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"in

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likely to inspire pity in weak minds, and, in consequence, the most distressed. For example, Mary: God hath given you a proper shape and pleasing person, unless you disfigure them hereafter by folly and "affectation: but should any misfortune

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happen to deprive you of these advantages, do you think I could love you "less? Surely not. I should, on the

contrary, consider, that every mark of "tenderness I could shew you was necessary to enable you to bear your misfor

" tune."

My dear papa, forgive me! I am "sashamed of what I said, and, in future, "will endeavour not to think of person."

"I hope you will keep that resolution, 86 my dear girl; for nothing can be more "weak or unpardonable than to be taken "with mere external accomplishments. "But I must for the present bid you fare"well, for I have business that cannot be "neglected."

CHAP.

CHAP. XVIII.

A Ramble to Westminster Abbey-When first built.-Crowned Heads interred there.Reflection made by Mr. Addison on the Spot.-Westminster-Hall first built by William Rufus.-Grand Entertainments in that Place.-Royal Palace at Whitehall, -Great Increase of Buildings in the Reign. of Queen Elizabeth.

THE duties of the morning fulfilled, Mr.. Richardson and his children prepared for one of their usual excursions, which Charles entreated might be to Weftminster-abbey.. The carriage was accordingly ordered. thither.

My dear children," said he, " you must not expect from me a descriptive "relation of all the great personages who "lie interred in the abbey; for as there

are numberless accurate accounts to be "obtained, I shall simply confine myself: "to an historical sketch of the first erec

"tion of the building, and inform you " what

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"what crowned heads rest there. Sebert, "the first of that name, and first Christian

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king of the East Saxons; Harold, the "bastard son of Canutus the Dane, king “of England; king Edward, called the Confessor, and Edith his queen; Maud, queen to king Henry the Firft; king Henry the Third; king Edward the "First and Eleanor his queen; king Ed“ward the Third and his queen Philipa;

king Richard the Second and Anne his

queen; king Henry the Fifth and Cathe"rine his queen, Anne, wife to king Richard "the Third, king Henry the Seventh and "Elizabeth his queen; king Edward the "Sixth; Anne of Cleves, fourth wife to king Henry the Eighth; queen Mary; queen Elizabeth, king James the First " and Anne his queen; king Charles the "Second; king William and queen Mary;

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queen Anne; king George the Second "and Caroline his queen. These, I be

lieve, are all the crowned heads that " are interred there: but there are num"berless Fersons of the first dis"tinction, and others who have signa

"lized

"lized themselves, in the annals of "their country, by bravery, genius, or "praise-worthy actions, Adjoining the "abbey was the ancient palace of our kings, "from the time of Edward the Confessor "to that of Henry the Eighth, when it "was consumed by fire. "this ancient palace are "though converted to other uses. "commons of England hold their assem"blies where was once St. Stephen's cha

Many parts of

still to be seen,

The

pel, built by the king of that name, but "afterwards rebuilt, and made a collegiate "church by king Edward the Third: but "on its surrender to Edward the Sixth, it "was applied to its present use. Weft

minfter-hall, which I fhall shew you, and "whose entrance is from New Palace-yard, "is accounted the largest apartment in

Europe that is not supported by pillars. "Its length is two hundred and seventy "feet, the breadth seventy-four: its height "adds to its solemnity; and is of timber curiously constructed."

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This discourse brought them to the abbey, when Mr. Richardson walked round

round with them to survey it on the out

side.

"

"The spot on which this building is " erected," said he, " was once called Thorney Island, from its being over"run with thorns and briars, and likewise "insulated by a branch from the Thames. "The church is said to have been founded "about the year 610, by Serbert, king of "the Saxons, on the ruins of the Temple "of Apollo, and dedicated to St. Peter. "This church was burnt by the Danes, but "restored by king Edgar, who placed in it "twelve monks of the Benedictine order, "though with very small revenues. Edward "the Confessor rebuilt both the church

" and abbey. He began the work in the (6 year 1049, and finished it 1066, endowing it with the utmost munificence.

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"Whether from the building falling to "decay, or otherwise, I know not, but

Henry the third caused the Saxon pile to "be pulled down, and the whole rebuilt in "its present magnificent state. In the

year 1245, he began this work, but did.