Part 2

"Yes, my dear. The best is the beaver, but many hats are now made of the fur of the rabbit. Emily, do you recollect to what bird we are indebted for those fine long feathers which you see in the regimental hats of our officers; and which are now so universally worn by ladies in their bonnets?"

"They come from the ostrich, I believe," replied Emily.

"You are right, my love, but let us follow your mamma, who seems inclined to purchase that beautiful veil from the

LACE MAN.

That truly elegant and costly article of a lady's dress, namely lace, is brought to the highest perfection in Brussels, which you know is in Flanders, and in the French provinces in general."

"But we have English lace, papa," said Miss Durnford.

"Certainly, but it is far inferior to the foreign. In Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire, great quantities are made annually by the poor people, who subsist by the sale of this article. I have seen British lace which has been very handsome, for instance, the black as well as the white lace gowns belonging to your mother. They will not, however, stand a comparison with the same article of foreign manufacture."

"Pray, papa," said Theodore, "look at that tall thin old gentleman who is standing at the

OPTICIAN'S,

How woe begone he seems. I suppose he cannot find a pair of spectacles to suit his dim eyes."

"And pray look at that pert young lady, who appears to be making herself merry at the old gentleman's expence," cried Emily, "I hope she is not his granddaughter. See how cunningly she looks through the glass which she holds in her hand."

"She may not intend to make game of him," replied Mr. Durnford, "but young people cannot be too cautious how they take liberties with those who are so much their seniors. Perhaps, Maria, you can inform me, how telescopes were first invented. The optician has got a very good sized one on his counter."

"The invention is owing rather to chance than thought," said Miss Durnford, modestly, "for if I remember right, the children of a spectacle-maker at Middleburgh, in Zealand, playing in their father's shop, held two glasses between their fingers at some distance from each other, through which the weather-cock on the steeple appeared much larger than usual, and as if near to them, but inverted. They spoke of it to their father, who instantly thought of fixing two glasses in brass circles, and placing them so as to be drawn nearer or removed, by this means he found he could see objects more distinctly."

"That happened about the year 1590;" said Mr. Durnford, "but none of the telescopes there made were above eighteen inches long. The celebrated Galileo, astronomer to the Grand Duke of Tuscany, improved them; and the invention has often been ascribed to him. That was the refracting telescope, but the reflecting telescope is the invention of the great Sir Isaac Newton."

"I should like to have a microscope, papa," said Theodore.

"My telescope may be converted into a microscope, my dear," said his father, "by removing the object-glass to a greater distance from the eye-glass, as I will show you when we go home. It is generally supposed, that we owe the invention of them to the Hollanders, and that spectacles, so useful to the aged and the near-sighted, was first invented by a monk of Pisa. The thermometer and barometer are both very useful instruments. The former ascertains the degrees of heat, and the latter the changes of the weather."

"Oh, mamma!" exclaimed Caroline, "only observe what an odd face that old woman has got, who is examining with such strict attention that nice large silk

UMBRELLA.

Does she not look as if she thought something might be the matter with it? I think she had better borrow a pair of spectacles of the optician. Let us go a little nearer, mamma, I wish I could hear her speak."

As Caroline promised to keep a guard over her risible muscles, her mamma granted her wish of being nearer to the little old woman, who was prying all over the nice new umbrella.

"Six and twenty shillings, Mr. Bates! why how could you think of asking a person like me, to give you six and twenty shillings! If you will take twenty, Mr. Bates, I will have it, though I think it looks a little soiled."

The man assured her that he could not take less than what he had asked, but that she might have a cotton one much cheaper.

"A cotton one, indeed! no, no, I am not so badly off, but what I can buy a silk umbrella if I like, but I won't give that money for one. So good morning, Mr. Bates."

