The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-10-12
.5AtsrelIaMp.
From the New-York Statesman.
From EUROPE-.Na. XI


cAsrLEToN, 29tI1 JULY, 1925.
At 3 O'Clock yesterday morning, we
set out In post-chaise for Haddon Hall
and Chatsworth.
Passing through shattered gate and
over q narrow stone bridge we ap-
preached Haddon Hall, once the resi-
dence of the Vernons and the Rutlands !;
but which has not been inhabited for the
last century and half Were it posi-
BILE to impart 10 my description of this
ancient Hall the interest which our WIS.,
it cTelted, am sure it would be perus-
ed win pleasure. 1t differs essentially
from any thing we had yet seen, posses
sing freshness of antiquity, and form
ing connecting link between feudal
ages ad the present time. Not only
the apartments, but the furniture aud
decorations are entire, presenting rig
id image of domestic life several hnn-
dred years ago.
An aged FORTRESS conducted us to the
heavy door of oak, furnished with an
iron laocker, rude in its construction.
and cirroded by rust. The stone step
is nearly worn through by the feet of
manythousands, who have entered since
the age of the Vernon. This antique
porta opens into the principal court.
On the right is the Porter's lodge, with
the remains of the couch on which he
slept. In an adjoining room are the
boots the holsters, the musket, and the
hunting jacket of the first proprietor OF
the Hall.-At the entrance of the Chap
ell stafds little font for the holy water,
and III the interior, one of larger dimen-
sion, for baptismal rites. The bell
which once tolled for maths and for
vespels is removed from its place, and
the mlssive iron clock is in ruins, form
ing part of the lumber in the gallery.
Near by is heavy and strong chest for
the communion plate. On the wall are
paintings of the twelve apostles, and
other images, before which the house
hold knelt in their devotions. A dim
light admitted through low Gothic win
dows Of stained glass adds greatly TO the
solemnty of the Hall.-Although the
day was remarkably bright, many of the
passages and apartments wore the gloom
of twilight. From the Chapel our
guide conducted US to the dining room,
which remains entire. A spacious gal
lery extends around the sides OF it, in
which guests could assemble 10 witness
the feass and merriments below.--Over
the entrance and on the walls, horns of
stays are suspended, emblematic of the
pleasures of the chase. The Fireplace,
before which the Vernon used TO re.
ceive and entertain his guests, passing
whole nights in revelry, and in the gen.
erous rites of hospitality, is of immode-
rate size, and the blaze of the hearth
must have contributed greatly to the
enioyments of the festive board. On
one side of the room stand two capa
cious sideboards, and on the other, a
long table, benches, and chair at the
head, all of oak, and antique in their
structure. In an adjoining apartment
are The broad metallic plates, which |
regretted had not been left upon the
oaken table. So perfect is the festive
hall, that it requires but moderate
exercise of the imagination TO summon
back the guests froAl the sleeps of CEN
turtles, and seat them at the board, CLOTH
ed in their ancient costumes, and partic-
ipating in the fruits of lhe chase.
We were conducted successfully
through the sitting rooms, the bed-cham-
bers, and dancing hall, the walls Of
which are hung and the tapestry curl
ously wrought by the ladies of the an-
cient family; with escutcheons Of the
Manners, aud the Rutlands; with the
portraits Of kings and heroes and with
many dusty paintings, chiefly scripture
pieces.--The assembly room is com
ParativeIy recent origin. 1t was built
in the time of Elizabeth, three or four
hundred years after some part Of the
Hall. II is ornamen,ed with likeness
of the virgin Queen, and of Lady Grace
Manners, aunt Of the first duke of Rut-
land. The floor is of oak, said to be
made entirely from one tree, and the
circular flight of steps, leading 10 it. of
the roots. II sends back hollow echo
to the footsteps and 10 the voice; and
as we paced beneath its vaulted roof,