Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1855-10-18

own New England, ana l would urge ~
upon the earnest, vigorous and enterprising
young men Of Connecticut, in particular, to
cultivate and bean,ify the homestsads and
farms on our hills and in our valleys, rather
than yield to the allurements held out by
the West. Small farms, ,ceu titled, will
yield an ample reward to the labors Of the
Connecticut farmer; and il our agricultural
population should double, or quadrouble,we
have ,casie land enough for their mainten-
ance and for the exercise of all their surplus
ambition and energy. II is the dense pop
Llation and thorough cultivation that have
made England the garden Of the world.
The only other place visited by me during
the day. worthy Of special note, was Tun-
bridge Wells, already referred to. This Is
fashionable watering place. famed for the
medicinal virtues Of its mineral springs 1t
was favorite resort Of the Duchess Of Kent,
and Of the Queen previous to her marriage.
Like Saratoga, il is an inland town-and is
full Of gaie,y and folly during the summer,
but quite deserted in winter. II contains
some splendid hotels, boarding-houses and
private residences
Reru,ning TO the metropolis by the eve
ming train, began making preparations for
my departure for Liverpool, by way OF
Wales. On Tuesday, the 22nd of August,
took the cars at the Euston Station, on the
London aud North Western Railroad, and
was shortly under way The village Of
Harrow soon attracts attention on the right,
BY the spires that rise from among the trees
on an adjacent hilltop. Here is q celebra-
ted school at which were educated Lord
Byron, Sheridan, Sir Rober. Peel and Chas.
King, Esq now President Of Columbia
College, New York. When about twenty
seven miles from London, saw the ruins
OF BcrkhamstcoI Castle, the foundations
Of which are said to have been laid in the
seventh century. They are near the line Of
the railway, and appear TO good advantage,
being covered with ivy and surrounded by
some Of the largest and most ancient look
ing trees that saw in all my journeyings
ia England. It was royal residence in
the time Of Henry H., and long subsequent
ly. On the opposite side Of the railway
stands the church Of which the father of the
poet Cowper was Rector, and near which
the poet was born. Soon after leaving this
interesting locality, we passed near and in
sight Of the "Chiltern Hundreds" so fa-
nous in the official annals OF the nation. A
member Of Parliament can only resign his
seat by obtaining an appointment from the
crown consequently, when member from
any cause, desires TO vacate his place in
the House Of Commons, he has Only to APP
ply FOR the stewardship of the " Chltcrn
iinndrcds"--a merely nominal office now,
though once an important one-and he can
carry his wishes into effect. They consist
Of a series Of hills and vallies, including
within their limits Ashridge Park, the seat
Of the late Duke Of BrijgeNater. On one of
the heights in the vicinity saw the tall
granite pillar erected TO commemorate the
services Of the Duke as the father of that
system Of internal navigation which reach-
ed the zenith Of it's popularity about twenty
years since, but which, to some extent at
least. has been superseded by the general
introduction Of railroads. "The Duke of
Bridgewater's Canals" are found in various
parts Of England, and still seem to be in
common use. At Ashridge, Edward I. held
his Parliament In 1890.
Stony S,ratlord, where we made brief
stay was only interesting to me as the birth
place Of Governor Eaton, of the New Ha-
ven Colony. As We approach Ellsworth,
about sixty miles from London. the train
passes through deep cut made In the solid
lime stone, the execution Of which cost the
company the enormous sum of 81 100 600.
Among the Items Of expense, is 1000 bar.
rels Of gun-powder containing 100 pounds
each. Northampton, fine old town, IL
Eve miles from the main line of the Lon4
don North Western railroad. The route, az
originally surveyed. lay directly through
the place but the towns people opposed
il SO perseveringly as to prevent the bill
from passing the House Of Lords, and the
Company were compelled to vary from their
intended course. In lew years, however,
great change took place in the feelings of
the citizens Of Northampton. and cross
railway now c,nnects their town with
Peterborough. Al Rugby, where some half
dozen railroads centre, was compelled to
make long stay. Though bussliug and
flosrishipg place, ] could mot learn that il
was famous for anything except splendid
ly-endowed School, which was founded in
tie reign Of Queen Elizabeth BY Lawrencs
Sheriff. wealthy London grocer. Here /
ieft the main tlioroughfars beswesn London
and Liverpool, and took the . Trent Valley
81 a.