Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1918-02-08
TELLS OF SIGHTS AND
SCENES ABOUT LONDON
Edwin Nelson Writes to His Father
Giving Account Of Sightseeing
Trip

from his son, Edwin, now stationed
in London as a member of the Royal
Flying Corps, NO. Sc Training Squad
ron. He gives very good account
of the sights and scenes of that city
as he saw them and the letter is
worth reading. We publish it be-
low:
IT received the sweater, wristlets
and helmet. The package was bad
1y broken and I'm very lucky that
received that much. I'm awfully
glad to receive them. I'm wearing
the sweater now. It's nice and
warm. Helps an awful lot
How did you enjoy Christmas? I
enjoyed it very much. I worked
half of the day, and didn't have
much of a dinner. The U. S. govern
ment sent us turkey, cranberries,
dates, nuts and mince meat pie but
we didn't get it fixed up until Thurs
day night. 1t sure was great.
Friday morning I went to Lon
don. I sent you a telegram while
there. Did you receive it? I couldn't
send Happy New Year greetings so
I sent the next best thing. I saw a
lot of things while in London, and
saw all of the places that I studied
in school. Friday I walked down to
Buckingham Palace where the King
lives. 1t is some place. Out in front
of the palace is a great monument
in honor of Queen Victoria. That
night we went to a show, and seems
funny because the down stairs seats
are cheaper than balcony seats. I
also saw the monument of Admiral
Nelson on Trafalgar Square. I slept
at the American Y. M. C. A. that
night, known here as the Eagle Hut.
I slept on real bed, being the first
time since I left home. I sure slept
fine.
Saturday I went to the Tower of
London. This is an old fortress,
built in the days of William, the
Conqueror, 1918. Inside are the
crown jewels and they sure are great.
In the crown is the largest ruby in
the world given to the Black Prince
in 1857. Just below this ruby is a
diamond called "Star of Africa" In
his sceptor is another ''Star Of Afri-
ca" These were cut from the Gull
man diamond. Both are the largest
in the world. The one in the sceptor
is larger than large hens egg and
same shape but is about 3-4 inch
thick, I also saw the different kinds
of armour used in the ancient days.
In this tower was where the queens
and rulers and noted criminals were
beheaded. I saw the choping block
and axe used to behead Bloody Mary
and Sir Walter Raleigh and a num-
Der of other noted people. l also saw
the place where Walter Raleigh was
imprisoned in this tower, and the
chapel where all those anclents
knights were made. From here we
went to st. Paul's Cathedral. Say,
this is sure some place. The altar
has one of the greatest pipe organs
in the world. 1t sure was some Or
gan. all hand carved oak, carved by
one man named Gibbons. This organ
must have been twenty feet long ana
half is on one side Of the altar and
the other on the other side and each
part is Joined together at the top. 1t
takes about 16 players to play thls
organ. Down stairs, in the base
ment are two tombs, Admiral Mel
sons and the Duke of Welllng-
toms: also the Duke of Well1ngtons
burial wagon which is made Of metal
gotten from the guns that he cap
tured in the battle of Waterloo. IL
weighs IA tons and has six wheels.
It is sure a massive piece OF metal.
On this wagon are two drums that
sounded the charge in the Battle OF
Waterloo. These drums are odd
shaped on the order of our Indian
drums but larger. In the afternoon
went to Westminster Abbey. Thls
place inside is shaped like a cross
and is a place Of all the most noted
people of England. 1t was started
by Morse Ruler called Sebert, in
604, and was completed by later
rulers. Along the walls are monu-
ments of great people, poets, kings
and queens and also bust of Long
fellow. On the floor are places
marked where different people lay
buried. In one part Of the Abbey is
dirt taken from Jerusalem and in
the center of this is tomb of that
English ruler that tried to conquer
the holy lands. I also saw Queen
Victoria's tomb. Some tombs are
above the floor surface. This Abbey
has many parts. I also saw the chair
that all the kings and queens were
crowned in, also the part in the Alb
hey where this was done. 1t is not a
large chapel, rather small. It's about
as large as the Swede church. 1t is
the oldest part of the Abbey. In the
tower is one of the largest clocks in
the world, called "Big Ben" The
IL T. oh