Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-08-27
European CorrespOndence,~No 5
LONDON, JUNE 2lst, 1910.


To The Editor of The Lincoln Telegraph:
DEAR Sniff do not mistake, we last parted
in the harbor of Portsmouth and so hastily as
not to allow of my giving you SO full an account,
as intended, of that great depot of Naval Arma-
ment; and, some of the forty or more sail of
ships OF the line, moored, and mostly unmantled,
in its spacious basin. And, now, may be COM
PEELED to make my epistle too much matter of
fact affair." to possess any interest
However, the young, for whom am most dis
posed to write, may find interest in tracing my
geographical course, with which will give such
particulars time will permit. | will therefore
go back to Portsmouth, where, on the 18th of
May, took small sal-boat for the purpose OF
visiting the 100 gun ship, ''Britana, now fully
equipped for sea, and for fight; but which, we
had not time to visit the evening before. To
every part of this little world of almost every
thing that belongs to human life and to war, with
her ! 100 men we were most freely admitted; but,
perfect and magnificent as she seemed to be, we
could not yield to her the palm over some of our
own ships of war. Having accomplished this
object, with a prospect of fine weather, chartered
the little boat and to carry us back ten miles
down the beautiful straits of the Isle of Wight,
to Cowes, from which place the steamer had
brought us, and where we arrived in a couple of
hours, well satisfied with our excursion.
On leaving Portsmouth harbor, we passed the
anchoring ground, where, 81 years since, the
Royal George was upset by sudden flaw of
wind, and sank with her whole crew and arma-
ment on board.
One hulk and several small vessels, with a
diving apparatus, are now employed in attempt
ing to blow her to pieces with powder, and raise
her precious relics
Considerable success, as you know, has attend
ed this enterprise already several guns with
their carriages have been raised, but are nearly
half consumed, and are now being exhibited at
the Tower in London, and at the Portsmou tn
Dock Yard
Among other things, box of candles was late
y obtained, and they were cut up and sold for
cd, or IL cts. per inch, strikingly evincing the
enthusiasm of the English in regard to every
thing connected with their navy.
After dining at the neat and comfortable
"Fountain Hotel" IN West Cowes, kept by Mr..
Webb, we took passage by one of the steamers,
which run hourly and form part of the new line
OF conveyance for passengers bound for London
from America, but disposed to hasten their ar
rival in London instead of continuing on, even
to Portsmouth. This route, is by new line of
Railroad from Southampton and opened only on
the 10Th of May.
On the passage across the Sound and up the
Southampton River fourteen miles, to the pleas
ant town by that name, the views are very fine,
and continue so, though in less degree, thence
twelve miles on the London Railroad to the an
ceEt city of Winchester.
This city and neighborhood, have been the
scene OF much of the tragical history of Saxon,
Norman and English military power,
Long was Winchester strong fortress and
Royal City; and as late as the time of Charles
"a, was palace built here, under the direction
OF Sir christopher Wren, which is now used for
Barracks.
Many also are its religious antiquities; and a.
mong these, is one of England first specimens OF
Gothic Cathedrals. The length of this vast and
ancient pile, is said to exceed that of any other
church on the Island, and while its impressive
grandeur filled US with awe, the successive styles
of Saxon, Norman, and Gothic architecture,
which it presents, fill the mind with veneration
also.
We were particularly struck and delighted to
find that the only piece of painting in the Catbe-
dral, was an Altar-pece of exquisite beauty and
art by our distinguished countryman, Sir Benja-
min West.
We were told, that, though this painting was
originally executed for 300 guinias, the author,
on its merits being more fully known, himself