The Argosy — page 253: what you’re looking at

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234 Far Normandy various parts of the town, and giving it its most picturesque glimpses and effects. You stand on a bridge, for instance, not very far from the cathedral, and before and behind you is a long vista of river crossed by other small bridges, bordered by houses with overhanging windows and sometimes quaint gables, which find their charming reflection on the surface of the quiet stream. Trees, too, overhang the water, and from many a window flowers and creepers trail and droop gracefully. These spots are the interesting parts of the town of Evreux. Here, if anywhere, you catch suggestions and suspicions of antiquity. A subdued tone and colouring adds much to the scene. ‘Therefore we lingered here more than anywhere, and felt that the shadows and obscurities of last night had not promised that sunrise would reveal anything so admirable as this. “And the cathedral? For that was our first and foremost ambition on leaving the hotel. - As we approached it and stood before it, we confessed to a feeling of disappointment. The hopes raised last night were not fulfilled. In the darkness it had looked noble and dignified, even majestic. There had been a solemnity and repose about it, a softened aspect, -which had appealed to one’s highest sentiments and emotions. It is a dangerous ordeal, that first view and contemplation of any building by night-light. The very obscurity appeals of necessity to all that is imaginative within us. Only great perfection will stand the _ test. If, for instance, you see a building such as the Alhambra first _.by moonlight, you will not be disappointed when, the next morning, you examine it by the more garish light of day. ‘The second im- _ pression will be very different, very distinct from the first, but it will be equally perfect, equally satisfying. So also in numberless other examples. But in the case of Evreux _ Cathedral there was a distinct disappointment. It has many faults which were hidden last night by the kindly darkness; and many beauties which were more easily discerned. How good it would be if we could apply this rule to our daily intercourse with ourselves and our neighbours; and throw over each other’s shortcomings the veiling mantle of night: being ‘‘to each other’s virtues ever kind, each other’s faults a little blind.” But let us hasten on, nor stay to moralise. We saw the cathedral this morning under great disadvantages. With a vengeance it was in the hands of the restorers. Unsightly palings surrounded a great part of it, and stone work lay in every direction. Everything that last night had softened and subdued was now revealed by the strong light of day. All the east end, with the exception of the bare outer walls, seemed in process of interior demolition. What the result will be in the end it is impossible to divine. The charm of antiquity will be gone, and perhaps the charm of harmony and beauty of outline. But uniformity of design had long since disappeared, for Evreux Cathedral has gone through many vicissitudes, many changes and Gomilcbooks.co