Holiday Haunts.

HOLIDAY HAUNTS .

— : o : — THE SOUTH EASTERN RAILWAY .

KEN T is a moat charming county , owing to a wonderful diversity of scenery and rich cultivation . It abounds in fruit , vege . tab ls , cereals , and hops , and by somo writers ifc has been designated tho " Garden of England . " It justly merits the title ; besides , it has the additional advantage of a very attractive coast line , with numerous popular and fashionable watering places established

thereon . No part of Kent is destitute of beauty , unless we except the shore of the Thames below Greenwich , and a part of the marshes , which mako np in the richness of their feeding pasture for any lack of Nature ' s adornment . Tho Sonth Eastern Eailway goes through some of the most charming parts of the country . Before touching on Kent we may just ob ' serve that a branch of the line seems almost to mark

the bonntiary between that county and Surrey . Leaving Charing Cross or Can non-street , the line diverges at Spa-road , one division going to Deptford , aud keeping as nearly as possible to the course of the river as far as Sheemess ; tbo other going to New Cross and Lewisbum , where it again divides . Oue branch takes in the country from Ladywell to Addiscombe-road , Croydon . Spurs also shoot out ,

taking in such charming spots as Bromley , Bickley , Shortlunds , Hayes , West Wickbam , and Eden Park . " Eden " is a very proper name for some of the places we have mentioned . From Croydon the line goes south to Eedhill , west to Aldershot , and north-west to Beading , with which we have already dealt . What we may term the upper line , takes in Deptford , Greenwich and Woolwich , Abbey

Wood , Belvedere , Erith , Dartford , and Gravesend . Between the latter place and Sheemess is Higham , where a branch turns sharp to the right for Strood , and joins the main line at Paddock Wood . At Lee , the next station beyond Lewisham , a loop line connects it with Dartford , passing through Eltham , Sidcup , Bexley and Crajford , all delightful localities . The other branch from Lee goes through

Chislehurst , Orpington , Dunton Green ( a spur . line going to Westerham ) , Sevenouks to Tunbridge , a most-charming country . Among the towns and villages we have named there are some worthy of especial notice . Greenwich was once a royal borough , and although its ancient fame is somewhat dimmed , it rejoices in those matchless buildings called the Hospital , which are now alienated

from their original purpose , although they still stand m all their pristine giandeur and beauty . Where for nearly two centuries our old sailors ended their days after the shocks of battle and the decay that time and disease bring , now young cadets are boused aud educated , and prepared for the naval work of the future . Greenwich Hospital is oue of the sights of England , and when the old sea

lions were thtre they invested tbe building with a romance that was always pleasant and flattering to contemplate . Their yarns were not always true ; like artists , fond of broad and striking effects , they laid on the colours thick : their habits were not always of the cleanest , yet there was something characteristic of the sea about the whole place , something whioh told of England's power on the ocean ,

and a good deal which showed that those who had won for her renown aud power were well cared for by a grateful nation . All that is now changed , in accordance with the utilitarian spirit of tbe age ; still , as we have said , the temple erected for the sons of Neptune remains as a magnificent monument of skill and gratitude . We by no means wish it to be understood that our old sailors are

uncared for , but they are scattered far and wide , and no longer represent the past in a body as thoy did aforetime . Long before the Hospital was bnilt there was a royal palace at Greenwich . Queen Elizabeth was born there , and many a gay gathering has been witnessed on the ground now covered witb buildings , and part of which forms Greenwich Park , with the Observatory crowning its

summit . The Park is still the rendezvous of the lower classes on holiday occasions , and at other times of visitors and residents , who enjoy its pleasant walks and scenery . The fair , once held on its borders , has vanished , and nobody mourns its departure . On the southern side of Greenwich Park is Blackheath—high , dry , and breezy—once the camping ground of Jack Cade , a rebel who caused

much trouble in 1450 , and whose character is humorously described by Shakespeare in the fourth Act , scene two , of tho second part of Henry VI . The heath is now the resort of those who are fond of a healthy walk , of the few who indulge in the Scotch game of golf , and of the many who delight in cricket and football . Blackheath village lies on the far side of the heath , in a hollow , and presents a lively

picture of activity set m a rustic , almost sylvan , frame . Beyond is the growing village of Lee , and further on still is Eltham , with its ruined palace , once the abode of kings , now the haunt of birds . For centuries Eltham Palace was the favoured residence of royalty . Parliaments were held there , princes and princesses were born there , and many a courtly crowd assembled within its walls . Froissarfc was a

frequent guest at Eltham , and he has recorded some of tbe doings he witnessed . Now , in the words of Shakespeare , "Keproach and beggary is crept into tbe palace of our king "—reproach , because of decay ; and beggary , becanse of neglect . Even now the ruins are worth visiting , especially by those who are familiar with the historical associations that surround the place , and are fond of traditions

and archaeological speculations . Not far from Eltham is Chislehurst Common , one of the most delightful spots in Kent . It is surrounded by noble trees and dotted here and there witb villas and mansions . The church is chiefly in the Perpendicular style , and has a lofty spire . It contains some memorials of interest . Sir Francis Walsingham was born at Chislehurst , and here is Camden Place , the residence

of that famous antiquary Camden ; here also lived and died Napoleon III . Few who saw them will forget the scenes that were witnessed at the entrance to Camden Place when the illustrious exile laid at the very gates of death . Kich and poor clustered round the lodge to learn what they could of the patient ' s progress , and when at last death came , followed by the funeral obsequies , the sight

was melancholy indeed . The remains of the " Man of December , " whose power ceased with the defeat at Sedan , lie not far from the house where he lived , in a secluded spot , now the shrine in which are contained what were tha chief hopes of the Bonapariist party Orpington , Sidonp , the Grays , indeed the whole country round , ia most charming . We need hardly dwell upon Gravesend , nor upon

