'BACK TO THE DAYS OF ATTILA."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 23 September 1914, Page 5

'BACK TO THE DAYS OF ATTILA."

(Received Sep. 23, 11.15 a.m.)

ROME, Sep. 22

The Pope expressed horror at the destruction of Rheims Cathedral, and remarked that it was scarcely credible thai in tno twentieth century we should be plunged ba<ik to the days of Attila the Hun (wlio is generally referred to as "the scourge of Europe").

[The Cathedral of Notre Dame at Reims was the coronation place of the Kings or France from its foundation in 1211 until the days of Napoleon. The most famous coronation in the Cathedral was that of Charles VII. in 1429, which was brought about throxigh the efforts of Joan of Arc after she had driven the English from the walls. The Cathedral was one of tne most magnificent examples of the early Gothic style. The choir (finished in 1241), the tran- ! septs, part of the nave, and finally the superb .west facade, all dated from the \ 13th century. The last, described as perhaps the moat beautiful structure i produced in the Middle Ages, was adorn^ with three exquisite portals, containing about 530 statues, some of which, however, have suffered from the ravages of time. The facade above the portals was pierced by three long windows, the magnificent Itose Window in the centre being 40 feet in diameter. The two fine. west towers, with their large windows and aerial turrets, were 267 feet high. ?Fhe spires were never executed. The North Portal was ornamented with statues of the Bishops of Reims. The interior of the church was ; 455 feet Ions;, 99 feet wide, and 125 feet high. In the nave and transepts was preserved much valuable tapestry. The interior was also adorned with many fine* statues/] - ■ \