THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV. 



347 



disturbing the proportions. The chapels, too, have domes carried on 

 an attic and thus reaching the same height as the arms of the cross. 

 The church contains no blocked aisles, no ill-connected annexes, no 

 wasted height : everything is utilised and effective. The result is that 

 this interior has few rivals among buildings of its class, for while on the 

 one hand the general cotip d'ceil produces a highly impressive effect of 

 spaciousness and unity of conception, on the other the design of the 

 chapels with its variety of vistas adds a touch of complexity, which is 

 yet in strict subordination to the main idea and enhances its effect. 



Elevations. Externally the scheme is equally concentrated, re- 

 solving itself, without disturbing adjuncts, into the simple elements 

 of the dome and the almost cubical mass of the church, which forms, 

 as it were, a pedestal to it (Fig. 334). This simplicity in the main lines 

 gives great monumentality to the church as a whole ; at the same time 

 the dome is of pleasant outline and decorated in an effective manner 

 by enriched ribs and hanging trophies between them, and culminates 

 in a graceful timber lantern. Designed to be visible from the north 

 over the tops of the existing buildings, the dome of the Invalides has 

 a character of soar- 

 ing elegance rather 

 than of solidity, but 

 combined with its 

 comparatively plain 

 substructure it forms 

 a pile of singular 

 beauty, and one of 

 the most striking 

 monuments in a 

 capital which is by 

 no means poor in 

 them. Yet pre- 

 eminent as are its 

 merits, they cannot 

 altogether obscure 

 its defects. These 

 are most serious ex- 

 ternally. First, as 

 regards the body of 

 the church, two 

 methods of treat- 

 ment are suggested 

 by the plan, either 

 one which should 

 express the cruci- 

 24 



333- 



THE INVALIDES: SECOND CHURCH ("DOME"). 

 SECTION. FROM BLONDKL. 



