1034

PRACTICE OF ARCHITECTURE. Book III.

circles at tliis pcrioil ;
tlicso
were the prliieiiial decorations after the I-ancet style ivas abati-
doned, and were
continued
until succeeded by more flowing and varied designs.
liosd
Winduw
of
the
South
Transept at Ucauvais, 34 feet 4 inches ill diameter, is coiiniosed
of six large circles and
their
intersections.
'J"o set out this win-
dow the great circle
cxjjressed hy the cuter
!)ead is divided into
twelve ])arts, each
being equal to half the
r-idius; twelve equi-
lateral triangles are
then inscribed,
the
points of which touch
each of the
divisions,
and where they
cross
nearest to the
outer
circle, the
twelve
pointed
arches that
surround the
figure
are struck ;
the other
points of
intersection
(jf the triangles are
centres, from which
the other curves are
drawn. It must at once
be evident, tluit in a
circle so divided, or liy
any other e()ual num-
ber of equilateral tri-
angles, the portions
contained between the
smaller angles must
be equal to each other
;
the six circles around
the centre have their
curves blended into
the outer, and if it be
required to fix centres
for each of these flow-
ing lines, they can only
be obtained by cover-
ing the entire rose
window with lines in
the manner already
described. The radius
being equal to the
side of a hexagon, and
that figure being com-
posed of two equi-
lateral triangles, was
probably the chief
reason of its first pre-
ference overall others;
it certainly affords the
most extraordinary
powers of
combination,
and there is carcely
a
from it.
BEAi;V.MS CArilEDUAL : SOUTH TRANSEPT.
moulding or form in the architecture of this period but is set out
Tiie mullions that bound the divisit)ns are all portions of this figure, as are the
mouldings, which sweep round the arches of the buildings themselves. Nothing can sur-
l)ass the brilliant effect of these marigold windows when glazed with rich colours, and
exposed to either a rising or setting sun
;
in the exain])le now described, this effect is still
further heightened by making nearly the whole end of the southern transept a continuation
of the same design, the glass descending almost to the tops of the doors which afford acci's-s
to the cathedral. The construction of such works must excite our highest admiration, for
it ap])c^ars scarcely possible to excel the perfect manner in which the parts are pul
together and worked olii the execution being in every paiticular worthy the design.