Middletown transcript., 1869-03-20


and the Ham House, notorious as tn
meeting place of the " Cabap' of Charles
IFS time. To these the nearest stopping
place is " Richmond Park" where walk
in the park, miles in circumference, and
dinner at the Star and Garter will amply
compensate for the time and money ex-
pended. Thence to the famed Kew Gar
dens is but matter of few minutes, pas
sing en- route Sion House, occupied by the
Duke of Northumberland. These famous
g Botanic Gardens" contain rare collec-
ton of plants, obtained from all parts of
the world, arranged and labelled in ad-
mirable order by Sir William Hooker.
The flower beds, hot houses, and conserva-
tories, are very numerous, The great
Pdln,-honse, with its collection of the
celebrated Victoria Regia, reaching to a
height of 60 feet, and costing ESQ, 1000,
forms grand object.
A bill has been passed in the New York
Legislature, empowering the Central Park
Commissioners to lay out such garden
on the easterly side of the Central Park,
nearly opposite the list street entrance
To the botanist and horticulturist such
gardens present great attractions.
A little lower down on the Thames, the
world renowned vegetable gardens of CHS
pick engrosses the travellers attention
and the house in which Hogarth died is
still existing in the locality. Still further
on appears Fulhans, and its quaint old pa
lace, the official residence of the Bishop of
London. To this point the Thames is
comparatively clear and very shallow,
while the river between here and London
is dirty, swift and muddy stream; looked
upon by Americans, accustomed to their
noble streams in the new world, as poor
apology for magnificent river.
The next point of interest before reach
ing London, is the far-famed Chelsea Hos
pitol, founded by Charles II, and planned
by Sir Christopher Wren, which is reser-
we'd for retired invalid soldiers. Over 400
pensioners arc maintained in this establish
ment. The principal objects of attraction
to the visitor, apart from the superannua-
ted veterans of so many battles, are, the
Chapel, "A neat edifce, with fine painting
of the Ascension by Ricc, and the Di
ning-hall, in which are displayed num-
Der of fags, trophies of British prowess,
among which figure some American bun
ting
One especial object of interest in the
southern vicinity of London, is the famed
crystal Pdloce. Were London blotted
out from the face of the earth, leaving
nothing behind it but this fairy-lke struc-
ture, the journey to it would alone we'll
repay the visitor. This structure owed
its existence to the great Exhibition of
1851, in Hyde Park. 1t is situated on a
lofty eminence near Sydenham, about 7
miles from the metropolis, commanding a
most extensive view of the adjacent coun-
try and the city. The building, construc-
ted entirely of iron and glass, is about
1000 feet long, $50 feet wide, and at the
centre transept 200 feet high. The foun-
tains are the finest in the world, the prin-
cipal jets rising $50 feet in the air, and
the minor jets numbering over $4,000,
forming combinations which no description
can sufficiently portray. A whole week
might be spent in examining the various
treasures contained therein; for the Palace
and grounds are interesting in each of the
following features-Sculpture Illustra-
tions of Architecture Pictures and Pho
tographs; Botany; Ethnology; Geology
Hydraulic Skill in the Fountains, and
Musical facilities of an unprecedented kind
Near the centre transept are all the ne
cessary arrangements for two concert
rooms-one on stupendous scale, in
which 5000 singers and instrumentalists can
sometimes be heard at once A great
concert came off here in 1867, with about
20, 900 visitors, which was graced by the
presence of the Queen and family, inclu-
ding the Prince of Wales. The latter
parsonage was seated in his own box near
US, and all his movements could easily be
noted. His free and easy manner on that
occasion evidently did not please hismoth-
er and family, who, like all of royal blood
desire to preserve court etiquette On all
occasions.
The Prince clad in costume which he
has established as fullvdress, viz Light
pantaloons, blue frock coat, yellow vest,
and with the accustomed blue tie, seemed
to enjoy himself and act as any Bohemian
would on like occasion. Aside from his
spendthrift habits, the future King seems
to be a favorite among all classes. The
shop-keepers even like his liberality and
his prodigality, because their business is
largely increased thereby. The only COM
plants heard against the Queen arise
among the trades-people, who cry bitterly
because of the retirement of her majesty,
since the death of the Prince Consort, from
the fashionable world, and, consequently,
the court-leyees and balls come off very
seldom; thus depriving the haberdashcrs
&c. of sales in cxtravagant wearing ap-
parel. Crowned heads are expected to
spend their money profusely to gain popu-
larity among the middling classes. Napo-
leon understands this fact and keeps up
his popularity by giving employment to all
the working classes, in order that they
will not have time to talk and plot.
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