Daily Republican., 1879-11-28
Letter from Eng land. 4.

J Letter from Eng land.
Correspondence Of the Daily Republican.
SOUTHAMPTON, Eng, Nov. IA, 1879.
MRssKs. EDTogs Remembering your
kind Invitation to send an occasional
letter to the REPUBLICAN during my 80
journ abroad, | take pleasure in thus
complying with your request. Where
so many have described the ocean voy-
age and life on ship board, shall not
undertake to enter into any details
thereof. Indeed, my experience at sea
generally is of such a nature Us does
not make me, fear, very impartial
witness as to the benefits or delights OF
such mode Of travel. The description
which best suits my own views Is that
which would classify it as sort Of hy-
brid between q prison and hospital.
With such prejudices 1t will not sur
prise you to learn that when 1t was an
nouncsd that we we're within sight OF
the "Needles my spirits rose to uu-
wonted buoyancy, and the green slopes
and meadows Of the Isle Of Wight
seemed to me the very perfection of
beauty. The steamer appeared to 80
more slowly than ever, and yet amid
the preparations for landing the time
after all went by pleasantly. The GUS
tom house officials being easily satisfied
that we had no coptraband articles in
our baggage, we were not long in reach
ing our hotel and ordering meal
which we could hope to eat and retain.
The next day we secured lodgings in a
very eligible portion of the city, and
became at once domicled comfortably
among our English cousins.
Southampton is of itself town of
ancient and Interesting history, and
contains many objscts worthy OF more
than passing inspection, notably
among which are its quaint old Bar
gate with its curious paintings and
statues, the remains of the venerable
walls and towers, its edd, winding
streets, with here and there pictur-
esque wooden and stone houses Of by
gone styles OF architecture, its vast and
substantial docks filled with shipping
from all parts of the world, and its
magnificent avenue and public parks,
some Of which are remarkable for the
mbination of woodland and heath,
with which they abound. Its climate,
too, makes it a pleasant and healthful
resort in both summer and winter.
AS a centre for excursions, by land
and water, into many Of the most in
teresting and charming portions of
England, it has considerable advan-
tages. Close to the town lies the New
Forest, the romantic beauty and his
torical importance of which are uni.
versally acknowledged, and which at
ford material for several excursions.
TIE ruins Of Netley Abbey are almost
within sight Of the quays, and are
Justly considered as among the most
handsome in the Kingdom. A stroll of
six or seven miles takes you to Broad
lands, the ample and elegant estate OF
Lord Palmers:on, and short distance
beyond to Romsey, with its grand old
Abbey Church. one of the finest speci
mems of Anglo Norman architecture ex-
tant, and admirably restored within
few years at a cost Of something like
CSC, 900. Its large and handsome west
window Is in memory Of Lord Palmers-
ton, who seems to have been held in
high esteem by his neighbors, bronze
statue of him also adorning the market
place of the town. Winchester is not
far off, with its stately and interesting
cathedral, the college founded by Will
liam of Wykeham, the hospital of st.
Cross, its Roman remains, and many
other attractions which have not time
to enumerate. Salisbury, too, is but
short trip, and one never tires Of seeing
its renowned cathedral, perhaps the
finest type of early English architec-
ture in existence, while its earthworks
and remains of old Sarum, and the Gu
rious monuments at Stonehenge will
add greatly to the interest of a journey
in at direction. The Isle "f Wight Is
within very easy reach, and this lovely
spot will afford pleasure enough for
stay of several days, while the Channel
Islands put in a claim also for some of
our time, which will he well spent in
seeing and studying part Of the Brit
ish Kingdom which in some respects is
thoroughly unique.
. And even nearer the city than some
of the places which have mentioned,
there are many villages and country
roads which are exceedingly attractive
to the pedestrian, embracing some OF
the most charming prospects Of wood
land and thickets amidst hedges of luz
uriant hawthorne and ivy, streams Of
water adding everywhere to a
variety ever pleasing and never weari-
some. As may be imagined from what
have already said, Southampton ia
CITY of no little commercial Importance.
It Is said to bs increasing more rapidly ,
in population than any town in the
South of England. Its business men
a. q intelligent and energetic, and the
lively competition existing between {
them does much to stimulate general {
1t is literally supplied with {
and chapels, and other means {
Of .ul,ure and refinement are numer- '
Gus. Chief among these may oe NEIL
toned the Hartley Institution, embrac-
ing very beautiful and imposing edi-
Hce with a large free library, reading
room, lecture hall, chemical, physical
and physiological laboratories, art gal. q
Iery, etc., and providing, at very small q
,ost, instruction in the various depart a
nents Of learning. 1t was founded by {
Mr.. H. X. Hartley, who at his death
beo ueathed 1t over 100000.
Recently this town, in common with
Ill other provincial towns, has been 8
very much exercised over the munici- I
osl elections which took place here at r.
he beginning Of the present month,