The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-23
6uEsrEB CATHEDRAL RESTORED.
TIE stones separately Token Dat snr Re
carved and Replaced.

carved and Replaced.
- Prom M Prottdencs Journal
CHrsrxR, England, Aug. e.-Arriving in
Chester yesterday morning, l found the quiet
old town In high state Of excitement. The
Strests were crowded, the buildings were COW
cred with Gags, the bells were ringing ana
obimins continually. II was a great day for
Chester, as the ancient Cathedral. which mad
been undergoing the process OF repair anu re.
newh for the last ten years, was To De reopcheu
IN the afternoon with . magnificent service. L
struck At once for the residence OF Dean How
son, VINO had been mainly instrumental 10 eI
footing the renovation OF the cathedral, and met
with most cordial reception.
"where are your robesf was the nrst ques-
t,on; bishops are rather scarce to-day, and for
various reasons there would he sometning pa,
ticularly appropriate IN having an hnei'''"
Twas obliged TO say that must be allowed TO
fall into the rank and Ole. aud such rank snu
nIe never saw before in the form OF an ecoies,-
asticaI procession. Preceded by the u suh, o,.
Hcinls, with their silver wands ana NV ,,
outfit, fret came n supplied band o. one nun
dom, and then ABOUT three hundred csfn,m l
OF various orders all in fh ,n,d csps in ,beir
bsnds Passing into the choir. which Is ABOUT
the sire OF our Grace Church. we could see tue
entire nave and transepts OF the edihce crowded,
no one being admitted without ticket, OF
witch many Thousands were Distributed, while
tbe clergy and choristers hlled the entire choir.
Tbe service was simply the usual evening
prayer. with a very sensible sermon by tho
Rjshop ~ Rochester, but there was such an
abundance Of anthems and so many elaborate
chants that the entire exercises occupied nearly
three hours. i was much impressed with sew
ersl facts that we're given In the bishops ser
mon. Thirty years ago, he said, the question
was whether the whole cathedral system should
be given up as a poor failure, everything con-
.nected with these establishments was In a for
Torn dtlapidated condition, but. he added that
within the last few wears, twenty millions oil
pounds had been contributed for the festora-
tion OF these venerable piles, and all the ser
vices we're now conducted with earnestness and
zeal. II IL hard for us TO comprehend what he
renewal OF one Of these edinces means. Totake
out one stone after another, and replace u with
. new one cut and carved precisely like the for.
mer, to do the same with the elaborate wood
work. and n AXE II all new without In any de-
eree obliteratine the features OF antiquity. Is .
very slow and costly work. II " something that
will never be done In our land.
From ths Pun Nan Gasens. Aug. 7.
Chester Cathedral was rsopened Yesterday
afternoon. The restoration hiss occupied e1-
aotly eight years, and has been divided into sue
cessive parts as the funds have como In. Tbs
mt four years were employed principally In
Rroining the nave roof, restoring the tower, and
In refacina and UNDERMINING the Lady On hpel
and choir. linn ediateIy after this the restora.
tion Of the interior of the choir was begun and
while that part OF the cathedral was under
alteration the nave was used for services on
Sundays ana week days The deal bosrdins
which was temporarily erected between the
nave and the choir was taken down few week,
ago, thus leaving the Who'll length OF the cathe-
dral open from end to end.
Formerly the length view was Intercepted by
heavy ttone screen, upon which the organ
stood. The latter Instrument now stands at the
opening OF the north transept, In new case o
oak. supported by twen'y,fouT nono,itas o
minister. The south transept. known As st. Or
wald's Church. 10 also laid entirely open, though
no< as yet restored. One OF the most noticeable
features OF the restoration Ia the rich red tin
of the sandstone. which was formerly covered
with thick layer OF white ash. The taberna
Gle work famous ior It's de,icacg ana beauty
care. The lighting ~ the crossing Is ef
fected by magnificent brszen corona.