Thirteenth century; dedicated to the Virgin Mary, whose statue is on the central column, and whose burial is represented above; stone-carving.

e. BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF THE CASTLE OF PIERREFOND.

A short distance north of Paris; built in fourteenth century by the king's brother; stood four royal sieges; stands on a rocky height, covering nearly one acre and a half of ground; towers 112 feet high, with walls fifteen to twenty feet thick; approach to the castle over two permanent bridges and a drawbridge; within the castle is a receptionroom, a chapel, a library, living rooms for its master and for soldiers; dungeons; the whole mass built around the court a.

Fifteenth century; one of the three castles of the Counts of Rappoltstein, who bore the heredi tary title of "kings" of all the musicians and minstrels of the Upper Rhine, who paid them a yearly tax in return for their protection, and who once a year gathered at the castle for a joyous festival, called the " Piper's day."