St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-08-29

precious documents were stored and watched
by the monks. Not very many years ago,
we understood, long after it was vacated by
the monks. these valuable articles were re-
moved. and now little of any Importance is
deposited there. But the abbey is
ALWAYS UNDER GUARD.
From the clOisterS we passed into the
tombS of Queen Elizabeth and Mary Queen
OF Scots, Henry VII, and many other dig
nitarieS. each one in large apartment. in
the center of which rose the massive stone
mausoIeum: and on the top lay full-sized
figures Of the queens and other silent occu-
pants of the various apartments. But we
did not stay long enough to read the in
Scriptions or learn the names Of those who
for ages had slumbered there. So intensely
were we absorbed, and so painful the i'm
preston, that we were not conscious of the
almost paralyZing effects of the intense cold
in this home of the dead, where for so
many years living men thought it pious
act to remain; but for days after we paid
dearly for the experience of only an hour.
What. then. must have been the sufferings
OF those who had no other dwelling place
for years. A few days since, through the
riding between thirty and forty miles
through some of the most beauti-
full places in England with a
pleasant party, on top Of a private
''FoUR-IN-HAND" COACH.
The coach was very fine one, with easy
and commodious seats on top, the luggage
and wraps all slowed inside. There were
fourteen in the party, all harmonious and
entertaining. -Four superb horses were
managed by the gentlemen in turn with adj
mirable skill. The day was charming, suf-
ficiently cloudy to prevent the sun from
making us uncomfortable. At eleven
o'clock in the morning we started from Pic
cadilly, the merry horn of the guard CIV
ing warning for clear passage through the
crowded streets of London. The horses
were so well trained, and kept such regular
speed, that there was ne feeling of riding
fast. yet in forty-nine minutes we reached
Redemption. ten miles from London, where
fresh horses stood ready for us. The coun-
try was most beautiful, everything look
ing bright and fresh from the rain
of the night before. The whole air
was fragrant with the perfume of roses and
the fragrance of new-mewn hay. Large
flower fruit and vegetable gardens. which
help to supply London, were in their holt
day dress, and added immensely to the
pleasure of the ride. The English roads are
our especial admiration; they are kept
smooth as house floor all through the
country, as far as we have yet seen. Piles
of finely broken stones at intervals placed
along the wayside for immediate repair of
any hole or uneven surface, and the heavy
rollers soon make the new-made spots of
uniform smoothness. No wonder that the
ride was so easy, with no jar or jolting to
ANNOY THE PASSENGERS.
Was ever country so charming!-trees,
hedges and fields fresh and green, and the
villages with many quaint houses, and here
and there some noblemans residence and
well-kept grounds adding immensely to the
beauty.
Another halt, to change horses at Surbi-
ton, and then we dashed through Ewell
and Epson. in sight of the famous race
grounds. and again fresh horses at Ash
tead. Between Surbiton and EPSON we
entered Kingston, and upon slackening the
speed of our Fiery chargers" we were
pointed out the stone On which the Saxon
kings were accustomed to be crowned,
large stone about two feet high. now en-
closed by stone posts to protect it, making
a decided contrast between the splendors of
the cor0nations of the present day. On
entering town or village, or when in sight
OF travellers and teamS-indeed, at every
turn of the road on our way, the guards
horn wakened the echoes with its wild
notes. giving ample warning of our rapid
approach. Change of horses was made
once more at Ashtead, and then passing
through Leatherhead, Mickleham and Box
Hill, we reached Dorking, the terminus of
THIS WONDERFUL RIDE,
but were comforted with the thought that
after a rest of an hour and half and our
dinner we should repeat the pleasure as we
returned tOLond0n. So the days enjov-
ment was but half over. A ride of nearly
thirty miles in three hours, with so little
fatigue and full of unalloyed happiness, was
to us wonderful feat. We stopped at
very old hotel Or inn. How old we cannot
say, little dark passages bringing one unex-
pectedly to equally dark stairways, where
we CROPPED along, fearing fall, but finding
another narrow winding passage leading
into quaint bedrooms where wrappers,
shawls and bonnets were laid off; and re-
freShing wash relieved us of the dust and
brought us to the dinner-table in a much
more presentable condition, even if the sun
has painted the cheeks deeper color than
usual. In this ancient inn we should not
have been surprised to have been served
with a dinner after the olden-tme STYLE:
but. on the contrary. the table was loaded
with all the delicacies of the season, pre-
paled in the most approved manner. served
most acceptably and partaken of with an
appetite most complimentary to the friend
who has given US day of enjoyment never
to be forgotten-a delightful specimen of
TRUE ENGLISH HOSPITALITY.
Among the many desirable things which
London can boast are 1.-The parks, which,
-; ID 41,oi,,
joyment they provide for all classes, are a
source of incalculable advantage for the
little ones, who can roam about under the
grand old trees with perfect safety I am
not able to name them all, but HYDE park.
Regent park and st. James are, we imag-
inc, the most noticeable. These parks are
free to all. In the afternoon Hyde Park is
usually crowded with visitors. The drive
all round is very wide, beautifully kept
and hundreds of carriages of every grade
and description can be seen there daily,
from the simple hanson to the elegant ies-
Establishments of the nobility and some of
the royal family. Seats are placed under
the magnificent trees, very near this avenue,
and at all times of the day are well filled,
particularly in the afternoon, when many
hope to get glimpse of the Princess of
Wales and her attendants, who often ride
there at that time, and now and then of
the queen herself. Then all through the
parks many people, men, women and chill
dren, are walking or resting in the chairs
and other comfortable seats scattered all
about the grounds. Multitudes from every
country come to Hyde park to see the won
derful monument which the queen has
erected in honor of Prince Albert. This
marvellous structure has doubtless been de-
bod
not venture to attempt it. One should
spend days in observing and studying if
they would endeavor to describe the de-
sign and sculptured figures in white marble
one by one; and even then would ind
much that demanded attention before
reaching the center and all-important fig
IRE of The prince himself In riding hv or