North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-02-10
The Ball OF St. Peters.

from tno new 1Ork world.
Most persons are aware that the cathe-
dral church Of St. Peters, in Rome, is the
grandest edifoe for Christian worship in
the world that it is presided over by the
Pope himself, who resides in a vast pile
adjoining the Vatican, within which are
collected treasures Of art of centuries. But
as some of my young readers may not be
familiar with st. Peters, l will relate a
few facts concerning it for their informa-
ton.
Three hundred and fifty years were
spent. in building this structure, extending
through the reigns of no less than forty
three Popes. 1t covers an area of nearly
six acres, and it cost fifty millions Of dol
lars. The annual amount expended in
keeping it in repair is upward Of forty
thousand do.lars!
It is six hundred and thirteen and a half
feet long inside the walls, four hundred
and forty six and half feet wide, and four
hundred and forty-eight feet high from
tie pavement to the top Of he cross. Be-
meath the pavement is the crypt, SO that
the actual height from the foundation to
the top of the cross is four hundred and
eighty feet, making it by nearly fifty feet
the loftiest dome in the world. The diam
eter of the dome is one hundred and nine
ty-Gve and a half feet, and the height of
the facade or vestibule, from the top of
which the Pope gives his benediction on
feast days, is one hundred and forty-eight
md half feet
Having provided myself with the neces-
sary order from the director or janitor of
St. Peters, l readily obtained admission
Al hcn 40 ho to- hn
elaborate iron fretwork-door, locked and
barred, and guarded by an official, is only
opened to visitors presenting orders in
due form and then only from eight to
twelve o'clock and no person is allowed
to remain after one o clock.
. The first one hundred and eighty-fve
feet, leading from the floor to the top of
the vestibu,e, has very easy ascent, be-
ing a gentle inclined circular plane,
without steps, about six feet wide, and
foored with brick. From door at the
head Of the incline the visitor emerges on
the top of the vestibule, which, paved
with flags, is four hundred and sixty eight
feet long by fifty feet wide, forming a
magnificent promenade. Up to this point
/ could have ridden on horseback, the
ascent being so gradual. began to con-
gratulate myself On the tfifling effort re-
quired to gain such magnificent view,
but soon found that had only got over
the easiest part Of my task. Crossing
over the roof Of the nave, and entering a
small door, next commenced to climb
the drum which sustains the dome. The
stone stairway runs around between the
outer and inner shells of the drum and
dome. 1t is said that the idea of making
it double, originated with Michael Angelo
the great sculptor, painter and architect,
who died in his eighty >ninth year 1867 J,
on the completion of the drum; and just
as the dome was commenced. He declared
that he would raise the pantheon in the
air." but never lived to see the project
realized.
Up. up, up, what appears to be an in
terminable ciacular stairway, with steps
we'll worn by previous sight-seers, between
two bare walls. Finally an opening pre-
ssnts itself leading to the inner gallery,
running around the dome high over the
tomb Of St. Peter. In making the circuit
at this dizzy height, looked down upon
Nthe people below. 1t must have been
from some such position that the author
ef~'.Guliver's Travels conceived the idea
of the Liliiputians, for what else did
humnn beings look like from this eleva-
tion, unless dwarfs moving to and fro =