Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-03-05
AFTER DARK IN THE ABBEY.

1t was the 4th of December, 1873, at
quarter. past four in the afternoon, when
/ strolled into Westminster Abbey.
had no thought in going there but to
stroll. just as / entered-inharmonio
ly, l admit ,ook out purse from my
pocket and counted three or four bank.
notes. | ought not to have done this
Westminster Abbey is not a bank: and
though good deal is done in Westmin.
ster Abbey which might be done more
appropriately elsewhere, and good deal
IL not done which the nature of the place
might suggest as rehgiousy fit, still,
counting bank.notes Is decidedly out of
keeping with the original idea of a
church. My only excuse was, that as
every one in the building seemed to have
gone there for nOn-devotional purposes,
it could make no great difference if las
sumed for an axiom what others merely
took for postulate. Be this as it NAV
just as | was counting my notes, through
some suspicion that had lost one on the
road, | observed n most respectable old
gentleman standing within half dozen
yards of me and taking keen cognizance
of my money. But let this fact pass.
The old gentleman passed. And with
him there went from my memory all rec
objection of bis gaze.
l then strolled round the Abbey.
johannes Smith, armiger, Smithorum
Lincolniensium oriundus," was an in
scription that engaged my attention.
"Lincolniensium" was perhaps more dis
tinctlve than the somewhat promiscuous
Smithorum," but neither of the two
could be said to individualize the partic.
lar identity of Smith. There was play
left for fancy as to Smith," even with
the narrowing of the county, and | won
dered whether that ancient Roman fami-
ly had originally come over with Cesar
As pondered these matters, | noticed,
almost touching me, gentleman aged
perhaps sixty. On second glance !
satisfied my inquiry that it was the same
gentleman who had looked at my notes
But this did not matter. The gentleman,
whoever he may be, had right both to
look at my notes and at other objects of
interest in the Abbey But at this par
ticular moment he was not looking at my
notes. His countenance was uplifted
with a view TO the monuments, especial
Iy to the monument of "Smi,h.n He
had very white hair. He wore very gold
spectacles. His spectacles We're of that
demonstrative kind which throws the rest
OF the toilet into the shade. 1t is the
province of gold spectaces to obscure
every detail of even the hest-dressed and
most distinguished of men; and there are
some gold spectacles in particular which
do this, such as those which the Shah
wore in London. The gentleman in the
Abbey had this class of spectacles. They
betokened mind accustomed to think
and eyes that even needed repose. Less
an ornament than meant for real use,
they suggested library and tones. They
h0A hui hot I'M
gentleman himself looked costly. His
spectacles and himself were on par
pre-eminently financial and sound.
lie wore blue coat 1t was buttoned
up to the throat. A white tie OF immacu.
late purity surmounted the very blue
coat. Pantaleons nf indisputable new
ness perfected the downward proprieties;
and boots that distanced competition
ended the man. RESULT: Aristocratic,
balance at his bankers, fine country seat,
distinguished old family, with son per
haps in the army or navy. This was the
impression produced.
So felt when the gentleman, turn. |
ing toward me, inquired, with large-in-
coined smile; "You like art?"
said that did,. but that was not al. |
together proficient.
This figure is remarkably fine," he |
kindly advanced for my instruction. |
You notice, from whatever point you |
view IL, the effect is equally perfect.
Look this way"
1 looked. But hazarded the remark |
that bu: partially admired the beauties |
OF the figure referred to. Thought that |
q lady contemplating a medallion ON |
which was marital countenance was,
to say the least of it, somewhat unin.
teresting, and unworthy of Westminster
Abbey
He replied like a man who deigned to
answer me. There was a blandness of
authority in his way of speaking that did
not admit of contradiction. He delivered
an opinion like one who decided, not
like one who opened, an argument.
was glad to have guide who had |
views of his own. Having gone into the
Abbey to waste my time, l thought
might now improve it.
These monuments" he continued,
" are badly arranged They are heaped
together without plan. Admirable, some
of them, in the merits of art they are
spoiled by idea or location. There is a
want of harmony and whole What a
contrast, indeed, between the exquisite
thought, impressed on the glorious pile, |
and the paltry attempts at mere hu- |
man praise chiseled on most of these |
marbles! How the past seems TO weigh |
down the present. How small are we to- |
daycompared with the founders of this
churchp'
] fancied that this seemed learned by |
heart. 1t was very well spoken, and Il |
1t was his own it was evident he was a |
man Of education. ] concluded that the |
ideas were his own because they were |
consistent with his "form" But who |
shall tell whether a man is original in |
ths hrst fVe minutes of his acquaint- !
aneer Certainly the words had that |
sort of sound which implied they had
been said once before and might per-
haps be said once again. 1t struck me
as accidental that was the recipient of |
wisdom which was prepared and SEN
tenced for delivery. And then, too, there !
is way of saying good things which |
shows that the talker wishes TO elevate
himself much more than to do Justice to |
his theme; and my friends depreciation |
OF Westminster sculpture was obviously
the exaltation Of-my friend. ] replied
III few words, just to show that / under.
stood both himself and the remarks he
had made. But he took up his theme and
expanded it.
"The uses of the Abbey" he declared
IN irritation, are simply infantile and
imbecile. Compare that oof, these walls,
this idea, with the grasp of the Dean
and Chapter. II is a fabric OF really
great mind chatteled by mere childrens
toys.".,
Ihis was sublime thought il desira.
bic 10 say thatI agreed with him. Not
wishing 10 provoke more deep thoughts
] would assuage him by graceful con
esssion.
see you are a man of ideas" he
continued (this at least showed his per.
ceptlon)i and then we wandered all over
the Abbey and inspected the various
points.
He smiled at the monuments as we
passed along and made disrespectful OBJ
seryaiOns.
Twas thinking how 10 get rid Of him,
for the Abbey was cold aud the chilli.