worldly grandeur, the beauteous Anna Bullen, second wife of Henry the Eighth, who lost her life on a fictitious charge of unchastity, on the 19th of May, 1536. Near her lies interred her brother, Lord Rochford; who was involved in the same. accusation, and beheaded two days before her. Not far from these, in the same grave, lie the profligate Lady Catherine Howard, fifth wife of Henry, and her infamous associate the Lady Rochford, who was beheaded with her, and died unlamented; as her accusation had plunged her husband and sister-in-law into an untimely grave. Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, the great promoter of the suppression of religious houses, was also beheaded in the same reign, and buried here: his accusation was being a favourer of heretics.

"In the next reign, (Edward the Sixth,) Thomas Seymour, the Lord High Admiral, was beheaded, by a warrant from his own brother, the Protector Somerset, and buried in this chapel; three

years after, the Protector himself ascended the same scaffold, and was flung into the common grave, as was also the instrument of his fall, John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, the year following, in the reign of Mary. So transitory are the fallacious dreams of greatness, pomp, and ambition.

"In the reign of Elizabeth, Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, was beheaded; after, as it was said, the Queen had undergone a long struggle between fear and affection.

"Beneath the communion-table, if I recollect aright, reposes the Duke of Monmouth, son of Charles the Second, and accounted the most handsome man of his time: he lost his life in the reign of James the Second.

"In this chapel are also the bodies of the Earl of Kilmarnock, and Lord Balmerino, inclosed in leaden coffins, and who suffered for rebellion in the year 1746; as did also the following year, Si mon Lord Lovat, who was interred in the same ground."

The observations concluded here, and Mr. Richardson retook the way homeward with his children, who were greatly pleased with their afternoon's ramble.

My dear papa," said Mary, as they walked along, though I have been greatly amused with what I have seen, and interested with what you have told us, yet I should like to know every par ticular respecting those remarkable characters; will you not favour us by relat ing something more concerning them ?”

"The task would be too arduous for me, Mary; therefore I must refer you to the History of England, which will inform you fully of these events; and let me tell you, that a man or woman that is unacquainted with the history of their own country, makes a very humiliating appearance in a company where the subject may chance to be discussed; I would therefore have you begin as speedily as possible, in order to remove that inconvenience."

66

My dear Sir," replied Charles, "with

your leave I will take it from your library tomorrow morning; I was accustomed to read it to my mother, but have totally neglected it since."

"You will do well," answered Mr. Richardson," and peruse it with attention it will at once amuse and instruct you; show you the instability of human grandeur; and that a crown dazzling in show, is frequently but a weight of cares to its possessor."

Thus they conversed until they reached home, when the children, having saluted their father, retired to their apartments.

CHAP. VI.

A WALK TO ISLINGTON.-A ROMAN ENCAMPMENT. QUEEN ELIZABETH ALARMED BY BEGGARS.-A MEETING WITH TWO SAILORS.

THE day following, all the lessons being performed, Mr. Richardson informed his children that, as the day was remarkably fine, he would gratify them with a walk to Islington; and that their next excursion should be dictated by Mary.

This arrangement made, they proceeded towards the fields conversing cheerfully by the way, until they reached the town, which their father informed them was in the time of William the First, called Isendon, or Isledon; and that, in the fields to the N.W. of a house of entertainment, called White Conduit-house, from a stone conduit near it, was an inclosure called the Reed Mote, or SixAcre-Field, supposed to have been a Ro