Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1895-08-16
VI.

We thought ourselves quite fortunate
in being in England just at the time of
general election and am afraid | had
prepared myself for some such scenes
as those immortalized by Warren and
Dickens. l may not, perhaps say to my
disappointment, Uncertainty to my sur
prise the elections occurred with very lit
tie evidence of any great commotion,
though the country was almost unanl-
nous in it's verdict upon the retiring
party.
think have never written you how
exceedingly our experience OF English
people has differed from the exclusive re-
serve usually attributed to them. My
own habit has always been an almost
churlish shrinking from conversing with
strangers, but | am constantly melted
by the kindly courtesy and cordlahty
evinced by strangers whom we meet at
hotels, in railway carriages, or at public
resorts of all kinds. We are instantly
recognized as Americans" and the most
hospitable desire to put us at our ease
manifests itself on all sides. We have
asked ourselves hundred times, unsat-
isfactorily, how our appearance differs
! from that of the thousands about us,
and yet it is a pleasure to me to record
my amusement when J. had kindly ex-
planned to him that "a ha'penny is a
cent of your money, Sir
But digress. We CHANGED to be at
| Northampton at the time OF the election
there, and as that county is Us native
home and the town has for SO many
years been conspicuous in its return OF
radical members we both felt strong
and keen interest i'll the result. We at
tended many enthusiastic meetings, one
of which was organized by the Female
Suffrage" party with view of oustine
Mr.. Labouchere, an avowed enemy to
that party. The women, at whose head
was Mrs Stanton-Blatch, daughter OF
Mrs Elizabeth Cady Stanton, invited
the candidates who would support q
bill in parliament which should give the
ballot to women to address the meeting
so, funnily enough, there were speeches
from conservative and liberal candidates
advocating the feminine vote. There
were many speeches from women, ane
some were well listened to, while some
were sadly interrupted by groans anc
sighting remarks. However, Mr.. La
bouchere was returned, but the othe
member for Northampton is Mr.. Druker
young man of wealth and ability, who
is staunch conservative. | think this i
only the second conservative returned b,
the town of Northampton i'll sixty years
1t is of the beautiful county that
would write. The part of England
have most desired to see for the pas
twenty years. Every spot crowded
with associations of is early life. w
went back to his old home with its beau
titul and peaceful surroundings of garde,
and orchard; green fields, sloping dow
to CLASSY canal where there is it'll
traffic now, and the towing path has
broad fringe of grass, and the willow
grow tall and luxuriant and rehec
themselves in the placid surface day afte
day utterly unconscious of their ow
: beauty; where the shrill whistle of tn
locomotive has not yet begun to b
l heard. And so we went to the old locks
! that are getting to be familiar sight t
| me. and watched the gates fly open an
the water rise and float the boats throug
with that lazy, happy interest that i
e. not a possibility in our busting impa
E tient life at home. And then we went t
: the beautiful old village church, as beat
: titul almost as cathedral, where auain
old tablets in the walls told in quaint oil