Itwastheonlyspeechwhichheunderstood，theonlysoundwhichbrokeforhimtheuniversalsilence。Heswelledoutinitasabirddoesinthesun。Allofasudden，thefrenzyofthebellseizeduponhim；hislookbecameextraordinary；
helayinwaitforthegreatbellasitpassed，asaspiderliesinwaitforafly，andflunghimselfabruptlyuponit，withmightandmain。Then，suspendedabovetheabyss，bornetoandfrobytheformidableswingingofthebell，heseizedthebrazenmonsterbytheear-laps，presseditbetweenbothknees，spurreditonwithhisheels，andredoubledthefuryofthepealwiththewholeshockandweightofhisbody。Meanwhile，thetowertrembled；heshriekedandgnashedhisteeth，hisredhairroseerect，hisbreastheavinglikeabellows，hiseyeflashedflames，themonstrousbellneighed，panting，beneathhim；andthenitwasnolongerthegreatbellofNotre-
DamenorQuasimodo:itwasadream，awhirlwind，atempest，dizzinessmountedastrideofnoise；aspiritclingingtoaflyingcrupper，astrangecentaur，halfman，halfbell；asortofhorribleAstolphus，borneawayuponaprodigioushippogriffoflivingbronze。
Thepresenceofthisextraordinarybeingcaused，asitwere，abreathoflifetocirculatethroughouttheentirecathedral。
Itseemedasthoughthereescapedfromhim，atleastaccordingtothegrowingsuperstitionsofthecrowd，amysteriousemanationwhichanimatedallthestonesofNotre-Dame，andmadethedeepbowelsoftheancientchurchtopalpitate。Itsufficedforpeopletoknowthathewasthere，tomakethembelievethattheybeheldthethousandstatuesofthegalleriesandthefrontsinmotion。Andthecathedraldidindeedseemadocileandobedientcreaturebeneathhishand；itwaitedonhiswilltoraiseitsgreatvoice；itwaspossessedandfilledwithQuasimodo，aswithafamiliarspirit。Onewouldhavesaidthathemadetheimmenseedificebreathe。Hewaseverywhereaboutit；infact，hemultipliedhimselfonallpointsofthestructure。Nowoneperceivedwithaffrightattheverytopofoneofthetowers，afantasticdwarfclimbing，writhing，crawlingonallfours，descendingoutsideabovetheabyss，leapingfromprojectiontoprojection，andgoingtoransackthebellyofsomesculpturedgorgon；itwasQuasimododislodgingthecrows。Again，insomeobscurecornerofthechurchonecameincontactwithasortoflivingchimera，crouchingandscowling；itwasQuasimodoengagedinthought。
Sometimesonecaughtsight，uponabelltower，ofanenormousheadandabundleofdisorderedlimbsswingingfuriouslyattheendofarope；itwasQuasimodoringingvespersortheAngelus。Oftenatnightahideousformwasseenwanderingalongthefrailbalustradeofcarvedlacework，whichcrownsthetowersandbordersthecircumferenceoftheapse；againitwasthehunchbackofNotre-Dame。Then，saidthewomenoftheneighborhood，thewholechurchtookonsomethingfantastic，supernatural，horrible；eyesandmouthswereopened，hereandthere；oneheardthedogs，themonsters，andthegargoylesofstone，whichkeepwatchnightandday，withoutstretchedneckandopenjaws，aroundthemonstrouscathedral，barking。And，ifitwasaChristmasEve，whilethegreatbell，whichseemedtoemitthedeathrattle，summonedthefaithfultothemidnightmass，suchanairwasspreadoverthesombrefa？adethatonewouldhavedeclaredthatthegrandportalwasdevouringthethrong，andthattherosewindowwaswatchingit。AndallthiscamefromQuasimodo。Egyptwouldhavetakenhimforthegodofthistemple；theMiddleAgesbelievedhimtobeitsdemon:hewasinfactitssoul。
TosuchanextentwasthisdiseasethatforthosewhoknowthatQuasimodohasexisted，Notre-Dameisto-daydeserted，inanimate，dead。Onefeelsthatsomethinghasdisappearedfromit。Thatimmensebodyisempty；itisaskeleton；thespirithasquittedit，oneseesitsplaceandthatisall。Itislikeaskullwhichstillhasholesfortheeyes，butnolongersight。
CHAPTERIV。
THEDOGANDHISMASTER。
Nevertheless，therewasonehumancreaturewhomQuasimodoexceptedfromhismaliceandfromhishatredforothers，andwhomhelovedevenmore，perhaps，thanhiscathedral:
thiswasClaudeFrollo。
Thematterwassimple；ClaudeFrollohadtakenhimin，hadadoptedhim，hadnourishedhim，hadrearedhim。Whenalittlelad，itwasbetweenClaudeFrollo’slegsthathewasaccustomedtoseekrefuge，whenthedogsandthechildrenbarkedafterhim。ClaudeFrollohadtaughthimtotalk，toread，towrite。ClaudeFrollohadfinallymadehimthebellringer。Now，togivethebigbellinmarriagetoQuasimodowastogiveJuliettoRomeo。
HenceQuasimodo’sgratitudewasprofound，passionate，boundless；andalthoughthevisageofhisadoptedfatherwasoftencloudedorsevere，althoughhisspeechwashabituallycurt，harsh，imperious，thatgratitudeneverwaveredforasinglemoment。ThearchdeaconhadinQuasimodothemostsubmissiveslave，themostdocilelackey，themostvigilantofdogs。Whenthepoorbellringerbecamedeaf，therehadbeenestablishedbetweenhimandClaudeFrollo，alanguageofsigns，mysteriousandunderstoodbythemselvesalone。InthismannerthearchdeaconwasthesolehumanbeingwithwhomQuasimodohadpreservedcommunication。
Hewasinsympathywithbuttwothingsinthisworld:Notre-
DameandClaudeFrollo。
Thereisnothingwhichcanbecomparedwiththeempireofthearchdeaconoverthebellringer；withtheattachmentofthebellringerforthearchdeacon。AsignfromClaudeandtheideaofgivinghimpleasurewouldhavesufficedtomakeQuasimodohurlhimselfheadlongfromthesummitofNotre-
Dame。Itwasaremarkablething——allthatphysicalstrengthwhichhadreachedinQuasimodosuchanextraordinarydevelopment，andwhichwasplacedbyhimblindlyatthedispositionofanother。Therewasinit，nodoubt，filialdevotion，domesticattachment；therewasalsothefascinationofonespiritbyanotherspirit。Itwasapoor，awkward，andclumsyorganization，whichstoodwithloweredheadandsupplicatingeyesbeforealoftyandprofound，apowerfulandsuperiorintellect。Lastly，andaboveall，itwasgratitude。Gratitudesopushedtoitsextremestlimit，thatwedonotknowtowhattocompareit。Thisvirtueisnotoneofthoseofwhichthefinestexamplesaretobemetwithamongmen。Wewillsaythen，thatQuasimodolovedthearchdeaconasneveradog，neverahorse，neveranelephantlovedhismaster。
CHAPTERV。
MOREABOUTCLAUDEFROLLO。
In1482，Quasimodowasabouttwentyyearsofage；ClaudeFrollo，aboutthirty-six。Onehadgrownup，theotherhadgrownold。
ClaudeFrollowasnolongerthesimplescholarofthecollegeofTorch，thetenderprotectorofalittlechild，theyounganddreamyphilosopherwhoknewmanythingsandwasignorantofmany。Hewasapriest，austere，grave，morose；onechargedwithsouls；monsieurthearchdeaconofJosas，thebishop’ssecondacolyte，havingchargeofthetwodeaneriesofMontlhéry，andChateaufort，andonehundredandseventy-fourcountrycuracies。Hewasanimposingandsombrepersonage，beforewhomthechoirboysinalbandinjackettrembled，aswellasthemachicots*，andthebrothersofSaint-AugustineandthematutinalclerksofNotre-Dame，whenhepassedslowlybeneaththeloftyarchesofthechoir，majestic，thoughtful，witharmsfoldedandhisheadsobentuponhisbreastthatallonesawofhisfacewashislarge，baldbrow。
*AnofficialofNotre-Dame，lowerthanabeneficedclergyman，higherthansimplepaidchanters。
DomClaudeFrollohad，however，abandonedneithersciencenortheeducationofhisyoungbrother，thosetwooccupationsofhislife。Butastimewenton，somebitternesshadbeenmingledwiththesethingswhichweresosweet。Inthelongrun，saysPaulDiacre，thebestlardturnsrancid。LittleJehanFrollo，surnamed~duMoulin~"oftheMill"becauseoftheplacewherehehadbeenreared，hadnotgrownupinthedirectionwhichClaudewouldhavelikedtoimposeuponhim。
