Upon throwing an eye over what I have just written, I find that I have omitted to notice the celebrated STONE PULPIT, in the nave, enriched with small figures—­of the latter end of the fifteenth century.  In fact, the date of 1485, in arabic numerals, (if I remember rightly) is at the bottom of it, to the right of the steps.  This pulpit, my good friend, is nothing less than the very ecclesiastical rostrum from which the famous John Geyler thundered his anathemas against the monkish clergy.  You may remember that some slight notice was taken of it at the beginning of this letter, in which the progress of Protestantism at Strasbourg was attempted to be traced.  I will frankly own to you, that, of all pulpits, throughout Normandy, or in Paris—­as yet examined by me—­I have seen none which approaches to THIS; so rich, varied, and elaborate are its sculptured ornaments.[212] The Revolutionists could only contrive to knock off the figure which was upon the top of the canopy, with other contiguous ornaments; all of which might be easily restored.

[Illustration:  STONE PULPIT, STRASBOURG CATHEDRAL.]

A word now about the great Organ.  If Strasbourg have been famous for architects, masons, bell-founders, and clock-makers, it has been not less so for organ builders.  As early as the end of the thirteenth century, there were several organs in this cathedral:  very curious in their structure, and very sonorous in their notes.  The present great organ, on the left side of the nave, on entering at the western door, was built by Silbermann about a century-ago:  and is placed about fifty feet above the pavement.  It has six bellowses, each bellows being twelve feet long and six wide:  but they are made to act by a very simple and sure process.  The tone is tremendous—­ when all the stops are pulled out—­as I once heard it, during the performance of a particularly grand chorus!  Yet is this tone mellow and pleasing at the same time.  Notwithstanding the organ could be hardly less than three hundred feet distant from the musicians in the choir, it sent forth sounds so powerful and grand—­as almost to overwhelm the human voice, with the accompaniments of trombones and serpents.  Perhaps you will not be astonished at this, when I inform you that it contains not fewer than two thousand two hundred and forty-two pipes.  This is not the first time you have heard me commend the organs upon the Continent.

One of the most remarkable features belonging to the history of Strasbourg cathedral, is, the number of shocks of earthquakes which have affected the building.  It is barely possible to enumerate all these frightful accidents; and still more difficult to give credence to one third of them.  They seem to have happened two or three times every century; and, latterly, yet more frequently.  Take one recital as a specimen:  and believe it—­if you can.  In the year 1728, so great was the agitation of the earth, that the tower was moved one foot out