Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-04-23
Correspondence Of the Charleston Courier
LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, April, 1857.


LIFE IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, April, 1857.
We had heard so much of the superb mus
ic to be heard at the Catholic Cathedral in
Canal-st., Newly York city, that we joined our
friends in visit to that stately edi6ce to see
the celebration of High Mass. 1t was q
bright, calm, Sabbath morning, and the
church bells of various tones, but all in har-
mony, were calling out and resounding to
one another. The ordinary hustle of the
great metropolis and the hum of busy life
were measurably stilled. When We entered
the building it was yet but imperfectly light
ed, and picturesque effect was given to the
crowd fastening to the great altar as they
passed successfully in wan light and deep
shadow
After walking round the church slowly
and with many pauses, we placed ourselves
beside massive pillar near the principal en-
trance There was sudden silence and an
increase of light. The bells which had been
outchiming each other as it were throughout
the whole extent of the city, all at once
made pause; and the movements of the
Groves entering became more plainly audi
bic Lights too began to peep out from va
rious dusky corners, bringing gradually into
view every part Of the vast structure-evcry
part except the choir; there a solitary taper
twinkled like star on high, serving to make
the place seem darker from the effect of
contrast.
At signal sung out by silvery bell with
in the church, the whole congregation be-
come at once motionless, and procession is
sued forth from open door-boys robed in
white, with crosses, censcrs, and lighted ia
pcrs in their hands, leading the way; some
half dozen priests followed, some in white
surplices, and some in the rich and pictures.
qucattirc appropriate in theirsevcral stations.
As they appeared, the mighty organ awaken
ed its living power, and tones of richness
and sublimity, such as might almost an
nounce the uprising of new heaven and a
new earth filed the building, and impaired
tremulousness to all its stately columns, as
if a giant hand had shaken them. 1t was
like a whirldwind of sound, rolling wave af-
ter wave, in something diviner, higher, than
mere melody; how it sweled out into soft
thunders, that vibratcd through the long
aisles up to the raulted roof; then it died
away to whisper, faiDtas thcsigh of child,
only 10 rise again more glorious than before.
Oh the sub!iui.y of that ocean of song! 1t
swclcd and sank all individual discords, uu-
til i, seemed fitting type of that Infinite
company which, gathered from all the ends
of the earth, shall one day be heard "prais.
ing God with loud voice" This storm of
harmony was suddenly lulled. and while two
figures in white robes, holding in their hands
tall wands with lifted tapcrs on their tops,
asccnded to the altar steps, soft, sweet
symphony stole out into the air, and seemed
as prelude to some delicious melody.
Well was the promise kept There may
be voices of more transcendrnt mcrit-vO;ccs
richer and more flexible; but one who rel
ishes sweet sounds is not always over curious
in comparison-and the voice of unearthly
sweetness that flowed not into our car only,
but into our soul, was such as cemcd to fill
up the measure Of which man, through his
sense of hearing, is susceptible. 1t was an
air that brcathed of innocence and affection,
and if, at times, notes were sighed out With
q tenderness which made the sweetness plain
tive, it was not, therefore, the less holy,-lt
seemed well remembered strain of prim-
eval Eden, warbled by voice, to whose
pathos peniteuce had, impaired charm which
Eden could not have understood. There
was strange fascination in this voice filling
the quiet Church as with soul whose breath
ing was melody. For ourselves, it filled US
with sense of enjoyment so intense, that
we would have felt constrained to follow at
ter it, even had we known it would lure US,
to some murdcrous precipice, like the dan
gerous sirens in the haunted woods of Ger
many. 1t left US when it ceased, motionless,
wrapt, as if with suspended faculties, listen
ing for its recommencement While this
chant was being sung, two priests, in rich
vcstments, swinging burning censers high,
offered incense at the great altar, and pulpit
attendants, one at each side, were occupied
in completing its illumination. AS they
touched in slow succession, each large taper,
third wreath Of smoke gushed forth, and
after coasting for moment, about and above
the nascent flame, passed into the mass OF
odoriferous cloud with which the altar was
encompassed. All in the back ground was
dark when these ceremonies commenced ;
but soon this brilliant illumination revealed
the exquisite picture which formed the altar
piece. The subduing work of art thus pre-
scnted to view was figure crowned with
sharp thorDs extended on the cross. In the
countenance was exhibited agony unuttera-
Bile without dis6guring it by a line of harsh
ness In the countenance so marked with
suffering, we're union ofsublimity, tender
.n,, ,o1 oH;ot;on