The Republican journal., 1871-10-26
Letter From Boston.
Correspondence of the journal.
DA.na,r a. 40 4 O.

Probably no person visiting Boston and
the upper part Of Washington street at
any time within the past four years has
failed to observe, in the square nearly
facing the foot Of Union Park, huge pile
of granite slowly assuming the proper
tons of u grand and lofty edilice, and
have had all possible inquiries answered
with the explanation, the New Cathe-
dral." For something like a year it has
stood, near enough TO completion to cx-
cite the establishment of all beholdcrs
with its yastness and beauty externally
but of its internal arrangements little has
been known, and wonder and curiosity
have been left to hover. in faint imagn-
ings, over minute details, for upon the
temporarily constructed door barring the
main entrance to the Cathedral has APP
peared the positive edict ''No Admit
lance" Latterly the extensive prepare
tons for the grand fair to be opened with
in ITS sacred walls tomorrow, in further
ance OF its completion, has attracted to it
more than usual attention, and the mum
Der of visitors applying for admission
have been proportionately large. Thus
we happened, one late sunny morning, to
be standing at the rector's door, extending
q neat little note, secured from proper
authority, which eventually gave us en-
t,.1Onn n tba fnrbiJ1an ,rronpJ5
first impression, upon approaching the
Cathedral is one of awe at its vast ex-
tent, and lofty proportions; the next, adj
miration of the skill and cunning OF brain
and hand, that have so diligently wrought
and harmoniously blended the huge un-
shapely boulders into such intricate vet
massive beauty. 1t is built in ancient
Gothic style of Roxbury stone, heavily but
| artisticaliy trimmed with different kinds
of granite, and supplied with towers,
turet wings and chapels. all in due and
harmonious proportions Some idea of its
size may be gained from he following
figures. The body Of the Cathedral, in
Guiding the transept, is 364 feet in length
l7j feet in breadth, and 20 feet high
The roof is arched or vaulted, and when
finished will give y clear space of 80 feet
from floor to ceiling, and is supported by
twenty sections of iron pillars, grouped
in clusters of four, save ut the joining of
| the transept where two additional ones
have been placed. These extend through
the floor and rest upon granite pillar,
| twelve feet in circumference, which in
turn is supported by solid and sure
| foundation. The turrets occupied by the
vesibule and choir gallery are Of pure
Gothic shape, rising lS5 feet in height,
and contains, AS its principal attraction, a
large Oriel window g. feet in circutnier-
| ence, with 81 pieces of stone intricately
arranged as Il framework for the glass.
| The masonry OF the main tower is to ex-
| tend upwards 300 feet, and, with its sur
mounting tower of 20 feet height, will
have An elevation 100 feet in excess Of
Bunker I'LL Monument. The northern
tower, when completed, will only attain
height of 200 feet Each are L feet
| thick at the base and large enough to
contain extensive rooms the two lower
ones being arched into the vestibale, and
the ones Immediately above finished as
| tribunes connecting with the choir gallery
| by vast, Gothic doors The deep, mullion-
ed windows along the sides of the Cathe-
dral, are n feet high and 10 feet wide,
anu 1,iSli7y D~>.,teif..l 18th their marvel
| lousy arranged framework of granite,
| blending by skillful combinations into the
prevailing Gothic shape. When compet-
ed they will contain two sets of lights.
the outer, or storm protecting ones, being
OF white ground glass; the inner gorge
| geously yet daintilv stained The two
! transept windows are each G3 feet in
| length and % feet broad, vet in no way
look dlsproportlonate to the space; these,
! rs well as the chanccl windows. are to be
of Illuminated or figured glass To the
| left OF the Sanctuary is the Chapel Of the
| Blessed Virgin, and to the right the
| Sacristry, Organ Lott and Chapel of the
| Blessed Sacrament, all connecting with
the chancel Of the Cathedral by deep
archcd entrances. The Sacrstry is a pretty
| oblong room neatly finished in black wal
nut and chestnut, with walks and ceiling
| tasteiully succeed. Above it is the Or
| gan Lott similarly finished and supplied
| with handsome chestnut benches for the
| numerous choiristers, and GRAND piano
and anlmmensc organ placed upon rollers
50 that they can be easily moved from the
| open archWayS opening into the Chapel Of
the Blessed Sacrament to those facing the
| Sanctuary of the Cathedral Here an inn
mense choir Will chant psalms Of praise,
AMI $50 feet away in tho choir gallery will
sound the responses. OF its cNalting,
subduing, magical effect little can be
| imagined. Through ponderons, Gothic
doors one enters the Chapel, pausing on
the threshold with feelings half of awe
half of rapture at the combined vaStness,
beauty and simplicity Of the presented
spectacle. The deep, high Gothic win
dows, rich in tracery and softly tinted
glass, Shed 4 dim mellow light upon the
high vaultcd root, the magnificent frescoes
and wonderful carvings Castings, doors.
furniture and confessionals, all are of
richest, polished, and quantity carved
walnut. Soft rich carpets cover the
sanctuary and altar steps, and the altar it.
self is Il blaze of marble, vermillion and
gold. Golden candle-sticks bearing the
whitest of wax tapers, the cleaning
| golden door of the BLESSED Tabernacle"
and the richly illuminated windows of the
chancel are all sights that astonish the eye
and enchan the senses. Grand in the
whole, grand IN detail, one leaves it with
somewhat reluctant steps
THE APPROACHING FAIR.