Thebigbrothercounteduponapious，docile，learned，andhonorablepupil。Butthelittlebrother，likethoseyoungtreeswhichdeceivethegardener’shopesandturnobstinatelytothequarterwhencetheyreceivesunandair，thelittlebrotherdidnotgrowanddidnotmultiply，butonlyputforthfinebushyandluxuriantbranchesonthesideoflaziness，ignorance，anddebauchery。Hewasaregulardevil，andaverydisorderlyone，whomadeDomClaudescowl；butverydrollandverysubtle，whichmadethebigbrothersmile。
ClaudehadconfidedhimtothatsamecollegeofTorchiwherehehadpassedhisearlyyearsinstudyandmeditation；
anditwasagrieftohimthatthissanctuary，formerlyedifiedbythenameofFrollo，shouldto-daybescandalizedbyit。
HesometimespreachedJehanverylongandseveresermons，whichthelatterintrepidlyendured。Afterall，theyoungscapegracehadagoodheart，ascanbeseeninallcomedies。
Butthesermonover，henonethelesstranquillyresumedhiscourseofseditionsandenormities。Nowitwasa~bejaune~oryellowbeakastheycalledthenewarrivalsattheuniversity，whomhehadbeenmaulingbywayofwelcome；aprecioustraditionwhichhasbeencarefullypreservedtoourownday。
Again，hehadsetinmovementabandofscholars，whohadflungthemselvesuponawine-shopinclassicfashion，quasi~classicoexcitati~，hadthenbeatenthetavern-keeper"withoffensivecudgels，"andjoyouslypillagedthetavern，eventosmashinginthehogsheadsofwineinthecellar。AndthenitwasafinereportinLatin，whichthesub-monitorofTorchicarriedpiteouslytoDomClaudewiththisdolorousmarginalcomment，——~Rixa；primacausavinumoptimumpotatum~。Finally，itwassaid，athingquitehorribleinaboyofsixteen，thathisdebaucheryoftenextendedasfarastheRuedeGlatigny。
Claude，saddenedanddiscouragedinhishumanaffections，byallthis，hadflunghimselfeagerlyintothearmsoflearning，thatsisterwhich，atleastdoesnotlaughinyourface，andwhichalwayspaysyou，thoughinmoneythatissometimesalittlehollow，fortheattentionwhichyouhavepaidtoher。
Hence，hebecamemoreandmorelearned，and，atthesametime，asanaturalconsequence，moreandmorerigidasapriest，moreandmoresadasaman。Thereareforeachofusseveralparallelismsbetweenourintelligence，ourhabits，andourcharacter，whichdevelopwithoutabreak，andbreakonlyinthegreatdisturbancesoflife。
AsClaudeFrollohadpassedthroughnearlytheentirecircleofhumanlearning——positive，exterior，andpermissible——sincehisyouth，hewasobliged，unlesshecametoahalt，~ubidefuitorbis~，toproceedfurtherandseekotheralimentsfortheinsatiableactivityofhisintelligence。Theantiquesymboloftheserpentbitingitstailis，aboveall，applicabletoscience。ItwouldappearthatClaudeFrollohadexperiencedthis。Manygravepersonsaffirmthat，afterhavingexhaustedthe~fas~ofhumanlearning，hehaddaredtopenetrateintothe~nefas~。Hehad，theysaid，tastedinsuccessionalltheapplesofthetreeofknowledge，and，whetherfromhungerordisgust，hadendedbytastingtheforbiddenfruit。Hehadtakenhisplacebyturns，asthereaderhasseen，intheconferencesofthetheologiansinSorbonne，——intheassembliesofthedoctorsofart，afterthemannerofSaint-Hilaire，——inthedisputesofthedecretalists，afterthemannerofSaint-Martin，——inthecongregationsofphysiciansattheholywaterfontofNotre-
Dame，~adcupamNostroe-Dominoe~。Allthedishespermittedandapproved，whichthosefourgreatkitchenscalledthefourfacultiescouldelaborateandservetotheunderstanding，hehaddevoured，andhadbeensatiatedwiththembeforehishungerwasappeased。Thenhehadpenetratedfurther，lower，beneathallthatfinished，material，limitedknowledge；
hehad，perhaps，riskedhissoul，andhadseatedhimselfinthecavernatthatmysterioustableofthealchemists，oftheastrologers，ofthehermetics，ofwhichAverroès，GillaumedeParis，andNicolasFlamelholdtheendintheMiddleAges；
andwhichextendsintheEast，bythelightoftheseven-
branchedcandlestick，toSolomon，Pythagoras，andZoroaster。
Thatis，atleast，whatwassupposed，whetherrightlyornot。
ItiscertainthatthearchdeaconoftenvisitedthecemeteryoftheSaints-Innocents，where，itistrue，hisfatherandmotherhadbeenburied，withothervictimsoftheplagueof1466；butthatheappearedfarlessdevoutbeforethecrossoftheirgravethanbeforethestrangefigureswithwhichthetombofNicolasFlamelandClaudePernelle，erectedjustbesideit，wasloaded。
ItiscertainthathehadfrequentlybeenseentopassalongtheRuedesLombards，andfurtivelyenteralittlehousewhichformedthecorneroftheRuedesEcrivansandtheRueMarivault。ItwasthehousewhichNicolasFlamelhadbuilt，wherehehaddiedabout1417，andwhich，constantlydesertedsincethattime，hadalreadybeguntofallinruins，——sogreatlyhadthehermeticsandthealchemistsofallcountrieswastedawaythewalls，merelybycarvingtheirnamesuponthem。Someneighborsevenaffirmthattheyhadonceseen，throughanair-hole，ArchdeaconClaudeexcavating，turningover，digginguptheearthinthetwocellars，whosesupportshadbeendaubedwithnumberlesscoupletsandhieroglyphicsbyNicolasFlamelhimself。ItwassupposedthatFlamelhadburiedthephilosopher’sstoneinthecellar；andthealchemists，forthespaceoftwocenturies，fromMagistritoFatherPacifique，neverceasedtoworrythesoiluntilthehouse，socruellyransackedandturnedover，endedbyfallingintodustbeneaththeirfeet。
Again，itiscertainthatthearchdeaconhadbeenseizedwithasingularpassionforthesymbolicaldoorofNotre-
Dame，thatpageofaconjuringbookwritteninstone，byBishopGuillaumedeParis，whohas，nodoubt，beendamnedforhavingaffixedsoinfernalafrontispiecetothesacredpoemchantedbytherestoftheedifice。ArchdeaconClaudehadthecreditalsoofhavingfathomedthemysteryofthecolossusofSaintChristopher，andofthatlofty，enigmaticalstatuewhichthenstoodattheentranceofthevestibule，andwhichthepeople，inderision，called"MonsieurLegris。"But，whateveryonemighthavenoticedwastheinterminablehourswhichheoftenemployed，seatedupontheparapetoftheareainfrontofthechurch，incontemplatingthesculpturesofthefront；examiningnowthefoolishvirginswiththeirlampsreversed，nowthewisevirginswiththeirlampsupright；again，calculatingtheangleofvisionofthatravenwhichbelongstotheleftfront，andwhichislookingatamysteriouspointinsidethechurch，whereisconcealedthephilosopher’sstone，ifitbenotinthecellarofNicolasFlamel。
Itwas，letusremarkinpassing，asingularfatefortheChurchofNotre-Dameatthatepochtobesobeloved，intwodifferentdegrees，andwithsomuchdevotion，bytwobeingssodissimilarasClaudeandQuasimodo。Belovedbyone，asortofinstinctiveandsavagehalf-man，foritsbeauty，foritsstature，fortheharmonieswhichemanatedfromitsmagnificentensemble；belovedbytheother，alearnedandpassionateimagination，foritsmyth，forthesensewhichitcontains，forthesymbolismscatteredbeneaththesculpturesofitsfront，——likethefirsttextunderneaththesecondinapalimpsest，——inaword，fortheenigmawhichitiseternallypropoundingtotheunderstanding。
Furthermore，itiscertainthatthearchdeaconhadestablishedhimselfinthatoneofthetwotowerswhichlooksupontheGrève，justbesidetheframeforthebells，averysecretlittlecell，intowhichnoone，noteventhebishop，enteredwithouthisleave，itwassaid。Thistinycellhadformerlybeenmadealmostatthesummitofthetower，amongtheravens’nests，byBishopHugodeBesan？on*whohadwroughtsorcerythereinhisday。Whatthatcellcontained，nooneknew；butfromthestrandoftheTerrain，atnight，therewasoftenseentoappear，disappear，andreappearatbriefandregularintervals，atalittledormerwindowopeninguponthebackofthetower，acertainred，intermittent，singularlightwhichseemedtofollowthepantingbreathsofabellows，andtoproceedfromaflame，ratherthanfromalight。Inthedarkness，atthatheight，itproducedasingulareffect；andthegoodwivessaid:"There’sthearchdeaconblowing！hellissparklingupyonder！"
