American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-07-29
MONTREAL CATHEDRAL.

MONTREAL CATHEDRAL.
The Roman Catholics Of Montreal are building
an extensive and magnificent Cathedral Of the plan
Of which the following is description -
This structure is a chaste and correct specimen
of Gothic architecture, selected in part from some
Of the best models nov existing in Europe, of the
18TH 18th and 18th centuries. 1t fronts on ST. 10.
s.nh street and the Place DsArmes, and is placed
upon the natural SOIL there being declivity Of IS
feet from west east. Its length in that direction
il 255 feet and its breadth | "a feet from north 10
south. IL will have six towers, so arranged that
each flank will present three, the east end two, and
The principal front on the west viii present Two,
each goo fee, in height; the towers are OF quad
triangular form, with an octangular buttress placed
at The angles OF each, terminating at the top 10 con-
lea, pnaces. The curtain, or space between the
front towers. is IS feet by ll9 feet in height, crown
ed with embatled parapets. There VIII be hve
public and three private entrances to the hrs itoor
and four to the galleries, SO that ten thousand peo
pie, the number the ed6ce will contain, may as
semblc and dispense in the space OF few minutes,
through spacious doors and avenues
The eastern window Of the high altar is SO feet
hy "a, separated by shafts into five compartments,
subdyided by muons into panneed treoiled trace,
intended for stained glass. This window VIII be
seen to great advantage from the front entrance, to-
Felher with perspective view oil the Hank windows,
the side galleries, and the groined ceiling, 80 feet
in height The vaults OF the ceiling are supported
in part By double range of grouped columns !;
from these spring the grounds OF the ceiling, inter
sected BY bas relief rails, disposed diagonally ovet
the vaults, which form the groins into grand and de-
corated compartments There will be seven affairs,
10 placed that all can be seen from the front en-
trance. The high altar is seen in direct line near
ly at the extremity of the same elevated III the Chan
eel feet above the floor Of the church. encompass
On sides by semcircular seats tor the clergy. &c
The front of the chancel is open, and accessible by
sn easy flight of steps in the form OF q double semi
reverse The Aoor will be an inclined plane, from
he front to the high altar, which will con
tribute to The general aspect The whole oil the in
terror is arranged for every possible convenience
and disposed Of so as to produce the most pleasing
and grand effect and will be warmed with hot air
conveyed from furnaces, placed in apartments I'M
der the floor.
All the exterior will be faced with hewn stone of
an excellent quality, and hue well adopted 10 the
Gothic style The f]anks will be decorated with
outresses corresponding in form with those 0! the
towers, and crowned on the top with hnales :; they
will be hollow to answer for chimneys. The win
dows in the TANKS consist Of range, finished in
the same style as the ca tern window The build
ing will be surrounded with spacious terrace up
on which the entrances to all the apartments
This terrace will form the line Of St. Joseph and
Noftre Dame streets the building will recedc on
the terrace 10 front about 40 feet from which there
IS flight of steps to The portal which is formed by
ar arcade consisting oil three arches. each 10 feet
by AZ in height From this arcade there will be
i've entrances to the church, two oil which lead to
The galleries. Over this arcade is placed another
Of the same form. which connects the towers and
piers, between which there trefo canopy headed
inches intended for marble figures in alto relieve
At the termination of the front, between the towers
there will be promenade IS feet by 25 elevated
l1s feet above the surface Of the square, TO which
there viii bea safe and easy access, which will
nand delightful view of the river ST.. Lawrence,
and the surrounding country. The front towers
are intended for chime bells clocks. observaores,
Sc