Show dihe borne account of the history and vicissitudes of this great church london some account of the his ory and vicissitudes ot notre dame appears in the strand the first ca thedral was erected in the year by and afterwards demolished the same site being used tor the prea ent building which was begun in 1163 and finished in 1351 alexander III laid the foundation stone the first mass being celebrated by the patriarch the grand old building has been sorely beset by many dangers and has witnessed many strange and stirring scenes the reign of terror in 1793 led to such disgraceful orgies within the pro cincis of the cathedral that it was closed to the public as a place of dl vine worship in 1794 but was reopened hi 1802 by napoleon the interior has suffered severely at times at the hands of the mob and individuals the worst offender was perhaps louis XIV one of notre dames altars who carrying out his fathers vow caused the destruction of the tour benth century stalls the high altar with gold and sliver stat jettes the cloisters tombs and unique stained glass work in 1845 restora alon was necessary in many parts of he building the work being successfully undertaken by lassus violett leduc and in 1871 also during the commune botre dame was menaced with grave dangers owing to the fury of the communists ts who having effected an en ranee collected all the available chaire and other combustible material ind piling it in a huge bonfire drenched with oil in the center of the choir attempted to destroy the cathedral by fire the evil designs of the incendiaries were however happily frustrated by the arrival of the nation il guard |