New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-10-02
GERMANY.
The Cathe drnI at Cologne.

We gather from recent German papers
some account Of the pro gre,s of this mighty work,
which will doubtless be Of Interest to many Of our
readers. More than six centuries have rolled away
since the corner stone Of this noble edice was
laid, with all the imposing ceremonies of the
Cetho,ic Church. For several generations the
work proct eded, until the lofty choir was finished.
This was dedicated-kings aud princes being
prestnt-and then tho work ceased, and for four
hundred years remained untouched, even for the
repair of the injuries which time and the elements
had wrought upon it. Ia lSll-l5 the Rhine
provinces became definitely attached to the crown
Of Prussia, and the attention of the Government
was called to this noblest monument of feudal art,
and the necessity Of grants Of funds, il not TO 60
on with the work, at least to keep it from entire
destruction. So soon as tho effects Of the long
continued wars with the French were in some de.
gree obliterated, and the PIuss,an treasury wa'i
a condition to spare money for such purpose, a
grant was made 10 begin the work otrepair. This
was in 1925. Grants OF some $4,000 annually
were made by Kirg Frederick William Ill as long
a he liyed-until lSl0-which was no more than
sufficient to pu. in neail, complete restoration the
finished part. His successor, the present king,
continued the grant, and il was 6aally determined,
after the completion of the repairs, to so on with
the work and complete the ed6ce.
or the whole building, SEQ feet long by $50
vide, the transspt projecting 80 feet on sach aide,
only the choir, as above stated, some 100 feet Of
the rear extremity, was finished. The wall Of the
north aisle was up, and the magnificent painted
windows in; one OF the twin towers. destined to
rise SOC feet from the earth was carried up, per-
hap, 200 feet, the other some % only. OF the
rest Of the edi6ce, it vas found, upon examination,
that not even the foundation had been laid. But
where should the architect be found of ouch won.
drous genius that he could carry out the original
design, with no Data but those furnished by the
splendid fiagment-lhe magnificent monument OF
one whose name was forgotten Who could sup.
pose that the original designs, the very drawings
meant to guide tho master workman, might be
still in existence Yet it was so. And, though
no trace can be discovered OF the history and
character--of the name, even, of the original
"master"-the plans, through ali those long
years, had survived accident and vandalism and
were ready at hand.
In lsts, the King Of Prussia, amid all the pomp
assisted in laying the corner ston. Of the new
work, and, from that day to this, amid all the dis.
fractions Of political excitement and revoln,;an
stone after stone has reached its destined nl.ca
and the majestic edihee with every day has given
new earnest Of its destined grandeur and bssu,v
Those, for instance, who, in the last few ysar.
have had the good fortune to see tie work f,or,
time to time, have felt that the day viii com,
1nsf come fos the full and complete realization Al
the plans Of that wonderful artist, who prepared
them, began the work, and, lesyBg no name be
hind, died six hundred years ago!
One Of the latest numbers OF the K6laisclt
Zeitms which we have received, contains the iol.
lowing description Of tho present condition Of tn,
work
"Ths Ssvs Of the Cathedral b Fast drawing toward
~ compilation. and everything makes u p,OSabls .sa
shs giant work, whose compilation . lev ysars sasos