Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-19

! BELvoIR CASTLE
/ haYe just returned from brief visit Ia Rel
i tor OqS.ie Our soiourn there was really euchant
Tag. We went down By the hy the Great Wester,
hallway to Grantham, passing through a finely chi
dgated country. 10y =.
| AT 6rantham the carriage met us, and We soor
Grove through the neat Ittle town and entered IN
/ green lanes Of England." Trees were planted on
| each SIDE OF the road, and beneath them were
heeges OF the eglantine, mingled with iessaynina
ana honeysuckle-- The air was filed v i'm perfume
/ as IL came to US over the green bill tops. Hav.
/ makers were abroad in the fields, and women and
hilaren tossing the hay into the great wagons.
he day was of unusual brightness. The skv
was dotted here and there with light heecy clouds
SERVINGS delicate veil the too intense radiance
OF the sun realized the true and graphic mic
lures OF English scenery, so sweetIy described hv
/ WoFds"eFth. There was soft serenity about
tnem, lmparting to the mind gentle calmpess.-
For i've miles We drove through these scenes of
rural life until We perceived the turres of Bplvoir
castle, and soon after to the domains of the
Duke OF Rutland. Posing through large gate
we entered deep forest. For TIE momen9 ~
seemed ia America, for the forests of the Aairon-
daek or OF the Allegheny mountains are not more
WILD aud thick. Phe old trees with their snraac,iT
| branches, were like sentinels watching over the
spot. We drove for some time through the ,leeD
dafk woods, and then emerged in the fertile Lands
OF the castle. About midday we reached The To-,
OF very high hill, upon which stands BeIyoir Gas
tie we aseeaoed road winding along from ter.
race to terrace. The immense trees met ov.r baad
and formed gothic arch. At last we came ON;
into the sunlight and found ourselves at the Gate
OF the CasIie noble old barOnia structure built
oy the tirst Lord Manners de Ross and called "R-I
Volr, slgnitsng beautiful view, from the glorious
prospect oeheid from the summit of the demi-
mountain. The first castle was built in 1900. the
present one, however, is of a later date.
From the great doorway we passed into the en-
trance saloon, or grand vestibule around which are
figures of knights, in the armor worn by members
OF the family III the ancient times Upon the walls
are hung the trophies OF war taken by them in bat
Tie. From thence we were ushered INTO the recep
ton room, which is exceedingly magnificent It has
Bull furniture OF antique form, nlaid with precious
stones, with gold, with silver and ivory The car
pet is like bank of fresh roses. The ceiling
painted in resco, has the portraits of all the RuL-
land amily, and also those Of royal personages who
we're friends OF the Duke. In this room there Is a
painting of the Duchess, and one of the Duke ts-
ken shortly after their marriage. How wondrOus-
ly handsome they both must have been! There ia
likewise marble statue of the Duchess of Rutland
by Wyatt-an exquisite specimen of female beau
ty.
This visit to Bevoir Castle was a perfect delight
to me, and with what happiness did 1 follow nv
kind friends through ell the gorgeous rooms an d
picture galleries. At last / begged them 10 take
me to Lady Emeline's apartments. those occupi-
ed by her when she made Belvoir her home and
there seated myself to think OF her, surrounded
by the memorials of her elegant taste How often
had she spoken to me of these rooms, how often
described the castle to me; aud now was within
ds walls, but she was in the far north land Bless
ngs on her, dear and precious friend!
Everything about the castle is grandly superb |
MOST gorgeous Is the banquet room the green draw
ing room, the crimson drawing ROOM the Prince !
Regents gallery. built by the present duke, to re-
,eiVe George ~, in, when be came down to Bel |
zoIr, to stand godfather for the fret MARQUIS of
5ranby. The library is panneled in oak, and hung |
With green velvet. The shelves contain many |
American books, among them the writings of Long |
elbow and of Willis, and the speeches of Webster,
Jlav, and Everett. The ball room is splendid with |
ows of marble pillars, and floor made Of email /
pieces OF wood, like mosaic. A long gallery ex,
ends around for those who do not wish to mngle |
n the dance. There immense mirrors so ar
anged as to reflect and multiply the pillars in such
manner one seem 20 look through a long COLON
de. The ceiling is painted in fresco.
