The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-09-28

not more than ten or twelve feet. The
top is nearly upon level, wide enough
for two or three persons to walk abreast
paved with smooth flags, and the sides
guarded by ratings. 1t is about two
miles In circumference, extending among
the buildings of the town, which have
been erected on both sides of the wall
since il was completed. 1t is construct
ed OF red sandstone, which is weather
beaten, crumbling with age, and exhibit
ing all the marks of great antiquity.
The remains of battlements, inches and
towers, along the parapet, now nodding
to their fall, are sculptured with gro
tesque figures and rude inscriptions,
most of which are illegibIe.
No. XII.
CHESTER, 22d JULY, 1926.
At two O'Clock we Get off on foot for
Eaton Hall, the seat of Earl Grosvenor.
a distance of four miles. A pedestrian ex-
curslon OF this extent, after the fatieues
OF the morning and on warm afternoon,
was undertaken at the suggestion of a
citizen of Chester, who had taken us all
over town and offered to walk with us
to the residence of his lordship, although
ne had been there dozen times. The
English are much greater pedestrians
than our countrymen. This same gen.
tlemen had walked about forty-eight
miles for amusement on the Sunday nre-
yious. We found him intelligent, polite,
and obliging. He devoted the whole
day to US, although entire strangers, and
without the slightest introduction. Our
undertaking was commenced with great
spirit, from an eager curiosity to see
what is denominated /" one of the Lions
of the Kingdom
Eaton Hall is splendid pile of build
ings, in the purest Gothic style. 1t is
said there is nothing Of the kind in the
kingdom which surpasses it. The
leugth of the mansion is four hundred
and fifty feet, besides the other build
ings finished in the same style, making
total OF seven hundred feet. lis cen
ire is three stories high, and the wings
two, with Gothic turrets peeping above
the groves of oak, and producing a fine
effect. The structure is of Shropshire
stone, of colour approaching to white,
somewhat resembling that of the ex-
change at Liverpool. 1t was begun in
1908, aud has but just been completed.
| was informed that the expense of the
Hall, exclusive of the furniture, was
between and 100000 pounds, or
about two millions of dollars. Nearly
as much more has been expended in
furnishing this gorgeous palace; and
yet his lordsmp's income, after this de-
duction, is said TO be not less than $780,
900! Such is the inequality of wealth
in this country, between The thousands Of
beggars, who ask an obolus, and the no
blemen wallowing in luxury. Happy,
thrice happy is our Republic, which yet
knuws not, and God grant may never
know, any of these extremes
About O'Clock we reached the front
door, and mounted the white marble
steps, entering at the same moment with
a party Of ladies from Boston, on sim
liar erraud. Our names were recorded
in an album, in which the United States
furnished quite list for one day. On
each side of the door, in the principal
Hall is figure in ancient mail, from
head to foot, armed and masked. Other
statues of the same description adorn
the entrance. But | will not attempt to
describe the interior, as my visit was
limited 10 an hour, aud apartment after
apartment burst upon the eye in such
rapid succession, and with such dazzling
splendor, as TO render the whole like a
scene of enchantment. A few particu-
lars only will be mentioned.
The floors and tables are of English
oak, highly polished, and extremely
beautiful. Many of the doors are Of
mahogany, certainly less beautiful, and
less in keeping with the style of archi
lecture, than the other material. There
is, however, much taste, as well as grea
splendor, exhibited in finishing and fur.
nishing the rooms; and if his lordshiF
has superintended the whole, bis duties
have been both complex and arduous
1t would require much ingenuity, and ;
great stretch Of the imagination, to form
a conception Of half the luxury here
displayed.
| The dining hall is ornamented will
| full length statues of the first Earl Gros
venor, who came over with William
the Conqueror; with Miss Eaton, VIII
brought large accession 10 the estate
and gave the name TO the Hall; will
Miss Davis, the late lady Grosvenor
and full length portraits of the presen
Earl and his lady, besides many othe
statues and paintings, among which j
Oliver Cromwell in his shirt sleeves an
tapped hat, dissolving the Rump Parlia
ment. He is in the act of pointing I
the insignia of royalty, and exclaiming
IAeA 4