Page:A History of Architecture in All Countries Vol 2.djvu/42

26 RHENISH AUCHITECTURE. Part II. the circumstance of their naves neither being sufficient in extent nor so ornamental as to support effectually the varied outline and rich decoration of the apse. Generally these are of a different ag-e and of a less ornate style, so that the complete effect of a well-balanced composition is wanting ; but this does not suffice to destroy the great beauties these churches undoubtedly possess. In so far as beauty of design in tliis style is concerned, perhaps the church at Bonn ought to be quoted next after those of Cologne. It is only the east end, however, that belongs properly to their style of architecture, the nave and central tower were not completed till the 13th century ; but the eastern apse and its two flanking towers are in themselves as noble as the triapsal arrangement of the Apostles' Church, but would require even a bolder nave and loftier west end to balance them than the moi'e modest ar- langement of that build- ir.g. As it is, the effect of the church as a whole is destroyed by the com- parative meanness of these parts. As is the case with al- most all Mediaeval build- An. T^ .^ ^ f,n 1*1^ ^xi' T, * ^ ings, the greater number 475. East End of Church at Bonn. (From Rosengarten.) o ' » of churches of this age have been erected at different periods of time, and the designs