Part 3

"From China, papa, and first used in England in the reign of Charles the First. Sugar comes from the West India Islands, and coffee from Turkey."

"You are a good girl, Caroline, for remembering what your governess has taught you. Tell me where figs come from, and you shall have some of those which look so fine."

"I think it is Turkey, papa, as well as our best raisins. Malaga raisins from Spain, and currants, which I am so fond of in a pudding, come from the islands in the Mediterranean."

Caroline now received the reward of her memory which she generously divided among her sisters and Theodore.

"Remember, my little darling," said Mrs. Durnford, "that rice, of which you are also very fond, comes from Asia. Tamarinds and other preserved fruits from the West Indies, and spices from the Molucca or Spice Islands. Almonds and dates are imported from Africa, as well as a variety of other commodities not sold by the grocer."

"Now, Maria," said Mr. Durnford, "I must tax your memory a little. Let us take a look at those comfortable articles of winter clothing which are exposed for sale by the

FURRIER."

"I understand you, papa, and will try to recollect. I know that it is to the northern countries that we are indebted for our furs. The ermine, whose beautiful white fur and black tail lines the coronets and mantles of our nobles, creeps among the snows of Siberia, and the north of Russia. There too is the sable, whose fur is so dear, that I think you once told me, a robe lined with it, is often valued at a thousand pounds. We also import furs from America, and I believe frequently make use of that belonging to the pretty innocent rabbit, and the graceful cat, to line our muffs and shoes."

"They suffer alike with the faithful dog, my dear," said her father, "as well as other animals who are killed for our use. In the northern regions the natives could not stir from their homes, unless they were shielded from the severity of the weather, by lining their clothes with fur. Even in England, the gentlemen feel the comforts of fur on their great coats, and the ladies enjoy the benefit of their muffs and tippets, although our winter is not to be compared with that of other countries."

"Mamma! mamma!" cried Caroline, "there is the very same old lady looking at that beautiful crape dress, at the

DRESS MAKER'S,

who was trying on the large straw hat with such a profusion of feathers and flowers."

"Hush! my lovely girl," said her mamma, "if you are not more silent I must take you home."

"It is just the thing, Mrs. Tasteful," screamed out the old lady. "It will suit my figure exactly. Square bosom, and off the shoulders, why with a lace frill I shall look delightful. A saucy fellow had the impudence to tell me, as I was getting out of my carriage, that I had better wear my petticoat a little longer to hide my legs, and put a shawl on to conceal my neck. The fool had no more taste than a Hottentot. Well, my dear woman, you will let me have this dress immediately. I am going out to a ball this evening, and shall want to put it on. Primrose coloured crape over white sarsenet. Charming, I declare!"

"Come on, my dears," said Mr. Durnford, hastily, "I have no inclination to listen any longer to such disgusting vanity and folly. The age of that lady ought to have enabled her to set good examples to the younger and inexperienced part of her sex, instead of which she is only a disgrace to it. Come on, my dears, I will not stay a moment longer, lest another burst of weakness should offend my ear. You all know what is the province of a dress maker, therefore it requires no explanation."

"I am in want of some hair-brushes," said Mrs. Durnford, "therefore if you please we must stop a few minutes at the

BRUSH MAKER'S."

"That gentleman seems afraid of taking the nap off his coat, papa," said Theodore, smilingly. "Did you not tell me that brushes were made of hog's bristles?"

"Yes, and we import them from Russia in vast quantities. There is a great art in brush making, for if not done by a good workman, the bristles will fall out, before the brush is half worn out."

"Now for the

BOOKSELLER,"

cried Theodore, with delight, as his eyes rested upon a parcel of books neatly bound, which were placed on the next counter.

"I have no objection to your selecting one book a-piece," said his father, "but you remember, Theodore, that I always make a point of buying all your books at the corner of St. Paul's Church-yard. You may, however, purchase a few of this person, who appears to have got a very good selection."

"I had them, Sir, of Mr. Harris, in St. Paul's Church-yard," said the woman. "He was so good as to choose for me what he thought would sell best."

