The age-herald., 1899-08-29
PAUL PRY WRITES
 FROM OLD LONDON

beautiful meadows which belong to the richest college-Christ church. The hall of Christ church is the grandest of mediaeval lalls in the kingdom save that of Vest minister hall of the house of parliment The Memorial hall-the dining hall of Har- yard university-is an exact reproduction of this imposing dining hall, though our own 1hall seats more students-about 1,2OO In this room banquet was given by Henry VIII, who built it at the suggestion of Cardinal Wolsey, in 1853; and dramatic representations were witnessed here by Elizabeth, James l. and Charles l.; and here. in 16H, the latter monarch assembled those members of parliament who remained faithful to the failing cause. One of the most delightful scenes in Oxford was that portion of the river Thames devoted to ooat racing and by them chr.stehed the Isis" Here we saw qne college boat houses, which are so picturesque, and to stranger, so unique. 1 saw them during my formef visit at the royal regatta at Henley-on- n-the-rhames with their college flags flying, and each boat most elaborateiy decorated in it's own college colors, one ol the most beautiful sights imaginable. Then there is one large boat which is the clubhouse boat of all the colleges, and We went through this one-just as cozy and comfortable as it could be. The grounds all about the colleges surpass the powers of my pen to deseribe and the beautiful old 1rees-eopper beaches, one of the finest in England, and tie inc tree walks-Ad- dison's favorite walk, Waere these very an- cient trees are trained to form a Gothic arch. It was rare treat, the buildings, the chapes, and lovely gardens, clustered as they are in the midst of a busy, bustling little place.
 Then We spent whole day at Windsor. At present the queen is at her royal home at Osborne, so that the magnificent old castle at Windsor and state apartments are thrown open to an eager and Interested public. Washington Irving has said of W.ndsor Castle that it rears it's irregular walls and massive towers, like mural crown round the brow of a lofty ridge, waves it's royal banner in the clouds and looks down with lordly air upon the sur rounding wo-d.'
 Yet, words could not describe the impos- ing magnihcence of this royal abode How ever, the queen, I understand, does not like it, and I am not surprised for notwith- standing it possesses nearly eight hundred rooms it is more than probable that less formidable place would suit her majesty far better. At Windsor we saw the most magnificent tapestries that it has been my good fortune to behold anywhere, and they are in the very best state of preservation. St. Georges or the chapel of the Knights of the Order of the Garter, begun in 1474 ~ and was in itself worth the trip to Windsor. Then, too, the Albert Chapel" originally erected by Henry VII as a mausoleum for himself, but eventually preferring West minister, it was transferred for a similar use to Cardinal Wolsey, is also a most beautiful chapel Queen Victoria under took the restoration of the chapel in honor of her deceased husband, Prince Albert, and now it is truly royal and sumptu- ous memorial. The view from the terraces of the castle are beautiful beyond descrip- tion. Nearby is Eton college, one of the most famous of English colleges, and founded in 144O by Henry VI. The Eton boys in their short jackets, broad collars and tall hats, represent a large section of the youthful wealth and aristocracy of England. Further in the misty distance rises the spire of Stoke Pogis church with its sleepy old cemetery clustered about the scene of Thomas Gray's "Elegy of a Coun- try Churchyard," certainly one of the sweetest things in all literature. Nearby is fine property which once belonged to the descendants of our own William Penn. But no small part of the Royal Palace are the Royal News" and although the queen
 
 riages to Osbourne with her, there must have been four or five dozen horses left at Windsor, which we were informed cost at least a thousand dollars apiece. And there were the queens own milk-white ponies which she so often uses and which the royal children use constantly And we did want to take of the dear little things home with us They were so affectionate, they really seemed to take quite fancy to young American and showed desire to go with him to the land of the free, so far across the vast and trackless deep. Then for fear we had not seen enough of royal palaces, we spent charming day at Hampton Court and went through the state apartments of the palace, the largest royal palace in Great Britain. It was originally founded by Cardinal Wolsey and after wards presented by him to the king. Its battlemented walls lay on the site of property mentioned in the Downing Day Book
 It was subsequently, occupied by Crom- well, the Stuarts, William H. and others. It contains many valuable paintings and complete portraits of the court beauties of the court of William and Mary, and also of the court of Charles II. But the garden was the most beautiful and stately grounds of any we have seen in London. Laid out in the French style, it is magnihcently kept, with it's variety of rich-colored flow CTS and velyety green lawns. In the green houses, clustered beside the oldest part of the place, we were very much interested. in an old grapevine, which was planted in, l76S. The stem Is thirty-eight inches in. circumference, and from its many branohesi we saw over 1,2OO punches of grapes. It was novel sight, I assure you. But 1t Is difAoi,It fo all xoi1 a hout al that hay