Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-08-05
A Maine Girl In Europe IT.

The walk around the old Roman
wall at York, England, was to my
mind fully as interesting as the visit
To the beautiful minister. 1t is prob
ably not news to the readers Of the
Journal that good many years ago,
the Romans We're lords of England.
During the time of their Gccupation.
they built a high and very substantial
wall around their possessions. parts of
which still remain, now covered with
cvcr-increasing ivy. Not only did
they believe in this inhospitable man.
ner, but they had Sits made in the
nasonry through which they sent ar
rows into the persons Of their callers.
In this day of the powerful cannons of
warfare. which sweep away fort or
two at one discharge, the bow and ar
row game seems rather infantiler How
ever, | would rather have been behind
a tree, had big Roman man pointed
an arrow my way. one pleasant little
custom these people had of showing the
braves from outside that they really
did not wish a call from them was to
stand on the walls and drop pieces of
stone the size of monuments, down on
lIltlt lttdbS. Ills HIS DctIi
lied by several statues of soldiers in
the act of throwing things. jolly
chaps, these Romans. In this time of
peace, the wall is simply a promenade.
with broad walk and seats at inter-
walls. 1t is Il popular place to stroll
of evenings, as the view of the
cathedral and city is very attractive.
There ire several towers, where the
gates we're located, reached by stone
steps In one of the towers we found
residing the family of the policeman,
whose beat is the wall He cordial-s
~ invited us in and showed the some-1
what, to US, ''uncomfy' looking stone
floors and stairways, and hardly in-'
viting interior. However, he said it
went with the job, and seemed quite.
cheerful. e
AS we were "d,ing" cathedrals. our
next stop was at Durham. The Three
Inns was the somewhat significant
name of the Inn where our party dined.
which title really seems to have very
little to do with cathcdrals. 1t is Il
quaint, interesting place, with attract
i've. old-fashioned furnishings .sand
built in rambling style. The great
fireplace. with a high backed settle on
either side, was very popular. On our
arrival. we We're served with a very
harmless beverage which made our
welcome doubly cordial" There
We're big silver dishes, rows and rows
of blue plates. candlesticks and various
pieces of pewter and brass, which
gladen the hearts of people who revel
in such things.
The most interesting thing to me
about the cathedral. was the old knock
err on the great door. Years and years
ago. when the building was a monas-
terry, q person accused Of crime
could find protection within its walls
for a certain length of time-twenty-
eight days. This was provided he
touched his hand to the knocker, be
fore his pursuers touched their hands
to him. There was always a brother
watching in the tower, and whenever
the knocker sounded a monk was
ready to Immediately let the fugitive
inside the protection Of the monastery.
The hell of the cathedral tolled, an
nouncing that this privilege had been
sought. The accused person re-
CtlNtt tit' tdIt Gnu IiiiilHtiy VI VIC
brothers for the prescribed time. and
then was given over to the authorities.
IF. in the meantime. he had been found
innocent of the crime Of which he was
accused. which 50 often happened in
those days of quick Judgment he went
his way. If not. with chastened spirit,
doubtless. he paid the penalty. The
old knocker is still there. with its
countless associations, and the mon
.astory is now dedicated to the Church
Of England.
After hearing this story everybody is,
Of course, expected to purchase some
reproduction of the knockers, with
which the shops of the town are well
supplied.
In searching about, we came upon
queer character. Seeing an interest
ing locking old jug in one of the win
dows. 4 number of us burst into a lit
tie shop. with the rush and hustle
which characteriZes a crowd Of eager.
American tourists. There was no one
in the place when we entered and we
made ourselves quite at home. The
articles on the counter were covered
with white cloth and while we were
gazing and handling things over. a
prim little woman appeared, very much
Hurried. "Now, now. now" she said.
"Please he quiet. have very
weak heart." OF course we expressed
our sympathy. but still said meekly that
if her heart would permit. we would
like to price a few things. We each
had something in our hands and were
clustering around her She made us
Put them all down and stand up in a
row while she addressed us. ''What I
want to know is. why didn't you come
here first. instead of buying those
cheap postcards somewhere else?" she
said. pointing to package one of our
number had, which caused the accused
to promptly hide it behind her. 'You
went by here like flock Of sheep, and