mansions. There are sockets for seventy-two candles. The detail
of its adornment is very splendid, and repays close study. Every
little turret is different in architectonic form, and statues of
saints are to be seen standing within these. The pierced silver
work on this chandelier is as beautiful as any mediæval example
in existence.

[Illustration: CORONA AT HILDESHEIM (DETAIL)]

The great leader of mediæval arts in France was the Abbot Suger
of St. Denis. Suger was born in 1081, he and his brother, Alvise,
who was Bishop of Arras, both being destined for the Episcopate.
As a youth he passed ten years at St. Denis as a scholar. Here he
became intimate with Prince Louis, and this friendship developed
in after life. On returning from a voyage to Italy, in 1122,
he learned at the same time of the death of his spiritual father,
Abbot Adam, and of his own election to be his successor. He
thus stood at the head of the convent of St. Denis in 1123.
This was due to his noble character, his genius for diplomacy
and his artistic talent. He was minister to Louis VI., and afterwards
to Louis VII., and during the second Crusade, he was made Regent
for the kingdom. Suger was known, after this, as the Father of his
Country, for he was a courageous counsellor, firm and convincing
in argument, so that the king had really been guided by his advice.
While he was making laws and instigating crusades, he was also
directing craft shops and propagating the arts in connection with
the life of the Church. St. Bernard denounced him, as encouraging
too luxurious a ritual; Suger made a characteristic reply: "If
the ancient law... ordained that vessels and cups of gold should
be used for libations, and to receive the blood of rams,... how