"Umbrellas are a modern invention," said Mrs. Durnford, "at least within thirty or forty years, and in the country in particular they are very useful, but in London they are troublesome, from the number of passengers which we meet. I think, Caroline, that you must have a new parasol, for yours forms but a sad contrast to your sister's, though it was bought at the same time. I think the parasol equally as convenient, and as necessary to our comfort as the umbrella. It shades us from the burning rays of a summer sun, and enables us to take a long walk without being incommoded by its beams. We will now take a look at those

WORK BASKETS.

Mark the different expression visible on the countenances of those two little girls. See, Maria, how happy and contented that dear fat cherub seems, with her newly purchased basket on her arm; while her sister, not yet suited, eagerly stretches forth her hand, anxious to examine more than she has already seen."

"Baskets are made from the osier and the willow, are they not, mamma?" said Maria.

"Yes, my dear girl, and extremely pretty they make them by colouring the wood, which has a pleasing effect. They have brought the art of basket-making to great perfection. I think I must treat myself with one to hold fruit, and another for biscuits."

"When you are suited to your mind," said Mr. Durnford, "we will next examine the beauties of the

WORK TRUNK MAKER.

Come here, Emily, and tell me the name of this ware, as it is called."

"Tunbridge, I believe, papa," said Emily. "That is the principal place from whence all these beautiful boxes are brought to town," said Mr. Durnford. "Some are made of the lime-tree, and some of the box-tree. Here you see are work boxes, cotton and netting boxes, writing boxes, all made at Tunbridge, besides a variety of smaller articles, all equally useful and ornamental. See, Maria, what an excellent imitation that trunk is of tortoise shell. Pray what is the price of it?"

"Eight shillings, Sir," replied a modest pretty looking young woman. Mr. Durnford paid the money, and ordered it to be sent home.

"Who do you intend it for, my dear?" enquired his wife.

"For those who shall best deserve it," said Mr. Durnford.

They now stopped at a maker of

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS,

the sight of which gave great pleasure to the young ladies. Here they perceived flowers of every description, some in wreaths for the ball-room, others for the head, and some in bunches, either for the bonnet or the bosom.

"What can be more beautiful than this _bouquet_ of Rosebuds, Myrtle, and Geranium, how faithful a copy from nature!" exclaimed Mrs. Durnford, "at a little distance you would never suppose them to be artificial. Had it been my lot to have toiled for my daily support, I think I should have preferred this business to any other. It is a minor sort of painting, as the different teints must all be arranged by the hand of taste. I have seen flowers that were scented with the perfume belonging to them, but this made them come expensive, and they now make them with the glowing colours of nature, but without the richness of her scent. I love to encourage humble merit, and will therefore order a few of its productions to be sent to Ivy Cottage."

"The flowers are beautiful, mamma, but how much more beautiful are those

SWEET SINGING BIRDS,"

said Caroline. "What is the name of that large bird, papa? He will not hurt us, will he? I think he looks angry." "No, my darling! he will not hurt you," replied her father; "it is a blue Macaw, a larger species of Parrot. Like all foreign birds the plumage is more vivid and brilliant than ours, but we have the advantage in song. The Humming-bird is the smallest bird in the world, being little more than three inches. The male is green and gold on the upper part, with a changeable copper gloss; the under parts are grey. The throat and fore part of the neck are a ruby colour, in some lights as bright as fire. When viewed sideways, the feathers appear mixed with gold, and beneath of a dull garnet colour. This beautiful little bird is as admirable for its vast swiftness in the air, and its manner of feeding, as for the elegance and brilliancy of its colours. Lightning is scarcely more transient than its flight, nor the glare more vivid than its colours. It never feeds but on the wing, suspended over the flower from which it extracts its nourishment. If they find that any of their brethren have been before them, they will, in a rage, if possible, pluck it off and throw it on the ground, and sometimes even tear it to pieces.

