第4章

Meanwhile，heheardthedreadfulpealabovehishead，thediabolicallaughterofthevagabonds，andthevoiceofTrouillefousaying，——

"Pickmeupthatknave，andhanghimwithoutceremony。"

Herose。Theyhadalreadydetachedthemanikintomakeroomforhim。

Thethievesmadehimmountthestool，Clopincametohim，passedtheropeabouthisneck，and，tappinghimontheshoulder，——

"Adieu，myfriend。Youcan’tescapenow，evenifyoudigestedwiththepope’sguts。"

Theword"Mercy！"diedawayuponGringoire’slips。Hecasthiseyesabouthim；buttherewasnohope:allwerelaughing。

"Bellevignedel’Etoile，"saidtheKingofThunestoanenormousvagabond，whosteppedoutfromtheranks，"climbuponthecrossbeam。"

Bellevignedel’Etoilenimblymountedthetransversebeam，andinanotherminute，Gringoire，onraisinghiseyes，beheldhim，withterror，seateduponthebeamabovehishead。

"Now，"resumedClopinTrouillefou，"assoonasIclapmyhands，you，AndrytheRed，willflingthestooltothegroundwithablowofyourknee；you，Fran？oisChante-Prune，willclingtothefeetoftherascal；andyou，Bellevigne，willflingyourselfonhisshoulders；andallthreeatonce，doyouhear？"

Gringoireshuddered。

"Areyouready？"saidClopinTrouillefoutothethreethieves，whoheldthemselvesinreadinesstofalluponGringoire。Amomentofhorriblesuspenseensuedforthepoorvictim，duringwhichClopintranquillythrustintothefirewiththetipofhisfoot，somebitsofvineshootswhichtheflamehadnotcaught。"Areyouready？"herepeated，andopenedhishandstoclap。Onesecondmoreandallwouldhavebeenover。

Buthepaused，asthoughstruckbyasuddenthought。

"Onemoment！"saidhe；"Iforgot！Itisourcustomnottohangamanwithoutinquiringwhetherthereisanywomanwhowantshim。Comrade，thisisyourlastresource。Youmustwedeitherafemalevagabondorthenoose。"

Thislawofthevagabonds，singularasitmaystrikethereader，remainsto-daywrittenoutatlength，inancientEnglishlegislation。(See_Burington’sObservations_。)

Gringoirebreathedagain。Thiswasthesecondtimethathehadreturnedtolifewithinanhour。Sohedidnotdaretotrusttoittooimplicitly。

"Holà！"criedClopin，mountedoncemoreuponhiscask，"holà！women，females，isthereamongyou，fromthesorceresstohercat，awenchwhowantsthisrascal？Holà，ColettelaCharonne！ElisabethTrouvain！SimoneJodouyne！

MariePiédebou！ThonnelaLongue！BérardeFanouel！MichelleGenaille！ClaudeRonge-oreille！MathurineGirorou！——Holà！

Isabeau-la-Thierrye！Comeandsee！Amanfornothing！

Whowantshim？"

Gringoire，nodoubt，wasnotveryappetizinginthismiserablecondition。Thefemalevagabondsdidnotseemtobemuchaffectedbytheproposition。Theunhappywretchheardthemanswer:"No！no！hanghim；there’llbethemorefunforusall！"

Nevertheless，threeemergedfromthethrongandcametosmellofhim。Thefirstwasabigwench，withasquareface。

Sheexaminedthephilosopher’sdeplorabledoubletattentively。

Hisgarmentwasworn，andmorefullofholesthanastoveforroastingchestnuts。Thegirlmadeawryface。"Oldrag！"shemuttered，andaddressingGringoire，"Let’sseeyourcloak！"

"Ihavelostit，"repliedGringoire。"Yourhat？""Theytookitawayfromme。""Yourshoes？""Theyhavehardlyanysolesleft。""Yourpurse？""Alas！"stammeredGringoire，"I

havenotevenasou。""Letthemhangyou，then，andsay’Thankyou！’"retortedthevagabondwench，turningherbackonhim。

Thesecond，——old，black，wrinkled，hideous，withanuglinessconspicuousevenintheCourdesMiracles，trottedroundGringoire。

Healmosttrembledlestsheshouldwanthim。Butshemumbledbetweenherteeth，"He’stoothin，"andwentoff。

Thethirdwasayounggirl，quitefresh，andnottoougly。

"Saveme！"saidthepoorfellowtoher，inalowtone。Shegazedathimforamomentwithanairofpity，thendroppedhereyes，madeaplaitinherpetticoat，andremainedinindecision。

Hefollowedallthesemovementswithhiseyes；itwasthelastgleamofhope。"No，"saidtheyounggirl，atlength，"no！GuillaumeLonguejouewouldbeatme。"Sheretreatedintothecrowd。

"Youareunlucky，comrade，"saidClopin。

Thenrisingtohisfeet，uponhishogshead。"Noonewantshim，"heexclaimed，imitatingtheaccentofanauctioneer，tothegreatdelightofall；"noonewantshim？once，twice，threetimes！"and，turningtowardsthegibbetwithasignofhishand，"Gone！"

Bellevignedel’Etoile，AndrytheRed，Fran？oisChante-Prune，steppeduptoGringoire。

Atthatmomentacryaroseamongthethieves:"LaEsmeralda！

LaEsmeralda！"

Gringoireshuddered，andturnedtowardsthesidewhencetheclamorproceeded。

Thecrowdopened，andgavepassagetoapureanddazzlingform。

Itwasthegypsy。

"LaEsmeralda！"saidGringoire，stupefiedinthemidstofhisemotions，bytheabruptmannerinwhichthatmagicwordknottedtogetherallhisreminiscencesoftheday。

Thisrarecreatureseemed，evenintheCourdesMiracles，toexerciseherswayofcharmandbeauty。Thevagabonds，maleandfemale，rangedthemselvesgentlyalongherpath，andtheirbrutalfacesbeamedbeneathherglance。

Sheapproachedthevictimwithherlightstep。HerprettyDjalifollowedher。Gringoirewasmoredeadthanalive。Sheexaminedhimforamomentinsilence。

"Youaregoingtohangthisman？"shesaidgravely，toClopin。

"Yes，sister，"repliedtheKingofThunes，"unlessyouwilltakehimforyourhusband。"

Shemadeherprettylittlepoutwithherunderlip。"I’lltakehim，"saidshe。

Gringoirefirmlybelievedthathehadbeeninadreameversincemorning，andthatthiswasthecontinuationofit。

Thechangewas，infact，violent，thoughagratifyingone。

Theyundidthenoose，andmadethepoetstepdownfromthestool。Hisemotionwassolivelythathewasobligedtositdown。

TheDukeofEgyptbroughtanearthenwarecrock，withoututteringaword。ThegypsyofferedittoGringoire:"Flingitontheground，"saidshe。

Thecrockbrokeintofourpieces。

"Brother，"thensaidtheDukeofEgypt，layinghishandsupontheirforeheads，"sheisyourwife；sister，heisyourhusbandforfouryears。Go。"

CHAPTERVII。

ABRIDALNIGHT。

Afewmomentslaterourpoetfoundhimselfinatinyarchedchamber，verycosy，verywarm，seatedatatablewhichappearedtoasknothingbetterthantomakesomeloansfromalarderhangingnearby，havingagoodbedinprospect，andalonewithaprettygirl。Theadventuresmackedofenchantment。Hebeganseriouslytotakehimselfforapersonageinafairytale；hecasthiseyesabouthimfromtimetotimetotime，asthoughtoseeifthechariotoffire，harnessedtotwo-wingedchimeras，whichalonecouldhavesorapidlytransportedhimfromTartarustoParadise，werestillthere。Attimes，also，hefixedhiseyesobstinatelyupontheholesinhisdoublet，inordertoclingtoreality，andnotlosethegroundfromunderhisfeetcompletely。Hisreason，tossedaboutinimaginaryspace，nowhungonlybythisthread。

Theyounggirldidnotappeartopayanyattentiontohim；

shewentandcame，displacedastool，talkedtohergoat，andindulgedinapoutnowandthen。Atlastshecameandseatedherselfnearthetable，andGringoirewasabletoscrutinizeherathisease。

