a bad result in the view of
the whole front. Commencing by solidity and simplicity at its base, the
pile only becomes ornamental at the first story, where rows of small
trefoil arches are carved round the buttresses; while in the
intermediate spaces are an oriel window in an ornamental arch, and two
narrow double arches. The third compartment, where the towers first rise
above the body of the church, offers a still richer display of ornament.
The two towers are here connected by a screen, which masks the roof,
raising the apparent body of the facade an additional story. This
screen is very beautiful, being composed of two ogival windows in the
richest style, with eight statues occupying the intervals of their lower
mullions. A fourth story, equally rich, terminates the towers, on the
summits of which are placed the two spires.

These are all that can be wished for the completion of such a whole.
They are, I imagine, not only unmatched, but unapproached by any others,
in symmetry, lightness, and beauty of design. The spire of Strasburg is
the only one I am acquainted with that may be allowed to enter into the
comparison. It is much larger, placed at nearly double the elevation,
and looks as light as one of these; but the symmetry of its outline is
defective, being uneven, and producing the effect of steps. And then it
is alone, and the absence of a companion gives the facade an unfinished
appearance. For these reasons I prefer the spires of Burgos. Their form
is hexagonal; they are entirely hollow, and unsupported internally. The
six sides are carved _a jour_, the design forming nine horizontal
divisions, each division presenting a different ornament on each of its
six sides. At the termination of these divisions, each pyramid is
surrounded near the summit by a projecting gallery with balustrades.
These appear to bind and keep together each airy fabric, which,
everywhere transparent, looks as though it required some such
restraint, to prevent its being instantaneously scattered by the winds.

On examining the interior of one of these spires, it is a subject of
surprise that they could have been so constructed as to be durable.
Instead of walls, you are surrounded by a succession of little
balustrades, one over the other, converging towards the summit. The
space enclosed is exposed to all the winds, and the thickness of the
stones so slight as to have required their being bound together with
iron cramps. At a distance of