The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-07-31

LennoX famiy. On our way retufh'hS |
we see perched away upin the ait on q
tremendous rock Dumb arton Castle, the
place of Wallace's loag confinement.
Among the many pleasant daily trips
none were more charming than the one
to Dry burgb and Abbotstord and Mel
rose. A party of fourteen, all acquaint-
ances mnde on our vessel, started In sn
open wagon for these noted spots. we
found as many others waiting to go
through this home OF the poet and novel
ist, and it seemed strange to ind 1t locat-
ed in low spot whilst around we're so
many more inviting placies. fsylng
the shilling required, for the de-
scendents of Sir Walter have u love
OF the filthy lucre, we were
shown through the drawing room, hbra
~ and armory in rather hssty manner.
We gazed with much interest on the
multitudes of gifts made Sir Walter oy
his admirers, rs well as those which MS
own love of the antique had gathered.
Here was Napoleon'S writing desk, IN
green velvet and gold, taken from Wa
terloo; Rob Roy's purse empty us truei
but 1t was not al ways so; and Helen Nc
Gregor's brooch, odd in shape, ouL very
chsste and tasty. On either slGe .; tue
door TO the library are two most pe'ieCt
portraits OF Mary Queen OF Scots, SAID
to be the only true ones-One In ner Iuli
beauty, and the other her head, alter eA-
ecution. Close by is one OF Hogarts' by
himself, and that of Sir Walters mother
and himself al thirty-fve years OF age
Not less interesting is his own secretary
and writing desk used by him alone Tor
twenty wears, and close by large vase
filed with rose leaves, gathered, tbs SAD,
bv his own hands, faded and IN dust, Dut
not so his memory, for time can never
etface it. In glass case yoI see his old
fashioned white hat, slippers, stockings
dressing gown and cane USED but uay
before his death-and everything Is KepI
lust as he left them. l would weary you
should | attempt an enumeration OF the
presents made hun, or the collection OF
arms, and escutcheous gathered ana as
played here; you could amuse yourseil
for hours and with much profit 1ou
depart rs you enter, through large
square ward III sod aud flowers,
high wall covered with ives, with
n green house at one side. Aelrose Alb
bey is one of the finest specimens OF &C.
clesiastical architecture, and although
founded in 100, some of the carving Is
rs perfect as when done Within It's
ruined walls are the remains OF kings
and mobiles. Before the high altar is the
heart of Robert Bruce, and the remains
OF the Black Douglas, and in corner ali
that is LETT OF Michael Scott, as sung
Of by the poet-looking down on whom,
far up 10 the ruined arches, are perfect
statues OF Peter and Paul, although the
storms and rains OF centuries have beat
upon them. As favor, the old lady, our
guide, took US into the clo!ster, and al
though the walls were much damaged
BY Cromwell's forces, yet here
YOU will see slmOss every
specimen OF leaf and irust
in exquisite carving on stone, as perfect
and whole as though done to day. l
strolled along the walks and aches,
where the feet OF monks and priests had
trodden in days long passed, and as l
plucked pansy from an old tombstone,
wondered Of the deeds and acts here
done and the chants that were here
sung. How long Will these walls stsnd2
for swinging above me are the weights
Of clock now 200 years old, and this Is
considered new, modern. A notice
pasted on door close by, as l passed
out, gave me an idea Of some things mod
ern / was not aware of, and it read as
follows: "All persons not taking out
licenses for the following will be fined
ten pounds For each man servant en-
pIoyed, twenty shillingsi for each dog
kept, five shillings; for each gun kept
fifteen shillings"
1t is an agreeable change to observ
the customs Of the past, and place by
them the customs of the present. do
not think our hunters would like this
little tax on guns. A ride of an hour
brings you to the most lovely ruin OF
Dryburgh. st Mary's aisle and chapel
is where Sir Walter, wife and son are
buried, and by his special request. The
beauty of this spot can only be realized
by seeing it, for it Is perfect picture,
one other alone in England exceeding it
that of Stirling Castle. | will only
met ton ore other of these pleasant ex-
cursions, and that is to Hswthornden
and Rosslyn Chapel, the finest OF the
Gothic remains in Scotland.
.'Still on this spot Lord Marmion stayed
For fairer scene he ne'er surveyed"
know you would not object should 1
,ell you of Ayr and of Robby Burns, and
Of "Alloway's auld haunted kirk im
mortalized in his Tam OShauter, or of
the banks of the Doom, where he COM
posed MAN was made to mourn" but of
these again. We leave tomorrow for
London, taking in York and Durham
Cathedrals. l have spent u good time
among old ruins and dead meas bones,
and now want TO see real live city. By
the attentions OF DR.. CuGningham's kind
trends, l have cards for grand recep.
ton by the city TO the strangers and
delegates, through the Lord Provost, but
rs troveler does not carry the requisite
toilet, shall decline, although it is under
stood dress coats, &c, will ROt be required.
SO | shall close this rambling letter,
thrown together without thought or care.
And let me Just say that l have enjoyed
reading the REGISTER very much, sent
mo by your kindness, as we received
them in good time from our bankers. 1t
is very pleasant reading in strange
lsnd. ). l..