Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-25

past--of the time when that mighty
Church OF tho Middle Ages ovcrrode tho
nations, and put down emperors from
their seat. Nor can any intelligent mind
help imagining something OF the secret
and dread OF councils assembled under
this roof, when that church know itself
TO be on the losing side.
Glasgow is now always connected with
ships and trade and engines that cannot
be excelled In the wide world. but her
olden fame came altogether from the
high rank, distinction, ana unusual sane
tity of her Cathedral. Hers William Wal
lace. whose name lives I'm every Scottish
heart. consecrated himself TO his coun-
try: here his royal enemy, Edward Long
shanks bowed before the shrine OF St
Mungo. and after residing with the monks
as long as suited his convenience molly
rewarded them with the sum OF shillings
for their hospitality; here. also. Robert
the Bruce was able i'm later years 70 pro-
claim in pomp and magniicence the hOe-
ration of his warrior race. Ii was in the
diocese of Glasgow that the doctrines oil
The Reformation were nrst puolicN
preached by the Lollards, ana not unna-
turally that the first of Scotlands hooie
army of martyrs laid down their iiVes Tor
their faith.
A somewhat amusing incident is re-
corded of a service i'm the Cathedral at
tended by Oliver Cromwell, when he en-
tered that city after the battle of Dun
bar in September, 1860. Many OF the
prominent Presbyterians had lied. but
the renowned Zachary Boyd. scorning TO
follow their example, took the opportuni-
ty of his presence to inveigh with char
acteristic severity against the great com
moner and his followers. Feeling seems
to have run high in the audience. 30 FAR,
indeed, that the secretary only desired
his masters permission 10 pistol the
venerable preacher in the performance
Of his sacred office. To this, however,
Cromwell would not consent, but, 1t is
said, revenged himself by inviting the
intrepid divine to sup, and there regaling
him with a grace after meat that lasted
until O'clock in the morning.
We cannot finish this sketch without
at least mentioning the series OF stained
class windows Tor which the Cathedral
Is justly celebrated. These windows
executed by various European artists,
were placed I'm position by the chevalier
Ainmiller, Of Munich. At the northwest
corner according to ancient usage, the
subjects begin with the expulsion OF
man from Paradise. and, after making
the circuit OF the nave in Biblical order
finish the Old Testament series IN the
north transept. with the figures Of the
prophets. The south transept window
contains the connecting links between
the two Testaments, and thoae of the
Choir and Lady Chapel are rich IN de-
signs of our Lords parallels. The cost
of these magnificent adornments. which
have not their counterpart i'm Great
Britain, was betrayed by the Queen. the
government, and various families Of TIE
nobility and gentry of Scotland, whose
armoral bearings are represented, along
with the subjects mentioned, In colors
of the most brilliant description. The
greatest cost Of any one window-that OF
the Bairds of Gartsherre--was $4,000
The whole building exhibits i'm marked
degree the marvellous high standard
shown by the artists of the Middle Ages,
who cared not whether they were per-
mitted TO live, and seldom, IL may be
added, did live, TO see the completion
of their work Their ruling passion was
| excellence in every particular, and a
positive prohibition Of everything not
| necessary for convenience, construction,
or propriety" Even the smallest de-
| tail had to convey a meaning, or serve
a purpose" To them the vocation was
a sacred one, in which It was impossi-
bio to exhibit too much care and to
this noble principle we are indebted for
the great delight and wholesome les
sons, did we but profit by them, which
| they have handed down to their posterity'