The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1882-02-25

Few Americans come to London with
out hearing Sturgeon preach. have
twice accompanied Hal to the Temple
l suppose You know that Sturgeon is
minister of the Baptist persuasion, al
though not close communicate. He
breaches in a very large building, con-
structed with special view to acoustics,
and capable Of seating five thousand
persons. This is effected by means OF
two galleries, with tiers of seats one
above the other, extending all around
the hall, so that every available spot is
occupied. Mr.. Sturgeon breaches from |
an elevated platform near one end Of the
building. The general estimates of him
and his work vary exceedingly. Some
believe that he could never attract such
vast congregation if he were not
specially favored Of God; Others con
slider it matter Of pure sensational'sni
think that neither Judgment is true. !
believe that many poor minister, with
Just as deep love for the souls OF men,
and lust as earnest an effort to do the
Masters work, has toiled away his life in
some obscure country parish; but, on
the other: hand, can not imagine that
mere sensationalism could have effected
all of Mr.. Surgeons success. feel
sure that he is good man, and sincerely
anxious to accomplish good i'll his day
and generation. The mnltitudes listen to
him with devout attention. No one
could pronounce him man OF imposing
presence nay, none would fancy, merely
to look at him, that he could eyer be
known beyond the narrow circle OF
few intimate friends. I know nothing
about him, and am not prepared to speak
with emphasis; but, Judging snperficl-
ally, should not take him to be man
of high culture; the charm of his speech
is in it's simplicity, directness and earn
estness. He has somewhat to say, and
he saws it without rhetorical effort. A
man whose profound thought lifted him
far above the masses could never have
gathered around him the multitude that
throng after Spurgeon. A leader of the
people must stand not too high above the
people. Do We not know that the
worlds greatest-the prophets and seers
of the earth-have never been recognized
in their day' And yet our purblind
vision, failing to comprehend what is
above us, makes ever success the test of
merit.
y
We have had charming excursion to
Hampton Court, just a little distance out
of London. Taking train for Ledding-
ton station, we proceeded thence through
Bushby Park to the palace. Think OF
walking through real English park.
| Nell, the air 50 fresh and osiorous, tie
grassy plains so green, the trees SO state
" and tall, and SO gloriously rich in
foliage; amoug them the three avenues
of limas and chestnuts planted by George
III. Only three gnarled and knotted
trunks gave token Of their venerable
aye.
Hampton Court Palace was erected by
Cardinal Wolsey, the celebrated favorite
of Henry VIII, and derives from him it's
chief historic interest. l learned to
know Shakspeare's Wolsey before l
knew the Wolsey Of History, and per
haps am prone to think less about the
MANS life and Character than about the
sorrowful pathos Of his lass days. Car
lyle says " there is no life SO mean but a
death will make it memorable" The
death of this naughty and ambitious
Cardinal, as pictured by the poets
genius, so enlisted ny childish sympathy
long ago that have never been able to
divest myself Of Il certain monrnful in
terest in him. Standing here in the
splendid palace which was once his gor-
geons court, I thought not SO much o.
the royal magnifcence OF his prosperous
days as Of tho bitter anguish Of his
dying cry: 80 Cromwell! Cromwell
Had but served my God with half The
zeal I served my King, He would not, il
mine age, have left Inc naked to mine
enemies 7"
Hampton court was presented, finally
to Henry VIII by Cardinal Wo'sey, ani
subsequently occupied by Oliver Cron
we'll, the Stuarts, William III, and til
first two monarchs of the House of Han
over siace the time of George II, it h;'
ceased to be royal residences, and is oc
cupied by pensioners of the crown. TIL
fine picture gallery attracts many Wis
tors. Among the paintings l enjoye
greatly the portraits Of the Hampto
and Windsor court beauties, comprsn
some faces of rare loneliness. Beuiar,i
Vests paintings also gave me gre:
pleasure, among them the Departure
Regulus, Peters Denial, etc. but tt
! Montegna Gallery is considered the gem (
: the whole collection. 1t represents "Tl
Triumphal Procession of Cesar" l,
Montcgna, and consists Of series
8 pictures extending the whole 1ength
! the wall 1t is very quaint and cnriou
e exceedingly Anticipated in appearance
o and most interesting, certainly; but
y did not discover the beauty which son
l. critics SO loudly extol. The garden
. front Of the palace, embellished vi
Ii brilliant flowers and shady avenues,
c exquisitely lovely. am sure the Queer,