Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-12-30
lContinued from First Page. J

dence when in the city, and many other cost
ly palaces and public buildings.
Fortunately, although cloudy and smoky,
there was not much rain, until we returned TO
our hotel After that the rain came down in
torrents. Thus far we have not had a sunny
dav in England.
July l6 Yesterday we had fine day for
England, for although the sun hid his face.
there was no rain for the day. In the fore
noon, we went by rail to Sydenham, about
miles from London, to visit the
CRYSTAL PALACE.
The appearance of this structure, and its
surroundings. and the multiplicity of things
il contained. were suggestive of our Centen-
NAL Exposition at Philadelphia. 1t is like,
and yet very unlike. Ii consists of one i'm
mense building, covering a large area, but of
irregular shape, and on ground far from level.
The train of cars takes you directly into
part Of the building, and amongst statues and
curiosties. But there is an endless success
sion of tiresome flights of stairs, leading from
one part of the palace to another, and then
another. until you are wearied ont. and give
up in despair. Everywhere it is glass and
iron, so that there is no lack of light 10 see all
that is to be seen. There are almost in
Vulnerable paintings and statuary. Most of
the paintings were not very striking, though
here and there one exctes degree of inter
est. The statues are largely very nude fig
ures of both men and women. can imagine
no virtuous reason why this should be carried
TO such an extent. For instance, there was Il
very fine one of IA girl PRAYING but why
should she not wear a little drapery? Ii
would seem to be more appropriate as well
as more modest. There are here all kinds of
manufactured articles, and several species of
manufactures actually gsing on, as candy,
silk ribbons adorned with notices. flowers,
&C., some of which we purchased of the man
ufactnrers. The grounds about the palace
are quite extensive. and are ornamented with
trees, flowers, sfatuary, &C., in profusion
There was one very beautiful grove of exotic
trees, surrounded with brilliant flower Dor
ders, which attracted much attention and ex-
cited much admiration. Eating rooms abound
in the palace, and all sorts of liquors are free
ly sold. We saw large variety of stuffed
birds and animals; also figures of Zulus and
many other African tribes, some in warike
costume with their weapons, and some in fam
lilies. There are multtudes of plaster casts
offamous works of art in England and in
other nations. Books, merchandise and toys
are sold in different parts of the building. OF
course, many of the most valuable articles
were removed at the close of the great expo
sition, years ago, and only those remain that
are here for permanent exhibition or for sale.
There was great concourse of visitors be-
sides our party. This is said to be the case
the year round. During the dav, there was
a fine concert of instrumental music, by
skilled musicians. Concerts, exhibitions,
and all kinds of public shows, are of common
occurrence in the palace.
Weary Of standing and walking, and climb
ing up and down stairs, we returned to she
great metropolis,
"W here are the very stones that Milton rod,
And johnson, Garrick, Goldsmith, and the rest !;
Cheapsde, the Strand, Fleet Street and L;isigsts
Hifi,
Each name a very story in itself"
H. X r