The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-05-16

which being translated reads ITO the god
Mars Braciaca, Osittius Cecilianus, project
of the first cohort of the Aquitani, in perform
ance of VOW"
AS we enter the banqueting hall we notice
by the door frame on our right at height a
little above our heads, suspicious looking
little iron instrument attached to two staples
one of which serves as hinge and the other
to attach lock to- This, tradition says, was
an instrument of punishment to enforce the
observance of the laws of conviviality for, it
is said if, in the days of feasting in the "good
old times" man should fail to drink his
quota of wine or beer, he was fastened up by
the wrist to this ring and the liquor was
poured down his flowing sleeve SO as to grad
ually trickle down on his body to the floor
The hall is great, bare, gloomy ROOM thirty
five feet long and about twenty-five feet wide
1t is of the full height of the building; it has
bare stone floor, and minstrel gallery ex-
tends across one end of it. Opposite the en-
trance of the room is the raised dais for the
lord, his family, and honored guests, where
still stands the grand old table on which so
many of the good things of this life have been
spread in ages long passed away This an.
Gent board is one of the finest examples of its
kind it is indeed somewhat worm eaten and
decayed, like those who once feasted in this
noble hall, but it still stands a proud monu-
ment of those registering times now happily
forever past 10 the right hand on entering
the hail is gigantic fireplace, while on the
walls there are few old paintings and some
really magnificent stays heads and antlers
Three long, blackened, oak planks, supported
by rude X legs, form table standing length
wise of the hall, which has borne the bears
heads, the barons of beef gilded peacocks,
I La,1 rahao ,f &c al o,.l
stoups of wine All how the hands of time
have changed this place Once it resounded
with revelry and mirth, but now it is silent as
tomb. Once the leaping flames in the huge
fireplace flashed ON FURNISHED armor and the
glittering swords. on forms and faces that
have long since crumbled into dust, but now
we see only great, cherries, barn-like room
gradually Wondering into decay.
Near the banqueting hall we find the great
kitchen of this ancient residence; it is all of
stone, with fireplace large enough to roast
an OK. 1t is divided into several apartments :;
in the main room there is huge, rude table
of solid oak, begrimed and blackened by the
centuries and great stone trough or sink
In an adjoining apartment, evidently formerly
used as the larder of this vast culinary estab-
lishment, there is huge chopping- block, on
which, doubtless, many rich haunch of ven
lSOn, or JUICY DdfOn OF peer mas Deen trimmed
into shape. Another great, vaulted ROOM
down flight of steps, was the beer cellar,
and large supply of ale was no doubt once
kept here Judging from the size of the room
and the low platform of stone-work running
all around it, and the stone drain to carry off
the drippings. Besides these apartments there
is vast store-room for corn, malt, etc., and a
bake-house, great ovens, moulding-stone, and
SO on.
The men of We olden times evidently were
good livers Judging from this kitchen they
must have been blessed or cursed with Samso-
MAN appetites. In the days of its now depart
ed glory this baronial hall required retinue
of one hundred and fifty servants to maintain
its magnifcence. Its ancient splendor has
forever gone but it still remains a place of
surprising interest. 1t is a carefully pre-
served home which reproduces life in Eng
land prior to the discovery of America, and it
is certainly well worth visiting.
But we must be off; SO come along. Fare
well, old Haddon.
Fare thee well and if forever
Still forever, fare thee well.