The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-13
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nv EH6LEsH COUNTRY HOUnR
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2sese fsst, is oisseestershsrs, asA -
ssrssee Vssassr % seventy heers As~
LoNDor. Nov 26-When London 10 At ID
gloomiest then the Enslish country. d
perfectly lovely In summer. assumes ont
OF its most characteristic aspects Al
the hunting season slowly recedes the shoot
Ing season rises to its highest perfection
All the country houses MI fast: the last linger.
ing autumn leaves fall softly on the brown
bracken. and with tho early darkness null
honed windows throw the rudy light Of glori.
GUS fires from their frames Of creepers and ivy
It Is not every one who can dwell In the old
historical homes Of the British aristocraoyi
Beaudesertin Staffordshire. Woburn Abbey In
Bedfordshire. Berkeley Castle in Gloucester
shire will long hsrbor the Angeseys, Bedfords,
and Fitzhardinges and even filed as thoy are
with succession OF guests. they are open
only to small minority. Mlllionaires alone
can avail themselves Of the facility offered for
renting any Of the domains which are
sometimes In the market during long MI
nority. but there are here and there opportu-
mites Of securing the momentary tenancy Of
some delightful abode. Of lesser size and i'm.
portance 1t IL true. but yet possessing the char
acteristics that make English country places
the most desirable In the world. That these
occasions are rare and require some
trouble In their discovery does mot do
tract from their advantages: II II su.
premely pleasant for the foreigner who
I'LL then has viewed only from afar the homes
thathave all the graces Of antiquity when COM
paratvely new and all the modern comforts
when old. to md the tenancy Of them with
In his grasp: to be able to enjoy the exquisite
landscape gardening. the splendid trees. the
matured beauty Of scenery and building. and
to ind himself removed from the monotonous
life Of hotels or furnished houses In tho city.
Gloucestershire. with It's famed Cotswold
Hills and Golden Valley. is not the least pretty
OF the many lovely English counties. and on
tts border stands ono Of the houses that COM
bine In q harmonious whole picturesQueness.
comfort moderate rent, ivied gables. irregu-
lar and elegant construction. and even pos.
sesses one Of the traditions that every we'll
regulated English mansion should have.
Almondsbury IL alocslity aboundine In fno
bits OF scenery. and Knole Park may be fairly
classed among them. The house stands on an
eminenoe from which the ground falls ABRUPT
~ on all sides. The style is EllxabethAn. with
d succession OF high-pitched gables, which,
d Wing to the different additions made to It on
various lines. are broken up and united
BY mantle Of rich ivy. Close beside the en-
trance. rising high above the tallest root is q
tower with an embsttled parapet, and seen
from distance in the framework OF two huge
cedars the structure looks like o well-pre-
served medieval castle. The resemblance is
heightened by a group Of buildings on the left
stables and offices-also thtckly draped with
ivy and luxuriant growth Of MOSES and
lichens covering tho great stone slabs stand
ing In lieu Of tiles. Through q long ap-
proach OF trees lending to the broad lawns.
as vevety as the most fastidious owner
could desire. the spire OF Almondsbury glistens
In the distance 1t is half mile distant. and
whether the view Of 1t Is an accident or design
eddy contrived. it adds much to the scenery.
Beyond the terraced grassy slopes Of the old.
fashioned gardens there is an avenue Of yews.
not very long. indeed. but planted so closely
as to form massive and lofty walls on either
side. That there is plenty of game on the do
main is plain enough. as the paths and open
pastures are lively with the hurrying forms Of
furred creatures startled by the footsteps Of
the intruders in the now unoccupied property.
There arc probably a hundred and more Of such
houses in England. but every time that one
comes upon such O one. and that the POSSIBLE
ity presents itsef OF occupying It oven for a
time q great longing arises to spend at least
a year there and watch the succession OF the
seasons in it. each bringing fresh beauty and
another charm. '-'' .-."
An interesting episode connected with Knole
Park is now nearly forgotten. although at the
time 1t excited great attention. In April. 1917.
the overseer brought with great difficulty to
the Park young woman Of somewhat attrac-
tive appearance. quantity dressed In Eastern
fashion. draped in q shawl and wearing a sort
OF turban. speaking no known language.
who by signs had expressed desire to rest In
one Of the cottages. She was kindly treated by
the magistrate residing at Knole Park and his
lady. who. finding the stranger penniless. sent
her to the public house for refreshment and
bed Tho Young woman showed sipns If dis.