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-rIIE TOWER.
ny GRACE GREESwooD.


- aLoNpoN-ruE TOWER.
OK the evening Of June 2ith, 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 a
great cloud of smoke, overhanging dim,
vast multitude of houses, towers and
spires as we drew nearer, and the
darkness deepencd, 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
tue rush Of the triin, could hear q
strange, dull, unceasing 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
rents and cataracts, and in the right, come
T. your ear with hoarse, heavy swell,
like the beatirg Of the sea against far,
rocky shore.
In truth, there was something almost
frightful in this first rush and roar and
yastncss Of London, to me, coming to it
as did. Mt night. But when I found
myself in beautiful station, rooted with
glass and cheerfully lighted, and met there
u kind friend who was awaiting me,
took heart at once, and when, an hour
later, sat with my dear friends, the
Is, in their pleasant drawing-room,
chatting and drinking tea, felt as con-
tented aud happy as had ever felt in my
life.
was several weeks in London, on this
first visit, and during that time, saw
many people-authors and artists, and
statesmen and phiianthfopists, whom I
had long loved, or houore,l for their works
and their noble deeds; and saw others
Of whom had hardly heard before,
whom l learned to love and honor with
all my heart.
II will mot be possible for me to de-
scribe TO you all the great sights Of Lon
don--but | will tell you something of
the most noted.
We will begin wi.l, the Tower.
This famous fortress and 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 turrcts and two
entrances by bridge, over themoat,
and the other by gateway from the
river. This last is called the "Traitor's
Gate,n as State prisoners were obliged 10
pass through it. The older portion of
the Tower was built by William the Con-
queror-but ne,rly every succeeding sove-
reign down to recent reign, made addi-
tions and Improvements. 1t passed from
palace into fortiess-from q fortress
20 a prison, and now 1t is used only rs al
armory, aud a safe depository Of State
papers--rars and curious relics, and the
erown.jewels, called the Regdtid.
Near where visitors now enter, the
Royal Menagerie was kept until few
years ago--wben it was removed TO the
geological Gardens. Here King james
L, once witnessed fight between a lion
and three dogs, and seemed highly amused
by the sport. II we were not talking Of
crowned King. should say he showed
very cruel aad vulgar propensities.
In the Bell Tower--tbc 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 iunocent. When the stern
guards brought her to the Traitors Gate,
she refused 70 land there. but When they
roughly reminded her that she bad no
choice, she stepped proudly up onto the
stair, and said solemnly--" Here lambeth
as trne a subject, being a prisoner, as ever
landed at these stairs and before Thee,
o God, I speak IL having none other
friends than Theen
Opposite to the Traitors Gate, is the
Bloody Tower--so called because Il is be-
lieyed tiiat in il, the poor young princes,
sons Of Edward w., were murdered by
the asdss ef their cruel uncle, the Duke
Of Glostsr, afterwards Richard I'll.
In tha Beaachsmp Tower, Lord Dud-
Icy, the husband Of Lady Jane Grey,
Robert Dndley, Earl ef Leicester, and
many other eminent prisoners, were con-
fined. The Lady Jane was imprisoned in
the Brick Tower. The Bowyer Tower Is
said to have been the scene OF the muF,
der Of the Dute Of Clarence, by order Of
his bsothef, Richard Of Gloster.
Thefetis long apartment called Me
Horse drN0yy- ] saw = great
many figures Of knights clad in complete
suits Of mail, mounted an.l armed. These
figures represent ihe fashions and. che
uioaarshs OF great mon Of every reign
back a thai Of the ATst Edward. II i
ayesy interesting hall. but not so mach
- "a I'll
Qaetp EliEa5sIi's Urinary. This con-
tsins vast variety Of cassons old wea'
pens of wArfsfc, such as battieaxcs, lanees
) pixies. pondeFous broad d-sworis, haIberds
elaives. cod eto&bSws. Igess e kept lhs
bsheasliug bIock, darkly stained with blood