Middletown transcript., 1869-03-20
0otes of Irauel.
RecollectiOMs of the Mother Country.
Written)or the Mddlao0n Transcript
No. 6.

Having " done" London, the stranger
will naturally ask, what is to be seen in
its vicinityF To the American, who has
witnessed the scenery of the Hudson, the
grandeur of Niagara, or the vastness of
the West or the Continental, who talks
of the beautiful Rhine, the romantic Swtz-
erland, or the classic Rome, e,-the sights
and scenes of quiet English landscape
are only attractive for their state of cul-
tivation and their placidity. Historic as
sociations will also combine to render them
interesting to the lover of English litera-
ture-and who that can read it does not
love it? To those economical of time, the
best course is that laid down by Murray,
who advises a visit to Hampton Court,
which is situated on the north side of the
river Thames, about twelve miles from
London, and is easily reached by rail from
Waterloo station.
The Palace was first designed, as res
idence for himself, by Cardinal Wolsey ;
but, in order to proptiate his master, he
exchanged it for Richmond Palace and
other properties. William III added
greatly to the original building, and itnow
comprises three quadrangles, divided into
apartments, which are occupied chiefly by
poor relatives Of noble families, who hold
tenure by special permission of the crown
The binding. which IS If red brick, with
stone corniees and dressings, is lofty and
rather imposing structure, and is open to
the public except Friday. Over one thou
sand pictures are exposed to view, some of
tn I'm very famous.
The garden and park are also among
the most noteworthy of the vicinity, the
former having grapevine over ninety
years of age, which yields annually more
than 1900 pounds of grapes which go to
her Majesty's table. One branch alone is
110 feet long and the winery that covers
it is - feet by 30 feet
In the Park is the celebrated maze, the
great delight of juveniles and sentimental
couples, who can lose themselves in the
The whole walk being SO complicated that
the quaint definition of the word net by
DR. johnson, is brought to mind, viz =
" Anything reticulated or tesselated at
equal distances, with interstices between
the different intersections.
Passing over the country between
Hampton and Windsor, which does not
comprise many spots interesting to stran-
gers, we come to the famous royal domain
Windsor, is situated in the county of
Berks, % miles west from London, and
occupies rising ground on the south
bank of the Thames, and is interesting for
its ancient and extensive castle. the gram
dest royal residence in this country. The
gates of the castle are close upon the main
street of the town, and lead to enclosures
containing number of quadrangles, tow
ers, gates, mansions, barracks, and other
structures. Besides the chapel, the chief
the state apartments in the upper or north
ern court. Outside the castle, facing the
north. is the famed Terrace from which a
view is obtained over most beautiful ex-
panse of country. On another side are
the new royal stables. the finest in Eng
land, having with the Riding House. cost
100000. In the gardens adjoining the
Queens apartments, the royal family, be-
fore the death of Prince Albert, were
wont occasionally to promenade, at an
hour when the public might see them. The
Long Walk, extending three miles, is one
of the grandest things of the kind in the
world.
For more than seven centuries, Windsor
Castle has been royal residence, tradi-
ton assigning its origin to King Arthur
himself, and romance has seized it as the
locale of the famed Round Table and its
valiant Knights. Edward III was born
here. and Godfrey CHANGER was once clerk
of the works of St. Georges Chapel. at a
salary of two shillings a day.
Eton College, famous all over the world,
with its school-rooms for 900 boys, chapel,
quadrangles, and playing-6elds, lies beau
tifully situated opposite Windsor Castle,
] A ramblc from the Slough Station, near