The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1911-11-23
Tomb in India That is Considered the Most Beautiful
in the World TODAY.

| ~ 80
outlying minarets and similar result il
obtained. So, one discovers how care
fully each detail must have been planned
and how the grouping together of the
many parts are essential to the symmetry
of the whole structure.
The blocks of marble of which the
minarets are constructed are delicately
outlined with the black mortar that YIELDS
them together, and this is practically the
only marking on them that resembles
decoration. One quickly appreciates
g how these lines tend to relieve the mo-
notony of what would otherwise be simp-
ly blank expanse of white, and how
happy is the effect which they actually
do produce.
! So with the tomb itself, there is just
sufficient outlining with ialaid work to
give character to the marble while it is
never over-ornate.
This inlaid work of precious and semi
precious stones is exquisitely designed
In the forms of wreaths, scrolls and
frets-the most costly and the most
beautiful method of decorating that the
world has ever known.
! The hand of the Vandal has long ago
pilfered the rubies, sapphires and emer-
aids which sparkled among the Jade.
lapis lazuli, agate and such stones of
lesser value, as we'll as two massive
silver doors, which were formerly hung
at the entrance of the tomb. But one is
not conscious of this loss, unless standing
very close to the building, and the gen.
eral effect of the inlaid work, in which
less costly jewels of the same color and
shape as the originals have been substi-
tuted, is beyond criticism.
The corners of the structure are bevel-
led off and recessed into bays, a smaller
bay being on either side of each angle
corner, while in the centre of each side
is still another, So feet high and exquisite
ly proportional. All of these recesses
are most delicately sculptured in low re-
lief, very soft and lace-like in appear
ance, especially when viewed from little
distance.
! Upon entering the building, one can
scarcely distinguish the surroundings at
first, owing to the subdued light which
filters through double screens of white
! marble trellis work, but soon ones ewes
grow accustomed to it, and the beauties
of this inner shrine begin to unfold them
selves. In the centre of the building is
an octagonal chamber, each side of
which measures "a feet, and this is sur
rounded by a series of other rooms.
The actual burial places of Shah Jehan
and his wife (for it was his dying wish
! that he should be buried next herr are in
a sort of crypt, which one reaches by
descending a short flight of steps, but
directly above these graves on the same
! level on which one enters the mausoleum,
are still more beautifully ornamented
replicas. A railing of white marble grill
work almost completely surrounds these
two tombs, the design being wonderfully
exquisite and the marble having taken
on the golden yellowish tint of old ivory:
and always the attendants keep fresh
jasmine blossoms strewn on the graves,
so that the whole atmosphere is permeat-
ed with the delicate fragrance.
Ask one of these attendants to sing a
few notes, which he usually does in a
subdued minor key, and the effect is al
most magical. AS each note of a chord
comes forth it seems to be taken up by
other voices, waited to and fro, in the
broad vaults of the vast dome above,
whose recesses are so lofty that they
are scarcely visible to ones eye. AS it
is carried higher and higher each note
seems also to be intensified in volume
until it reaches a certain pitch, after
which it gradually begins to fade away
in strength but at the same time acquire
new sweetness, and at last the notes
which were sung singly resolve them
selves into chord, and are finally watt
ed back like some sort of heavenly echo,
pure and ethereal.
| So too, the subdued murmur of the
little throng assembled around the
graves, reverberates among the vast
overhead depths, which seem to act as
some mysterious filter and send down
the echo of the voices, so that they sound
like a solemn amen.
The views of the Tai vary with each
change of light, and one could almost i'm
agine the beautiful structure to be pos
sessed of life, the different changes sim
ply discovering her in new mood.
At noontime, when the white dazzling
sunlight caused every detail to stand out
sharp defined and shadowless, she tower
ed imposing and gorgeous, but quite
aloof. More like some proud unbendine
queen, pure in robe of white, very won
derful to gaze upon, but quite unap
proachable and beyond the reach of ordi
nary mortal. Seen under the silver ray.
of tropical moon, the effect was almost
awe-inspiring and she appeared like som'
fairy princess, clothed in. very sof
creamy gown, with jewels shimmerini
in weird pale light, the dark greer
l.