Middletown transcript., 1869-02-27
Notes of Grauel.
RccoIiections of the Mother Country.
Written for the INiddleto,cn Transcript
No. s.

Nearly opposite the Houses of Parlia-
ment stands the renowned Westminster
AJLcy, where lie many persons of distinc-
ton, who lived in days past under the
English banner; many of whom undoubt-
cdly strove to be famous in order to be-
cone worthy of an inerment here. The
Abby was thoroughly repaired during the
ent towers added. Six centuries have
passed since Henry the third piously
raised the many clustered shafts and poin-
ted arches of the present structure, yet
they still point high to Heaven, in undi-
minished grace, and lghtncss, grandeur,
and strength 1t is 416 feet in length /;
BOB feet in breadth at the transept; and
at the nave 102 feet; height of the west
towers 225 feet The exterior measure
ment, including Henry the Eighth's Chapel
$50 feet. TO perceive the magni6cence
of this antiquated building the visitor
should enter at the great western door,
and then the eye scars amid graceful col
umns, tracery, and decorated windows, to
the summit of the eastern arch.
The number of Statues and monuments
in Westminster Abbeyis very great. They
are found in side chapels, of which there
are quite number viz st. Benedict's.
St. Edwards, St. Nicholas's, St. Paul's,
st Erasmus, John the Baptist's, Henry the
Eighth's and others, About 100 monu-
ments of eminent men are seen here.
Poets Corner, in the south transept, is a
famous place for the busts and monuments
of eminent men, like Shakespeare, Milton,
Ben Jonson, Thomson, and Goldsmith.
The latest persons of note buried here were
Lord Macaulay and Lord Palmerston, the
one in January, 1860, the other in Oc-
tober, 1865.
The following words of the poet are
apropos:
''STarhle monuments are here displayed,
ThlolSng the walls aud on TIE floor beneath
ScpulchrSl stones appear, with cmhieHls craven
And faot-worn epimphs, and some with snl.sl
And shining chigies of brass inlaid.
The tribute by these various records claimed
! Without reluctance do wepay-and read
The ordinary chronicle of birth,
Office, alliance, and promotion-all
Ending in dust"
, Divine service is performed daily in ;
large enclosed space, at the eastern par
!. of the structure, except on Sunday even
ings, when the service is performed in tn
nave, in a similar way to the Sunda.
evening services under the dome of st
Paurs. The choral service in this beau
tiful temple is perfectly performed, ant
we'll worthy of imitation by those chur
ches in tho new world which are striving
!. to copy foreign customs.
The celebrated author, Dean Stanley
IS is at the head of this collegiate church an
y from his great reputation we were led t
e believe that sermon from his lips woul
4 be eloquent, or at least well delivered
but we were disappointed; his deliver
was poor, and his words could not b
= heard rs feet from the pulpit.
He possesses great authority over tn
u adjoining district, and a revenue of 930
600 per annum is derived from it.
Sine our visit the system of feeling th
4 beadles has been abrogated, and the Wis
!. itor can now wander in every part of th
IS building, without guide, or fee, whic
n is preferable; previously, all were take
os in parties of from 10 to 90, by the be;
10 10 dies and escorted hurriedly through tn
c. chapels without giving them sufficient tim
to study the monuments and other objec
of interest Days could be profitabl
spent there among the silent dead, in stut
ying their histories, and rambling in tt
:. cloisters connected with the Abbey, whel
2 the monks resided in Roman Cathol
I'd times.
d. Not far from the residence Of the Anne
lean Minister is situated the celebrate
Madame Tussand's Gallery. on Baker S