"Beautiful as is the plumage of the foreign birds, I give the preference to our own. Who that ever heard the exquisite note of the plain brown Nightingale would regret its want of brilliant plumage? What can equal the melodious tones of the Robin, the mellow note of the Linnet, the sweet call of the Blackbird, and numerous others whose daily song seems to arise in grateful thankfulness to the throne of the Creator. We have some birds, however, which may almost vie with the beautiful plumage of the foreign species. The Goldfinch, King's Fisher, Bullfinch, and various others, many of which you have seen at your grandpapa's. The Pigeon and Dove, the Peacock and Pheasant are extremely beautiful. Indeed, nothing in my opinion can equal the splendour of the Peacock."

"From nature we will once more turn to art," said Mrs. Durnford, "surely nothing of foreign manufacture can exceed the elegance and design of that

ENGLISH CHINA.

Look at these flowers, how admirably they are formed, designed and painted: where will you find a landscape more correctly executed, more beautifully shaded than is to be seen on that flower vase."

"We have certainly arrived to great perfection, my dear," said Mr. Durnford, "both in the manufacture of our China, and in the art of painting it, but you must allow me to give the preference to that which is imported from foreign states. Their earth is far superior to ours, so are their colours. Shew me any of our own that can boast the vivid glow of theirs. However we are greatly indebted to Mr. Wedgewood, who was the first to introduce that superior sort of ware, which for neatness and elegance is certainly unrivalled. Painting upon China is become one of the fashionable amusements, like painting upon velvet, but I trust that it will never become so common, as to injure those who get their living by the produce of their industrious exertions."

"Mamma," cried Theodore, "look at that lady who is bargaining for a flaxen wig. How anxious she seems to have the opinion of the

HAIR MERCHANT,

which will best suit her complexion. Where does all that hair come from which is to be seen in the shops of the metropolis?"

"The dark hair is imported from Germany and France, while the beautiful flaxen ringlets of various shades is brought over from the North. We import a vast quantity, as our own country would afford us but little. The hair of horses, besides many other purposes that it is applied to, such as stuffing furniture and saddles, is woven into those coverings for chairs and sofas, that are so durable and look like black satin. Nay, I have seen very lately, the hair of a horse adorn the helmets of our gallant warriors."

The next counter was occupied by a

SHOE MAKER,

where a genteel looking woman was trying on a pair of shoes for her little baby. "Shoes," said Mr. Durnford, "are made of various materials, such as satin, silk, stuff, kid, Spanish leather, seal skin, and morocco. The latter comes from a place in Africa of that name, but we imitate it ourselves, and not badly. The hide of cattle serves for the soles. The silk you know is the produce of the Southern climates, and comes from the silk worm. Vast quantities of raw silk are imported here from Italy and different parts, as well as velvet, of which again we have an imitation. You understand, my children, that our imitations of foreign manufactures come considerably lower than those which we import. Shoe making has also become one of the amusements of the fashionable world, but it gives me infinite pleasure to know that your mother has never adopted this fashion, which, like many others must tend to injure the interests of the industrious tradesman."

Their attention was now awakened by a violent scream, which proceeded from a young lady, who, with her brother, was standing at the counter of a

GUN SMITH.

The boy had thoughtlessly taken up a pistol and presented it at his sister, who, terrified by the sight of so deadly a weapon aimed against her breast, had uttered the piercing scream, which immediately brought Mrs. Durnford and her family to her assistance. By degrees they tranquillized the poor girl's mind, while Mr. Durnford strongly reprobated the wanton levity of her brother.

"Surely, Sir," said the youth, "she must be extremely foolish not to know that these things are never loaded when exposed to sale."

"That may be very true," said Mr. Durnford, "but so many accidents occur hourly by the same thoughtless conduct as your own, that I am surprised that any humane person can ever run the risk of wounding either the feelings or the body of a fellow creature."

The young lady was now sufficiently recovered to thank Mrs. Durnford for her kind attentions, and taking the arm of her thoughtless brother, she quitted the Bazaar.

"Theodore," said Mr. Durnford, "can you remember when muskets were first invented?"