Youhavebeenachild，reader，andyouwould，perhaps，beveryhappytobeonestill。Itisquitecertainthatyouhavenot，morethanonce(andformypart，Ihavepassedwholedays，thebestemployedofmylife，atit)followedfromthickettothicket，bythesideofrunningwater，onasunnyday，abeautifulgreenorbluedragon-fly，breakingitsflightinabruptangles，andkissingthetipsofallthebranches。

Yourecollectwithwhatamorouscuriosityyourthoughtandyourgazewereriveteduponthislittlewhirlwind，hissingandhummingwithwingsofpurpleandazure，inthemidstofwhichfloatedanimperceptiblebody，veiledbytheveryrapidityofitsmovement。Theaerialbeingwhichwasdimlyoutlinedamidthisquiveringofwings，appearedtoyouchimerical，imaginary，impossibletotouch，impossibletosee。

Butwhen，atlength，thedragon-flyalightedonthetipofareed，and，holdingyourbreaththewhile，youwereabletoexaminethelong，gauzewings，thelongenamelrobe，thetwoglobesofcrystal，whatastonishmentyoufelt，andwhatfearlestyoushouldagainbeholdtheformdisappearintoashade，andthecreatureintoachimera！Recalltheseimpressions，andyouwillreadilyappreciatewhatGringoirefeltoncontemplating，beneathhervisibleandpalpableform，thatEsmeraldaofwhom，uptothattime，hehadonlycaughtaglimpse，amidstawhirlwindofdance，song，andtumult。

Sinkingdeeperanddeeperintohisrevery:"Sothis，"

hesaidtohimself，followinghervaguelywithhiseyes，"islaEsmeralda！acelestialcreature！astreetdancer！somuch，andsolittle！’Twasshewhodealtthedeath-blowtomymysterythismorning，’tisshewhosavesmylifethisevening！Myevilgenius！Mygoodangel！Aprettywoman，onmyword！andwhomustneedslovememadlytohavetakenmeinthatfashion。Bytheway，"saidhe，risingsuddenly，withthatsentimentofthetruewhichformedthefoundationofhischaracterandhisphilosophy，"Idon’tknowverywellhowithappens，butIamherhusband！"

Withthisideainhisheadandinhiseyes，hesteppeduptotheyounggirlinamannersomilitaryandsogallantthatshedrewback。

"Whatdoyouwantofme？"saidshe。

"Canyouaskme，adorableEsmeralda？"repliedGringoire，withsopassionateanaccentthathewashimselfastonishedatitonhearinghimselfspeak。

Thegypsyopenedhergreateyes。"Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。"

"What！"resumedGringoire，growingwarmerandwarmer，andsupposingthat，afterall，hehadtodealmerelywithavirtueoftheCourdesMiracles；"amInotthine，sweetfriend，artthounotmine？"

And，quiteingenuously，heclaspedherwaist。

Thegypsy’scorsageslippedthroughhishandsliketheskinofaneel。Sheboundedfromoneendofthetinyroomtotheother，stoopeddown，andraisedherselfagain，withalittleponiardinherhand，beforeGringoirehadevenhadtimetoseewhencetheponiardcame；proudandangry，withswellinglipsandinflatednostrils，hercheeksasredasanapiapple，*andhereyesdartinglightnings。Atthesametime，thewhitegoatplaceditselfinfrontofher，andpresentedtoGringoireahostilefront，bristlingwithtwoprettyhorns，gildedandverysharp。Allthistookplaceinthetwinklingofaneye。

*Asmalldessertapple，brightredononesideandgreenish-

whiteontheother。

Thedragon-flyhadturnedintoawasp，andaskednothingbetterthantosting。

Ourphilosopherwasspeechless，andturnedhisastonishedeyesfromthegoattotheyounggirl。"HolyVirgin！"hesaidatlast，whensurprisepermittedhimtospeak，"herearetwoheartydames！"

Thegypsybrokethesilenceonherside。

"Youmustbeaveryboldknave！"

"Pardon，mademoiselle，"saidGringoire，withasmile。"Butwhydidyoutakemeforyourhusband？"

"ShouldIhaveallowedyoutobehanged？"

"So，"saidthepoet，somewhatdisappointedinhisamoroushopes。"Youhadnootherideainmarryingmethantosavemefromthegibbet？"

"AndwhatotherideadidyousupposethatIhad？"

Gringoirebithislips。"Come，"saidhe，"IamnotyetsotriumphantinCupido，asIthought。Butthen，whatwasthegoodofbreakingthatpoorjug？"

MeanwhileEsmeralda’sdaggerandthegoat’shornswerestilluponthedefensive。

"MademoiselleEsmeralda，"saidthepoet，"letuscometoterms。Iamnotaclerkofthecourt，andIshallnotgotolawwithyouforthuscarryingadaggerinParis，intheteethoftheordinancesandprohibitionsofM。theProvost。

Nevertheless，youarenotignorantofthefactthatNoelLescrivainwascondemned，aweekago，topaytenParisiansous，forhavingcarriedacutlass。Butthisisnoaffairofmine，andIwillcometothepoint。Isweartoyou，uponmyshareofParadise，nottoapproachyouwithoutyourleaveandpermission，butdogivemesomesupper。"

Thetruthis，Gringoirewas，likeM。Despreaux，"notveryvoluptuous。"Hedidnotbelongtothatchevalierandmusketeerspecies，whotakeyounggirlsbyassault。Inthematteroflove，asinallotheraffairs，hewillinglyassentedtotemporizingandadjustingterms；andagoodsupper，andanamiabletête-a-têteappearedtohim，especiallywhenhewashungry，anexcellentinterludebetweentheprologueandthecatastropheofaloveadventure。

Thegypsydidnotreply。Shemadeherdisdainfullittlegrimace，drewupherheadlikeabird，thenburstoutlaughing，andthetinyponiarddisappearedasithadcome，withoutGringoirebeingabletoseewherethewaspconcealeditssting。

Amomentlater，therestooduponthetablealoafofryebread，asliceofbacon，somewrinkledapplesandajugofbeer。Gringoirebegantoeateagerly。Onewouldhavesaid，tohearthefuriousclashingofhisironforkandhisearthenwareplate，thatallhislovehadturnedtoappetite。

Theyounggirlseatedoppositehim，watchedhiminsilence，visiblypreoccupiedwithanotherthought，atwhichshesmiledfromtimetotime，whilehersofthandcaressedtheintelligentheadofthegoat，gentlypressedbetweenherknees。

Acandleofyellowwaxilluminatedthissceneofvoracityandrevery。

Meanwhile，thefirstcravingsofhisstomachhavingbeenstilled，Gringoirefeltsomefalseshameatperceivingthatnothingremainedbutoneapple。

"Youdonoteat，MademoiselleEsmeralda？"

Sherepliedbyanegativesignofthehead，andherpensiveglancefixeditselfuponthevaultoftheceiling。

"Whatthedeuceisshethinkingof？"thoughtGringoire，staringatwhatshewasgazingat；"’tisimpossiblethatitcanbethatstonedwarfcarvedinthekeystoneofthatarch，whichthusabsorbsherattention。Whatthedeuce！Icanbearthecomparison！"

Heraisedhisvoice，"Mademoiselle！"

Sheseemednottohearhim。

Herepeated，stillmoreloudly，"MademoiselleEsmeralda！"

Troublewasted。Theyounggirl’smindwaselsewhere，andGringoire’svoicehadnotthepowertorecallit。Fortunately，thegoatinterfered。Shebegantopullhermistressgentlybythesleeve。

"Whatdostthouwant，Djali？"saidthegypsy，hastily，asthoughsuddenlyawakened。

"Sheishungry，"saidGringoire，charmedtoenterintoconversation。

Esmeraldabegantocrumblesomebread，whichDjaliategracefullyfromthehollowofherhand。

Moreover，Gringoiredidnotgivehertimetoresumeherrevery。Hehazardedadelicatequestion。

"Soyoudon’twantmeforyourhusband？"

