Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/205

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PRESERVING THE HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF FRANCE.
187

on the great utility of locally studying the peculiarity of mouldings towards the formation of what might be termed architectonic zones; an opinion which M. Segrestain corroborated by referring to the beautiful cloister of St. Aubin, the mere physiognomy of which at once demonstrated the locality of its author's architectonic studies. A conversation then ensued upon the different systems of ornamentation in different provinces, and a comparison of the simplicity of Romano-Byzantine edifices in one part of Touraine with the highly adorned churches of the same epoch, near the rivers Cher and Vienne, and on those Mosaic-like incrustations composed of different volcanic stones so common in the churches of Auvergne.

The Director then proceeded to enquire, illustrating his several questions with large drawings, as to the usual shape of columns of the eleventh and twelfth centuries in Anjou; whether the Attic base was not constantly adopted; what was the mode of grouping them, and whether any are encircled with pearled bands. In reply to these, it having been incidentally remarked that arches were sometimes made of pointed form so early even as the twelfth century, not merely from caprice but upon the well-understood principle of their constructional utility; M. Godard combated the opinion that pointed arches were of eastern origin, for otherwise they would have been introduced by Foulque Nera in some of the many churches built by him after his return from the first crusade. It was then asked whether there existed in Anjou any columns based on lions, or any allusion in its ancient charters to the administration of "Justitia inter leones." Whereon M. Marchegay stated that the church and the bishop's residence were places in which public justice was often administered, and alluded particularly to a document dated "in veteri camera Episcopi Pictavensis;" M. Godard relating also, on documental authority, that so lately as 1640—1650, the common place of justice at S. Georges des Mines, was the porch or narthex of its church. This led to a long conversation on the manumission of slaves having always taken place in the church, and also on the heating of ordeal water and iron therein,—M. de Caumont eloquently descanting on the deep impression which judgment pronounced in such holy places could not but have had on the bystanders.

The Director having then made a remark upon the rarity of historically sculptured shafts in Anjou, enquired whether there existed any with foliated bases, or any such channelled pilasters as are common in Burgundy. A conversation afterwards ensued on historied capitals and their colouring, which, it was said, is generally either red and blue, except where green foliage is introduced, and there the ground is always red, the colouring matter being fixed with fat oil or varnish. The resemblance of corbel-heads in Anjou and other provinces was next discussed, and M. de la Sicotiere having read an account of the Society's visit to the church of St. Serge, the meeting adjourned to the next day.

At the morning sitting of the 24th of June, under the presidency of the Marquis de la Porte, a memoir on the cathedral of Cahors was read, and a proposition thereon made that the Society should take down a wall then