DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61904#0176
164
ELGIN CATHEDRAL.
That perfecution, blind with rage extreme,
May not the lefs, through heaven’s mild countenance
Even in her own defpite, both feed and cheer;
For all things are lefs dreadful than they feem.”
But no fuch fecond refurretftion awaited this fuperb old
temple. The fpirit of Genevan aufterity, which came over with
John Knox, allowed no revival of papal grandeur, but inaugu-
rated a clafs of houfes of devotion of a more rigid fimplicity.
The parts of the dilapidated cathedral remaining moft entire
are, the eaft end, parts of the tranfepts, the chapter-houfe,
and the weftern entrance, flanked by two ftupendous towers.
The workmanfhip of all thefe is of extraordinary richnefs and
elaboratenefs. The weftern door is particularly fine, and
the chapter-houfe will bear comparifon with moft of thofe
generally elegant buildings. Many monuments remain and
are now guarded with care. Some of the figures reprefent
knights and barons lying in complete armour, and others are
of bifhops, of a coloflal fize. The furrounding area is the
parifh burial-ground, which is enclofed by a high wall, and
kept fhut up with the care fo charadteriftic of the Scotch
in their cemeteries.
Connected with the ruins of this cathedral is a hiftory which
is curious. The free fchool of the town, which provides
clothing and maintenance for fuch children as cannot be fup-
ported by their parents, is a modern foundation. “ It owes its
origin,” fays Robert Chambers, in his “ Picture of Scotland,”
“ to a native of Elgin, who, having made a fortune abroad,
devoted his honourable earnings to this honourable purpofe.
His name was Andrew Anderfon, a major-general in the fer-
vice of the Eaft India Company; and there is fomething
fingular in his hiftory. He contrived to raife himfelf from the
ELGIN CATHEDRAL.
That perfecution, blind with rage extreme,
May not the lefs, through heaven’s mild countenance
Even in her own defpite, both feed and cheer;
For all things are lefs dreadful than they feem.”
But no fuch fecond refurretftion awaited this fuperb old
temple. The fpirit of Genevan aufterity, which came over with
John Knox, allowed no revival of papal grandeur, but inaugu-
rated a clafs of houfes of devotion of a more rigid fimplicity.
The parts of the dilapidated cathedral remaining moft entire
are, the eaft end, parts of the tranfepts, the chapter-houfe,
and the weftern entrance, flanked by two ftupendous towers.
The workmanfhip of all thefe is of extraordinary richnefs and
elaboratenefs. The weftern door is particularly fine, and
the chapter-houfe will bear comparifon with moft of thofe
generally elegant buildings. Many monuments remain and
are now guarded with care. Some of the figures reprefent
knights and barons lying in complete armour, and others are
of bifhops, of a coloflal fize. The furrounding area is the
parifh burial-ground, which is enclofed by a high wall, and
kept fhut up with the care fo charadteriftic of the Scotch
in their cemeteries.
Connected with the ruins of this cathedral is a hiftory which
is curious. The free fchool of the town, which provides
clothing and maintenance for fuch children as cannot be fup-
ported by their parents, is a modern foundation. “ It owes its
origin,” fays Robert Chambers, in his “ Picture of Scotland,”
“ to a native of Elgin, who, having made a fortune abroad,
devoted his honourable earnings to this honourable purpofe.
His name was Andrew Anderfon, a major-general in the fer-
vice of the Eaft India Company; and there is fomething
fingular in his hiftory. He contrived to raife himfelf from the