Approach the =Cathedral=, if possible, from the direction of the Grand’ Place. It is built so as to be first seen from this side, and naturally turns its main West Front towards the older city. Go to it, therefore, by the street known as the Rue de la Montagne and the short (modern) Rue Ste. Gudule, which lead straight up to the handsome (recent) staircase and platform. The building loses much by being approached sideways, as is usually the case, from the Upper Town, which did not exist at all in this direction when the Cathedral was built. Consider it in relation to the nucleus in the valley. First examine the =exterior=. The accompanying rough plan will sufficiently explain its various portions. The =façade= has two tall towers, and a rather low gable-end, with large West Window. In style, it approaches rather to German than to French Gothic. Over the _Principal Entrance_ are (restored) figures of the Trinity, surrounded by angels, with the Twelve Apostles, each bearing his symbol or the instruments of his martyrdom. Below, on the central pillar, the Three Magi, the middle one a Moor. High up on the gable-end is the figure of Ste. Gudule, the human patron, with the Devil endeavouring to extinguish her lantern. Above her is the other and angelic patron, St. Michael. (These two figures also occur on the middle of the carved wooden doors.) At the sides, two bishops, probably St. Géry and St. Amand. Though the sculpture is modern, it is of interest from the point of view of symbolism. The _left portal_ has St. Joachim, St. Anne, and the education of the Virgin. The _right portal_ has St. Joseph and Our Lady with the Divine Infant. * * * * * Now, =go round the building= to the R., to observe its arrangement. You pass first the _chapels_ or _bays_ of the =S. Aisle=, with weather-beaten sculpture, and then reach the slightly projecting =South Transept=. Beyond the South Portal, the =Choir= is hidden by the addition of a large projecting =chapel= (that of Notre-Dame-de-Délivrance), whose architecture will be better understood from the interior. At the East End, you get a good view of the Gothic =Choir= and =Apse=, with its external chapels and flying buttresses. The extreme East point is occupied by the ugly little hexagonal rococo _Chapel of the Magdalen_, a hideous addition of the 18th century. Still passing round in the same direction, you arrive at a second projecting =Chapel= (du Saint Sacremént), which balances the first. The best =general view= is obtained from the North Side, taking in the beautiful porch of the =North Transept=. (The handsome Louis XVI. building opposite is the _Banque Nationale_.) * * * * *