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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Holiday Haunts.
HOLIDAY HAUNTS .
LONDON , TILBURY " , AND SOUTHEND . FENCHUBCH Street Station , the London terminus of this railway , is in the centre of one of the busiest districts of the metropolis . Since tho lino was opened , now over thirty years ago , many changes and improvements have taken place . The station itself is always full of activity , the people who nso it represent
various nationalities , and it affords an excellent vantage ground for the study of character . The neighbourhood around is a vast artery of commerce , and the streets , despite the alterations that have taken place to meet the development of trade , often present a congested appearance , owing to the mass of human and material freight
that mingle together apparently in inextricable confusion . Time , patience and skill successfully combat theso difficulties , ancl when evening comes the ordinary every-day work has beon accomplished , if not with case , at lea ^ t without more than the usual display of bad temper which is often not very unnaturally provoked . It , has often
struck us that strangers to London , and , indeed , all who desire to study character , might profitably visit the several railway stations . The time would be well spent also in observing tho marvellous capacities of the gigantic railway operations of the metropolis , and nowhere could they observe a more varied—we mi ght almost say a cosmopolitan—illustration than at . Fenchurch-street .
From the terminus the London and Tilbury line goes to Stepney , Bromley , Plaisfcovv , Upton Park , East Ham and Barking , thence keeping by the side of the Thames to Bainham , Purfleofc , Grays , Tilbury ( for Gravesend and Margate by boats ) , Low Street and Mucking . The main line continues throngh Stanford-le-Hope to Pitsea , Benfleet ,
Leigh , and Southend , and is now extended to Shoebnryness . This latter addition is not only of service to thoso engaged afc this great military station , but it affords increased opportunity for visitors to Southend to witness the experiments that are frequently made at Shoebnryness . The station is close to the School of Gunnery , and is
therefore exceedingly convenient , both for visitors and thoee engaged in the School . Near the Thames the country is flat , and marshy , but as the country recedes from tho river ifc rises to a considerable height , and in many parts presents pretty and diversified scenery . No doubt the neighbourhood of East and Wesfc Ham has an ancient
history . Near the former a stone Boman sarcophagus and some Boman coffins of lead were found while excavating for the great service of the North London system . Murray ' s Handbook for the Eastern Counties says it is probable thafc a cemetery existed at East Ham in connection with a Eoman camp at Uphall , a short distance to
the north of Barking . Some largo earthworks are still to bo observed at Uphall , on the left bank of the Boding , containing an area of forty-eight acres , which afford a topic of interest for the antiqnarinn , especially as to their origin . The church at West Ham is not , without attractions , while the remains of Stratford Abbey in the locality , now
built up m the wall of tho Adam and Eve public house , sugtrest the contrast that time and circumstances have wrought . Tho chnrch afc East Ham possesses more decided features . Ifc contains some fine specimens of Norman architecture , curious wall paintings , and monuments . Green Street Honae , used as a Roman Catholic Reformatory ,
" is a fine old mansion , with a brick tower , " and is said to have been occupied by Henry VIII . and Anne Boleyn . Barking once had a magnificent Abbey , but all that remains is an embattled gatehouse , called Fire Bell Gate , which stands ab the entrance of Barking Churchyard , where the curfew bell was formerly rung to warn fche
people to put ont their lights and retire to rest . Like all other Monastic institutions of olden time , Barking Abbey had its miracles and a chequered career . Ifc was founded about 670-5 by St . Erkenwold , Bishop of London , nnd his sister Ethelburga was the first Abbess , Under her rule , the Abbey prospered and became
famous for its wealth of worldly goods , as well as of vis-ions and miracles . St . Eckenwold died here , and it is stated that npon tbe removal of his body to London for * interment , the procession was stopped by the flo id at Ilford and Stratford Ferry . By a marvellous interposition of Providence , like that which caused tho waters of the
Bed Sea to divide and let the Israelites pass safely throngh , the flood ceased , and an easy passage was made for the corpse and its attendants . This Ferry was a terrible nuisance , and it is reported that Queen Matilda or Queen Maud on ono occasion got a drenching in crossing it . This accident led to a remed y , and the Qneen caused
the road to be turned , and a bridge and causeway to be built This was the origin of the first " Bow Bridge , " described as a " rare piece of work , for before thafc time the like had never been seen in England . " What vvas intended as a free gift , with the addition of manors ancl a mill to maintain it , was afterwards made an
instrument of charge upon the peoplo . One , Pratt , imposed a toll and made the following singular charges : "For every cart carrying corn , wood , coal , & c , one penny •of one carrying tasel (" the name for a male hawk ] twopence ; and of ono carrying a dead Jew eightpence . " Living or dead the Jews were considered fair spoil , and " are
still so regarded in some countries . But to return to the Abbey , the dedication day of which is the 11 th October , a date memorable in 1883 as being that on which tho first socl of the new railway froi : * Barking to Pitsea was turned . St . Albnrg ' s Day , as it used to be called , in honour of the patron saint St . Ethelbiirgt * , was set apart 1 ) r
the gathering together of a store of " wheat and milk for Frimite , " or" Frummety , " or " Furmety , " as some call it , or "Thrurnmety " as ifc is called in Northamptonshire . It is made of now wheat , boiled in milk , with sugar ancl plums , thickened with flour and ee-js , and is
a very dainty dish . We are speaking of what used to be the Lincoli * . shire cnstom many years ago , when a Frumety feast , betokened the ingathering of the harvest . Clare , in his "Shepherd ' s Calendar , ' says Furmety formed part of the faro at sheep-shearing festivities—
Holiday Haunts.
