Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-28

ton by artlttlc hands. 1t contains
many valuable works of art, the most
celebrated Of which is the Warwick
vase, brought from the Emperor
Adrian's villa at Tiyoli, outside Rome.
A pleasant excursion can also be
made TO bennington, now one Of the
most aristocratic wateriDg-places IN
England, but which was a small viii
lsge not so very long ago. Sulpburous,
saline, and chalybeate springs give it
medicinal importance, and its being the
centre Of good hunting country adds
TO its attractions. Gardens, bands Of
music, and good hotels have helped to
win its quick reputation, which one or
two celebrated doctors originally
started. But bennington is essentially
q place to which crowds Of people re-
sort whose health is not much to COM
plain Of. 1t is an especial fayorite Of
retired Indian officers and their fami-
lies.
VILLAGES.
Some Of the villages near Coventry
are as pretty as any can be. One Of
them-Allesley-four miles out Of the
town, has the advantage Of having hall,
church, and cottages combined to pro-
duce a thoroughly English scene. 1t is
fortunate in other respects, too. as it
possesses an enviable absence ofpovcrty
and dirt. and its working class Of agri-
cultural laborers may be styled as we'll
to-do. Allesley Park, as it is called, a
large. square stone house of about the
date Of the end Of the seventeenth CEN
tury, is approached through an avenue,
and stands in ground containing some
very old trees, notably cedar, whose
age no one likes to guess at. but
which must certainly mount to
several hundred years. This place has
been used for length Of time as a col
lege for boys and young men, who, rain
OF shine. make it lively with their sports
and pranks. and who also have a reason
able interest in success at examinations
as well as cricket. The rhOdoien-
drons, forming a high hedge on one
side Of a shrubbery. and huge masses
here and there. were in full bloom at
our visit. and made a CAV appearance
in spite of heavy leaden skies and rainy
weather. The windows Of the house
look across the park and rest on
the village, which is situated on
lradually-rising ground, and forms
the bounding view. The red cot
tages nestle together and the
tiled roofs peep one above another in
charming confusion, and behind and
overtopping all the gray church spire
rises amid the sombre green Of the
trees.
4 PRETTY SCENE.
Even on a dull day, or might say
on the inuumerable dull days which
prevail in England, the beauty Of this
scene is not blotted out. as it is so
often in similar circumstances in Eng
land. but rather assumes a variation.
This is owing in some degree to the
masses of dark. heavy foliage. the
lighter green Of the pasture. the warm
colorirg Of the villages houses. and
the contrasting grayness Of hall and
church. When these are enshrouded
in a misty, vaporous atmosphere.
they are toned down to a low
and perhaps mournful key, as if they
were in peniteuce till the sun comes out
and sets them free. Then nothing is
gayer or brighter, and every visitor at
the park who owns brush and cOlOrs
rushcs for them, and is fired with the
ambition TO reproduce the enchantment.
The sky. which for days has been like
the spirit Of gloom. puts on great
patches Of blue. 1t is not an ecstatic
blue, indeed. but gentle. peaceful tint,
suitable for being who knows it is in
temporary gala dress, which will not do
to be Haunted in the eye. Of all be-
holders lest it pass suddenly into
selar distance and take too long to get
back. English people are able to be
indifferent to the weather, owing to the
extremes Of temperature never being
very great, and, protected by water
proof cloaks and boots Of thickness
unimsginab!e by Americans, :.ney defy
the rain and damp rather than remain
indoor. all day.
WARWICKsi.mE LANES.
Some Of the Warwick lanes
are scarcely wide enough to al
low two carts to pass, and in
consequence Of being lowered to
make them level the side banks
are in places very high. These bank,
are a mass of wild flowers and ferns,
and are usually topped by hawthorn
hedges and oyershadowed with trees.
The vistaS through them are picturesque
in the extreme. and many of them are
so secluded and quiet that they are the
homes of innumerable singing birds
that Isve solitude and avoid being toe
near the dwellings Of man. Our stay
at Coventry concluded. we returned to
London. which we leave shortly for
Scotland. MILDRED RUSSELL.
THEIR SCHEME PREVENTED
Bew clever rlsn for Couuierfeiting Bra