The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-07-08 00:00:00

CATHOLIC CHAPEL AT RICHMOND.

On Tuesday the czromony of opening a newly erected
Chapel, dedicated to the service of the Roman Catholic
Religion, took place at Richmond, Surrey. There is a
considerable number of Catholics resident in and about
Richmond, and heretofore there has been no place of
public worship for their use. The want of it of course
was much felt, and Miss Doughty, an elderly lady, whose
name we believe stands high in the list of the pious and
charitable of this country, came to the deternimation of
causing the present elegant edifid to be erected at her own
sale expense. The Chapel is of an oblong form, with a
small tower of stone at one extremity. supported by pillars,
and surmounted with a richly gilded cross. The interior
is at once neat and elegant. There is ornament sufficient
without the 'gaudiness of decoration which is generally to
be found in the Catholic places of worship. The ceiling
is a vaulted one, composed of woad, divided into panels,
and painted a pale lilac. The walls are of the same
colour, the cornices lightly touched with gilding, and round
the top runs a rich scroll of gold and French white.
The altar has a very imposing appearance. There is a
pedestal of marble, upon which is placed the plate used in
the service, and above which is elevated a golden cross.
Immediately behind, and at a considerable elevation, is a
superb painting on glass, the subject being the appearance
of the Angel of God to the Shepherds, with the joyful in-
telligence of the birth of the Saviour. The execution of
this fine piece is highly creditable to the talents of the art-
' ist : we were informed that it was painted by the late Mr.
Muss, and that it was the last of his works. At the oppo-
site end from the altar is the choir, which is of necessity
small, but extremely neat, and corresponding in tasteful-
ness of decoration with the rest of the interior. The cere-
mony of consecration took place on Monday, and on Tues-
day morning Dis. Poynter and ftrainston, Catholic prelates,
with Miss Doughty's private chaplain and another priest,
arrived to perform the ceremony of the opening. The mu-
sical department was under the superintendence of Mr.
Le Jeune, organist at the chapel of the Spanish Embassy ;
and Mr. Atkins and Miss Hammersky (of Covent-garden
theatre).
Mr. Horneastle, Mr. Golding, and other gentlemen of
the Chapel Royal, St. James's, sustained the vocal parts.
The solemnisation of high mass was commenced by Dr.
Bramston, at a little before eleven o'clock, at which time
the chapel was crowded almost to suffocation with persons
of rank and fashion, several of whom came in their car-
riages from London and the surrounding country to wit-
ness the ceremony.
The venerable Prelate: performed the service in an im-
pressive manner, and was very ably assisted by the vocal
performers. Miss Hammersley aug with great taste and
delicacy ; her tones were rieleatud mellow, and her execu-
tion extremely chaste. Mr. Atkins also was very efficient
in his execution of the parts allotted to him. His deep
manly tones gave full effect to the sacred composition.
That first of vocalists, Madame Catalani, had promised her
powerful aid upon this occasion, but she was compelled to
be at the Cambridge festival. Madame Catalani has a
house near Richmond. _ _ _

In the course of the morning Dr. Poynter delivered an
impressive sermon, appropriate to the occasion, and in the
progress of his discourse bestowal some high encomiu►ns
upon the pious founder of the dispel.
The ceremony concluded soon eller two o'cLxk.

Exvitaoantw,say Beutissv.—Catharine Ward, s fe-
male who lived till lately in the Itambk capacity of a ser-
vant, and who died on the VA instant, bas left to the
,funds of the Belfast Academical Institution a inquest of
Two Hutpirtxl Poutu:s.—Belfal Chronicle.