"The high bowl was in the middle set , At breakfast time , when clippers yearly met ; Filled full of furmety , where dainty swum The streaking sugar and the spotting plum . " Furmety was also a Christmas dish for breakfast and supper . From
these incidents ifc is quite clear that new corn was not essential to tho compound , for in Juno ( sheep-shearing time ) it would not be ready , and iu December it would be approaching middle age afc least . To make the corn serviceable under these circumstances it was " creed , " otherwise soaked and rendered soft . Besides " Frimite , "
much else was provided by the Abbey on the Feast of St . Ethelbnrga . We read that on thafc day the cellaress was bound to provide half a troose for each lady , not a bad supply if a goose iu those clays was like what they are now . With nil their piety the nuns loved good fare , aud thoy had it too . The Abbess of Barking Abbey became so
important a personage as to take with three others the high rank of baroness . She was often of royal or noble blood , ancl took precedeneo of all other Abbesses in England . Thomas a Becket ' s sister was appointed Abbess of Barking , after her brother ' s murder ; Eleanor , Duchess of Gloucester , died there after the murder of her
husband , towards the end of the fourteenth century . Indeed , before and after- this period the Abbey of Barking was of great importance , flainhault Forest was situate in the parish of Barking , and once possessed the celebrated Fairlop Oak , an enormous tree , the shadows of whose bonghs it is stated covered an acre of ground . It was truly
a monarch of tho forest , bufc time and the depredations of excursionists sadly damaged its dimensions and hastened its decay . A composition was applied to it in order to preserve its remains , and a board was affixed to its limbs , bearing the following inscription : 'All good foresters are requested not to hurt this old tree , a plaster
having been applied to its wounds . A firco , caused by some meantieua cricketers in 1805 , further damaged tho decrepid oak , and in 1820 a high wind completed its destruction . Part of the remnants were fashioned into a pulpit ancl reading desk for St . Pancras church . The mighty tree has vanished , Hainhault has been disaforested ,
Fairlop Fair has gone , and nothing * now remains but the pulpit and desk referred to , and memory and imagination fco recall the past . The church is Norman ancl perpendicular , and contains numerous monuments , one to Sir C . Montagu , brother to tho first Earl of Manchester , who is represented in a tent . Tho church will be best
remembered as the placo where Captain Cook , the great circnmnavisrator , was married to Elizabeth Befcts . Not far from Barking is Eastbury House , a very fine specimen of the Tudor style of architecture . It is bni'fc of brick , the chimney stacks ancl pinnacles afc the corners of the gables being especially noticeable as examples of
moulded work . Tradition gives it that the Gunpowder Plot conspirators met in this house , and that the plot was discovered owing to a warning letter intended for Lord Monteagle finding its way by mistake to Eastbury Honse , occupied afc the time by one named Montague . Some of the rooms ab Eastbury are painted in fresco , and in one of them is a coat of arms .
