The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-03-08
Miscellaneous.
Westminster Abbey.


Abbey OF Westminster, in London, and
many would be glad to visit this famous
historical place. had often been there In
my thoughts and dreams, and had often
wished that might walk through its quiet
aisles and chapels, when, at last, l should
made trip to Europe. And my wish was
granted.
1t was on November morning--one of
those dark, gloomy mornings peculiar to
London, that started from my lodgings to
walk to the Abbey.
After little walk | came in sight of
Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Par
lament, aud then on my right | noticed
the two tall towers of the Abbey so |
quickened my steps until bad gained the
entrance door, What change from the
busy, crowded streets to this old sepulcher,
and its relics of the dead ! almost shud-
der, for the interior of the building was
dark and gloomy and / saw many cold,
white figures towering high above me. The
original Abbey was built many, many years
ago and has been restored from time to time
by the succeeding kings and queens of Eng
land until we find it in its present condition
safe and s. und, and one of the greatest OBJ
jects of interest in London.
Westminster Abbey may certainly be
called a tomb, for we could spend a whole
day in simply counting its monuments.
There were so many of these that |
La, ,,nl, 1...1l- EraA h,.t /
thoughtit best to follow my own inclina-
tious, and SO, instead of procuring a guide
(tnen with long gowns, who take visitors
around and point out the objects of greatsst
interest), | roamed about at my will. The
first monument that attracted my attention
was the venerable shrine of Edward the
Contessor, in the chapel of St. Edward, once
the glory of the abbey, but which has been
much detaced By persons who were desirous
of obtaining bit of stone from this famous
tomb. In this chapel | saw also the old
coronation chairs, in which all the reigning
sovereigns of England since Edward |. have
been crowned. They are queer, old fash
ioned chairs made of wood, aud not very
comfortable l imagine The older of the
two chairs was built to enclose the stone
(which they call Jacobs pillar brought
from Scotland by Edward, and placed in
the chapel, Many other interesting tombs
are TO be seen here, and the floor of the chap
el is more than six hundred years old
/ next visited the chapel of Islip, built by
the old Abbot of Islip. who dedicated it to
st. John the Baptist. One very interesting
monument there was to the memory of Gen
eral Wolfe, who fell, you remeber at the bat
tie of Quebec. His monument is very
beautiful piece of art. 1t represents him
falling into the arms of one of his own
soldiers, who is pointing to Glory, which
comes in shape of an angel from the clouds,
holding wreath with which to crown the
hero. A highland sergeant looks sorrowfully
on the dying warrior, while two lions..sleep at
his feet The inscription reads as follows
ITO the memory of James Wolfe, Major
General and Commander-in-C Chief of the
British land forces on an expedition against
Quebec, who, after surmounting, by ability
and valor, all obstacles of art and nature
was slain in the moment of victory, on the
18th of September, 1859, the King and Par
Lament of Great Britain dedicate this mon
ument"
| now walked on to the north transept
and the first monument l noticed was one
erected to Sir Robert Peel, the great orator
and statesman. seated myself on an old
stone bench to rest, and looking around saw
magnificent statue of the great William
Pitt, who, you may remember, was also, q
great statesman, and accomplished more foi
the glory and prosperity of England than
any other statesman who ever lived. In this
transept there is beautiful window
which represents our Savior, the twelve apos
ties, and four evangelists.
As | was sitting quietly in this Sc
cluded spot, looking up at the window
strains of solemn music reached my ear
which sounded as if they came from one o
the gloomy vaults ground me. / walkeo
on TO discover, if possible whence this mu
sic came, and | saw in the nave of the Alb
hey, the Dean Of Westminster conducting
service, assisted by his choir boys. seatet
myself until the ceremonies were over, and
thought it was very odd place to holt
church--among so many graves.
After the Dean and his choir boys had dis
appeared commenced my walk again, an,
saw many fine old monuments. One O
these was in memory of Sir Isaac Newton
and | am sure | need not tell you who h
was. Prominent among the monuments il
this part of the Abbey is that to Major An
DIRE, the fine young officer who was execute
during our Revolutionary war.
| next visit the south transept, bette
known as the "Poets Corner" which thin
is the most interesting part of Westminster
A hundred, and more, monuments to tn
memory Of great men can be seen here
but can only tell of a few of the most i'm
portant. The one / thought most of
erected to the memory of William Shak:
peare, although his bones repose far ava
in the little church at Stratford on Avor
Then ! saw the tombs of David Garrick, til
great actor ard delineator of Shakespeare
characters George Frederick Handel, Ii
eminent composer, the author of that beat
tifnl anthem, 81 know that my Redeem,
liveth !" the great Milton rare old BE
Jonson; Edmund Spencer, author of Il
''Faery Queene :" and those of Soutl Q y, DR.
den, Addison, Gray, Campbell, and 9TH
well-known English poets.
Then among the names of the dead of o
day, saw those of Dickens, Bulwer, NJ
caulay, and DR.. Livingstone.
Kings, Queens, statesmen, soldiers, cls
gymen, authors and poets here have eqr
station. Some may lie under richer tom
than others, but all lie under the vault
roof of Westminster Abbey, the place
highest honor that England can offer
departed sons Charles W. Squires,
Nicholas for March.