gave a superior discourse, in which the excellency of the Christian religion was inferred from the existence of charitable institutions in Christian countries and in no other.

He alluded in a very pathetic and interesting manner to the children before us, and they, with one accord rose, as he feelingly asked, what would have been their situation, but for this institution, since they were deserted by their parents-without a name-without a habitation, and with no ligament to connect them with society.

There was no illiberality in this gentleman's discourse towards other denominations; not long ago, I heard an anathema from the same desk, against all those who dissent from the established church of England; the preacher was not, however, Mr. More, the one of whom I have now spoken so advantageously.

The church of the Foundling Hospital is elegant-the altar piece is ornamented with an appropriate painting by Mr. West, which he gave to the charity; no subject could be better adapted to the place; it is our Saviour receiving the little children that are presented to him.

This church is much frequented by the nobility and people of fashion; every one contributes something at the door, and he is sure that it will be applied to the best purposes only, while his gratuity procures him a seat, to which he is very civilly conducted by an attendant.

INCIDENTS.

June 10.-I have been favored to-day with an introduction to Dr. Thornton, well known by his work entitled Medical Extracts, and better still by his recent production the Temple of Flora. I was at his house, and he was so

obliging as to show me the superb picturesque coloured engravings, which have been executed for this work, It is a botanical production, intended to illustrate the principal classes of Linnæus, but more perhaps, to exhibit a splendid proof of the state of the arts in England. In the latter point of view the work is admirable, as it is undoubtedly unrivalled in the beauty of its engravings and the richness of its colours, but it has probably contributed very little to the advancement of science, and still less to the fortune of its author, for it costs, I believe, about fifty guineas, and there is not as much reading as in a common half guinea book. The work is accompanied by engraved heads of the principal naturalists, and by poetical quotations adapted to the different botanical subjects. It is in a very large folio, and the printing is diffused over a vast extent of hot-pressed and wire-wove paper; I need not therefore inform you that it meets with only a very heavy sale. Posterity will probably wonder that a work so splendid and beautiful could ever have been executed, and still more perhaps that one so unprofitable should ever have been undertaken. The author is a man of frank and pleasing manners, and hardly arrived at middle life.

An introductory note gained me access also to Dr. Shaw, of the British Museum. As my object was merely to make a few enquiries of him as a professional man, I can say little more of him, than that his manners, like those of most of the men of literature and science, whom I have seen in this country, are affable and polite. He is distinguished for an extensive and accurate knowledge of Zoology, on which branch he is now publishing a great work, illustrated by very fine engravings, taken principal

ly from original subjects preserved in the great Museums of London.

The kindness of my friends Mr. and Mrs. Guest, has procured for me to-day an introduction to a celebrated literary lady, Mrs. Knowles. They are on terms of familiarity at her house, and took me there to dine. Mrs. Knowles is a venerable old lady of seventy, who has all the simplicity of manners and dress which characterize the society of Friends, of which she is a member, without any thing of their peculiarities.

She has been long celebrated in England for her literary accomplishments and her attainments in the fine arts, not less than for the masculine vigor of her understanding. Of the latter, Dr. Johnson is said to have had a proof, which must have been somewhat mortifying, to one accustomed to dictate with dogmatical decision, and to triumph in every contest. I allude to a dispute which the Dr. held with this lady, upon the principles and habits of the Quakers, in which he is said to have been fairly worsted by her, and driven from the field.

Mrs. Knowles gratified us with a sight of the numerous productions of her pencil and her needle, with which her apartments are adorned. Many of them are exquisite in their kind, and do equal honour to her industry and ingenuity. The productions of her needle are particularly interesting. Those which I saw, consisted principally of representations of objects of natural history, such as various animals, flowers, fruits, &c. In this branch of the imitative arts she has attained such excellence as almost to rival the pencil itself, for some of the animals represented, seemed absolutely alive, as if ready to spring forward.

In the same style, Mrs. Knowles has executed the best likeness of the King that has ever been taken, and his Majesty has paid her very particular marks of respect.

No. XVIII.-LONDON.

British Museum-Egyptian and other antiques-Sarcophagus of Alexander the Great-Roman arms and relics-Likeness of Chaucer--Magna Charta-Pope's Homer--Drury Lane-Strong curiosity to see the Royal Family-Their reception at the theatre-Appearance of the King and of the Family—The play and entertainment-Opinions concerning the King-Anecdotes of him-An incident.

BRITISH MUSEUM.

June 12.-In order to see the British Museum it is necessary to make application on a previous day. I made the necessary arrangements yesterday, and was this morning admitted to see this celebrated repository of curiosities.

In this instance, as in most former ones, it will be my object, my dear brother, to notice only a few of those things which interested me most. Indeed, if the principal purpose of this Journal were description, I might as well spare myself the trouble of doing that which will be found in many instances, to have been better executed by others. But, I write chiefly because it is myself that have seen, and you and a few other of my most particular friends that will read. I cannot doubt that you will be warmly interested in every occurrence of my travels and residences abroad, and therefore what I have seen, thought, and

felt, will form to you and the other friends for whom I write, not the least interesting circumstance of the story.

In the yard before the Museum, beneath temporary sheds constructed to defend them from the weather, till they can be removed into a building now erecting for their reception, are the celebrated antiques, taken from General Menou at Alexandria. The French had brought them from Cairo and other places, with the intention of transporting them to France, but the catastrophe of the late war in Egypt placed them in the power of the English. Among them are several Roman statues, a pillar of porphyry of extreme hardness, an ancient obelisk and several images, supposed to have been intended to represent the Egyptian goddess Isis; but a number of sarcophagi are justly reckoned among the greatest curiosities.

They are made of stone, and were used as the exterior coffins of the Egyptians. The mummy was first wrapped in cloth; it was then enclosed in a wooden coffin, opening with hinges, like a case for spectacles, and those mummies which I saw in the Museum, as well as their coffins, were richly ornamented; last of all, the wood coffin was deposited in the sarcophagus. The latter are covered with inscriptions and designs of various kinds, which I leave the antiquaries to explain.

The largest and most ornamented of these sarcophagi is believed to have been the exterior coffin in which the body of Alexander the Great was deposited.* Giving way to the impression which I strongly felt to believe the fact, I was forcibly struck with the humiliating lesson which it

*

Although Alexander died at Babylon, it is well known that his body was afterwards removed to Alexandria.