The Sun.
London, England, 1822-11-02 00:00:00

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL.

Raving perused a paragraph in the last num-
ber of John Bull levelled against the late im-
provements in St. Paul's, we cannot allow it to
pass without observation. We are aware that
no indiscriminate ridicule can-have undue weight
with a judicious public, and we leave to that just
tribunal an attempt to detract from the merit of
those works which are now nearly completed;
but we are glad, in adverting to that ill-timed
statement, to give our testimony to the exer-
tions of those, who now, for the first time since
the completion of this grand fabric, have made
so great a sacrifice of expence, unaided by the
public, for the decoration and splendour of our
Cathedral Church.

Those who have lately visited this beautiful
edifice, and have been enabled now for the first
time to trace with precision its exquisite work-
manship in detail, will agree with us, that with
the professors of..the "nil admirari" no reason-
ing on such subjects can avail. One has -only
to lament their deficiency of good feeling, with-
out however " calling names " as the vulgar
phrase is, which we are-sorry to see them put
in practice. .;.
I t is probable that:the,author of the paragraph
alluded to has bee❑ expecting to see the interior
of St. Paul's with a .face'.of'fresh chisseled stone
work ; whereas it was "originally painted in
four coats, and in some parts more than four
coats, of oil colour, thereby to preserve the.sur-
face and give durability." This appears by the
• affidavit of THOMPSON, a. painter,- who:declares,
" that he had often heard his father say, that
this had been the intention of Sir CHRiSTOPHER
REN."—Vide, pamphlet of that day, entitled
" Frauds and Abuses." •

The state of the Cathedral previously, to the
late improvements was made a subject of reproach
—its beauties were obscured by the dust, acted
upon by a damp atmosphere, and accumulated dur-
ing many years ; and the present generation may
truly be said to have been unacquainted with
most of the architectural merits of this great
work, until they were displayed by the care
lately bestowed on it. It is only now that our
artists appreciate the extraordinary chasteness of
design and delicacy of execution, which we may
safely assert to be unrivalled.
The Choir, the chef d'reuvre of Ginaox and
his School, has been renovated at a great
expence, and the utmost care has been taken to
restore the altar-piece conformably in all respects
to the design of the great inventor. In place of
the inadequate light of a few wax tapers, gas-
lights have been ornamentally introduced, which
not only illuminate the Choir in the most splendid
manner, but give an effect to the whole Cathe-
dral never before witnessed in this country, and
of which we can quote no resemblance but that of
St. Peter's, at Rome, lighted in the holy week by
the cross suspended from the Cupola. 'They will be
lighted for the evening service during the whiter
seasons. Stoves also, for the improNement of the
atmosphere of the Church are now actually fixing,
and nothing has been neglected which can con-
tribute to the comfort of those who attend its
.worship.
We understand, too, that it is in contemplation
to restore the paintings of Sir JAMES THORNHILL
in the cupola, as soon as the fun& can be suffi-
ciently recovered for so vast a work.
For our own parts, we feel it a duty to hail
and to applaud these attentions to .a subject of
such vital importance as the improvement of our
sanctuaries, which with genuine satisfaction we
now see in progress, not only at St. Paul's, but
throughout the Kingdom ; and we should have
thought that the Champions of Church and State,
as the writers in John Bull profess to be, would
have felt it likewise ; but if they admire gloom
and obscurity, and consider these as the crite-
ria of architectural sublimity, to them we can
only say, de gustibus non est disputandum ; to
he Public, we say, " visit St. Paul's, and judge
for yourselves."

DUBLIN, OCT. 30.--Ills Excellency the Lonn
LIEUTENANT had a numerous audience yesterday
at Dublin Castle. Lieutenant-General Lord
COMBERMERE is expected in Dublin on the 7th
of November.

DISTILLERIES.--,We had hopes that the Pub-
lic Press had taken leave of this subject, and that these
establishments, so vitially connected with the commercial
advantages of this City, as well as the Agricultural In-
terests of the South of Ireland, would have proceeded in
the ordinary pursuits of their trade, without any obstacle
being presented to them. It is with regret we hear, that
on yesterday some new order had been received, which
will probably lead to most unpleasant consequences, by again
causing a suspension of distillation, as we learn that this
last order is so incompatible with the ordinary practice of trade,
and so destructive of confidence, by subjecting the Distillers
and their clerks to answer interrogatories upon oath as to: their
private and confidential transactions, that the Distillers .would
prefer 'altogether relinquishing trade, to proceeding to work
under such restrictions.—(Cork. Mercantile Chronicle, Oct. 28.)
We have good reason to, believe that the agri-.
cultural distress has seen its height, and that a
progressive improvement in all agricultural con-
,cerns is about to commence. We have our infor-
[nation from competent sources, and have formed
our opinion from various inquiries made regard-
ing this subject. Grain, it is believed, must
rise considerably in value. Many grain farms
have lately been turned into pasturage.—(Glas-
gow Courier.)
The Earl of DARLINGTON, we are concerned
to learn, is confined with a severe fit of the gout
at his seat, Raby Castle, Durham.
W. H. REME, bookseller and publisher in
Brussels, has just concluded an arrangement
with Count LAS CASES, to publish here, on the
same day as at Paris, his Memorial de Sainte
Helena, 8 vols. 8vo.; another edition will be in
8 vols. nmo. ; the work will be illustrated by a
very' detailed map of St. Helena, and the plan. of
Longwood.
A CURIOUS MODE OF CURING INSANITY.—
_ _

Copenhagan, Oct. 19.—A day labourer at Soder-
koping, in a fit of passion, struck his lunatic step-
daughter with an axe. The blow was not mortal,
but the girl fell into a state of insensibility.
When she recovered, after some time had
elapsed, it appeared that her understanding was
restored !