The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-04-08
From the ". Y. Journal Of Commerce.
BURNING OF YORK MINISTER.

We are indebted TO an English gentle
man now i'll this city, for the following des-
cription of the York Minister, and its almost
total destruction by fire the ID Of Feb
ruary.
"This stupendous pile, the magnificent
remains OF past ages, and one of the most
splendid architectural structures in Europe.
is now little better than a heap of ruins.
| 1t was discovered to be on fire about seven
in the morning, and on the alarm being Civ
en-, the massive doors were thrown open,
and the whole cathedral was seen filled
with smoke. In the south side of the choir,
is low range of rooms formerly used as
oratories, but now occupied AS vestries. In
one of these the fire had originated, and as
the opening of the doors admitted a strong
current of air, the flames were communica-
ted to the richly carved case of the organ,
and before the engines had arrived, this in
valuable portion of the cathedral was en-
,tirely destroyed, and its vaulted roof en-
veloped in flames. However, by the prompt
and interchangeable exertions Of the populace,
the engines were successfully brought to
bear upon the devastating element, and by
nine O'Clock IFS progress was arrested. At
one time the flames burst through the roof
near the dome, and were to be seen rearing
their awful crest high above the noble edi-
fice, and threatening it with complete des-
tructlon. The numerous assemblage who
had gained admlttance to the yard, gazed
upon the scene with an intensity of interest
that it is impossible to describe and the
multitude ofspectators in the streets, though
unable to take an active part, continually
cheered those whose exertons had nearly
exhausted them. The West and East win
dows were objects Of marked attention.
The latter exceeds in dimensions any Goth
ic window in the world and for beauty,
originality of design, and excellence of col
orlng, stands equally unrvalled. A strong
glare Of light was continually falling upon
its richly stained glass; and revealed its
transparent beauties in more than their
wonted attraction.
The Screen, of which you have often
heard, as being of elaborate tabernacle
Workmanship, decorated with pediments,
inches, plnnacles and canopies, and con-
tanning the mutilated statues of, believe,
fifteen of the English monarchs, was happi-
ly preserved. But the organ, so celebrated
IN the annals Of music, being surpassed in
compass and richness of tone only by the
one IN Haerlem, but superior even to that
in architectural beauty and mechanical con-
trivance, was entirely consumed. The IA
nous silver pastoral staff, the gorgeous
chalices, massive cande!abras, the Verrer's
insignia, Sub-sacrist's silver chain and
keys, together with the whole of the com
munion plate, we've also destroyed. The
celebrated chair, so valuable from its having
been the throne of several of their Saxon
Majesties, which stood within the pale of
the altar, was at one time ignited, and those
parts which escaped the fire, decayed as
they were by age, fell to pieces beneath the
pressure of the crowd or the ruthless prasp
of the fremen. The damage occasioned
to the ediice is estimated at 10000 TO
$4,000; and should it prove that the an
tique hornt has been burnt the greater part
of the landed revenues will be entirely lost
TO the Minister. This is the third instance
on record, of the York Cathedral having
been burnt. If my memory does rot de-
ceive me, so far back as 1862 when the
Norman garrison was attacked by the
Danes and Northumbrians, the cathedral.
with portion Of the town, was reduced to