Theyounggirllookedathimintently，andsaid，"No。"

"Foryourlover？"wentonGringoire。

Shepouted，andreplied，"No。"

"Foryourfriend？"pursuedGringoire。

Shegazedfixedlyathimagain，andsaid，afteramomentaryreflection，"Perhaps。"

This"perhaps，"sodeartophilosophers，emboldenedGringoire。

"Doyouknowwhatfriendshipis？"heasked。

"Yes，"repliedthegypsy；"itistobebrotherandsister；twosoulswhichtouchwithoutmingling，twofingersononehand。"

"Andlove？"pursuedGringoire。

"Oh！love！"saidshe，andhervoicetrembled，andhereyebeamed。"Thatistobetwoandtobebutone。Amanandawomanmingledintooneangel。Itisheaven。"

Thestreetdancerhadabeautyasshespokethus，thatstruckGringoiresingularly，andseemedtohiminperfectkeepingwiththealmostorientalexaltationofherwords。

Herpure，redlipshalfsmiled；hersereneandcandidbrowbecametroubled，atintervals，underherthoughts，likeamirrorunderthebreath；andfrombeneathherlong，drooping，blackeyelashes，thereescapedasortofineffablelight，whichgavetoherprofilethatidealserenitywhichRaphaelfoundatthemysticpointofintersectionofvirginity，maternity，anddivinity。

Nevertheless，Gringoirecontinued，——

"Whatmustonebethen，inordertopleaseyou？"

"Aman。"

"AndI——"saidhe，"what，then，amI？"

"Amanhasahemletonhishead，aswordinhishand，andgoldenspursonhisheels。"

"Good，"saidGringoire，"withoutahorse，noman。Doyouloveanyone？"

"Asalover？——"

"Yes。"

Sheremainedthoughtfulforamoment，thensaidwithapeculiarexpression:"ThatIshallknowsoon。"

"Whynotthisevening？"resumedthepoettenderly。"Whynotme？"

Shecastagraveglanceuponhimandsaid，——

"Icanneverloveamanwhocannotprotectme。"

Gringoirecolored，andtookthehint。Itwasevidentthattheyounggirlwasalludingtotheslightassistancewhichhehadrenderedherinthecriticalsituationinwhichshehadfoundherselftwohourspreviously。Thismemory，effacedbyhisownadventuresoftheevening，nowrecurredtohim。Hesmotehisbrow。

"Bytheway，mademoiselle，Ioughttohavebegunthere。

Pardonmyfoolishabsenceofmind。HowdidyoucontrivetoescapefromtheclawsofQuasimodo？"

Thisquestionmadethegypsyshudder。

"Oh！thehorriblehunchback，"saidshe，hidingherfaceinherhands。Andsheshudderedasthoughwithviolentcold。

"Horrible，intruth，"saidGringoire，whoclungtohisidea；

"buthowdidyoumanagetoescapehim？"

LaEsmeraldasmiled，sighed，andremainedsilent。

"Doyouknowwhyhefollowedyou？"beganGringoireagain，seekingtoreturntohisquestionbyacircuitousroute。

"Idon’tknow，"saidtheyounggirl，andsheaddedhastily，"butyouwerefollowingmealso，whywereyoufollowingme？"

"Ingoodfaith，"respondedGringoire，"Idon’tknoweither。"

Silenceensued。Gringoireslashedthetablewithhisknife。

Theyounggirlsmiledandseemedtobegazingthroughthewallatsomething。Allatonceshebegantosinginabarelyarticulatevoice，——

~Quandolaspintadasaves，Mudasestan，ylatierra~——*

*Whenthegay-plumagedbirdsgrowweary，andtheearth——

Shebrokeoffabruptly，andbegantocaressDjali。

"That’saprettyanimalofyours，"saidGringoire。

"Sheismysister，"sheanswered。

"Whyareyoucalled’laEsmeralda？’"askedthepoet。

"Idonotknow。"

"Butwhy？"

Shedrewfromherbosomasortoflittleoblongbag，suspendedfromherneckbyastringofadrézarachbeads。Thisbagexhaledastrongodorofcamphor。Itwascoveredwithgreensilk，andboreinitscentrealargepieceofgreenglass，inimitationofanemerald。

"Perhapsitisbecauseofthis，"saidshe。

Gringoirewasonthepointoftakingthebaginhishand。

Shedrewback。

"Don’ttouchit！Itisanamulet。Youwouldinjurethecharmorthecharmwouldinjureyou。"

Thepoet’scuriositywasmoreandmorearoused。

"Whogaveittoyou？"

Shelaidonefingeronhermouthandconcealedtheamuletinherbosom。Hetriedafewmorequestions，butshehardlyreplied。

"Whatisthemeaningofthewords，’laEsmeralda？’"

"Idon’tknow，"saidshe。

"Towhatlanguagedotheybelong？"

"TheyareEgyptian，Ithink。"

"Isuspectedasmuch，"saidGringoire，"youarenotanativeofFrance？"

"Idon’tknow。"

"Areyourparentsalive？"

Shebegantosing，toanancientair，——

~Monpèreestoiseau，Mamèreestoiselle。

B

Jepassel’eausansnacelle，Jepassel’eausansbateau，Mamèreestoiselle，Monpèreestoiseau~。*

*Myfatherisabird，mymotherisabird。Icrossthewaterwithoutabarque，Icrossthewaterwithoutaboat。

Mymotherisabird，myfatherisabird。

"Good，"saidGringoire。"AtwhatagedidyoucometoFrance？"

"WhenIwasveryyoung。"

"AndwhentoParis？"

"Lastyear。AtthemomentwhenwewereenteringthepapalgateIsawareedwarblerflitthroughtheair，thatwasattheendofAugust；Isaid，itwillbeahardwinter。"

"Soitwas，"saidGringoire，delightedatthisbeginningofaconversation。"Ipasseditinblowingmyfingers。Soyouhavethegiftofprophecy？"

Sheretiredintoherlaconicsagain。

"IsthatmanwhomyoucalltheDukeofEgypt，thechiefofyourtribe？"

"Yes。"

"Butitwashewhomarriedus，"remarkedthepoettimidly。

Shemadehercustomaryprettygrimace。

"Idon’tevenknowyourname。"

"Myname？Ifyouwantit，hereitis，——PierreGringoire。"

"Iknowaprettierone，"saidshe。

"Naughtygirl！"retortedthepoet。"Nevermind，youshallnotprovokeme。Wait，perhapsyouwilllovememorewhenyouknowmebetter；andthen，youhavetoldmeyourstorywithsomuchconfidence，thatIoweyoualittleofmine。Youmustknow，then，thatmynameisPierreGringoire，andthatIamasonofthefarmerofthenotary’sofficeofGonesse。

MyfatherwashungbytheBurgundians，andmymotherdisembowelledbythePicards，atthesiegeofParis，twentyyearsago。Atsixyearsofage，therefore，Iwasanorphan，withoutasoletomyfootexceptthepavementsofParis。IdonotknowhowIpassedtheintervalfromsixtosixteen。Afruitdealergavemeaplumhere，abakerflungmeacrustthere；

intheeveningIgotmyselftakenupbythewatch，whothrewmeintoprison，andthereIfoundabundleofstraw。Allthisdidnotpreventmygrowingupandgrowingthin，asyousee。

InthewinterIwarmedmyselfinthesun，undertheporchoftheH？teldeSens，andIthoughtitveryridiculousthatthefireonSaintJohn’sDaywasreservedforthedogdays。Atsixteen，Iwishedtochooseacalling。Itriedallinsuccession。

