The evening times., 1899-08-18

Although not yet completed, the spen-
did new chapel Of St. Anthony attached
to st. Matthew'S Church, has been thrown
open, and is used to limited extent for
services. This chapel is to be one of the
handsomest in the United States, and no
expense is to be spared in fitting it for
religious services. AS the body Of the
church is not completed, the opening into
the chapel is from the north side, but
when the church is finished it will open
from the west the church facing the
south. Only the finest marble has been
used in the interior OF the chapel, except
the floor, which is mosaic tiling.
All the columns, the pieces forming the
walls, and the altar were carved in Car
rara. Italy, by a famous worker in mar
BILE named Palmo Ferrano. Light enters
the south side of the chapel through slabs
of tinted alabaster. The marble columns
ed, as are the panels which hide the
brick columns of the main body of the
church at the entrance to the roof These
panels extend to the ceiling OF the chapel,
which is, at present, plain.
Several marble steps, protected by
highly carved railing, lead to the altar,
the front of which is composed OF a single
slab OF marble about six by four feet. On
ii is carved a representation OF Christ'S
ascent of Mount Calvary, at the moment
when He stumbled and fell under the
weight of the cross. In the frieze are a
dozen figures, exceptionally we'll carved.
At present ordinary benches are used, but
these are to be replaced with carved oak
seats.
The chapel, which is the gift of Mrs
Robbins, of this city, cousin of Father
Lee, pastor of st. Matthews Church, has
already cost about $40, 600.
The Treasury Department has received
from the board of appraisers, in New York,
an adverse decision in the matter of the
protest made by Father Lee against the
ruling of the collector OF customs at New
York, in which the latter held the altar
to be dutiable at so per cent ad valorem.
Father Lee contended it was a work of
art under the meaning of the statute, but
ii appears that the altar, having been or
namented with mosaic work, inlaid work
and delicate tracings, instead of being
carved, did not come under the provision
for statuary imported for ecclesiastical
purposes, the duty on which is but 90 per
cent ad yalorem. The board of apprais-
ers overruled the protest. Father Lee has
thirty days in which he may appeal to the
courts, but if the appeal is~-nor made in
that time the decision of the board of ap-
! praisers is irrevocabes II the altar had
| been presented by some one it could have
entered duty free, but being purchased by
| the church. it must pay duty.
Some years ago, when in India, Father
Lee was greatly impressed with the mag,
nifcent workmanship of the Hindoos as
| exhibited in their carvings of marble. Some
of the finer work. where marble is carved
| into feathery lacework, such as shown in
| the more famous Indian tombs, cannot be
| duplicated at the present day, but the ar
| lists still surpass all others in inlaying
mosaic, and delicate tracery.. Father Lee
was also greatly impressed with the quail
| ity OF the Agra marble. and requested the
Bishop of Agra TO superintend the con-
| struction of an altar for new ST. Matthew s
| Church. .s+s
The altar is said to be splendidIy inlaid
| with carnelian and other semi mi-precous
stones, in the form of scrollwork. repre-
senting fruits and flowers. The dark in
laying, in contrast with the white marble
| gives a beautiful effect. The altar will
have a magnificent canopy over ii, sup
| ported by four marble columns, which will
be constructed so as to afford an unob-
structed view CT the altar from almost the
| entire body of the building.