Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1909-09-02
A Letter From Europe.
Chester, England, August 81, IS

. SuCStCl, fd6ea'i ~ $780,
! Friend Snyder-After Cologne the CO.
lossal, Milan the magnificent and St. Pc
ter's the presumptuous, the cathedrais OF
France and England appeared small, yet
mot undressing. But the "Notre Dame, :"
so famous in history, was keen dlsap-
pointment. Its aisles and nave are rot
impressive, no fine windows, no "dim,
religious light il is cold and garIsh.
| Westminster is keenly interesting in its
interior, from the well-known poets
corner and royal monuments. AT the
Sunday evening veSper service ! had a
singular experience there. 1t was hot
day, we had futile ride of several miles
to the Temple church 10 find no service
there, so went back to the Abbey. Twas
tired and very drowsy. Taking a chair
in the poets corner, rather secluded, |
leaned against one Of the monuments and
drowsed away for moment into dream
land and was among some OF the familiar
country scenes of home. When the sound
of the great organ and choir awakened
me, it was moment before could real
ize that was in Westminster Abbey and
looking on the tomb of Shakespeare.
The books tell us that Mont Blanc can
be seen from Geneva, but they do not
add that this occurs only few times dur
ing a year. But by special providence,
we were vouchsafed that wonderful sight.
We had taken an unpleasant afternoon
ride around Lake Lenlan, rougher than
any day on the Atlantic-waves splashlng
over the steamer drove us all in the cabin,
but it cleared up at sunset, and going out
looked in the direction of Mont Blanc.
Under the crimson clouds saw the great
rose-tinted peak slowly emerging from
behind a nearer, darker mountain. |
waited a moment, and knowing well its
contour from many pictures, knew was
that one mountain we wished TO see, and
called all the party out to the sight. 1t
came in full length view, and for an hour
we saw it in all the glory of the Alpine
glow-a sight for memory-and more than
repaying us for the rough trip and its
worry. There it stood with its three
miles of height, snow-mantled and still
in the glow of sunset, while the sun had
left us for a half hour. Every one felt
that this was the finest picture OF all our
European trip.
AT Paris the outlook over the great city
from the top OF the Eiffel tower reveals
the lack of trees and foliage that makes
our own Capital so beautiful. Even the
long Champ Elysees, pretty and charming
as it is, is not so shady or outrageous as
our inland parks the foliage seemed to
be rather dried up, although it has been
raining for month previous. Yet Paris,
with its outdoor life, is wonderfully seduc-
tive, nor is it singular that all youth that
loves gayety should wish to live therein.
Coming from Paris, we saw the famous
Rouen Cathedral in front OF which was
burnt Joan of Arc. Our passage over the
channel, usually so turbulent, was as calm
as duck-pond. On the road from Lon
don, noted four of the finest spires had
ever seen, and it seemed unusual until
coming to the station found it was Ok
ford, and these the top of the great uni
verSity.
am here at old Chester, one of the
mostremarkable ofthe old cathedral towns
OF England, filled with monuments not
only of medieval times but OF Roman re-
mains antedating the Christian era. 1t
was one of my early dreams to come and
live in the atmosphere of such a place,
but now feel that the fortnight here
waiting the sailing Of my return steamer
will fulfill all my desires, and shall be
glad soon to be in my old village home.
And having seen the old burgs along the
Rhine, the villages nesting among the
Alps, the villas on the sandy Apprentices,
the small towns of France and even STRAIT
ford -on-Avon, can now understand the
remark OF Mrs. Dawson, who, having
years OF experience here in Europe, said
that she had never yet seen town of its
size so romantic, so interesting, and hav-
ing so many advantages in climate, seem
cry and situation as our own village in the
Shenandoah Valley.
st. John Dyer.