"Then you may look over them, my dears," said Mr. Durnford. "I suppose, Caroline, that you know what paper is made from?"

"Of linen rags, papa, but I do not know how it is made."

"No, my love, neither can I explain it to you now, as the process is too long. Theodore, can you inform me of the origin of printing."

"Coining, and taking impressions in wax, are of great antiquity," said Theodore, "and the principle is precisely the same as that of printing. The application of this principle to the multiplication of books, constituted the discovery of the art of printing. The Chinese have for many ages printed with blocks, or whole pages engraved on wood; but the application of single letters or moveable types, forms the merit and the superiority of the European art. The honour of giving rise to this method, has been claimed by the cities of Harlem, Mentz, and Strasburg; and to each of these it may be ascribed in some degree, as printers resident in each, made improvements in the art."

"So far you are right, my dear boy," said his father, "it is recorded, that one Laurentius, of Harlem, was the first inventor of the leaden letters, which he afterwards changed for a mixture of tin and lead, as a more solid and durable substance. We may suppose this to have been about 1430. From this period, printing made a rapid progress in most of the chief towns of Europe. In 1490 it reached Constantinople, and was extended by the middle of the following century, to Africa and America. It was for a long time believed that printing was introduced into England, by one William Caxton, a mercer, and citizen of London, who having resided many years in Holland, Flanders, and Germany, had made himself master of the whole art, and set up a press in Westminster, in 1471. But a book has since been found, with a date of its impression at Oxford, in 1468, and is considered as a proof that printing began in that University before Caxton practised it in London. Emily, what have you got there bound so handsomely in morocco?"

"Mrs. Chapone's Letters, papa, it is a present from mamma. And Maria has got European Scenes, for Tarry at Home Travellers, a very pretty book, full of engravings. And Caroline has chosen Keeper's Travels in Search of his Master."

"Very well, my dear, and here is Sandford and Merton for our Theodore, half-bound in Russia. This leather is now made use of in libraries, because it preserves the books from the moth, the smell, perhaps, is not so agreeable. Other books are bound in calves' skin, which is a very pretty binding, and others are only half-bound, as it is called, or in boards. Now, if you are suited, we will pass on to the

WATCH MAKER."

"The invention of clocks," said Mr. Durnford, "is to be ascribed to the Saracens, to whom we are indebted for most of our mathematical sciences. Hubert, Prince of Carrara, caused the first clock that ever was _publicly_ erected to be put up at Padua, as they had hitherto been shut up in Monasteries. Towards the end of the fifteenth century, clocks began to be in use among private persons. Watches were used in London, in the reign of Henry the Eighth. Dante, the celebrated Italian poet, was the first Author who mentions a clock that struck the hour. But the use of clocks was not confined to Italy at this period; for we had an artist in England, who furnished the famous clock house, near Westminster Hall, with a clock to be heard by the courts of law, in 1288. Before this invention was generally known, sun dials and hour glasses were used. The Elector of Saxony had a clock set in the pummel of his saddle, and the Emperor Charles the Fifth, had a watch set as a jewel, in a ring. Nothing can equal the perfection to which this species of mechanism is now carried. I have half a mind, Theodore, to treat you to a watch, for you have deserved one by your attention to your studies, and our poor watch-maker looks so woe begone, that I fear he has not sold one to-day. Examine this plain gold hunting watch, and tell me if you like it."

Theodore was in raptures with it, as he had long sighed to possess a watch. "Tell me in what country the gold which composes the case of this watch is to be found," said his father.

"The Mines of Chili and Peru, in America, are the richest, papa," replied Theodore, "but very fine gold is found in some parts of the East Indies. Gold dust is found on the coast of Guinea, in Africa, and hence the name of our largest gold coin. Silver Mines are in all parts of the world, but those of Potosi in Peru, and some others in America, are the most productive. All the precious stones, which so frequently enrich the backs and fronts of our watches, come also from America, and Cornelian stones, of which seals are made."

Mr. Durnford, highly delighted with his son, now made him a present of a gold watch and seals, one of which he ordered to be engraved with his name. They next proceeded to the

FRUITERER'S,

where the children were desired to take what they liked best.

