castellated architecture. This does not apparently arise from the fact of no castles having been built during the Middle Ages, but rather from their having been pulled down to make way for more convenient dwellings after the accession of Francis I., and even before his time, ■when they had ceased to be of any use. Still the chateaux of Pierre- fonds and Coucy are in their own class as fine as anything to be found elsewhere. The circular keep of the latter castle is perhaps unique,