"not live to see it completed, it being "finished in the fourteenth year of his

successor. The roof was destroyed by "fire: but by the care of Edward and se"veral of the abbots it was repaired in its 66 present beautiful state."

On entering the abbey, the grandeur and solemnity of the whole struck them forcibly; and Charles, addressing his father, said, "By the little I already see, sir, I should “think that, instead of a single morning, "it would take many days, nay, even "weeks, to explore and examine into all "the curious antiquities of this building."

They were then shewn the different chapels, and two hours had passed in the examination, when Mr. Richardson, who feared the coldness of the place might injure their health, gave them notice that it was time to return home; adding, that he would grant them a more minute inspection when the weather was milder; and that as they wished to look at Westminster-hall, they had now no more time to spare in the abbey.

He

He was immediately obeyed; and Mary, taking his hand, said, "My dear papa, "I used to think there could be no pleasure where the object did not divert " and make us merry; but I have dis-"covered, this morning, that opinion was

ས

་

erroneous, for I feel exactly opposite to cheerful, yet it is a sensation I would "not exchange for mirth."

"My beloved girl, I am charmed to hear you begin to discriminate so properly; nor can I refrain from repeating to you "the reflection Mr. Addison made in this

64

same spot. When I look back,' said he, on the tombs of the great, every emo-tion dies in me: when I read the epitaphs of the beautiful, every inordinate desire goes out: when I meet with the grief of parents on a tomb-stone, my • heart melts with compassion: when I

see the tomb of the parents themselves, ⚫ and consider the vanity of grieving for ⚫ those we must quickly follow-when I see Kings lying by those who deposed them when I consider rival wits placed

• side

side by side, or the holy men, that divided the world with their contests and disputes I reflect with sorrow and astonishment on the little competitions, factions, and disputes of mankind: when · I read the several dates of the tombsof some that died yesterday, and some six hundred years ago-I consider that great day, when we shall all of us be contemporaries, and make our appearance together.'

On reaching Westminster-hall, Mr. Richardson informed them it was built by William Rufus, or, more probably, rebuilt, as a large hall was ever a necessary appendage to a palace.

"We are informed." said he, "that in this hall, and the adjoining apart

ments, Henry the Third entertained, on "New Year's day 1236, six thousand poor

men, women, and children. It became "ruinous before the reign of Richard the "Second, who rebuilt it in its present

form in the year 1397, and in 1399

kept his Christmas in it, when twenty

་

eight oxen, three hundred sheep, and "fowls innumerable, were daily consumed, "the number of his guests being each day si ten thousand."

They then left Westminster-hall, and Mr. Richardson, with his children, entered the carriage. On passing Whitehall, he informed them that on that spot stood a palace, which, after the destruction of the ancient palace of Westminster by fire, became the residence of our Kings until it was almost wholly destroyed by the same element in the year 1697.

As they passed Charing-Cross, Mr. Richardson observed he had read that, in the year 1262, a hermitage stood near that spot; as also a chapel, dedicated to St. Catherine.

Charles replied, "What an alteration, "Sir! It is now one of the most popu "lous parts of the town, nay, I wonder "it was not so then, as the court was "held at Westminster, for so many cen"turies."

"Though the court was held there," answered Mr. Richardson, "there was

66 no

no conjunction between London and Westminster until about the year 1533, "when a few scattered houses were erect"ed, and, in 1560, a street formed, though very loosely built, with large gardens,

and, on the south side, stairs to the river, "for the convenience of taking boat, "which at that period was the mode of conveyance for great personages. The "Strand, in the year 1353, was an open highway, with only some scattered no"blemen's houses, with gardens to the "river, and so impassable for want of re

.66

66

pair, that, in the reign of Edward the

"Third, a tax was laid on all goods carried "that way to Westminster, for the repair

of the road. The noblemen's houses "have since given way to the various "streets that branch from the Strand: "but their situation may still be known

66

by the names which have been pre

❝served.

"In the reign of Queen Elizabeth the people were so prosperous and secure, that, by the year 1600, the buildings