in the representation of such a series of calamities. The destruction of a ship at sea by fire, is the consummation of human misery.

As to the internal management of this hospital, a few particulars shall be mentioned. Two thousand disabled seamen are provided for in this royal asylum. Every mariner has a weekly allowance of seven loaves sixteen ounces each, three pounds of beef, two of mutton, a pint of peas, a pound and a quarter of cheese, two ounces of butter, and fourteen quarts of beer, and one shilling a week tobacco-money. Beside these allowances every common pensioner receives once in two years, a suit of blue clothes, a hat, three pair of stockings, two pair of shoes, five neckcloths, three shirts, and two nightcaps. Towards the support of this hospital, every seaman whether in the royal navy, or in the merchant service pays sixpence per month, stopped out of their wages, and paid to the treasurer of the sixpenny-office on Tower-hill. There are considerable estates belonging to the hospital, and it has received large benefactions. Such an institution is the boast of our country.

The park connected with this hospital is a delightful plot of ground; on the summit of its hill we behold the royal observatory erected by Charles II. and completely furnished with inftruments for astronomical observations. This residence is allotted to the asronomer royal, with a competent salary. Flamstead, Halley, and Bradley, successively occupied this station. It indeed generally bears the name of Flamsteadhouse. The Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, D.D. F.R.S. was appointed to this office in 1765, and has filled the department with a considerable degree of respectability. From this observatory the longitude is reckoned, for the purpose of Geography and Navigation. In this park is held the famous fair at Eas❤

ter and Whitsuntide, when the lower classes indulge themselves in every species of merriment and diversion.

From the park we ascend to Blackheath, long known in the annals of our hiftory. When foreigners of distinction, even monarchs visited this island, they were met here by our kings with great grandeur. More particularly Maurice, Emperor of Conftantinople, was in 1411 splendidly received on this plain by Henry IV. and in 1416, Henry V. met the Emperor Sigimund here, and conducted him with magnificence to London. To the west of Greenwich park, lies the mansion of the celebrated Earl of Chesterfield, whose letters, though they contain several excellent topics of inftruction, yet are certainly injurious to the morals of the rising generation.

In the year 1780, was discovered on the side of the ascent to Blackheath, in the public road, a cavern consisting of many rooms. The sides and roofs are of chalk, the bottom fine dry sand. It is a matter of conjecture among the curious, to what purposes such a recess could have been appropriated. From the point on Blackheath there is a most transporting view of the metropolis with its environs. Round this ridge, the nobility and gentry frequently take a morning ride, by which their spirits are exhilarated, and a keener relish is obtained for the subsequent diversions of the day.

On the North lies Woolwich, famous on account of its connections with government. The royal military academy is an institution of merit. It is now under the superintendance of eminent masters. Among these we may particularly rank Dr. Hutton, Mr. Bonnycastle, and the Rev. Lewis Evans. Under such tutors we may reasonably expect a proportionate degree of improvement. Nor must we

forget that here the bombs, mortars, &c. are rendered fit for the shocking purposes of destruction. The reiterated explosions are felt miles around, andare presages of those tremendous effects that they are to produce on the enemy! Here also are the hulks, &c. of old ships, thronged with con-` victs, who are expiating their crimes by a laborious degradation. How far such discipline tends to reformation may bear discussion. In the opinion of some it is a school for vice, and inures the mind to a still greater degree of hardness. It is a pity. that some punishment cannot be devised better calculated to effect the amendment of the unhappy criminals. Many of these persons might be reformed, and become valuable members of the community.

The convicts come on shore every day, and are employed in manual labour; they return on board to their meals, and clambering up the side of their vessels, the clanking of the chains resounds from afar, and wounds the ear of sensibility. Chained together, and subjected to the strictest regulations, their situation must be highly mortifying to their feelings. Vice is, alas! in every stage of its progress the fruitful source of misery. Far better however, is it thus to try the effects of discipline upon them, than for every little crime to consign them over to the hands of the executioner. Our laws are too sanguinary; public executions are perpetually occurring; hence a great number of poor wretches covered with crimes, are precipitated into eternity, whilst the frequency of these spectacles brutalises the lower classes of mankind. In the province of Pensylvania, capital punishments are abolished, nor has their abolition been found to injure the peace and order of Society. Solitary imprisonment recommended by the benevolent

E

Howard, answers the most valuable purposes.} Few criminals are so depraved as not to feel its sa lutary efficacy..

On the south side of Blackheath stands Lee: church, an ancient structure in a very secluded situation. Here lie buried amongst many other ce-i lebrated characters, Halley the astronomer, and, Parsons the comedian. The latter was well known, in the gay world for his powers of wit and mimickery; the former will always be revered for his disco veries in science, particularly in astronomy and navigation:

Immortal Halley! Thy unwearied soul,

On wisdom's 'pinion flew from pole to pole."
Th' uncertain compass to it's task restor❜d,
Each ocean fathom'd, and each wind explor'd.
Commanded trade with ev'ry breeze to fly,
And gave to Britain half the Zemblian sky!

CAWTHORNE

The church-yard is also decorated by an elegant monument to the memory of Lord Dacre, which Lady Dacre is said to visit daily with the most punctual devotion. Such circumstances show the wonderful power which the association of ideas holds over the human mind. To an instance of a similar kind, Akenside refers in the following beautiful lines:..

Ask the faithful youth,
Why the cold urn of her whom long he lov'd
So often fills his arms-so often draws

His lonely footsteps at the silent hour,
To pay the mournful tribute of his tears 2
Oh! he will tell thee that the wealth of worlds
Should n'er seduce his bosom to forego

That sacred hour, when stealing from the noise,
Of care and envy, sweet remembrance sooths
With virtue's 'kindest looks his aching breast;
And turns his tears to rapture!

L-A little higher up on the same side of the heath, we perceive Morden College, founded by Sir John Morden a Turkey merchant, who died in 1708; it is designed to be the residence of decayed merchants, of which thirty-five are now cherished beneath its hospitable roof. Such institutions "rock the cradle of declining age"-and their founders Jeave behind them memorable proofs of their kindness and generosity.

v Not far from this building, the mansion of the Jate Sir Gregory Page used to rear its stately head, and attract general admiration. It was begun and finished in twelve months! For this expedition various reasons were assigned; but Sir Gregory died in 1775, and in 1787 the materials were sold, so that no traces are left of its former splendour and glory! Should the report be true, that this princely seat originated in the success of the south sea company, in 1729, it may be said to bear a melancholy resemblance to that institution in its evanescent nature; they both glittered on the eye like a meteor, and then disappeared to the astonishment of mankind! es Having thus glanced at Blackheath and its environs, (the theatre also of the famous Miss Robertson's manoeuvres), we proceed along the great Canterbury road up to the summit of Shooter's-Hill, whence we enjoy a most extensive horizon. The cities of LONDON and WESTMINSTER rise in full prospect before you, generally enveloped in smoke, but always exhibiting prominent marks of gran deur and sublimity! The sight also penetrates into Essex, Surry, and even Sussex. But the whole landscape is enriched beyond measure by the meanderings of the THAMES, the pride and ornament of Britain! Originating in a spring not larger than the palm of your hand, it gradually widens by the accession of lesser streams, till it bears