132 



TRINIDAD: THEN AND NOW 



tion was laid by Sir Ralph Woodford on the 30th 

 May, 1816 and consecrated on Trinity Sunday, May 

 the 25th, 1823. A sharp shock of earthquake on the 

 20th September, 1825, which was felt all over the 

 island, injured the spire of this Cathedral to such 

 an extent, that it had to be taken down, and a wooden 

 frame covered with lead erected in its place. The 

 church is large and has a very fine roof. During the 

 episcopate of Bishop Hayes a beautiful chancel and 

 cloister was added which is a great improvement to 

 the interior aspect of this sacred edifice. One of the 

 best features of the Cathedral is that it stands fairly 

 back from the surrounding streets except on the 

 north. Its appearance would have been greatly im- 

 proved if it had been erected a little further to the 

 south ; but I dare say the designer had his reasons 

 for placing it as it is. 



On the south-western corner of Brunswick 

 Square stands a fine commodious Fire Brigade 

 station which as a credit to the town. It was, how- 

 ever, erected solely at the cost of the government 

 instead of, as it ought to have been, by the Municipal 

 authority then in power. It is well equipped, and, I 

 believe, has a competent commandant ; but I am 

 afraid that if ever a serious fire again occurs, it will 

 run the risk of proving the truth of the old saying 

 ' ' Too many cooks spoil the broth." 



On the eastern side is the unpretentious Grey- 

 friars Presbyterian Church established in 1836 and 

 enlarged in 1877 and alongside it a spacious hall used 

 for many purposes. The remainder of this side ds 



