The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-10-22
EARLY ENGLISH HISTORY.
Rev. Or. BoIies's Lecture in the
Y. M. C. A. Course.

The second entertainment in the Young Mems
Christian Association course was given last even
ing in City Hall, Rev. DR.. e. C. Boles delighting a
large audience with an interesting lecture on
''Seenes in Early English History"
DR.. Bolles is so well known to Portland people
that it is hardly necessary to speak of the high
character OF his discourse. Last nights lecture,
treating of number of towns and cities in the
counties of Kent and Sussex, about which cling
some'of the most dearly cherished associations of
the early history of England, was marked both by
its accurate descriptions of historic places and
buildings and the easy style in which the events
cy wch my aye 6seoe
photographs taken especially for the lecture were
excellent, the colored ones in particular being re-
markablY fine and drawing out numerous eX-
presSions OF pleasure on the part OF the audience
DIR. Bolles took his hearers first along the coast
starting from Dover beneath whose White elliis
half century before the beginning of the Chris
tian era and where in the solid Roman masonry
still existing in the walls of the castle and in the
little church and beacon tower contained within
that ancient pile, the hardy Romans have left en-
during evidences of their supremacy in the
island. The coast scenery was aptly described
and glimpses We're obtained of the celebrated
watering places where the people OF London go Ill
swarins during the summer months. The Saxon
invasion and the coming of the Norman conquer
ors were graphically delineated, fine views being
given of Battle Abbey and the spot where King
cp iGe '' forces ai' Of Duke William Of Battle
Abbey, erected by the Conqueror to expiate the
blood shed at the battle OF Hastings, much has
fallen away, but enough remains to show the
elaborate nature of the buildings. A portion is
still nhabitable, however although the ancient
guest chambers are used by the gardeners as a
storage place for tools.
The ecclesiastical history of the period, center
ing in Canterbury. with its grand old cathedral
and the little church Of st. Martin Where the SER
vices of the Christian religion have been perform
ed for over 1900 years was given its proper
prominence in lecture treating OF the history OF
the time. 1t was this same little church OF st.
Martin that set aside by King Etheibert Tor
the use of st. Augustine. The description OF the
vast structure as did also the description OF
Rochester cathedral.
The historical associations of Canterbury cathe-
dral cluster around the tragic death OF Thomas
a-Becket, and the story of the Black Prince who
lies buried in the cathedral. Although a-Beckefs
tomb was despoiled by Henry WILL the plan
of his death is known and pointed out at the base
prelate being killed as he came from the choir TO
meet his murdererS.
The lecture concluded with visit to Penns-
hurst, the home of the Sidneys. The banqueting
hall OF this ancient residence isst ina good state
of preservation and in 1t may be gained q right
idea of the life Of an English nobleman. The oc-
tagona fire place in the center of the room still
has its great andirons against which were piled
the huge logs, the smoke from the fire rolling
away to escape through the roof sixty feet above
the floor Here the master OF the house toasted
among his guests and retainers, and spent the
long evenings in song and story. Pennshurst is
being gradually restored to its former state by its
present owner. Of Sir Philip Sidney and Mary
Sidney his sister, DR.. Boes made appropriate
rafpr