From this new platform, the pyramid will rise majestically in the air, and of it we already discover thirteen floors (the pyramid will be completed with one more), each of four metres fifty centimetres, that is to say a height of fifty eight metres, or about one hundred and eighty feet. The spire of the church was first erected of stone but was overthrown by the electric fluid, after that, it was twice built of wood, and both times it became the prey of the flames; to rebuild it with wood would have been gathering materials for a third fire, but now it is made of cast iron and in open work. At the summit of the spire, there will be a small lantern surrounded by a gallery for the purpose of meteorological observations. The total weight of the spire when completed, will be 600,000 kilogrammes, or about 1,200,000 pounds. It is composed of 2,540 pieces, not including 12,879 iron pins[13]. Lastly, this magnificent pyramid will reach an elevation of 436 feet; that is to say 40 feet higher than the former, and will only be 13 feet less than the highest pyramid of Egypt[14]. [Footnote 4: _Historical description of the Cathedral of Rouen_, by Gilbert Rouen, Ed. Frère, 1837, 8vo. with 3 plates.--_Essay on ancient and modern painting on glass_, etc., by E.H. Langlois. Rouen, Ed. Frère, 1832. 8vo, with 7 plates.] [Footnote 5: It is an error: Rollon did not die till the year 931 or 932.] [Footnote 6: _Monuments of the cathedral of Rouen_, by A. Deville. Rouen, N. Periaux, 1837, 8vo, with 12 plates.] [Footnote 7: O Louis de Brezé, Diana of Poitiers, afflicted by the death of her husband, has raised this monument to your memory, she was your inseparable companion, your very faithful spouse in the conjugal state, and will be equally so in the tomb.] [Footnote 8: That is to say that the pope Julias IInd was of the house of Rovero (_Quercus_).] [Footnote 9: The cathedral possesses also several other remarkable pictures; we distinguish amongst others, an _Annunciation_, by Letellier of Rouen, nephew of the celebrated Poussin: it is placed in the second chapel of the left aisle, on entering by the great portal. To the right and left of the choir, we find a _Samaritan_, by Charles Tardieu, and _The lying in the Sepulchre_, by Poisson.] [Footnote 10: Mr Deville makes the dates between the years 1480 to 1482, according to the manuscript capitulary registers of the cathedral.] [Footnote 11: We perceive two counterforts, which have been lately erected on each side of the portal, under the direction of Mr Alavoine, to consolidate the front of the edifice, which had caused some fear, as to its solidity.] [Footnote 12: So called from the college of the same name founded by Pierre de Colmieu, archbishop of Rouen and cardinal of Albe.] [Footnote 13: The whole of these pieces of iron were cast at the foundery at Conches, a small town, which is situated at about twelve leagues from Rouen, and the expense is valued at 500,000 francs.]