Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-08-08

s. etters LONE 49, " 81 600 $3.50
s. Paus London .. p 600 6'd9 9
florence Cathedral 49,. 23OO oU1o
st. Sophia Constantinople ........ 900 5,75o
NOrtre Dame, Paris .2i,o0O 3a20
Pisa Cathedral -. l3'OoO 39'zzy2oo
When first SURVEYED the Cathedral of Milan, the
General appearance Of this vast Gothic edihce re-
minded me of dense forest of shipping as if one
should stand on the heights of Brooklyn and there
from survey the girdling commerce of the port OF
New York 1t appeared to me as though it might
be the fabrication of superior order of beings as
though archangels had employed their subIlmest
faculties in the undertaking.
The face of the edfce is enriched with every i'm
onabIe illustration of Scripture, in soul pture, while
he stained glass of its immense windows exhibits IN
.,otber form illustrations of similar character
The dedication tablet the grand entrance compri
es only two words
''MARIA NAsCENTI.'
Mary being born: in honor of the Virgins birth)
The cost of this magnificent temple has been esti-
mated by some writer's at not far from one hundred
millions of dollars 1t contains many tombs of great
4 urae:-that OF saint Carlo alone cost one million.
Even this day the annual appropriation for labor
and repairs averages forty thousand dollars. 1t has
wOpulpits, made of bronze, cncircng its main pill
hr, and each capable of holding twenty preachers.
nbind the choir is the statue of st. Bartholomew,
rho was fayed alive. The sculptor has represented
lie muscular parts of the human body entire, with
be skin most ingeniously taken off and cast a
r5e or toga over the person. This work is consider
Cd to be worth its weight in gold.
The confessional boxes are very numerous Some OF
them are as old as the building The penitents, in ap-
roachng these boxes, kneel and confesss through
perforated square plate into the of the priest
These plates from the constant action OF the breath
mdlips of so many pOstulants present remarkably
polished and lp-wOrn appearance. This temple is
0mmGnsc that the people wOrshipping within its
walls look like mites 1t has no galleries hence, in
order to clean its arches and brush its lofty a
novGable tower is framed and put up to serve the
purpose. The appearance of this tower reminded
ne of the portable observatory prepared for Napo-
leon on the field of Waterloo Owing to the great
altitude of this pile the bells although of remarka-
bepowGr, are scarcely heard inside when tolled
mgqy Il faint sound is perceptible, if coming
homhe clouds. The Emperor Joseph H., in his ad-
miradOn of this vast temple exclaimed that it = was
mountain Of gold converted into marble" A peas
ant being observed gazing very thoughtfully on the
ndlng, bystander inquired what he Judged it to
ewOrth. He responded, " think 1t ar0rth q fine
nyln Juty" abiding to the powerful effect produ-
@t in one day in that month upon the growth of
he crops in the ardent cline of tia y. The answer
scGrtainly both original and singular. On one oc-
ason noticed some workmen suspended along the
walls by ropes from the spires and turrets-they were
@raping off the grass and plants which time had
Produced In every part of the city paintings, en-
cravings and models of this Incompatible temple
are exposed for sale. One of the best models | saw
vas executed in glass it was very elaborate piece
dwork about three feet in height, and valued at
%. Notwithstanding the age of the Cathedral it
MoSt none of its novelty not in Milan. No
55g passes without looking up at it. The old resi-
asoa who have gazed upon it from their childhood
cline that they feel a fresh glow of pleasure every
tine they behold it. In the roof, near the front an
a OF the building. is small aperture, which mig
moSt be taken for star. The suns ray strikes
trough 1t, and at noon falls meridian line
ua|n on the marble floor. AS the eventfu mo,
aent draws nigh the worShppers within and the
HoPle without range themselves near the
ls and with their watches in their handpause
9set them by this infallible regulator.
Will be remembered that it in this Cathe
Aa- IN the year 1905, that the coronation of Ma
@eOn, as King of Italy took place, attended with
~ the pomp and splendor of the empire The iron
own OF Charlemagne, which had slumbered for
4uSand years in the treasury of MOnza ther
9ght forth and placed with his own hands upor
brow. All the magnates of Europe were present
the day was celebrated as a jubilee Throughout
land
The appearance of this architectural wonder va
with the nature of the weather, and the changes
DAY and night Probably it appears most sub
s BY moonlight, and most august in snow
IN Christmas eve, over the main altar is sus-
aded large bright star, fSurative of the Star of
|hehem NIulttudes from considerable distance
%attracted to behold this sign.
When the music of the two magnificent ORGANS
aroL. Np"i MY eur: ana nlleG the alSloS and
L@1the temple, was overwhelmed with wonder.
H"%oSe with all the sublimity of an anthem on
m."TP 1t was so grand, and so profound that it
NJ -" fresh acceeraton of life through my system
rs S Tue voice OF the elements in harmonious aci-
A, I" | was all ear
I-J3 OooN IN strains that might create a soul,
Under the ribs of death!''
"S TASK of ascending pile of this magnitude is,
1e6;a pe confessed, somewhat fatiguing, but then
"HSue IS only momentary while the pleasure in
AZ enSatlon lasts forever
ayS;rLno mounting, and counting one hundred and
isnn ~ steps found myself the roof of the
slrr NJ !" the midst of perfect forest of marble
gna@ lowers, spires and minarets pinnacled with
gr, he guide informed me that there were ten
at 6 ~ statues on the needles of these spires and
ec,nI l"ouSand more were yet required to finish
her ~peIhent The scene now became very grand.
l7rn T.%b'"55erInS about good season in this May
%pras .u, mounted the spiral stairway to ascend
a 3a an main tower, which is elevated as high
aDv 'Do'e everything else. AS assembled | gra-
SIoSe above all the spires of the edfce and
IA A, marble population of statues beneath my
mad length | passed the gold stars and the
+pi"6Gl4 that eliminated upon the points of
h4"e iotter columns. and when | assembled
tf f"g IT, could look down upon everything, even
,ny o nScd stars and the backs of the angels
Ulenied P'S''''" 'el' is il WIS l" balloon
4b"rne re- the deep transported mind may soar,
Look in me S wheeling poles, and at Heaven door
2bcr fn ulJ present elevation, had mounted al
the J n; "hndfed and fwentY steps
gldino t ti the sun was rising in his strength
Vas o on me ne lorzon with his glory. The pros
'@Qetb;no VI iheHdble magnifcence; but prefer
'''uS OF the terrific mingled with the mar