The National tribune., 1893-01-19
EDIToRs CHAT.
Condition OF Eu2iand When Columbus Dis
covered America

Condition OF EuGiand When Columbus Dis
covered America
As no ose has come forward TO claim a prize for
third Columbian paper. the editor takes pleasure
IN answering a few questions briefly.
l. What was the condition of England when
Columbus discovered America?
Answer: The condition of England was rude
and turbulent. The country had been engaged in
prolonged wars. and the manners and customs of
the people and brutal. Kings and
Queens amused themselves with ribald bnff oonery
that would now be considered discreditable in a
stable. and the common people were benighted
and ignorant
The refined arts had gained no foothoid horticui-
sure aud Horticulture were unknown. The people
lived on the toughest fare, and the great game of
life Tor royalty and nobility to squeeze as
much possible out of the common people and
each other.
2. What the chief occupation OF the people?
Answer: killing another IL is hard for US
in this enlightened and peaceful age 10 under
stand what il TO live in time when the
of people wofully ignorant. and when those
nj the head Of affairs spending more time in
learning the arts OF shan cultiraiing the mind
and heart. Those the days when men be
lieved in the divine right of the King; when TIA e
strong tyrannized over the weak. and yassals and
serfs were born and reared to igh, and die for the
powers that esteemed them as but cattle.
3. Ia what kind of houses did the people Iive7
Answer: The castles and dwellings were of
stone, thick walls, low narrow rooms. and stone
or eRrthen floors. The beds were boxes built
sgainst tbe walls in the better houses: but the
common folk slept pallets of straw together
wills the dogs and the household pets and tue
beasts Of burden. There were windows proper
glass was no. introduced into England for many
years alter. There We're chinneys. and what
ire WAS Ia idere IN
the middle Of the floor. the smoke escaping, IL
cat all. through the doorway and openings in the
walls. Aermn infested the bodies of the common
people. aud itch and other disorders caused by
filthy living, were common ss TO excite no
alarm.
q. What kind OF a town I.ondonf
Answer: London, now the greatest city in the
world, WAS dirty town of perhaps 5000 people.
There were sidewalks. no payements. no fire.
places. windows, street lights. sewers.
There were no books and newspapers, the art
Oi printing was yet unknown, and learning and
manuscripts were confined 10 the monasieries.
England in The 10Th century was behind the Con-
tinentHi countries in material development, and
was without literature. enlightenment @ manners.
WHO WAS ABoU BEN ADHEM?
Was his existence merely in the poets brain or
did he walk this planet somewhere? The follow
ing poem. by Leigh Hunt, suggests this inquiry:
Abou Ben Adhem. may his tribe increase,
Awoke night from a deep sleep of peace.
Aud SAW within the moonlight in his room
Making IL rich and like lily In bloom,
An angel writing ia a book of gold
f.Eceeding peace had made Ben Adhem hold,
Therefore 10 tlie presence IN the room he said
What writest thou?" Tie vision raised it's head,
Aud wiiii n smile made ala of sweet accord,
Answered The names OF those vino love the
Lord"
Aud is mime one! 4" said Abou. Nay no, so''
epiied ,he angel. Abou epake more low
d sincerity still, and said = pray thee. thea,