Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-04-11
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

Many long years has thy time-honored
form withstood the Wondering hand OF
time; and many more thy noble work
will live, the admiration of many COM
ing age!
We walked down the wide clear street,
passed a pleasant square with statues,
trees and flowers; then small chapel
where the Blue Coat boys attend; and
before US stood the Abbey. Its grand
old pile, so beautifully fnished,-pillars,
Gothic windows, wrought cornices, point
and columns, and also much grand work
in the carved stone, all blackened with
the sun and storm of years. Crossing
the church-yard, quite closely paved with
grave-stones, from which the letters had
been worn by myriad footsteps. Ipicked
up a detached fragment as relic, and
entered the narrow door. The principal
entrance is used only on great occasions
but this mean portal opened to my de-
lighted eyes world Of beauty.
The Abbey is in the form of a cross,
and we entered on one side. Before us
stood a crowd of worshippers, over which
/ a gorgeous stained glass window opposite
threw its many colored light. Far above
US rose the dim long arch, and on either
side the sculptured marble stood. Oh,
beautiful they were; l could never tire Of
gazing-never tire of tracing with my
eyes each graceful curve and well delin-
Gated outline. l love the chiseled stone,
even when it portrays the rigid form Of
death; but more, when angel forms start
with white wings from the sculptured
tomb as if bearing upward the soul that
rested there.
The monuments were very large
Rising on the tombs were many figures
emblematic of those who slept beneath
if naval hero, ships and cables with
the anchor of Hope and medallions Of
the heroic officers if a soldier, cannon
and the trophies of victory; and if q
philosopher, he sat among his books and
instruments.
The tomb of the Duke of Argyle was
to me most beautiful and interesting
upon it stands a lovely female figure, re
cording his death upon tablet, while an
other. bent forward with one hand pressed
over her eyes in all the agony of grief
Below, at one side, a figure resting upo1
her shield, and looked sadly upward
while on the other a fourth. with sad
sweet face, and outstretched hand. tolt
the mournful tale. The opposite arm 0
the cross is filed with smaller tablets
and beneath the gilded arches repese III,
ashes Of the poet Dryden, Handel, thu
composer Of sweet music, and many
noble mind. DR.. Johnson's noble heal
stood forth among the others, with thi
eloquent inscription, OF! rare Bel
+, Johnson -
/ In one part are the richly ornament
ed tOmbs, the cold forms of Kings an,
/ Queens, all draped in royal robes, and OIL
their heads the ieweled crown that woulc
not save them from the common lot O
mortals. Here warriors and priests liz
side by side, and the most elegant work
manship adOrns their last resting place.
In the nave the services are read. anl
. farther down, the organ peals forth it
: full toned melody, swelling through tn
) high arched roof, and rolling ever away
! while the young choristers sent thei
t clear and bird ike voices in sweet vibra
= ton, upward, heavenward. Never hav
] l heard such music as came gushing froI
that hidden choir-pure, heavenly MI
sic, such as should always fiji our church
r es, and they sang long while, as if the
knew we loved it; but at last it ceaset
: and with its last note still filling nv sou
: l looked again upon the noble work
b around me. Double arches rose abov
: US Of solid stone work, dim and dark :
: rich ornaments offret-work, and massiy
a clustered columns-heavy curtains pa
b ted of the chapel, and stained window
: shed mellow, sofened light upon ii
e white marble, aad bright gliding, leavin
n the gloomy, mysterious regions of tho:
= heavy arches, filed with the dusky sha5
5 Of age.
: Aswe turn back to take one long lii
n gering look, I thought, "Oh! rare Yves
d minister"
e my Brudders," said waggish colo
ed man to a crowd <sin oil 7,a, .5l;,.;~,-