trate, regardless of the rank of the of fender, immediately committed him to prison."

"I wonder," observed Charles, " that he was not fearful of offending such a great personage.

"An honest man, Charles, is never fearful of doing his duty; should he neglect, how can he answer it to his own. conscience? Nay, the Prince of Wales, though at the moment exasperated, was so sensible of this, that when he came to the crown, he highly honoured the Chief Justice, and discarded all his loose companions."

"As the Prince, Sir, frequented this place, I suppose it was very much resorted to by others, as well as his companions."

"Your supposition is right, Charles," returned Mr. Richardson; "for this street was famous in old times for its convivial doings; an ancient writer speaks of it thus: The cooks cried hot ribs of beef roasted; pies, well-baked; and other victuals: then

there was a clattering of pewter-pots, harps, pipes, and sawtrie; which was a stringed instrument that was played upon with sticks."

A church clock at that moment striking three, Mr. Richardson hastened his children, who had far exceeded their usual hour; but the walk had created them an appetite, and having eaten their dinner heartily, while their father superintended his mercantile concerns, they retired to their apartment, revolving on the inform ation they had received, and Charles seeking out the more correct accounts in the History of England, and reading them to his sister.

They were so much employed in these pursuits, that Mr. Richardson had dined, and sent for them to take tea with him, before they thought it near so late; so true it is that time properly employed never hangs heavy on our hands.

CHAP. IX.

IDLENESS PUNISHED.

THE morning following, the weather proving rainy, Mary appeared highly dissatisfied; and addressing Charles, whom she observed employed in preparing for his master, she said, "You have no occasion to hurry, for the weather is so bad that we cannot go out."

"I am sorry for it," answered Charles, "but shall learn my exercises notwithstanding; for when my lessons are concluded, I can amuse myself with reading the History of England."

"You may, if you please," replied Mary, "but, for my part, I am only interested in those accounts respecting persons whom papa has pointed out to

our notice.

"I dare say," returned Charles, "if we read it regularly, that it will all equally

amuse and interest us; and therefore, for my part, am resolved to begin and continue regularly without missing a line."

"I shall not take all that trouble," said she," and as it is a rainy morning, my lessons will be done before dinner, which will be quite time enough."

They were here interrupted by Mr. Richardson, who had for some time been in the adjoining chamber, and heard the whole dialogue; though that circumstance was unsuspected by the children.

He saluted them in his usual affection

ate manner, and soon after left them, without the least notice of what had passed.

Breakfast being over, and Charles ready with his lessons, he had finished the whole before Mary had thought of a single line, and her governess was remonstrating when Mr. Richardson entered to inform them, his business for the morning was concluded, and if they had likewise done theirs, he should be glad of their com

pany, as he had obtained permission for them to see Lambeth-palace.

Mary now felt the consequences of her idleness, and began bustling about her different tasks, but neither the French lesson, writing, nor accounts were to be done in a moment: therefore, after a pause, she said, with some hesitation, "I have not quite done, papa; but if you will have the goodness to wait for me, I will make great haste; or, rather, if you will permit me, I will take double lessons to-morrow."

σε Το your first request, Mary," replied Mr. Richardson, with firmness but much good-humour, "I can only answer, that as I have done my business, and Charles his duty, it would be unjust that we ⚫ should be kept at home in compliance to your idleness, when you have had equal time to perform what was required To your second request I can only say, that business with me, must ever precede pleasure; and that nothing necessary to be done to-day, should be

of you.