Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1886-08-06
LETTER FROM ENGLAND.


Skipton, Yorkshire. July %.
DEAR EDITOR: Since | wrote you
from Manchester | have been'un the
move in Yorkshire, then Lancashire,
alternating between the two coun-
ties. | am now enjoying the hospi-
tally of one of those homes of which
Mrs. Browning speaks in the CLONES
of England" As we enter the main
entrance, we notice carved in the
stone overhead the motto SIN Dec
SpeS," with the coat of arms of the
family; turning to the right of the
hall is the billiard room, which
would be very attractive to many
of Island Pond | suspect. Those
who admire large rooms, we'll furn,
ished, would enjoy the house, and
others the gardens which have bios
SONS in profusion, in all directions
appealing to the eye. Yet this is on
a small scale compared with many
hereabouts.
On Wednesday the goth, we went
to Bolton Abbey, one of the county
seats of the Duke of Devonshire.
The Abbey was built in the twelfth
century, and is remarkably we'll pre-
served; the walls still standing,
many parts covered with MOSES,
lichens, and ivy. To give you some
idea Of the grounds there were men
at work sweeping the walks, who
had 80 miles of walks to clean be-
fore His Grace comes to the priory
on the 18th of August. At object
i've points all about are placed set
tees for visitors to rest and admire
the scenery. The valley, with the
river flowing along, is very pretty.
You may imagine the kindness of
the owner when he opens these cx-
tensive grounds, keeping them in
order, using the place but few days
in August, and giving all people
free use of them every day except
Sunday. There is a grand fountain
on the grounds, erected by the elect
ors of the county, in memory Of
Lord Cavendish-the son of the
owner-who was assassinated in
Phoenix park, Dublin, in 1882, as
many will recall. 1t is the quaint
est and most charming place I have
ever visited.
Yesterday visited Skipton castle
which withstood Cromwells armies,
and was the last to yield to him.
The walls outside, before reaching
the castle, are I feet thick, and the
walls of the castle ~ feet thick on
the outside; there is court or
square in the centre, the walls on
the inside there are 6 feet thick. In
the centre of the court is large tree
over 500 years old, now in its prime;
looking into this same court is the
room in which fair Rosamond was
born, and in an inner room the
prison of Mary Queen of Scots.
There are also drawing and ban
quoting rooms with great fire places
into which any man, not over 9 feet
high, could walk, and in which it
was common to roast whole sheep.
One thing is certain they did not
have in those days the comforts and
elegancies which people in ordinary
circumstances now may have, and
do have.
To-day the rain prevents my 60
ing out, although it is not raining so
freely as yesterday. Tomorrow I
go into the woods to explore river
bed. / am fearful that when | 90
next week to Warwick on my way
to London, while / shall see and
visit grander places, yet none SO
filled with memories of the past as
this most delightful section of Eng
land. TO get better and more sat
isfactory idea and realization of this
and other places, would say "Come
and See" Sometimes | go to two
or three towns in one day, being
more on a visit to friends, than to
see sights. Should anything of in
terest appear will write you again.
/ would be kindly remembered to
all friends. Very Truly Yours,
NJ NV,,1-t,p