handed to Lord Melbourne, and no doubt were read to Her Majesty, who did us the honour upon reaching the end of the Terrace again to look upon us, and what to her was the novelty, our costume.

We felt highly honoured in thus being noticed by our gracious sovereign, the greatest in the world, and we were highly delighted with the loyalty which the English people present, evinced towards Her Majesty, as we observed every individual that was on the Terrace take off their hats, and pay proper respect and homage to her. We returned to Egham in the evening, and thanked our friend for his trouble and attention.

Egham is situated about eighteen miles from London, and four miles from Windsor; it is a quiet and retired village, and the town extends about a mile in length on the Great Western road, which is a considerable thoroughfare to the western and southern parts of England, and stage coaches to Reading, Windsor, Exeter, Taunton, and a great many other places pass through Egham; we were told that before railroads were introduced, more than eighty coaches used to pass daily through this village.

There are few shops, but sufficient to supply the wants of the place; a church for the people to perform their devotion in, and a circulating library with a reading room is also established for the lovers of literature; we cannot indeed speak

of it but with pleasure, it shows that the people of England have as much facility to acquire knowledge in a small village, as well as in a town of considerable magnitude.

Egham also boasts of a most useful and charitable institution, founded by a Mr. Strode, about the year 1704, it consists of almshouses for six poor men, and the same number of women to each of whom are allotted two rooms, with an allowance of six shillings a week, and an annual supply of coals and articles of clothing sufficient (if taken care of) to carry them through the year. In addition to which, there is a charity school where about a hundred boys of the inhabitants of Egham are instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic, as far as decimal fractions. Adjoining to the school room, is a fine building as a residence for the master, and the present master is our worthy instructor, the Rev. George Hopkins; we have frequently been to see the school, and were much gratified to see the progress the boys were making under his able superintendence, and the discipline which he has introduced, and we think that these children must in after life, become industrious and sober men, in consequence of having had the advantage of education.

The establishment is under the management of the Cooper's Company, who are the trustees of the charity fund; many improvements were made

while we resided at Egham, six new almshouses were built and a handsome gateway erected in the front, enclosed with iron railings.

We consider this institution a great blessing to the people of Egham, and especially to the poor people, who could not spare any money to educate their children.

The locality of Egham is very interesting, on account of the historical facts connected with it. The famous spot, called the Runimead, is situated on the north side of Egham, on the banks of the river Thames; and this was the place where King John signed the great charter called the Magna Charta, in the year 1215.

It appears that the King, by his tyranny, and by encroaching upon the liberties of the people, drove them to rebellion, and a great many of his courtiers took up arms and demanded a reparation of the injuries he had done them, and a confirmation of their former rights and privileges, to which the King, much against his will consented, and Runimead was the spot chosen for the people and the King to meet, and here they had this charter signed, which was the greatest era in the history of England, as it was the foundation of British liberty. A facsimile of the original charter is deposited in the British Museum. The meadow contains about one hundred and sixty acres of ground, and serves as a race course.

The races take place every year, on the last

Tuesday in August, and the two following days, when some good horses are to be seen.

Many noblemen and gentlemen from the neighbourhood come to see them, and for whose accommodation booths are erected; and some members of the Royal Family also honor the races with their presence, which, however, was not the case when we were there.

Staines is an old and much larger town than Egham, situated on the Middlesex side of the Thames, and about a mile and a half eastward of Egham.

Staines Bridge is constructed of stone, and is a beautiful structure. It consists of many arches, three only of which are passable for barges.

The celebrated Cooper's Hill stands on the west side of Egham, and commands one of the finest views, including the town of Windsor and the castle, and the height affords a varied and romantic prospect to the eye.

St. Ann's Hill is also a very noted place, and Mrs. Fox, the wife of the noted statesman, resides there in a beautiful mansion. We once went to see it, and were amply repaid with the romantic scenery we beheld from the top of it; the height is considerable, and a carriage can be driven to the summit, through a steep road which leads to it.

In the month of August, accompanied by our tutor, Mr. Hopkins, who procured admission for us, we went to see Frogmore Lodge, the then

residence of Her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta, sister to the late King, and aunt to her present Majesty, Queen Victoria. It is situated on the high road which leads from London to Windsor. The house has a neat appearance, with a handsome portico, and a semicircular drive in the front of it. On entering the front door we ascended a flight of beautiful steps railed with brass, and richly carpeted. We were very kindly received by Miss Wright, a lady of her Royal Highness' household, and a friend to our tutor. She conducted us to the drawing room, which was very beautifully fitted up; the sofas and chairs were covered with silk, and we saw many beautiful paintings, principally portraits, of the Royal Family, in this room.

The adjoining room was the Princess' sitting room, and where she was then present. We were desired by Miss Wright to wait where we were till she had procured permission from her Royal Highness to view the house and the gardens. In a few minutes, to our great surprise, we found her coming out of the room with her Royal Highness, who, she said, had expressed a desire to see us. We were then introduced to her, and had the high honor of conversing with her about five minutes. She particularly inquired after our healths, and seemed much interested with our costume; she then very kindly gave us the permission to see the house and the gardens. We