Ibecameasoldier；butIwasnotbraveenough。Ibecameamonk；butIwasnotsufficientlydevout；andthenI’mabadhandatdrinking。Indespair，Ibecameanapprenticeofthewoodcutters，butIwasnotstrongenough；Ihadmoreofaninclinationtobecomeaschoolmaster；’tistruethatIdidnotknowhowtoread，butthat’snoreason。Iperceivedattheendofacertaintime，thatIlackedsomethingineverydirection；andseeingthatIwasgoodfornothing，ofmyownfreewillIbecameapoetandrhymester。Thatisatradewhichonecanalwaysadoptwhenoneisavagabond，andit’sbetterthanstealing，assomeyoungbrigandsofmyacquaintanceadvisedmetodo。OnedayImetbyluck，DomClaudeFrollo，thereverendarchdeaconofNotre-Dame。Hetookaninterestinme，anditistohimthatIto-dayoweitthatIamaveritablemanofletters，whoknowsLatinfromthe~deOfficiis~

ofCicerotothemortuologyoftheCelestineFathers，andabarbarianneitherinscholastics，norinpolitics，norinrhythmics，thatsophismofsophisms。IamtheauthoroftheMysterywhichwaspresentedto-daywithgreattriumphandagreatconcourseofpopulace，inthegrandhallofthePalaisdeJustice。

Ihavealsomadeabookwhichwillcontainsixhundredpages，onthewonderfulcometof1465，whichsentonemanmad。Ihaveenjoyedstillothersuccesses。Beingsomewhatofanartillerycarpenter，IlentahandtoJeanMangue’sgreatbombard，whichburst，asyouknow，onthedaywhenitwastested，onthePontdeCharenton，andkilledfourandtwentycuriousspectators。YouseethatIamnotabadmatchinmarriage。Iknowagreatmanysortsofveryengagingtricks，whichIwillteachyourgoat；forexample，tomimictheBishopofParis，thatcursedPhariseewhosemillwheelssplashpassers-bythewholelengthofthePontauxMeuniers。

Andthenmymysterywillbringmeinagreatdealofcoinedmoney，iftheywillonlypayme。Andfinally，Iamatyourorders，Iandmywits，andmyscienceandmyletters，readytolivewithyou，damsel，asitshallpleaseyou，chastelyorjoyously；husbandandwife，ifyouseefit；brotherandsister，ifyouthinkthatbetter。"

Gringoireceased，awaitingtheeffectofhisharangueontheyounggirl。Hereyeswerefixedontheground。

"’Phoebus，’"shesaidinalowvoice。Then，turningtowardsthepoet，"’Phoebus’，——whatdoesthatmean？"

Gringoire，withoutexactlyunderstandingwhattheconnectioncouldbebetweenhisaddressandthisquestion，wasnotsorrytodisplayhiserudition。Assuminganairofimportance，hereplied，——

"ItisaLatinwordwhichmeans’sun。’"

"Sun！"sherepeated。

"Itisthenameofahandsomearcher，whowasagod，"

addedGringoire。

"Agod！"repeatedthegypsy，andtherewassomethingpensiveandpassionateinhertone。

Atthatmoment，oneofherbraceletsbecameunfastenedandfell。Gringoirestoopedquicklytopickitup；whenhestraightenedup，theyounggirlandthegoathaddisappeared。

Heheardthesoundofabolt。Itwasalittledoor，communicating，nodoubt，withaneighboringcell，whichwasbeingfastenedontheoutside。

"Hassheleftmeabed，atleast？"saidourphilosopher。

Hemadethetourofhiscell。Therewasnopieceoffurnitureadaptedtosleepingpurposes，exceptatolerablylongwoodencoffer；anditscoverwascarved，toboot；whichaffordedGringoire，whenhestretchedhimselfoutuponit，asensationsomewhatsimilartothatwhichMicromégaswouldfeelifheweretoliedownontheAlps。

"Come！"saidhe，adjustinghimselfaswellaspossible，"I

mustresignmyself。Buthere’sastrangenuptialnight。’Tisapity。Therewassomethinginnocentandantediluvianaboutthatbrokencrock，whichquitepleasedme。"

BOOKTHIRD。

CHAPTERI。

NOTRE-DAME。

ThechurchofNotre-DamedeParisisstillnodoubt，amajesticandsublimeedifice。But，beautifulasithasbeenpreservedingrowingold，itisdifficultnottosigh，nottowaxindignant，beforethenumberlessdegradationsandmutilationswhichtimeandmenhavebothcausedthevenerablemonumenttosuffer，withoutrespectforCharlemagne，wholaiditsfirststone，orforPhilipAugustus，wholaidthelast。

Onthefaceofthisagedqueenofourcathedrals，bythesideofawrinkle，onealwaysfindsascar。~Tempusedax，homoedacior*~；whichIshouldbegladtotranslatethus:

timeisblind，manisstupid。

*Timeisadevourer；man，moreso。

Ifwehadleisuretoexaminewiththereader，onebyone，thediversetracesofdestructionimprintedupontheoldchurch，time’ssharewouldbetheleast，theshareofmenthemost，especiallythemenofart，sincetherehavebeenindividualswhoassumedthetitleofarchitectsduringthelasttwocenturies。

And，inthefirstplace，tociteonlyafewleadingexamples，therecertainlyarefewfinerarchitecturalpagesthanthisfa？ade，where，successivelyandatonce，thethreeportalshollowedoutinanarch；thebroideredanddentatedcordonoftheeightandtwentyroyalniches；theimmensecentralrosewindow，flankedbyitstwolateralwindows，likeapriestbyhisdeaconandsubdeacon；thefrailandloftygalleryoftrefoilarcades，whichsupportsaheavyplatformaboveitsfine，slendercolumns；andlastly，thetwoblackandmassivetowerswiththeirslatepenthouses，harmoniouspartsofamagnificentwhole，superposedinfivegiganticstories；——developthemselvesbeforetheeye，inamassandwithoutconfusion，withtheirinnumerabledetailsofstatuary，carving，andsculpture，joinedpowerfullytothetranquilgrandeurofthewhole；avastsymphonyinstone，sotospeak；thecolossalworkofonemanandonepeople，alltogetheroneandcomplex，liketheIliadsandtheRomanceros，whosesisteritis；prodigiousproductofthegroupingtogetherofalltheforcesofanepoch，where，uponeachstone，oneseesthefancyoftheworkmandisciplinedbythegeniusoftheartiststartforthinahundredfashions；asortofhumancreation，inaword，powerfulandfecundasthedivinecreationofwhichitseemstohavestolenthedoublecharacter，——variety，eternity。

Andwhatweheresayofthefa？ademustbesaidoftheentirechurch；andwhatwesayofthecathedralchurchofParis，mustbesaidofallthechurchesofChristendomintheMiddleAges。Allthingsareinplaceinthatart，self-created，logical，andwellproportioned。Tomeasurethegreattoeofthefootistomeasurethegiant。

Letusreturntothefa？adeofNotre-Dame，asitstillappearstous，whenwegopiouslytoadmirethegraveandpuissantcathedral，whichinspiresterror，soitschroniclesassert:~quoemolesuaterroremincutitspectantibus~。

Threeimportantthingsareto-daylackinginthatfa？ade:

inthefirstplace，thestaircaseofelevenstepswhichformerlyraiseditabovethesoil；next，thelowerseriesofstatueswhichoccupiedthenichesofthethreeportals；andlastlytheupperseries，ofthetwenty-eightmostancientkingsofFrance，whichgarnishedthegalleryofthefirststory，beginningwithChildebert，andendingwithPhillipAugustus，holdinginhishand"theimperialapple。"

Timehascausedthestaircasetodisappear，byraisingthesoilofthecitywithaslowandirresistibleprogress；but，whilethuscausingtheelevenstepswhichaddedtothemajesticheightoftheedifice，tobedevoured，onebyone，bytherisingtideofthepavementsofParis，——timehasbestoweduponthechurchperhapsmorethanithastakenaway，foritistimewhichhasspreadoverthefa？adethatsombrehueofthecenturieswhichmakestheoldageofmonumentstheperiodoftheirbeauty。

Butwhohasthrowndownthetworowsofstatues？whohasleftthenichesempty？whohascut，intheverymiddleofthecentralportal，thatnewandbastardarch？whohasdaredtoframethereinthatcommonplaceandheavydoorofcarvedwood，àlaLouisXV。，besidethearabesquesofBiscornette？

