The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-25
LONDON LETTER.

time, especially after being in suS Spense 1of
a hours in n tog. To us the view was mora en-
oyable after we were safely brought to land. |
We sailed from New York on the 25th of June
and for days the sea W IS so calm that when IN |
the cabin it seemed as though we were in the |
spacious parlor of some great hotel. For many |
nights saw the golden tinted clouds in the |
west. and the sunset at sea. and like some mol |
ten body pass beneath the water. sending its
last rays in one line of gorgeous beauty to the |
ships side. We were soon out of sight of land. |
We scanned the whole horizon, but could see
nothing but one vast body of water. Soon. how
ever. we signaled steamer and met sailing
vessels of various kinds. One of the most in
sights ON board ship to me is to see
Mother Cary's Chicken Ia swallow not less
than a thousand miles from shore, following the
vessel for II considerable distance, riding grace
fully the long wave until he reaches the
crest, when after taking bath of spray. he
fiutters his wings, and rising. fies little way,
and then takes his seat upon the bosom o. the
sea.
All was pleasure and gaicty on board. Tai
ent and wealth were well represented. The
Britannia was n favoritc boat of the favorIte
" w hite Star Line.'' She cost when built. ST.
500 600. and $40 O0J have been expended upon
her SINCE in improvements. She is about 500
feet long and 81 feet wide, and of 5000 tons
register. w z ndu Oh UOdTu SVU CdDiu anu lOJ
stcerage passengers. She had every conven-
fence for comfort and pleasure. and she plowed
the sea at the rate OF from 343 to 375 miles
day, sometimes with canvas from three masts
all spread. We had fine musicians and cm-
nent speakers hoard; among whom was DIR.
Tiffany, the mos eloquent Methodist clergyman
of America, and who favored us one evening
with his celebrated lecture on the Yosemite
Valley. The Doctor preached to us on Sunday.
July Sd, and remarked that ii we would follow
the way of salvation mapped out. we would ss
surely reach the haven of eternal happiness as
that Capt Perry would reach the port of
Queenstown; but Capt. Perry didn't land at
Queenstown. He wanted to. but he was in
fog. and passed Queenstown many miles away.
After we were safely on land we smiled at what
the celebrated divine had said. 1he sermon
was not quite finished when a slight shadow
was thrown into the cabin, and quickly loOk king
out we saw a steamer close to our side. As
quick the vessel was seen telegram was
sent from the bridge "a look out) to the engin-
eer to reverse the engine but we barely escaped
Il collision. AS it grew dark many anxious eyes
were looking for light on shore. and none
more eagerly apparently than the officers. but
no light could be seen. The fog whistle gave
forth its ominous and dreaded sound through
all the night. Some seemed to be unaware of
the danger. and slept WE'LL while others passed
the long dark night in fearful suspense. Us
daylight appeared so came the fog. We stop
ped now and then to take sOundings. and then
moved on. At O'Clock we struck on a rock off
Kilmore, Ireland. Lucky for us that it was
morning-that no gale sprang up-that we had
| the day before to land $50 passengers. it
was Independence Day, and we should have
celebrated our National Anniversary, but we
didn't like the program. We had a sudden de-
sire to take little stroll with the Irish lads OF
Kimore.
We have written another letter for publica-
tion of the unloading of the cargo. of our pleas
| ant ride to Wexford, OF the beautiful scenery
| in the valley of Avoca and Clara of our arrival
| in Dublin. and our trip across the Irish Sea TO
| Holly head, and our pleasant visit to that old
| historic town of Chester, and our arrival in
London. We stopped at what is called Pad
dington Station, in the city, and there took the
| underground railway to a station near the ho
| tel where we are now stopping.
We have Just come from the House ef Lord,
in the Houses of Parliament, Obtained an or
der from our American Minister. Mr. Lowell
Soon after We Mad taken our scat the Lore
Chancellor came in and took his seat on thu
wool sack. which should think was SIX fee
| long and four feet wide. and covered with scar
cover of light color. which hung down on hi
sides as low as his shoulders. Three other
with large powdered and curled wig and biacl
gowns. took their seats in row, facing ih
| Lord Chancellor, and acted as clerks. The Bish
ops of the Established Church, with their whit
robes on. were present. At the west emu of TIL
room is the Queens chair, elegant, of course
covered by q rich canopy. On either side is
smaller chair. to be occupied by any member o
her family when present. The Queen is rarel
there, and it has been twelve months since sh
has been in the House of Lords. At each sid
and in front of the Queens chair two hig
candleabras, on each Of which are six long can
dies. This room is more elaborate than that O
the House of Commons. There is very ric
carving of oak on the sides. and the ceiling
strikingly beautiful. On each side of the roor
are narrow galleries, where the relatives of tn
members and their notable guests seatet
When the House adjourned soNe one passe
out carrying gold mace, followed by anothe
who carried a Bible, and the Lord Chancello
followed close behind. had pointed out to m
the different Lords as they entered the room.
We next visited the House of Commons. W
were anxious to hear the Prime Minister. Nj
Gladstone and the Irish agitators. We wer
not long in waiting before Mr.. Gladstone aros
He Immediately impresses one as man of su
| pCflOr I1c has Il IaFSS lTifue anu
head and cast of countenancc reminding one
Daniel Webster. He is wonderful debatel
and his sentences are carefully worded. He ha
still good deal of muscular strength which h
maintains by exercise. He is fond of fellin
trees as pastime. We also heard Mr.. Parne
and Healy. who is an ip,petuoss man, and on
i of the most active of the Conservative member
, We neard Forster. Law. and Gibbons speal
There was quite an exciting time before IL
: Land Bill went to the House of Lords. The
, were but ii dissenting votes given. Gladstor
framed the BILL and has labored hard to have
pass. There was considerable debate on tt
emigration clause as to the amount to be pr
, | vided.
There are about fifty hospitals in London, al
we have visited several of the largest of thel
. A short walk takes us to St. Bartholomew
! Hospital, where several hundred apply dai
D for treatment st. Thomas Hospital cOnsis
of six large buildings erected at great expens
We have seen many of the eminent medic
men here who are authors of works which a
e in the libraries of American physicians.
i Among the first places which we visited aft
arriving hele was Hampton Court. We emoun
= ed an omnibus and rode nine miles before '
= = came to the suburbs of the city; then rode3
miles farther, the sides of the street beil
| tuIChiy uOttcu Will uOuScS. 4uc PhiaSC ="
q built by Cardinal Wolsey, and was taken fro
: him by Henry the Eighth. who drove the peop
g for miles around away; but when Queen vi
toria got possession she opened the palace al
!, gardens to the public. The palace has been Il
= residence of royalty between the reigns
8 Henry VIII and George the Third-now inha
D tied by decayed Noblemen. There are mar
! interesting sights in this place. There are t.
A pcstries which belonged to Henry VIII wht
, he occupied the palace, some of very curiol
design. On one side OF the building you pa
into the drawing room of King William tt
Third-his dining room. The state bed is he
with crimson damask and on the right the bs
. OF his wife, Queen Mary. This is hung wit
crimson damask. There is a small bed in tt
center. once used by King George the Secon
when he lived here. All of these rooms al
adorned with fine paintings; there are nearl
1 OGO in all. In the garden is the wOnderfl