Queen Elizabeth was much pleased with the result of Drake's expedition. She dined with the admiral on board his ship at Deptford, and conferred the honour of knighthood upon him. The ship was preserved at Deptford for many years; and, when quite decayed and broken up, a chair was made of one of the planks, which was presented to the university of Oxford. If you and I ever

go

to Oxford together, we will remember to ask for this chair.

Your affectionate aunt.

A a

LETTER XXXII.

MY DEAR JANE,

THOUGH I have not said all that might be said on the subject of maritime discovery, I have very nearly finished all that I at present wish to say to you. I have entirely left out some very interesting accounts of voyages, which I hope you will one day read for yourself; because all I wished was to give you a little idea of the steps by which we attained the knowledge of geography which we at present possess.

When European nations began to plant colonies in America, a rapid progress was made in the geography of that continent. The English settled in Virginia, the French in Canada, and the Spanish spread themselves over South America and Mexico. But the great Pacific Ocean still invited the navigator to explore its vast expanse. In so doing, a number of beautiful and fertile islands have been discovered; and when you read the narrative of Captain Cook's voyages, you will hear of the Otaheitans, and the natives of the Sandwich islands, with much interest.

The coast of Asia too has been explored; and it has been ascertained that the northern extremity of America

very nearly joins the old continent of Asia. It is, however, not yet known whether they really are united; and this is one of the objects which, perhaps, Lieutenant Parry will be able to ascertain. That large tract of land called Terra Australis, is also a very interesting object with geographers. Captain Flinders coasted round great part of it a few years ago; but the interior of the country is but little known. Botany Bay, to which we send many of our bad people, is a settlement on the eastern side of this country. But the greater part of this large tract of land, which is nearly as extensive as the continent of Europe, is yet unexplored.

Thus, you see, the world must not be

conceited, and think it has nothing new to learn. Is it not a happiness, however, to be born at a time when the people of the different nations of the earth are so far advanced in their acquaintance with each other's situations and respective wants and wishes? It is delightful to feel that some progress, and so great a progress, has been made in this mutual knowledge; and, above all, to hope and believe that distant countries will help one another, and be helped, in attaining the best and noblest

knowledge, the knowledge of their God and Saviour.

We have now travelled round the world together, my dear Jane, till, I think, you must be tired as well as I