Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-27
LETTERS FROM ABRoAD-No. q.
BAsINGsToKE, ENGLAND, Oct 10, 1859.
Correspondence of the Spy
ANCIENT ENGLISH RIrINs


Finding myself in the immediate neighbor.
hood OF an ancient structure known as the
Holy Ghost Chapel" which, in times gone
by, has stood prominent in the religious history
OF England. and the ruins of which have since
attracted the attention of the traveller and anti.
hfaiaEse-sPept few leisure moments in
making pilgrimage to the venerable remains.
AS beautiful specimen of the taste and skill
OF our ancestors in the construction of religious
editceS, there is here source OF qualification
to the lover of architecture The contem-
plative moralist may visit the interesting scene,
not without mixture of regret and instruction,
while he reflects on the transitory nature of
worldly things, so strikingly displayed in these
ruins, and the tombs of the great, which they
inclose; while those who have no taste for
such curious monuments of ancient art and
times may be sensible of the pleasure which
the beauty of the surrounding prospect may
impart
1t is impossible to learn accurately where the
first structure erected on this site, but con.
lecture, founded on the existence of certain
relics which have been eXhumed, indicate that
there was a church here as early as the period
of the Saxon times. Perhaps even Hengist
and Horsa themselves have, in time long since
past, bent the knee on the summit of Basing-
stoke hill A few years since, Saxon idol, of
grotesque form, and made of brass, was
found here. Numerous other relics, also,
which have been found, indicate that there was
formerly here Saxon temple and there is ira
dtion that formerly seven Saxon kings wor-
shipped here at the same time. AS the seat o.
the Saxon kings is in the immediate neigh
borhood, the tradition is quite probable still,
there are no remains of any edifce constructed
before the Norman conquest.
MEDIEVAL RELICS.
There are, however, few yestiges of q
church constructed in the thirteenth century,
founded in 1861 by King Henry Ill These
remains consist only of the lower portion of a
wall, and the Gothic windows. But in add
ton to these imperfect remains, there was
found several years since an ancient tomb on
which was an etligy, in recumbent posture,
covered with an ancient wall where it had
probably lain for many centuries. The gener-
al circumstances OF DRESS &C., connected with
this figure, make it certain that it is, at any
rate, more than five hundred years old. A
stone coffin, found beneath this tomb, still re-
mains, perhaps embracing within its cold walls
the remains OF some Anglo-Saxon king. The
present ruins, however, consisting of a tower
and one side of church, are the remains OF a
chapel founded during the reign Of Henry VIII
about the year 1916. The structure, though
small, comprises many ornaments Of the Ro-
man and Grecan time. The wall is of brick
ttrn I,;,,l-,
stone about six inches in thickness. This is
said to have been one Of the first buildings
built OF brick in England, and even London
previous to this time was built entirely of
wood. 1t is probable that the impertectknow
ledge which must have existed at that time of
brick masonry is the reason Of its so soon fall
ing to decay. The root, however, which was
Of lead, was stripped off about the middle of
the sixteenth century, during the civil wars,
to furnish lead for bullets. In the immediate
vicinity, within the churChyard enclosure
stands the modern church, the last of four,
built III successive semi-decades, within the
same city of the dead With what reflections
must one retrace his steps from spot OF so
much interest as this Beneath the sod you
tread slumber in the dust the remains of many
proud kings; and the bones Of naughty war
riors there repose. Who can realize the many
ambitious hopes, the fearful plans, of revenge,
that have been swallowed up in this ptiless
catacomb OF human greatness You can
scarcely believe, that, as you cast lingering
glance at the venerable ruins, and the many
funeral mounds before you, you comprehend
within your vision the symboical history of a
thousand years.
Centuries hence, what will mark the place -?
The remains Of the present beautiful edifice
will have sunk in the SOIL and the temple of a
new religion may mark the spot. a few
years hence, We shall have gone the way of
these kings and cOnquerors, and thousand
years will be but day. Our bones will
crumble in the soil, and our spirits will mngle
with those Of yesterday, and meet tomorrow
with those who follow us.
In the vicinity Of this place also, is Basings
House, which is celebrated in the history of
the civil wars, and which was taken possession
of and destroyed by Cromwell 1t was during
the seige of the castle, that the lead roof was
stripped from Holy Ghost Chapel. But have
not time to speak Of this interesting locality
Within twenty miles of this place, is also
Sllchesta, the Nindonum Of the Romans and
the Caer Segont of the Ancient Brtains city
over fifteen hundred years old, but now com
pletely desolate, and in state of ruins. Should
ever have an opportunity of visiting it,
promise further details.
ENGLISH ROADS.
In America we hear much of English roads
Their praises have not been too generously
sung, for they are perfect models OF elegance
and beauty. Macadamized years ago, they
have arrived at a perfection, only attained by
time. They more nearly resemble the few
shell roads in America, than anything we
have The sides are always skirted by the
inevitable hedge, and in many places the
trees planted years ago, form a natural arbor
above. Throughout all England the hedge
invariably takes the place of the fence or wall,
and as the land is generally divided into small
patches, the numerous and well trimmed
hedges give much beauty to the landscape.
STROKE OF FLATTERY
A stranger here travelling in the country,
sees many things that astonish him, and among
them, is the extreme stupidity and ignorance
OF all classes of the people. You observe it
more among the middle classes, but it exists
as much among the higher classes. Your
landlord at the inn cannot tell you ANYTHING
about the town you are in, the distance to the
next town, nor the time of departure for the
railway trains. They seem unwilling to know
anything but what they must know. America
is absolutely a terra incognita" to them
Although had heard in America much of
this kind Of ignorance, yet | was unprepared
for such an astonishing experience. The in
qusitive landlord, who always knows you are
a foreigner frequently expresses surprise that
you are Wtite, that you can speak SO well the
English language or that you wear clothes as
other people do. AS for the history, situation,
or extent Of the country, they have no CON
ception oft. An old man whose son had been
in America many years was sure when he saw
me that he had met somebody who knew his
son. He lived in Chill, South America 1t
was difficult to persuade him that should be as