The Irish standard., 1891-01-03
Westminster Abbey.

All AACI lChtl WIN AhLCIJ VAONC"
w stmiuister Abbey gives this account
or It:
Westminster Abbey Is the most dis
appointing, most notwithstanding place
In the whole wide world; and whoever
has any sentiment IN regard to the
famous building, the "Valhalla OF Eng
lish gtrius,' had far better never seen
it. 1t Isl cold, and dingy, and unim-
pressive, while the smutty monuments
crowded in heller SHELTER, good aud bad
especially bad--toEether, look ike the
shop worn stock Of Il dealer in moltuary
marbles. The English fashion OF turn
ing their churches INTO cemeteries IS
not Ona which tends to The production
Of satisfactory results. and In West
minister Abbey the stonecutter has been
allowed to do his worst.
1t lis not wholly on account OF the
ugly monuments with which it is so
crowded hat the Abbey is disapp0nt
ing. There is no color, the aisltB he
side the nave being even very scantlly
provided with stained glass, while at
the intersection OF the nave and .ran~
scots the railing off OF the choir 80
completely breaks the vista that one
can nowhere get any fine and cOmpTe
henslve fret, although the lines OF the
roof are really so noble. The absence
OF shrlnes or pictures, or mosalcs, deco
ratiOna, or color leaves the minister dc
pendent upon proportion and dignity
for effectiveness; the disposition OF The
choir RODS 1t Of the one aud the vulgar
rabbe Of monuments huddled higXlede
pjgVledy along it's walls depryes 1t OF
the other.
vpntured to express sentiments OF
dlsappoinlmen IN the presence Of an
Englishman--wI however, l sup
posed to bp asleep on the cushions OF u
hott.l smoking room from the effects OF
too much brandy and soda " hen he
rousrd himself up to assure mo that
'rhe blooming place amt 80 bloody
bad il you take it right,' Evidently
the way to take it right Ia to remain
away from it. and to- cherish an ideal ot
a building about which cluster assOcia
tions SO rich and SO stirring that no
man with English blood in his veins
can give himself up to their memory
without thrilling to his very heart.
The Henry VII. chapel does not
escape the curse OF gloom and dinginess
which hangs over all London; Dnt its
lroof~A miracle Of imaginative stone
work. is ln itself enough to rouse en-
ti,usiasm. The fact that the aisleS.
where Queen Elizabeth, Mary Stuart
and other folks OF august rank and OF
morals more or less rtprehensible sleep
in fligld state. are walled of makes IL
not easy to SEQ the roof and effectively
destroys all sense Of spaciuusness, but
like a balm to the spirit wounded by the
disappointment or the minister itself,
The clOlsters, too, are fine; and had tho
guardians OF the place any hnesse they
might cOntrlve to have the visitOrs---
since for sumo inscrutable reason they
are not allowed TO enter at the 'front.'
come in by wav of these, instead Of be-
ing hudded by the transept door into
the very midst of its CHASTITY rubbish OF
vulgar monuments. Taking the clOls.
ters at one end, and the chapel of Henry
VII. at the other. the impression OF the
whole might be- mitigated at least
St. Margaret's Church, standing, ii
tho expression seem not too Il ppant,
cheek by juwl with The Abbey, Is in its
way tar more satisfactory; largely. OF
course. because, although 1t belongs to
The time Of Edward L., II makes no pre-
tel SEES. 1t contains the memorial win.
dow OF Raleigh erected by Americans,
and ttat wherein Mr.. G. W.. Chids
kindly commentaries the merits OF his
brother poet, Milton, who, like the
philadslph!!an, haad a.very pretty knack
at alaaIic: vytas. .Einh lie: t;tt.er the
bsn.thiart Is s4,6x.; diciatiss :P:radise
't4e.t': to.biy aaugrteys. With. ar .alr .vt
- nfie sshieme! .M4iqi:la,i; Ie:seHa
to be Appreciated.
Ethel have piece OF news for
YOU. am going to marry Jack Rich
Leigh. Edith = Dear mel DON'T tell any
one else. Jack might hear of 1t and
run away.