The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-11-03


also the designer of the altar, and all other
decorations connected with it.
The altar stands 6fty-sevcn feet big
from the stone foundation to the dome,
and Is thirty-eight feet wide at the base.
The whole structure is supported upon
Two massive stone pillars, which go up
from the ground, and on which rests the
stone altar, massive slab of pure white
marUic, which is the altar proper-the
consecrated stoac, the emblem of that
heavenly altar under which the rap,
Evangelist behell the souls Of those slain
for the word Of God.
The antependium of the altar is filed
With beautiful design 10y Buscher, n
k'nd Of has relief representing the last
supper L is conceived somewhat after
! the sty Re of Leonardo di Vinci's celebrated
painting Of that scene, although it cannot
said to be an imitation.
The portion Of the altar known as the
tabernacle is an exceedingly rich and elab.
crate piece Of workmanship. On either
side OF it rise the graceful gothic turlets,
with inches containing life sized statues
Of the Greek and Roman fathers of the
church, ali carved i'll the highest style of
art. The inches or turrets, are forty feet
in height, and are surmounted by cano-
pies, with profusion of graceful orna-
nients. The one on the gospel side-lhat
is the right hand side as you enter the
cburch-coutains the statues of St. Je
rome, st. Ambrose and St. Basil. On
the cpiste or left hand side, are the sta.
tues Of St. Thomas of Aquinas, St. Chrys-
ostom, and St. Gregory (Popo Gregory
Vll) Immediately above these inches,
and resting on the canopes, are pillars,
with full sized statues representing St.
Zachary aud St. Elizabeth the parents of
john the Baptist, while in another Sec
ton are two statues Of similar size, rep.
resenting St, Ann, and s.. Joachim, the
parents of the blessed Virgin. The Mich.
es In which these statutes are placed are
each surmounted with gothic turrets
Between these Two inches stands the
tabernacle, resting on the repository,
which is lined with beautiful silk and vel.
vet of the cosiliest material. This may be
called the gem par excellence of the whole
structure, coulining some of the most
expensive articles, and being decorated
in most elaborate style. The cylinder
is divided into three parts or inches, each
of which is richly gilded in various col
of ors red, blue, and gold. One section of
the cylinder represents the beautiful cru
clfix of Munich another represents the
remonstrancc or ostensorium and the
third section contains the setorium,
large silver cup for the blessed sacrament
This magnificent cup was manufactured
In Europe at a cost of $500 francs. 10
the osteusorium, immediately above the
laluna, Is set a crown of precious stones
valued at 1000 francs. This splendid
jewel, which consists of red diamonds, is
gift from lady in Europe to the church
of the Holy Family.
Around the cylinder are two oherubs
with thuribles, aud above those are four
seraphims in pastures Of alteration. Im-
medlately over these, and 10 the centre of
the tabernacle, there is statue repre-.
sentlng our Lord as the Good Shepherd.
All of these are surrounded with golden
canopics, mounted with turrets wAoh are
of FURNISHED gold.
La the centre of the altar above the tab
ernacle, is large oil painting of the
Holy Family, copy of Murillo's much
admired work, and is said to be Il true
and beautiful copy. At the head of the
picture tue Father is represented in the
the form Oft old man, aud below is the
Holy Ghost in the form of dove. Then
come St. Joseph, the Virgin and the
Child. The picture is surrounded by an
deliberately carved frame, aud furms not the
the least interesting attraction of the sane
tuary.
Above the painting are three beauti.
full statuettes, representing Faith, Hope,
aud Charity Faith 10 the middle hold,
ing the cross, Hope on the left side the
anchor, aud Charity at the right with
heart. Over this is the gorgeous canopy
which reaches to the dome of the sanctu.
airy.
These are the principle features of this
magnIf sent altar, put thore are a host of
minor decorations which arc by many de-
grees too numerous to mention in detail
The alter steps are beautifully carved aud
giided, and support twelve golden candle
sticks in pure gothic style, each of them
standing seven feet high. Between them
are placed vases of flowers and various
ornaments, which complete the dccora-
tons of tbs sanctuary. Wheo lighted
up, tue altar presented a most i'm posing
aspect, and although the greater portion
OF the congregation came to worship and
not to gaze upon the workmanship they
could not withhold their admiration.
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s1"A good story is now going about
Paris that old General ", has been
in the habit of getting extremely intoxi.
Gated for many Years, but as he is always
taken charge Of by an old soldier servant