*HugoII。deBisuncio，1326-1332。
Therewerenogreatproofsofsorceryinthat，afterall，buttherewasstillenoughsmoketowarrantasurmiseoffire，andthearchdeaconboreatolerablyformidablereputation。Weoughttomentionhowever，thatthesciencesofEgypt，thatnecromancyandmagic，eventhewhitest，eventhemostinnocent，hadnomoreenvenomedenemy，nomorepitilessdenunciatorbeforethegentlemenoftheofficialtyofNotre-Dame。
Whetherthiswassincerehorror，orthegameplayedbythethiefwhoshouts，"stopthief！"atallevents，itdidnotpreventthearchdeaconfrombeingconsideredbythelearnedheadsofthechapter，asasoulwhohadventuredintothevestibuleofhell，whowaslostinthecavesofthecabal，gropingamidtheshadowsoftheoccultsciences。Neitherwerethepeopledeceivedthereby；withanyonewhopossessedanysagacity，Quasimodopassedforthedemon；ClaudeFrollo，forthesorcerer。Itwasevidentthatthebellringerwastoservethearchdeaconforagiventime，attheendofwhichhewouldcarryawaythelatter’ssoul，bywayofpayment。Thusthearchdeacon，inspiteoftheexcessiveausterityofhislife，wasinbadodoramongallpioussouls；andtherewasnodevoutnosesoinexperiencedthatitcouldnotsmellhimouttobeamagician。
Andif，ashegrewolder，abysseshadformedinhisscience，theyhadalsoformedinhisheart。Thatatleast，iswhatonehadgroundsforbelievingonscrutinizingthatfaceuponwhichthesoulwasonlyseentoshinethroughasombrecloud。
Whencethatlarge，baldbrow？thatheadforeverbent？thatbreastalwaysheavingwithsighs？Whatsecretthoughtcausedhismouthtosmilewithsomuchbitterness，atthesamemomentthathisscowlingbrowsapproachedeachotherliketwobullsonthepointoffighting？Whywaswhathairhehadleftalreadygray？Whatwasthatinternalfirewhichsometimesbrokeforthinhisglance，tosuchadegreethathiseyeresembledaholepiercedinthewallofafurnace？
Thesesymptomsofaviolentmoralpreoccupation，hadacquiredanespeciallyhighdegreeofintensityattheepochwhenthisstorytakesplace。Morethanonceachoir-boyhadfledinterroratfindinghimaloneinthechurch，sostrangeanddazzlingwashislook。Morethanonce，inthechoir，atthehouroftheoffices，hisneighborinthestallshadheardhimminglewiththeplainsong，~adomnemtonum~，unintelligibleparentheses。MorethanoncethelaundressoftheTerraincharged"withwashingthechapter"hadobserved，notwithoutaffright，themarksofnailsandclenchedfingersonthesurpliceofmonsieurthearchdeaconofJosas。
However，heredoubledhisseverity，andhadneverbeenmoreexemplary。Byprofessionaswellasbycharacter，hehadalwaysheldhimselfalooffromwomen；heseemedtohatethemmorethanever。Themererustlingofasilkenpetticoatcausedhishoodtofalloverhiseyes。Uponthisscorehewassojealousofausterityandreserve，thatwhentheDamedeBeaujeu，theking’sdaughter，cametovisitthecloisterofNotre-Dame，inthemonthofDecember，1481，hegravelyopposedherentrance，remindingthebishopofthestatuteoftheBlackBook，datingfromthevigilofSaint-Barthélemy，1334，whichinterdictsaccesstothecloisterto"anywomanwhatever，oldoryoung，mistressormaid。"UponwhichthebishophadbeenconstrainedtorecitetohimtheordinanceofLegateOdo，whichexceptscertaingreatdames，~aliquoemagnatesmulieres，quoesinescandalovitarinonpossunt~。
Andagainthearchdeaconhadprotested，objectingthattheordinanceofthelegate，whichdatedbackto1207，wasanteriorbyahundredandtwenty-sevenyearstotheBlackBook，andconsequentlywasabrogatedinfactbyit。Andhehadrefusedtoappearbeforetheprincess。
ItwasalsonoticedthathishorrorforBohemianwomenandgypsieshadseemedtoredoubleforsometimepast。HehadpetitionedthebishopforanedictwhichexpresslyforbadetheBohemianwomentocomeanddanceandbeattheirtambourinesontheplaceoftheParvis；andforaboutthesamelengthoftime，hehadbeenransackingthemouldyplacardsoftheofficialty，inordertocollectthecasesofsorcerersandwitchescondemnedtofireortherope，forcomplicityincrimeswithrams，sows，orgoats。
CHAPTERVI。
UNPOPULARITY。
Thearchdeaconandthebellringer，aswehavealreadysaid，werebutlittlelovedbythepopulacegreatandsmall，inthevicinityofthecathedral。WhenClaudeandQuasimodowentouttogether，whichfrequentlyhappened，andwhentheywereseentraversingincompany，thevaletbehindthemaster，thecold，narrow，andgloomystreetsoftheblockofNotre-Dame，morethanoneevilword，morethanoneironicalquaver，morethanoneinsultingjestgreetedthemontheirway，unlessClaudeFrollo，whichwasrarelythecase，walkedwithheaduprightandraised，showinghissevereandalmostaugustbrowtothedumbfoundedjeerers。
Bothwereintheirquarterlike"thepoets"ofwhomRégnierspeaks，——
"Allsortsofpersonsrunafterpoets，Aswarblersflyshriekingafterowls。"
SometimesamischievouschildriskedhisskinandbonesfortheineffablepleasureofdrivingapinintoQuasimodo’shump。
Again，ayounggirl，moreboldandsaucythanwasfitting，brushedthepriest’sblackrobe，singinginhisfacethesardonicditty，"niche，niche，thedeviliscaught。"Sometimesagroupofsqualidoldcrones，squattinginafileundertheshadowofthestepstoaporch，scoldednoisilyasthearchdeaconandthebellringerpassed，andtossedthemthisencouragingwelcome，withacurse:"Hum！there’safellowwhosesoulismadeliketheotherone’sbody！"Orabandofschoolboysandstreeturchins，playinghop-scotch，roseinabodyandsalutedhimclassically，withsomecryinLatin:"~Eia！eia！Claudiuscumclaudo~！"
Buttheinsultgenerallypassedunnoticedbothbythepriestandthebellringer。Quasimodowastoodeaftohearallthesegraciousthings，andClaudewastoodreamy。
BOOKFIFTH。
CHAPTERI。
~ABBASBEATIMARTINI~。
DomClaude’sfamehadspreadfarandwide。Itprocuredforhim，atabouttheepochwhenherefusedtoseeMadamedeBeaujeu，avisitwhichhelongremembered。
Itwasintheevening。Hehadjustretired，aftertheoffice，tohiscanon’scellinthecloisterofNotre-Dame。Thiscell，withtheexception，possibly，ofsomeglassphials，relegatedtoacorner，andfilledwithadecidedlyequivocalpowder，whichstronglyresembledthealchemist’s"powderofprojection，"
presentednothingstrangeormysterious。Therewere，indeed，hereandthere，someinscriptionsonthewalls，buttheywerepuresentencesoflearningandpiety，extractedfromgoodauthors。Thearchdeaconhadjustseatedhimself，bythelightofathree-jettedcopperlamp，beforeavastcoffercrammedwithmanuscripts。Hehadrestedhiselbowupontheopenvolumeof_Honoriusd’Autun_，~Depredestinationeetliberoarbitrio~，andhewasturningover，indeepmeditation，theleavesofaprintedfoliowhichhehadjustbrought，thesoleproductofthepresswhichhiscellcontained。Inthemidstofhisreverytherecameaknockathisdoor。"Who’sthere？"criedthelearnedman，inthegracioustoneofafamisheddog，disturbedoverhisbone。
Avoicewithoutreplied，"Yourfriend，JacquesCoictier。"
Hewenttoopenthedoor。
Itwas，infact，theking’sphysician；apersonaboutfiftyyearsofage，whoseharshphysiognomywasmodifiedonlybyacraftyeye。Anothermanaccompaniedhim。Bothworelongslate-coloredrobes，furredwithminever，girdedandclosed，withcapsofthesamestuffandhue。Theirhandswereconcealedbytheirsleeves，theirfeetbytheirrobes，theireyesbytheircaps。
"Godhelpme，messieurs！"saidthearchdeacon，showingthemin；"Iwasnotexpectingdistinguishedvisitorsatsuchanhour。"Andwhilespeakinginthiscourteousfashionhecastanuneasyandscrutinizingglancefromthephysiciantohiscompanion。
