[1] We refer the reader who wishes to study the Cathedral in all its parts, to the following works: Grandidier, _Essais historiques et topographiques sur l'eglise Cathedrale de Strasbourg_, Strasb. 1782, in 8o.--H. Schreiber, _Das Muenster zu Strassburg_, Freib. 1828, in 8o, avec 11 lithographies gr. in-fol.--_Vues pittoresques de la Cathedrale de Strasbourg_, dessins par Chapuy et texte par Schweighaeuser, 3 livr. in-fol. Strasb. 1827. _La Cathedrale de Strasbourg et ses details_, par A. Friedrich, 4 liv. gr. in-fol., renfermant 57 planches accompagnees d'un texte explicatifet historique. We regret to say that but one number of this fine work has been published (in 1839).--_Kunst und Alterthum in Elsass-Lothringen_, von Prot. F. X. Kraus, I. Band. With numerous wood-engravings. 1877. [Illustration: Porch of Saint-Lawrence.] The whole of the facade is formed of the two fore-parts of the northern and southern towers and of the large central porch; these three distinct portions are separated by counterforts or pillars which divide, as it were, the frontispiece into three broad vertical bands, each of which has its portico. These porticos and their frontons are ornamented with a great many statues and bas-reliefs, some of which pulled down during the revolution, have since been replaced. The large figures in the left portico are twelve virgins, wearing diadems and trampling down human forms representing the seven deadly sins. On both sides of the right hand portico are seen the ten virgins of the parable; to the group of the wise virgins on the right is joined the statue of Jesus-Christ; the foolish virgins composing the group on the left side, have among them an allegoric figure expressing the lust of the world: on her head is a wreath, in one hand she holds an apple, the ancient symbol of lust; her back bears hideous vipers, to portray the sad fate which must be the inevitable result of inordinate earthly desires.