The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-10-14

was both a merry and a heart
Juggling affair for our ten days to-
gether had strongly attached us
to each other and our ship and
its captain and crew.
Then came a scene that no pas
senger on that trip would ever for
get-The lighter was carrying us
away from the ship-The waters
all about glistened in the morn
ing sunshine-Liverpool harbor
couldn't have been seen at greater
advantage-Ships from all the
world were coming and going in
GLIDING old sailing craft. Then
after making a quick survey of
the whole novel scene, by common
impulse we turned our eyes back
toward the 'Servia' and a great
shout went up from the lighter
as we saw our gallant Captain
alone on the bridge of his ship
watching us and waving his hand
and his whistle rope as final sa-
lutte.
Perhaps one is not supposed to
remember what he ate on any day
as far away as 81 years-but do
remember exactly what was my
first mouthful on English soil. 1t
was an English mutton chop, and
! have never tasted its equal.
About half way between Liver
pool and London an attendant on
the train took orders, from the
passengers for a hot luncheon to
be brought aboard at Derby. Our
luncheon was delivered to us in
neat willow baskets. The attend
ant placed portable tables before
us, spread immaculate white lin
en- covers-and opened the bas-
kets before our delighted eyes.
Then I saw my English Mutton
Chop'-piping hot, three or four
inches thick, cooked to perfection,
and emitting most teasing aro-
ma.
So we joyous travellers sped on
toward don-feasting our pal
ates with the contents of the will
low baskets and feasting our eyes
with the enhancing landscapes
and historic scenes Of the land Of
Shakespeare and Charles Dickens
and the ancestors of George
Washington, Ben Franklin and
Abraham Lincoln.
I recall wildly the fine, happy
faces about me that day. And
England was surely magnificent
that day. And in remembering 1t
all-there come the words Of
Charles Dickens in Our Mutual
Friend'-"And o there are days in
this life worth life and worth
DEATH"
Before starting on this trip an
American friend. whose business
took him abroad evey year. ad-
vised me to go to q typical
English hotel in London, rather
than popular Trafalgar Square
hotel where I would meet only
tourists, and he recommended the
Hotel Langhafn,' in Portland
Place'-so ! went there on my ar
rival in London.
When I told the manager who
had recommended the Langham'
to me he seemed very much
pleased, gave me o very pleasant
room with three slightly windows
and made me feel quite at home.
] told him OF my plans-to first
make short visits 10 London and
Paris and return later for longer
visits-to spend ten days IN Ger.
many and get 10 Switzerland be.
fore cold weather. 90 from there
down into Italy and then back 10
Paris and London.
He advised me 70 so 70 Cooks
Tourists Office In the morning,
and said that he would get q carr
riage and guide for al day for
sightseeing.
u WAS then the middle OF the
afternoon, and ! asked-''fs there
any place OF historic interest iieaFs
BY, whore I can 50 now"
why. yes, Of course" he AM
hwered, "Woblmlnsler Abbey ID
illst 3 short walk from here" and
he called 4 belisboy 70 show me
NE Ways And thefo ! spent ne