"Thursday, 20th July. Aix-la-Chapelle.--I went to the Cathedral, a curious Building where are to be seen the chair of Charlemagne, on which the Emperors were formerly crowned, some marble pillars much older than _his_ time; and many pictures; but I could not stay to examine any of these curiosities, and gladly made my way alone back to the inn to rest there. The market-place is a fine old square; but at Aix-la-Chapelle there is always a mighty preponderance of poverty and dulness, except in a few of the showiest of the streets, and even there, a flashy meanness, a slight patchery of things falling to pieces is everywhere visible." (From Dorothy Wordsworth's Journal, vol. i.)--ED. VARIANTS: [Footnote 483: 1837. Its ... 1822. ] [Footnote 484: 1837. Which ... 1822. ] [Footnote HC: Compare _Paradise Lost_, book vi. l. 251-- With huge two-handed sway. ED. ] VII IN THE CATHEDRAL AT COLOGNE O for the help of Angels to complete This Temple[HD]--Angels governed by a plan Thus far pursued (how gloriously!) by Man,[485] Studious that _He_ might not disdain the seat Who dwells in heaven! But that aspiring heat 5 Hath failed; and now, ye Powers! whose gorgeous wings And splendid aspect yon emblazonings But faintly picture, 'twere an office meet For you, on these unfinished shafts to try The midnight virtues of your harmony:-- 10 This vast design might tempt you to repeat Strains[486] that call forth upon empyreal ground Immortal Fabrics, rising to the sound Of penetrating harps and voices sweet! "Friday, July 21. Cologne.--... The Cathedral, a most magnificent edifice. Tower unfinished (this I perceived, but took it for a ruin at ten miles distance), built 700 years ago. The outside reminds you of Westminster Abbey in parts; and, had the Projector's wish been fulfilled, within and without, this would have been a much more sumptuous pile. It affectingly called to my mind William's lines-- Things incomplete and purposes betrayed Make sadder transits o'er truth's mystic glass, Than noblest objects utterly decayed.[HE] Within the fluted Pillars are very grand; the dimensions, 180 German feet high, 700 long, and 500 broad. A curious old picture, 450 years old. Subject, the 3 Kings of Cologne in the centre (for it was divided into three parts, and kept shut up to protect it), and on the sides Ursula and the 11,000 virgins, by Ralfe; mounted 250 steps to the top of the unfinished Tower, and had a fine prospect of the river winding its way towards Dusseldorf.... The cathedral--that august and solemnly _impressive_ Temple.... William in his musing way...." (From Mrs. Wordsworth's Journal.)