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

behind. The side opposite the street
provided offices and sleeping accommo-
dations for guards, post-boys, whips and
all those inn.helpers concerned in
working the coaches, or dealing with
the tired cattle of the many travellers ON
horseback, merchandise packers and
wagoners passing between England and
Scotland century ago.
In this quadrangle are also many open
stone sheds, with tiled roofs, stone feed
boxes and neat, slanted cobblestone
floors, where private vehicles and
wagoners could find temporary shelter
in great numbers; and in the centre OF
this quadrangle, set about with stone
drinking-troughs, is the most tremen-
deus ancient pump l have found in
England, still creakingly serving the
scanty uses of the present degenerate
days.
The quadrangle behind the inn-yard
is formed by what remains of the ancient
stone stables, where scores of pairs of
post.horses could have found comfort
able quarters and as many more carriers
and packers cattle have good shelter
and care. In the hostel proper the huge
old kitchen must have quite equaled the
famous ancient kitchen Of old st. Mary's
Hall, Coventry. There arc still to be
seen half dozen coffee and breakfast
rooms. low, with deep window-seats,
quaint cupboards and odd old oak PANEL
ing, where guests were served in parties
and groups, instead of in common hall.
There are tons and tons of lead In the
roof-gutters, about the window frames,
and still firmly holding the ancient tiny
panes Of glass. Little old parlors and
| sitting-rooms, with curious windows
and most ancient stucco work are still
recognizable; but most interesting of all,
and illustrating the customs OF that early
time is tiny tap-room opening into the
rear of the inn-yard.
1t has low oaken settles built station
airy into wall and floor. Its huge fire.
place is full of tiny cranes for steaming
kettles. In one corner is an oaken bed,
enclosed in closet-like frame, where
landlord or barman could not only re-
also lock himself in against uproar and
disturbance; and the window to this
room Is a low portly bow, in the centel
Of which, above tiny stout shelf, is 8
singled hinged pane. Through this the
stablemen, hangers-on, the late night
travellers, who might be honest or other
wise, were served with usquebaugh or {
joram-only after they had deposited
coin of the realm and the latter haC
reached the hostel treasury, grea
buckskin bag within the dark recesses o
the barmans fortified bed.
A wonderful old curios is the Unicorn
at Bowes, all unknown to the people o
England themselves. Like the villag,
| it is dead in its shell. Its oaken tinlbers
as those in Raleigh's old home a
Z Youghal, seem everlasting; but it,
| moaning belfry, its empty stables, it
I crumbling doye-cotes, its forlorn brew
, house, its empty tap-room, its grass
grown inu-yard, and even its presen
J occupancy by strange creature hal
ploughman and half schoolmaster, VIII
| stares listlessly up and down the Grea
J North Road for occasional victim il
) wandering bicyclist, less frequent liter
airy tramp, or yokel from the near fields
all serve to emphasize by contrast tn
Q cheer and stirring days that once wer
: here.
g As everywhere in England along it
9 grand old highways where stand thes
crumbling monuments to the mello,
!, coaching days, there remains but mourn
e full silence where there was an army {
e helpers and horsekeepers; where til
s bow-legged post-boys in their hig
: chokers, high hats, huge buttons an
r gorgeous waistcoats, led lives of pos
Q tive renown; where the tinkle of harne:
b brasses and clatter of hoot were endless
}, where "Rule Britannia" from shril
s keyed bugles enlivened the constant d,
parture and arrival Of coaches; whei
: the smart cry of first pair out" set tn
il inn-yard and stables in high commC
!. ton; and where through the livelon
k day and night, great roadside inn, lii
IS the Unicorn, was the brightest, liv
r liest, cheeriest, most harum-scarum an
&c delicious place to be found in all IL
}, length and breadth of "Merrie EN-
r land" EDGAR L. WAKEMAN.