Themen，thearchitects，theartistsofourday。

Andifweentertheinterioroftheedifice，whohasoverthrownthatcolossusofSaintChristopher，proverbialformagnitudeamongstatues，asthegrandhallofthePalaisdeJusticewasamonghalls，asthespireofStrasbourgamongspires？

Andthosemyriadsofstatues，whichpeopledallthespacesbetweenthecolumnsofthenaveandthechoir，kneeling，standing，equestrian，men，women，children，kings，bishops，gendarmes，instone，inmarble，ingold，insilver，incopper，inwaxeven，——whohasbrutallysweptthemaway？

Itisnottime。

Andwhosubstitutedfortheancientgothicaltar，splendidlyencumberedwithshrinesandreliquaries，thatheavymarblesarcophagus，withangels’headsandclouds，whichseemsaspecimenpillagedfromtheVal-de-GraceortheInvalides？

WhostupidlysealedthatheavyanachronismofstoneintheCarlovingianpavementofHercandus？WasitnotLouisXIV。，fulfillingtherequestofLouisXIII。？

Andwhoputthecold，whitepanesintheplaceofthosewindows，"highincolor，"whichcausedtheastonishedeyesofourfatherstohesitatebetweentheroseofthegrandportalandthearchesoftheapse？Andwhatwouldasub-chanterofthesixteenthcenturysay，onbeholdingthebeautifulyellowwash，withwhichourarchiepiscopalvandalshavedesmearedtheircathedral？Hewouldrememberthatitwasthecolorwithwhichthehangmansmeared"accursed"

edifices；hewouldrecalltheH？telduPetit-Bourbon，allsmearedthus，onaccountoftheconstable’streason。"Yellow，afterall，ofsogoodaquality，"saidSauval，"andsowellrecommended，thatmorethanacenturyhasnotyetcausedittoloseitscolor。"Hewouldthinkthatthesacredplacehadbecomeinfamous，andwouldflee。

Andifweascendthecathedral，withoutmentioningathousandbarbarismsofeverysort，——whathasbecomeofthatcharminglittlebelltower，whichresteduponthepointofintersectionofthecross-roofs，andwhich，nolessfrailandnolessboldthanitsneighbor(alsodestroyed)，thespireoftheSainte-Chapelle，burieditselfinthesky，fartherforwardthanthetowers，slender，pointed，sonorous，carvedinopenwork。

Anarchitectofgoodtasteamputatedit(1787)，andconsidereditsufficienttomaskthewoundwiththatlarge，leadenplaster，whichresemblesapotcover。

’TisthusthatthemarvellousartoftheMiddleAgeshasbeentreatedinnearlyeverycountry，especiallyinFrance。

Onecandistinguishonitsruinsthreesortsoflesions，allthreeofwhichcutintoitatdifferentdepths；first，time，whichhasinsensiblynotcheditssurfacehereandthere，andgnawediteverywhere；next，politicalandreligiousrevolution，which，blindandwrathfulbynature，haveflungthemselvestumultuouslyuponit，tornitsrichgarmentofcarvingandsculpture，burstitsrosewindows，brokenitsnecklaceofarabesquesandtinyfigures，tornoutitsstatues，sometimesbecauseoftheirmitres，sometimesbecauseoftheircrowns；

lastly，fashions，evenmoregrotesqueandfoolish，which，sincetheanarchicalandsplendiddeviationsoftheRenaissance，havefollowedeachotherinthenecessarydecadenceofarchitecture。Fashionshavewroughtmoreharmthanrevolutions。

Theyhavecuttothequick；theyhaveattackedtheveryboneandframeworkofart；theyhavecut，slashed，disorganized，killedtheedifice，informasinthesymbol，initsconsistencyaswellasinitsbeauty。Andthentheyhavemadeitover；apresumptionofwhichneithertimenorrevolutionsatleasthavebeenguilty。Theyhaveaudaciouslyadjusted，inthenameof"goodtaste，"uponthewoundsofgothicarchitecture，theirmiserablegewgawsofaday，theirribbonsofmarble，theirpomponsofmetal，averitableleprosyofegg-shapedornaments，volutes，whorls，draperies，garlands，fringes，stoneflames，bronzeclouds，pudgycupids，chubby-

cheekedcherubim，whichbegintodevourthefaceofartintheoratoryofCatherinedeMedicis，andcauseittoexpire，twocenturieslater，torturedandgrimacing，intheboudoiroftheDubarry。

Thus，tosumupthepointswhichwehavejustindicated，threesortsofravagesto-daydisfigureGothicarchitecture。

Wrinklesandwartsontheepidermis；thisistheworkoftime。Deedsofviolence，brutalities，contusions，fractures；

thisistheworkoftherevolutionsfromLuthertoMirabeau。

Mutilations，amputations，dislocationofthejoints，"restorations"；thisistheGreek，Roman，andbarbarianworkofprofessorsaccordingtoVitruviusandVignole。ThismagnificentartproducedbytheVandalshasbeenslainbytheacademies。Thecenturies，therevolutions，whichatleastdevastatewithimpartialityandgrandeur，havebeenjoinedbyacloudofschoolarchitects，licensed，sworn，andboundbyoath；

defacingwiththediscernmentandchoiceofbadtaste，substitutingthe~chicorées~ofLouisXV。fortheGothiclace，forthegreatergloryoftheParthenon。Itisthekickoftheassatthedyinglion。Itistheoldoakcrowningitself，andwhich，toheapthemeasurefull，isstung，bitten，andgnawedbycaterpillars。

HowfaritisfromtheepochwhenRobertCenalis，comparingNotre-DamedeParistothefamoustempleofDianaatEphesus，*somuchlaudedbytheancientpagans*，whichErostatus*has*immortalized，foundtheGallictemple"moreexcellentinlength，breadth，height，andstructure。"*

*_HistoireGallicane_，liv。II。PeriodeIII。fo。130，p。1。

Notre-Dameisnot，moreover，whatcanbecalledacomplete，definite，classifiedmonument。ItisnolongeraRomanesquechurch；norisitaGothicchurch。Thisedificeisnotatype。Notre-DamedeParishasnot，liketheAbbeyofTournus，thegraveandmassiveframe，thelargeandroundvault，theglacialbareness，themajesticsimplicityoftheedificeswhichhavetheroundedarchfortheirprogenitor。Itisnot，liketheCathedralofBourges，themagnificent，light，multiform，tufted，bristlingefflorescentproductofthepointedarch。Impossibletoclassitinthatancientfamilyofsombre，mysteriouschurches，lowandcrushedasitwerebytheroundarch，almostEgyptian，withtheexceptionoftheceiling；allhieroglyphics，allsacerdotal，allsymbolical，moreloadedintheirornaments，withlozengesandzigzags，thanwithflowers，withflowersthanwithanimals，withanimalsthanwithmen；

theworkofthearchitectlessthanofthebishop；firsttransformationofart，allimpressedwiththeocraticandmilitarydiscipline，takingrootintheLowerEmpire，andstoppingwiththetimeofWilliamtheConqueror。ImpossibletoplaceourCathedralinthatotherfamilyoflofty，aerialchurches，richinpaintedwindowsandsculpture；pointedinform，boldinattitude；communalandbourgeoisaspoliticalsymbols；free，capricious，lawless，asaworkofart；secondtransformationofarchitecture，nolongerhieroglyphic，immovableandsacerdotal，butartistic，progressive，andpopular，whichbeginsatthereturnfromthecrusades，andendswithLouisIX。Notre-DamedeParisisnotofpureRomanesque，likethefirst；norofpureArabianrace，likethesecond。

Itisanedificeofthetransitionperiod。TheSaxonarchitectcompletedtheerectionofthefirstpillarsofthenave，whenthepointedarch，whichdatesfromtheCrusade，arrivedandplaceditselfasaconqueroruponthelargeRomanesquecapitalswhichshouldsupportonlyroundarches。Thepointedarch，mistresssincethattime，constructedtherestofthechurch。Nevertheless，timidandinexperiencedatthestart，itsweepsout，growslarger，restrainsitself，anddaresnolongerdartupwardsinspiresandlancetwindows，asitdidlateron，insomanymarvellouscathedrals。OnewouldsaythatitwereconsciousofthevicinityoftheheavyRomanesquepillars。

