Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-12
JOURNEYINGS ABROAD.
Yorkminster and Something of Its
Historic RenOwn.
The Most Imposing Cathedral IN Eng
land and It's Composite Architecture
The Beautiful Estate. "studIey
ROyal"-Quaint Inns with Queer
Names-NewcastIe ON Tyne.

The Emperor Constantine was born here
and here he was proclaimed Roman en-
peror. The first Enghsh parliament was
held here in 1850 and continued TO be
held here occasionally for 500 years. The
old Roman walls still encircle the city and
serves as public promenade. York
minister stands on the site of Saxon
church in which King Edwin, of North
Humbris. was baptized on Easter day, A.
D., 627. The length of the cathedral is
524 feet, height of nave 90 feet. and
choir 102 feet. A most imposing struc-
ture it is of composite srchitecture-Nor-I
man, early English-decorated and per-
pendiculsr. This cathedral Is the richest
in old stained glass of any church in Eng
land, for the reason given in former let
ter. The great east window is the largest
in the kingdom with the original glazing.
A. d. 1905 s. This is larger than the
window in Gloscester Cathedral which is
72x3S feet, and they are the largest WIN
dows in the world. Old York Castle is
now prison. In 1870 over 500 Jews
destroyed themselves and set fire to the
castle in order to dissppoint blood>
thirsty mob. RIpon is sixty~three miles
from York, and six miles from Ripon one
visits the famous Fountains Abbey which
is the finest ruin in England. The abbey
is on the estate of the Earl of Ripon and
open to visitors for small sum. The
abbey formerly covered twelve acres and
the ruins now cover two acres. The
estate" Studley Royals most beauti-
full, with lovely succession of small
lakes or ponds, fountains and dams, great
temples and statues. charming walks
through the most luxuriant groves and
shru5bery, hill and dale. valley and lawn
One can almost envy the earl his wonders
full home, and wonder if he will ever be
reconciled to depart for better one. A
stream winds dramatically past the abbeJ
AID suggests an unlimited supply of fish
for the Friday fssts of the monks The
nave of Ripon cathedral is beautiful, III
feet long and SO feet high Some old
Saxon remains are shown to visitors. We
stopped at the White House inn, receiv-
ing charming hospitality from both
mine host and his wife. These quaint
inns are pleasing study to foreigner
and their queer names are amusing and
attractive. Here in Chester we see the
White Lion. "Green Dragon" white
Eagle. Golden Eagle" Golden Lion. -"
Watch Inn" Queens Head, Queens
Arms, kings Arms" and so many more
OF quaint names. They are generally en>
tered through an arched passage in the
center of the house, which leads to the
stables in the rear. On one side OF the
arched passage is the entrance 10 the
house, with bar where the landlady and
Oar maid dispense any kind of drink
called for. On the opposite side is the
smoking room, or pot room. where chairs
or settees and tables afford the weary
traveller place for rest and refreshment
OF the inner man. Vi stairs is the Com
mercial room. where meals are served on
call. The bedrooms are well furnished
generally with old fashioned solid ma
hogsny furniture, excellent beds, mostly
feather, linen of the cleanest and every =
thing as neat as pin. The furniture
generally would prompt one to break the
tenth commandment. Quiet always pre-
walls throughout the house and all your
dealings are with the waiter and lsndlady.
The man of the honse Is seldom seen, and
never in business way. Women and
children are seen in the pot room slipping
their pint of bitter" but no noise or loud
talking They come and 90 with the
least possible noise, and are served BY the
Sud Dhi DOlu OI WHOM are
shrewd business women. noiseless in
movement, neat and ladylike. often in
black silk, and attentive as possible OF
course the swell hotels are different but
your correspondent sees little of them
the charges are too high.
Durham is situated on the river Vicar.
which nearly encircles it--a busy city.
On the cliff oyerhanging the city stands
the old castle built in 1882 while close
beside the castle stands the cathedral. the
grandest and most massive Norman
church in England. built in 1O73-113O-
is, as has been said, half house of God.
half castle gainst the Scot" The bish-
ops OF Durham had a peculiar standing
among bishops, being prince bishop, and
in olden times they went to battle at the
head of their armed men, mem
bers of the church militant, indeed.
Newcastle on Tyne derives its name
from castle built by Robert, eldest son of
William the CCnquerer. We are reminded
here of the old proverbs: Carrying Goals
TO Newcastle. Wines and ale are
abundant, and the manufacturing inter
ests are great-irOn. steel, woolens glass,
pottery. chemicals, etc, etc. Tie river
abodnds with salmon and other fish, and
we saw immense nets being drawn. A
talk with an intelligent miner on the train
informed me that the mines are from 400
to 800 feet in depth-the same varying
in width and height, often not more than
eighteen inches high. The coal is car,
ried by bags from the mines to a central
point, then by ponies to the shaft. Wages
only Slip per day-often less. Great
poverty abounds here-as in all coal dis
trlcts-and it was ptiable to see the wo
men and children on the streets in wretch.
ed clothing and looking still more
wretched in face and manners | visited
public wash room provided by the cor
poratioD, supplied with set tubs hot and
cold water, room for mangling, and
hot room for drying, where women can
go and do their washing, etc. for two
cents an housekeeping furnished but
soap. There are several in the city-the
one visited being the oldest and poorest
-6UO women week accommodated
there. What q blessing for the poor.
George Stephenson was born near here,
and here he made the first locomotive en-
CINE. The same engine No. stand
ing now on the rail bridge on a platform
as one enters the city. An excellent mon
nment to him stands in public square.
We are close to the Scottish border, and
the dialect proclaims the fact People
are very cordial, and the word "Ameri-
can" brings pleasant smile and greet
ing to every face. / learn many an in
teresting fact about people and things in
railway carriage and hotel, and even on
the street. The Yankee is inquisitive,
and your correspondent is Yank.
r. F. s.
Our New Hotel and Theatre Manager.