IN THE FOOTPRINTS OF SAINT ALBAN 31 



We have, during this little pilgrimage together, gained much 

 information concerning Verulam and St Albans. We have 

 trodden, as it were, in the footprints of Saint Alban, and have 

 followed the footsteps of William the Conqueror, Paul de Caen 

 being the first Norman Abbot of the Monastery. 



Every square yard of this ground is historic, and to an intelli- 

 gent resident or visitor there is opened up a broad vista of the 

 mighty past. The pity of it is that so few seem sufficiently 

 interested to avail themselves of this stirring story of bygone 

 England, and it is largely left for visitors from afar to appreciate 

 what remains exist, and to help extend our knowledge concerning 

 same. 



I realise, as I renew acquaintance with these scenes of my 

 youth, the supreme importance of knowing something of one's 

 homeland, even, as I hinted in my opening chapter, of one's 

 own little parish. Each parish should have its own monographer, 

 the man (or woman) who is able and willing to study the evolu- 

 tion of the human race, as it were, upon the spot. With such 

 fragrant memories as I myself possess of St Albans, both historical 

 and picturesque, I am convinced that life is made fuller and 

 sweeter by knowing, feeling, and realising that one is treading 

 day by day upon hallowed ground, where great thoughts may 

 arise from even trifling things, for, as Ruskin says : 



" What fairy palaces we may make of beautiful thoughts, 

 bright fancies, satisfied memories, noble histories, faithful say- 

 ings, treasure-houses of precious and restful thoughts, which care 

 cannot disturb nor pain make gloomy, nor poverty take away 

 from us houses built without hands, for our souls to live in ! " 



