Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-21
WINDSOR CASTLE.
Wated By m. and Mrs. +. Mac
k1nH0n, Of CeHhalIa, 7gh,tle an
Melr receAk AIb kQ EAgZaAa.

DIlSuI informing last august IOi ~ IIIGHOI,
distance Of twenty miles west, stop
ping every few miles at some small
station, little towns stretching almost
continuously all along the route forming
at this time Of the year really beauti-
fuI landscape. Lovely fields Of " corn
1--WE call it wheat still standing, other
fields cut and lying on the ground;
while others are stacked with great
golden bundles Of ripe grain. At last
we catch a glimpse Of the Castle, the
Royal Standard flying from the top of
the great Round Tower telling us that
Her Majestyis there. Reaching Datchet
the train makes a complete half circle,
passing along by the fields and Park
belonging to the Crown, draws up under
the shadow Of the great grey stone wall
at the foot Of the old Castle
Here we found an old friend awaiting
us, and entering her carriage we were
driven to st. Leonards Lodge, beauti-
full aristocratic old place, about two
miles distant from the castle. AS we
passed through the town she kindly
pointed out to us, as we passed them,
the different buildings of interest, the
Post Office, Royal News, Barracks, etc
TO an American the shops bearing
elaborate DESIGNS nvor thor oooIo dUno
in gold and bright colors, the Royal
Coat Of Arms" BY Special appoint
ment to Her Majesty" seems very
striking, one sees these signs all about
England, some Of them look very
quaint.
After luncheon and a pleasant chat
with our hostess, we took a short walk
about the grounds admiring the roses
which grow in great state Of perfec-
ton in England, and beautiful magno-
LA tree against the house in full bloom,
reminding me Of 4 visit to Natchez,
Mississippi, when | was bride. Again
entering the carriage Of our charming
hostess we were driven to Windsor
Park. Entering the Long Walk, at the
end OF which is 4 superb equestrian
statue Of George III, one can see
miles to the gates of the Castle, between
the two long rows of elm trees, called
Queen Anne's Ride of Elms." The
Little Park" in which the Castle
stands connects by this beautiful avenue
of trees with the Great Park " to the
east of which lies Windsor Forest,
which is tifty-six miles in circuit, con-
tanning in all $1,000 acres in extent also
many historic trees, such as Elizabeth's
Oak, and Shakespere's Oak Besides
the oldest planted timber in England,
that of the reign Of Queen EIizabeth),
there are many oaks of which for
various reasons it is well established
their ages must be one thousand years.
Driving on, we pass Frogmore in the
grounds of which is Prince Albert's
mausoleum, erected by Queen Victoria
to his memory at the cost Of 100000
Zone million dollars) and where one of
these days she will be buried, occupy
ing the vacant half of the sarcophagus
which contain the remains of Prince
Albert. We could only look through
the iron fence which surrounds the
building, as the gates are always closed
to the public. Once year on the
anniversary of his death, December
18th, the gates are thrown open, a short
service is held, afterwards his tomb is
visited by the Queen and members of
The Royal family after which the people
of Windsor are allowed to enter and
pay their respects at the tomb of the
good Prince, when the gates are closed
until the next year.
Passing on we enter the gates of the
Castle, so well-known to all the world,
by the many pictures we have of it. 1t
really is a noble pile of buildings
situated as it is on a prominence over
looking the country around for twenty
miles, one can see distinctly on clear
day that distance from the magnificent
terrace which surrounds it on three
sides, 25oo feet in circuit, approached
from the station below by the celebra-
ted zone hundred steps"
Looking east from the Castle Terrace
one can see below the Thames and
across the bridge Eton College. Eton
and Windsor being really one town.
In the center of the Castle is the
Round Tower" which forms the most
conspicuous part of the royal structure.
1t has often been used as place of
confinement for Royal prisoners, and
here the cultured Prince James. after
wards James |, of Scotland. was a
captive for many years. Here through
his narrow window he first saw and
loved Lady Jane Beaufort, who after
wards became his queen.
The Castle in the time of Edward The
Confessor Q050) was probablva wooden
structure. William The Conoueror
probably built the first substantial stone
buildings, and regularly fortified the
place. The buildings may be said TO be
grouped III three portions, viz: the
middle ward, containing the Round
Tower, the lower ward in the west
containing st. Georges Chapel. the
houses of the Military knights. cloisters
etc, the upper ward on the east. con-
tanning the Sovereign's private apart
mentS.
The unfinished chapel which was
begun by Henry III about the wear 1916.
was completed by Edward III in the
year 1909. Rebuilt by Henry VIII in
1886 and added to by Cardinal Wolsey