"’TisnevertoolatetocomeandpayavisittosoconsiderablealearnedmanasDomClaudeFrollodeTirechappe，"repliedDoctorCoictier，whoseFranche-Comtéaccentmadeallhisphrasesdragalongwiththemajestyofatrain-robe。
Therethenensuedbetweenthephysicianandthearchdeacononeofthosecongratulatoryprologueswhich，inaccordancewithcustom，atthatepochprecededallconversationsbetweenlearnedmen，andwhichdidnotpreventthemfromdetestingeachotherinthemostcordialmannerintheworld。
However，itisthesamenowadays；everywiseman’smouthcomplimentinganotherwisemanisavaseofhoneyedgall。
ClaudeFrollo’sfelicitationstoJacquesCoictierborereferenceprincipallytothetemporaladvantageswhichtheworthyphysicianhadfoundmeanstoextract，inthecourseofhismuchenviedcareer，fromeachmaladyoftheking，anoperationofalchemymuchbetterandmorecertainthanthepursuitofthephilosopher’sstone。
"Intruth，MonsieurleDocteurCoictier，Ifeltgreatjoyonlearningofthebishopricgivenyournephew，myreverendseigneurPierreVerse。IshenotBishopofAmiens？"
"Yes，monsieurArchdeacon；itisagraceandmercyofGod。"
"DoyouknowthatyoumadeagreatfigureonChristmasDayatthebeadofyourcompanyofthechamberofaccounts，MonsieurPresident？"
"Vice-President，DomClaude。Alas！nothingmore。"
"HowisyoursuperbhouseintheRueSaint-AndrédesArcscomingon？’TisaLouvre。Ilovegreatlytheapricottreewhichiscarvedonthedoor，withthisplayofwords:
’AL’ABRI-COTIER——Shelteredfromreefs。’"
"Alas！MasterClaude，allthatmasonrycostethmedear。
Inproportionasthehouseiserected，Iamruined。"
"Ho！haveyounotyourrevenuesfromthejail，andthebailiwickofthePalais，andtherentsofallthehouses，sheds，stalls，andboothsoftheenclosure？’Tisafinebreasttosuck。"
"MycastellanyofPoissyhasbroughtmeinnothingthisyear。"
"ButyourtollsofTriel，ofSaint-James，ofSaint-Germainen-Layearealwaysgood。"
"Sixscorelivres，andnotevenParisianlivresatthat。"
"Youhaveyourofficeofcounsellortotheking。Thatisfixed。"
"Yes，brotherClaude；butthataccursedseigneuryofPoligny，whichpeoplemakesomuchnoiseabout，isworthnotsixtygoldcrowns，yearoutandyearin。"
InthecomplimentswhichDomClaudeaddressedtoJacquesCoictier，therewasthatsardonical，biting，andcovertlymockingaccent，andthesadcruelsmileofasuperiorandunhappymanwhotoysforamoment，bywayofdistraction，withthedenseprosperityofavulgarman。Theotherdidnotperceiveit。
"Uponmysoul，"saidClaudeatlength，pressinghishand，"Iamgladtoseeyouandinsuchgoodhealth。"
"Thanks，MasterClaude。"
"Bytheway，"exclaimedDomClaude，"howisyourroyalpatient？"
"Hepayethnotsufficientlyhisphysician，"repliedthedoctor，castingasideglanceathiscompanion。
"Thinkyouso，GossipCoictier，"saidthelatter。
Thesewords，utteredinatoneofsurpriseandreproach，drewuponthisunknownpersonagetheattentionofthearchdeaconwhich，totellthetruth，hadnotbeendivertedfromhimasinglemomentsincethestrangerhadsetfootacrossthethresholdofhiscell。IthadevenrequiredallthethousandreasonswhichhehadforhandlingtenderlyDoctorJacquesCoictier，theall-powerfulphysicianofKingLouisXI。，toinducehimtoreceivethelatterthusaccompanied。Hence，therewasnothingverycordialinhismannerwhenJacquesCoictiersaidtohim，——
"Bytheway，DomClaude，Ibringyouacolleaguewhohasdesiredtoseeyouonaccountofyourreputation。"
"Monsieurbelongstoscience？"askedthearchdeacon，fixinghispiercingeyeuponCoictier’scompanion。Hefoundbeneaththebrowsofthestrangeraglancenolesspiercingorlessdistrustfulthanhisown。
Hewas，sofarasthefeeblelightofthelamppermittedonetojudge，anoldmanaboutsixtyyearsofageandofmediumstature，whoappearedsomewhatsicklyandbrokeninhealth。Hisprofile，althoughofaveryordinaryoutline，hadsomethingpowerfulandsevereaboutit；hiseyessparkledbeneathaverydeepsuperciliaryarch，likealightinthedepthsofacave；andbeneathhiscapwhichwaswelldrawndownandfelluponhisnose，onerecognizedthebroadexpanseofabrowofgenius。
Hetookituponhimselftoreplytothearchdeacon’squestion，——
"Reverendmaster，"hesaidinagravetone，"yourrenownhasreachedmyears，andIwishtoconsultyou。Iambutapoorprovincialgentleman，whoremovethhisshoesbeforeenteringthedwellingsofthelearned。Youmustknowmyname。IamcalledGossipTourangeau。"
"Strangenameforagentleman，"saidthearchdeacontohimself。
Nevertheless，hehadafeelingthathewasinthepresenceofastrongandearnestcharacter。TheinstinctofhisownloftyintellectmadehimrecognizeanintellectnolessloftyunderGossipTourangeau’sfurredcap，andashegazedatthesolemnface，theironicalsmilewhichJacquesCoictier’spresencecalledforthonhisgloomyface，graduallydisappearedastwilightfadesonthehorizonofnight。
Sternandsilent，hehadresumedhisseatinhisgreatarmchair；hiselbowrestedasusual，onthetable，andhisbrowonhishand。Afterafewmomentsofreflection，hemotionedhisvisitorstobeseated，and，turningtoGossipTourangeauhesaid，——
"Youcometoconsultme，master，anduponwhatscience？"
"Yourreverence，"repliedTourangeau，"Iamill，veryill。
YouaresaidtobegreatAEsculapius，andIamcometoaskyouradviceinmedicine。"
"Medicine！"saidthearchdeacon，tossinghishead。Heseemedtomeditateforamoment，andthenresumed:"GossipTourangeau，sincethatisyourname，turnyourhead，youwillfindmyreplyalreadywrittenonthewall。"
GossipTourangeauobeyed，andreadthisinscriptionengravedabovehishead:"Medicineisthedaughterofdreams——JAMBLIQUE。"
Meanwhile，DoctorJacquesCoictierhadheardhiscompanion’squestionwithadispleasurewhichDomClaude’sresponsehadbutredoubled。HebentdowntotheearofGossipTourangeau，andsaidtohim，softlyenoughnottobeheardbythearchdeacon:"Iwarnedyouthathewasmad。
Youinsistedonseeinghim。"
"’Tisverypossiblethatheisright，madmanasheis，DoctorJacques，"repliedhiscomradeinthesamelowtone，andwithabittersmile。
"Asyouplease，"repliedCoictierdryly。Then，addressingthearchdeacon:"Youarecleveratyourtrade，DomClaude，andyouarenomoreatalossoverHippocratesthanamonkeyisoveranut。Medicineadream！Isuspectthatthepharmacopolistsandthemasterphysicianswouldinsistuponstoningyouiftheywerehere。Soyoudenytheinfluenceofphiltresupontheblood，andunguentsontheskin！Youdenythateternalpharmacyofflowersandmetals，whichiscalledtheworld，madeexpresslyforthateternalinvalidcalledman！"
"Ideny，"saidDomClaudecoldly，"neitherpharmacynortheinvalid。Irejectthephysician。"
"Thenitisnottrue，"resumedCoictierhotly，"thatgoutisaninternaleruption；thatawoundcausedbyartilleryistobecuredbytheapplicationofayoungmouseroasted；thatyoungblood，properlyinjected，restoresyouthtoagedveins；
itisnottruethattwoandtwomakefour，andthatemprostathonosfollowsopistathonos。"
Thearchdeaconrepliedwithoutperturbation:"TherearecertainthingsofwhichIthinkinacertainfashion。"
Coictierbecamecrimsonwithanger。
"There，there，mygoodCoictier，letusnotgetangry，"saidGossipTourangeau。"Monsieurthearchdeaconisourfriend。"
Coictiercalmeddown，mutteringinalowtone，——
"Afterall，he’smad。"
"~Pasque-dieu~，MasterClaude，"resumedGossipTourangeau，afterasilence，"Youembarrassmegreatly。Ihadtwothingstoconsultyouupon，onetouchingmyhealthandtheothertouchingmystar。"
"Monsieur，"returnedthearchdeacon，"ifthatbeyourmotive，youwouldhavedoneaswellnottoputyourselfoutofbreathclimbingmystaircase。IdonotbelieveinMedicine。
IdonotbelieveinAstrology。"
"Indeed！"saidtheman，withsurprise。
Coictiergaveaforcedlaugh。
