extremity of the cavern 160 feet. They then reached the apartments, which are seven in number, and where the guide lighted up candles. Some of these apartments are from twelve to thirty-six feet wide each way, and have a communication with each other by arched avenues. The sides and roof of these are chalk, the bottom of sand: some of the apartments have large conical domes, upwards of thirty-six feet high, supported by columns of chalk, and in one of them is a well of very fine water, twenty-seven feet deep.

Charles and Mary were not soon weary of exploring this cavern: but Mr. Richardson observing the latter shuddered, and complained of extreme cold, desired the guide to lead the way out.

"How amazingly curious !" said Mary, as they reached the top of the stairs, and again beheld the rays of the sun, which was setting as splendidly as possible, for the last of October, "yet how gladly do I

again see the cheerful light! I shall "hereafter consider it with redoubled pleasure; for how dreadful must a dwelling "be where it never enters !"

"Dreadful, indeed!" resumed her father. "Yet how many are condemned to labour " in the bowels of the earth where no beam "of cheering sunshine can. ever perfo"rate, to dig for metals and minerals "for the use of their more fortunate fel"low-creatures, who never consider the "sorrow and labour they have been pro• "cured with !"

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My dear Sir," said Charles "when "I have made myself master of the history of my own country, I know <c no study that would afford me so much pleasure as natural history."

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"You are perfectiy right, Charles," answered his father. "No pursuit is more pleasant, nor better calculated to improve the mind; I therefore think your "intention commendable."

..

Then

Then they entered the coach, which was waiting for them, and conversed gaily until they reached town, when it being late, they took leave of their father for the night.

CHA P. XVI.

The Royal Exchange, first built by Sir Thomas Gresham.-Cheapside, an open Field in the Year 1246.-Accouut of the building of the Temple, and the religious Order of Knights Templars.

THE weather proving unfavourable for a week, Mr. Richardson had the satisfaction. to find that Charles was perfectly content at home, and that Mary began to accustom herself to the recreation that books and the works of fancy afforded her. At the end of that period a fine morning inspired the children with the hope of a ramble: nor were they disappointed; for their father bidding them haften their lessons, all were performed by twelve o'clock, at which hour he sent for them to attend him.

"I have not time," said he, "for any par"ticular observation to-day, being obliged "to call in different parts of the town; <<< however,

however, it may afford you a little re"creation, and we can make our comments 66 as we pass along."

Mr. Richardson ordered the coach to the Royal Exchange, and when he had performed his business, was not displeased to find his children curious respecting the building.

"It is, my children," said he, "the (6 great mart of commerce to the whole “world, merchants, and captains of ships "meeting here daily to transact business. "It was originally built by Sir Thomas Gresham, at the instigation of Richard Clough, afterwards knighted, but for many years servant to Sir Thomas, who had so high an opinion of his integrity, "that he advanced him to be his agent at

Antwerp, from whence, in one of his "letters to his master, he bluntly said, "that the merchants of London studied "nothing but their own private profits "for that, in every other country, they "had a place proper to transact their bu siness whereas in London they walked.