or, The Silver Skates 243

should settle himself with the boys in a comfortable side-pew,
after seating his vroww in the body of the church, which was
filled with chairs exclusively ap-
propriated to the women. But
Ben was learning only a com-
mon custom of the country.
The pews of the nobility
and the dignitaries of the city
were circular in form, each
surrounding a column. Elabo-
rately carved, they formed a
massive base to their great pil-
lars, standing out in. bold relief
against the blank white walls
beyond. These columns, lofty
and well proportioned, were
nicked and defaced from vio-
lence done to them long ago;
yet it seemed: quite fitting, that,
before they were lost in the deep
arches overhead, their softened
outlines should leaf out as they
did into richness and beauty.

 

Soon Ben lowered his gaze
to the marble floor. It was

FOOT-STOVES IN CHURCH.

a pavement of grave-stones.

Nearly all the large slabs of which it was composed markec
the resting-places of the dead. An armorial design engraved
upon each stone, with inscription and date, told whose form
was sleeping beneath; and sometimes three of a family were
lying one above the other in the same sepulchre.