Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1882-02-23

Have you ever heard Of Coventry, IN old
town not very far from London, where some
Of the streets sre 20 marrow that no wagons
can pass through them. and whore the second
stories OF the quaint old mansions jut over 20
far into the ttrest that tn y almost touch each
other?
1t was lovely morning in September. We
had come from busy London. that immense
city where one million people, every yesl
ride 10 the many railroads that are made
under the houses, saying nothing of the mil
lions VINO hrorg the streets above ground.
All the people know Americans at sigh,
and they looked at US as carefully rs We al
them. First We went to tall church that
Sir Christopher Wren, the architect, said was
a maste.pi ece. Its tower and spire alone are
three hundred and three feet high; that is
about three times AS high as the State house
In Boston. The church was built nearly fur
hundred years before Columbus discovered
America; ard was given by great earl to the
monks lit is Protestant nOw-ior the repOse
Of his soul" suppose that means that he
might get safely to Heaven.
But the thing which most interested us
about Coventry. was that here once lived q
sweet beautiful lady, about whom the people
never tire OF telling you.
She was the wife II an earl who governed
Coventry. He was Immensely rich. but taxed
his subjects SO, that petitions came in every
day to have them lowered. Finally, as al
their keseeching did no good, the poor people
came to his wife, Lady Godiva, to beg her to
interc EIDE tor them. Her heart was touched.
and she went to her husband, but he was an.
gry. and babe her never to speak off again.
Several mo Itbs went by. He had been
away to soDe wars in the northern pa RI o.
England. and coming home was 80 delighted
to meet h ) wife ard darling little hoy that
he C!asped til, III both TO his heart, sding or
if sae needed II 1ythnx to complete her hap
pines. She had money, an elegant home,
! nd lived like queen, but she could not be
happy. She sa a. "Whie our peop groan
un er opprt sion, the most luxurious entertain.
ment eau afford no real enjoyment"
Leofric her husband, again became vi lent.
ly angry, tut sa d. since lie had promised to
do what she withed he would keep his word
bat she must ride on horseback, from one end
OF the city to the other. with no clothiug
on. He supposed, Of cours, that she woeLd
never consent TO this. For q mou ent her
noble. wOmanly heart sank within her, and
then she said, Il will 90"
Seeing that her mird was made up. he or
dered all the people TO darken the ftoat of
their hous IS, and retire to the back parts Of
them, while the devoted lady TOOK her lonely
ride. When the appointed day came the
whole city wis as still as death. Lady Godi.
vas beautiful white horse was brought to the
palace. With a face as banchei as her
charger, drawing her long hair like scarf
about her body she IN united, AMI rode
in solemn silence throub h all the princinal
streets. No sound was heard savs that of the
horses hoots as the grateful people waited for
heir Burdens to be fed
And when the ride wasover. and the people
opened their doors AMI unbarred their win
dows, agreat cryof REQ cling went uD from
thousands, or Coventry was free Lady 90.
diva, al ter undiLg seyeral churches, died
about the year 1853.
Every three or four years, In Conven ~, a
quaint procession ST takes Place, in honor
~ This noble act Of devotion to her peoEle.
The city guard and high constable lead the
column, Then follows beautiful woman
clothed In white linen dress, fitted close to her
body, with long hair floating about ner, and
q large bunch Of flowers In her haad, ri ling
On cream -colored horse. Ca eiLuer side of
her are two city Off .ls dressed ia Green an
scarlet. Two men come Dext, bearing the
sword and mace, emblems Of the hgh All
thority of the mayor, followed by the
mayer himself n Ii, sclrlot robes, trimmed
with lur. wearing cooked nat, and carrying
A white wand in HI, hand Thea come the
'hertis in Their black gowns al the differ.
ent trades OF the city. the odd Fellows. For
estcrs, and other Benevolent societies.
he principal characters of the show are
attended by beautiful children IN costly hab-
Is, riding on horseback These children
ire 80 small that they are obliged to sit in
jasket work seats, which are faS ened to the
lOrses back. The men who lead the horses
walk without their Goa 5, and are decorated
With protusiOn Of ribbons,