The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-30
London Letter From a Wheeling
lie.


LONDON, England, March 10, 1875.
Editors Of the In,eIIsenccE
Everybody, including even the school
children, has read or heard something
about the Tower OF London. 1t is fam
ous old castle. 1t is the connecting link
rs il were, between the present civiliza-
ton and the rude, and even barbarous
past in Englands history. 1t is the grim
and silent witness OF tragedies that would
ill volumes with truths far stranger than
fiction. It is the rugged monument OF m
age and history that is past and gone,
let us hope forever. Surrounded us it
is by modern improvements its heavy
walls, its towering citadel are gloomy
with the long shadows that reach back to
the Norman conquest.
a VISIT TO THE TOWER.
Having obtained ticket we waited in
the ante.room until party Of twelve hal
assembled, and then warden conducted
us through the different apartments. The
first room visited is known as the "Horse
Armory," where may be seen old and Gu
rious armor OF all ages and countries.
Shields, spears, lances, swords and hel.
NETS, and all kindred war material used
by King and peasant, cover the wallsand
ceilings. Here we saw the armor
worn by King Henry, the Eighth,
magnificent piece Of workmanship,
finely engraved and inlaid with orna-
mcnls Of gold. Adjoining this is the ar
mory Of the good Queen Bess, a room with
vaulted ceiling, and an interesting specl'
men OF early architecture. On the north
side Of the chamber is q massive door
opening into cell ten feet long by eight
feet wide, built in and forming part Of the
immense thickness OF the walls. It is a
horrid dungeon, receiving no ray OF light
except from the entrance.
Tradition states that these apartments
were the prison OF Sir Walter Raleigh,
the great navigator, that here he wrote
his history Of the world, Near the en-
trance Of the cell are numerous inscrip.
tions said to be the writing Of Budston,
Fame & Culpeppcr, who were implicated
in Thomas Wyatt's rebellion, which
proved 40 fatal to Lady Jane Grey. I'm.
mcdiately over this apartment, and in
space extending to the roof, is 81. Johns
Chapel, one Of the most perfect specimens
OF Norman architecture remaining In
England. In the early day eminent
Divines we're not burdened with filthy
lucre in the way OF salaries, for 1t is said
that the chaplain who officiated here
received but fifty shillings yearly. AT
what period it was stripped Of its orna.
men,s and furniture, and when 1t ceased to
be used for religious purposes mot known
The largest Of the upper rooms was used
as a council chamber, where Kings and
Lords sat In council. In this chamber ia
said to have assembled the council at
which the Duke Of Gloucester summarily
ordered Lord Hastings to instant cxecu-
ton in front Of St. Peters Chapel. The
council chambers, with the banQuetting
hall, arc now used as repositories for
arms, OF which there are said to be G5, 900
pieces kept in readiness for active SER
vice.
Leaving these chambers, so full Of rel.
les, so rcplete with historic "reminiscences,
we were shown the spot where stood the
block upon which Anne Boleyn and the
gentle Lady Jane Grey were beheaded.
As n relief, we suppose, TO the rather
gloomy feelings which the bloody history
Of this old Tower is calculated to inspire,
before leaving its walls We were shown
the English crown jewels, the brightness
and beauty Of which bear no trace Of time,
nor are dimmed by the gloom OF the silent
walls, dumb witnesses OF scenes more
thrilling than have come TO our time on
the pages OF history.
While passing the outer gate l heard
the strong English voice, like the roar Of
many waters, shouting "God Save the
Queen" and remembered that this was q
holiday IN the East End, and that II had
been but q few hours since l had seen the
Queen and the largest crowd ever
knocked elbows with. There was at least
million and a half Of people on the
streets.
1t was a special occasion, the Queen
had visited the East End to open a new
addition TO the London Hospital. The
royal procession was led by the Lille
Guards followed by vast crowds Of sol.
diers and citizens. The streets were lii.
orally strewn with AagS, banners and dec.
orations, a grand display otthe pomp and
curcumstance Of hereditary Institutions.
one cannot but admire the enthusiastic
love which the English people manifest
towards their Queen, but amidst all the
display Of flags and colors, to the Ameri-
can mind there was one thing wanting to
crown Il with the beauty Of perfection,
and that was the glorious stars and stripes
that float over "the land Of the free and
the home Of the brave" AMOS.
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