Little of interest marks the line from Barking to Purfleefc , the churches at Bainham and Wennington alone being worthy of a visit , and these only by persons who are concerned iu architectural and archaeological inquiries . Aveley is but a short distance from Purfleefc . Ifc occupies an elevated position , ancl has a church dedicated to
St . Michael , the architecture of which is marked by three distinct periods—Norman , Early English and Late Perpendicular . There is a small brass in the chancel , of Flemish workmanship of a peculiar ancl interesting character . Withiu a mile further on is Belhns , a family seat built in the time of Henry VIII ., now in the possession
of Sir Thomas Barret Lennard . It contains some family portraits of the " Dacres of the South , " a few works of the old masters , rich old tapestry , nnrl ceilings of carved oak . The house stands in a fine doer park , nnd speaking of ifc in 1751 Walpole says : " I never saw a place , for which ono did nofc wish , so totally devoid of faults . " In
olden times the Rretts occupied a moated house in the same parish , possibly Le Bret , one of the murderers of Thomas il Becket , being one of them . It is now occupied by a farmer and has lost its ancient appearance , but is still of interest to the antiquary . There is a very old church at Wesfc Tburrock , along fche line from Pnrfleet . It
possesses curious architectural features and effigies . Adjacent is Grays-Thurrock , picturesquely situate , with Belmont Castle standing on a cliff , and overlooking the landscape below and beyond . Grays ia the next station . It was a market town as early as 1207 , and at one time was a place of considerable importance ; even now a large trade
is carried on in the lime quarries . Stifford , aud South and North Ockendou lie to the north of Grays . The churches at these places are worth a visit , that of South Ockenden being one of seven in Essex having round towers . Many antiquities have been found in the neighbourhood , and amongst items of interest are monumental
brasses , mural tablets , and stained glass . North Ockendon was once famous for the healing qualities of the water of seven springs , but they are now quite forgotten . Little Tburrock , about a mile east of Grays , is remarkable for excavations in the chalk known as "Dane-pits , " " Dane-holes , " or " Cunobeline ' s Gold-mines . " Similar
excavations exist at East Tilbury , near the fort , and are supposed to communicate with thoso of Cbadwell , adjoining Little Tburrock . There are many others of the same character on both sides of the Thames , and they have given rise to many speculations as to their origin and uses . A narrow entrance from above leads to spacious
chambers some thirty feet below . It is believed that these holes were made for the sake of tho chalk itself , which was largely exported in very early times , aud many afterwards bave been used as hiding places for the Danes . They are evidently very ancient , as British coins and remains of British pottery have been discovered in some
of them . But Tilbury Fort is the greafc centre of attraction . Around it cling the associations of war and national glory , which timo cannot dim nor modern progress obliterate . Ifc will ever be connected iu tha minds of Englishmen with the defeat of tlie Spanish Armada , with
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Holiday Haunts.
HOLIDAY HAUNTS .
LONDON , TILBURY " , AND SOUTHEND . FENCHUBCH Street Station , the London terminus of this railway , is in the centre of one of the busiest districts of the metropolis . Since tho lino was opened , now over thirty years ago , many changes and improvements have taken place . The station itself is always full of activity , the people who nso it represent
various nationalities , and it affords an excellent vantage ground for the study of character . The neighbourhood around is a vast artery of commerce , and the streets , despite the alterations that have taken place to meet the development of trade , often present a congested appearance , owing to the mass of human and material freight
that mingle together apparently in inextricable confusion . Time , patience and skill successfully combat theso difficulties , ancl when evening comes the ordinary every-day work has beon accomplished , if not with case , at lea ^ t without more than the usual display of bad temper which is often not very unnaturally provoked . It , has often
struck us that strangers to London , and , indeed , all who desire to study character , might profitably visit the several railway stations . The time would be well spent also in observing tho marvellous capacities of the gigantic railway operations of the metropolis , and nowhere could they observe a more varied—we mi ght almost say a cosmopolitan—illustration than at . Fenchurch-street .
