Immensely tall wax
candles stand upon the altars of these chapels, and before one sat a
woman, with a great supply of tapers, one of which was burning. I suppose
these were to be lighted as offerings to the saints, by the true
believers. Artificial flowers were hung at some of the shrines, or placed
under glass.
In every chapel, moreover, there was a confessional--a little oaken
structure, about as big as a sentry-box, with a closed part for the priest
to sit in, and an open one for the penitent to kneel at, and speak through
the open-work of the priest's closet. Monuments, mural and others, to
long-departed worthies, and images of the Savior, the Virgin, and saints,
were numerous everywhere about the church; and in the chancel there was a
great deal of quaint and curious sculpture, fencing in the Holy of Holies,
where the high altar stands. There is not much painted glass; one or two
very rich and beautiful rose-windows, however, that looked antique; and
the great eastern window, which, I think, is modern. The pavement has,
probably, never been renewed, as one piece of work, since the structure
was erected, and is foot-worn by the successive generations, tho still in
excellent repair.
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