Cordemoy’s proposals were at once attacked by the engineer Amédée-François Frézier, well-versed himself in a knowledge of Gothic construction, but contemptuous of the suggestion that the Gothic arrangement might be reflected by columns and lintels – lintels, given the qualities of French stone, were altogether impractical for long spans, arches were to be preferred. Cordemoy, claiming to have been sequestered for years in the Auvergne, did not reply to Frézier’s letter until 1709. An exchange of letters followed, three more, all published between 1709 and 1712 in the distinguished Jesuit review, "Mémoires de Trévoux". Cordemoy’s aims emerged more clearly than before, with the argument, involving much scholarly hairsplitting and sarcasm, centred now on the arrangement of early Christian basilicas as a model for church architecture. The focus, however, remained on the structural role of the column.