Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-07-29

Dickens lived here in the town
OF Rochester, and in his walks
frequently passed Gad's Hill Place, ever
memorable for it's association with Sir
John Fallstat-"But, my lads, to-mor-
row morning by four O'Clock, early at
Gad's Hill, There are pilgrims going TO
Canterbury with rich offerings, and
traders riding TO London with lat purses.
have wizards for you all; yOu have
horses for yourselves" Thus early in
life Dickens informs us that he had
Determined to Become the Owner OF
Gad's Place.
This object oi his ambition was eventu-
a'lv gratiGed in 1876. Round Gotham,
skirtiug the park and village and pass.
ing the Leather Bottle" famous
in the pages OF "Pickwlck" is 4
favored walk. Many OF the scenes and
descriptions in "Great Expectation"
are adapted IRON places III this neigh
horhood. The next place OF note is
Canterbury, dating its foundation be-
fore the advent vi the Romans, tins
quaint and remarkable old city possesses
many historical associations. The cele-
brated cathedral here, visited by first
passing through Mercerv Lane, III which
Is the sight of the "Chequers Inn,
mentioned bv Chaucer in his "Canter-
bury Tales" Supposed to have owed its
foundation to ST. Augustine, it has hith-
erto passed without tirretrievable damage
through many viCissi,udes, and now,
alter the lapse oi centuries,
Rears its Majestic Pile,
Il dumb witness ~ the piety OF our an
crstorS Passing into the cathedral, one
oi the numerous objects Of interest, Is
the shrine ui Thomas a-Becket, muir
dcred in the cathedral. Though shorn
Of its Jewels and splendOr, the very
knowledge that formerly kings, princes,
and thousands OF the highest and nobleSt
in the land came 10 the altar TO do pen
anCe, attracts us irresstibly to the spot.
After spending day III this romantic
old town hurried on tn Dover, where
is seen one OF Engl&nd's finest harbors.
One of the finest natural pictures that |
Eve behe.d was
Dover Heights and Dover Town.
It's position in the hollow between two
cliffs is strikingly attractive. Under the
rich lights of Il sinking summers sun
the walls ui the old castle and the lights
aud shades OF the battIements . lean
with tints that Turner would have tiung
with passionate Zest upon hlS
canvas With certain notifications
oi detail, this splendid natural
picture has stood for thousands OF
wears. Before Christianity was preached
in England, the legious OF Rome landed
at that spot ANA built up the fortilica-
tionS whose outlines are visible still on
the chalk clil heights. Near here Jul
liuS Caesar landed, and since that time
Saxon, Norman and PlAntagenet have
earn laid their hands on this front gate
of the main route to the continent. The
towuis
Filled with Historical Memories
from its natural position and association
with France. On the east cliff OF the
town is situated Dover Castle, which |
assembled to the tOpmost height, and
there beheld not only the White CiltlS
Of Albion but the shores OF France.
Through a telescope one could easily
recognize houses in France and discern
the cultivated from the uncuLuvated
lands OF the foreign shore. Within the
castle walls is the old watch tower built
bv the Romans, the remains OF which are
in good preservation. Here also IS the
old church 1t Mary s-with-in.the-Cas-
tie. said TO have been built in the first
century.
Dover is renowned rs a fashionable
watering place. This, no doubt, is due
to its pleasant position on the southern
coast. It's spleud;l heights and its capita!
bathing. 10 these euticements may bc
added the charm OF military surround
ingS and the constant passage through
the town oi those who pass to and from
the continent. j. +. L.