The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware advertiser., 1827-04-26
APRIL 26, 1927

of this plain, which had the appearance of
work. house, and from which men OCCASION
ally came out. On either side of us arose
two domes, larger and more beautiful than
the rest; and Immediately behind US tower
ed the great dome itself. A heavy ba]us-
trade surrounds the whole roof: in front
stood the colossal statues of the Apostles
We clambered up the baustrade in order
to take a nearer view of these sacred person.
ages, and were astonishcd to find what
"huge misshapen" beings they were. What
had appeared from the pavement below to
be finely sculptured statues, now exhibited
their real characters-large blocks OF stone.
bound together with iron braces, and so
rudely carved, that one is puzzled to tell the
difference between the fingers and thumbs.
The great dome arises directly from the
centre of the roof; nothing can be more ma
| jcstic than it's appearance from this place
simple. beautiful and grand: nothing to dis
gust or fatigue the eye: the more one re-
CARDS it, the more imposing!does it become,
| it is not like St. Paul's, too heavy for the
roof, but stands in perfect harmony with eve-
~ thing around. The bebolder is not start
led with the idea of its weight; because the
place he stands on, is as firm as the earth it"
self. Between each of the windows project
two pillars. In this, if any thing, there is
fault; the pillars support nothing, and there
| fore seem useless; but SO perfect Is the fous
ensemble, that the most fastidous taste
would be ashamed to find fault.
1 The ascent of the dome commences by a
| fight of steps ON the outside. We then en-
ter and continue the ascent by a magnificent
stone stair way. We were first introduced
into the whispering gallery, which extends
arounds the interior. The communication
of sound is perfect. The first thing that
surprised us on entering this gallery, was
the coarsncss of the Mosaic. From below,
it appeared as fine as the pictures which a
dorm the affairs in the interior; but from this
gallery it has the appearance of huge pieces
! of coIored glass, thrown carelessly upon the
mortar. We ascended again, and after
wearisome Journey came to the second gal
| lery which surrounds the dome at the top OF
the arch: from this place, the view below Is
terrifying; the dome recedcs from under
you and YOU feel as though standing on the
brink of frightful precipice. Though
railing surrounds it, our fears overcome our
Judgment: we could not approach the rail-
ing, but shrunk back under the wall, with
that feeling of horror and dread winch a
man experiences when he finds himself sud-
denly on precipice, over which another
step would plunge him. The passage no"
becomes narrower. After ascending few
minutes longer, the guide opened door,
and told US to look down. We were now at
the very extreme height OF all.
'rhc picture Of the Deity, which from the
pavement below is hardly distinguishable,
was within our reach; it was huge, coarse
and inelegant. The people moving on the
pavement below. appeared less than Lillipu-
tians. The height is so dizzy, that the
Guide has to hold US while looking forward,
and will not permit us to remain but two or
three minutes. We assembled and reached
the lantern, a small room above the dome,
in which is kept an album. to insert the
names of yisjters Continuing our ascent,
we soon became involved in darkness. and
squeezing through a narrow passage. ana up
n ncrpendicular iron ladder, we enter the
ball. Here terminates the journey. But the
ball is not the least wonderful apartment we
have visited. though not certainly the most
comfortable or elegant. 1t is close. dark,
and hot; few loopholes are made to admit
of any view. The size of this bail is sur
prising. Standing on tiptoe. we could not
touch the top--twelvc men nigh. stand in it,
What situation enclosed in ball, perch
ed ON the apex of lofty dome. The
air abo''e, around and beneath us the roar
ing of the wind around this insulated apart
mcrt. seemed to threaten its, and our safety.
We therefore bade it adcu, and descend
ing through the same narrow passage, stop
ned on the outside to breathe the pure air
Of these upper regions. lofty balustrade
surrounds the lantern, just above the arch OF
the dome, enclosing wide and safe promen-
ade. From this point, magnificent pros
pcct extends on all sides. Rome, ancient
and modern--the desolate Campagna-thc
Sabine and Tiburtine mountains-Albanus,
sacred in classic history-Soracte like a
wave on the curl" in the distance-and the
sea skrting the western horizon. all broke
upon us at once. We could trace the Ii
Der to its mouth-we fancied we could dis
tinguish the spot where Eneas landed. The
wars Of Turnnus we're fought over on the
plain which extended below us. The tenn
plcs of old Rome seem to arise from the ru"
ins-cities spring up on the desolate waste
armies were moving in and out of the gates
the temple of Jupiter glittered from the
distant summit of Albanus-the busy hum ot
millions that pcopled old Rome. arose in the
air and antiquity herself threw off her dusty
rags, and arose in all the beauty OF youth.
| From the Neav MontklY Magazine.