Sheemess ; both ore well known—one as a popular resort and the other as the site of a famous dockyard . Going from Higham south , wards the line passes Strood and Maidstone . On the other , and what really is the main line , is Sevenoaks , beautifully situated . Near the town is Knole Park , a most enjoyable spot for a ramble . The mansion stands on high ground and is notable for its immense size

and the treasures it contains . The main buildings are said to cover three acres of ground , and their contents include a large collection of pictures by Italian , Venetian , Flemish and Dutch painters , portraits of eminent poets , and other works of art . At the time of the reign of King John there was a mansion in Knole Park , the occupants of whioh were frequently changed . Thomas Bouohier , Archbishop

of Canterbury between 1454 and 1486 , bought the demesne and re . built tbe mansion . A great portion of the structure of that date is still standing . Iu 1603 it came iutothe possession of Thomas Sack , ville , who afterwards became Earl of Dorset , in whose family the property remains . A few miles further on is Tunbridge , an old town , which contains the ruins of a castle and some fragments of a Priory .

To the west of Tunbridge is Penshurst , memorable as the home of Sir Philip Sydney , poet , scholar , soldier , and gentleman , in the highest sense of the word . His works are still read and admired , while his character is quoted as a model of what a mau and un Englishman should be . One extract we quote from his writings , which is characteristic of the man . He wrote : " Let calamities be

the exercise , but not the overthrow of my virtue . Let the power of my enemies prevail , but prevail not to my destruction . Let my greatness be their pretext , my pain be the sweetness of their revenge . Let them , if so it seems good unto Thee , vex me with more and more punishment ; but , 0 Lord , let never their wickedness have such a head but that I may carry a pure mind in a pure body . " It

is singular , but nevertheless true , that Charles I . repeated these words shortl y before his execution . There are many memorials of Sir Philip at Penshurst , bnt nothing so striking as the incident that occurred at the buttle of Zutphen , where he received the wound that ended in death about four weeks afterwards . While lying on the field of war he was offered water to drink ; he gently repulsed the

kindly hand that held the welcome draught , and begged that it might be given to a soldier whose wants , he said , were greater than bis own . Nearly a century later , a descendant of the family met with a . very different fate . The contrast between Philip and Algernon Sydney is very great .. One was loyal to fche reigniug monarch , the other assisted ' in the downfall of Charles I .

He was nominated one of the Kings judges , but , whatever part he may have taken in the trial , he was not present when judgment was pronounced , nor did he sign the death , warrant . He was a Republican ; he fought on the side of Cromwell , bnt when the war was over , and " Old Noll" was appointed Protector , Sydney retired into private life . He went abroad at the Restoration

came back aj-ain and was pardoned . He was , however , suspected of being concerned in the Rye-house Plot , charged before Judge Jeffries , and like many others was illegally sentenced to death . To complete the contrast , we here quote what Bishop Burnet wrote of Algernon S ydney . He says he was " a man of the most extraordinary courage ; a steady man even to obstinacy ; sincere , but of a rough

and boisterous temper , that could not bear contradiction , but would give foul language upon it . " Penshurst is a delightful place , the house is built after many styles , and contains a rare store of historical and art treasures . In the same locality is Hover Castle , the home of Anne Boleyn , one of the wives of Henry VIII . and mother of Queen Elizabeth . What memories does the name awaken , what episodes

does it recall . The castle itself presents no particular charm , it is the associations that surround its history that make it memorable . The interior contains much of interest in connection with the illfated Anne and her family , who attained to the zenith of their fame at her marriage , and sank rapidly into commonplace after her death . Whether she deserved her fate or not , it is not for us to contend .

Henry was not the man to stick at trifles where his desires were con . cerued , and the fact that he put away so many of his wives from him leaves it at least open to suspicion that he himself was not guiltless . Whatever may be the truth with regard to the successor of Katherine , popular feeling went with Anne Boleyn . It is related that the latter ' s grandfather had an estate in Kent , on which resided a

certain innkeeper . He was so indignant at the treatment of his old master's relative that he altered the sign of the house from the " Boleyne Arms " to the " Boleyne Butchered . " According to " Historical Reminiscences of the City of London and its Livery Companies , " by Thomas Arundell , B . D ., Queen Elizabeth took every means to hush up her mother ' s sorrows and end , and induced the

host to amend the sign into the "Bull and Butcher , " which henceforth became a popular sign throughout all England . Returning to Tunbridge , some remains will be found of an ancient castle and a priory . The history of the former is full of military ex . ploits , while of the latter not much is recorded , and what is left of the building supplies very little information . A few miles further

on is Tunbridge Wells , noted for its springs and charming scenery . The origin of the town can be traced with absolute precision . B th has its " Bladud , '' and the legend connected with his name . Tunbridge Wells owes its origin to Dudley Lord North , who , in 1606 , was suffering from great physical exhaustion through dissipation . He was on his way to Bridge House in the neighbourhood , and was

struck with the appearance of the water-he saw flowing at his feet . He had a portion put into a bottle and submitted to his physicians , who pronounced it good . He drank , and WHS restored . Bbing a man of mark the place soon became famous , and continues so until this day . Lord Macaulay has limned Tonbridge Wells as it was originallyi and we make no apology for quoting his description . He says ' . —