Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-04-08
TRIP TO EUROPE.
By JOHN 8. BENDER, Esq.

On Sunday morning December the 10th
1874, We arose after 10 hours sound sleep
feeling somewhat dull. The cloudiness
of the sky, and continual rain, contribu.
ted nothing to oGr cheenulness-in fact
we had no cheerfulness to contribute TO
Under such circumstances cheerful
countenance is like sunshine to droop
ing flower. found number here, yet
like the rusty iron plate which absorbs
the rays of the sun without rejecting any.
felt too that was drawing comfort from
my surroundings. without the ability
to return an equivalent If any sensitive
person wants to feel humble, let him or
her place themselves where they receive
blessings without the power to recipro-
cate. Just such predicament was | in
on that Sunday morning.
In the midst of gloomy meditations JOY
often comes from a source from whence
least expected. Caroline Blundell. one
of the four sisters whose early education
most attractive, as we'll as courteous,
young ladies of South England invited
me to accompany her to church. 1t is
not strange that under the circumstances
we should feel embarrassed; but when |
saw that the proposal was intended |
gladly accepted the honored invitation,
and not even the rain or solemnity of the
occasion had the effect to mar my happi-
ness. We had desire TO attend one of
the churches of England and now the
opportunity presented itself The beauti-
ful church of Luke was just across the
street, for which we started Alter gain.
ing admission, to my great astonishment,
as we'll as chaerin, We were conducted
just one half mile. to front pew. Caro-
line and myself were put in the same pew
This increased my diffidence but when l
looked around and saw the ladies' and
gentlemen sitting promiscuously all over
the room the embarrassment subsided
Ii occurred to me that the seating of the
sexes promiscaously, even in CHURCH,
was much more natural than, as | have
seen in II iew of our American churches,
the husband and wife enter at the same
door and Immediately separate, the man
taking one, aud the woman the other ex
ri ,all
she had a child. two years old, that would
irot back and forth from father to mother
during service, to the great
annoyance of the minister and and his
audience. Children running over the
audience room OF an English church, du
ring service, is unknown
As il is my usual custom. W hen among
strangers, To conform to their customs as
near as can be without q sacrifice oi prin-
clpe, lduring prayers / knelt, sat, or
stood. according To rhc exigency OF The
case, and in imitation of those families
with the ceremonies. Not being accus-
toned however To that form of worship.
| found ii difficult 10 pass through the
without committing blum
.lers; hence without any Irreverence, or
iisrespect, deliberately took my seat,
which occupied without the motion of
A muscle Except that of my eyes) during
the service. This ignorance on my part
afforded better opportunity for obs erva-
ton.
ST LrKE's CHURCH,
like most churches in England. is long
and narrow. and finished in STYLE which
gives it rich and solemn, rather than
cheerful appearance.
PRAYERS were conducted bv % or more
boys, dressed in white surplices, assisted
by the Pastor; during which the rongre
CATION preserved the utmost order and
decorum After prayers the Rev. Mr..
Few delivered sermon To IN almost
b'eathless yet appreciative congregation,
which occupied one half hour Alter this
the congregation was dismissed, and we
returned well satisfied.
Monday and Tuesday, the eth and 9Th,
the continual rain and general inclemen
cy OF thy weather prevented further Obser-
vatIon, and we had To be content to re
main in doors until Wednesday the 9th
This morning our baggage is arranged in
view of taking a final leave of Southamp-
ton but before doing SO, if pardon is gran
ted | would like to say few words about
the
BLUNDELL FAMILY.
1t consists of Joseph and Emma, the
father and m other; three ons Joseph A.,
Frederick John, and Herbert; and six
the following four of whom
were at home; Sarah + Alice May. Caro-
line f.. and Annie, the latter OF whom
will be married tO a gentleman in Liver
pool before this article is in print During
my stay here, had the opportunity of par
taking of the hospitality of an aristocraii ic
English host and hostess, without being
to endure the austerity and
usually attending distinction III
race Punctual IN business, rigid, yet not
bisoted, in morals, freedom in cunversa
tion. and The greatest latitude in the di-
rectior Of innocent n.irth ana amusement,
c c'npels ne 10 say that do not remtm
Der ever having met family where grea-
ter sunshine fingered. l consider IL one
q, The toriuna,e events Ot my life 10 have