New-York tribune., 1879-05-26
THE Audience AND TIE INTERIOR.


Long before 9 q. IN. scores OF people, many
IN carriages arrived at the doors OF the Ca
thera and were eager get inside the building which,
the fair in October last, has been closed 10 al
spectators AT the time Of the fair the Interior Of the
Cathedral yet lacked all the dark, rich wood
work and the altars, and was so hled with
the booths Of the various churches that only a
general idea ofts appearance could be Obtained When
seated the spectators looked around at the massive
pillars supporting the vaued ceiling and at the elabO
rate workmanship OF the atars with much curiosity and
Long before the exercises began every seat IN
the pews occupied and large number of chairs
end camp-stoools the steps leading 10 the altar
were nled The audience included many men well
known in public and professional life, most OF whom
were accompanied by their families.
To the thousands Of people tGe lofty arches, the
beautifully stained windows. the brilliantly cOOred
affairs with their marble statues and towering pnnacies
and the relations of all of these objects the sub
jeets OF admiration, comment and thoughtful study.
The Cathedral is in the form OF a Latin
cross, and the main part including the nave
and choir. ia 800 feet in length. On either
side OF the central aisle arc side aises, separated
from the body of the Cathedral by the clustered colunS
OF white marble. The columns five feet in diameter,
and formed OF four twelveinch and eight ix-mch
columns attached TO a central shaft These columns
divide the nave into bays each being twenty three
feet I'm length Leading from the side ai,es is series
OF ebapes each twelve feet deep On either side OF
the choir sanctuary three bays, and the
eastern end Of the cnOr, which forms the background
OF the high altar, is ve-sided apss. The
ceiling of the aisle is groIlcd with moulded ribs
the intersections Of which covered with foliage
bosses. Above the Gothic arches sprnging from the
columns the capitals of which foated is the space
called the Tforum. Above the trforium the cere
story windows.
To one the Of the Cathedral the high altar at
the end OF the sanctuary presents impOsng and
maj OriN height Of in
nace Of the altar is fifty feet, and the screen
itself thirty y-three feet in width. Ii carved
from Potlers stone at ST. Breuc France and was given
the Cathedral by the clergy Of the archdiocese The
central tower contains statue OF Christ and the two
towers on the sides bear statues Of ST. Peter and St.
Paul. The three pierced spires OF the towers dec
Grated with open tracerywork The altar proper, with
Its inches containing statues Of the four Evangests
and panels with bes-felief representations. TO-
gether with the tabernacle OF Italian marble
inaid with precious marbles and alabasters-a these
called out much admiration: Scattered on various parts
brght-colored flowers The altar bore fory-eght lighted
cagdles the flames Of which cEered occasionally IN the
south wind that came through the open windows
AT the eastern end OF the north side aisle Of the sane
tuary stands the altar OF the Virgin Nary with lofty
pierced spires statues In inches, dehcately
carved panels and sculptured bas-reliefs. In
front OF the west wall ot the saeflsy is an altar
of bronzeiaud mosaic dedicated 10 ST. Joseph the gift
of Mr.. Agnes Maitland Two altars were also placed
the walls OF the transepts 80 that they face
the side aisles That II tine south transep Is OF orna
mented bronze ana IS dedicated 10 the sacred Heart
The altar the northern transcpt is OF white and
cOlOred marbles. The chapels leading from the side.
aisles will also contain affairs. The Cardinals
tuaTy. II is of carved French OAK,
suTmOunted 10y Gothic canopy, which IN turn supports
OctagOn8 terD highly ornamented with statues,
figures aud carved work. The sanctuary rail, OF pol
1shed brass surmOunted by strip OF oak, contrasts
strongly with a costly carpet OF deep shade that
the floor Of the sanctuary. deep red screen
hangsfrOm tue sanctuary rail The pulpit grace
fully draped yesterday with red rep, aud the top was
covered with velvet Of a similar color.
he M al al m hah "a
much anything the Cathedral. Most OF them were
made In Charires, France In the ttular window
Cathedral over the south ransep door, The life Of ST.
Patrick is depicted In eighteen scenes. In
tine centre OF the tracery a representation
OF 81. Patr1cRs coronation in Heaven, The
window Is the gift OF the old ~. Patrick's
Church the new Cathedral. and made Names,
France over the north transept door Is the OF
the Virgin Mary, representing her life Ia eighteen
that traced IN beautifully cOlored glass THIS
window made IN Chartres. France, aud Is from the
Bishop and clergy Of Albany OF the eleven windows OF
the Oeresory In the sanctuary the lateral windows