Buchanan County bulletin and guardian., 1868-03-20

4 . .
extensive and pleasing view. The smalle
towers and numerous battlemenu Of the cos
tie were around and beneath me the towr
Of Windsor law below. just without the pal
ace walls the river TbaAses was winding it.
way along through park and 6eld toward,
London and the sea and the country Va.
spread out as far as the eye could reach, dot
ted with noble man sions and beautiful villa,
ges, and booking like one great garden.
The English Gag WAS fyins above me, id.
dicating 70 all the people within sight Of it,
that the royal family we're IN Windsor. In
their absence, il Is not raised. In this tow,
er, il was, that James I. Of Scotland was con.
fined. There IL, peihaps, no Royal Palace
Of Europe that has 30 eligible situation az
the Windsor Palace. II is qnite elevated,
and there is gradual ascent TO it from eve
ry side but one and on this side there is :
high precipitous wall, above which, adjoin>
ing the Castle, there is terrace nearly L..
COO feet long, which Is kvorite walk for
visitors and strangers.
The Saxon kings resided II palaee in
the town of Old Windsor. William OF Nor.
mandy, surnamed the Conquefer, founded
the present castle in the eleventh century,
after his conquest of England; and for eight
hundred years past, It has been the princi.
pal residence Of the English monarchs. Il
was at first, however, particularly important
as place Of strength and defence, and was
afterwards occupied solely as palace; and
as 1t now stands, in its perfect state of pre-
servation without and within, grand, stately,
and dignified, there is no paiatial residence
in the kingdom that can compare with il.
The Windsor Park and Great Forest
abound in deer and other royal game. The
park alone, embraces an area Of three thou.
sand eight hundred acres, and the whole do
main, including park and forest, and other
grounds, is NO less than 6fty~ei1At miles in
circuit. Not far from the castle is the beau
tiful Mausoleum, containing tho remsins of
the lamented Prince Albert and very often
does the Queen, when At Windsor, repair to
il. to call mere yividly to mind, him OF whom
she was bereaved,-snd for whom, though
years have rolled away since his death,-to
still shed the tear Of affection.
The royal Chapel Of St. George, which is
within the castle enclosure, is a r. remarkably
fine specimen Of ornamented Gothic, and
cannot be visited without a lively interest.
In it are usually performed, when done in |
public,-the baptisms, con6rmations, mar
riages, and burials Of the members Of the |
royal family and on these occasions. the |
Archbishop Of Canterbury oficiates. Here, |
. few years since, the Prince of Wales vas |
married to the beautiful Danish Princess |
Alexandra, under circumstances Of the |
greatest interest. The services were Of the |
most impressive character, and the singing
was very delightfully."- rendered by Jenny
Lind, then Madame Goldschmidt. There Is
daily service in the chapel, and preaching
twice cn Sunday. vas present at week.
day sevice, and also on Sunday morning.
On the latter occasion. the chapel was crowd.
ID TO overfowing. Among those in attend>
lnce, were one or two of the Queens family,
the part assigned for members Of
he royal household /; some high military Of
icers, several Of the nobility, and quite
lumber OF the knights Of the Garter, Who
eside in apartments attached to the castle.
The service was choral, IKE that Of the Eng
ish cathedrals, and the sermon was plain,
'ractical exposition Of the passage fcuhd in
St. Peter, '. 10.
The windows are beautifully painted, with
6ne designs, producing . most
pleasing effect. I noticed Numerous banners
VI the Knights Of the Garter, and also many
ablets Of the Order. placed aPs. shs
--.sso.
bn the vault connected with the chapel, lie
'uried some Of England's soversign kings
nd princes, and queens and princesses
mong whom is the long reigning, and
lrange conducting Henry vIII., whose rule
Britain was of so remarkable aud extra>
rdinary character.
During one Of my visits to Windsor, I ven.
Ut TO Stoke, and saw the mansion which
81 once occupied by the ancestors Of viii.
as fine grodA is kept in good repair, and
sres,ing to see tie n0anding it. It was in.
iation with one Of the e1bAas an ASSOC
nd early settlers of our American Rep4iers
B. r. CLIFFORD.