down, and put his hat on; for most of the members when not addressing the speaker wear their hats in the House."

Returning to the Central Hall, the Cartmells next entered the House of Peers, which they learned occupied about the southern half of the "New Palace," as the Houses of Parliament are sometimes called.

Fred looked up the dimensions in the guide-book, and learned that the room was somewhat larger than the House of Commons, being 90 feet long by 45 feet wide, and 45 feet in height.

"Why, that makes a double cube!" George exclaimed.

This room is finished in oak, gold, and leather. The devices, armorial shields, and figures represent, in most cases, something connected with the kings and queens of the past. The floor, the guide pointed out, is divided into three parts, running from east to west. The upper or southern division is the "throne" for the sovereign to occupy when he or she prorogues Parliament in person. The chair of state resembles in outline the "coronation chair;" but it is richly ornamented with beautiful panels, bars, and sprays of roses, shamrocks, and thistles, and many other devices. Over the chair is a large and grand canopy. There are state chairs

also for the Prince of Wales and Prince Consort.

In the central part are placed on each side, on ascending steps, five lines of benches, covered with scarlet morocco leather, for the exclusive use of the peers. The northern or lower part is called the "bar." Here the speaker, members of the House of Commons, and the peers stand when summoned to attend her Majesty, as when the Queen's speech is read, or at prorogation.

"At such times," said Mr. Cartmell, "the members of the House come in with a rush, in order to get good places. The Queen has often been amused with this spirited race."

The bar is nothing but a dwarf screen. Before it culprits stand, and counsel plead.

The twelve lofty windows the children noticed were filled with painted glass, representing whole length figures of former sovereigns, the ceiling being perfectly flat, and most profusely decorated with monograms, devices, symbols, etc., among which they could see the lion passant of England, the lion rampant of Scotland, and the harp of Ireland.

GEOGRAPHICAL REVIEW

1. Who went on the European tour?

2. What did the children learn on the steamer crossing the Atlantic ? 3. Write something about Queenstown.

4. Tell about the Killarney Lakes.

5. In what condition are the Irish peasants?

6. What are the points of interest in Dublin?

7. What kind of city is Glasgow ?

8. Compare Glasgow and Edinburgh.

9. How is a steamer built?

10. Fingal's Cave.

11. The Scottish Lakes.

12. Scottish people.

13. In what kind of house did Sir Walter Scott live? 14. Write a short description of York Minster.

15. Describe a ride through some part of London.

16. What to you is the interesting part of Westminster Abbey ?

LESSON XI

AMONG THE PARKS OF

LONDON

In the evening the Cartmells were discussing the day's adventures, and talking about to-morrow's sight-seeing.

"Shall we ride or walk to-morrow?" asked Mr. Cartmell. All were in favor of riding, so the drag was again ordered. "Where are you going, papa?" Nellie inquired, as she stood holding his hand.

"I think we will visit the parks, my dear. Did you know that they are called the drawing-rooms of the poor'?" Miss Gray thought a better name would be "day nurseries," or "play-rooms."

Mr. French said that in the heart of the East End a disused churchyard had been made into a park, and devoted to the enjoyment of the poor. The trees, fountains, ferneries, and flowers make it a place of living beauty. There are about three acres in it, and the poor people of the neighborhood are glad to visit such a place. The healthy influence of these parks and open places upon the people are only second to that of the public schools.

A short ride carried the Cartmells from Hotel Metropole to Charing Cross, and then into the Mall, a wide street with several rows of trees. On the left they could see St. James's Park, south of the old palace.

"In this brick building Charles I. slept the night before his execution," said Miss Gray.

"This place," said Mr. Cartmell,

66

was once a marshy

meadow. Henry VIII. caused the marsh to be drained, surrounded by a wall, and changed into a deer-park."

Through the trees they caught glimpses of the strip of water sometimes called a "canal." Miss Gray told the children that the shortest way from the Mall to Westminster Abbey is to cross the little bridge over this so-called canal.

"What is that large building, Mr. French, in front of us, up the Mall?" inquired Fred.

"That is Buckingham Palace. This wide street leads from the government offices and many fashionable clubs to this recent palace.

The Cartmells had now driven directly in front of the palace. As they sat looking at the building, Miss Gray reminded the children that this was the early and happy town. home of Queen Victoria. Here were born the princess royal and the Prince of Wales.

"The palace now forms," said Mr. Cartmell, "after the additions in 1846, a large quadrangle. The Queen's rooms are on the north side, overlooking Green Park. The first floor contains several noted rooms, such as the Green Drawing-Room, Throne Room, Grand Saloon, State Ball-Room, Picture. Gallery, etc. These rooms are finished in satin and gilding, with richly decorated ceilings; and on the walls are hung many fine pictures by noted masters."

"Since the death of Prince Albert in 1861," added Mr.

French, "the drawing-rooms have been held at Buckingham Palace instead of at St. James's Palace."

"What do you mean by a drawing-room?" inquired Florence.

"Oh! Miss Gray can tell you better than I can."

"What is it, Miss Gray?"

"A young lady of the higher ranks is not considered as having been properly introduced into society till she has been presented at Court. This takes place at one of these august ceremonies called the Queen's Drawing-Room.' After that she enters on a round of balls, concerts, and other gayeties, in the fashionable world. In a drawing-room' will be seen members of the Queen's family, richly dressed ladies, gentlemen magnificent in gold-laced uniforms, noted officials, lackeys in rich liveries, etc."

6

Mr. Cartmell, during this conversation, had been riding slowly by the vast buildings which make up Buckingham Palace, and along beside Green Park. The latter consists largely of greensward, with some fine trees and flower-beds in the northwestern corner. The street through which the party were now passing rises somewhat, and is called "Constitution Hill."

"Here," said Miss Gray, "three attempts have been made by crazy persons to shoot the Queen."

The Cartmells soon arrived at "Hyde Park Corner," or the southeast corner of Hyde Park. Passing under the handsome gateway, they were ushered at once into this famous parade-ground of aristocracy and democracy. They were fortunate in reaching the place a little after twelve o'clock, when the fashionable people take their morning airing. On the southern side of the park is a wide street called Rotten Row, leading to one of the southern gates, about a mile away. this road is only used by those on horseback, the Cartmells alighted from their carriage, and occupied, under the trees,

As