1 1 8 Four-in-Hand in Britain. 



pictures, although in this department Blenheim stands 

 unrivalled. Marlborough knew the adage that " to the 

 victor belongs the spoils," and acted upon it too, for he 

 had rare opportunities abroad to gather treasures. But 

 for a realization of your most picturesque ideal of a great 

 old English house, betake yourselves to Wroxton Abbey. 

 Its little chapel, rich in very old oak carving, is in itself 

 worth a journey to see. 



A pretty story is told of the visit of James I. to the 

 Abbey. The wife of Sir William Pope, the owner, had 

 lately presented him with a daughter, and on the King's 

 arrival the babe was brought to him bearing in her little 

 hand a scroll containing the following verses : 



" See this little mistres here, 

 Did never sit in Peter's chaire, 

 Or a triple crowne did weare ; 

 And yet she is a Pope. 



" No benefice she ever sold, 

 Nor did dispence with sins for gold ; 

 She hardly is a sev'nnight old. 

 And yet she is a Pope. 



" No King her feet did ever kisse. 



Or had from her worse look than this : 



Nor did she ever hope 



To saint one with a rope ; 



And yet she is a Pope. 

 A female Pope, you'll say, a second Joan ; 

 No sure — she is Pope Innocent or none." 



