COLUMBARIUM 



ported by any statement of figures likely to 

 pass the scrutiny of a modern accountant. 



Having thus given a view of columbaria as 

 they were in ancient Rome, we move north- 

 westward; but, before entering Britain, it is 

 well to make a halt in France. For not only 

 is it practically certain that the first builders of 

 the dovecote in England were the Normans; 

 but in France we find examples which, while 

 very similar in some respects to those of 

 Britain, yet display in many instances a rich- 

 ness of ornament which we cannot equal. 

 Many a French dovecote is, as compared to 

 those of our own country, what such Renais- 

 sance chateaux as Blois, Chenonceaux, and 

 Azay-le-Rideau are to the rugged ruins of 

 English castle keeps. At least a few French 

 dovecotes therefore claim to be described, to- 

 gether with some mention of the laws concern- 

 ing them. 



