We bade good bye to Bristol to-day and took train for Oxford. On the way we kept calling to mind memory bits from “Jon Brown at Oxford” and snatches from the poem “Oxford Town” written during the late war. Only the last verse comes to mind complete
“God rest you happy gentlemen
Who laid your good lives down,
Who took the khaki and the gun
Instead of cap and gown,
God bring you to a fairer place
Than even Oxford Town.”
Oxford lies in a fertile valley between the rivers Cherwell and Isis. It was maddening to get such hurried views of this ancient seat of learning - which dates back to the time of King Alfred - The Bodleian library, Addison’s walk etc. Saw original manuscript of Byron and Shelley. A chair made from the wood of the vessel Sir Francis Drake used in his trip round the world. Met a young man from New Mexico who had won a scholarship here. There are wonderful paintings and we long to linger. Oh, how it rains! Lunch in Oxford and again on train for London which we reach at 4 P.M. in a heavy downfall of rain.
The great Paddington Station is one of the finest R.R. Stations in London and is full of curious people. We are driven to the Imperial Hotel on Russell Square, where we find the lobbies crowded. En route to London we had some fine views of Windsor Castle. The flag was flying, which indicated royalty was at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment