Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1900-07-26
WARWICK, ENGLAND.
Univ 1nd 1NO0

July Sn0, lUVV.
We are stopping tonight at the loveliest,
quain,est old English inn you ever saw.
The house seems full of the most beautiful
pieces of old mahogany furniture, oak chests,
carved sideboards, dressers, everything so
antique and odd
We left London this morning and came 81
miles to LeamiDgton; from there we took
coach and droye to Warwick Castle, STRAIT
ford and Kenilworth.
Weare now in the town Of Warwick where
the castle is. Stratford is z miles away in
one direction and Kenilworth 8 in another
The castle is the most beautiful place could
have imagined; it is occupied at present by
the Earl of Warwick, but the grounds and
some looms are shown to visitors for Cd.
The castle was built by Guy LIST, Earl Of W.
who married the daughter OF Alfred the
Great, 50 you can imagine its age. We en-
tered through a tower gate, with the port
cullis raised. The road is cut out the solid
rock which rises with its crown OF fern and
leaves 10 or Is feet above It. The castle is
the best example of feudal fortress remaining
in England. 1t is noble old mansion. The
rooms shown, were filled with paintings by
noted masters. One room was panelled en-
tirely of cedar wood, beautifully carved and
the paintings are all Van Dykes. There is
picture in one of the rooms of st. Ignatius
by Reubens, and many others. There Is a
fine portrait of the Countess of w. painted
by Carolus Duran. She evidently was very
beautiful woman. The famous Warwick
vase is in a conservatory built especially for
it, have never seen such roses, such trees,
the latter were brought from Lebanon; the
grass sward is 80 carefully preserved that the
horses have leather shoes on when they are
hitchcd to the lawn mower. The three tow.
ers are Caesars. Clocks and Guys. From
here we took coach drive to StratfGrd.
This place is only interesting because of Its
associations and is very quaint and ancient.
We saw the room where Shakespeare was
born, his tomb. sc.
Our drive from Stratford to Kenilworth
was through the loveliest country you can
imagine The growth of everything is go
luxuriant and it gives one the impression of
age. The houses are so quaint and pretty;
many of them have matched roofs, and the
farm buildings are all thatched. The cattle
and sheep are fine and the meat they furnish
is the most delightful l have ever tasted.
The ruins of Kenilworth are very interest.
ing and by an effort Of the imagination we
could call up the "princely pleasures"enjoyed
there by Queen Elizabeth and could fancy
Amy Robsart brought before her for judg'
ment.
We were up early Tuesday morning, July
3D., bound for Chester. The ride here was
both pleasant and interesting as we passed
the busy cities of Birmingham and Manches.
ter on the way. In the afternoon we drove
out to Eton Hall. the seat of the Duke OF
Westminster. The present Duke was p
years old last night and Is now IN South
Africa as an officer in the British army. We
saw good many of the rooms but can't
begin to tell you of all the lovely things the
rooms contain. 1t Is in a beautiful park
with lovely old trees and herds of deer add
20 it's picturesqueness. We went into the
chapel first; 1t is finished in Derbyshire ala
baster, beautifully carved, and the same stone
Is used In many of the rooms. The banquet
room is pannelled In carved walnut; on the
walls were paintings of the family by Sir
Godfrey Kela and two large paintings by
Snyders. In the corridor were two OF Reu-
ben's the elaboration OF the Magi," as the
guide called, the breakfast room with wall
paintings of Chaucer's Canterbury Pilgrims
by Stacy Marks. The State drawing room
was magnificent, the walls paneled in art
needle work and decorated with family por'
traits by Sir Peter Lely. One Of the most
beautiful things was table of Labrador spar
that turned different colors as we passed
around it, The library contains $4,000 vol.
umes. We returned to Chester and went to
the cathedral which we found rather disap-
pointing. Chester is quaint old place.
Most of the shops are raised one story above
the sidewalks. 1t is light here until 8 p. m.
and the weather Is very cool, just like Nov
ember weather at home.
f. A. MATTHIAS
n