Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-10-14

or define, and which no one her
would define If he could, and of which
there Is nowhere any written or au
thoritative record of the Constitution
of England. Compare this condition
of things with the carefully writer
payer which Is our Constitution, anC
you have some idea of the organi,
differences of the two governments
the one growth, the other q pur,
construction. This fact is the grea
; and foundation difference between
English aud American politics, anC
the reason why the acts of one are Of
ten no precedent for the other.
AS a matter of fact Dean Stanley, AZ
any strong man would in similar po
sition, feels bound to act as the prophet
and Interpreter of the English people ii
the discharge of this unique and singu
: larly high trust, and does as have all the
! Deans of Westminster before him
: While the exercise of such sole and ir-
responsible power looks dangerous tC
the American mind, accustomed to the
large distribution of responsibilities and
the delicate balance of powers, 1t has
} many advantages apparent at glance,
The popular feeling generally obtains
its will, but it is regulated, restrained
perhaps for a time, by the sounder and
truer judgement of an educated and cul-
tivated man, who can also by his power
of veto not only prevent indec0rous
burials, which might be forced under
temporary impulse or immature senti-
ment, but save the building from the
proclamation of crude inscriptions, born
of ignorance, passion or bad taste. In
deeed, the present Dean has done an aC-
knowledged service, not only in Eng
land, but to the English language, in
the regulation of the mural legends and
inscriptions which have been placed in
the Abbey during his long incumbency.
As a whole work they show II marked
force, elegance and good taste that in
future times will be noted and remem-
bered to tho credit of our century.
A MONUMENTAL EPIToME OF ENGLISH
LIFE.
A stroll thraugh the aises and clois-
ters of this great church awakens the
echoes of history and starts associations
almost at every step which lead you to
the outer confines of our knowledge
political, religious and social-of our
selves.
Here in the Ancient Chapter house, n
perfectly circular room, on the rude of
stone benches continuous around the
wall in three tiers, without arms or rail-
ing or rest of any kind for three hun
dred years sat the parliamcuts Of Eng
! land.
Here, in the Jerusalem Chamber, n
modest kind of vestry room. storied in
legend rs the death scene of Henry w.,
juggled by u prophcsy, was framed and
published "The Shorter Catcchism," !"
that famous compendium Of Presbytcri-
an belief How many Of oUr Pennsyl-
vania Prcsbytcrians ever think of the
"Assembly Of Westminster divines" us
assembled at this historic Anglican ccn-
tre2
In this same room sat and worked the
men who produced the Revision of the
Book of Common Prayer In the form In
which 1t Is now used in England. And
to keep up the chain Of historical tradi-
ton In this line, the modern "Commit-
tee for the Revision of the Bible" Is to-
day sitting In this chamber invested with
such distinguished ecclesiastical assoclO-
tions.
Here once was the "treasury Of the
Kings of England" and here now all
the official gold and silver standards of
the coin of the realm are under royal
lock and key.
Here, too, opening out of the Deans
private study, is the simple closet, now
disused, but which once served for the
keeping of the crown jewels and reg0la,
of which the dean and chapter are still
the legal and constructive keepers, and
which, on the eve of the coronation day
of every monarch, are yet brought To
Abbey and kept there over night, that
they may be ready for the ceremony OF
the mornlng--for the coronation of ov-
cry king or queen of England takes
place IN this church In front OF the chap
cl of Henry VII. These Jewels are the
gorgeous collection Of crowns and coro'
nets and sccptrc. and royal swords and
gold and silver and diamonds familiar tt
MI who have visited the Tower Of Lon
don. although IN tlIc constructive keep
Ing of the Abbey, these regal valuablc'
are by statue IN the actual charge as dc
poslls of the constable Of the Tower
who Is supposed to have the safest place
IN the kingdom either for State prison
crs or State property.
Here, IN silent admonltory state
among the dusty tombs Of the sovcr-
eIgns who have sat In II, stands the coro
milton chair. Under lis seat, aud par
of It now, the famous "Stonc of Scone,
the rude throne Of the old Ssoitisl
chIefs, and which Scottish tradition ant
rclc-worship assert to be the very ston'
on which the patriarch Jacob rested hi
head for pillow when he slept and saw
his glorious vision Of power aud lonl
life and Gods ptotcctlon--"ihe Shcp