Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1875-04-02
L F1ER D1RK ~ TIE ABBEl.

and counted three or four bank notes.
ought not to have done this. Westmin-
Ster abbey is not a bank and though a
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 sug-
gest as religiously fit, still counting bank
notes is decidedly out of keeping with the
original idea Of church. My only ex-
cuse was, that as every one in the building
seemed TO have gone there for non -devo-
tonal purposes, it could make 10 great diff
ference If assumed for an axiom what
others merely took for a postulate. BE
this as it may, just AS was counting my
notes, through some suspicion that had
lost one ON the road, l observed a most re-
spectacle old gentleman standing within
half dozen yards of me, aud taking keen
cognizance Of my money. But let this fact
pass. The old gentleman passed. And
with him there went from my memory all
recollection of his gaze.
then strolled round the abbey.
Johannes Smith, armiger, Smithorum
Lincolniensium oriundus" WAS an inscrip-
ton that engaged my attention. "Lincoln-
iensium'' was more distinctive than the
somewhat promiscuous "Smithorum :" but
neither of the two could be said to individ-
ualize the particular identity of "Smith."
There was play len for fancy as TO "Smithi,"
even with the narrowing OF the county !;
aud | wondered whether that ancient Ro-
man family had originally come over with
Caesar.
As pondered these matters, | noticed,
almost touching me, gentleman aged per-
haps 30. ON a second glance satisfied my
inquiry that ii was the gentleman who
looked at my notes. But this did not mat /
ter. The gentleman, whoever lie might
lie, had right both to look at my notes
and at other objects of interest in the alb
hey. But at this PARTICULAR moment he
was not looking at my notes. His counte-
nance was uplilled with \ view TO the mon
ulnents, especially to the monument
of "Smith." lie had very white
hair. He wore very gold spectacles. His
Spectacles were of that demonstrative kind
which throws the rest of the toilet into the
NHdht. ~ ~ AuN BlONluNb VI kOlu HDcCtd-
cles TO obscure every detail OF even the best
dressed and most distinguished of men /;
and there are some gold spectaces in par
ticular which do this, such as those which
the Shah wore in London. The gentleman
in the abbey had this class OF spectacles.
They betoken0d mind accustomed 10
think, and eyes that even needed repose.
Less an ornament than meant for real use,
they Suggested library and tones. They
had, too, bulk that was costly. The gem
tleman himself looked costly. His specta-
c'es and himself were on a par--pre-emi-
mently financial aud sound.
lie wore a blue coat. 1t was buttoned
up to the throat. A white tie of immacu-
late purity surmounted the very blue coat.
Pantaloons of indisputable newness per-
iccted the downward proprietes; and
boots that tlistanced competition ended the
man. Result: aristocraiic. balanced at his
bankers, fine country seat, distinguished
old family, with a son perhaps in the army
on navy. This was the impression produc-
ed.
SO felt, when the gentleman turning
N'Nhiu WIN
smile, "You like arlH"
said that did, but that was not alto
pether proficient.
THE figure Is remarkably fne." he
kindly advanced for my instruction. "You
notice from whatever point you view it, the
eIlect is equally perfect. Look this way"
1 looked. hut | hazarded the remark
that but partially admired the beauties
of the figure referred to. | thought that a
lady contemplating medallion on which
was martial countenance, was, to say the
least of It., somewhat uninteresting, and
unworthy of Westminster abbey.
lie replied like man who deigued tc
answer me. There was blandness of AL.
thorliy in his way OF speaking that did moi
admit Of contradiction. He delivered an
opinion like one who decided not like one
who opened an argument.
! was glad to have guide who had view.
OF his own. Having gone into the abbey
to waste'my time, | thought | might now
Improve II.
These monum, nts,' he continued, "arC
badly arranged. They are heaped togeth
er " ithout plan. Admirable some of then
In the merits Of art, they are spoiled by
Idea or location. There is a want Of har
mony and whole. What a contrast, In
deed, between the exquisite thought i'm
pressed on the glorious pile, and the paltry
attempts at mere human praise chiseled OF
the most Of these marbles How the pas
stems TO weigh down the present! How
small are we to-day, compared with tn,
founders of this church g.
I fancied that this seemed learned BY
heart. 1t was very well spoken, and If /
was his own, it was evident he was a maj
Of education. | concluded that the idea
were his own, because they were consist
ent with his "form.' But who shall tel
whether a man is original in the first II v,
minutes of his acquaintance? Certainl,
the words had that sort Of sound which i'm
Piled they had been said once before, ant
might perhaps he said once again. 1t strucl
me as accidental that was the recipient O
wisdom which was prepared and sentence,
for delivery. And then, too, there is a wa,
Of saying good things which shows that tn
talker wishes to elevate himself, mucI
more than TO do Justice to his theme AM
my frieud's depreciation of Westmlnste
sculpture was obviously the exaltatlon Of
my friend. replied in few words, jus
10 show that Understood both himself an,
the remarks he had made. but he took n
his theme aud expanded It.
"The uses of the abbey" he declaIns,
in irritation, ''are simply lnfantile and i'm
beetle. Compare that roof, these walls
this idea, with the grasp OF the dean an
chapter II is a fabric of really great min
chattled by mere children's toys"
This was sublime. thought it tlesira
BILE to say that agreed with him. Nc