The shutting of the door resembled a clap of thunder.

From this gallery, round the inner circle of which is an iron balustrade, the marble pavement of the church exhibits a beautiful appearance, and the paintings of the dome, which have ~80~~ greatly suffered by time, are thence seen to the greatest advantage.
The ascent to the ball is attended by some difficulty, and is not encountered by many.

Our two visitants therefore declined its inspection.

The interior diameter of the ball is six feet two inches, and will contain twelve persons.{1} 1 A new ball and cross have lately replaced the former, of similar dimensions.

The erection of the scaffolding, and subsequent proceedings of the workmen, at so fearful a height from the "haunts of men," excited a very general interest, more particularly so on the recent happy accomplishment of the undertaking, when the in-trepid aeronauts cheered the admiring multitude far beneath, and, seated in the clouds like the deities of Mount Olympus, drank to the prosperity of their friends in the nether regions.
The best view of the metropolis is obtained, in a clear day, from the gallery at the foot of the lantern.