Pages 21 - 40 Summary and Analysis

Huge roof timbers are ordered from Scandinavia. Much of the new lumber from Chantilly and the cut stone from Somme begin to arrive at Chutreaux by ships sailing up the river. Carpenters hoist the materials out of the boats and carts transport them through the city to the work site. The foundation for the apse and choir is completed about six months of work. The winter halts construction for five months. In the spring of 1853 the Bishop of Chutreaux blesses the first foundation stone and it is lowered into the excavated foundations. Each stone is mortared together and as the mortar cures it binds the stones to each other. The masons place the stones while the mortar craftsmen mix and apply the mortar. The foundation is built to exacting standards—it must be level and straight to bear...