Apostles. They were painted about the year 1520, and the tapestry was executed at the famous manufactory at Arras, in Flanders. The Cartoons, so called because they were painted on sheets of paper, were bought for Charles I. by Rubens. It has long been a subject of regret among the admirers of these beautiful works of art, that they are in a collection not immediately accessible to students in London. It was at one time in contemplation to have them removed to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square; but as there was a danger the removal might destroy them, the design was abandoned.

As we walked leisurely through the various apartments, we noticed that of the royal beds, -which are still preserved there in the same state as when their occupants were alive, those of William III, Queen Anne, and George II, attracted much more attention from many people than the pictures. One couple especially we noticed, apparently servant-girls, who stopped before each bed for several minutes. They took no notice whatever of the pictures; and we were curious to hear what remarks they made. We kept as close to them as possible, for that purpose; and, when they stopped opposite the state-bed of Queen Anne, we listen

ed to their conversation, and heard a piece of very common, but very true and valuable philosophy, which we did not expect.

“Oh! a very fine bed, to be sure!" said one; "and must have cost a thousand guineas, all complete."

"I shouldn't wonder," replied the other; "but, Lord! what does it matter? A hundred years hence, and you and I will sleep in as good a bed as Queen Anne. Queens and poor cooks all sleep in the grave at last.”

If there is one thing more than another which we hate as impertinent and ungentlemanly, it is to turn round after passing a woman, and look her in the face; but we could not repress our curiosity to have a glance at the face of this one. We expected to find some pensive pretty countenance, and a bright intelligent eye; but we were disappointed. The speaker was a vulgar little woman, with a snubnose almost hidden between a pair of such fat red cheeks as we have seldom seen, and her little grey eyes looked dull and sleepy. "Tis a pity we looked," was our first thought; but we discouraged it with the reflection that beauty and philosophy were not necessarily companions, and that this ugly cook-maid was, perhaps, as kind as she was sensible.

Having lingered so long in the interior, we took a stroll into the gardens, that we might glance at all the curiosities of the place. Passing the tennis-court, the finest in England, we entered by a small gate into a place called the "Wilderness," laid out originally under the direction of King William III. to hide the somewhat unseemly and irregular brick walls at this side of the palace. This part of the gardens is arranged into the most natural wildness; and, during a hot summer's day, is a delightful retreat, cool as water, and all alive with the music of a thousand birds.

While here, we could not, of course, refrain from visiting the famous Maze, also formed by King William III. We tried our skill to discover the secret of the labyrinth, and saw many boys and girls, and not a few children of growth, and of both sexes, busily engaged in the same attempt, shouting and laughing each at the failure of the other, and panting with the unusual exertion. We were not more successful than the rest, guide-book usually sold in the palace, out of our pocket, when, after some little difficulty, we unravelled the mystery by the aid of the map and a pencil. It is full of passages, which lead to nothing, and a pleasant spot, we should

until we took the little

think, for frolicsome lovers, either just before, or in the first fortnight of, the honeymoon. For our parts we saw no fun in it, more especially as we were growing hungry, and had visions of luncheon dancing before our eyes. We therefore took a hasty farewell of the Maze and the Palace, and proceeded to the Toy inn, where that repast awaited us.

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CHAPTER VIII.

The River Mole.-Esher and Claremont.-Cobham.-The Trout of Leatherhead.-English Scenery.-The Cellars of Dorking.-An old custom.-Guildford and the River Wey. The Mother's Dream. A story of a Jack. Newark Abbey. The amorous Monks; a tradition of the Wey. A punning Epitaph.- Return to the Thames.

EARLY opposite to Hampton Court, the river Mole pays the tribute of its waters to the Thames. Pope, in his " Windsor Forest," calls it "the sullen Mole, that hides his diving flood," from an erroneous notion that it runs under ground for a considerable distance, near Leatherhead. It is also celebrated by Thomson, in his fine description of the view from Richmond Hill.

"Here let us trace the matchless vale of Thames

Fair winding up, to where the muses haunt,