Chapter 16

           WecameinsightofReadingabouteleven. Theriverisdirtyanddismalhere. OnedoesnotlingerintheneighbourhoodofReading. Thetownitselfisafamousoldplace,datingfromthedimdaysofKingEthelred,whentheDanesanchoredtheirwarshipsintheKennet,andstartedfromReadingtoravageallthelandofWessex; andhereEthelredandhisbrotherAlfredfoughtanddefeatedthem,EthelreddoingtheprayingandAlfredthefighting. 

           Inlateryears,Readingseemstohavebeenregardedasahandyplacetorundownto,whenmatterswerebecomingunpleasantinLondon. ParliamentgenerallyrushedofftoReadingwhenevertherewasaplagueonatWestminster;and,in1625,theLawfollowedsuit,andallthecourtswereheldatReading. ItmusthavebeenworthwhilehavingamereordinaryplaguenowandtheninLondontogetridofboththelawyersandtheParliament. 

           DuringtheParliamentarystruggle,ReadingwasbesiegedbytheEarlofEssex,and,aquarterofacenturylater,thePrinceofOrangeroutedKingJames’stroopsthere. 

           HenryI.liesburiedatReading,intheBenedictineabbeyfoundedbyhimthere,theruinsofwhichmaystillbeseen;and,inthissameabbey,greatJohnofGauntwasmarriedtotheLadyBlanche. 

           AtReadinglockwecameupwithasteamlaunch,belongingtosomefriendsofmine,andtheytowedusuptowithinaboutamileofStreatley. Itisverydelightfulbeingtowedupbyalaunch. Ipreferitmyselftorowing.