The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-07-17
This city stands on an eninence nearly
encircled by the river Wear, and on the
heights are the castle and the cathedral,
III 1.l:.- L. II. L.. ~ - o1o1orfh oop&nr1,

heights are the castle ana tne caGneQral,
both dating back to the eleventh century,
and forming a striking picture. The
castle has lost its warlike uses and is now
the seat of Durham University. The
cathedral, which is the finest of the great
English churches which we have seen, is
q grand speciman of Norman work, to
which has since been added other por'
tions in different styles of architecture.
Besides the original transept it possesses
an Eastern transept, added in the 18th
century and richly decorated. The nave,
with its massive piers and semi.circular
arches, would be almost stern in it's
solidity, were it not for the peculiar zig.
zag and laticed ornamentation of the
pillars and the rich carving of the choir
screen.
About 60 miles South of Durham is
York, which was an old town when
Agricola "a. D. 7S) occupied it. It has
had wondrous history. Hero Hadrian
lived and Severns died, and here, accord.
ing 10 some authors, Constantine the
Great was born. Here the first English
Parliament was held and for many years
this ancient city was one of the most i'm
portant in the Kingdom. The walls of
the city are over two miles in extent and
after having withstood many sieges have
been permanently preached by the mod
ern railway train. They are of different
dates and styles and are now used as a
public promenade.
York Minister is of course the chief
attraction. 1t stands on the site of an
old Saxon church, in which, in 627,
King Edwin, of Northumbria, was bap.
tized. Within the crypt may still be
seen portions of the original wall, sur
rounded by another, built in the eighth
century and the whole enclosed by the
walls of the existing edifce, portions of
which were erected at different times
during the 18th, 18th, 18th and 18th
centuries. It's total length is 524 feet,
being the largest in Northern Europe and
the third largest in the world. 1t is
especially rich in stained glass, its great
East window-76 feet in height by 80 feet
in width-still retains its original glazing
(14O5-S) and is regarded by many as
the finest in existence. The nave, with
its immense columns, some of which are
over fifteen feet in diameter, and its SYM
metrical arches, over 100 feet above the
pavement, is one of the most impressive
in the world, and the effect which this
style of architecture must have had upon
the popular mind in the ages of the past,
is incalculable; and even now there is
an indescribable majesty and power in
these mighty aisles which at most COM
pels one to worship. But we will spare
our readers any further inhiction in this
letter in the way of church architecture
and hurry on to Sheffield, which, while
it may not possess the. interesting associa-
tions of these old cathedral towns is far
more practical in its influence on the
great nineteenth century.
Sheffield is the centre of the iron and
steel industry of Great Britain and its
forests of chimneys pour upon the town a
cloud of smoke which blackens the air, as
we'll as everything else. Here, as else.
where in the United Kingdom, "oyerpro-
duction" is the cry, and a corresponding
stagnation in business is the result.
American manufactures have also been
largely introduced in the past few years,
and although requiring at home heavy
protection" find no difficulty in COM
peting here with "the pauper labor of
Europe" From Sheffield we take fly
ing trip to "Chatsworth," one of the
country seats of the Duke of Deyonshire,
and regarded as the finest residence in
England. Certainly its richly decorated
mansion with its valuable collection of
statues, pictures and books and the ex.
tensive gardens and conservatory, com.
prisipg over 100 acres, the whole in the
midst of vast park where herds of cat.
tie, sheep and deer are seen feeding in
every direction, would seem to leave lit
tie more to be desired.
Birmingham, another of the great m an.
ufacturing centres of England, was our
next stopping place, and is only few
hours ride from Chatsworth. Here ls
located the immense mandatory of
"Gillots" steel pens, famous the world
over, as we'll as hundreds of other impor
tapt industries. Like Sheffield, however,
its trade has been seriously injured by the
introduction of American goods; and q
few years ago some of its manufacturers
attempted to place their goods upon the
market bearing an American stamp; but
the fraud was soon discovered and the
enterprise failed. Many of its shops are
now idle and many of the best and most
enterprising young workingmen have
been driven by the arbitrary Grades
Unions" to seek room for development in
America.
Here, as elsewhere in the Kingdom,
the condition of the "toiling millions"
was made a subject of investigation.
The average wages paid to ordinary
laborers throug hout England is about
one pound sterling or little less thar
FIVE dollars per week. Mechanics and
skilled laborers receive from $3.50 to $500
per week. The price of meats is from
is to 80 per cent higher than in America,
-four about 10 per cent. higher and man.
ufactured goods from 20 to 40 per cent.
lower. The sober and industrious are,
IS a rule, comfortable and contented;
while those who SEQ fit to spend their
sustenance in riotous living, find cores.
pouding grief and tribulation. The
sharp competition they have already ex-
perienced from American manufactures,
has caused many of the English people
to give up the hopes they formerly en-.
tertained as to the results of Gree Trade"
in America, and large quantities of Brit.
ish capital are seeking investment beyond
the sea.
From Birmingham to Stratford is about
20 miles and to an admirer of the immor.
tai "Bard of Avon" is delightful pill.
grimage. Like most of the counties of
central England, the farms are under
high state of cultivation and the land.
scape views are most pleasing. The old
SHAKESPEARE house, which became nation
al property in 1847, is restored 80 as to
present as nearly as possible the same ap-
pearance as when the great poet was
born; and the different rooms contain
many old and interesting relics. STRAIT.
ford Church, in which SHAKESPEARE is
buried, is beautifully situated on the
| hanks of the A Won and is annrnached hY