The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-06-08
~ utE GARDEN or ENGLAND.

friend Of france.
IN the GARDEN or ENGEAND.
Tunbridre Wells and Its King, Beau Nash
A Charming PInce-A scene on its
Common-Sequnh and HIS DoIng-.
LONDON, May IA, 1904 short, quiet run
from town many tunnels. dark, black dreary
station sunk between high stone-cased banks
made hideous by smoke aud tho disaguring
advertiser ents that add vugarity and 10 not
impart light or color: an indistinct announce
mont from the guards who SO conscientiously
live IN to the axiom. Words are given US to
disguise our thoughts" and Tunbridge Wells
Is reached with feeling OF absolute disap-
pointment at having been tnreiRled to 1t undor
the prrtence that it is the fairest flower in
Kent. the garden OF England" But as soon
rs tho long fight OF stens which lead from the
bowels Of the earth to the surface is assembled.
a reaction begins. The upper street is broad,
sunny, bright lined on one side with wide flag
stones AMI what seem elegant shops: on the
other, sweeping beyond the railway trenches.
now lost to sight an undulating distance
spreads afar. with blue hills half yelled in
haze trees such as are only found in England.
grass like Crean enamel and an atmosphere
80 clear. fresh and pure that 1t seems that
of the sea which the horizon resembles.
The name OF that first street ascending
toward other equally charming tree-planted
thoroughiareS Is Mount Pleasant, and little
familiarity with the pretty town reveals the
existence OF other applications OF Puritan
origin. such as Mount Sion, Mount Ephraim.
&c. contrasting quantity with the modern
aspect Of Tunbridge Wells and still more with
its traditions. In its length. which is great.
from the alley 10 the extreme summit of its
l,;II 81, tab, tn MT
large. and bounded on either side by the bean-
tiful picturesque plains. the city oilers the
same blending Of new and old. The hotels are
excellent. the cooking good. shops and books
are as abundant as in London the private
houses are placed in lovely matured gardens:
the roads. paths. and sidewalks smooth as
billiard tables. whether they plunge into pic
turrSque little valleys and ravines, skirt the
rocks dip into the woods, or intersect the
common-the G orious. breezy common OF many
hundred acres. the pride OF the place; yet.
every now and then some Old World remInis-
ceuce-a name. building. II paved court.
or avenue Of beeches - carries you back
TO the time when tho chalybeate springs OF
the Wells brought all the celebrity and fashion
TO Tunl ridge. The water still bubbles UP at
the same place whore wits and beaux drank
it. The walk Is still called Ye Families" it
has its raised promenade. its seats, its quaint
walled houses. market place. curious clock.
and original conformation. exactly as II stood
in l74s, when t1 popularity was at its height
with dead and byGone generation. 1t was
visited then by Mrs. Elizabeth Carter, who
could talk Crock faster than any woman in
England :" by Richardson. the novelist; Colley
Cibber: tile beautiful Miss Chudleigh. after
wards Duchess of kingston by GaIrick and
Chatham. Mrs. Thra!e. and Chesterfield, who
never changed the shape OF his hat in twenty
years. says Thack"ray: by Johnson. :" the
dictionary maker" by George the Fourth.
when he WAS Prince OF wales, and, last not
least 10y Beau Nash.
The duchess OF Kent and P H Victoria
n%1'' tE 5eIsoe onso now G he oGe S l.S
Hotel and one-in lSI5j-at Boyne House. Tho
future queen OF England was, very fond
and important as 1t Is now, and after
her eoIonPti more than nant once nee re- re-
1871 Princes. louise ind the MARQUIS Of Lorne
visited il Charles L.. once occupied Ephlaim
House and ths infamous a. Ju t %eiIieys lived
luton many french rcug' es settled there.
which. perhaps, accounts Tor certain half I'M
thai IN only time that the victims OF adverse
TunGridgr u ellis. for alter his last and sudden
stayed three months at tho CalyerIoy Hotel.
Mt It's least charm Is its facility # access.
d G"' t. y fa4s in an hour qbS BY
press trains. and IL lour-hGrsc coach, revived
S1 hn Ge 0 White HSss
in iiccadiliy every day al 10 o'clock. and
perforHr tho Journey in lour hours.
the Wells, MAS eau Nash-ltichard Nash.
the advontnrcr,- who for more than fty Years
goyeru"d the pleasures OF me polite Kingdom.
He spent his early acquired wealth rsckl essiy.
his euuIpages were sumpt4ous. and he habilu-
ally travelled down To the Wells In u post
gorgeos footmen, French horns and mu h os-
tentatiuus display Gambling was the chief at
traction lis 1t has been since Monaco and the
German watering, pnccs; the iarorts games
were jdiScaGac. phala or faro and the nee OF
hearts. Su, h eXorbiDant sums changed hands
ovnr tine = 'Ol cloth ma PUZZLE GnmlIing WAS
mt down ny statute, but various device, wer,
re-o.tei to III order to oIule mo law. second
and moro stringrnl prohDlll9l was Issued,
followed by irosh evasion. and the games OF
rolly-nollY, Mar oorouGh, hattios. but os.
JnGially oil 20 were irrst lluted and encouraged
To tho suppression OF the gaming table. Nash
himself had Il la Re stipulated share in the
prots IN i75} he WAS the W. k bnG Of Tqn,
made DEGREES and they were obeyed. one OF
I ~ principal was thar evrry visitor should live
IN rub,ic lodging houses beng only. used for
OHting and sleepiuA tho intermedIale time
was spent on the walk in the Assembly or
allotted occuphti on, always gregariOus one.
Nash partly from sarcasm. MARTY from com.
mon sense, but Chiefly through impudence and
conventional ities; no suppressed riding boots
and swords discouraged private gaming
tables, insisted upon early hours, and, with Al
/ capahio OF !:"ns,"us and charitable actions.
4 When be journey hy g"aI ,r stag" occupied
( the latter we," only allowed fourteen pounds
| o. luggage ioniorS met them as lar - NAL
TS o9G io1 "'FS s T ~. he S9 ss
! eral times . day paying welcome penny