The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-02-15

/ t1oo'hote nue Oh those masses OF mat
Ter reared by the agency Of Tho Crea--
tor, lis apparent magnitude and the
su6iimlty of its image were probably
heightened by the obacurity of twilight.
Taking position few rods from the
wall OF one of its. sides, we threw its
dim outlines, like the shades of pic
ture, upon the sky, and were able to
trace lis form and the shadowy grandeur
OF its towers. This, with a walk round
It's walls aud an indistinct view of the
great Gothic window in the eastern end.
was all that could be accomplished for
The night
Immediately after breakfast this morn.
lng, we returned to the Minister, or the
Cathedral of 81. Peter, and commenced
an examination of il in detail The
grandeur of its exterior, the Ioftiness OF
Its towers, and the beauty of its arcbi-
lecture detracted nothing from the adj
mlra.ion, which the first view excited.
lis length from east to west is 524 feet,
its greatest breadth 222, and its height
235. The dimensions of the largest
window are rs feet by 80, which is said
to exceed any in the world. Six centu-
rles have elapsed since the oldest part
OF 81. Peters was erected. The differ
ent sections were hundred and fifty
years In building, and the style of archi-
lecture varies according to the taste
OF The age in which the respective por-
tons were finished. There is not.
however, so much discrepancy, as ma
terlally to break the harmony of the
several parts, or destroy the grandeur
OF the general effect. The whole ed
ltlce is OF the Gothic order, with snch
notifications as century and half
introduced. Whatever might be the
original colour Of the stone, exposure
to the storms and sunshine of so many
ages has mellowed its tints and impart-
ed TO it sombre complexion, which
best COMFORTS with the sober character
OF temple, and deepens the feeling
OF religious awe. No person can enter
such building for the first time with
thonghtless, levity of heart, or without
all impression of seriousness and yene-
ration.
The interior cannot be compared
with Westminster Abbey, or even with
st. Paul's, in point of interest: not That
it is deficient in colossal pillars, noble
arches, and magnificent windows, nor in
the lesser embellishments of the pencil
and chissel for in these respects it is
scarcely inferior TO either of the above.
It's stupendous dome, its clustered col
umDs, its Vaulted ceiling, and "long
drawn aisles," ARE all admirable.
Within the pale ofthe altar stands an
antique chair, which is really a curiosi-
| ty. 1t is said TO be as old as the Hep
tarchy, and several of the Saxon mon
archs were crowned in it. Its form
and decrepid frame, actually wasted
away and enteebIed by old age, leave
little doubt Of its antiquity. lis shape
is that of the curile-chair of the Ro-
mans. Among the relics of the church
is the ivory horn of Ulphus, made of
an elephants tusk and originally finished
with golden ornaments. Ulphus, a
Prince of the ancient Deira, presented
ii to st. Peters, with all his estates,
that his twoso might not quarrel about
partition of them. The large wood
en- goblet is also shown, which Scroop
gave to the cordwainers.
The workmen were employed 10
putting up temporary orchestra, pre-
paratory TO the great musical festival,
which was to take place about the Goth
of the present month. Large stagings
were erected imme dalely under the
central dome, which prevented us from
looking down the vista of pillars, from
the western entrance towards the altar
view spoken of in terms of admiration
by visilants. Several musicians were
busy at the organ, and in adjusting mu-
steal chords which descended from il 10
remote parts of the church, to conduct
IFS tones and increase the vibrations of
sound. As they touched the keys in re-
hearsal, the notes rolled through the
vaulted roof, and the reverberations
died away upon the earlike distant peals
of thunder, giving us some idea of the
effect, when five hundred voices, with
suitable accompaniment, should swell
in general chorus. A great thing for
York is this musical repast. The rooms
at the hotels are already engaged, and as
high as guinea night has been offered
70" a-bod " other urrdrg rurruIs utd NOT
interfere, such an exorbitant price for
"the concord of sweet sounds" would
prevent US from being present, crafty.
ing as 1t would be to listen TO the con.
gregated musical talent of this country
But | have not yet done with the
r Cathedral. 1t remains to climb TO the
l ;opmost stone by a flight Of 273 steps--st
+, said the guide, and we did not put to thu
r test his accnracu NV cnnnfinn HnauaI