The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-24
ion was so far beyond our dreams that it

ton was so far beyond our dreams that it
seemed as if, in this our first visit to the
mother country. Nature meant to show
us that al. our hopes and fancies concern
ing her could and would be fulfilled to
the very utmost. Our excursion to Nettey
Abbey gave US our first glimpse of an
English ruin, though it were almost sac
rilege to call anything SO beautiful ruin
which naturally suggests decay and desc
lation The walls and cloister arches are
still standing, but all worn and crumb-
ling stone is thickly overgrown with liv-
ing green; we walked through what is
called the Church, four ivy-mantled walls
with no roof but the blue sky; we were
the only congregation and our choir
singing birds that flew in and out warb-
ling their hymns of praise. The delicious
GOODNESS of the sail across Southampton
waters to Cowes, wildly recalled the in
MIGRATING breezes Of Casco Bay. We
could not linger at Cowes, as we must
push on to Newport for the night if we
intended to be at hyde for the grand
uaVdl r6Yl6W duu llluullI1tblOu.
Our Newport inn, plain but comforta-
BILE, was close beside the parish church of
St. Thomas. Our land1ady gave us care
full directions as to the locality of CARTS
brook Castle the principal 'show-place'
of Newport. We hurried through the
chambers of King Charles and the I'M
happy princess, anxious to give every
moment of our time possible to the walk
around the outer wall of the Castle.
There may be lovelier views of English
meadows, divided by hedges of darker
green, and more graceful elms shading
numberless little villages, with their ivy
covered churches, but we have not yet
seen them Whichever way we turned,
a more charming picture than the last
met our eye. We made friends with
''Neddy" and "Jacob'' two most amiable
donkeys obedient, faithful drawers of
water. "Here Neddy, Neddy,' called
the keeper of the well; instantly up trot-
ted Neddy land waited patiently about, ;"
to far more purpose than Mary's lamb,
until the windlass was unwound and the
bucket dropped $50 feet into the water,
ana UQen WlUuOu1 d olSu VI WOIu hOlA
his master took his place in the wooden
wheel, and then trudge trudge went
those willing feet, until he brought up the
sparkling cold water for our refreshment.
For eighteen years this has been his
task and never has he refused to do his
duty. "Donkeys are the most intelligent
and tractabIe of animals and at the same
time the most abused" explained Neddy' S
friend waxing eloquent; 'they should
never be struck, lump of sugar now and
then works wonders, they will follow one
about all day and can easily be taught to
do almost any task.
Ryde did not know herself Saturday
afternoon; innumerable visitors thronged
her charming Esplanade. The place itself
was a deserted village" every inhabi-
tant being where sight of the great
naval review could be gained. All eyes
were turned toward the waters where rode
England's mighty ships, and whittier the
nations of the earth had sent worthy rep.
resentatives. The loud boom, boom, of
tbe cannon told us of the arrival of the
Prince and we looked eagerly for the
white flag of the royal yacht. We swal-
lowed a huge lump in our throat, as we
saw a large "sta1 -spangled banner
floating from the g Brooklyn" 1t was
orr first naval review and it certainly
was magnificent sight. Our sail on
the ssI orna Doone' took lis around the
fleet and gave us fine sight of Japanese,
Norveeian and other foreign visitors.
When We crossed the line and saw before
us those mighty battle ships. extending
for miles in one unbroken line, we ex-