Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-30
NO. 311.
Daily Krnnetrl Journal.
MY Trip to Europe.


carriages were provided for us to view some
Of the notable buildings and sights in Lon
don. 1t would be tedious, if not impractica-
BILE, to describe particularly all the places and
buildings we visited. One of the most i'm
portant was the
Tower OF LONDON.
This il situated on rise of ground called
Tow.s II IN the north bank of the Thames.
1t is surrounded by high, castclated walls,
inclosing about ~ acres. What is called the
tower consists of a number of buildings,
either separate or connected, built at different
times and by different persons, and of various
heights and dimensions. Tradition has it
that it dates back to the time of Julius
Caesar. But the oldest building now standing
is the great central White Tower, which was
erected 500 years ago in the reign of William
the Conqueror. Inside, the scene is pictur-
esque, but the walls obstruct the outside view.
We had to wait half an hour before ''red
tape would admit us within the walls. There
were many other visitors, besides the Ameri-
can party, some of whom were French trav.
ellers. A guide went with us and explained
everything. The walls of the White Tower
are Is feet thick. We saw the prisons where
great men and women, in the dark past, had
been confined, and shuddered at beholding
the area where the state executions once took
place, where the blood of Sidney and Russell,
Anne Bolevn and Lady Jane Grey, and Sir
Walter Raleigh, Buckingham and Strafford,
and so many Others, was shed by the tyrants
in power. Also the room where it is affirmed
the two innocent young princes were smotk-
cred by order of Richard III. In one of the
towers, an immense display of arms and ar
NOR of all ages is shown. Full suits of steel
armor, worn by knights of old, also spears,
lances, battle-axes, pistols, guns, swords,
shields, helmets, &C., abound. Several stories
of large building are filed with arms, ar
ranged in regular order. some of them in fam
tastic figures. Then there is
-"that chamber of the tower
Where England's soyereigns sit in long array,
Their steeds bestrding, every mimic shape
Cased in the cleaning mail the monarch wore."
In the outside courts, cannon and mortars
are numerous, most of them taken in battle.
The last spectacle shown was the crown jew
els, in tower separate from the others. The
jewels were inclosed by a strong iron grating.
There were numerous crowns, sceptres, rods,
stats. etc. The total value is estimated at
f4,000,000 or $40, 100000.
1t is a curious sight to see the wardens of
the tower, all aged men in antique uniform,
and also the guards or soldiers, who bear
the odd name of "beef-eaters.'
OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Leaving the tower, we passed the Mansion
House, the palace of the Lord Mayor Of Lon
don. Also the Bank of England, the leading
banking institution in the world, a massive
stone building, large on the ground, but low
rooted, incosed in solid walls, without a win
dow in them, but lighted inside with gas. We
next went into the Royal Exchange, where
the merchant princes of London transact their
business in buying and selling stocks; and
then into Guildhall, where the Mayor and AL.
dermen hold their sessions, and where the
sumptuous civic feasts of the city magnates are
eaten from time to time. T'he hall is in the
second story, and is $50 feet long, about 80
wide, and 50 in height. 1t contains numer-
ous statues of ancient and modern dgnita-
res. Thence we proceeded to
ST. PAuL's CATHEDRAL.
This is the most spacious edifice of the
kind in England, excepting York Minister. Its
exterior appearance is grand and beautiful.
Passing into the interior. the impression re-
ceived is that of its immense extent and
height. The monumental statuary in the ca
thcdral abounds. In the crypt, l noticed
monuments of Bishop Heber, Dean Milman
and others. Many of the party climbed into
the dome, which is Of great height, and COM
mands an extensive view of London, as By
ron calls it,
"A mighty of brick, and smoke and shipping"
We re-entered our carriages, and rode to
the West end of London, where are the homes
and haunts of the English aristocracy, the
headquarters of wealth and fashion. Our
route led us through Picadilly, and other IA
nous street, where the upper ten do most
" congregate, and alongside of Hyde Park,
the most noted resort for people of rank and
''bluc blood in the metropolis The park is
extensive magnificent, and well kept. Some
of our party, at another time, went into the
park. at the hour of most fashionable resort,
and beheld splendid concourse of the ''beau-
tv and fashion of London promenading
through the avenues,
At the main entrance of Hyde Park, is the
ALBERT MEMORIAL.
erected in memory OF the late Prince Con-
sort. This is the finest modern work of art
as monument for the dead in Great Britain,
if not in Europe. Ii is very large and high,
and its whole cost is stated to have been about
81 go, 600 Ii has a massive base, assembled
on all sides by a succession of steps. At the
four outer corners, are pedestals, surmounted
by embematic figures, human and animal,
representing Europe, Asia, Africa and Amer
lea. The upper part of the base is of fine
white marble sculptured in relief with the fg
ures OF the distinguished scholars, scientists,
historians and poets of all ages and countries.
The central section of the south front has
the statues in relief of Homer, Shakespeare,
Chaucer, Milton. Goethe, Schiller, Dante,
Pythagoras, Virgil, Cervantes and MOliere.
The remainder of the south front, and each of
the other three fronts, are filled with the like
figures of other illustrious men, all in char
actcristic positions. This work has been ex-
ecuted by some of the most famous sculptors
of the age. There are several hundred Of
these sculptured figures, some in groups, and
some single Above are four marble pillars,
with number of statues, in the centre of
which, mounted on pedestal by itself, is the
figure of Prince Albert. The whole is sur
mounted by tall and graceful spire of carved
open work, giving a crowning finish to this
splendid monument. In full view are the
lawns and avenues, the flower borders and the
stately trees of Hyde Park, the Oldest and
most popular of the public parks of London.
South Kcnsington Gardens are close by
Hyde Park, and we visited South Kensington
Museum, one of the finest in London, where
we saw an abundance Of paintings and Curl
osities stuffed birds and animals statuary &c.