From the terminus the London and Tilbury line goes to Stepney , Bromley , Plaisfcovv , Upton Park , East Ham and Barking , thence keeping by the side of the Thames to Bainham , Purfleofc , Grays , Tilbury ( for Gravesend and Margate by boats ) , Low Street and Mucking . The main line continues throngh Stanford-le-Hope to Pitsea , Benfleet ,
Leigh , and Southend , and is now extended to Shoebnryness . This latter addition is not only of service to thoso engaged afc this great military station , but it affords increased opportunity for visitors to Southend to witness the experiments that are frequently made at Shoebnryness . The station is close to the School of Gunnery , and is
therefore exceedingly convenient , both for visitors and thoee engaged in the School . Near the Thames the country is flat , and marshy , but as the country recedes from tho river ifc rises to a considerable height , and in many parts presents pretty and diversified scenery . No doubt the neighbourhood of East and Wesfc Ham has an ancient
history . Near the former a stone Boman sarcophagus and some Boman coffins of lead were found while excavating for the great service of the North London system . Murray ' s Handbook for the Eastern Counties says it is probable thafc a cemetery existed at East Ham in connection with a Eoman camp at Uphall , a short distance to
the north of Barking . Some largo earthworks are still to bo observed at Uphall , on the left bank of the Boding , containing an area of forty-eight acres , which afford a topic of interest for the antiqnarinn , especially as to their origin . The church at West Ham is not , without attractions , while the remains of Stratford Abbey in the locality , now
built up m the wall of tho Adam and Eve public house , sugtrest the contrast that time and circumstances have wrought . Tho chnrch afc East Ham possesses more decided features . Ifc contains some fine specimens of Norman architecture , curious wall paintings , and monuments . Green Street Honae , used as a Roman Catholic Reformatory ,
" is a fine old mansion , with a brick tower , " and is said to have been occupied by Henry VIII . and Anne Boleyn . Barking once had a magnificent Abbey , but all that remains is an embattled gatehouse , called Fire Bell Gate , which stands ab the entrance of Barking Churchyard , where the curfew bell was formerly rung to warn fche
people to put ont their lights and retire to rest . Like all other Monastic institutions of olden time , Barking Abbey had its miracles and a chequered career . Ifc was founded about 670-5 by St . Erkenwold , Bishop of London , nnd his sister Ethelburga was the first Abbess , Under her rule , the Abbey prospered and became
famous for its wealth of worldly goods , as well as of vis-ions and miracles . St . Eckenwold died here , and it is stated that npon tbe removal of his body to London for * interment , the procession was stopped by the flo id at Ilford and Stratford Ferry . By a marvellous interposition of Providence , like that which caused tho waters of the
Bed Sea to divide and let the Israelites pass safely throngh , the flood ceased , and an easy passage was made for the corpse and its attendants . This Ferry was a terrible nuisance , and it is reported that Queen Matilda or Queen Maud on ono occasion got a drenching in crossing it . This accident led to a remed y , and the Qneen caused
the road to be turned , and a bridge and causeway to be built This was the origin of the first " Bow Bridge , " described as a " rare piece of work , for before thafc time the like had never been seen in England . " What vvas intended as a free gift , with the addition of manors ancl a mill to maintain it , was afterwards made an
instrument of charge upon the peoplo . One , Pratt , imposed a toll and made the following singular charges : "For every cart carrying corn , wood , coal , & c , one penny •of one carrying tasel (" the name for a male hawk ] twopence ; and of ono carrying a dead Jew eightpence . " Living or dead the Jews were considered fair spoil , and " are
still so regarded in some countries . But to return to the Abbey , the dedication day of which is the 11 th October , a date memorable in 1883 as being that on which tho first socl of the new railway froi : * Barking to Pitsea was turned . St . Albnrg ' s Day , as it used to be called , in honour of the patron saint St . Ethelbiirgt * , was set apart 1 ) r
the gathering together of a store of " wheat and milk for Frimite , " or" Frummety , " or " Furmety , " as some call it , or "Thrurnmety " as ifc is called in Northamptonshire . It is made of now wheat , boiled in milk , with sugar ancl plums , thickened with flour and ee-js , and is
a very dainty dish . We are speaking of what used to be the Lincoli * . shire cnstom many years ago , when a Frumety feast , betokened the ingathering of the harvest . Clare , in his "Shepherd ' s Calendar , ' says Furmety formed part of the faro at sheep-shearing festivities—
Holiday Haunts.
