Notre Dame
a title of the Virgin Mary, and the name of many churches in France, and particularly of the great cathedral at Paris, which was founded in the 12th century. The corner stone of Notre Dame de Paris was laid in 1163 by Pope Alexander III., but the building was not finally completed for 100 years. In 1845 the church was thoroughly restored, and the edifice became one of the most imposing in all ecclesiastical architecture. The interior is 132 yards long, 53 yards wide, 37 yards high, and contains 37 chapels. The great bell in the S. tower which weighs about 30,000 pounds, was cast in 1686; and the stained glass of the three famous rose windows dates from the 13th century.