"How much have you remaining?" said Mr. Richardson.

"Near a hundred and fifty pounds, Sir, and so much money is a very great charge; for, in the first place, neither my mother nor myself can sleep, we are so afraid of being robbed, and when I am on board 'I am tempted to buy so many fine things, that I never before thought of, that I don't choose to trust myself."

"It is ever good to be diffident of ourselves, and carefully to avoid temptations," answered Mr. Richardson; "I will therefore speak to my first clerk, who will instruct you how to settle this business properly."

William renewed his thanks, made his bow, and left the room, apparently rejoiced at the promise of being relieved from a charge which he knew not how to manage.

The servant at that moment brought in letters for Mr. Richardson. On reading one of them, he said to his children; "This letter is an answer to one I wrote

to the overseers of Frank and Patty's parish. I find they have spoken truth; and it is likewise added, that their parents were very worthy, honest people: but to show you how imprudent and wicked it was of them to distrust the goodness of God, three weeks after their departure, a gentleman arrived at their village and inquired for their parents, and finding them dead, made all possible search after their family even causing these young run-a-ways to be constantly advertised in all the country papers for a long time; an event which, but for our fortunately meeting with them, in all probability they would never have known, and perhaps have continued wandering vagabonds all their lives."

"And are you informed who the person is that has inquired for them, Sir?" said Charles.

"Not particularly; but that he is a relation. I shall therefore write to the overseers this evening, and inform them where the children are to be found."

I

"Then," said Mary, mournfully, "I dare say I shall lose Patty, and I shall be very sorry for that.'

"I have that opinion, Mary, of the goodness of your heart, that you will, on the contrary, be much rejoiced, if it should happen for her good; you may easily find some proper object on whom to transfer your bounty."

"Yes, papa, very possibly: but I don't think I shall ever meet with one so pretty, and that sings so well."

"As to these qualifications," replied Mr. Richardson, "I really cannot promise; but I should be very sorry to think they were particularly necessary to awaken your sensibility; for in that case your charities must be very circumscribed. — Besides, do you not think a homely person suffers as much as a handsome one? Are they not susceptible of the same hunger, the same cold, the same pains of body, and the same distress? For my part, did I make any discrimination of objects which, however, I never shall-I should be rather

inclined to favour those who were possessed of no personal advantages, as they would be the least 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 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 show you, was necéssary to enable you to bear your misfortune.'

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

"I hope you will keep that resolution, 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. XVIII.

A RAMBLE TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY,

FIRST BUILT.

WHEN CROWNED HEADS INTERRED

-

REFLECTION MADE BY MR. ADDI-
THE SPOT.- WESTMINSTER-HALL

FIRST BUILT BY WILLIAM RUFUS.
ENTERTAINMENTS IN THAT PLACE.

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 Westminster-Abbey. The carriage was accordingly ordered thither.

66

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 erection of the building, and inform you what crowned