RESTORING REIMS CATHEDRAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 229, 21 June 1919, Page 7

RESTORING REIMS CATHEDRAL

FUTURE OF FAMOUS EDIFICE

Amongst the many controversies with which Paris is teeming just at'present, that which, together with the Rodiu affair, provokes the most ardent, discussion is the question as to what- measures should be taken with regard.to tho future of- the Cathedral of Reims, .(states the Paris correspondent of' tho "Christian Science-Monitor''). Should it or should it not be restored to its primitive "form? Such is tho question. which Mr. A'dolpho Brisson, the theatrical critic of "Lo Temps" and director of tho Anrialcs Politique et Littomires, has addressed to tho best-known Authors and artists of Paris.' He says:

'"the question which'iutorests <i 11 artists and all Frenchmen is: What will become of tho Cathedral..of'Ecmis?- The two solutions urhich ar.e. being, considered -lire, either to restore tho cathedral in its primitive form, or to allow- it to remain in its present state of ruin as a proof of German barlmrity, whilst taking measures to protect thu ruins from total aiinliiilation, and at the same tiuieavniding making «■" new church .out of :this mutilated edifice.

"Already in 1917 certain celebrated painters, sculptors,- architects,' and writers had expressed their opinions on tlio subject. Rodin said: 'The wounded cathedral must new be disfigured.bv tho zeal of the - disciples of Viollct-loJDuc.' Jtatbtfid: 'One should not replace'"theso Jnimilablo plonps. Tn "do-so would bo almost as Boch-like as to shower bombs upon them..'. ....

"If you shore the opinion expressed by these 'two great artists, wo beg vou' to join- your protest to theirs! The "Cathedral of Reims has' been "subjectdd to the premeditated outrage of the barbarian?. Its inlaws should perpetuate tho remembrance of tho crime amongst those future generations who, not having witnessed it, might forgely Toil are 'qualified' to express this -wish,' and we'hope that your voice, united with those ol' others'equally anTii!?"*;:eH, will be heard."

Now from ihe opinion'expressed bv the majority of French artists'and critics it would scom that they are far from sharing the views of Rostand and florin." Tho .reason* they invoke can bo justified; (hoy .declare- that, Germany, in trying to destroy the Cathedral of.Reims",wished to annihilate (ho most perfect, expression of .French art, which- for innumerable centuries has' been tho embodiment of tho idea, of the mother country,. Therefore, by allowing the cathedral to remain as itis, exposed to the.four winds.of heaven and to the inclemency pf. climate, tho French would bo hastening its ultimate ruin and thus .'playing into the hands of the Gormans. Far from sharing' tho opinion of liostand ajid Rodin, these artists declare that tho cathedral should bo partially restored in order to prevent it. from crumbling away. The shell holes should be filled in, tho vaults mended, tho destroyed pillars rebuilt. But no attempt whatever should be made to rostoro the inimitable figures of tlio facade, pure works of an incomparable art the secret of -which seems to be definitely lost. Tho municipality of Reims seoms to .agreo as to the necessity for partially restoring tlio town and consequently" the .cathedral. Tlio .admirable Mayor of Reims,. Mr. Lenglot, whoso conduct throughout tlio war has been an enduring example of civic heroism, lias returned to Reims. His assistant received a representative of the "Christian Scienco Monitor," to whom lie stated that the opinion of the majority of the municipal authorities of the .city of Reims 'was favourable to tho partial restoration of tho' cathcdral. The exact plans for rebuilding Reims have not been decided as yet, but the city will bo eventually reconstructed on its present site. The drainage system, gas, etc., are in general untouched in Reims, as for tho most part the Germans used incendiary shells which they methodically directed upon tho town nl regular hours, taking olio quarter of the town after another as a target, in order to crento tires which it would bo almost impossible to extinguish. Many plans have been presented for the reconstruction of the town, but nothing has yet been definitely decided.

It may 'safely bo predicted that ilio town - will not be much modified: the parvis of the cathedral will, however, lie greatly amplified, whilst the apsß, .liberated from the neighbouring houses which rather shut; it in, will be surrounded by some pretty gardens.

Thus restored, but not rebuilt, llio Cathedral of Heinis will resume its place in the history and life of the 'b'rcncli \ill ion. Mr. 'j\dulpluio Brisson's petition seems founded on a false viewpoint, mid is Ihereforo doompil to failure. The Cathedral of Reims, in which all the kings of France have heen anointed throughout, the turbulent centuries which have all contributed to the formation' of the national character, must remain standing—mutilated, but uot in ruins— although forever deprived of the sweetfaced angel known as. "The Smile of .Keiuis," wliirh was beheaded by a ruthless Teutonic ehell." ' »