National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1877-06-26
THE MEMoRrorrwo mrLLroNArnEs.
Tho Astor Memoria, IN Trinity Church. New
York-The Stewart Cathedral At Garden

| s"S "b"VHf WOMILLfON1THES.
Tho A.sor Memorial, IN Trinity Church. New
York-The Stewart Cathedral at Garden
City, l.. 4.
tcorrespondence Of the National Repubiican.I
NEW YoRK, June "a, 1877.
The completion Of the Astor memorial altar
In Trinity church Is On event In the history of
American art. This altar was erected by the
two sons OF the late VIM. Il. Astor to the
memory Of their father, and In the observance
OF the true principles Of art, and the skillful
execution Of the dctailsof the design is scarcely
surpassed by any similar work even in Europe
The memorial is in the form of mn altar and
rercdos, the latter occupying thirty five feet
OF the chancel and being carried up about
twenty-five feet from the floor. The altar
proper Is eleven feet long, Of the purest white
marble, with shafts Of Lisbon red marble sup
porting the capitals, carved In natural foliage,
dividing the front and side into panels. These
pane Is are all filled with designs of exquisite
beauty. The supcraltar Is of red Lisbon mar
Bile, with the words, Holy Holy, Holy" in.
laid In mosaics on Its face.
The style Of the rercdos Is tho rc~--..agi....tu.
Lar Gothic in tS.' ,.ss win that of tho church.
nvvye the line Of the supcraltar are seven
panels OF white marble, sculptured in alto
rclicro, representing incidents In the life Of
Christ and modelled after the celebrated pic
ture by Leonardo da yinci. On the right of
Of Saint Raphael, with flaming sword In his
hand; on the left Saint Gabriel, holding u
bunch Of lilies and scroll.
The reredos is divided into three bays by
buttrcsscs, which contain under canopcs four
doctors Of the Church, viz: First, Saint
jerome, in the act of translating the Bible;
Second, Saint Ambrose, delivering q sermon,
with the beehive. his Characteristic emblem,
on his left; third, Saint Augustine, in the act
Of giving the bcncdiction; fourth Saint Greg
DRY, in the act of writing his Homilics Ranged
ON either side Of the two other hays arc statu-
cites Of the twelve apostles, thirty inches high,
each with his appropriate attribute.
There are a great many other interesting
details which omit for want Of space. have
given enough to show the elaborate character
OF this great work, which can only be properly
appreciated after many hours study. II Is
inscribed in raised letters, with the words:
To the glory OF God In memory Of VIM. u. Astor
this rcrctos l. erected A. d. 1877.
Such Is the memorial Of one of our mil
lionaircs.
THE STEWART MEMORIAL AT GARDEN CITY.
At Garden City, Long Island, a new cathe.
dral will be erected, which Is to commemorate
the late a. II. Stewart. This structure was pro-
vidcd for by his will and will be one of rare
beauty. The estimated cost is over $500, 900
sum sufficient to call forth creditable dis
play Of architectural genius
The plan Of the structure Is cruciform, with
tower and spire. The style of architecture Is
that commonly designated as the decorated
Gothic of the thirteenth century. and II will
afford great pleasure to all who have Guilt
waited taste for medieval architecture and
ritual. hccxpcriment is to lie made Of using
in the ornamcntation only the forms of native
plants and leaves. The effect will, no doubt,
be novel and pleasing
The exterior Of the building will present n
very imposing appearance, the architect hay
ing aimed to make the tower convey the idea
Of a monument, in accordance with the gen.
cral design Of the church. BY the way, Ia
such tower as this would very greatly beau.
tify the city of Washington, which Is as yet so
deficient in church architecture worthy Of the
National Capital.
This cditice serves as q monument of the
founder and his wife. and their statues arc to
be placed within the chancel. 1t will exert
an important influence upon the organization
OF the Episcopal Church in America, since 1t
will start into life at once the cathedral sys-
tom in America. The Astor memorial and the
Stewart cathedral cannot but exert q very
beneficial influence upon art and ecclesiastical
architecture in this country by elevating and
improving the public taste. The cornerstone
will be laid with imposing ceremonies next