"Youseethatheismad，"hesaid，inalowtone，toGossipTourangeau。"Hedoesnotbelieveinastrology。"
"Theideaofimagining，"pursuedDomClaude，"thateveryrayofastarisathreadwhichisfastenedtotheheadofaman！"
"Andwhatthen，doyoubelievein？"exclaimedGossipTourangeau。
Thearchdeaconhesitatedforamoment，thenheallowedagloomysmiletoescape，whichseemedtogivethelietohisresponse:"~CredoinDeum~。"
"~Dominumnostrum~，"addedGossipTourangeau，makingthesignofthecross。
"Amen，"saidCoictier。
"Reverendmaster，"resumedTourangeau，"Iamcharmedinsoultoseeyouinsuchareligiousframeofmind。Buthaveyoureachedthepoint，greatsavantasyouare，ofnolongerbelievinginscience？"
"No，"saidthearchdeacon，graspingthearmofGossipTourangeau，andarayofenthusiasmlighteduphisgloomyeyes，"no，Idonotrejectscience。Ihavenotcrawledsolong，flatonmybelly，withmynailsintheearth，throughtheinnumerableramificationsofitscaverns，withoutperceivingfarinfrontofme，attheendoftheobscuregallery，alight，aflame，asomething，thereflection，nodoubt，ofthedazzlingcentrallaboratorywherethepatientandthewisehavefoundoutGod。"
"Andinshort，"interruptedTourangeau，"whatdoyouholdtobetrueandcertain？"
"Alchemy。"
Coictierexclaimed，"Pardieu，DomClaude，alchemyhasitsuse，nodoubt，butwhyblasphememedicineandastrology？"
"Naughtisyourscienceofman，naughtisyourscienceofthestars，"saidthearchdeacon，commandingly。
"That’sdrivingEpidaurusandChaldeaveryfast，"repliedthephysicianwithagrin。
"Listen，MessireJacques。Thisissaidingoodfaith。I
amnottheking’sphysician，andhismajestyhasnotgivenmetheGardenofDaedalusinwhichtoobservetheconstellations。Don’tgetangry，butlistentome。Whattruthhaveyoudeduced，Iwillnotsayfrommedicine，whichistoofoolishathing，butfromastrology？Citetomethevirtuesoftheverticalboustrophedon，thetreasuresofthenumberziruphandthoseofthenumberzephirod！"
"Willyoudeny，"saidCoictier，"thesympatheticforceofthecollarbone，andthecabalisticswhicharederivedfromit？"
"Anerror，MessireJacques！Noneofyourformulasendinreality。Alchemyontheotherhandhasitsdiscoveries。Willyoucontestresultslikethis？Iceconfinedbeneaththeearthforathousandyearsistransformedintorockcrystals。Leadistheancestorofallmetals。Forgoldisnotametal，goldislight。Leadrequiresonlyfourperiodsoftwohundredyearseach，topassinsuccessionfromthestateoflead，tothestateofredarsenic，fromredarsenictotin，fromtintosilver。Arenotthesefacts？Buttobelieveinthecollarbone，inthefulllineandinthestars，isasridiculousastobelievewiththeinhabitantsofGrand-Cathaythatthegoldenorioleturnsintoamole，andthatgrainsofwheatturnintofishofthecarpspecies。"
"Ihavestudiedhermeticscience！"exclaimedCoictier，"andIaffirm——"
Thefieryarchdeacondidnotallowhimtofinish:"AndI
havestudiedmedicine，astrology，andhermetics。Herealoneisthetruth。"Ashespokethus，hetookfromthetopofthecofferaphialfilledwiththepowderwhichwehavementionedabove，"herealoneislight！Hippocratesisadream；Uraniaisadream；Hermes，athought。Goldisthesun；tomakegoldistobeGod。Hereinliestheoneandonlyscience。
Ihavesoundedthedepthsofmedicineandastrology，Itellyou！Naught，nothingness！Thehumanbody，shadows！theplanets，shadows！"
Andhefellbackinhisarmchairinacommandingandinspiredattitude。GossipTouraugeauwatchedhiminsilence。
Coictiertriedtogrin，shruggedhisshouldersimperceptibly，andrepeatedinalowvoice，——
"Amadman！"
"And，"saidTourangeausuddenly，"thewondrousresult，——
haveyouattainedit，haveyoumadegold？"
"IfIhadmadeit，"repliedthearchdeacon，articulatinghiswordsslowly，likeamanwhoisreflecting，"thekingofFrancewouldbenamedClaudeandnotLouis。"
Thestrangerfrowned。
"WhatamIsaying？"resumedDomClaude，withasmileofdisdain。"WhatwouldthethroneofFrancebetomewhenIcouldrebuildtheempireoftheOrient？"
"Verygood！"saidthestranger。
"Oh，thepoorfool！"murmuredCoictier。
Thearchdeaconwenton，appearingtoreplynowonlytohisthoughts，——
"Butno，Iamstillcrawling；Iamscratchingmyfaceandkneesagainstthepebblesofthesubterraneanpathway。I
catchaglimpse，Idonotcontemplate！Idonotread，I
spellout！"
"Andwhenyouknowhowtoread！"demandedthestranger，"willyoumakegold？"
"Whodoubtsit？"saidthearchdeacon。
"InthatcaseOurLadyknowsthatIamgreatlyinneedofmoney，andIshouldmuchdesiretoreadinyourbooks。Tellme，reverendmaster，isyourscienceinimicalordispleasingtoOurLady？"
"WhosearchdeaconIam？"DomClaudecontentedhimselfwithreplying，withtranquilhauteur。
"Thatistrue，mymaster。Well！willitpleaseyoutoinitiateme？Letmespellwithyou。"
ClaudeassumedthemajesticandpontificalattitudeofaSamuel。
"Oldman，itrequireslongeryearsthanremaintoyou，toundertakethisvoyageacrossmysteriousthings。Yourheadisverygray！Onecomesforthfromthecavernonlywithwhitehair，butonlythosewithdarkhairenterit。Sciencealoneknowswellhowtohollow，wither，anddryuphumanfaces；sheneedsnottohaveoldagebringherfacesalreadyfurrowed。Nevertheless，ifthedesirepossessesyouofputtingyourselfunderdisciplineatyourage，andofdecipheringtheformidablealphabetofthesages，cometome；’tiswell，Iwillmaketheeffort。Iwillnottellyou，pooroldman，togoandvisitthesepulchralchambersofthepyramids，ofwhichancientHerodotusspeaks，northebricktowerofBabylon，northeimmensewhitemarblesanctuaryoftheIndiantempleofEklinga。I，nomorethanyourself，haveseentheChaldeanmasonryworksconstructedaccordingtothesacredformoftheSikra，northetempleofSolomon，whichisdestroyed，northestonedoorsofthesepulchreofthekingsofIsrael，whicharebroken。WewillcontentourselveswiththefragmentsofthebookofHermeswhichwehavehere。
IwillexplaintoyouthestatueofSaintChristopher，thesymbolofthesower，andthatofthetwoangelswhichareonthefrontoftheSainte-Chapelle，andoneofwhichholdsinhishandsavase，theother，acloud——"
HereJacquesCoictier，whohadbeenunhorsedbythearchdeacon’simpetuousreplies，regainedhissaddle，andinterruptedhimwiththetriumphanttoneofonelearnedmancorrectinganother，——"~ErrasamiceClaudi~。Thesymbolisnotthenumber。YoutakeOrpheusforHermes。"
"’Tisyouwhoareinerror，"repliedthearchdeacon，gravely。
"Daedalusisthebase；Orpheusisthewall；Hermesistheedifice，——thatisall。Youshallcomewhenyouwill，"hecontinued，turningtoTourangeau，"IwillshowyouthelittleparcelsofgoldwhichremainedatthebottomofNicholasFlamel’salembic，andyoushallcomparethemwiththegoldofGuillaumedeParis。IwillteachyouthesecretvirtuesoftheGreekword，~peristera~。But，firstofall，Iwillmakeyouread，oneaftertheother，themarblelettersofthealphabet，thegranitepagesofthebook。WeshallgototheportalofBishopGuillaumeandofSaint-JeanleRondattheSainte-
Chapelle，thentothehouseofNicholasFlamel，RueManvault，tohistomb，whichisattheSaints-Innocents，tohistwohospitals，RuedeMontmorency。IwillmakeyoureadthehieroglyphicswhichcoverthefourgreatironcrampsontheportalofthehospitalSaint-Gervais，andoftheRuedelaFerronnerie。Wewillspelloutincompany，also，thefa？adeofSaint-Come，ofSainte-Geneviève-des-Ardents，ofSaintMartin，ofSaint-JacquesdelaBoucherie。"
Foralongtime，GossipTourangeau，intelligentaswashisglance，hadappearednottounderstandDomClaude。Heinterrupted。
"~Pasque-dieu~！whatareyourbooks，then？"
"Hereisoneofthem，"saidthearchdeacon。
AndopeningthewindowofhiscellhepointedoutwithhisfingertheimmensechurchofNotre-Dame，which，outliningagainstthestarryskytheblacksilhouetteofitstwotowers，itsstoneflanks，itsmonstroushaunches，seemedanenormoustwo-headedsphinx，seatedinthemiddleofthecity。
