c,
commenced in 1817 and only opened a fortnight before our arrival.

This church, with almost the grandeur of St. Peter's at Rome, though not
so favourably situated, excels in beauty both the interior and exterior
of the Madeleine in Paris.

In the foundation of this wonderful structure were driven 10,762 piles,
the work of ten engines for a whole year; on these were placed two
layers of blocks of granite, carefully worked and never again to be
seen, being 15 feet below the surface of the street. They serve as a
base to the walls of the cathedral, of which the more important are
granite, to the level of the pavement, the remainder being constructed
with compact masonry, bed upon bed, costing L200,000.

The portico on each of the four fronts consists of twelve Corinthian
columns, each 7 feet diameter, and 57 feet long, in one block.

The dome is surrounded by 24 columns, each 42 feet in height, and is
constructed of metal, viz., 52 tons of copper, 321 tons of brass, 524
tons wrought iron, 1,068 tons of cast iron, and 247 lbs. of ducat gold.

Three of the doors are 30 feet high and 12 feet wide, four others 17
feet high and 8 wide.

The interior is the form of a great cross, with the dome in the centre,
the altar screen 150 feet long and 70 feet high, of white marble,
encrusted with porphyry, jasper and other precious stones, and enriched
with eight Corinthian columns of malachite and two lapis lazuli 42 feet
high, and the doors into the chancel of silver, containing scriptural
expressions 35 feet high and 14 wide, the whole costing 52 millions of
roubles, or say in round numbers, 8 1/2 millions sterling.

The day we attended proved a fete day, and of course was very much
crowded by all ranks, from the richest noble to the humblest serf, in
one general mass.

There were upwards of 20 priests officiating in their gorgeous robes,
performing various ceremonies amidst frequent processions, and
occasionally reading from one of their sacred books in so loud and
distinct a tone as to be heard through the immense cathedral, and at
other times chanting in deep bass tones, varied by the assistance of
young choristers, with the sweetest voices, producing the most
delightful harmony.

During the service, which lasted 2 1/2 hours, the cathedral was illuminated
by seven chandeliers, containing each 130 candles, and other smaller
ones, all of silver; in addition to these were many votive candles
purchased by various worshipp