Bk. VIII. C ii. III. CATHEDRAL OF BOLOGNA. o o r" in its state of greatest perfection. The only other building in the same style on a sufficient scale to admit of comparison with this is the nave of the cathedral at Florence just described, but that is nearly as may be only half of its dimensions, or 36,000 ft. as compared with 72,000. The chapels, too, at Bologna add practically a fifth aisle, p-ivino- p-reat variety and richness to the perspective. The varied heights and proportions of the central and side aisles are singularly pleasing, and there being six arches at Bologna instead of only four ^^ 768. Section of San Petronio, Bologna. (From Wiebeking.) Scale 50 ft. to 1 in. as at Florence, and twelve side chapels where none exist in the other example, go far to redeem the lean mechanical look which is the great defect of this style. The great advantage San Petronio has over the Florentine church is in the size and number of its windows, and these not being filled with stained glass the whole church has a bright and pleasing effect that contrasts most favorably with the gloom of its great rival. Notwithstanding this, the nave of San Petronio cannot be considered as a successful work of art. In the first place it is too mechanically perfect. The area of the ]ioints of support as compared with the voids are, as far as can be made out from such plans as exist, about one-twelfth, which Avould be a merit in a railway station, but something more is wanted in a monumental building. In the next VOL. II. — 22