"The high bowl was in the middle set , At breakfast time , when clippers yearly met ; Filled full of furmety , where dainty swum The streaking sugar and the spotting plum . " Furmety was also a Christmas dish for breakfast and supper . From
these incidents ifc is quite clear that new corn was not essential to tho compound , for in Juno ( sheep-shearing time ) it would not be ready , and iu December it would be approaching middle age afc least . To make the corn serviceable under these circumstances it was " creed , " otherwise soaked and rendered soft . Besides " Frimite , "
much else was provided by the Abbey on the Feast of St . Ethelbnrga . We read that on thafc day the cellaress was bound to provide half a troose for each lady , not a bad supply if a goose iu those clays was like what they are now . With nil their piety the nuns loved good fare , aud thoy had it too . The Abbess of Barking Abbey became so
important a personage as to take with three others the high rank of baroness . She was often of royal or noble blood , ancl took precedeneo of all other Abbesses in England . Thomas a Becket ' s sister was appointed Abbess of Barking , after her brother ' s murder ; Eleanor , Duchess of Gloucester , died there after the murder of her
husband , towards the end of the fourteenth century . Indeed , before and after- this period the Abbey of Barking was of great importance , flainhault Forest was situate in the parish of Barking , and once possessed the celebrated Fairlop Oak , an enormous tree , the shadows of whose bonghs it is stated covered an acre of ground . It was truly
a monarch of tho forest , bufc time and the depredations of excursionists sadly damaged its dimensions and hastened its decay . A composition was applied to it in order to preserve its remains , and a board was affixed to its limbs , bearing the following inscription : 'All good foresters are requested not to hurt this old tree , a plaster
having been applied to its wounds . A firco , caused by some meantieua cricketers in 1805 , further damaged tho decrepid oak , and in 1820 a high wind completed its destruction . Part of the remnants were fashioned into a pulpit ancl reading desk for St . Pancras church . The mighty tree has vanished , Hainhault has been disaforested ,
Fairlop Fair has gone , and nothing * now remains but the pulpit and desk referred to , and memory and imagination fco recall the past . The church is Norman ancl perpendicular , and contains numerous monuments , one to Sir C . Montagu , brother to tho first Earl of Manchester , who is represented in a tent . Tho church will be best
remembered as the placo where Captain Cook , the great circnmnavisrator , was married to Elizabeth Befcts . Not far from Barking is Eastbury House , a very fine specimen of the Tudor style of architecture . It is bni'fc of brick , the chimney stacks ancl pinnacles afc the corners of the gables being especially noticeable as examples of
moulded work . Tradition gives it that the Gunpowder Plot conspirators met in this house , and that the plot was discovered owing to a warning letter intended for Lord Monteagle finding its way by mistake to Eastbury Honse , occupied afc the time by one named Montague . Some of the rooms ab Eastbury are painted in fresco , and in one of them is a coat of arms .
Little of interest marks the line from Barking to Purfleefc , the churches at Bainham and Wennington alone being worthy of a visit , and these only by persons who are concerned iu architectural and archaeological inquiries . Aveley is but a short distance from Purfleefc . Ifc occupies an elevated position , ancl has a church dedicated to
St . Michael , the architecture of which is marked by three distinct periods—Norman , Early English and Late Perpendicular . There is a small brass in the chancel , of Flemish workmanship of a peculiar ancl interesting character . Withiu a mile further on is Belhns , a family seat built in the time of Henry VIII ., now in the possession
of Sir Thomas Barret Lennard . It contains some family portraits of the " Dacres of the South , " a few works of the old masters , rich old tapestry , nnrl ceilings of carved oak . The house stands in a fine doer park , nnd speaking of ifc in 1751 Walpole says : " I never saw a place , for which ono did nofc wish , so totally devoid of faults . " In
olden times the Rretts occupied a moated house in the same parish , possibly Le Bret , one of the murderers of Thomas il Becket , being one of them . It is now occupied by a farmer and has lost its ancient appearance , but is still of interest to the antiquary . There is a very old church at Wesfc Tburrock , along fche line from Pnrfleet . It
possesses curious architectural features and effigies . Adjacent is Grays-Thurrock , picturesquely situate , with Belmont Castle standing on a cliff , and overlooking the landscape below and beyond . Grays ia the next station . It was a market town as early as 1207 , and at one time was a place of considerable importance ; even now a large trade
is carried on in the lime quarries . Stifford , aud South and North Ockendou lie to the north of Grays . The churches at these places are worth a visit , that of South Ockenden being one of seven in Essex having round towers . Many antiquities have been found in the neighbourhood , and amongst items of interest are monumental
brasses , mural tablets , and stained glass . North Ockendon was once famous for the healing qualities of the water of seven springs , but they are now quite forgotten . Little Tburrock , about a mile east of Grays , is remarkable for excavations in the chalk known as "Dane-pits , " " Dane-holes , " or " Cunobeline ' s Gold-mines . " Similar
excavations exist at East Tilbury , near the fort , and are supposed to communicate with thoso of Cbadwell , adjoining Little Tburrock . There are many others of the same character on both sides of the Thames , and they have given rise to many speculations as to their origin and uses . A narrow entrance from above leads to spacious
chambers some thirty feet below . It is believed that these holes were made for the sake of tho chalk itself , which was largely exported in very early times , aud many afterwards bave been used as hiding places for the Danes . They are evidently very ancient , as British coins and remains of British pottery have been discovered in some
of them . But Tilbury Fort is the greafc centre of attraction . Around it cling the associations of war and national glory , which timo cannot dim nor modern progress obliterate . Ifc will ever be connected iu tha minds of Englishmen with the defeat of tlie Spanish Armada , with