Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1856-11-14

around on the other side. Electrified b,
such an unparalleled novelty, We ecOno
mizcd time by a speedy retreat to the hack
where our Mlesian Jehu was highly fat
tered by the enthusiastic encomiums be
slowed upon the grounds aud its magnani
nous proprietor.
! There was Mt time to make the trir
around the mountain, nine miles SO turn
lug corner at its base, We passed dowr
through the northern suburbs, along the
little valley or hollow heretofore mentioned
and ascendei into the dense parts Of the
city, at its eastern extremity, near three
miles down.
The great bulk Of the population Of
Lower Canada, are French Catholics and
public institutions and the prevalent tone
Of society, are, Of course, of a correspnn-
ding character. The city and its envrons
abound IN converts and nunneries, Jesults'
coll ges, and seminaries, and numerous
churches. There is in the city large per
ceutage Of Irish, English and Scotch, and
due proportion of Protestant churches
and educational institutions and . fter be-
ing on the spot, and measuring the force
aud integrity of the hostile Influence, the
Uayazzi riots are matter Of less wonder,
and it is not strange that d" Maria Monk"
made sensation here.
We took a passing glance at most Of
these public institutions, and looked into
more than | have time to describe. The
converts Of White Nuns and the Black
Nuns, are not open to the public, and the
Grey convent is on y open for an hour at
noon. St. Peters church, a new Catholic
cathedral, not quite finished, presents the
most e1quisitely rich and beautiful interi-
or, have ever seen its affiuence of mar
bic, gliding, painting and stucco work,
being of the most chaste and tasteful de-
scription, without any tinge of tawdriness
or tiusel. If it be possible, through the
dim religious light Of stained window
and gothic architecture, with a wealth of
betitting Accomplishments, to lift the soul
to spiritual things through the Imagination
and the senses, this edifce it seems to me
must be the nearest possible approach TO
success in that direction. One extra fea-
tnre | observed in the mural monuments
or altar pieces, ranged along the walls;
erected, it appears from the French inscrip-
tions, by individual liberality to the MEN,
org of deceased relatives and friends; some
of them exceedingly touching and apprO-
pirate.
Stepping into 4 book store for moment,
was surprised to see exposed for sale, in
the original boxes in which they were i'm
ported, with the lids removed and standing
erect, papier mache figures, life size, of the
Savior, the Virgin, and other ecclesiastical
personages; among them, St. Patrick, in
full bishops costume aud mitre, with
shepherd crook in his hand, and resting
against his shoulder. And very hand
some man he was, as thus represented, in
the prime of early manhood, with fair
blooming cheeks, exact sym
metrv of feature, black eyes, and flowing,
jet black beard in fact, as the ladies de-
ciared, d" 4 perfect love of a man"
1t is really marvellous, the skill and f.
deity to nature exhibited in the manufac-
ture Of these images, to the minutest fea-
tuIc and shade of expression. Lying in
Que Of the boxes was figure Of the Sa-
yior, Just taken down from the cross; the
knees partly drawn up, the corpse-ike liz.
lines, Of the cOunseuaGce and sunken
body, purple cash in the side, the fresh
wounds in the hands and fce:, the shrun-
ken lips, and the fimy dimuess of the
half closed eyes, were absolutely startling
ii their vivid, IA pable reality, and SUD
dculy encountered without notice make
Que shrink back witE instructive horror
Ia another was a representation OF
Christ's agony in the garden. A side
view was presented, in kneeling posture,
with clasped, upraised hands and counten-
auce, III an attitude Of supplication. But
that God-lke counteDance, the bloody
sweat starting from every pore, presented
such an expression of mortal agony, such
indescribabe mental suffering, and unut-
icrable wo, that l had not supposed the
highest inspiration of painting and sculp-
,nre combined, could possibly delineate.
Back in the upper part Of the box, was
buuignani, sorrowlug angel holding IN its
hand golden halo, aud looking down upon
the sufferer with compassionate sympathy.
There was a strange, rcsisiless fascination
in the group, that attracted the gaze again
and again, and held it there with hold
that seemingly would not relax its power
Imagine the revulsion of feeling, when
the glib-tongued salesman came out from
behind the counter, just then, and began
to praise up his wares, designating their
:. strong points" and the talent of the