Views of St. Paul's Cathedral, LondonSparrow-Simpson, W. J. (William John)
History
Views of St. Paul's Cathedral, London
Sparrow-Simpson, W. J. (William John)
St. Paul's Cathedral (London, England)
The Chapel was at first called the Morning Prayer Chapel, and was
opened for use on February 1st, 1699, though the Cathedral itself was
still far from completion. Here, for many years, Morning Prayers were
said at an early hour: in 1699, at 6 o'clock in summer, and 7 o'clock
in winter; at the present time prayers are said at 8 o'clock in the
Crypt Chapel.
[Illustration: THE NORTH-WEST CHAPEL.]
THE TOMB OF GENERAL GORDON
Has almost become a place of pilgrimage. His heroic character, his
tragic end, have deeply touched the hearts of his countrymen, and,
indeed, of countless strangers also. The Tomb is a finely conceived
work of Sir Edgar Boehm.
On the left is the Wellington Monument; on the right are seen the
colours of the 57th and 77th Regiments borne by them in the Crimea.
[Illustration: THE TOMB OF GENERAL GORDON.]
THE WELLINGTON MONUMENT
Is thus described by the Rev. Lewis Gilbertson in his _Authorized
Guide to S. Paul's Cathedral_: "This is the most important work of
Alfred Stevens; by far the finest monument in S. Paul's, and by many
considered to be the best work of its kind done in England in the last
three hundred years. It was originally designed to fill the eastern
arch of the Nave on the north side, and was intended to be surmounted
by an equestrian statue of the Duke; but the horse was vetoed, and the
monument erected in the old Consistory Court. It has now been removed
to the middle arch on the north side of the Nave, where possibly it may
eventually be finished according to the artist's design. The bronze
groups at the base of the pediment are especially fine. The subjects
are: Virtue keeping Vice beneath its feet, and Truth pulling out the
tongue of Falsehood."
The actual tomb of the great Duke is in the Crypt of the Cathedral,
a massive sarcophagus wrought from a boulder of porphyry found in
Cornwall, resting upon a granite base. The simple grandeur of the
monument is admirably in keeping with the character of the man whom
it commemorates. The mortal remains of England's greatest General lie
close to those of England's greatest Admiral.
[Illustration: THE WELLINGTON MONUMENT.]
ACROSS THE DOME TO THE NORTH TRANSEPT.
Immediately facing the spectator is a screen which formerly supported
the Organ, bearing a copy of the famous inscription to Wren, which is
also found above his tomb. To the right and left are dimly seen the
statues of Dr. Johnson and Sir Joshua Reynolds. The broad area of the
Dome, seen to the best advantage when crowded with worshippers (as it
is three times every Sunday, and on many other occasions also) is very
impressive.
[Illustration: ACROSS THE DOME TO THE NORTH TRANSEPT.]
INTERIOR OF THE CATHEDRAL FROM THE WEST.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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