The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-10-26

principal entrance, together with the colossal
figures Of apostles, saints, and kings, which
crown the summit of the edi6ce. 1t is bull
in the form of cross, Eve hundred feet from
east 10 west, and two hundred and eighty-6ye
feet in the widest parts, technically denomi-
mated the transept. The whole covers an area
Of more than two acres.
Some half dozen guides in succession con-
Quoted us TO every part of the building. In
the southwestern turret is a spiral fight of
steps, mounting to the height of about seventy
feet, denominated T" the geOmetrical stair
CASE" for what reason our guide could not
explain. 1t was pronounced to be the greatest
work OF the kind 10 Europe. In the opposite
turret is the belfry. The machinery Of the
CLOCK and bell is on scale Commensurate
with the gigantic proportions Of the ediice.
mere IS IN the hall a model Of the minute
hand of the clock, which measures eight OF
nine feet in length, and moves round a cir
cumlerence Of 6fty-seven feet. The ponder
Gus wheels and hammers resemble the engine
OF steamboat, and the tower trembIes with
the Jarrlng sound of the bell, which may be
heard twenty miles.
In the south side Of the second story, there
IS spacious apartment appropriated to the
Library, for the use Of the clergy officiating
10 the Cathedral. 1t contains large collec.
hon OF books, with some valuable manu,cripts.
the rarest of which were shewn to US. The
moor is a curiosity. It is of British oak. laid
IN small PANELS, like masonic pavement.
anu composed of almost innumerable pieces.
~ AT the base. OF the dome is 81 the whisperiue
gallery" with a massive iron-raiIino' and
walk leading quite round it. The view both
ABOVE and below is extremely grand. Sta
,ionns himself on the side opposite to us. al
the distance OF something more than hum
ared feet, the guide gave, in whispers dis
tnctly heard, an explanation of the lofty
painted ceiling. 1t is covered with splendid
ailegorles, which none but the artist himself
would probably be able TO understand. If
was executed by Sir James ThornhiD. who
lay the greater part Of his life upon his back.
In touching off these gorgeous ornaments
story is told of his miraculous escape. while
employed upon this work On completing the
image Of one of saints, he heedlessly retreat.
eo TO the very verge of the scaffolding to oh
serve tne effect OF the picture. A friend, who
was with nlms perceiving his imminent danger.
seized the brush aud dsubed the image.
"hereupon The artist rushed forward in a fl of
passion, to demand the reason of such CON.
auct' and was thereby rescued from danger.
l nese circumstances are too complex 10 be
credible. y
Around the dome, at the base of the cupola.
on the outside, there is walk guarded by an
lron-railing, the bars of which are nearly
corroded asunder by rust. The immense
panorama of London and its enyirons. stretch.
lng on ALI sides below, as far as the eve can
reach. was grand and Interesting beyond da.
oDJS~ss so fas- baueath mr. feet
were reduced to diuninutive size: and the
bellies and beaux looked like puppets. hurry.
ing along the side walks. The CITY includins
its suburbs is about thirty miles in circumfer.
ence, over the whole of which, together with
much OF the circumjacent country, our view
extended. A more favorable day could NOT
have been selected. The morning had been
snowery. and the rain compelled US to retreat.
after walking two miles; but at noon the slxv
cleared, and the atmosphere was purified Of
smoke, except at intervals, when clouds of il
were rapidly driven by the wind across the
town. Tor moment intercepting the pros.
pect.
Nearly all the roofs of the buildings of Lon
oon are covered with red tiles, with earthen
pipes to the chimneys of the same colour.
The whole area of the city, from such a height.
seemed covered with this novel ground-worlr
except where the streets, in the direction Of
the eye, extended like ravines, or green parks
occasionally broke the uniformity and pave
relief to the view. Through the heart of the
town, tor the whole distance, winds &C the sill
yer lnames," covered with boats and vessels
OF all descriptions, and its six bridges between
Vau&hall and Deptford fall in sight. Uninter-
estlng as ITS banks are rendered by unbroken
ranges OF brick walls, the river adds much to
the picture. In the distance, a green border.
rich 10 rural scenery, stretches around the
whole horizon. This little circle, visible from
the top of st. Paul's, and not exceeding ten or
hlteen miles IN diameter, embraces popua !.
ton OF about two millions--one fourth greater
than that OF the State of New-York.
Beyond this stage in the ascent our guide
did not accompany US; but pointed out the
way, and gave us leave to climb to the ton for
another shilling. The vistant should rather
be paid. than pay, for climbing up the remain.
ing seventy feet on perpendicular ladders.
since mere IS nothing to reward his toll, save
an occasional peep from the dizzy eminence.
we however had the curiosity to ascend, and
sSosSu ooiSEifes III tue OfasS OalI. at the foot
OF the cross, which is sufficiently capacious TO
hold half dozen persons. Only three of the
inches were occupied on this occasion. Al
though the day below was comparatively tram
gull, the wind roared around the turret with
dull, hollow sound, like that of furnace. In
violent storm, the peels of thunder and the
beating OF the tempest against the dome must
be grand and terrific.
On defending from this aerial height. anoth-
er guide conducted US into the vaults of the
church, where in darkness and 10 silence sleen
the ashes of the honourable dead. Under the
centre Of the dome.o St. Paul's is the tomb Of
Nelson. On one side of the sable pedestal Of
his vault, is inscribed g Horatio viscount Mel.
son." In the southern aisle of the Crypt, un-
der half window in the basement, sleeps the
dust OF Sir Christopher Wren, the architect Of
the building; and near him were inferred.
beneath the pavement, the remains of Sir
Joshua Reynolds, Barry, Opie, and our coun-
tyman West--all eminent artists. Plain slabs.
equally plain inscriptions, designate thei,
tombs.