fume it shed abroad. But what made it more wonderful was
that upon every leaf, in gold letters, appeared the words "Ave Maria!"
This apparent miracle was soon noised abroad, and people flocked from
far and near to see the flower, which remained perfect for six weeks and
then began to fade. All the priests and ecclesiastics of the
neighbourhood, the nobles and the officers of the Duc de Rohan, decided
that they should dig about the root of the lily and discover its source.
This was done, and it was found to spring from the mouth of Salaun the
idiot.
Of course such a miracle could not remain uncommemorated. Jean de
Langoueznon, Abbot of Landevennec, one of the witnesses of the miracle,
wrote an elaborate account of it in Latin. Pilgrimages were constantly
made to the grave, and at last a church was built over the spring of the
poor idiot, whose faith and blameless life had been so strangely
rewarded. Such is the origin of one of Brittany's finest and most
remarkable churches.
It is in the second Pointed Gothic style, and is built of a mixture of
granite and dark Kersanton stone. The tone is singularly beautiful, and
harmonises well with the dreary plain. It is at once sombre, dignified
and impressive, relieved by great richness of sculpture. Kersanton stone
lends itself to carving, as we have seen, and here many parts will be
found in perfect preservation. Some of the rich mouldings in the
doorways have worn away, and some of the small statues have been
mutilated by time or have altogether disappeared, but the tone chiefly
marks the age of the church. This is not always the case, and even not
generally, with the buildings for which Kersanton stone has been used;
but le Folgoet is exposed to the elements which sweep across the dreary
plain without resistance; these have done their kindly work, and given
to the old walls a beauty that no mortal hand could fashion.
We stood before it in mute admiration, having expected much, but finding
far more. The tall trees near it bent and murmured to the fierce blast
that blew, as if they, too, would add their homage to the charm of the
sacred edifice.
Its solitary spire rose to a height of one hundred and sixty feet, full
of grace and elegance. Every portion of the exterior bore minute
inspection, it was so elaborately sculptured, so well preserved. Time
has spared it more than the hand of man.
The towers are unequal. The higher possesses the exquisite open spire, a
landm
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