Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-02-28
From he Aashrale Union.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE UNION.
LETTER NO. XI.

LoNpoN, England,
dune, 1851.
St. Pam's Cathedral-Meetiag of The Charitq
Schoo's-7He Ragged Schools Panperisn,
--HoSpuals MARKETS., &c, &c.
In previous letter gave you description Of
Westminster Abbey, which is without doubt the
most imposing and interesting structure TO be seen
in England; but of all the relg Gus ediIices Of
mountaineering 10 upwards Of seven hun.
dred, and composing the most prominent share d
lis architectural spendor, there is none more
worthy Of attention, or more calculated TO ava
ken The curiosity Of the visitor than st, Paul ;
Cathedral. i does not lay claim to great anti.
quliy, neither does il possess those early assoca.
lions which render the Abbey 50 interesting; yet
from its vast dimesions, great height and com.
mapding position, it may be regarded as the most
conspicuous edihce 10 the metropolis, while its
architectural merits make tone Of The most mag
nihcent. The ancient Gothic cathedral. which
originally stood on the same spot, was destroyed
10 The gieat fire Of London, 1866 when the
erection Of the present building was entrusted to
that master architect, Sir Christopher Wren. nn.
der whose direction was completed in 1918.
The first stone Of the new cathedral was laid on
the Zlst Of June, 1878, by the architect and bis
lodge Of free masons. The trowe and maIlet
used on this occasion are still preserved in The
Lodge Of Antiquity, Of which Sir Christopher
was Master. The general form, or ground plan,
Is that Of Greek cross, having very large
dome arising from the intersection Of the nave
and transpet. There seems to be combination
OF the several styles Of architecture adopted
doubtless TO give the building modern appear.
ance--but upon the whole. The Cotinlhian and
Composite orders seem 10 prevail The princi-
pal entrance OF front, il extremely noble. Il Is
adorned with a rich and beautiful porlco consist
ing OF twelve lofty columns, above which are
eight more, ranged IN pairs, supporting tri-
angular pedmenl, the cntabulature Of which rep
resented The conversion OF 81. Paul, executed ~
Bird, in low relief On the apex Of this pedi.
ment is colossal figure Of 81. Paul, with two
of equal size al each end, representing ST. Peter
and ST. James aud along the summit Of The front
ars the statues Of the four EyaGgelisls The
whole rests on an elevated base, the ascent 10
which is formed by twenty Two steps Of black
marble. The angles are slrmounied by two ell
egant turrets OF chasle aud uniform character
each terminating in dome, ornamehted with a
gilt pine apple; the north turret contains the bel.
lry, The south iurrel the clock. 10 front Of this
magnificent ponco is marble statue represent
ing Queen Anna, in the rotes Of state, holding
in her hands the embems Of royalty, tageihei
with figures representing Greal Britain, Ireland
France and America. There are two other en-
frances at each end Of the principal iranspei
which correspond to the main portIco, with tht
exception Of the figures Of The Apostes--ihs
royal arms and regalla supported BY angels, ant
the representation Of pbGnix rising from the
flames. The east end Of The building is semi
lasters aud variety of fine sculpture. Th'
dome, which il upwards Of 400 feet from tn