However，theseedificesofthetransitionfromtheRomanesquetotheGothic，arenolesspreciousforstudythanthepuretypes。Theyexpressashadeoftheartwhichwouldbelostwithoutthem。Itisthegraftofthepointedupontheroundarch。

Notre-DamedeParisis，inparticular，acuriousspecimenofthisvariety。Eachface，eachstoneofthevenerablemonument，isapagenotonlyofthehistoryofthecountry，butofthehistoryofscienceandartaswell。Thus，inordertoindicatehereonlytheprincipaldetails，whilethelittleRedDooralmostattainstothelimitsoftheGothicdelicacyofthefifteenthcentury，thepillarsofthenave，bytheirsizeandweight，gobacktotheCarlovingianAbbeyofSaint-GermaindesPrés。Onewouldsupposethatsixcenturiesseparatedthesepillarsfromthatdoor。Thereisnoone，noteventhehermetics，whodoesnotfindinthesymbolsofthegrandportalasatisfactorycompendiumoftheirscience，ofwhichtheChurchofSaint-JacquesdelaBoucheriewassocompleteahieroglyph。Thus，theRomanabbey，thephilosophers’church，theGothicart，Saxonart，theheavy，roundpillar，whichrecallsGregoryVII。，thehermeticsymbolism，withwhichNicolasFlamelplayedthepreludetoLuther，papalunity，schism，Saint-GermaindesPrés，Saint-JacquesdelaBoucherie，——allaremingled，combined，amalgamatedinNotre-Dame。Thiscentralmotherchurchis，amongtheancientchurchesofParis，asortofchimera；ithastheheadofone，thelimbsofanother，thehaunchesofanother，somethingofall。

Werepeatit，thesehybridconstructionsarenottheleastinterestingfortheartist，fortheantiquarian，forthehistorian。

Theymakeonefeeltowhatadegreearchitectureisaprimitivething，bydemonstrating(whatisalsodemonstratedbythecyclopeanvestiges，thepyramidsofEgypt，thegiganticHindoopagodas)thatthegreatestproductsofarchitecturearelesstheworksofindividualsthanofsociety；rathertheoffspringofanation’seffort，thantheinspiredflashofamanofgenius；thedepositleftbyawholepeople；theheapsaccumulatedbycenturies；theresidueofsuccessiveevaporationsofhumansociety，——inaword，speciesofformations。

Eachwaveoftimecontributesitsalluvium，eachracedepositsitslayeronthemonument，eachindividualbringshisstone。Thusdothebeavers，thusdothebees，thusdomen。Thegreatsymbolofarchitecture，Babel，isahive。

Greatedifices，likegreatmountains，aretheworkofcenturies。

Artoftenundergoesatransformationwhiletheyarepending，~pendentoperainterrupta~；theyproceedquietlyinaccordancewiththetransformedart。Thenewarttakesthemonumentwhereitfindsit，incrustsitselfthere，assimilatesittoitself，developsitaccordingtoitsfancy，andfinishesitifitcan。

Thethingisaccomplishedwithouttrouble，withouteffort，withoutreaction，——followinganaturalandtranquillaw。Itisagraftwhichshootsup，asapwhichcirculates，avegetationwhichstartsforthanew。Certainlythereismatterhereformanylargevolumes，andoftentheuniversalhistoryofhumanityinthesuccessiveengraftingofmanyartsatmanylevels，uponthesamemonument。Theman，theartist，theindividual，iseffacedinthesegreatmasses，whichlackthenameoftheirauthor；humanintelligenceistheresummedupandtotalized。Timeisthearchitect，thenationisthebuilder。

NottoconsiderhereanythingexcepttheChristianarchitectureofEurope，thatyoungersisterofthegreatmasonriesoftheOrient，itappearstotheeyesasanimmenseformationdividedintothreewell-definedzones，whicharesuperposed，theoneupontheother:theRomanesquezone*，theGothiczone，thezoneoftheRenaissance，whichwewouldgladlycalltheGreco-Romanzone。TheRomanlayer，whichisthemostancientanddeepest，isoccupiedbytheroundarch，whichreappears，supportedbytheGreekcolumn，inthemodernandupperlayeroftheRenaissance。Thepointedarchisfoundbetweenthetwo。Theedificeswhichbelongexclusivelytoanyoneofthesethreelayersareperfectlydistinct，uniform，andcomplete。ThereistheAbbeyofJumiéges，thereistheCathedralofReims，thereistheSainte-CroixofOrleans。Butthethreezonesmingleandamalgamatealongtheedges，likethecolorsinthesolarspectrum。Hence，complexmonuments，edificesofgradationandtransition。OneisRomanatthebase，Gothicinthemiddle，Greco-Romanatthetop。Itisbecauseitwassixhundredyearsinbuilding。Thisvarietyisrare。Thedonjonkeepofd’Etampesisaspecimenofit。Butmonumentsoftwoformationsaremorefrequent。ThereisNotre-DamedeParis，apointed-archedifice，whichisimbeddedbyitspillarsinthatRomanzone，inwhichareplungedtheportalofSaint-Denis，andthenaveofSaint-GermaindesPrés。Thereisthecharming，half-Gothicchapter-houseofBocherville，wheretheRomanlayerextendshalfwayup。ThereisthecathedralofRouen，whichwouldbeentirelyGothicifitdidnotbathethetipofitscentralspireinthezoneoftheRenaissance。**

*Thisisthesamewhichiscalled，accordingtolocality，climate，andraces，Lombard，Saxon，orByzantine。Therearefoursisterandparallelarchitectures，eachhavingitsspecialcharacter，butderivedfromthesameorigin，theroundarch。

~Faciesnonomnibusuna，Nodiversatamen，qualem~，etc。

Theirfacesnotallalike，noryetdifferent，butsuchasthefacesofsistersoughttobe。

**Thisportionofthespire，whichwasofwoodwork，ispreciselythatwhichwasconsumedbylightning，in1823。

However，alltheseshades，allthesedifferences，donotaffectthesurfacesofedificesonly。Itisartwhichhaschangeditsskin。TheveryconstitutionoftheChristianchurchisnotattackedbyit。Thereisalwaysthesameinternalwoodwork，thesamelogicalarrangementofparts。

Whatevermaybethecarvedandembroideredenvelopeofacathedral，onealwaysfindsbeneathit——inthestateofagerm，andofarudimentattheleast——theRomanbasilica。

Itiseternallydevelopeduponthesoilaccordingtothesamelaw。Thereare，invariably，twonaves，whichintersectinacross，andwhoseupperportion，roundedintoanapse，formsthechoir；therearealwaysthesideaisles，forinteriorprocessions，forchapels，——asortoflateralwalksorpromenadeswheretheprincipalnavedischargesitselfthroughthespacesbetweenthepillars。Thatsettled，thenumberofchapels，doors，belltowers，andpinnaclesaremodifiedtoinfinity，accordingtothefancyofthecentury，thepeople，andart。

Theserviceofreligiononceassuredandprovidedfor，architecturedoeswhatshepleases。Statues，stainedglass，rosewindows，arabesques，denticulations，capitals，bas-reliefs，——shecombinesalltheseimaginingsaccordingtothearrangementwhichbestsuitsher。Hence，theprodigiousexteriorvarietyoftheseedifices，atwhosefoundationdwellssomuchorderandunity。Thetrunkofatreeisimmovable；thefoliageiscapricious。

CHAPTERII。

ABIRD’S-EYEVIEWOFPARIS。

Wehavejustattemptedtorestore，forthereader’sbenefit，thatadmirablechurchofNotre-DamedeParis。Wehavebrieflypointedoutthegreaterpartofthebeautieswhichitpossessedinthefifteenthcentury，andwhichitlacksto-day；

butwehaveomittedtheprincipalthing，——theviewofPariswhichwasthentobeobtainedfromthesummitsofitstowers。

