THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV. 



343 



from its three other sides are in the nature of annexes. The nave has 

 one narrow bay flanked by sacristies and three wide bays flanked by 

 domed chapels. The dome-space is octagonal with its cardinal sides 

 pierced to correspond, on the west with the barrel vault of the nave, and 

 on the three other sides with the semi-domes of the apses, while the short 

 diagonal sides are solid, with only narrow openings into the elliptical 

 chapels in the angles of the square. Beyond the apses are square chapels 

 on the north and east, and an oblong nuns' choir on the south. The 

 dimensions are greater than at the Sorbonne, the dome being about 56 

 feet in diameter and 105 feet high at the springing, and the difficulties 

 on the whole more satisfactorily solved. The defect of contraction at 

 the junction of nave and dome-space remains, and the openings out of 

 the dome-space are too insignificant to afford a variety of vista ; but the 

 dome-space becomes the culminating feature of the interior, and the 

 nave forms a dignified approach to it. Again, the proportions of both 

 nave and dome-space are relatively broader and the decoration less 



sparing, so that, without 

 and more spacious, 

 ternal and internal 

 still great the way, for 

 the dome are 

 pleasant (Fig. 

 though excel- 

 too lavish for 

 mass of the 

 the nave roof, 

 der cupolas, 



loss of solemnity, the effect is richer 

 The lack of correlation between ex- 

 arrangements, though less glaring, is 

 instance, the flat-headed windows below 

 managed is particularly un- 

 329). The decoration, again, 

 lent of its kind, is perhaps 

 complete repose. The square 

 central block is carried above 

 and from it, between four slen- 

 rises the tall circular drum of 



329. CHURCH OF THE VAL-DE GRACE : LONG SECTION. FROM BLONDEI. 



