Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-08-13

to acquire more than q smattering of
Latin. Greek and French. insufficient
60 enable me TO read with interest
book In any of those languages. Eng
lish I had mastered fairly well and
developed some facility In It's compo-
sition: while for music IL was acknowl-
edged that had more than ordinary
ability. was painfully conscious
that my mental equipment was a very /
poor one and wondered whether my |
uncle would keep much company dur |
Ing his stay IN England. what sort or !
people his friends were. and in what
manner they would regard a young
gentleman Of such slender Attachments
as mine.
Both my uncle and aunt endeavored
to make me talk. but they were not
very successful IN their efforts. and
little more was said before our car
rage passed rapidly through North
gate street. Bury 81. Edmund's. and
dashed into the station yard there.
Uncle sam was the first TO alight.
''See 20 your aunt and the luggage
there. Ernest" he said. and then ran
up the stairs three steps at time.
He is always like this when we
start on a Journey" observed aunt
Gertrude. as I assisted her out Of the
carriage. I'VE have ten or twelve
minutes to spare. and during that time
be VIII despatch at least that number
OF kilograms. l have never known him
10 content himself so long without
business as during his stay at your
house"
The luggage had been labeled and
put into the brake. my aunt and
f were comfortably ensconced in oppO-
& site corners Of the first class compart-
ment which had been specially re-
served for Us. aud the train began TO
move out or the station before uncle
sam emerged from the telegraph
Office. But ne was equal 10 the occa-
sion. Jumping lightly into the car
rage he shut the door with a slam.
and seated himself as far from US as
+ possible. Begging his wife TO enter
tain me as we'll as she could. he pro
duced . large pocketbook and pencil.
and az once became engrossed in some
study. nor did he again open his lips
until we reached London.
The changeful veathcr-exhilarati
sunshine alternating with gloomy
clouds from which descended heavy
showers Of rain - greatly interested
my aunt. who FOR my edffication com
pared the climates OF England and
North America as our train sped
through the low-lying Essex meadows.
Like most Americans who visit Eng
land she was uncomfortably affected
by the chilly dampness OF our climate.
and visihly shivcrel. though she was
enveloped IN a thick wool rug. Though
our acquaintance had been so bri&.
had developed 4 very real regard foT
my youthful American aunt. whose
kindly consideration AMI uniform gen
tleness excited my admiration As
scrutinized her delJe features
noted their wistful Expression. and
experienced feeling akin 10 pity fgi
her-fOr instinctivcly felt there could
I exist 10 bond or sympathy betweeI
this gentle lady and her husband.
No other part OF England Is 50 de
pressing as the horrid region betwoeI
Romford and Liverpool street through
which the Great Eastern Railwa.
T Company conveys its London -Ooun,
victims. Between those places Ia
senses OF sight. hearing and smell ar
grossly outraged. and when the uu
(, fortunate traveller finds himself ono
: more on terra frma he stagCers liz
one awakened from q nightmare. hi
limbs stifCned bv the close packing Z
which they have been subjected. an
#. bis mind and stomach disguised b
the denominations be has seen an
shifted.
q. Il was with great relief we alighte
from the train. \ splendid carriae
[, awaited Us. into which we at once 81
: tered. our luggage being piled upon
I. cab which was 20 follow. Dark cloud
: had gathered ia all around. and n
! rain descended IN torrents as we drO'
!, westward out OF the city. At fe
/. minutes past p. m-nearly four houl
= after we left Holdenhurst Hall-ol
! carriage turned out OF the main roa
I. into De We're Gardens. Kensingto
- and drew up IN front OF my uncle
= house there.
- IL was a large house. furnished
n. iuxurlously as possible. illuminate
- throughout by electricity, though he
a. and there was an oil lamp which sh
,fs subdued light on the objects aroun
az Everything IN the place seemed abs
or lutely new-3s have no doubt IL "
10 and the best Of its kind obtainab
OF the evidences Of wealth on every bal
contrasting strongly with my CO.
ia Portable but unpretentious home
i GvNolf~