Thatwas，infact，——when，afterhavinglonggropedone’swayupthedarkspiralwhichperpendicularlypiercesthethickwallofthebelfries，oneemerged，atlastabruptly，upononeoftheloftyplatformsinundatedwithlightandair，——thatwas，infact，afinepicturewhichspreadout，onallsidesatonce，beforetheeye；aspectacle~suigeneris~，ofwhichthoseofourreaderswhohavehadthegoodfortunetoseeaGothiccityentire，complete，homogeneous，——afewofwhichstillremain，NuremberginBavariaandVittoriainSpain，——canreadilyformanidea；orevensmallerspecimens，providedthattheyarewellpreserved，——VitréinBrittany，NordhauseninPrussia。

TheParisofthreehundredandfiftyyearsago——theParisofthefifteenthcentury——wasalreadyagiganticcity。WeParisiansgenerallymakeamistakeastothegroundwhichwethinkthatwehavegained，sinceParishasnotincreasedmuchoverone-thirdsincethetimeofLouisXI。Ithascertainlylostmoreinbeautythanithasgainedinsize。

Parishaditsbirth，asthereaderknows，inthatoldislandoftheCitywhichhastheformofacradle。Thestrandofthatislandwasitsfirstboundarywall，theSeineitsfirstmoat。Parisremainedformanycenturiesinitsislandstate，withtwobridges，oneonthenorth，theotheronthesouth；

andtwobridgeheads，whichwereatthesametimeitsgatesanditsfortresses，——theGrand-Chateletontherightbank，thePetit-Chateletontheleft。Then，fromthedateofthekingsofthefirstrace，Paris，beingtoocribbedandconfinedinitsisland，andunabletoreturnthither，crossedthewater。Then，beyondtheGrand，beyondthePetit-Chatelet，afirstcircleofwallsandtowersbegantoinfringeuponthecountryonthetwosidesoftheSeine。Somevestigesofthisancientenclosurestillremainedinthelastcentury；to-day，onlythememoryofitisleft，andhereandthereatradition，theBaudetsorBaudoyergate，"PorteBagauda"。

Littlebylittle，thetideofhouses，alwaysthrustfromtheheartofthecityoutwards，overflows，devours，wearsaway，andeffacesthiswall。PhilipAugustusmakesanewdikeforit。HeimprisonsParisinacircularchainofgreattowers，bothloftyandsolid。Fortheperiodofmorethanacentury，thehousespressuponeachother，accumulate，andraisetheirlevelinthisbasin，likewaterinareservoir。Theybegintodeepen；theypilestoryuponstory；theymountuponeachother；theygushforthatthetop，likealllaterallycompressedgrowth，andthereisarivalryastowhichshallthrustitsheadaboveitsneighbors，forthesakeofgettingalittleair。Thestreetglowsnarroweranddeeper，everyspaceisoverwhelmedanddisappears。ThehousesfinallyleapthewallofPhilipAugustus，andscatterjoyfullyovertheplain，withoutorder，andallaskew，likerunaways。Theretheyplantthemselvessquarely，cutthemselvesgardensfromthefields，andtaketheirease。Beginningwith1367，thecityspreadstosuchanextentintothesuburbs，thatanewwallbecomesnecessary，particularlyontherightbank；CharlesV。

buildsit。ButacitylikeParisisperpetuallygrowing。Itisonlysuchcitiesthatbecomecapitals。Theyarefunnels，intowhichallthegeographical，political，moral，andintellectualwater-shedsofacountry，allthenaturalslopesofapeople，pour；wellsofcivilization，sotospeak，andalsosewers，wherecommerce，industry，intelligence，population，——allthatissap，allthatislife，allthatisthesoulofanation，filtersandamassesunceasingly，dropbydrop，centurybycentury。

SoCharlesV。’swallsufferedthefateofthatofPhilipAugustus。Attheendofthefifteenthcentury，theFaubourgstridesacrossit，passesbeyondit，andrunsfarther。Inthesixteenth，itseemstoretreatvisibly，andtoburyitselfdeeperanddeeperintheoldcity，sothickhadthenewcityalreadybecomeoutsideofit。Thus，beginningwiththefifteenthcentury，whereourstoryfindsus，Parishadalreadyoutgrownthethreeconcentriccirclesofwallswhich，fromthetimeofJuliantheApostate，existed，sotospeak，ingermintheGrand-ChateletandthePetit-Chatelet。Themightycityhadcracked，insuccession，itsfourenclosuresofwalls，likeachildgrowntoolargeforhisgarmentsoflastyear。UnderLouisXI。，thisseaofhouseswasseentobepiercedatintervalsbyseveralgroupsofruinedtowers，fromtheancientwall，likethesummitsofhillsinaninundation，——likearchipelagosoftheoldParissubmergedbeneaththenew。

SincethattimeParishasundergoneyetanothertransformation，unfortunatelyforoureyes；butithaspassedonlyonemorewall，thatofLouisXV。，thatmiserablewallofmudandspittle，worthyofthekingwhobuiltit，worthyofthepoetwhosungit，——

~LemurmurantParisrendParismurmurant~。*

*ThewallwallingParismakesParismurmur。

Inthefifteenthcentury，Pariswasstilldividedintothreewhollydistinctandseparatetowns，eachhavingitsownphysiognomy，itsownspecialty，itsmanners，customs，privileges，andhistory:theCity，theUniversity，theTown。TheCity，whichoccupiedtheisland，wasthemostancient，thesmallest，andthemotheroftheothertwo，crowdedinbetweenthemlike(maywebepardonedthecomparison)alittleoldwomanbetweentwolargeandhandsomemaidens。TheUniversitycoveredtheleftbankoftheSeine，fromtheTournelletotheTourdeNesle，pointswhichcorrespondintheParisofto-day，theonetothewinemarket，theothertothemint。ItswallincludedalargepartofthatplainwhereJulianhadbuilthishotbaths。ThehillofSainte-Genevièvewasenclosedinit。

TheculminatingpointofthissweepofwallswasthePapalgate，thatistosay，nearthepresentsiteofthePantheon。

TheTown，whichwasthelargestofthethreefragmentsofParis，heldtherightbank。Itsquay，brokenorinterruptedinmanyplaces，ranalongtheSeine，fromtheTourdeBillytotheTourduBois；thatistosay，fromtheplacewherethegranarystandsto-day，tothepresentsiteoftheTuileries。

Thesefourpoints，wheretheSeineintersectedthewallofthecapital，theTournelleandtheTourdeNesleontheright，theTourdeBillyandtheTourduBoisontheleft，werecalledpre-eminently，"thefourtowersofParis。"TheTownencroachedstillmoreextensivelyuponthefieldsthantheUniversity。

TheculminatingpointoftheTownwall(thatofCharlesV。)

wasatthegatesofSaint-DenisandSaint-Martin，whosesituationhasnotbeenchanged。

Aswehavejustsaid，eachofthesethreegreatdivisionsofPariswasatown，buttoospecialatowntobecomplete，acitywhichcouldnotgetalongwithouttheothertwo。Hencethreeentirelydistinctaspects:churchesaboundedintheCity；palaces，intheTown；andcolleges，intheUniversity。Neglectingheretheoriginalities，ofsecondaryimportanceinoldParis，andthecapriciousregulationsregardingthepublichighways，wewillsay，fromageneralpointofview，takingonlymassesandthewholegroup，inthischaosofcommunaljurisdictions，thattheislandbelongedtothebishop，therightbanktotheprovostofthemerchants，theleftbanktotheRector；overallruledtheprovostofParis，aroyalnotamunicipalofficial。TheCityhadNotre-Dame；theTown，theLouvreandtheH？teldeVille；theUniversity，theSorbonne。

TheTownhadthemarkets(Halles)；thecity，theHospital；

theUniversity，thePré-aux-Clercs。Offencescommittedbythescholarsontheleftbankweretriedinthelawcourtsontheisland，andwerepunishedontherightbankatMontfau？on；

unlesstherector，feelingtheuniversitytobestrongandthekingweak，intervened；foritwasthestudents’privilegetobehangedontheirowngrounds。

