The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-09-06

sess no especial interest, without the world
renowned Blarney stone. OF our party
only one succeeded in the perilous feat o.
kissing it. The wit and life of the party
scotchman, stimulating us with the ole
song, again and again
There is Il stone there,
That whoever kisses,
Oh, he never misses
To grow eloquent.
| IT'S he may Chamber
To lady's chamber
Or become a member
OF Parliament.
From Barney Castle to Lakes of Killar-
ney, Dublin, Belfast, Giants Causeway
back to Dublin, and across the Channel to
Holyhead, Wales. The people of Ireland
found kind warm-hearted and hospitable
the cultivation in the North excellent
though not equal to that of England
Then to Chester with its old walls and col
lonades, with look at Eaton Hall, the
princely estate of the Marquis of West
minister; York with its truly grand Cathe-
dral-the whole people, the whole place,
quiet, happy and orderly, taking their cue,
as it were, from the majestic solemnity in
which their great minister is enshrined.
From York to Ripon and Fountains A bbey.
This old place, with its perfect cloisters
and surrounding parks of lakes, groves and
statuary surpasses, perhaps, anything we
have seen of similar character in the Uni
ted Kingdom. With speed we reach Edn-
burg, the capital of Scott and Scotland the
handsomest city in the kingdom, nature
and art combining to make it so. There
on huge, black, brow-beaten rock stands
the castle, rich in historical recollections.
Following the curious Canongate we meet
the Palace of Hollywood, traught with the
follies of Mary and stained with the blood
of RiZzio; still a grand place, with its
back ground of Arthurs seat and Sails
bury Craigs. The architectural displays
in the town are unique and innumerable
but we must hurry on to Abbotsford, the
home of Sir Walter Scott. We cross the
silver Tweed, full of the silver trout; we
see the chair, the study, the lair Of the
great lion. We steal through the glade
and see Melrose Abbey, almost by the pale
moonlight, and gorge with the splendor of
the whole. Thence naturally again to
Sterling Castle, the stirring strife of Ban
nockburn recalled by reviewing the fields
from the embattled towers appropriately
tenanted by soldiers killed as of yore, If
not armed with shield and claymore.
bennington, the very centre of England
and its surroundings, was the most attrac-
tive spot we have seen. 1t is a great re-
sort for invalids. The drives, roads,
parks, churches and ivy-mantled walls all
conspired to its attractions. Near by is
! Warwick Castle, one of the homes of the
Barons, when clad in mail they led their
warriors forth to fight, is preserved in all its
pristine beauty, although somewhat the
worse for fire which took place there
lately. Then Kenilworth, the glorious
ground on which trod Elizabeth, Queen of
Queens. Anon we look at Shakespeare
home and tomb his home while living,
his home when dead TO Oxford visiting
10 of the 26 colleges, and the fowery Isle
of Wight brings me to London.
A few words before closing of a general
character. Instead of the reserve and hau-
teur l had expected to find in mixing with
the masses and associating with people ofall
positions, l have met with nothing but
great kindness and hospitality everywhere.
What struck me most forcibly was the SOL
idity and cleanliness observable every
where in England, and also of their con-
tentment and loyalty, five can Judge ofthe
many displays we have seen.
FRIDAY, July 19th.-This date being
the anniversary of your correspondents
birth day, there's a natural feeling of re-
greet even at the departure of thirty years
and yet how short Indeed, strolling
among the ruins of centuries past, and yes
terday in the bloody Tower, with its re-
corded deeds almost life-like before US, and
brushing and cropping among the tombs OF
the crypts of st. Paul's and the Abbey,
almost feel myself as living in and of the
same age as my mute associates; but with
all the attractions, diversions and fascina.
tions of the old country, hail with pleas.
ure the rejuvenating prospect of a return
to the comforts of America, friends and
home. Il.