"I think, papa, in the time of Henry the Eighth, when brass cannon were first cast in England, as well as mortars. The finest steel is that of Damascus in Asiatic Turkey."

"We import a vast quantity of swords and dirks from Germany likewise," said Mr. Durnford, "but as the implements of war are unpleasing objects to the female mind, we will turn to a more agreeable subject, and take a survey of those beautiful plants which are the pride of our

GREEN-HOUSES."

"How lovely is the Illicium Floridanum with its large red flower!" said Mrs. Durnford; "only smell how delicious is the perfume of its leaves."

"Delicious, indeed!" said Mr. Durnford, "I must purchase one on purpose that I may enjoy the scent. It comes from Florida. I must also treat myself with one of those Camellia Japonica, or Japan roses. The blossom is uncommonly fine. Pray what is the name of this tall flower?"

"The Lobelia Fulgens," replied the proprietor. "It is a native of North America, and is a hardy plant."

"I should like that pot of China roses, mamma," said Emily; "they came originally, I believe, from China, and are called Rosasinensis."

"That mignonette is very luxuriant," said Maria, "pray have some, mamma, the smell is so fragrant. Do they not call it Resecla Odorata."

"Yes, my love, and it came first from Egypt."

"Oh, mamma; do buy that sweet myrtle," cried Caroline, "I am so fond of myrtles and geraniums. What is the Latin term for myrtle?"

"There are eleven different sorts, my dear;" said her mother, "the common myrtle is a native of the South of Europe, and is called Myrtus Communis. Many come from the West India Islands, and some from Asia. In the Isle of Wight we have hedges of them, and in the South of England they will grow in the open air, as well as some of the geraniums, of which latter there are too many for me to enumerate. How lovely is the Convallaria Majalis, or lilly of the valley. It is a simple flower, a native of Britain, but the perfume is delightful."

From the Florist, they now turned towards the

MILLINER,

where little Caroline again saw something to excite her laughter, and to call forth the smile of her father. A lady, long past the prime of life, but dressed in a style of girlish fashion, with short sleeves which shewed her shrivelled arms, and still shorter petticoats, was viewing herself with much complacency, as she placed on her head, the grey hairs of which were concealed by the flowing tresses of an auburn wig, a large straw hat, loaded with flowers and feathers, and only fit for a young woman under thirty.

"Surely, mamma," cried Emily, "that old lady can never intend to buy that hat? It is too gay for one of her years."

"She certainly does," said Maria, "and I dare say believes that it will make her look twenty years younger than she is."

"She thinks wrong then, sister," exclaimed Theodore. "For, unless she can hide the wrinkles in her face and neck, and the loss of her teeth, and the leanness of her body, she will only the more expose her age, by dressing so ridiculously."

"Your remark is a just one, my boy," said his father. "Old age of itself is respectable, and calls for the attention and veneration of youth, but when it apes the dress and follies of the latter, it only excites the sneer of contempt, and the laugh of ridicule."

"From contemplating the weakness of the human mind," said Mrs. Durnford, "let us now turn towards that which has the power of strengthening and invigorating the human body. What would our physicians and other medical gentlemen do, without the aid of the

CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST.

The physician writes his prescription, and it is then sent to the shop of the druggist, who makes it up according to the order. Several of their medicines are rendered expensive, by having musk, camphire, and other dear articles introduced in them. Apothecaries Hall is the best place to buy drugs, for they never vend any that are not genuine."

"Drugs are composed of minerals as well as vegetables, are they not, papa?" said Theodore.

"Yes, my dear boy. But do you perfectly comprehend what is a mineral?"

"A mineral, papa, is a semi-metal, as they are called by the chemists, such as antimony, zinc, bismuth, and others. They are not inflammable, but are hard and brittle, and may be reduced into powder. Mercury or quicksilver has been classed with semi-metals. Shall I tell you how many metals there are, papa?"

"If you please Theodore."