Thearchdeacongazedatthegiganticedificeforsometimeinsilence，thenextendinghisrighthand，withasigh，towardstheprintedbookwhichlayopenonthetable，andhislefttowardsNotre-Dame，andturningasadglancefromthebooktothechurch，——"Alas，"hesaid，"thiswillkillthat。"
Coictier，whohadeagerlyapproachedthebook，couldnotrepressanexclamation。"Hé，butnow，whatistheresoformidableinthis:’GLOSSAINEPISTOLASD。PAULI，~Norimbergoe，AntoniusKoburger~，1474。’Thisisnotnew。’TisabookofPierreLombard，theMasterofSentences。Isitbecauseitisprinted？"
"Youhavesaidit，"repliedClaude，whoseemedabsorbedinaprofoundmeditation，andstoodresting，hisforefingerbentbackwardonthefoliowhichhadcomefromthefamouspressofNuremberg。Thenheaddedthesemysteriouswords:
"Alas！alas！smallthingscomeattheendofgreatthings；atoothtriumphsoveramass。TheNileratkillsthecrocodile，theswordfishkillsthewhale，thebookwillkilltheedifice。"
ThecurfewofthecloistersoundedatthemomentwhenMasterJacqueswasrepeatingtohiscompanioninlowtones，hiseternalrefrain，"Heismad！"Towhichhiscompanionthistimereplied，"Ibelievethatheis。"
Itwasthehourwhennostrangercouldremaininthecloister。Thetwovisitorswithdrew。"Master，"saidGossipTourangeau，ashetookleaveofthearchdeacon，"Ilovewisemenandgreatminds，andIholdyouinsingularesteem。
Cometo-morrowtothePalacedesTournelles，andinquirefortheAbbédeSainte-Martin，ofTours。"
Thearchdeaconreturnedtohischamberdumbfounded，comprehendingatlastwhoGossipTourangeauwas，andrecallingthatpassageoftheregisterofSainte-Martin，ofTours:——
~AbbasbeatiMartini，SCILICETREXFRANCIAE，estcanonicusdeconsuetudineethabetparvamproebendamquamhabetsanctusVenantius，etdebetsedereinsedethesaurarii~。
ItisassertedthatafterthatepochthearchdeaconhadfrequentconferenceswithLouisXI。，whenhismajestycametoParis，andthatDomClaude’sinfluencequiteovershadowedthatofOlivierleDaimandJacquesCoictier，who，aswashishabit，rudelytookthekingtotaskonthataccount。
CHAPTERII。
THISWILLKILLTHAT。
Ourladyreaderswillpardonusifwepauseforamomenttoseekwhatcouldhavebeenthethoughtconcealedbeneaththoseenigmaticwordsofthearchdeacon:"Thiswillkillthat。Thebookwillkilltheedifice。"
Toourmind，thisthoughthadtwofaces。Inthefirstplace，itwasapriestlythought。Itwastheaffrightofthepriestinthepresenceofanewagent，theprintingpress。Itwastheterroranddazzledamazementofthemenofthesanctuary，inthepresenceoftheluminouspressofGutenberg。Itwasthepulpitandthemanuscripttakingthealarmattheprintedword:somethingsimilartothestuporofasparrowwhichshouldbeholdtheangelLegionunfoldhissixmillionwings。
Itwasthecryoftheprophetwhoalreadyhearsemancipatedhumanityroaringandswarming；whobeholdsinthefuture，intelligencesappingfaith，opiniondethroningbelief，theworldshakingoffRome。Itwastheprognosticationofthephilosopherwhoseeshumanthought，volatilizedbythepress，evaporatingfromthetheocraticrecipient。Itwastheterrorofthesoldierwhoexaminesthebrazenbatteringram，andsays:——"Thetowerwillcrumble。"Itsignifiedthatonepowerwasabouttosucceedanotherpower。Itmeant，"Thepresswillkillthechurch。"
Butunderlyingthisthought，thefirstandmostsimpleone，nodoubt，therewasinouropinionanother，newerone，acorollaryofthefirst，lesseasytoperceiveandmoreeasytocontest，aviewasphilosophicalandbelongingnolongertothepriestalonebuttothesavantandtheartist。Itwasapresentimentthathumanthought，inchangingitsform，wasabouttochangeitsmodeofexpression；thatthedominantideaofeachgenerationwouldnolongerbewrittenwiththesamematter，andinthesamemanner；thatthebookofstone，sosolidandsodurable，wasabouttomakewayforthebookofpaper，moresolidandstillmoredurable。Inthisconnectionthearchdeacon’svagueformulahadasecondsense。
Itmeant，"Printingwillkillarchitecture。"
Infact，fromtheoriginofthingsdowntothefifteenthcenturyoftheChristianera，inclusive，architectureisthegreatbookofhumanity，theprincipalexpressionofmaninhisdifferentstagesofdevelopment，eitherasaforceorasanintelligence。
Whenthememoryofthefirstracesfeltitselfoverloaded，whenthemassofreminiscencesofthehumanracebecamesoheavyandsoconfusedthatspeechnakedandflying，rantheriskoflosingthemontheway，mentranscribedthemonthesoilinamannerwhichwasatoncethemostvisible，mostdurable，andmostnatural。Theysealedeachtraditionbeneathamonument。
Thefirstmonumentsweresimplemassesofrock，"whichtheironhadnottouched，"asMosessays。Architecturebeganlikeallwriting。Itwasfirstanalphabet。Menplantedastoneupright，itwasaletter，andeachletterwasahieroglyph，anduponeachhieroglyphrestedagroupofideas，likethecapitalonthecolumn。Thisiswhattheearliestracesdideverywhere，atthesamemoment，onthesurfaceoftheentireworld。Wefindthe"standingstones"oftheCeltsinAsianSiberia；inthepampasofAmerica。
Lateron，theymadewords；theyplacedstoneuponstone，theycoupledthosesyllablesofgranite，andattemptedsomecombinations。TheCelticdolmenandcromlech，theEtruscantumulus，theHebrewgalgal，arewords。Some，especiallythetumulus，arepropernames。Sometimeseven，whenmenhadagreatdealofstone，andavastplain，theywroteaphrase。
TheimmensepileofKarnacisacompletesentence。
Atlasttheymadebooks。Traditionshadbroughtforthsymbols，beneathwhichtheydisappearedlikethetrunkofatreebeneathitsfoliage；allthesesymbolsinwhichhumanityplacedfaithcontinuedtogrow，tomultiply，tointersect，tobecomemoreandmorecomplicated；thefirstmonumentsnolongersufficedtocontainthem，theywereoverflowingineverypart；thesemonumentshardlyexpressednowtheprimitivetradition，simplelikethemselves，nakedandproneupontheearth。Thesymbolfelttheneedofexpansionintheedifice。
Thenarchitecturewasdevelopedinproportionwithhumanthought；itbecameagiantwithathousandheadsandathousandarms，andfixedallthisfloatingsymbolisminaneternal，visible，palpableform。WhileDaedalus，whoisforce，measured；whileOrpheus，whoisintelligence，sang；——thepillar，whichisaletter；thearcade，whichisasyllable；thepyramid，whichisaword，——allsetinmovementatoncebyalawofgeometryandbyalawofpoetry，groupedthemselves，combined，amalgamated，descended，ascended，placedthemselvessidebysideonthesoil，rangedthemselvesinstoriesinthesky，untiltheyhadwrittenunderthedictationofthegeneralideaofanepoch，thosemarvellousbookswhichwerealsomarvellousedifices:thePagodaofEklinga，theRhamseionofEgypt，theTempleofSolomon。
Thegeneratingidea，theword，wasnotonlyatthefoundationofalltheseedifices，butalsointheform。ThetempleofSolomon，forexample，wasnotalonethebindingoftheholybook；itwastheholybookitself。Oneachoneofitsconcentricwalls，thepriestscouldreadthewordtranslatedandmanifestedtotheeye，andthustheyfolloweditstransformationsfromsanctuarytosanctuary，untiltheyseizeditinitslasttabernacle，underitsmostconcreteform，whichstillbelongedtoarchitecture:thearch。Thusthewordwasenclosedinanedifice，butitsimagewasuponitsenvelope，likethehumanformonthecoffinofamummy。
Andnotonlytheformofedifices，butthesitesselectedforthem，revealedthethoughtwhichtheyrepresented，accordingasthesymboltobeexpressedwasgracefulorgrave。
Greececrownedhermountainswithatempleharmonioustotheeye；Indiadisembowelledhers，tochiselthereinthosemonstroussubterraneanpagodas，borneupbygiganticrowsofgraniteelephants。
