The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1875-03-12
MistellAnEons.
AFTER DARK IN THE ABBEY.

It was tho 4th of December, 1873, at
quarter past four in the afternoon,
when strolled into Westminster Alb
hey. 1 had no thought of going there
but to stroll Just as entered-inhar-
moniously, I admit took out purse
from nay pocket and counted three or
four bank-notes. I ought not to have
done this. Westminster Abbey is not
a bank; and though good deal is done
in Westminster Abbey which might be
done more appropriately elsewhere, and
a good deal is not done which the nature
of the place might suggest as religiously
fit, still, counting bank notes is decided
ly out of keeping with the original idea
of church. My only excuse was, that
as every one in the building seemed to
have gone there for non-devotional pur-
poses, it conld make no great difference
if 1 Iassuned for an axiom what others
merely took for postulate. Be this as
it may, just as l was counting my notes,
through some suspicion that had lost
one on the road, I observed n most re
spectacle old gentleman standing within
half dozen yards of mo and taking
keen cognizance Of my money. But let
this fact pass. The old gentleman passed
and with lin there went from my mem
ory all recollection Of his gaze.
I then strolled round the Abbey.
"Johannes Smith, armiger, Smithor-
nm Lincolniensium oriundus," was an
inscription that engaged my attention.
"Lincoluicnsium" was perhaps more
distinctive than the somewhat promiscu-
ous "Smithorum, but neither of the
two could be said to individualize the
particular identity of Smith. There
was play left for fancy as to "Smith, y
even with the narrowing of the county,
and wondered whether that ancient
Roman fnmily had originally come over
with Caesar.
As Il pondered these matters, l noticed,
almost touching me, q gentleman aged
perhaps sixty. On a second glance
satifed my inquiry that it was the same
gentleman who had looked at my notes.
But this did not matter. The gentle
man, whoever he may be, had a right
both TO look at my notes and at Other
objects of interest in the Abbey. But
at this particular moment he was moi
looking at my notes. His countenancC
was uplifted with view TO the monu
ments, especially to the monument Of
''Smith." He had very white hair. He
wore very gold spectacles. Ills specta-
cles were of that dcmonstrative kind
which throws the rest of the toilet into
the shade. 1t is tho province of golC
spectacles to obscure every detail o
even tho best-dressed and most distin
guished of men; and there are som'
gold spectacles in particular which d
this, such as those which the Shah wor,
in London, The gentleman in the Alb
hey had this class of spectacles. The.
betokened a mind accustomed TO thinl
and eyes that even needed repose. Les
an ornament than meant for real use
they suggested a library and tones
They had, too, bulk that was costly
The gentleman himself looked costly
His spectacles and himself were on
par-pre-eminently financial and sound
He wore blue coat. 1t was buttone'
up to the throat. A white tie of immac
ulate purity surmounted tho very blu
coat. Pantaloons of indisputable new
ness, perfected the downward proprie
ties; and boots that distanced compeh
ton ended the man. Result: Aristo
cratic, balance at his bankers, fine ooun
try seat, distinguished old family, Wit
son perhaps in the army or navy
This was the impression produced.
50 felt when the gentleman, turning
coward me, inquired with a large il
coined smile; "You like artl"
1 said that did, but that was nc
altogether a proficient.
''This figure is remarkably fine" h
kindly advanced for my instruction
seYou notice, from whatever point yol
view it, the effect is equally perfect
Look this way"
1 looked. But I hazarded the re
mark that / but partially admired tn