Thegreaterpartoftheseprivileges，itmaybenotedinpassing，andthereweresomeevenbetterthantheabove，hadbeenextortedfromthekingsbyrevoltsandmutinies。Itisthecourseofthingsfromtimeimmemorial；thekingonlyletsgowhenthepeopletearaway。Thereisanoldcharterwhichputsthematternaively:aproposoffidelity:~Civibusfidelitasinreges，quoetamenaliquotiesseditionibusinterrypta，multapeperitprivileyia~。

Inthefifteenthcentury，theSeinebathedfiveislandswithinthewallsofParis:Louviersisland，wheretherewerethentrees，andwherethereisnolongeranythingbutwood；l’ileauxVaches，andl’ileNotre-Dame，bothdeserted，withtheexceptionofonehouse，bothfiefsofthebishop——intheseventeenthcentury，asingleislandwasformedoutofthesetwo，whichwasbuiltuponandnamedl’ileSaint-Louis——，lastlytheCity，andatitspoint，thelittleisletofthecowtender，whichwasafterwardsengulfedbeneaththeplatformofthePont-Neuf。TheCitythenhadfivebridges:threeontheright，thePontNotre-Dame，andthePontauChange，ofstone，thePontauxMeuniers，ofwood；twoontheleft，thePetitPont，ofstone，thePontSaint-Michel，ofwood；allloadedwithhouses。

TheUniversityhadsixgates，builtbyPhilipAugustus；

therewere，beginningwithlaTournelle，thePorteSaint-

Victor，thePorteBordelle，thePortePapale，thePorteSaint-

Jacques，thePorteSaint-Michel，thePorteSaint-Germain。

TheTownhadsixgates，builtbyCharlesV。；beginningwiththeTourdeBillytheywere:thePorteSaint-Antoine，thePorteduTemple，thePorteSaint-Martin，thePorteSaint-Denis，thePorteMontmartre，thePorteSaint-Honoré。Allthesegateswerestrong，andalsohandsome，whichdoesnotdetractfromstrength。Alarge，deepmoat，withabriskcurrentduringthehighwaterofwinter，bathedthebaseofthewallroundParis；theSeinefurnishedthewater。Atnight，thegateswereshut，theriverwasbarredatbothendsofthecitywithhugeironchains，andParisslepttranquilly。

Fromabird’s-eyeview，thesethreeburgs，theCity，theTown，andtheUniversity，eachpresentedtotheeyeaninextricableskeinofeccentricallytangledstreets。Nevertheless，atfirstsight，onerecognizedthefactthatthesethreefragmentsformedbutonebody。Oneimmediatelyperceivedthreelongparallelstreets，unbroken，undisturbed，traversing，almostinastraightline，allthreecities，fromoneendtotheother；

fromNorthtoSouth，perpendicularly，totheSeine，whichboundthemtogether，mingledthem，infusedthemineachother，pouredandtransfusedthepeopleincessantly，fromonetotheother，andmadeoneoutofthethree。ThefirstofthesestreetsranfromthePorteSaint-Martin:itwascalledtheRueSaint-JacquesintheUniversity，RuedelaJuiverieintheCity，RueSaint-MartinintheTown；itcrossedthewatertwice，underthenameofthePetitPontandthePontNotre-

Dame。Thesecond，whichwascalledtheRuedelaHarpeontheleftbank，RuedelaBarilleriéintheisland，RueSaint-

Denisontherightbank，PontSaint-MichelononearmoftheSeine，PontauChangeontheother，ranfromthePorteSaint-MichelintheUniversity，tothePorteSaint-DenisintheTown。However，underallthesenames，therewerebuttwostreets，parentstreets，generatingstreets，——thetwoarteriesofParis。Alltheotherveinsofthetriplecityeitherderivedtheirsupplyfromthemoremptiedintothem。

Independentlyofthesetwoprincipalstreets，piercingParisdiametricallyinitswholebreadth，fromsidetoside，commontotheentirecapital，theCityandtheUniversityhadalsoeachitsowngreatspecialstreet，whichranlengthwisebythem，paralleltotheSeine，cutting，asitpassed，atrightangles，thetwoarterialthoroughfares。Thus，intheTown，onedescendedinastraightlinefromthePorteSaint-AntoinetothePorteSaint-Honoré；intheUniversityfromthePorteSaint-VictortothePorteSaint-Germain。Thesetwogreatthoroughfaresintersectedbythetwofirst，formedthecanvasuponwhichreposed，knottedandcrowdedtogetheroneveryhand，thelabyrinthinenetworkofthestreetsofParis。Intheincomprehensibleplanofthesestreets，onedistinguishedlikewise，onlookingattentively，twoclustersofgreatstreets，likemagnifiedsheavesofgrain，oneintheUniversity，theotherintheTown，whichspreadoutgraduallyfromthebridgestothegates。

Sometracesofthisgeometricalplanstillexistto-day。

Now，whataspectdidthiswholepresent，when，asviewedfromthesummitofthetowersofNotre-Dame，in1482？

Thatweshalltrytodescribe。

Forthespectatorwhoarrived，panting，uponthatpinnacle，itwasfirstadazzlingconfusingviewofroofs，chimneys，streets，bridges，places，spires，belltowers。Everythingstruckyoureyeatonce:thecarvedgable，thepointedroof，theturretssuspendedattheanglesofthewalls；thestonepyramidsoftheeleventhcentury，theslateobelisksofthefifteenth；theround，baretowerofthedonjonkeep；thesquareandfrettedtowerofthechurch；thegreatandthelittle，themassiveandtheaerial。Theeyewas，foralongtime，whollylostinthislabyrinth，wheretherewasnothingwhichdidnotpossessitsoriginality，itsreason，itsgenius，itsbeauty，——nothingwhichdidnotproceedfromart；beginningwiththesmallesthouse，withitspaintedandcarvedfront，withexternalbeams，ellipticaldoor，withprojectingstories，totheroyalLouvre，whichthenhadacolonnadeoftowers。Butthesearetheprincipalmasseswhichwerethentobedistinguishedwhentheeyebegantoaccustomitselftothistumultofedifices。

Inthefirstplace，theCity——"TheislandoftheCity，"asSauvalsays，who，inspiteofhisconfusedmedley，sometimeshassuchhappyturnsofexpression，——"theislandofthecityismadelikeagreatship，stuckinthemudandrunagroundinthecurrent，nearthecentreoftheSeine。"

Wehavejustexplainedthat，inthefifteenthcentury，thisshipwasanchoredtothetwobanksoftheriverbyfivebridges。Thisformofashiphadalsostrucktheheraldicscribes；foritisfromthat，andnotfromthesiegebytheNormans，thattheshipwhichblazonstheoldshieldofParis，comes，accordingtoFavynandPasquier。Forhimwhounderstandshowtodecipherthem，armorialbearingsarealgebra，armorialbearingshaveatongue。ThewholehistoryofthesecondhalfoftheMiddleAgesiswritteninarmorialbearings，——thefirsthalfisinthesymbolismoftheRomanchurches。Theyarethehieroglyphicsoffeudalism，succeedingthoseoftheocracy。

ThustheCityfirstpresenteditselftotheeye，withitssterntotheeast，anditsprowtothewest。Turningtowardstheprow，onehadbeforeoneaninnumerableflockofancientroofs，overwhicharchedbroadlythelead-coveredapseoftheSainte-Chapelle，likeanelephant’shaunchesloadedwithitstower。Onlyhere，thistowerwasthemostaudacious，themostopen，themostornamentedspireofcabinet-maker’sworkthateverlettheskypeepthroughitsconeoflace。InfrontofNotre-Dame，andverynearathand，threestreetsopenedintothecathedralsquare，——afinesquare，linedwithancienthouses。Overthesouthsideofthisplacebentthewrinkledandsullenfa？adeoftheH？telDieu，anditsroof，whichseemedcoveredwithwartsandpustules。Then，ontherightandtheleft，toeastandwest，withinthatwalloftheCity，whichwasyetsocontracted，rosethebelltowersofitsoneandtwentychurches，ofeverydate，ofeveryform，ofeverysize，fromthelowandwormeatenbelfryofSaint-DenisduPas(~CarcerGlaueini~)totheslenderneedlesofSaint-PierreauxBoeufsandSaint-Landry。