American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-09-20
CATHEDRAL WORSHIP.

CATHEDRAL WORSHIP.
The interesting correspondent Of the New
York Commercial continuing his "Skotches
from the Midland Counties Of England," gives
:Ae description of the venerable Cathedral of
Ljtchfi5ld, and of what lac observed vixen he
entered the interior of the sanctuary. The ac-
count certainly is It graphic ono:
The Cathedral of hitchfeld is q very old cdi-
fec, with three stecples, which may be seen
or some miles III every direction. 1t was
founded about the year 600, and is truly no
Die church An air Of unspeakable soemuty
Aoyecs about it, and impresses you as you enter
tsporch. Relics Of forgotten arcs are around
you, and the iuenab'c silence, cnshrincd iUrey-
or III lis vast halls, sinks into your soul as you
look upon the rccotLs OF past times and seem
20 commune with the cryptcaI spirit OF cterni-
y that lurk invisible in its dim rcCcsscs, and
pdrtaAc of their mysterious nature.
Ga one side OF you full armed knights are
praying III rude sculpture. Nuns and monks
and a5bots, in their sacred robes, around you,
al in the attitude OF suppiicatIon, and as the
sunlight streams through the immense painted
windows, casting "Gim religious light thro'
he sacred vaults, your fancy cndoW5 the sta
LIes with life, aud you deem them condemned
10 an eternity Of truit!ess Invocation; by day
:Aey call upon Heaven, and weary Il VITA
nightly importing; night and day-yeais after
Years--for ever and ever, YOU paint them
with uphtted hamds--in the agony of speeeA-
!esSness-CutrgaUug the relentless 4 starrn,
a0us awe fills your s0ul--G sense Of insigmiG-
raucc sinks You into humility, as YOU walk
.rnong the forest Of pillars that support the
arcneG rooi Then, as the noise oil your foot
81 . u. 4
sand echoes that live in the mighty vaults, far
Ear, above your head awake and with qucruuus
voices rebuka your intrusion on the sacrodncss
al the place. Hush! they are voices Of the de-
parted, that still liugcr in the sacred temple
they loved so we'll SO that in this old Cattle
drai you may, if you are gifted with Il mode.
rate eXcuIsFencss OF iIaag mation, rise into the
seventh heaven Of poetry at one Jump
But all the people are III church; let us enter
TOO How silent! aud bow solemn, The scr
wees have commenced in the ci,apel, at the
other end of the Cathedral. The immense or
gan has opened bis thnndrrs, and the music
rollgys, bursting from the narrow limits of the
chapel are chasing each other, cchoug and re-
bounding through the vaults of the lofty root.
How awful. Let Us enter in humility, and
mnglc our alteration with that of the lowy
beings who are now PROSTATE before their Ma
kcr There is but one step from the sublime
10 the ridiclIous. presto" as the iuggler
says, "Presto,n gentlemen look and this
great say sarpint dwndes int ga mousc!"
There are two fellows at the door, hid in
black gowns, carrying long white wands, and
looking as meek as overted Pharisees; one Of
them walks before you, and ushers you into ii
pew. There are opposite to you dozen boys
headed by two men, all dressed in white gowns,
which are not long enough to hide dirty shoes
and the frnged eAtrcmties of WORKOUT trow
sers. These are ycleped "choristers," and
while you are wondering they commence sing
ing low chaunt in sweetest tones.
While this is proceeding, you may notice
dozen old maids, in every variety of dress that
has been in vogue since Elizabeth's time; you
may notice at their sides, on down cushions, as
many lap-dogs, lying or sitting in every att-
tude of canine devotion, and wearing blue or
orange ribbons, as canoncals' In other pews
are their lacqueys, practising snuff taking or
examining the stained windows and painted es-
cutcheons, with the air Of connoisseurs.-
Packed up in ancient desks are the chapainS
and digntaries in full canoncals, with black
gloves and white wristbands; they are leaning
their heads upon their hands and scrutinizng
their audience some Of them with opera
glasses. Then one arises and commences read
ing beautiful prayer in lack-a-daiscal man
ner; although the book is before him, his eyes
wander all round the chapel. Then the Choir
listers chaunt again, and at the end OF every
prayer it takes them full two minutes to sing
''ar-r-men."
There is to be homly read to-day, and a
handsome priest, in most winning tones OF per-
suasive eloquence, implores the ladies to Glove
Cod assuring them the love of God is the
''seyereign'st thing on earth" and encompasses
all their duties He then expatates on the
heavenly influence of woman upon earth; he
paints her charity, her softness Of heart her
boauteous image, in the most glowing colors;
and quite captivates the hearts of the old maids.
His brother officials amuse the tedlousness of
the discourse by frequently pulling out their
watches. The funkies rub up their hair and
witch their shrt-collars. The chorsters are
syly playing at "odd-or-even' with marbles,
under their white gowns. The red coaks and
clutches are thinking of beei-bones-hot soup
and gin. Still he continues, eevating his
gloved hands and turning up his eyes, and at
the conclusion, a series Of stiff salutatons are
exchanged among the congregation, and they
all depart, edlfied-and with easy consciences.
Mr.. COUGH. We understand, says the n.
Y. Advertiser, that this gentleman is still quite
feeble, but there Is strong hope entertained that
he will soon recover from his present weakness.
We are informed, by personal friend of Mr..
Cough, that during long acquaintance with
him he never knew him to take opium for any
Al /