The mirror., 1919-11-13
MEMORIES OF HAMPTON COURT
Built by Cardinal Wolsey, Who Dwelt there in Prince
ly Splendor, Four Hundred Years Ago.
By SarahGr rahamM IN Utica Globe

EN&OOF ALL the fine old palaces
AES@@NXN of England, none is more
HkgggNN closely associated with
t9gt Christmas nor more his
torically interesting than Hampton
Court, where such wonderful cele-
brations were held during the holi-
days of Henry VIII, Edward vi,
Mary and Elizabeth. especially in
the years of 1872 and 1898.
There are many ways to reach
this ancient pile of brick, which
lies near Kingston on Thames,
about IL miles from London. Fre-
quent trains run from Waterloo
station. Electric tramways start
from footing, Richmond Bridge,
Shepherds Bush. and Hammer
smith. The Underground Railway
stations issue combined tube and
train" tickets. A coach leaves
Northumberland avenue daily.
Cook has driving excursion, with
guide-lecturer, which takes one
there through a route of especial
beauty and interest. A steamer
leaves Westminster bridge, Kew
and Richmond daily. But the
writer went out on one of the
famous London auto buses which
runs from all parts of the city to
Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith
and Putney, and it being on a holi-
day-Easter Mondsy-the route
was extended to Hampton Court,
where we arrived after a glorious
ride on top of the bus down the
wide avenue lined with horse chest
nuts, where everybody goes on
Chestnut Sunday.
As Hewitt says in his Visits to
Remarkable Places, ITO visitors of
cultivated taste and historic know
ledge, Hampton Court abounds
with subjects of reflective interest
of the highest order. 1t is true.
that, compared with some of our
palaces, it can lay no claims to
antiquity; but from the days of
Henry VIII to those of George
Ill, there are few of them that
have witnessed more singular or
momentous events.
Overwhelming despot as VOL
sey (who built IT'D was, there is
something magnificent in the
sweep of his ambition. and ir-
resistibly interesting in the great
ness of his fall. He was the last of
those naughty prelates in the good
old Catholic times who rose up
from the dust of insignifcance into
the most lordly and overgrown
magnifcence; outdoing monarchs
in the number of their servants,
and in the pomp of their state.
Equaling the great cardinals who
have figured on the continent.
Ximenes, Richelieu, Mazarin~ and
De Retz, in political ability and
personal ambition, he exceeded all
in the wealth he unhesitatingly
seized, and the princely splendor
in which he lived.
"When we enter the gates of
Hampton Court, and are struck
with the magnificent extent of the
erection, which at that time not
only was stately palace, and out
shined all the Kings houses but
was one of the most splendid
structures in Europe, we cannot
help figuring to ourselves the
proud cardinal surveying its prog.
ress, and musipg over the wonders
of that career which had brought
him from the humble estate of a
butchers son to be the wealthiest
man in Europe, the most potent in
political influence, and the ardent
aspirant in the popedom ITSELF"
1t would be interesting to name
over the various servants in bis
employ but their number would
fill several pages. 1t is no wonder
that when Henry VIII came te
visit him he queried, my lord
cardinal, is this dwelling for 9
. -