"There are six, papa. Gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, and iron. The most precious metals, such as gold and silver, do not form the most splendid ones. The pyrites, which are a mixture of iron and sulphur, are more beautiful to the eye."

"Very well remembered, Theodore. But you forget to class the magnet as a mineral."

"I do not perfectly understand the nature of the magnet, papa."

"It is a species of Iron found in iron mines," said Mr. Durnford, "which has the singular property of attracting metal. The ancients knew no means of finding their way at sea, but by the stars; of course when those celestial bodies were not visible, the sailor was frequently at a loss how to steer. A piece of steel is now procured, made something like a needle, but flat, about four inches long; this is rubbed with the loadstone, and then balanced exactly on two points or pivots, so that it may turn round freely. This needle when fixed in a box, is called the mariner's compass, and as it invariably turns toward the North, the sailors can now steer to any part of the world, which they could not do without the help of this piece of iron. The first knowledge of this useful application of the magnet is supposed to come from Marco Polo, a Venetian, in the thirteenth century; but it is said to have been known to the Chinese."

"We will now take a view of those

PRINTS,"

said Mrs. Durnford, "I am as fond of the sight as any of my children."

"A fine engraving is very valuable," replied Mr. Durnford, "and I have lately seen some on wood, which pleased me extremely. Albert Durer, was I believe the first inventor of engraving on wood. Etching on copper was not known until Henry the Sixth's time."

"What is that picture, papa, which that lady has just turned aside?" enquired Miss Durnford.

"It is the representation of one of the most important events in English history, my love. Namely, the signing of a deed called Magna Charta, by the weak-minded and worthless King John. The place is called Runnymead, near Windsor; where the barons compelled John to sign that famous deed, which laid the foundation of that freedom, which for centuries has been the glory, boast, and security, of the English people. I will buy the print, that I may have the pleasure of placing underneath it, those fine lines by Dr. Akenside, which were intended for a pillar or monument of that transaction at Runnymead."

After they were written, Mr. Durnford desired Theodore to read them, which he did in a voice and manner so truly admirable, that several present stood listening with delight, while their bosoms proudly swelled at the recollection of those blessings, which as Englishmen they were privileged to enjoy.

"Thou who the verdant plain dost traverse here, "While Thames among his willows from thy view "Retires, O stranger! stay thee, and the scene "Around contemplate well.--This is the place "Where England's ancient Barons, clad in arms "And stern with conquest, from their tyrant king "(Then rendered tame) did challenge and secure "The charter of their freedom.--Pass not on "Till thou hast bless'd their memory, and paid "Those thanks which God appointed the reward "Of public virtue.--And if chance thy home "Salute thee with a father's honoured name, "Go call thy sons, instruct them what a debt "They owe their ancestors; and make them swear "To pay it, by transmitting down entire "Those sacred rights to which themselves were born."

The young people now stopped to admire a collection of

FANCY WORKS,

some of which were useful, others only ornamental, but as it gave employment to the young and to the industrious, Mrs. Durnford generously determined to encourage the art by purchasing several of the prettiest articles, such as flower cases, card racks, hand screens, all of which were made of paper, highly ornamented with gold, and elegant little painted devices. Her daughters had been taught a variety of fancy works by their governess, but their mamma felt a pleasure in purchasing these, because she trusted that she was doing good, as well as assisting to support some worthy object in distress. Upon learning from the young person who sold them, that this was really the case, she ordered her children to make choice of what they pleased, and then hastened forward to avoid the warm effusions of gratitude, which her liberality had called forth.

The attention of the young ladies was now divided between some remarkable fine figs which they saw displayed at a

GROCER'S,

and a short vulgar looking female, who with a sharp turned up nose, pointed chin, and staring eyes, was watching the woman as she weighed the tea, lest she should fail to give her the turn of the scale.

"Caroline," said Mr. Durnford, who saw his little girl endeavouring to repress her laughter, "can you tell me from what country tea is imported?"