Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-15

Eugene Field in the Chicago News
Mr.. Thomas Nelson Page, who 10 unquestion-
ably the foremost Of contemporary yirginians
in literature. has been in Europe several
months. lie is exceedingly fond OF Lon
don. for here better than in any other place
in the world can ne feed his love for things
which age and reminiscence have rendered
beautiful. Page is poetic to q degree. He
writes beautiful verse. You know; better
stu, he loves to invest the commonplace of
life with poetic thought He Is by no means Q
sentlmentalist. He detests everything that ap-
proaches TO the maudin and the hysterical, bus
sees life and nature through reyerential eyes,
and that IL why he sees in life more OF beauty,
OF wisdom, Of tenderness and OF psthos than
very many others see.
The other morning-it was SUNNY and balmy
for a wonderful. Page made up his mind 70
stroll about London. That might involve
many hours of walking. but he had sagaciously
mapped out little route which would not re-
quire more than two hours and yet would in
clude view Of several notable spots. A
Mr.. Hinton accompanied the famous
Virginian. This Mr.. Binton halls
from Duluth, MIMI; young man
full of the most exuberant american spirit and
beautifully provided with means wherewith to
crafty a laudsble doi ire for travel Mr.. Hinton
liked Mr.. Page because Mr.. Page was so
darned well up in history and things" and Mr..
Page liked Mr.. Hinton for his exuberance and
CduuOr. Inc twain were wholly cOngenlal.
They started out of Bolton street and walked
up Piccadilly, Mr.. Page calling his friends al
tentlon 20 the dlngy residence Of the Baroness
Burdett Coutts and to the old house occupied
by the Duke of Deyonshire, where, as Mr.
Page had discovered. there is to be seen the
finest collection Of old play bills in the world.
Here" said Mr.. Page, pausing a moment in
his course, there is the old White Horse cellar,
before which in the old mail coaching times
was to be seen what Hazlitt speaks Of as the
finest sight in the metropolis-the setting Of
OF the mail coaches IN Piccadlllyr Alas, the
splendor of those days has vanished, yet here
stands this old trysting spot, q monument to
departed glory"
As they passed Arlington street Mr. Page
pointed out where Lady Mary Wortley Monta-
que used to live and Horace Walpole we'll
Mr.. Hinton was inclined 20 pause in front of ST.
James Hall to see what the negro minstrels were
going TO play that evening, but Mr.. Page
urged him forward and the two crossed the
circus and presently made their way into Lei
cestcr Square. which historic locality inspired
Mr.. Page to let loose q food of anecdote and
reminiscence about French wies, Robert
Sidney, George III. the Duke of Cumberland,
William Hogarth, Joshua Reynolds, Sir Isaac
Newton, and other people who at some period
in their lives lived in this quaint old locality.
So betimes the twain drfted down through
Trafalgar square and around to the right into
Charing Cross and Whitehall, viewing with
increasing interest the lovely old landmarks on
each side.
"How truly" remarked Mr.. Page, show
truly has il been said that in this place every
step we take is upon ground sacred to hun
bred memories"
Naturally enough his approach to the spot
wherein Charles L was executed recalled to Mr..
Page scores of instructive anecdotes and Illus
trations and very many appropriate bits from
the best poets. He made no effort to restrain
his feelings, and his companion, Mr.. Hinton,
heard him with respectful attention.
''How long did you say he has been dead2"
asked Mr.. Hinton at last.
More than two hundred years." answered
Mr.. Page. Just think of it; here are we to-
day standing upon the very spot where centu-
ries ago that amiable and kingly king fell Q
martyr - unbridled, ferocious fanaticismi 10
not the thought overwhelming
Yes, that's the trouble" said Mr.. Hinton.
81 don't feel like kicking, but I've been travel
ing around for an hour or two expecting to see
earth. You've been mighty kind and interest
ing, Mr.. Page and I've enjoyed your talk, but
would you mind telling me if there's anything
to see here in London that hasn't been dead
two or three hundred years."
''Whati" cried Mr.. Page, simply aghast
''Can it be possible that you do not appreciate
the beauty of these historic, these grand old
things?"
"Oh, yes, I suppose they're all right so far as
they co. said Mr.. Hinton, but, you see, We
Duluth folks amt much on ancient truck.
What Ia like to see, il they have EN- here,
would be some of their grain elevators, with
lumber RATS. want to see life; that's what
I'm here for? As far as can judge the people
over hero simply amt in with Us Duluth
foiksr