The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-08-06
Ness. By che way.
.gOF BRUNSWICK.

edl 10 siTai Notes By che Way
''ssli ''fi2ao2 EDrNBURG July IA, 1869.
10 Tie Editor or tie Press: ~ ="
I have spent week coming from London
to this, the ancient capital Of Scotland, pass
ing through some of the beautiful rural scene-
ry of the midland counties of England, and
visiting many glorious old rnins and places OF
deep historic interest Ny first stop alter
leaving London was at Oxford, spending a
day there amidst the ancient colleges and halls
of this celebrated university. 1t was vacation
and the students were absent. A few fellows
in their black robes were seen about the yards
and cloisters, and there were some rowing
matches on the river, otherwise the town
looked dull. The next day went to Blen-
helm, the palace presented by Parliment in
the reign of Queen Ann to that great soldier
of the time, the Duke of Marlboro, and now
occupied by his descendant, the present Duke.
Itowas six miles from Oxford, three by rail
and three on foot. The village of Woodstock
Is close to the park gates. The palace is a
very extensive building of stone, Of heavy
style of architecture. Its Interior is decorated
and adorned with the finest works Of art, an-
cient and modern. 1t is freely exhibited to
the public for fee Of shilling and an addi-
tional one to see the gardens. The park con-
tains four thousand acres in which are kept
herds of deer. cattle and sheep. Ponds and
streams artifcially made, crossed by many
stone bridges, cascades and waterfalls, en-
bellish the grounds about the palace. l next
went to Lamington, and in one day did up
Kenilworth Castle, Warwick and Strahord on
Avon, all within twenty mics. The ruins of
Kenilworth were very impressive. Those "ivy
capped towers brought to my recollection all
the incidents Of the beautiful romance Of Scott
in which he has immortalized those crumblng
stones. y warwick, few miles distant, was
next visited, and three hours spent about TIE
castle and the church of St. Mary's, The cas-
tie is situated on high rock at the foot Of
which flows the riser Avon. Its antiquities
are very interesting to examine, many relies
ofthe famous Earl Guy being there shown.
In,the chapel Of the church are old tombs of
former Earls and Barons. Robert Earl Of
Dudley, and his brother Ambrose, being the
BIflCtBdl OnCSs kot W obldu0tU Ou Afou
late In the afternoon. The few hours had
there were, of course, spent in seeing the an
Equities and relics connec:ed with the memo
ry OF the "immortal bard" The quaint look
ing old house where Shakespeare was born,
Trinity church, where he and his wife
are buried are the principal attractions
for travellers. % In the village every
thing connected - with the memory of
Shakespeare is used for profit by its lnhab-
itants. You see no tices in the shop windows
Of Tsritable ureiics to be seen all for shilling.
Isrrived at Birmingham late, that evening.
MY recollections off are. Of a mass of smoky
towers and dirty looking high buildings. The
next day had what considered glorious
excursion. l went by rail 70 Rowsley, TWEEN
ty-iys miles, passing through some Of the fine
scenery of Derbyshire. From Rowsley it was
three miles by omnibus to Chatswaith, owned
by the Duke Of ofDevonshire. It is one Of the
| finest private residences in England, and is
much visited by strangers. The buildings are
OF stone of a quadrangular form, with foun-
| tsins in the centre. The interior is adorned
| with everything Of art that wealth and taste
could furnish. The gardens and conservato-
ries are the attractions of the place. They
were laid out by the late Sir Joseph Paxton,
while head gardener. By his skill nature has
been initiated to a wonderful degree. The
main conservatory cost 100000. The Duke
resides there but q portion of the time. /
walked through the Park to the road and then
on to Haddon Hall, four and half miles dis
tant. In going through the park passed
herds ofdeer There are six thousand on the
estate) and many fine looking cattle. .Rab-
bits and other game were numerous and tame
At my entrance into the public road / found
that had come across the park on a private
way and the gate keeper lectured me on the
enormity Of the offence and trespass I had
committed and then opened the gate. Had
don Hall Is one of the old historic places of
England. II is occupied and kept in tolerabIe
repair. resort of Queen Elizabeth, and you
are shown the apartments occupied by her
and the bed in which she slept. walked
back to the station and Sheffield was my next
stage, spending nearly two days there. 1t is
the great workshop of England for the pro-
dnction of steel. I Ispent some time in one
of the mammoth establishments, that of Sir
John Brown, where four thousand men are
employed, examining the different branches
of its manufacture, the rolling of fasmar plates,
steele rails, etc. From Sheffield / went farther
north to Ripon, place situated in the centre
of a rich agricultural region. 1t has an old
cathedral of fine architectural proportions.
Within a few miles Of Ripon are the ruins Of
Fountain Abbey, the grandest of the kind TO
be seen in the kingdom, and in m opinion
situation and surrounding scenery taken into
account, far more impressive than the far
famed Melrose Abbey. / took a morning
walk there and back before breakfast, ten
miles, passing along the hedge bordered roads
and through the Park attached to the residence
of the Earl of Grey and Ripon. The ruins
are very extensive and situate d in the beauti-
full grounds of Hadley Park, where the exten-
sive walks, grassy slopes, ponds, waterfalls and
other attractions of art aud nature which sur
round these old relics of past ages, made it
one Of the most charming places that 1 have
visited.
Taking the train the same day went
through Newcastle on Tyne and arrived at
Melrose that evening and obtained my first
glimpse of the Abbey. They are in the midst
ofthe village surrounded by buildings which
greatly detract from their effect. / did not
visit them by moonlight for want OF a moon,
but in the dim twilight j viewed their outline
and the next morning with the accompani-
ment of guide, spens some time among the
columns and arches Of this place made fa-
nous in its history and romance by the pen
Of Sir Walter Scott. After breakfast I start
ed with party for Abbotsford three miles
distant. 1t is stone building with towers,
is massive and strongly built as castle. It is
owned and occupied by one Of the female de-
scendants of Sir Walter. But few rooms are
shown; the library, study, and sitting room
occupied by the great novelist. The furniture
desk, &C., used by Sir Walter, the ancient
weapons and antiquities collected by him
were very Interestingly to examine II more time
had been allowed to see them. But the oh