Series 1 Oliver McNaughton

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In many cases the body is enclosed in a stone coffin and lies on the floor. For example in the Poets corner (in the South Transept), is Chaucers tomb, when Chaucer lies in a stone coffin. Near him are milton, spencer, etc but they are beneath the floor, the places marked by a tablet in the floor and an inscription. Tennyson, Dickens, etc, and scores of others. Strange to say Wordsworth is in a remote corner called the Bishopric, at the foot of the cross. This is sometimes called Little Poets' Corner. There is the Statesmans and Soldiers portion, mostly in the North Transept. The scientists, Architects, etc. I was interested in the ^^{grave of}Charles Darwin, the father of the Theory of Evolution. And so it goes. Not all buried here are what might be called great, and many of England's great are not buried here. The seats are arranged in the naves (the centre from the Altar to the foot of the cross) But in this church they are mostly in the Transepts. The Nave being broken by the Organ and Choir galley, the rest of the naive being given up to tombs and monuments. Here one finds a monument to the Wesleys. Stepping aside from the aisles one enters numerous chapels near the head of the cross. For example the Chapel of St. Edmund, containing tombs of ancient date, in fact they nearly all do. The confessor's Precious tomb in his chapel just behind the altar is covered with sand bags

[Maple leaf with Canada embossed]

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outof respect to German Zeppelins, Henry VII's Chapel, represents the topnoted in Gothic Architecture. It is extremely beautiful, and contains all the banners & coats of arms of the Knights of the Bath, from his day to the present day. The banners have been removed out of respect to Zeppelins. The ceiling is wonderful. I am sending you a guide which will tell you more than I could in twenty letters. One thing amused me was the tombs of Queen Elizabeth and Mary, the royal sisters who quarrelled so incessantly in this life and now lie side by side, and as our guide said they may possibly renew hostilities after the resurrection. Another thing that interested me was certain signs of mutilation done in the time of Oliver Crowell, who believed that the best way to advance his views was to damage very costly artwork.

The altar is beautiful and it is here that all monarchs are in accord.

On entering the building you are awestruck and impressed in spite of yourself. The sickening musty odor is everywhere, and the building is dimly lighted. (OVER)

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I should mention a few words about our guide who was undoubtedly a member of the British Aristocracy and the author of a book. He hailed us (Cap, Collins of Lucan, Harvey Langford(Cliftons Cousin) & myself, just after we began to go through the building, and said that he was well acquainted with the Abbey, and I would be delighted to show some overseas men in uniform through the building. He gathered up a bunch more and the final crowd under his guidances consisted of Canadians, Australian and English soldiers, and a young lad in civilians from the West Indies. He was certainly good and entertaining. He had certainly some decided political views, and always got hot under the collar when the question of Zeppelins came up. He would say out of respect to German Zeppelins which our fine government allows to come over here and bombard beautiful pieces of art. Then he would turn to us and say; "Now you Canadians and Australians, we want you to send statesmen to this country; men of action, for you will have from now on representatives in Englands' Parliament.

When we were through with the Abbey he offered to take us through St. Pauls. So we each bought a few sandwiches for it was 1.30P.M and took at tube to St. Pauls.

Such a contrast between the Churchs. While St. Paul's Cathedral stands in historic ground, the

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[Letterhead Canada embossed on Mapleleaf]

present building is much more modern. The Abbey is Gothic, but St Pauls is Byzantine, where you get the domes. The interior of St. Pauls is extremely rich and beautiful and well proportioned. The ceiling is a wonder in its design, and rich mosaic work. The Altar and the gates to it fill one with astonishment. I also had the privilege of attending a service here and hearing the great organ and choir. The choir consists of boys, and men. This is where you will hear trained singing. Services are heard here and at the Abbey every day and prayers are said for the soldiers and sailors.

The whispering gallery which is reached by ascending many steps of a winding stairs. the gallery is a huge affair around the dome which is right over the centre of the church. The faintest whisper at one side can be distinctly heard at the other. By continuing our flight we came out on a walk outside, around the dome, which is three hundred and sixty five feet high. So we could look down on considerable of London. The tombs and monuments in St. Pauls are interesting. Here lies Lord Roberts, The Duke of Wellington

(OVER)

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and Admiral Nelson. Nelson's and Wellington's tombs are wonderful. Among the busts is one of Sir Jno A. McDonald. Our guide stopped before it and said, "I guess I will not have to explain to the Canadian soldiers here who this is." He says, "Look at that face, imagine that man tolerating Zeppelins drop bombs around his city," It was evening when we were through here and we bade our guide good bye and thanked him. None of us were any the wiser as to who he was.

The Tower of London is a very historic spot, begun on the site of an old Roman fort. The old moat has now no water in it. Tower Hill the scene of many an execution is now a busy street. Soldiers are allowed free into the grounds, while civilians pay. We are met by guides in elaborate uniforms and conducted around. We were first taken through the Bloody Tower, where the two royal princes were smothered. It has an ancient portcullis complete which used to be dropped to flood the moat. The walk where Sir Walter Raleigh used to take his exercise when a prisoner here is next to this tower. We were then led through the tower containing the Crown Jewels. You will see a description of them in the guide I send you.

Next was the White Tower, the largest of the bunch, and built by William the Conqueror.