BEAUTIFUL ENGLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 6395, 23 September 1916, Page 2

BEAUTIFUL ENGLAND.

Miss Annie Anderson, late matron of the High Street School, Duncdiu, who commenced her scholastic career in this district, has been sojourning in England since the outbreak of war, and as opportunity offers lias been devoting her energies to " boosting " the attractions of N'ew Zealand. Writing to a Lawrence friend from Tintorin, under date July lltli, she says : " I am here in one of the most, beautiful parts ol' beautiful old England—St. Brouvols in the Wye Valley. The V. League sent me here to speny on "Now Zealand" at a meeting of the Severn and Wye branch, and lam staying with Lady Fox in her very lovely homo. Tho meeting was held on the lawn and it was such a lovoly sight. Tho butler, gardoner. and maids laid carpets and set out tables and chairs, and after tea wo had speeches and talk. I spent a whole morning at Tint em Abboy, which is said to be the largest and most perfect in England. The magnificent east window, although the stone tracery going up to the top and the " roses " part have disappeared, is the socond largest in England. Tho sight of tho forest on the opposite side of the Wye, seen through the huge window as though set in i trame, is too boautiful for description. The nave is magnificent. One just wishes it. were possible to sec it as it was in llie days of the monks services and processions. The huildinga covered eight acres. The little houses and shops detract somewhat from the beauty but when it was built—ll3l—it was in the midst of solitude, for one of the priueipal rulos of the order (Cistercian) wm that " None of our buildings shall be near a city, town, nr village," the Monks being supposed to dovote their time, to study and retirement. Their dining-hall (fratcr) with tho seat in the stono wall for the Monk who read to them during meals, sleeping place, kitchen, warming place, and library, arc all marked. To-morrow I go to Hereford and then to Tewkesbury, just "gipsying "—never knowing whore I shall sleep—thon back to London."