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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Untitled Article
fbtind to e * i § t in the neighbourhood of noble btilldifigft ^ ft ttUriiber' of houses that barely leave fcpac * e for A carriage to pas * between the cathedral and themselves . We longed for a gtarit ' s power , aicted by a huge battering-rain ^ to butt at them . Surel y with so many idle canons they might manage better . Befoi ^ We had completed the circuit , the windows were all
illuminated froili within , though faintly , seen at a time when the division between day and night seemed yet undecided . Again Wis werfe within the walls , now darkened by coining shadows , which the partial illumination of gas was insufficient to penetrate , adding mystery t « that which had been beauty , anU investing the imagination with power to create another , and even more magnificent * world out of that which in thfe day had
been palpable to sight . The painted windows gleamed like gems in contrast with the black stone that enclosed them ; hers and there a long stream of light shone across the pavement * as if some spirit had passed , leaving token of its glorious track . The choir was crowded to excess—pews filled—steps thronged , up to the very rail around the communion table . The choristers and lay clerks were all assembled ; their snowy-white surplices contrasted well with the rich brown carved work ,
anu the bright crimson cushions that formed their back ground . Beautiful was it to watch the fading away of daylight through the storied windows— the successive lights and shadows wandering- at intervals over various parts of the building , till all trace of day was gone , aud artificial light alone rendered visible the choir filled with its closely pent assemblage of eKpectant people . The organ again sent forth its volumes of sound , which again floated over the heads of the multitude like vast clouds of
incense ascending fVom some mighty altar . When the anthem was about to begin , there was a general move towards the centre . The music selected for the anthem was a quartette from one of Mozart ' s operas . It was done " excellent well . " At its close there was a slight though universal movement , and a sound that seemed like 1 the release of suppressed breath ; and
the crowd again receded towards the communion table . The Usual prayers , said over in the ordinary tone , followed , and involuntarily we looked towards the forest bugle . It was no longer visible , but the very thought of it was as a fresh breeze passing over the brow . It was no longer visible ; but the
spell was again ftt work . The roof was suddenly withdrawn , and there were the starry heavens to " declare the glory of God , and the firmament to shew forth his mighty work / ' We were with the shepherd poet , tending his tiock by night—listening to his divine utterance Of strains harmonious as those of
the stars , his inspiration , when they Ring their hymns of praise to him Who gave to them , and all , a universal voice wherewith to Utter forth a sung of beauty and of love , We were with
Untitled Article
4 ft ¥ brk Mitirttr & * A the Tortbl 6 ngte .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1836, page 42, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2653/page/42/
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