Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-12-07
THE EVENING STAR.
DOUBLE S Fl E E T.
SATURDAY. ID. ,cembeT 2. 1873.
LETTER FROM AWAr OoHN EAST.
ST. JOHNS, NEwF. TNDLAND,i

ST. JOHNS, NEwF, TNDLaND,t
November :, 1875.
Editor S'ar Il fiOundered unsteadi ", through
mud and a fog thick enough TO cut, tina might
keep my promise. and send you an &C, 'Csrnt OF
the beautiful Catholic cathedral in this civ. Ii
is On summit OF a-mountain. | was coins, to
say. but suppose it's HILL and is one of the
largest churches In America. It is surrounded
by high iron fence, and has three gateways.
the center one, beautiful stone arch is sur
mounted by statue of st. John, In white mar
BILE. just within the enclosure, on either side.
are statues. one OF St Francis and one OF St Pat
rick. Standing on the steps. the view of the
hsrbor Is very picturesque and looking through
the narr0Ws one can see the broad ocean beyond
provided always that the day be clear which IS
seldom the case. The body of the church is
rerfect cross in shape and is capable of seating
1000 people, or rather of holding that number
as rev or the congregation are provided with
seats while the rest kneel on the bare floor The
NeStry. or nall. runs round three sides of the
building. and connects on the left with the
bishops palace, and on the right with the nun
IeTy. Ia the rear of the church are the library
and SacrlStan'S ROOM where the veStmentS are
kept. These robes all came from Paris and are sl,
peru: they beggar description. Passing from the
sacristan'S room the church proper you find
yourself back OF the altar in what forms the head
OF the cross. Under your feet sleep the bishops
VINO V, nave passed away; Here is the marriage
altar OF plain white marble, on each side are the
seats for the altar boys, and above these are small
curtained windows, through which the nuns get
'Dt ptitiit VI tue i1itoStS. JUST where the head
OIL the cross joins the arms stands the altar; on
thlS the tabernacle rises between two groups of
granite columns, four on side. which support
an arch: beneath this arch ard over the laber-
nacle is lfe-Size group OF Statuary in Bethel
stone, representing st. John baptiSing our Sa-
V1our. Above the whole are groups OF angels.
also in Bethel stone. Beneath the altar, and In
case of plategla lies Hogan's Dead Christ,
and here one kneelS and looks, and Is never sat
isf1ed or tired; that beautiful dead face. once
seen, can never be forgotten AM the whole
figure says 10 the behOlder. 'Th.S is perfect
peace and rest" An idea of the chancel NAV be
gained by this, there are 500 yards OF carpetfng
upon the floor. and only one half of the space
Is covered, all back OF the main altar being
bare. The Virgins altar is of marble and was
done in Rome. 1t stands in the left arm of the
cross. On the opposite side stands the second
altar: here the tabernacle is a solid block of
the armS head and shaft OF the cross Join the
1oUr corners are Ornamented with the Eyan~e-
lists i'll marble, raised upon large corner brack-
cts. The fourteen stations are finely done In
bronze. The church cost 81 .h00,000 only. which
seems small sum for so fine an edtice.
As write, a funeral is passing, and it is an
odd sight; the heaTSe is like an open express
wagon, and is drawn by funny little Scrubby
pony. which looks as il it might belong to some
with ribbons and artificial flowers. stands in
the wagon: the drivers seat is a common black
chair which Is not occupied. as he walks and
leads the horse. He and the four pail bearers
Cwo of whom walk before and two behind the
hearSel wear long white WeeperS OIL their hats.
Then come the friends. on loot TWO and two, a
long procession. No ladies attend.
In my next will try and give you q descrip-
ton Of the seal fisheries. A. w.