Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-12-23

his History of the World. Sir Walter wa
committed to the Tower on suspicion of his be
ing implicated in plot to place on the thron
of England the Lady Arabella Stuart. neice Q
Mary, Queen of Scots. He was released afte
twelve years captivity, but was again impris
oned and finally beheaded in 16l8-it is said
to please his enemies, the Spaniards. who's
favor was sought by King James; Sir Walter.
prowess had too often defeated the Spanlard
for them not to rejoice in his ruin. His talent
as warrior, statesman, ana an autnor, Wer
great. In the White Tower is also 'one OF tn
finest and most perfect specimens OF Norman
refer to st Johns Chapel. 1t has semi-cir
cular termination at the eastern end, (which
will be observed in the southeastern view o
the exterior of the White Tower j and th'
twelve massive pillars which divide the nav'
from the aisles are also arranged In seml-clr
Gle at the eastern end The pillars are unitet
by arches, which admit the light into the nave
from the windows in the southern aisle. a
gallery with arches corresponding to those be
low is above the pillars. The columns. arches
&C., of this interesting Chapel are all facet
with Well-fnished stones retaining the marks
of the tool and laid in courses with thick joints
of mortar The very substantial and enduring
character of the work, apart from its architec
ture, (which [ admire, teaches lessons OF hon
est and faithful workmanship. which in these
latter days might be extremely beneficial to oul
posterity. when it comes their turn to dwell IL
the structures built by those who preceded
them. The largest room in the upper floor
was used as Council room when the various
Kings held their court at the Tower. This is
a most elegant apartment, bearing the indell-
BILE stamp of antiquity in all its appurtenances.
T kIok fo1k kckn
its solid floor walked up the faintest echoes
upon those bare cold walls, we thought of how
many tales they could tell of mans inhuman-
ity to man." Here the Council is said to have
been assembled when the Protector Richard
Duke of Gloucester, ordered Lord Hastings
to instant execution in front Of st. Peter s
Chapel. The Council chamber, together with
the Banqueting room, are now used as Deposl'
tories for small arms. The arrangement oi
these weapons and their implements in various
groups and Devices so as to resemble flowers,
&c.. has been carried out with great artistic
skill Our warder appeared to take especial
pride In calling our attention to such display
of taste and skill, and we continually gave ex-
preston to our admiration of all that we saw
there were old fire arms and weapons of every
description that were out Of date and useless,
yet, they were happily utilized to ornament and
deck in most beautiful manner the walls and
ceiling of the rooms. What would you think
of large sun-fower made from old muskets
and pistols2 not very fragrant, surely You
would not care for slice from an immense
bride cake that was made Of ram rods, bayo-
nets, knives, &C., it would not be palatable OF
digestible- it2 | rather think not!-
War stores are now deposited in every part OF
the White Tower, Queen Elizabeth's Armory
excepted We saw 70 900 stands of the newest
and most improved rifles and muskets, all in
perfect order, waiting and ready for use. The
White Tower has figured prominently as for
tress, prison, Royal Palace, and finally as an
armory and arsenal 1t has history that con-
tains much more evil than good, much that is
better forgotten than remembered.
In the Bloody Tower is the tradltlonary scene
of the murder of the royal children, the two
sons of Edward ", 1883; the place was point
ed out to us at the foot Of a staircase, where
their bones were found; they we're supposed te
have been murdered by order Of Richard III.
Such is the tradition. An impenetrabe mys
terry wells their fate Tradition may err, and
we are willing to accept all doubts for the sake
of humanity; yet we do know that their crue
uncle, to whose care they were committed made
some disposition of them by which they were
lost to the world. and the crown that Richard
gained, after he had wickedly worn it awhile
was lost to him at the battle of Bosworth field.
and his dark career terminated, as it begun, in
blood. All of the Towers have their history
both good and bad, unfortunately the age in
which they fourished was not SO much en-
lighteued as the present, and the evil predomi-
mated. We are mostly given to look upon and
regard the Tower of London as great Prison,
and thus it is that We see most of its dark side.
We should not forget that it was originally q
mighty fortress and is still so it was built in
stern, warlike age, formed and fashioned to
suit the times and the purposes of a Conqueror,
who was destined to mould and form the charac-
ter of great people.
And again we must remember that 1t served
as royal palace for all the English Kings till
the time Of Charles H. These were the times
of its splendor and magniGcence, and there
were many pompous ceremOnials and grand pa
geants conducted within its walls. In those
days it was the custom for all the Kings and
Queens to proceed in great state at the begin
ming of their reigns, from the Tower to West
minister Abbey to be crowned. Old historians
give glowing accounts of the grandeur and spen
dor Of these occasions. So you see the old
Tower has served in various ways, since it first
frowned upon the waters of the Thames eight
centuries ago as Fortress, and if it has only
had place in History as Palace and Prison
it is still an impregnable bulwark of strength as
a Fortress Long may it be before the Tower
will have occasion to prove the mlghtiness o.
its strength. 1t is to be hoped that no future
history will have one page to tell of it in any
other capacity than that in which it is nov
known. May the contents OF its armory neve
be used in warfare, and the jewels and treasures
= Ir bo hvt 1rhf ff,,lo
The Jewel Tower is the safe receptacle of tht
State Regalia, Crown Jewels, &C., &c. Here
in small plain room, issdisplayed an immense
amount of treasure, representing many mil
lions of dollars, all for the sake of Royalty. :
It occurred to me, while looking at it, that i
was vast amount Of wealth laying idle ant
doing no one any good. 1t would run grea
number of mills and founderies, giving employ
ment to thousands of honest men. 1t is diff
cult to estimate the enterprise it would devel
op, the industries it would advance if convert
ed into ready cash
For me to attempt to tell you much NOR
about the Tower and what | saw there woul,
far exceed the limit of this sketch. A detaiet
account would fill volumes. What have al
ready written for your entertainment has beer
in random, disconnected way, and [ hav
dwelt in this article mostly upon the Tower a
Prison, because, TO us Americans, 1t Is In thl
respect that it is chiefly known. 1t is in thi
strain that will conclude what else 1 may say
The annals of the Tower as a State priso
are replete with gloomy and fearful events.
The list would be long one, should / emu
merate the renowned and notorious who hav
in the centuries past pined away 10 captivit
ed by tradition, is sad enough. As we passe
beneath the gloomy archway of the Traitor
Gate, could but pause to think for me
ment Of It's dark blood stained record