Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-04-10
The Grave of William Penn.

in tho shire of Buckingham, III deep
gorge, among the famed Chiltern Hills,
scalt twenty miles from the outskirts OF
London. At such D short distance from
the noisy metropolis, you could scarce fan
cy scene 50 tranquil. An American ap-
preaching it can hardly believe that lie is
treading the the thickly populated soil Of
, England.
The direct way to it would be along the
old coach road. from London to Oxford, for
mcrly travelled by forty stage coaches but
although still kept like park drive, with
the grass edges constantly trimmed, it is
now given up to the hay wagon Of the farm
cr, or the cart of the chairmaker, bringing
his beechwood chairs from Wycombc and
Stockcnchurch beyond. But neither the
crack of the cartcr's whip, nor the 'wo-ha'
of the WAGNER are loud enough to wake
the echoes of that quiet graveyard where
the great pcace-maker sleeps. 1t is two
miles from the main road, approached by
one Of those woodland lanes for which
England has obtained II just celebrity. In
truth. woodland lane; for all the way
leaving the turnpike road you pass under
the umbargcous bccches. under whose
shade Tityrus could have TRANQUILITY rcpos-
dc. You may not meet Il soul. unless some
woodmau engaged i'll chopping tho " lop
and top into iagots, or perhaps the velvc-
tccn-coatcd game-kecpcr Of our friend to
whom the woods belong. Just outside the
grounds of this grand old mansion--odcr
than the time Of Penn himselt-siands the
little Quaker mccting-homse, in the grave
yard OF which you will find what you are
seeking. 1t is on the edge Of what, at
first sight. appears to be a deep gorge in
the side Of the hill but it is only big
clay whence came the bricks out Of
which the mansion is constructed. The
building is upon the brink, it's rear wall
extending down into the bottom. king
two stories, while its front shows only one.
The basement on the pit side is a stable,
said to be capable OF containing a hum
drcd horses, but on measuring We found
it intended but for onc-fourth Of that mum.
Der. These are the horses Of the Friends
who once year, and only once, from cir
Gle Of twenty miles around assemble in
this solitary spot to hold their quiet meet
ing At all other times "Jordon's" for
SO is the place known--is left to its peace.
full rcposc, except when its single aisle cch-
oes the tread of a stray travcler-in most
cases an Amcrican--who soon directs his
steps to the soft turf Of the ccnletry out
s1lc. There he secs an enclosure, not over
rod in extent. with thorn hedge around
it. aud Il row of linden trees along one side
the trees of themselves rare species in
the ncighborhood. lie sees neither mon
ument nor mausolcum--not even Il tomb.
stonc-,not even the simplest recording slab
Only Il few score graves covered with green
grass, without tree, shrub, or flower, nor
even the lamcnting willow. One of these
in no way distinguished from the rest, is
pointed out as the grave of the great col
onist, and three others alongside it are
those of near and dear relatives. After
contemplating this, the American turns
away with wondcr--thc Pennsylvania
with feeling akin to shame. lilo is per-
hsps = little comforted, on being told, that
the absence of tombstone over his great
ancestor arises from no disrepect, but mere
ly because such adornmcnt Of the dwell
ings Of their dead is opposed to the sober
sentiments Of the Quakcrs-in fact con-
trary to their creed.
Hc has more reason to feel dissatisfied,
when, on inquiring from the peasant out.
side-be he farmer or wood-chopper-to
find the latter scarce knows the name, much
less the history, Of him whose resting place
he has come so far to visit. All these are
likely to tell him is that the place be
callcd Joordan's. 1t is a Quaker meeting
house, WHARF them people cooms wunst cv-
cry year-most of them in their carri-
ages"
The pilgrim is perhaps more shocked on
learning that among still higher class,
and in great London itself, he would scarce
meet hundred people who could guide
him to the rcsting-place Of Penn. This
great good man was not among the things
England delights to honor.
We have ourselves conducted many
Americans to the spot-for our own pleas.
ant home, Of many long years, now forever
forsaken, vas not far from it. And it
was gratifying to witness the enthusiasm
Of these Transatlantic pilgrims, while
standing by the grave Of their illustrious
ancestor and not tho less so, that we
knew it was because he was their ancestor;
for with equal respect did they stand un-
covered by the door of humble domicile,
in the village Of Chalfont St. Gile, scarce
two miles of, where Milton had taken
refuge from persecution. 1t was amusing
to see the way they collected plants. stones,
pieces Of lime aud mortar, loading our ba.
rouche almost to the draught capacity Of
q pair of strong, well-blooded horses. We
were less pleased when they showed equal
affection for relics gathered near /6fay's
tomb, in the chnrchyard 0f Stoke IPogis,
five miles across the country. 1t is a
splendid mausoleum, such Is in England
was sure to he erected over the man who
wrote: sl"aita. 0atd cfs H8li ins}
soms css~~en Osssssss Of Ais sssssry's Mood. ;,
When our American friends wished fur.