Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1871-07-28

OF the most recent of public improvements
The clock tower is very fine and finished
so delicately and simply that the effect
is very pleasing. The height is 316 feet
above the river front. The clock itself is
the largest in the world, being 264 feet in
diameter. The roof of the palace is of
iron, ornamented and gilded in a most
profuse style. The weight of the great
bell is Il tons, and that of the four quarter
bells is 9 tons each. We were so
fortunate as to gain admittance to tho
entire Building, Including the House of
Lords and House of Commons. To attain
this object it is required that visitors have
a note from member in each House.
When there are mcre attendants than can
be accommodated in the galleries, the
number to be admitted is taken by ballot,
while the unluckY ones left behind have to
await the next ballot which takes place
when the way is opened by the departure
of other visitors. On the following day,
Sunday, we attended service at st. Paul's
Cathedral, and were very much Impressed
with the grand conception of that master
mind of Sir Christopher Wren, which had
wrought such wonders. Strange to say,
that although this immense building was
in course of erection 35 years, it was be-
gun. and completed under the supervision
of one architect, one builder, and during
the Presidency of one Bishop-tbe Length
Is $40 feet, the height of the doms 40I
feet Here Ne'son and Wellington are
buried, and the enclosure contains many
monuments to the memory of great men.
of which it will be quite impossible. at
present, to write. From the Cathed we
visited 'rhe Tabernacle" Of the great
preacher, Mr.. Spurgeou. We were much
disappointed to learn that Mr.. Spur
geon was absent in Scotland, but did not
regret our visit, ss we were kindly re-
eeived. and were much impre sSed with the
service. and evidences of the great good
which has been aud still is being done by
this remarkable man. The Tabernacle
itself is enormous, built in the Italian style
of architecture, and is provided with seats
for $500 people, which were nearly all
filed on the occasion Of my visit. NotWith-
sanding my seat was at the extreme end
of the building from tho minister, heard
every word Of the sermon, which was de-
liVered in quite an ordinary pitch of voice.
The effect of the congregational singing.
which was joined in by nearly every one
present, was very grand and long To be
remembered.
During the week following had the
pleasure of visiting the Crystal Palace ex-
hibition, the International exhibition and
many other very pleasing sights of Lon
don The collection of objects of art and
science at these magnificent institutions
Is so great and in in such variety, and for a
thorough inspection, three or tour days at
each place would be required. The de-
partments are divided into the industrial
aud fine arts. A very ingenious method
has been adopted to Indicate the country
from which the objects come-tho Dor
ders Of each label is colored-that for
Austria, for instance. is Orange; France,
green; Germany. black; Spain, lemon;
United States, blue, &c, &c. The collec-
ton OF paintings far exceeded our coDCeQ-
ton hundreds upon hundreds Of the
choicest gems from all the countries and
states in the world were there to feast the
eye and delight the heart. We were str1ck
also with the beautiful assortment of
photographs, models, and all kinds OF
architectural designs, and also with the
magnificent refreshment rooms which one
is quite sure to patroniZe and appreciate
after spending several hours wandering
about.
After a weeks sojourn in London, We
visited the south Of England. and spf Mt
several days very pleasantly in Devonshire
-retnrning to London by way of Exeter
and Salisbury in order to get view of the
celebrated Oathedrals IN each place, which
we cannot write of at present. After few
days rest We leave for Hamburg, and after
making the tour of Germany may have
this pleasure again.
Yours respectfully, 8.