The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-02-18

to the old building the heraldic device Of stars
and stripes which Washington accepted as his
own coat of arms and which is commonly
garded as the origin of the American flag.
In the summer OF 1911 the suggestion made
by prominent member of the British Peace
mittee that the historical property should be pur
chased and dedicated*sfs memorial to the peace
full relations existing between the two countries
during the past century, the dedication to be
Of the features of the international celebrations
In 1914. This idea Immediately met with popular
favor. The British committee acquired the prop
erty and dedicated 1t to peace between England
and the United States.
The manor has been made into Hall Of Rec
ords, where matter pertaining to Anglo-American
unity is kept. 1t is understood that lecture chair
soon will be supplied by the purchasers and that
James Bryce, eX-ambassador to the United States
will be its first occupant.
Charming Old Place.
The manor is a charming piece of old arch
lecture, gray with the rains, frost and sunshine
of 800 years. The house stands at the eastern
extremity Of the village of Sulgrave, in Northamp
tonshire, and it is approached from the west by
a pretty green croft separated from the almost
encircling road by n hedge.
To the right of the gable end of the manor is
low stone wall with larch gate, facing a small
court partly paved and partly in grass From the
courtyard the house is entered by a handsome old
stone doorway above which little attic projects
from a tiled roof. The fine old Tudor doorway
Is surmounted by a shield containing the Wash
ington coat of arms. which three centuries have
somewhat robbed of It's original sharpness but
which is still unmistakabe.
What fortune had that shield OF n private
English gentleman-to become the most notable
blazon of all the world! Strange to think that
this little obscure stone coat OF arms in
cluded Northamptonshire village should be the
original of so much-should still be extant. AS
STR IN Df no ast bptU bp tor-
pid and monotonous rustic life surrounding It for
so many generations with the rush and roar of
existence in our great republic
There is very little doubt that the three stars
and the three stripes furnished the idea for the
American flag. In the flag, in the original the
stars signify divine influence guiding the bearer
in the right way. while the bars denote one who
sets the bar Of conscience and religion against
wicked temptations and evil desires The colors.
red and white. seem to follow also; the red mean
ing military bravery and fortitude; the white
| peace and sincerity
Tradition attributes the suggestion to Benja-
min Franklin. Tupper is probably right when.
in his Centennial Drama" he makes Franklin
say:
| proposed II to the congress.
! II the leaders old crusading blazon.
Washington's coat, his own heraldic shield
And on the spur, when must choose flag
Symboling Independent unity
| We and not he-a was unknown to him
Took up his coat of arms and multiplied
And magnhed Il, in every way to this
| Our glorious national banner.
| lie adds, also, some illusions to the old man
| sion:
| -. The washingtons. OF Washington,
| In County Durham and on Sulgrave. Manor
| County Northampton. bore upon their shield
! Three stars atop
and for the crest
| An eagles head upspringng to the light,
| The archtraves OF Sulgrave testify.
As smdry printed windows in the hall