DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0168
138
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. IV.
where a large open space leaves room for a
double flight of steps, and for an area before two
brass folding doors that admit into a vault, whose
grated floor is directly over the tomb. The rails
that surround this space above are adorned with
one hundred and twelve bronze cornucopias,
which serve as supporters to as many silver lamps
that burn perpetually in honor of the Apostle.
The staircase with its balustrade, the pavement
of the little area, and the walls around, are all
lined with alabaster, lapis lazuli, verde antico,
and other kinds of the most beautiful marble.
The pavement of the area is upon a level with
the Sacre grotte, though the regular entrance into
those subterraneous recesses is under one of the
great pillars that support the dome.
The Sacregrotte are the remains of the ancient
church built by Constantine, the pavement of
which was respected and preserved with all
possible care during the demolition of the old
and the construction of the new Basilica. They
consist of several long winding galleries extend-
ing in various directions under the present
building. They are venerable for their anti-
quity and contents; and if Addison never visited
Westminster Abbey, or trod its gloomy cloisters
without strong impressions of religious awe, I
may be pardoned when I acknowledge that I
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. IV.
where a large open space leaves room for a
double flight of steps, and for an area before two
brass folding doors that admit into a vault, whose
grated floor is directly over the tomb. The rails
that surround this space above are adorned with
one hundred and twelve bronze cornucopias,
which serve as supporters to as many silver lamps
that burn perpetually in honor of the Apostle.
The staircase with its balustrade, the pavement
of the little area, and the walls around, are all
lined with alabaster, lapis lazuli, verde antico,
and other kinds of the most beautiful marble.
The pavement of the area is upon a level with
the Sacre grotte, though the regular entrance into
those subterraneous recesses is under one of the
great pillars that support the dome.
The Sacregrotte are the remains of the ancient
church built by Constantine, the pavement of
which was respected and preserved with all
possible care during the demolition of the old
and the construction of the new Basilica. They
consist of several long winding galleries extend-
ing in various directions under the present
building. They are venerable for their anti-
quity and contents; and if Addison never visited
Westminster Abbey, or trod its gloomy cloisters
without strong impressions of religious awe, I
may be pardoned when I acknowledge that I