The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-04
THE WEATHER YESTERDAY was clear, mild,
Rnmbles About London.

-
RRmbleS About London.
THE OLD AND TIE NEw-STGIKISG CONTRASTS
WESTMINSTER HALT-MEAORIALS OF RICH
ARD II.-PALACE YARD-CR0SBY HOUSE
GOLDEN-LANE-MILTON- - SCENES IN THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS-THE NACE-CHARAC-
TERIsTICs OF BRITISH SESATOHS-ABSENCE
or ORAToRY-THE PALACE OF WESTM1S.
STER-STATCES IN ST. STEPHENS KALI. AMI
! WESTMINSTER HALL-NEMOR1ES AND ASSO.
CIATIoHs-EvERYDAY PLEASURES OF LON
Don.
Correspondence of the New York Trbune.l
LONDON, August 4.-The American who,
having been a careful and interested reader
Of English history, visits London for the
first time, naturally expects to find the an
cicnt city in state OF mild decay; and he
is consequently Il little startled ut first upon
realizing that the present is quite as vital
as ever the past WAS, and that London anti
uuitv is, in fact. swathcd in the robes OF
everyday action, and very much alive.
When. for example, you enter Westsnin-
>ter Hal-"the great hall OF William Ru-
fus '-vou are beneath one or the most
glorious roofs in the world-a roof which
was built by Richard H., whose grave is in
the Abbey, Just across the street from where
YOU then stand. But this old hall has now
Il
Westminster. The Lords and the Commons
OF England, on their way to the houses OF
Parliament, pass every day over the spot
on which Charles /. was tried and con-
demncd, and on which occurred the trial OF
Warren Hastings. 1t is 4 mere thorough
fare-glorious though it be, alike in struc-
ture and historic renown. The palace
ward, near by, was the scene OF the
execution OF Sir Walter Raleigh but
all that now marks the spot is a
rank OF cabs and shelter for cab
drivers. In Bishopsgate street-where
Shakespeare once lived-you may find Crosby
IIousc-the same to which the Duke of Clos
ter requested the retirement OF Lady Anne.
| 1t is a restaurant now; and you enjoy capt.
! tai chop and excellent beer in the verltable
throne-room OF Richard III. The house OF
Cardinal Wolsey, in Holborn, is now shop.
Milton lived once in Golden-lane; and
Golden-lane was a sweet and quiet spot.
1t is 4 sum now, dingy and dismal, and
the visitor is glad to get out Of it. To-day
makes use Of yesterday all the world over.
1t is not in London, certainly, that you find
much OF anything-eXcept old churches
left to mOuldcr in solitude, silence, and neg
lcct.
Those who see every day the mace that is
borne through the lobby OF the House OF
Commons, although they are obliged on
every occasion to remove their hats rs 1t
passes, do not probably view that symbol
with much interest. Yet it is the same mace
that Oliver Cromwell insulted when he dis
solved the Parliament and cried out, Take
away that bauble" ! saw it one day on its
massage to the table OF the Commons, and
was very glad to remove the hat OF re-
spcct to what it signlties-the power
and majesty OF the free people OF
England. The Speaker of the House
was walking behind it, very grand in
his wig and gown, and the members trooped
in at bis heels, to secure their places by
being present at the opening prayer. 4
little later was myself provided with q seat
upon the floor OF the august asscmblage OF
British senators, and could observe ut case
their management Of the public business.
The Speaker was on his throne; the mace
was on its table; the hats OF the Commons
were on their heads; and over all this sim
gular, animated, everyday, and yet I'M
Dressive scene, the waning light OF summer
afternoon poured softly down through the
high, stained, and pictured windows Of one
OF the most symmetrical halls in the world.
1t did not happen to be day OF excitement.
The Irish members had not then be-
| gun to impede the transactions OF busl-
ness for the sake OF drawing attention TO
the everlasting wrongs OF ireland. Yet it
| was lively day. Curiosity on the part OF
the Opposition, and most dense, respect
ful dubiousness on the part OF her Ma!esty'S
representatives, were the prevailing condi-
! tions. thought had never before heard
so many questions asked-outside OF the
! French grammar-and asked to so little pur-
pose. Everybody wanted to know, and no.
body wanted to tell. Each inquirer took off
his hat when he rose to ask, and put it on
| again when he sat down to be answered.
Each Governmental sphinx barred bis brow
when he emerged to divulge, and covered it
again when he subsided without divulging.
The respect Of all these interlocutors
for each other steadily remained, how
ever, OF the most deferential and
considerate description; so that, with
out dscourtesy, it was impossible not
to think of Byron's mildest-mannered
man that ever Scuttled ship or cut throat"
Underneath this velrety, purring, conven-
| tional manner, one could readily discern
the fires OF passion, prejudice, and strong
| antagonism. They make no parade IN the
| House of Commons. They mean business.
And upon every topic that is brought be-
fore their notice they have definite ideas,
strong convictions, and settled purposes.
| The topic Of army estimates, upon the oc-
casion to which refer, seemed especially TO
rouse their ardor. Discussion OF this was
continually diversified by cries OF "Oh!,
and OF "HearW and of Order;"
and sometimes these cries smacked
more OF derision than of compliment.
Many persons spoke, but no person
spoke well. An otf-hand, matter-of-fact,
shambling method OF speecn would seem to
be the fashion in the British House OF Com
mons. thought Of the anecdote that De
Ouincey tells about Sheridan and the young
member who quoted Greek. 1t was easy to
perceive how completely out of place the
sonhomore orator would be in that assem-
blage. Britons never will be slaves to ORA
tory. The moment certain windy gentle
man got the floor and began to read man
uscript respecting the Iudian Government,
as many as forty Commons arose and walk.
ed out of the House. Your pilgrim like
wise hailed the moment OF his deliVerance,
and was glad to escape to the open air.
Books have been written to describe the
Palace OF Westminster put 1t Is observa-
BILE that this structure, however much ils
magnifcence deserves record, is deficient
as yet In the charm which resides in asso'
citation. The old Palace Of St. James, Wild
its low. dusky walls, its round towers, and
its fretted battlements, Is much more I'M
pressiye, because history has irelghted II