"to the bramin, who appeared, while I spoke, to examine us with the most mi6C nute exactness

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The relation was here interrupted by the entrance of supper, and the conclusion, greatly to the disappointment of the young people, obliged to be deferred.

CHAP. XXIII.

Return to London.-An Excursion to Chelsea. A Visit to the College and the Church.Uncommon Valour of Mrs. Spragg.---On the Courage necessary for Females.

CHARLES and Mary were equally anxious, on the following morning, to hear the conclusion of Mr. Williams's story, but met with a disappointment, as their father received a letter which required his immediate attendance.

"Dear me, papa!" said Mary, when

alone

alone with her father and brother, "how "provoking! I wished greatly to have "heard the conclusion of Mr. Williams's "relation---and now we must go to town!" Though I wish it equally with your

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"self, Mary," answered her father, yet I "cannot help smiling when I recollect how displeased you appeared when Mr. Wil"liams was first announced; yet you find "he now interests you more than any thing

else. Is not this a certain proof that we "should never form hasty judgments? "This jaunt to town may be equally pro"ductive: or should it not, we shall at "leaft return equally curious."

Mr. Richardson intreated Mr. Williams, in so friendly a manner, to use his house at Acton while convenient, that he accepted his invitation, saying, that until Mr. Richardson's return, he would endeavour to form a more intimate acquaintance with his nephew and niece.

The coach being ready, Mr. Richardson departed for London, where he was SO much engaged for near a week, that he could

not

not share in any of the pursuits of the young people.

At length he informed them that he was at leisure to pass a day or two in the country, and both entered the carriage with great glee, but felt some little drawback on their pleasures when Mr. Richardson informed them that he was necessitated to stop at Chelsea by the way, on business. The gentlemen where they called intreated them so warmly to dine, that Mr. Richardson could not refuse, and the day passed more pleasantly than either of the young people expected; for as it was early, they spent the morning in viewing the college, and other objects worth notice.

"Pray, papa," said Mary," is not this "building for the same purpose as that at "Greenwich?”

"With this difference, Mary: that is "for seamen---this for soldiers. It was "also begun by King Charles the Second, "continued by James the Second, and

66

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completed by King William. The first promoter of this charity was Sir Stephen

"Fox, who contributed 13,000l. towards

ર

it. It was built by Sir Christopher "Wren on the site of an old college that "had fallen to the crown, and the expence "estimated at 150,000l."

The children having examined the building, expressed their pleasure at the decorum and neatness of the whole; their guide informing them that there was accommodation for above four hundred veterans, who were supplied with clothes, diet, washing, and lodging, and that the out-pensioners amounted to several thousands, who had each 71. 12s. 6d. annually.

"The support and allowance of so numerous a body must, in the year, amount "to a prodigious sum," said Charles.

"It does, indeed," answered Mr. Richardson, but it is defrayed by a small "deduction out of the pay of the army,

and one whole day's stipend yearly from "each officer and common soldier; and, "in cases of deficiency, by a sum' voted "by parliament."

The weather was too severe for them to

pay

pay that attention to the physic-garden Mr. Richardson could have wished, he therefore contented himself with informing them, that it was given to the company of apothecaries, in the year 1621, by Sir Hans Sloane, on condition of their paying a quitrent of five pounds, and delivering yearly to the Royal Society specimens of fifty different kinds of plants, till the number amounted to two thousand. In the year 1733, the company erected a marble statue to the donor in the centre of the garden, before which, towards the river, Mr. Richardson made them remark two beautiful cedars of Libanus.

Mary expressing a wish to see the church, they walked thither, when Mr. Richardson informed her, that in the chancel was laid the body of Sir Thomas More, "who," continued he, "was beheaded in the reign "of Henry the Eighth: but his head, after being exposed fourteen days, was ob"tained by his daughter, Mrs. Roper, and

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preserved in a leaden case, and afterwards "buried with her in a vault in St. Dun"stan's church, Canterbury."