Thus，duringthefirstsixthousandyearsoftheworld，fromthemostimmemorialpagodaofHindustan，tothecathedralofCologne，architecturewasthegreathandwritingofthehumanrace。Andthisissotrue，thatnotonlyeveryreligioussymbol，buteveryhumanthought，hasitspageanditsmonumentinthatimmensebook。
Allcivilizationbeginsintheocracyandendsindemocracy。
Thislawoflibertyfollowingunityiswritteninarchitecture。
For，letusinsistuponthispoint，masonrymustnotbethoughttobepowerfulonlyinerectingthetempleandinexpressingthemythandsacerdotalsymbolism；ininscribinginhieroglyphsuponitspagesofstonethemysterioustablesofthelaw。Ifitwerethus，——astherecomesinallhumansocietyamomentwhenthesacredsymboliswornoutandbecomesobliteratedunderfreedomofthought，whenmanescapesfromthepriest，whentheexcrescenceofphilosophiesandsystemsdevourthefaceofreligion，——architecturecouldnotreproducethisnewstateofhumanthought；itsleaves，socrowdedontheface，wouldbeemptyontheback；itsworkwouldbemutilated；
itsbookwouldheincomplete。Butno。
LetustakeasanexampletheMiddleAges，whereweseemoreclearlybecauseitisnearertous。Duringitsfirstperiod，whiletheocracyisorganizingEurope，whiletheVaticanisrallyingandreclassingaboutitselftheelementsofaRomemadefromtheRomewhichliesinruinsaroundtheCapitol，whileChristianityisseekingallthestagesofsocietyamidtherubbishofanteriorcivilization，andrebuildingwithitsruinsanewhierarchicuniverse，thekeystonetowhosevaultisthepriest——onefirsthearsadullechofromthatchaos，andthen，littlebylittle，onesees，arisingfrombeneaththebreathofChristianity，frombeneaththehandofthebarbarians，fromthefragmentsofthedeadGreekandRomanarchitectures，thatmysteriousRomanesquearchitecture，sisterofthetheocraticmasonryofEgyptandofIndia，inalterableemblemofpurecatholicism，unchangeablehieroglyphofthepapalunity。Allthethoughtofthatdayiswritten，infact，inthissombre，Romanesquestyle。Onefeelseverywhereinitauthority，unity，theimpenetrable，theabsolute，GregoryVII。；alwaysthepriest，nevertheman；everywherecaste，neverthepeople。
ButtheCrusadesarrive。Theyareagreatpopularmovement，andeverygreatpopularmovement，whatevermaybeitscauseandobject，alwayssetsfreethespiritoflibertyfromitsfinalprecipitate。Newthingsspringintolifeeveryday。HereopensthestormyperiodoftheJacqueries，Pragueries，andLeagues。Authoritywavers，unityisdivided。
Feudalismdemandstosharewiththeocracy，whileawaitingtheinevitablearrivalofthepeople，whowillassumethepartofthelion:~Quianominorleo~。Seignorypiercesthroughsacerdotalism；thecommonality，throughseignory。ThefaceofEuropeischanged。Well！thefaceofarchitectureischangedalso。Likecivilization，ithasturnedapage，andthenewspiritofthetimefindsherreadytowriteatitsdictation。
Itreturnsfromthecrusadeswiththepointedarch，likethenationswithliberty。
Then，whileRomeisundergoinggradualdismemberment，Romanesquearchitecturedies。Thehieroglyphdesertsthecathedral，andbetakesitselftoblazoningthedonjonkeep，inordertolendprestigetofeudalism。Thecathedralitself，thatedificeformerlysodogmatic，invadedhenceforthbythebourgeoisie，bythecommunity，byliberty，escapesthepriestandfallsintothepoweroftheartist。Theartistbuildsitafterhisownfashion。Farewelltomystery，myth，law。Fancyandcaprice，welcome。Providedthepriesthashisbasilicaandhisaltar，hehasnothingtosay。Thefourwallsbelongtotheartist。Thearchitecturalbookbelongsnolongertothepriest，toreligion，toRome；itisthepropertyofpoetry，ofimagination，ofthepeople。Hencetherapidandinnumerabletransformationsofthatarchitecturewhichownsbutthreecenturies，sostrikingafterthestagnantimmobilityoftheRomanesquearchitecture，whichownssixorseven。
Nevertheless，artmarchesonwithgiantstrides。Populargeniusamidoriginalityaccomplishthetaskwhichthebishopsformerlyfulfilled。Eachracewritesitslineuponthebook，asitpasses；iterasestheancientRomanesquehieroglyphsonthefrontispiecesofcathedrals，andatthemostoneonlyseesdogmacroppingouthereandthere，beneaththenewsymbolwhichithasdeposited。Thepopulardraperyhardlypermitsthereligiousskeletontobesuspected。Onecannotevenformanideaofthelibertieswhichthearchitectsthentake，eventowardtheChurch。Therearecapitalsknittedofnunsandmonks，shamelesslycoupled，asonthehallofchimneypiecesinthePalaisdeJustice，inParis。ThereisNoah’sadventurecarvedtothelastdetail，asunderthegreatportalofBourges。
Thereisabacchanalianmonk，withass’searsandglassinhand，laughinginthefaceofawholecommunity，asonthelavatoryoftheAbbeyofBocherville。Thereexistsatthatepoch，forthoughtwritteninstone，aprivilegeexactlycomparabletoourpresentlibertyofthepress。Itisthelibertyofarchitecture。
Thislibertygoesveryfar。Sometimesaportal，afa？ade，anentirechurch，presentsasymbolicalsenseabsolutelyforeigntoworship，orevenhostiletotheChurch。Inthethirteenthcentury，GuillaumedeParis，andNicholasFlamel，inthefifteenth，wrotesuchseditiouspages。Saint-JacquesdelaBoucheriewasawholechurchoftheopposition。
Thoughtwasthenfreeonlyinthismanner；henceitneverwroteitselfoutcompletelyexceptonthebookscallededifices。
Thought，undertheformofedifice，couldhavebehelditselfburnedinthepublicsquarebythehandsoftheexecutioner，initsmanuscriptform，ifithadbeensufficientlyimprudenttoriskitselfthus；thought，asthedoorofachurch，wouldhavebeenaspectatorofthepunishmentofthoughtasabook。Havingthusonlythisresource，masonry，inordertomakeitswaytothelight，flungitselfuponitfromallquarters。
HencetheimmensequantityofcathedralswhichhavecoveredEurope——anumbersoprodigiousthatonecanhardlybelieveitevenafterhavingverifiedit。Allthematerialforces，alltheintellectualforcesofsocietyconvergedtowardsthesamepoint:architecture。Inthismanner，underthepretextofbuildingchurchestoGod，artwasdevelopedinitsmagnificentproportions。
Thenwhoeverwasbornapoetbecameanarchitect。
Genius，scatteredinthemasses，repressedineveryquarterunderfeudalismasundera~testudo~ofbrazenbucklers，findingnoissueexceptinthedirectionofarchitecture，——gushedforththroughthatart，anditsIliadsassumedtheformofcathedrals。Allotherartsobeyed，andplacedthemselvesunderthedisciplineofarchitecture。Theyweretheworkmenofthegreatwork。Thearchitect，thepoet，themaster，summedupinhispersonthesculpturewhichcarvedhisfa？ades，paintingwhichilluminatedhiswindows，musicwhichsethisbellstopealing，andbreathedintohisorgans。Therewasnothingdowntopoorpoetry，——properlyspeaking，thatwhichpersistedinvegetatinginmanuscripts，——whichwasnotforced，inordertomakesomethingofitself，tocomeandframeitselfintheedificeintheshapeofahymnorofprose；thesamepart，afterall，whichthetragediesofAEschylushadplayedinthesacerdotalfestivalsofGreece；Genesis，inthetempleofSolomon。
Thus，downtothetimeofGutenberg，architectureistheprincipalwriting，theuniversalwriting。Inthatgranitebook，begunbytheOrient，continuedbyGreekandRomanantiquity，theMiddleAgeswrotethelastpage。Moreover，thisphenomenonofanarchitectureofthepeoplefollowinganarchitectureofcaste，whichwehavejustbeenobservingintheMiddleAges，isreproducedwitheveryanalogousmovementinthehumanintelligenceattheothergreatepochsofhistory。Thus，inordertoenunciatehereonlysummarily，alawwhichitwouldrequirevolumestodevelop:
