Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-07-06


in England where such fine example
of the very ancient stone-built village |
NAV be found as at Broadway, the |
"Bradweia" of 500 years ago, which
nestles against the lower slope of the |
northwestern face of the Cotswold Hills,
overlooking the lovely vale Of Evesham. |
The many -gabled Lyon Arms, de-
\ licious resort for American and English
artists and other genuine epicures of
flood, scenery and charming antiquities,
is the most ancient of all the structures
of the slumberous old mountain town.
The precise structure standing here
! to-day is known to have been occupied
as an inn for upwards Of 500 years. 1t is
charmingly picturesque without, and its
interior is most quantity arranged, with
/; odd hooks and corners, while the first
floor of the east wing has fine old
J room with a curiously carved chimney
piece in stone, other interesting orna-
! mentation, and wondrous lot of
charming traditions about the great
Z folk, some on desperate business, like
Charles l., in 1916, and Cromwell, in
1861, who have lodged within it. Broad
way itself is the sweetest old English
\ pastoral village idyl to be found in Eng
land, and, to me, this ancient hostelry,
4 with its Tudor chimneys, its many
gables and dormers, its stone and iron
finals, mullioned windows and bays, its
fine old ingles and tireplaces, with Its
stone walls, thick as forts, massed
with creepers and vines, is its warmest
and mellowest page.
The old cathedral city of Gloucester,
possesses several very ancient inns
which are still in use, two of which are
regarded as among the most interesting
sights of the place by all foreign travel
ers. One of these, the New Inn, is an
extraordinary relic of very ancient
times and deeply interesting from its
great age, its historical associations and
its extremely picturesque character, its
architecture having many features in
common with the larger and distinctly
Moresque inns of Spain and Portugal.
Readers Of history will recall that the
splendid south aisle Of Gloucester's mag
nificent cathedral was built in 1918 by
Abbott Thokey, during the period of
whose abbacy the body of murdered
King Edward IL, which had been re-
fused interment in the abbeys of
Malmesbury, Kingswood and Bristol,
was given burial within it, Great pill
grimages to Edwards tomb, and won
derfully increased revenues to the then
abbey church resulted. The throngs
were sometimes so enormous that the
city could net shelter them, and they
were obliged to encamp at night out
side the gates. A shrewd old monk
named John Turnius, taking proper ad
vantage Of the situation, in 1850, undei
the abbacy and with the sanction anC
assistance of the famous abbott, Thomas
bail AI,. IT,. -.
the time doubtless had no superior as
public hosiery in Europe. Think o
taking your ease in your inn, as vol
can do in the New Inn of Gloucester to
day. in tavern which has survived thu
changes of 443 years and never beer
closed dayl
The quaint old place is so cunningl,
hidden behind the grim walls of North
gate street that the casual straggler, no
having it in actual quest, would be for
tunate indeed if his glance penetrate,
the deep, dark archway separating
from the street and fell upon the charm
ing old-world scene within. | can neve
forget my own experience, when, who'll
ignorant of the spot, and of all of dea
old Gloucester, for that matter, hal
come after a wearisome tramp dow
from the Malvern Hills, and withou
object or purpose was leaning agains
y the corner OF this same dark archwa
for bit of rest. Turning in vagran
way to depart, a coaching party dashe
gaily past me through the archway. M
eyes followed the cavalcade, and the
my legs followed my gladdening eye
What an exquisite pleasure was in tha
sense of original discovery of plaC
80 picturesque and old How hesitantl
/ tiptoed about that fine and ancier
courtyard, feasting on this and that lii,
covetous intruder; and when | foun
that these were anybody's pictures fC
tine reckoning of even three penny
worth OF entertainment, with what d.
light did luxuriate at the bow-windo
of the fine old coffee-room, orderin
this and that which did not want, an
tipping the waiter so immoderately tn,
he sent another, and that one anothu
but taxing them all with questions
that they gasped between answers; an
finally wound ur by settling an advan,
score which removed all doubts of r
sponsibility, if not of sanity, while o
dering my luggage to its quaintest o
room with the loquacity of bridegroo
and the bravery of lord
Around the entire three stories of Il
inner court, which is very spacious, ri
galleries upon which all the dormitorl
open, precisely as with the Spani
patio or court; while the half story
the peaked roof is broken into dormel
hooded with pretty tiling, and the
faces set, like the border of an o
woman's cap, with simple but wondro
ornamentation. The most pictnresq
of old stairs and landings lead from o
story to the other. Huge iron orname
tations, many cast with sacred embleI
in view of its original pilgrim characl
are found promiscuously attached
1.-THE doors, windows and ceilings, angl
and bows. Diamond shaped panes
leaden frames are common. Caseme
and little swinging windows are ever
where throughout the structure. Nicf
for effigies and carved crosses have I
yet been hidden by time and change.
IA Opposite the street archway is anotf
lesser but picturesque archway, w
the entire facade of the rear side of I
quadrangle above showing as quaint
dreamful a scene of Testfulness and 1
tiquity as can be found in Euro
Through this is reached the stable-ya
now restricted to accommodation for
horses. In olden times it could care
hundreds of animals, as folk Of quail
in the time of the King Edward /
grimages invariably came on horseba
Everything about the New Inn is qu
and quaint and old. Never elsewh
was seen such radiant tumble of c
corners, little arches, protruding up
stories, peep holes of windows, CAB