The Princeton union., 1900-07-19

6UR0PE PEAN SIGHTS.
. A Letter from the Old World .
UNIONS SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.



where lived the miller of the Dee''
and across the river is King Edgar's
cave which is said to have extended
formerly to the river where he was
rowed by his captive kings. Beyond
the gate are the "wishing steps,
where we stopped to take breath but
did not attempt to gain the reward Of
ferred, viz: ANY one who can run no
and down these steps seven times with
out taking breath can have any wish
gratifed." Near the gate also is the
castle of which, however, there is very
little of the original structure left. It
is used now for government Offices and
many ''red-coats" are seen about from
the militia barracks close by.
Chester cathedral is said to occupy
the site OF temple to Apollo and was
built in the early part of the 18th CEN
tury. The verger who conducted us
through the building had many funny
stories to tell. One of them is per-
haPs familiar to all, of a certain dean
who was asked by a schonl-boy why
angels should climb ladders when they
had wings Jacobs ladder). The good
dean was puzzled but was helped out of
his difficulty by another little fellow
who suggested that it might have
been the moulting season. sir"
There are many curious and beautiful
things to be seen here, among them an
ancient stone pulpit in the WALL of
early English>architecture and reached
by flight of stone steps. We came
near not seeing this as the choir boys
were rehearsing but an extra fee
paved the way and we were admitted
in season to enjoy the pure, young
voices at close range. We passed
through the cloisters to reach this por-
tion of the building which is of very
ancient date and was formerly the re-
| fectory of the monks
Among the relics treasured here is a
tattered flag carried at Bunker Hill.
Beneath the chapter-house was buried
Hugh Lupers, first Earl of Chester.
Returning from the cathedral we
passed through the Rows, a line of
picturesque buildings with balconies
above the first story where some of
the finest shops are located. These
balconies are reached by flights of
| c&o 81 md
by projecting gables of the 10th cen
tury. A curious house called Gods
Providence House bears the inscrip-
tion ''Gods Providence is mine inheri-
tance 1882 1t was the only house
that escaped the plague, hence the
motto.
Wednesday afternoon we had most
delightful drive to Eaton Park and to
Hawarden, famous as the home of
England's grand old man" The
grounds Of Eaton Hall are beautifully
kept and very extensive and the rich
ness of the interior furnishings and
decorations are beyond description.
The late duke died about Christmas
and his son who has succeeded to the
estate and title is at the front with
Lord Roberts. The castle is open to
visitors. the small fee charged being
devoted to benevolences.
| Hawarden castle is closed just now
on account of the recent death of Mrs.
Gladstone but we drove through the
beautiful grounds and got a snapshot
of the castle ITSELF We visited the
church where Gladstone himself often
conducted the services and of which
his son, the Rev. Stephen Gladstone is
rector. At the rectory we had the
pleasure of conversing with his little
daughter Katharine, au intelligent
little miss about thirteen years of age
dressed in black for her late grand
mother
!. A funny little episode occurred on
! the return drive which gave us some
: thing of an insight into the manners
, and custom of Young England. A
group of boys ran up to the carriage
, showering in upon US some wild roses
; gathered by the roadside. Thanks
, proved insufficient pay as we soon
found for they followed the carriage
J, running at full speed for an incredibly
long distance, shouting '''Hooray!' and
, performing all sorts Of antics. We
!; have learned to be chary Of these
, favors bestowed with such seeming
; pleasure for they mean, at the very
, least, a penny.
} Weleft Chester Thursday afternoon.
taking the train to Stratford-on-Avon
which we reached at 6:35 in season for
; dinner at the Shakespeare hotel. Time
) was too precious to be wasted so after
dinner, Tin the cleaning" we wended
> our way to Shottery, by the very path