Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-27
A Day in Windsor.
FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.
WINDSOR EXC Ang. -. 1867.

WNDSOR, ENG., Aug. IL
To the Editor of the Boston Journal:
want to ask all the boys and girls
of the United States who are studying
history, to walk with me to-day around
this old town of Windsor, which is the
winter home of the Queen of England.
1t is less than an hours ride on the
railroad directly West of London
1t is a pleasure to leave the smoke and
noise of the great city aud look upon
green fields-hill sides yellow with
grain-to whirl past beautiful parks
dotted with old trees-to see the pref
ty cottages set off with howers-to
ride through a country where every
foot of ground is under cultivation.
The railroad soon comes to the bank
of the river Thames-a stream but
little more than one hundred miles In
length, yet there are many English
men who seem to think that it is one
of the great rivers of the globe. One
day fell in company with we'll
dressed man who was we'll informed
on some things, but who | think, must
have been little rusty in geography,
for he inquired very soberly If we
had any rivers ia America large as
the Thames He opened his eyes
very wide when informed that be
might start from the gulf Of Mexico
and steam up the Mississippi and
Missouri nearly four thousand miles.
But while the train is taking me
out to the Queens home, let US 90
back in Imagination to the year 1866
just sol years ago. London then
was a small place; there were no
railroads, steamboats, or stage coaches.
The lords and barors of England
4 lived in castles. but most of the people ;
homes were poor huts built of stone
and turf. There was a great commO-
ton at London and throughout all the
South of England for William Duke
OF Normandy, had crossed the English
} channel with an army and had forti-
fed himself at the town Of Hastings.
King Harold. who was on the throne
of England, was mastering all the
soldiers of the country to drive back
J the invader. These roads which lead
, South from London and other towns
, we're filled with troops. They had
no cannon or muskets. but spears
swords, bows and arrows and battle
axes. 1t was in September. You
( have read in history that when Viii
I liam stepped from the boat to the
shore he stumbled and fell and thai
his soldiers began to whisper that i
i was a bad sign, but that he with mucl
. quickness of thought told them tina
+ he was only taking possession of tht
e country
The battle you know, was Tough
en- Saturday, the 14th Of October
William, with the Normans, marched
/ up from the sea shore and attacked
i the troops of Harold on the hillside
5. where they were encamped. 1t is al
peaceful there now, the hills are GOV
cred with grain, the birds sing in tn
trees and the waves roll in upon tn,
= beach at the foot of the hills, but OF
;. that day there was terrible work
:. close work-throwing darts, thrust
ing with spears, pounding with clubs
shifting with swords, chopping eacl
= other to pieces with axes. Hour afte
9 hour the battle ragged, and thong
ir William had the most men he was gel
.. ting the worst of it. You know hoy
+; he won the victory at last by strata
b. gem-pretending that he was defeat
4 ed, thus inducing Harold's troops t
i. leave their intrenchments in pursuit
, then sweeping the pursucrs dow
n. with his fresh troops. When the su
in went down that night its last rays fe
upon heap of dead, beneath whic
lay the King of England, and the grea
~ army which had fought so bravely t
ID drive back the Normans was heein
O. through the woods William follow
i ed, came to Windsor, which was the
a forest filled with deer. He love
hunting, and having conquered til
land he seized upon this as his ow
hunting ground, and thus for 500 VI
: it has been held by the kings an
e. queens of England.
TX THE CASTLE