The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-08-15
SELECTED TALES.
From the Little Pilgrim.
COUNTRIES | HAVE SEEN.
Travels, Descriptions, Tales aud historical
Sketches.
LoNpoN-ruE TOWER.
ny GRACE Greenwood.

ny GRACE GRKESwooD.
LoNpoN--ruE TOWER.
On the evening Of June Gath, first
entered London. Coming up from Gov.
entry by the railway could see little Of
the great city till was in the midst of it.
only remember seeing in the distance n
great cloud Of smoke, oscrhanging dim,
vast multitude of houses, towers and
spires--then as we drew nearer, aud the
darkness deepened, hosts Of lights as in.
Vulnerable as though all the stars had
dropped out Of heaven, began to twinkle,
and fash, and throb and waver-and
then, above tho clang of the engine and
the rush Of the trlin, could hear a
strange, dull, uncea'ing roar. This was
the noise of the travel and traffic Of Lon.
don-sounds that are never wholly hush
cd, but in the day time thunder like tor
ronts and cataracts, and in the right, come
T. your ear with hoarse, heavy swell,
like the beatirg Of tho sea against far,
rocky shore.
In truth, there was something almost
frightful in this first rush and roar and
vastncss Of London, to me, coming to it
as | dill. at night. But when I found
myself in n beautiful station, rooted with
glass and checrfuly lighted, and met there
n kind friend who was awaiting me,
took heart at once, and when, an hour
later, sat with m7 dear friends, the
LIS, in their pleasant drawing-room,
chatting and drinking tea, felt as con-
tented and happy as had ever felt in my
life. ...
was several weeks in London, on this
first visit, and during that time, saw
many peopie-authors and artists. and
statesmen and phiianthropists, whom I
had long loved, or honorel for their works
and their noble deeds; aud saw Others
Of whom hal hardly heard before,
whom learned 70 love and honor with
all my heart.
It will. mot be possible for me to dc.
scribe to you all the great sights Of Lon
don-but l will tell you something of
the most noted.
Wo will begin with the Tower.
This famous fortress aud ancient palace
stands on the north bank Of the Thames,
just beyond the limits of the city. 1t is
large irregular building, Of dark gray
stone, with four corner turrets and two
entrances --one by a bridge, over themoat,
and the other by gateway from the
river. This last is called the "Traitor's
Gate" as State prisoners were obliged TO
pass through il. The older portion of
the Tower was built by William the Con-
queror-but ne,rly every succeeding sove-
reign down to "a recent reign, made addi-
tions and improvements. 1t passed from
q palace into fortiess--from q fortress
20 a prison, and now IT is used only rs an
armory, and safe depository Of State
Papess-rare and curious relics, and the
crownjewels, called the Regatid.
Near where visitors now enter, the
Royal Menagerie was kept until few
3 years ago--when Il was removclto the
Geological Gardens. Here King James
l., once witnessed fight between a lion
and three dogs, aud seemed highly amused
by the sport. IL ne were not talking Of
. crowned King. should say he showed
very cruel aad vulgar propensities.
In the Bell Tower-tbe Princes, after
wards Queen Elizabeth. is supposed to
have been confined. She was imprisoned
by. the order Of her sister, Queen Mary,
on the charge of treason--of which she
was quite Innocent When the stern
guards brought her TO the Traitors Gate
ahe refused TO land there, but wheu they
roughly reminded her that she had no
choice, she stepped proudly up on to the
stair, and said solemnly---" Here lambeth
as true subject, being prisoner, rs ever
landed at these stairs (; aud before Thee,
o God, speak IL having none other
friends than Thee
Opposite 10 the Traitors Gate, is the
Bloody Tower--so called because Il is be-
iieved that IN 1t, the poor Young princes,
sons Of Edward w., were murdered by
the order Of their cruel uncle, the Dake
of Glostsr. afterwards Richard III.
In the Beaachsmp Tower, Lord Dud-
Icy, the husband Of Lady Jane Grey,
Robert Dadley, Earl Of Leicester, aud
many other eminent prisoners, were con-
fined. The Lady Jane was iEiprssoned in
the Brick Tower. The Bowyer Tower is
said to have been the scene Of the mur
der Of the Date OF Clarence, by order OF
his brother, Richard Of Gloster.
TheseAis long apartment called he
Horse Armory--where ! saw great
many iifures Of knights clad in complete
su;ts Of mall, mounted anil armed. These
figures represent the fashions asdl the
!; snonasvhs or great mon Of every reign
back % that Of ths first Edward. 1t i
very interesting hall. bot not so mach
80 a. she one n tbe White lToweg, called
Oxen Eiissbsfk's Armory. This con-
tsins = vast variety of curious old wea-
pens of warfare, such - batsls-axes, lsnces
pixies, pcndsFous bfofd d-sworis, hAlberds
eIAites. aod etos>toxa Here 4 kept lh,
bsbeaaiRg block, datkly staised with blood