The Virginian

Destruction of the Cathedral at Rouen.

A gentleman who arrived by the Prince Cobourg, Havre Packet, this morning, (yesterday,) brings intelligence of the almost total destruction of Rouen Cathedral, on Sunday last (10th inst.) It was set on fire by lightning, about 5 o'clock in the morning, and continued burning till the evening of the same day, when the fire was apparently extinguished, but shortly after broke out again with redoubled fury and was still raging on Monday morning, when our informant left Rouen. At that time the flames had extended themselves over the greater part of this once splendid edifice, and the great dome had fallen in with a tremendous crash. Several houses in the vicinity have also been destroyed. The most strenuous efforts of the firemen could effect nothing against such a mass of fire: and, indeed, the melted lead, which ran in torrents from the roof, rendered a near approach to the building very hazardous. It is said, that several persons lost their lives, though nothing certain as yet has reached us.

The storm of thunder and lightning, which was the cause of this catastrophe, was one of the most terrible ever witnessed. It afterwards visited Havre-de-Grace, where it is said to have done some damage.

The following historical particulars, respecting Rouen Cathedral, may not prove unacceptable to our readers: It was founded A. D. 870, by Robert, Archbishop of Rouen, brother of Richard the Second, Duke of Normandy, but was not finished till the year 1502.—It was 410 feet in length, 85 in breadth, the length of the cross-aisles was 104 feet, and the height of the spire 525 feet. There were seven entrances to it, and a hundred and thirty windows. It was one of the most costly and magnificent Gothic structures ever seen; it was literally frosted with ornaments: there was not the smallest piece of stone, not the back of a niche, nor the base of a figure, but was covered with the finest Gothic work. In it were interred the bodies of John, Duke of Bedford, Regent of France: Henry, brother of Richard I and the heart of Richard Coeur de-Lion, together with many other illustrious men.

[Southampton Chronicle]