The Argosy — page 261: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

242 Far Normandy. of St. Taurin. It is in the Romanesque style, and dates back to the eleventh century, with Gothic additions of a later date. The outer wall of the south transept is decorated with an arcade of semicircular arches, which, though somewhat rudely executed, are very powerful. ‘The panels are diapered with a design composed of tiles of red and white cement of a very unusual type. <A portion of the nave and tower dates from 1407, and the west gateway from 1715. The arcade is supposed to be a relic of the church built by Richard II., Duke of Normandy. The only remarkable objects in the interior are the windows of the choir, bearing the legend of St. Taurin ; a bas-relief in white marble of the Renaissance period; another bas-relief in wood, and some carved wood of the Louis XV. period in the Chapel of the Virgin ; and a very singular font of the thirteenth century. In a crypt below the choir reposes the body of St. Taurin himself. ‘The church alto- gether is a very interesting example of its period. In a small square at the north end of the town is the belfry or clock-tower, a curious but over-rated monument of the fifteenth century, much restored. It is surmounted by a spire of wood covered with lead, the height of the whole monument being about one hundred and forty feet. It contains a fine bell dating back to 1406, which was christened by one of the sons of Charles VI. The old walls of the town are visible in several places. Many of the foundations were formed with fragments of bas-reliefs. and columns dating back to the earliest days of the Roman occupation. Having seen all these things, we thought we had exhausted all the curiosities of the town. But we were mistaken. ‘The greatest curiosity yet remained ; one that proved inexhaustible. We were passing down a narrow street, simply to while away a few spare moments, when our eyes were caught by an announcement that here dwelt a lady who dealt in antiquities. In the window were one or two rather rare-looking plates, and we rashly entered. A young woman advanced who regretted that madame had gone out for a commisszon, but she would be back in an hour. There was a good deal to examine ; madame was undoubtedly a person of some taste and judgment; and half-an-hour unwittingly passed away. At the end of that time a lady appeared in slippers and robe de chambre; and it was evident that madame, instead of being out doing a commisston, had only very lately risen from her couch. But — she was equal to the occasion, brought all her energies to bear upon the matter, displayed her wares to the best advantage, and could show proof of their excellences. She was unusually rich in old and rare brocades, magnificent stoles and capes that had adorned the portly person of many a canon or vicar or even bishop, at the celebra- tion of high mass. With these and many other things she tempted us; and we fell; and finally departed sadder, wiser men. We had GEomichbooks.co