Gaston de Blondeville, vol. 1 of 4 : $b or the court of Henry III. keeping festival in Ardenne, a romance. St. Alban's abbey, a metrical tale; with some poetical piecesRadcliffe, Ann Ward
History
Gaston de Blondeville, vol. 1 of 4 : $b or the court of Henry III. keeping festival in Ardenne, a romance. St. Alban's abbey, a metrical tale; with some poetical pieces
Radcliffe, Ann Ward
Gothic fiction; Great Britain -- History -- Henry III, 1216-1272 -- Fiction; Historical fiction
“At the inn, though very neat, accommodations were so inadequate, that
we resolved to proceed in an open boat, which was about to return to
Portsmouth. After taking a hasty dish of very good tea, went down a
rough causeway, where many people were hurrying to the same boat, and
such a crowd collected as alarmed me. A small party was, however, soon
made up for a second boat; when, with little sails and two oars, we
launched among the peaceful waters; tinged, on one side of the horizon
with the red glow of sunset, and brightening on the other, under a broad
moon rising over the ships at Spithead. Passed through the fleet. Heard
voices talking far off over the dim waves, and sometimes laughter and
joviality; especially as we passed near a large ship, where lights in
the great cabin high above, told of the Captain and cheer. Distant
lights appearing from the ships successively, as the evening deepened,
like glowworms, and dotting the waters far around. As we drew near the
shore, the music of French horns sounded with faint and melancholy
sweetness; discovered at last to come from Monckton Fort. Landed after
an hour and a half, at the rampart steps. Walk by moonlight on the
rampart. Supped and slept at the Fountain, after a day the most
delightful of the whole tour.”
From Portsmouth Mr. and Mrs. Radcliffe proceeded by Winchester to
London. The following is her notice of the approach to Winchester, of
the City and the Cathedral.
“Saw the City lying deep among the hollows, sheltered from the winds by
bare hills, which half conceal the town at their feet. The King’s house,
once really a palace, with new houses, conspicuous on rising ground.
Found out at last, through the dusk, the venerable Cathedral, with its
long roofs and very low tower, among fine old elms; a recess deep and
retired. The streets clean and quiet; not a student visible. This
decorum and neatness form a curious contrast to the bustle and tumult of
Portsmouth, sending forth her people to the whole world; while
Winchester seems to be so much withdrawn from it. Went to the George, a
noble inn: sat in a part of the Assembly room, severed off. Angelica
Kauffman’s drawings at each end. Walked by moonlight up the High-street;
good, terminated by a fine old gate. Led by the sound of martial music
to the court of the barracks in the old palace. The suburbs old and
narrow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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