The castle beyond came also into the view, and the
whole picture was mirrored in the tranquil stream below. And so,
crossing the bridge, the path led us back through many a bower of hollow
shade; and we then quitted the hotel, and took the rail for
YORK,
where we arrived at about half past nine. We put up at the Black Swan,
with which we had already made acquaintance at our previous visit to
York. It is a very ancient hotel; for in the coffee-room I saw on the
wall an old printed advertisement, announcing that a stage-coach would
leave the Black Swan in London, and arrive at the Black Swan in York,
with God's permission, in four days. The date was 1706; and still, after
a hundred and fifty years, the Black Swan receives travellers in Coney
Street. It is a very good hotel, and was much thronged with guests when
we arrived, as the Sessions come on this week. We found a very smart
waiter, whose English faculties have been brightened by a residence of
several years in America.
In the morning, before breakfast, I strolled out, and walked round the
cathedral, passing on my way the sheriff's javelin-men, in long gowns of
faded purple embroidered with gold, carrying halberds in their hands;
also a gentleman in a cocked hat, gold-lace, and breeches, who, no doubt,
had something to do with the ceremonial of the Sessions. I saw, too, a
procession of a good many old cabs and other carriages, filled with
people, and a banner flaunting above each vehicle.
Pages:
749
750
751
752
753
754
755
756
757
758
759
760
761
762
763
764
765
766
767
768
769
770
771
772
773