Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-05-10

Indeed l regretted leaving Paris, and shall no
soon forget our last and farewell ride through the
city, and our last promenade through its delightful
grounds. looked around me ever and anon and
gazed long at objects so full of interest," calculated
at all times to afford pleasure and to crafty every
fancy-endeavorng to imprint upon my memory
one last impression which would live forever.
We took our departure by rail for Boulogne
there boat for Folbostone, where we landed and
endured, for the last time this side of the waters
the forms of the custom-house. They were very
civil to us.
1t was pleasant, as we landed, to hear the Eng
lish tongue more, and instead of "Vos billets
those few words charmed the ear. 1t seemed so
| like home to hear our language spoken, and am
| truly glad that we have done with everything for
eign You see expect to feel very much at home
in old England.
What saw of the country from Boulogne here
l liked very well. No great beauty, but very fine
cultivation.
Reached London about ten o'clock at night, and
was well pleased with the perfect order and system
which prevailed at the depot. The moment we
arrived even before alighting from the cars, man
came to us, knowing, as if by instinct, that we
were strangers, inquired where we were going,
conducted us to carriage, told us the fare was so
much mile and how many miles we were going,
so that there would be no advantage taken by the
driver, refused assistance, but went and searched
hoe md Ho caI =
too, without any expectation of remuneration, as
the authorities forbid it. Still, such attention,
presume, is always rewarded. How very different
is such conduct on the continent. Rode three
miles from the depot to Morelys hotel on Trafalgar
square.
Rose next morning and fastened to the window
to get a peep at London. 1t was raining-how-
ever, we were soon encased in handsome"
exploring the city-great, smoky, rainy London.
must first tell you what Handsome" is. 1t is
built somewhat like buggy, seats two persons, is
drawn by one horse, closes with small doors round
your feet with glass to let down, thus protecting
you from rain, and as the driver has an elevated
seat behind, your view is never obstructed. A
small opening in the top affords communication
with the driver. These vehicles were invented by
an Englishman named Handsome, and have taken
his name.
First visited St. Pauls-the far-famed St. Paul's
Well, it is perfect humbug The building is 6ne
and perhaps you might pass in and come out in a
good humor, if there were not SO many false pre-
fences made. Every time you turn around you
must pay shilling and still see nothing. We
CROPPED our way in utter darkness, for two shlings
each, up to the top ofthe steepe, and to what?
Why, the city, of course; but there was none to
be seen. A rain entirely obscured it from view.
Annoyed, we went down again, and paid for an
entrance into the whispering gallery, and were
actually permitted to put ears to the wall and
hear the whisper of man about two hundred feet
distant without paying another shilling. Oh what
unexampled generosity! The original building,
every one knows, was consumed by the great fire
of London. This was begun in 1915, and built
entirely by one architect-Sir Christopher Wren,
and by one master-mason-Mr. Strong 1t looks
large, and yet it is mere nothing when
compared with St. Peters, which could easily con-
tain it. In the interior are many fine monuments
to illustrious men. The crypt contains the remains
of Wren, Nelson and Wellington. The latter was
the last inferred there.
From there we went to Westminster Abbey. |
That was indeed interesting, and loved it. had
thought and formed my ideas Of the Abbey from
earliest childhood and then stood in it and could
look and admire 1t is very ancient, and is gray
with age. 1t was formerly Benedictine monas-
terry, founded in GIG. There the kings and queens
Of England have been crowned since Edward the
Confessor. Our attention was directed first to
" the poets corner" Noted tombs and monu-
ments of Shakespeare, Chaucer, Ben johnson, Mil
ton, Campbell, Goldsmith, and many others, too
numerous to meution There are nine chapels, in
each OF which are many monuments, royal and
historical. We heard divine service one afternoon
while there-the music was rich and sweet Yes,
love Westminster Abbey with her great monu-
nents to the illustrous dead. Aboutit there seems
o dwell a majestic grandeur, solemn and impress
i've. There could worship with my whole soul.
Passing from the Abbey we visited Westminster
Hail. which was originally built in the reign of
William Rufus, and in which the early parliaments
we're held. It is two hundred and ninety feet long,
ixty-eight wide, and one hundred and ten feet
high, and is the largest room in the world not sup
ported by pillars. The court rooms are situated
round the hall. While looking around the past
eemed, as it were, present. and danced over
he record of great events which had taken place
within those walls. Here Cromwell was inaugurated
lord Protector of the Commonwealth Of England,
md thus was an obscure man raised by fortune to
power. There Sir Thomas Moore and
Carl of STAFFORD were condemned to death. There
4ord Byron was tried for killing Mr.. Chaworth,
nd there poor Charles was tried and condemned.
dany other things might be mentioned which have
iven to this venerable hall melancholy interest.
Looked at the paintings in the national gallery
ut they are so tame and inferior to what we have
cen that We merely glanced at them. II
The Tower Of London was also highly interesting
ous. Now, perhaps, your idea, as mine was, is
hat the Tower Of London is very gloomy old I