"Nor shall I ever more, I hope, give you cause to punish me on that account," replied Mary. — "Even Charlotte, with all her faults does not appear to have been idle, for she was willing to work, if any body would have employed her."

“True, my love, and therefore if she behaves well, we must endeavour to employ, and also to recommend her; for though I am willing to assist, yet I cannot afford to support young healthy peo. ple in idleness; neither, indeed, is it just, as it would prevent me helping those who are either too young or too old to make exertions. Thus Charlotte must earn her existence by her needle, and young William render himself useful in the countinghouse, in which case neither of them will be burdensome to me; and likewise themselves enjoy the satisfaction of knowing they do not eat the bread of idle inde pendence; -- thus, my children, you see friendly actions are not always expen. sive, and it is our duty to exert ourselves to assist our fellow-creatures."

"And for me, my dear Sir," said Charles, "I will by all possible means endeavour to improve, in order to render myself useful to you."

"The exertion will be highly praise. worthy," replied Mr. Richardson. “In a few years, if I live, I shall have arrived at that period when business is no longer pleasure but toil; then, with what satisfaction shall I resign my cares to a worthy and industrious successor. - Mary, too, must learn to do her part in the superintendance of the household; and the arrangement of every particular of the home department immediately appertains to the female; and a woman is more truly respectable that performs, with propriety, all these duties, than one who leaves them to hirelings, and employs her whole thoughts and time on dress, balls, plays, or other trifles, that do not merit a secondary consideration."

"My dear papa," said Mary, "I will try to be all that you can wish for."

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My good children," answered he, clasping an arm round each, "I do not doubt your endeavours. But we have chatted beyond the usual hour: good night; if fine in the morning, we will make our ramble longer than usual, as I shall have no particular business to transact."

CHAP. XV.

AN EXCURSION TO GREENWICH.-A VISIT TO THE CAVERNS AT BLACKHEATH.

THE morning proving fine, Mr. Richardson ordered the coach early, to gratify his young people with a view of Greenwich. This excursion highly delighted them; nor did they fail to request all the information respecting the place, their father was possessed of.

"Greenwich," said he, "was the birthplace of both Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth, and there died the youthful King Edward the Sixth. A palace was first erected there by Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, who named it Placentia. It was afterwards enlarged by Henry the Seventh, and completed by Henry the Eighth. This building, being suffered to run to decay, was, in the time of Charles the Second, pulled down, and that mo

narch erected on the site the first wing of the college, then designed for a royal palace. He also enlarged the park, walled it round, planted it, and erected a royal observatory on the top of the hill, for the celebrated astronomer Flamstead.

"King William gave this palace for the use of disabled seamen, and for the wives and children of such as lose their lives at sea; and as he could not compass so extensive a charity alone, desired the assistance of his subjects, who, both in his reign and the succeeding ones, have contributed largely, not only to finish the building in its present magnificent state, but also to adorn and endow it.' 99

On their reaching the hospital, the chil dren were greatly pleased, and Mary exclaimed in a rapture, "Ah, papa, you might well call it magnificent! This is indeed a palace! Look, too, at the old men, how clean and merry they appear I shall always love the memory of King William for this noble generous gift." "The institution," returned Mr. Rich

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