The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-01-04
Warwick Castle.

The despatch from London announcing
the partial destruction of Warwick Castle
fills many American hearts with sadness.
The castle is situated on branch of the
River Avon, the Lean, within mile of
the beautiful town Of bennington, almost
within sight of Stratford. The smooth
lanes and roads Of England walled by
blooming hedgerows, are found here in
their perfection. The castle rises out Of
heavy wood, the noble trees Of which
cluster about its battlements like close
abattis One old tower, called Caesars.
is ancient and crumbling, the stones fair
ly honey combed by time. Guys Tower
and the adjoining battlements are IN
touched by decay. Irregular gray walls
separate the urt-yards from the streets
OF the village on one side, with vast plains
of rolling verdure beyond.
When visitors presented themselves at
the embatted doorway of the porter's
lodge, giving few vigorous raps, an old
porliere in black serge would appear, and
cheerfuly invite them into her lodge, a
square room under the massive gateway
where Guys armor was kept This form
er Earl of Warwick must have been a
giant to Judge by the size and weight of
horse and body armor, shields, breast
plates, walking stats, spears and fitting
poles. There was also rib of the dun
COW killed by the giant, the tusk and
shoulder-blade of wild bear, and an
immense double-edgcd sword, weighing
twenty pounds, which the great Earl
wielded then there was Spanish halberts
English maces. Italian daggers, a gener-
ais luncheon, and battle-aXes enough to
stock an armorer's establishment. But
the great curiosity shown to all visitors
was "Guy's punch This vessel
was made of the finest material and was
without a crack or flaw The old lady
assured her visitors that she saw this
bowl filled and empted eight times in one
night, when the present Earl attained his
majority. As it holds one hun ired and
two gallons, there must have been drunk
on that occasion over eight hundred gal
Ions, or more than three thousand two
hundred quarts Of punch! The number
of guests can be imagined.
Walking from his lodge toward the
castle, surprises of beauty met the travel
CT at every step. The path was cut
| through the solid rock, which was almost
covered with trailing vines and bright.
soft moses There were mounds Of
lowers and orchids everywhere, and the
earth was an elastic tapestry Of verdure.
Tall trees interlaced their branches above,
and formed leafy arcade extending to
the castle-hall Ascending flight Of
stone steps under majestic porch, visi-
ors entered the Gothic Hall, which, the
/ telegram says, was completely burned
out" This hall was wainscoted with oak
| darkened by age; on each panel was
| rD1 tI,a Il - t,II
| bear and ragged staff" The floors were
laid with red and white slabs Of marble
On the side walls ancient armor was hung,
with many trophies Of the chase. A copy
of Ruben's great work, The Battle Of
the Amazons, eXqulsitely carved in
wood was also in this great hall besides
many lesser works OF art The Red
I Drawing-room' was full Of interest, con
tanning treasures from Nandyke Rlbens
| Paul NerOnese. and other masters The
Cedar Drawing-room" contains some Of
the most valuable marbles. vases, bulls,
the paintings in England, among them 4
very beautiful "Circe." 10y Guido REM !.
The Gilt Drawing ROOM" 50 called from
the panels, ceiling and decorations being
all of gold, contained rare picture of
| 1@natus L0yola, the founder Of the Order
OF Jesala; also a portrait Of that Robert
| Dudley, Carl Of Leicester, whose roman
tic history is 50 closely connected with
that Of Queen Elizabeth and Keniworth
Among other valuable relics in the old
castle were the famous "keniiworth buff
fet On TIE oak panels of which was
carved the reception of Elizabeth by
Dudley the beautiful Warwick vase,
discovered at the bottom of 4 lake At I'll
voli,.and collection OF ancient arms and
armor The present owner Of the castle
added many treasures to those which tie
inherited