The Sun.
London, England, 1825-01-22 00:00:00

DISCOVERIES AT ROCHESTER CATHEDRAL.

Among the numerous improvements now mak-
ing in our Cathedrals, we are happy to find the Archdeacon
Dean, and Chapter of this truly interesting fabric have determin-
ed to restore the interior of the building to its primitive state, as
far as the existing authorities will allow. Mr. Cottingham, the
architect employed on the occasion, commenced the improve-
ments last week by taking down the Corinthian altar-piece,
put up at the time of the Reformation, which has brought to
view the whole of the original composition of the east end of
the choir, consisting of three beautiful gothic arched recesses
and windows, in the purest style of the 13th century, and on
scraping off the white-wash, the decorations of the high altar
appeared in nearly all their pristine glory ; consisting of birds,
beasts, fleer: de lye, lilies, crescnts, stars, scroll foliage,
fleury-crosses, lace-work borders, &c. arranged in the most
beautiful order, and finely contrasted in the colours, which
consist of the brightest crimsons, purples, azure*, greens, &c.
In addition to this interesting display of architectural ele-
gance, another antiquarian treasure has been discovered of
equal curiosity. This is a monument, with the effigies of one
of the early Bishops of Rochester, in his pontihcal robes,
judged to be of that period when the arts of sculpture and
architecture were at their zenith of splendour, the reign of Ed-
ward the Third ; when every power of the human mind
seemed 'so pre-eminently conspicuous. It is not, therefore,
to be wondered at that the workmanship of the statue before us
is so excellently brought forward in the crozier, mitre, and robes,
which are tastefully disposed and gorgeously enriched—the
crozier with gilded foliage, and the mitre in diamond com-
partments of jewellery work, the execution of which is in the
highest degree elaborate. The outer robe is crimson with gold
embroidery and jewels; and the under robe purple, relieved
by a vest of pink colour with gold fringe. The gloves have
jewels, and the shoes are embroidered. A part of the archi-
tectural decorations of the tomb have also been found ; the
beautiful carving, gilding, and colouring of which place
them among the most perfect specimens of Gothic arts. Of this
elegant monument and its incomparably fine effigy, not the
slightest mention has ever been made. It is therefore Lair to con-
clude that to the various able and laborious antiquaries who have
written on the antiquities of this church they were utterly un-
known. The intense curiosity excited by these discoveries soon
filled the choir with a number of the gentry in the neighbour-
hood of the Cathedral. The Dean and several of the Preben-
daries were present during the time the workmen were em-
ployed in taking down the masonry which enclosed this ge-
nuine specimen of ancient art.—(Kentish Gazette, Jan. 21.)

SUDDEN DEATH.-Last evening, about six
o'clock, Mr. CHARLES MOLLINER, a compositor
in the employ of LUKE HANsA RI) and Sons,
printers, of Great Turnstile, Lincoln's Inn-fields,
fell down suddenly in a fit of apoplexy and ex-
pired. A surgeon was promptly in attendance,
who attempted to bleed him, but the vital spark
was found to be extinct. The deceased was up-
wards of 60 years of age, had been many years in
the above employ and was highly and deservedly
respected by all who knew him.

It is reported that one of our beautiful country-
women, who is nearly related to a Noble House,
has, from pecuniary embarrassments, engaged
herself to sing at the Italian Opera, at Paris.