There are several picture galleries filed with the
reations OF the old masters, aud of those of the
more modern school. There are several rare and
'eeutiiul Murillos, Guidos Corregios Titians, We
lsquez; paintings of Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir
thomas Lawrence. and of Lely many landscapes
y Zuccarelli, by Claude Lorraine, by Poussin; and
gorgeous pictures by Rembrandt, by Rubens, and |
Yam Dyke. Que gallery is devoted to the full
ength portraits of the lords earls aud dukes of the
amily.
'rince Albert, when they visited the castle, are
magnificent. The furniture is satin embroidered
With gold, and the hangiBgs of the chambers white
attn, decorated with heavy gold fringe. The bed
Dom occupied by George the Fourth, when be
lsted the castle. remains furnished in the same
lyle as then. 1t is very gorgeous
At evening we assembled the turrets of the castle
he view thence most beautiful TWENTY
even villages were visible amid the rich waving
elds OF corn, and wooden slopes of the hills One
oWn was pointed out TO me, called Walton Our
neesors come from Middle England, and perhaps
ON this very region. OF course | looked upon
With deep interest. 1t is fine picturesque vii
ge with population of five thousand inhabitants.
The hill upon which the castle stands is terraced
n every side save one, about hundred feet Then
egins the forest, extending like a sea of green
II below its base
In the morning we drove to the village of Wood
ock, where the tenants live. IL was 'Rent Day."
nd multitudes of them were gathered in merry
roups under the trees. They were dancing and
aging many games. The girls had the most love
complexions and rosy health. The men were
III, strong and stalwart. They seemed to be the
cry bone end sinew of the land" Old men and
omen were seated beneath the elms, watching the |
'orts OF their children's children. Il was charm
2 picture OF rural life-there appeared such hap
ness, contentment and plenty. The houses were J
neat and comfortably furnished, each one with
; little garden around IL, while the honey suckle
~ IOse vines chhoed up over the ''iront porch
be people OF these agricultural counties are evil
nifty more happy race than those who fnhabt
e cities or the manufacturing districts. An hon
Oh iArmer took Us through his farm and
rough the house, and into the kitchen 10 show !
the mode OF life of an English peasant
we we're much interested by a visit 10 the p--
te apartments OF the Duchess of Ruthland She
s been dead twenty-seven years; still her memo
Is iondiy cherished by the Duke and Der chill.
en-. The rooms remain just as they were when
aIh claimed her. One old servant has charge Of
em. Ihey are kind of Mecca 70 her children, =
d her husband never fails 90 visit them on the
nversary Of her death. Bow sweet 4 tbis
erished memory Of the loved and los! A solemn L
ing crept over my hear, as ! stood by the bed
on which she slept her last sleep Of life; and looked
on The bible, opened where she had read her last
aPter. In every portion OF the Castle We saw =
lures and busts Of her. She was not only beau NJ
- Dat gifted as painter, a sculptor. and n
atess.
The mausOleum- where the Duchess is buried, il v
hiil Ia front OF the castle. We passed throuSh
eep forest 20 reach il. The mansoleum ia OF g
THE form, Without windows. At OF e end i tbe
tnte OF The Duchess, envel0ped in light drabery
q the hands raised, the face beamihg with holy
snd 'he form sprnging as il we're, heavenwaFd
owe the statue, resting amid the el0Hds, are her
angel children, holding forth their hands 70
come The mother. 0ae bolds q crown which Is
near her brow. The light comes from above.
through rose eoiored or some other warm r
ed glass, giving the figure the look of life Il
inaescFioaoly beautiful and touching tears 4
&c 20 any eyes aa looked upon them. The de- -
D OF this temple Of the dead was found among 70,
papers OF HE Duchess, and ths Daks At once
quit precisely alter the original drawing p
Soat Of the building is row Of ancient yew a
- supposed q have been planted long ere the