The plan of the substruction of this new library, as shewn on the ground-plan of Clairvaux given by Viollet Le Duc[240], is exactly the same as that of Citeaux (fig. 33) but on a larger scale. The library itself, as there, was approached by a newel stair at its south-west corner. This stair was hexagonal, and of a diameter sufficient to allow three men to ascend at the same time. The library was of great extent--being about 206 feet long by 56 feet broad--if the dimensions given in the above account be correct, and if I am right in supposing a pace (_passee_) to be equivalent to a modern _metre_; vaulted, and well lighted. The Queen's secretary seems to have been specially struck by the beauty, the size, and the decoration of the windows. The floor was paved with encaustic tiles. It will be interesting to note how, in some Houses, the library slowly expanded itself, occupying, one after another, every coign of vantage-ground. An excellent example of this growth is to be found in the abbey of Saint Germain des Pres, Paris; and fortunately there are several views, taken at different periods before the Revolution, on which the gradual extension of the library can be readily traced. I append a portion of two of these. The first (fig. 36), dated 1687, shews the library over the south walk of the cloister, where it was placed in 1555. It must not, however, be supposed that no library existed before this. On the contrary, the House seems to have had one from the first foundation, and so early as the thirteenth century it could be consulted by strangers, and books borrowed from it. The second view (fig. 37), dated 1724, shews a still further extension of the library. It has now invaded the west side of the cloister, which has received an upper storey; and even the external appearance of the venerable Frater, which was respected when nearly all the rest of the buildings were rebuilt in a classical style, has been sacrificed to a similar gallery. The united lengths of these three rooms must have been little short of 384 feet. This library was at the disposal of all scholars who desired to use it. When the Revolution came it contained more than 49,000 printed books, and 7000 manuscripts[241]. [Illustration: Fig. 36. Part of the Abbey of S. Germain des Pres, Paris. From a print dated 1687; reproduced in _Les Anciennes Bibliotheques de Paris_, par Alf. Franklin, Vol. I. p 126.] 1 Porta major monasterii. 2 Atrium ecclesie. 3 Regalis basilica. 4 Sacrarium. 5 Claustrum parvum B. M. 7 Dormitorium. 8 Bibliotheca. 9 Dormitoria R. Patrum Congregationis. 10 Aulae Hospitum. 12 Refectorium. [Illustration: Fig. 37. Part of the Abbey of S. Germain des Pres, Paris. From a print in _Histoire de l'Abbaye Royale de Saint Germain des Prez_, par Dom Jacques Bouillart, fol. Paris, 1724, lettered "l'Abbaye ... telle qu'elle est presentement."]