great, yet it may be judged that it was more than equalled by the fatisfaction of Frank and Patty, who, having experienced wretchedness, cold, and hunger, were fully fenfible of the comforts of a good fire, food, and cloathing, bleffings that many ungrateful beings enjoy without thankfulness, or confidering that all benefits are the gift of God, and that as he has power to bestow, fo has he also power to deprive us of them.

Mr. Richardfon, whofe mercantile eoncerns seldom fuffered him to be long abfent from London, left Acton the next afternoon, and returned to his town-house in Finfbury-fquare; during the way thither he pointed out to his children whatever he thought could amuse or inftruct them, giving them an account of any thing remarkable that had happened in the places they paffed through.

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My dear Sir," faid Charles, "I have "often wished to fee whatever was curious "in the metropolis, and to learn the rife " of fome of the most remarkable buildings; if it be not intruding too much E 2

«on

" on your goodnefs, perhaps fome time you may gratify us fo far."

Willingly," returned Mr. Richardfon; "it is a laudable curiofity, and we will de"vote our leifure hours to that purpose "this winter; and the enfuing fummer if "all goes well, we will extend our rambles "into the country."

At this moment they paffed the turnpike, and entered Piccadilly, which Charles obferving was a very wide and populous street, his father replied, "It is indeed fo now, "Charles, but fome years back it was little better than wafte land, and firft built upon

by one Higgins a taylor, who had accu"mulated a good fortune by making stiff collars, then much in fashion, and called Piccadilla's, from which he named the

"street."

As the night drew on, few comments more paffed during the way home, where Mary found, on her arrival, a difcreet fenfible woman engaged as her governess; and Charles, proper mafters to come daily to inftru&t him.

СНАР.

CHAP. V.

A Walk to the Tower of London.---Account of its Extent. The first Perfon beheaded there.-Lawles Actions.---Speech of Sir Gervis Elways.---On the Courage of Lions.-Remarkable Perfons interred in the Chapel-The neceffity of reading the Hiftory of our own Country.

EARLY the next morning the children attended their father at breakfast, after which they found every hour, until dinner, devoted to study; a circumftance that: was not very pleafing to either; but particularly to Mary, who having led a life of idlenefs during the laft twelve monthsfound all restraint extremely irkfome.Both, however, performed their leffons with great good humour, and a favourable account being given to Mr... Richardfon, he declared, that as he was unem-

E: 3

4

ployed!

ployed that afternoon, they would devote it to one of the rambles Charles had expreffed a wish for, "as that will," added he," not only amufe, but, at the fame "time, inftruct us."---Charles expreffed his thanks, and both waited with impatience until their father was ready; and the weather being clear and dry, all preferred walking to the ufe of the carriage. "And now, Charles," faid Mr. Richardfon, you shall dictate the purfuits of this

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day; Mary and I will fix the next * walk."

"Then, Sir," replied he, "I have long "wifhed to fee the Tower; will you fa"vour me by taking us there?"

..

"With all my heart; but as this is your first wish, you, doubtlefs, are informed, by reading of every hiftoric "circumstance refpecting it. Will you oblige me by relating a few; it will ❝entertain us as we go along."

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"It was first built, I think, Sir, by "William the Conqueror; but many al"terations and additions have taken place

"in the reigns of the fucceeding kings: "it is a place of defence, and a repository "for arms, the crown-jewels, curiofities, "wild beasts, and many other things "that I cannot enumerate."

"Is that all?" interrupted Mary. "don't think I fhall like it at all; for "there is nothing to amufe one in old guns, or ugly beasts."

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Mr. Richardson fmiled; but replied to his fon, "You have forgotten to inform "me of the width of the ditch that "furrounds it; the compafs on the out"fide, or that within the walls."

"I do not recollect it, Sir," answered he," but will read with more attention in "future."

"You will do well," replied his father. "The compass, on the outside the "ditch, is one thousand and fifty-two "feet; the ground comprehended within

the walls and ditch, twelve acres and "five roods; it was first inclosed by Wil"liam Longchamps, Bishop of Ely, in the "reign of Richard I. That haughty preD 3

late,