the christians, before entering, washed their face and hands. This
remark was applicable especially, in Rouen, before the revolution, where
the number of churches and fountains was quite equal. There are not now
thirty seven parochial churches; but we can still count thirty six
public fountains, not including those in many private houses.

Of all these fountains, only seven merit particular attention, from
their architectural and historical character. They are the fountains of
the _Croix-de-Pierre_, the _Crosse_, the _Grosse-Horloge_, the
_Vieux-Marché_, the _Pucelle_, _Saint-Maclou_, and _Lisieux_.


FOUNTAIN OF THE CROIX-DE-PIERRE,

_Carrefour Saint-Vivien._

There formerly existed, not far from the fountain known at present under
the name of the _Croix-de-Pierre_ (stone cross), a cross, which had been
raised through the piety of the inhabitants; but, we now can find no
authentic document of the period of its being erected; all we know is
that it had been rebuilt in the year 1628.

This fountain is composed of three partitions in the form of a pyramid,
and is ornamented with some statues; its appearance is exceedingly fine.
One may still form an idea of the beauty of its architecture, in spite
of its ruinous condition, and even the repairs it has undergone.


FOUNTAIN OF THE CROSSE,