It
is in the third Pointed style, and, built on an eminence, is approached
by a somewhat imposing flight of steps. A narrow thoroughfare leads up
to it, and the nearer houses are inhabited by the priests and other
members of the religious community.
The porch and windows are Flamboyant, and a little of the stained glass
is good. The interior is divided into three naves by wooden partitions,
consisting of pillars without capitals supporting pointed arches. The
wall-plates represent monks in grotesque attitudes: portraits, perhaps,
of those who inhabited the Priory of St. Melaine of Rennes, to which the
church originally belonged. The basin for holy water between the porches
has a very interesting cover; but still more remarkable is the cover to
the font, an imposing and elegantly sculptured octagonal work of art of
the Renaissance period, raised and lowered by means of pulleys. The
organ case is also good; and having said so much, there is nothing left
to record in favour of St. Melaine. The general effect of the church is
poor and mean, and the most vivid impression left upon the mind is that
caused by the sharp climb up the narrow street and flight of steps, with
little reward beyond one's trouble for the pains of mounting.
Pages:
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138