THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV. 



353 



and equally admirably proportioned to each other. Excellent, too, is 

 the effect of interposing a rectangular block between the curve of the 

 apse and the rectilinear side, and of flanking the group of five openings 

 by solid masses. While the detail and ornament is of the best classical 

 tradition, the loftiness of the proportions, combined with the steep roof, 

 give the building something of the soaring character of a Gothic design. 

 This roof, a beautiful object in itself, richly decorated with elaborate 

 lead ornaments and originally culminating in an elegant lantern, is 

 perhaps the feature most open to criticism, for its existence is justified 

 by no necessity, and rising as it does above all else in a non-central 

 position, it upsets the otherwise complete symmetry and balance of the 

 great palace. There is reason, however, to believe that it was intended 

 at that time to re-roof the entire palace in a similar manner. 



CHURCH FIT- 

 TINGS AND DECOR- 

 ATION. The decor- 

 ation and fittings of 

 sacred edifices were 

 marked by the same 

 sumptuousness as 

 those of secular 

 ones, as may still be 

 seen in many of the 

 churches described. 

 The high altar of St 

 Wulfran at Abbe 

 ville, though rich and 

 dignified, is an ex- 

 ample of the quieter 

 type of Louis XIV. 

 work, as also are the 

 altars and stalls of 

 the abbey church at 

 St Mihiel and parish 

 church of Ecouis, 

 the stalls and panel- 

 ling of the Minims 

 church at Tours, St 

 Maximin,St Riquier, 

 and those at St Jouin 

 de Marnes, where 

 there is also a good 

 lectern of the period. 340> DESJGN FOR ALTAR AND REREDOS, BY 



The altar and j. LE PAUTRE. 



