animal; the whole supported by two crowned heads placed in niches in the
jambs.

[Illustration: Plate 61. CHURCH OF FONTAINE-LE-HENRI NEAR CAEN.
_Elevations of the East end of the South side of the Chancel._]

The following is a description of the different parts of _plate
sixty-one_:[127]--

A. _East end of the chancel._--The central buttress, flanked, like the
two lateral ones, with cylindrical pillars, divides this portion of
the church into two equal portions. The general appearance of these
buttresses, and the circumstance of their being supported upon a
fillet and plinth, would almost warrant the calling of them pilasters;
and those upon the northern side of the chancel, _Figure_ B, assume
that character even more decidedly, having no projection beyond the
cornice, which they support as an entablature.--It will be remarked,
that the whole building is raised upon a plinth of a bold character;
and Mr. Cotman justly observes, that the chancel may be regarded as a
model for beautiful proportions and exquisite finishing. As respecting
Norman buttresses, he is of opinion, that the edifices of highest
antiquity will be found to be altogether without any; and that they
were first added merely by way of ornament, to break the monotonous
appearance of a long uninterrupted space of level wall. Indeed, the
Norman walls, commonly from six to ten feet in thickness, could
scarcely require any additional strength from extrinsic objects; and
least of all, could they receive it from a projection of not more than
the same number of inches. Even where buttress has been added to
buttress, as in the north side of the chapel of the hospital of St.
Julien, near Rouen,[128] and in some other instances, it may almost be
questioned, if support was the only circumstance contemplated by the
architect. The double buttresses at St. Julien's, could scarcely fail
to be coeval with the building, as appears from the string-course
being continued in an unbroken line over them, a fact that was omitted
to be noticed in the description of the chapel.

NOTES:

[123] _History of Dover Castle_, p. 8.

[124] _Origines de Caen_, p. 315.

[125] See _Turner's Tour in Normandy_, II. p. 295; where this chapel is
described and figured.

[126] Mr. Cotman observes, that much might be said in connection with
this door-way, upon the subject of the decorations of the
semi-circular-headed arches in