Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-07-23
LETTER FROM HON. j. j. EFELETH.


LETTER FROM HON. J. j. EFELETH.
STEAMER "DAGxAR, TN THE GULF OF }
FINLAND, TWO HOURS FROM
ST PETERSBURG, july 4,h. 1873. }
TO the Editor of the Journal
Az you kindly requested line from me &C.
casionally, l cannot more agreebly celebrate
the day than BY giving you short narrative o.
my meanderings since your parting benedic
ton on the cath Of May.
Crossing the Atlantic is now SO common
that need only say, the Cunard steamer "si
beria," had calm and pleasant voyage o
about eleven days. But one painful inciden
occurred. namely. tie loss Of young man,
sseerage passenger, who, in a fit of deiiriun
tremsns, thinking the devil was in hot chase
after him, jumped overheard to escape hi
clutches, and was drowned before our eyes.
Let rum drinkers make note of it.
An honrs' ride by rail from Liverpool brings
us to the old city Of Chester. The objects of
special interest here are: first. the large and
venerable Cathedral now undergoing
thorough renovation, and the ancient walls
around the city, now utilized as promenade
At one single of 1t stands high brick tower,
the portal of which is appropriately guarded
BY n ancient dame, who, for the moderate
charge Of three pence, allows you to ascend
to the top and stand on the very spot where
Charles the First had the pleasure Of standing
800 years ago, and seeing the utter rou, of his
army on the plains below.
In about four hours from Chester, passing
honest Jack Falstaffs Shrewsbury clock, and
through the murky region Of Woolverhamp-
ton and Birmingham, we come to the city and
Castle Of Warwick, once the home of the
Great Earl Of old times, and well worth VISIT
both from its historical renown and its pres
ent beauty. From thence it is but few miles
to the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, so familiar
still remains to show its extent in the days
when Leicester entertained Queen Elizabeth
there with princely magnifcence, while his
unhappy wife was suffering such indigni'ies in
the same castle. In the old soldiers hospital
ct Warwick, which visited, they preserve
with almost sacred care in glass case, a
specimen Of the needle work of Amy Rob-
sarter, ~ : memorial of her beauty, her sor-
row and her tragical death.
The city and University of Oxford next
drew my attention, and day may be spent
very agreesbly there in traversing its venera-
Bile halls, colleges, libraries and extensive
groves, particularly by those who relish the
racy story Of "Tom Brown Of Oxford"
Then comes London, with its three and a
half millions ofpeople. shall attempt no des-
cription Of this city, but recommend you to
visit It on the FIRST convenient opportunity and
zee for yourselves, perhaps after a months
survey you will be able to comprehend some
thing Of its vastness and msgnifcence, Its
glory and its shame" l was glad to find
Dore Gallery open, containing his last and
ereatest painting, "Christ leaving the Pi@to-
rium,"' on his way to Calvary. Any words of
mine would be inadequate to give yau a cor
rect idea OF j.. You know the story to
which ii closely adheres, and ! will say the
CANVAS Is thirty feet long and twenty feet
high, crowded with life size figures and that it
has been recently sold by him for six thou
sand guineas.
On arriving in London l found great pre-
partitions 10 pfogress for the reception of the
Shah Of Persia, and concluded to remain and
see the show, and truly 1t was most royal and
magnificent. What he has ever done to be
worthy of il passes my knowledge. He is a
Pagan and poly gamist and about fifth rat
potentste over a few half-civilized provinces
in AsiA--bnt fraction of Persia in the time of
Diarus. His person, 1t Ia said, was covered
with diamonds and other jewels Of inestima-
Bile value, while only last year contributions
we're sent from England to feed his starving
subjects. This reception suggest the thought
that with all their good and great qualities, the
English seem 10 show an undue respect for
mere rank. The gradations from the throne
downward are SO strictly defined and main.
tanned, that it will be long before the
views Of one of their greatest writer's, the
late John Stuart Mill, will be received and
the toiling millions will still continue TO sup
port an aristoeracy that lives in luxury on
their labor and keeps them in rigid suhservi
ency.
left London on the 2lst of June in the
swedish steamer ''Nautiius," and had fine
trip across the North sea and up the Baltic TO
oteekheim, passing the famous castle of Hell !
slnofs, the scene Of Hamlet, and where toll
~ eAAe.ed by Denmark of ships of all ma
t.ons sAMing through the straits. until i, W as
abolished, think 10 1854. through the ener-
getic remonstrance Of our government, Tho
company on the Nautilus was unusual,v ~.
1acuve. One OF them, very intelligent
1ngiisn lazy from Assam In India. gave us in
teTesting accounts Of that distan, land
Asotkee lady added much TO our en;ovmar,
BY her Fs@srkable skill as pianist. As she
10 . professional character ] may properiv
give her name, Miss A. LindbeYg, then re-.
turning 20 her home In Finland after q sue
cessful tour In Berlin, London and other cities.
She vas for several years . pupil of List