The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-01-25
For The Democratic Adsocate.
TIE CATHEDRAL OF COLOGNE.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN
BY O. 7. ".

We entered the cathedral and remained
until we could distinguish nothing ia the
deep darkness. As often as visit Cologne,
| always enter this splendid temple, that
l may feel the thrilling emotions of tho
sublime. Before the boldness Of this
masterwork of art, the spirit prostrates
itself in astouishment and admiration to
the earth, then lifts itself again with proud
flightbeyond the accomplished work, which
was but an idea Of a kindred spirit The
more gigantic the operations of human
powers appear, to us, the higher rises the
consciousness Of the effective essence with
in US beyond and over them. Who is the
lofty stranger in this mortal coil that he
should be able 10 reveal himself in 50 many
forms, and to leave behind him these
speaking monuments Of his art, which
seizes outward objects and makes them his
own? We feel a century later the emo.
tions Of the artist, and anticipate, as we
wander through this edifee, the images Of
his fancy. The splendor Of the choir
arching itself heayenward, has a majestic
simplicity which surpasses all conception.
There in the immense space stand groups
Of slender columns, like the trees Of an
ancient forest; only on the highest point
are they cleft, by Aesten, into crown which
vaulting itself with its neighboring columns
into pointed arch, is to the oye endeavor
ing to follow it, almost unattainable.
Though it be true that the infinity Of the
universe does not present itself to the
senses within the limits of finite space,
yet there lies in these boldly towering piers
and walls, that irresistible something, which
the imagination so easily prolongs into the
infinite.
The Grecian architecture is unquestion
ably the essence Of the Harmonious, the
Significant, the Perfect, the Select, in a
word, of the Beautiful.
Here meanwhile, near the Gothic pill
lars, which standing separately, would tot
ter like reed stocks, and could make suffi.
cient bulk to sustain their upright position
only when bound in great numbers to a
shaft; here under their arches, which seem.
ingly rest on nothing, floating as it were
in the air like the deeply shaded tree.
formed arches of the forest-the mind rev.
els in boldness of artistic undertakings.
The Grecian figures seem to associate
themselves with everything that exists
all that is human; the Gothic stand there
like visions from another world-like fairy
palaces to give evidence Of the creative
power of man, which can pursue an isola
ted thought to its utmost limit, and car
reach the sublime, even though its road be
indirect and eccentric. 1t is much TO BE-
regretted that so magnificent structure
must remain unfinished. If even the dc
sign completed in thought can agitate the
mind so powerfully, to what extent would
the reality not ravish u.s. Irelate nothing
Of the three celebrated sanity kings, and
the so-called treasure in their chapel
nothing of the tapestry and glass-painting
on the windows Of the choir; nothing Of
the unspeakably rich chest of gold and
silver, wherein rest the bones of Saint
Engelbert, and their wonderfully beautiful
carved work, which one at present woulC
scarcely be able to copy. My attention
had more important object; man o.
most e1citable imagination, and tender
feeling, who in these transepts, felt for the
first time the impression of the grandeur
Of Gothic Architecture, and who at the
sight Of choir one hundred feet in height
stood 'aghast with rapture DIT was deli
cious in this serene contemplation to be
hold, as it were by the reflection of light
the grandeur of the temple again.
Toward the close of our stay, the dark
ness awakenedin the empty solitary arches
echoing to our own footsteps, among the
graves Of electors, bishops, and knights
who lay there in stone, many awe.inspirine
images Of by-gone ages in the soul.