These were the
piano-forte makers of York, who were going out of town to have a
jollification together.
After breakfast we all went to the cathedral, and no sooner were we
within it than we found how much our eyes had recently been educated, by
our greater power of appreciating this magnificent interior; for it
impressed us both with a joy that we never felt before. J----- felt it
too, and insisted that the cathedral must have been altered and improved
since we were last here. But it is only that we have seen much splendid
architecture since then, and so have grown in some degree fitted to enjoy
it. York Cathedral (I say it now, for it is my present feeling) is the
most wonderful work that ever came from the hands of man. Indeed, it
seems like "a house not made with hands," but rather to have come down
from above, bringing an awful majesty and sweetness with it and it is so
light and aspiring, with all its vast columns and pointed arches, that
one would hardly wonder if it should ascend back to heaven again by its
mere spirituality. Positively the pillars and arches of the choir are so
very beautiful that they give the impression of being exquisitely
polished, though such is not the fact; but their beauty throws a gleam
around them. I thank God that I saw this cathedral again, and I thank
him that he inspired the builder to make it, and that mankind has so long
enjoyed it, and will continue to enjoy it.
July 14th.
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