inthehighOrient，thecradleofprimitivetimes，afterHindooarchitecturecamePhoenicianarchitecture，thatopulentmotherofArabianarchitecture；inantiquity，afterEgyptianarchitecture，ofwhichEtruscanstyleandcyclopeanmonumentsarebutonevariety，cameGreekarchitectureofwhichtheRomanstyleisonlyacontinuation，surchargedwiththeCarthaginiandome；inmoderntimes，afterRomanesquearchitecturecameGothicarchitecture。Andbyseparatingtherethreeseriesintotheircomponentparts，weshallfindinthethreeeldestsisters，Hindooarchitecture，Egyptianarchitecture，Romanesquearchitecture，thesamesymbol；thatistosay，theocracy，caste，unity，dogma，myth，God:andforthethreeyoungersisters，Phoenicianarchitecture，Greekarchitecture，Gothicarchitecture，whatever，nevertheless，maybethediversityofforminherentintheirnature，thesamesignificationalso；thatistosay，liberty，thepeople，man。
IntheHindu，Egyptian，orRomanesquearchitecture，onefeelsthepriest，nothingbutthepriest，whetherhecallshimselfBrahmin，Magian，orPope。Itisnotthesameinthearchitecturesofthepeople。Theyarericherandlesssacred。
InthePhoenician，onefeelsthemerchant；intheGreek，therepublican；intheGothic，thecitizen。
Thegeneralcharacteristicsofalltheocraticarchitectureareimmutability，horrorofprogress，thepreservationoftraditionallines，theconsecrationoftheprimitivetypes，theconstantbendingofalltheformsofmenandofnaturetotheincomprehensiblecapricesofthesymbol。Thesearedarkbooks，whichtheinitiatedaloneunderstandhowtodecipher。
Moreover，everyform，everydeformityeven，hasthereasensewhichrendersitinviolable。DonotaskofHindoo，Egyptian，Romanesquemasonrytoreformtheirdesign，ortoimprovetheirstatuary。Everyattemptatperfectingisanimpietytothem。Inthesearchitecturesitseemsasthoughtherigidityofthedogmahadspreadoverthestonelikeasortofsecondpetrifaction。Thegeneralcharacteristicsofpopularmasonry，onthecontrary，areprogress，originality，opulence，perpetualmovement。Theyarealreadysufficientlydetachedfromreligiontothinkoftheirbeauty，totakecareofit，tocorrectwithoutrelaxationtheirparureofstatuesorarabesques。Theyareoftheage。Theyhavesomethinghuman，whichtheymingleincessantlywiththedivinesymbolunderwhichtheystillproduce。Hence，edificescomprehensibletoeverysoul，toeveryintelligence，toeveryimagination，symbolicalstill，butaseasytounderstandasnature。Betweentheocraticarchitectureandthisthereisthedifferencethatliesbetweenasacredlanguageandavulgarlanguage，betweenhieroglyphicsandart，betweenSolomonandPhidias。
Ifthereaderwillsumupwhatwehavehithertobriefly，verybriefly，indicated，neglectingathousandproofsandalsoathousandobjectionsofdetail，bewillbeledtothis:thatarchitecturewas，downtothefifteenthcentury，thechiefregisterofhumanity；thatinthatintervalnotathoughtwhichisinanydegreecomplicatedmadeitsappearanceintheworld，whichhasnotbeenworkedintoanedifice；thateverypopularidea，andeveryreligiouslaw，hashaditsmonumentalrecords；thatthehumanracehas，inshort，hadnoimportantthoughtwhichithasnotwritteninstone。Andwhy？
Becauseeverythought，eitherphilosophicalorreligious，isinterestedinperpetuatingitself；becausetheideawhichhasmovedonegenerationwishestomoveothersalso，andleaveatrace。Now，whataprecariousimmortalityisthatofthemanuscript！Howmuchmoresolid，durable，unyielding，isabookofstone！Inordertodestroythewrittenword，atorchandaTurkaresufficient。Todemolishtheconstructedword，asocialrevolution，aterrestrialrevolutionarerequired。
ThebarbarianspassedovertheColiseum；thedeluge，perhaps，passedoverthePyramids。
Inthefifteenthcenturyeverythingchanges。
Humanthoughtdiscoversamodeofperpetuatingitself，notonlymoredurableandmoreresistingthanarchitecture，butstillmoresimpleandeasy。Architectureisdethroned。
Gutenberg’slettersofleadareabouttosupersedeOrpheus’slettersofstone。
*Thebookisabouttokilltheedifice*。
Theinventionofprintingisthegreatesteventinhistory。
Itisthemotherofrevolution。Itisthemodeofexpressionofhumanitywhichistotallyrenewed；itishumanthoughtstrippingoffoneformanddonninganother；itisthecompleteanddefinitivechangeofskinofthatsymbolicalserpentwhichsincethedaysofAdamhasrepresentedintelligence。
Initsprintedform，thoughtismoreimperishablethanever；itisvolatile，irresistible，indestructible。Itismingledwiththeair。Inthedaysofarchitectureitmadeamountainofitself，andtookpowerfulpossessionofacenturyandaplace。Nowitconvertsitselfintoaflockofbirds，scattersitselftothefourwinds，andoccupiesallpointsofairandspaceatonce。
Werepeat，whodoesnotperceivethatinthisformitisfarmoreindelible？Itwassolid，ithasbecomealive。
Itpassesfromdurationintimetoimmortality。Onecandemolishamass；bowcanoneextirpateubiquity？Ifafloodcomes，themountainswillhavelongdisappearedbeneaththewaves，whilethebirdswillstillbeflyingabout；andifasinglearkfloatsonthesurfaceofthecataclysm，theywillalightuponit，willfloatwithit，willbepresentwithitattheebbingofthewaters；andthenewworldwhichemergesfromthischaoswillbehold，onitsawakening，thethoughtoftheworldwhichhasbeensubmergedsoaringaboveit，wingedandliving。
Andwhenoneobservesthatthismodeofexpressionisnotonlythemostconservative，butalsothemostsimple，themostconvenient，themostpracticableforall；whenonereflectsthatitdoesnotdragafteritbulkybaggage，anddoesnotsetinmotionaheavyapparatus；whenonecomparesthoughtforced，inordertotransformitselfintoanedifice，toputinmotionfourorfiveotherartsandtonsofgold，awholemountainofstones，awholeforestoftimber-work，awholenationofworkmen；whenonecomparesittothethoughtwhichbecomesabook，andforwhichalittlepaper，alittleink，andapensuffice，——howcanonebesurprisedthathumanintelligenceshouldhavequittedarchitectureforprinting？
Cuttheprimitivebedofariverabruptlywithacanalhollowedoutbelowitslevel，andtheriverwilldesertitsbed。
Beholdhow，beginningwiththediscoveryofprinting，architecturewithersawaylittlebylittle，becomeslifelessandbare。Howonefeelsthewatersinking，thesapdeparting，thethoughtofthetimesandofthepeoplewithdrawingfromit！Thechillisalmostimperceptibleinthefifteenthcentury；thepressis，asyet，tooweak，and，atthemost，drawsfrompowerfularchitectureasuperabundanceoflife。Butpracticallybeginningwiththesixteenthcentury，themaladyofarchitectureisvisible；itisnolongertheexpressionofsociety；
itbecomesclassicartinamiserablemanner；frombeingGallic，European，indigenous，itbecomesGreekandRoman；
frombeingtrueandmodern，itbecomespseudo-classic。ItisthisdecadencewhichiscalledtheRenaissance。Amagnificentdecadence，however，fortheancientGothicgenius，thatsunwhichsetsbehindthegiganticpressofMayence，stillpenetratesforawhilelongerwithitsraysthatwholehybridpileofLatinarcadesandCorinthiancolumns。
Itisthatsettingsunwhichwemistakeforthedawn。
Nevertheless，fromthemomentwhenarchitectureisnolongeranythingbutanartlikeanyother；assoonasitisnolongerthetotalart，thesovereignart，thetyrantart，——ithasnolongerthepowertoretaintheotherarts。Sotheyemancipatethemselves，breaktheyokeofthearchitect，andtakethemselvesoff，eachoneinitsowndirection。Eachoneofthemgainsbythisdivorce。Isolationaggrandizeseverything。
Sculpturebecomesstatuary，theimagetradebecomespainting，thecanonbecomesmusic。OnewouldpronounceitanempiredismemberedatthedeathofitsAlexander，andwhoseprovincesbecomekingdoms。