"All our fruits originally came from abroad," said Mr. Durnford, "but we have improved upon them, although our climate is not sufficiently warm to bring them to that perfection, which is the boast of the Southern nations. The pineapple, which you know is a most delicious fruit, comes from the West Indies, but we have excellent pineries in England, as well as fine melons. They also are natives of both the Indies. Our finest pears are from France, oranges, nuts, almonds, olives, grapes, chestnuts, pomegranates, lemons, and prunes, all come from the South of Europe. Oranges originally came from China. We do not know the real flavour of an orange in this country, as they are pulled long before they are ripe, and sent over here to be purchased by the fruit merchants. Some of these look very good, therefore we will buy some. Caroline, open your basket, and take some of these grapes, and a few pears."

"Yes, dear papa," cried the little girl, "only pray let me look at that old gouty farmer, who is buying at

THE HOSIER'S,

those nice warm stockings. What are they called, papa, I have seen them at my grandfather's."

"They are called Lambs'-wool stockings, my dear, and are particularly serviceable to the aged and infirm. The old gentleman looks as if he was reckoning up his money, that he may know whether his purse will allow of his indulging himself with more than one pair of his favourite Lambs'-wool stockings. Let us look at some white silk.--Silk you know is imported from Italy, it is produced by a worm which feeds on the leaves of the mulberry-tree. Cotton is imported from Asia, of which we make our fine cotton stockings. The wool of sheep supplies us with worsted stockings, the chief wear of the working classes of men, and the skins of animals give us that necessary finish to our dress, gloves. The best and handsomest of this latter article are made in France, but are prohibited from being sold in England, that they may not injure our own manufactures."

"Let us now examine the beauties of the

SCULPTOR,"

said Mrs. Durnford, "the imitative arts of sculpture and painting, made an early appearance in Greece. Statuary, a more simple imitation than painting, was soonest brought to perfection: the statues of Jupiter by Phidias, and of Juno by Polycletes, were executed long before the art of light and shade was known. Another cause likewise concurred to advance statuary before painting, namely, the great demand for statues of the gods. In all countries where the people are barbarous and illiterate, the progress of the arts is extremely slow. Fine arts are also precarious; they are not relished but by persons of taste, who are comparatively very few; for which reason, they will never flourish in any country, unless patronized by the Sovereign, or by men of power and opulence. Our own cathedrals can boast some beautiful specimens of this art, among which the works of Bacon and of Flaxman stand conspicuous. Look, Caroline, at this figure, can you tell me who it is meant to represent?"

Caroline thought it was Mercury, "but what does he hold in his hand, mamma?"

"A caduceus, or wand, my dear, round which are entwined two serpents. Mercury is the god of eloquence, of arts and sciences, and the messenger of Jupiter. When you are a little older, you must learn the history of the Heathen gods and goddesses, else you will remain ignorant of many beautiful allusions in poetry. They are introduced likewise into painting, of which I shall be happy, my Theodore, if you can give me some account."

"It is said to have had its rise among the Egyptians," said Theodore, "but the Greeks, who learned it of them, carried it to the summit of perfection, if we may believe the stories related of their Apelles and Zeuxis. The Romans, in the latter times of the Republic, and under the first emperors, were not without considerable masters in the art; but the inundation of barbarians which deluged Italy, proved fatal to the arts, and almost reduced painting to its first elements. It was in Italy, however, that painting returned to its ancient honour, when Cimaluce, born at Florence, transferred the poor remains of the art from a Greek painter into his own country."

"You are right, my dear boy," said his father, "he was seconded in his attempts by other Florentines. The first who gained any reputation, were Ghirlaudias, Michael Angelo's master; Pietro Perugino, the master of Raphael Urbino; and Andrea Verocchio, the teacher of Leonardo da Vinci. Michael Angelo founded the School of Florence; Raphael that of Rome, and Leonardo da Vinci, the School of Milan; to which I may add, the Lombard School under Georgione and Titian. France also has given birth to some eminent painters, as Poussin, Lebrun, David, and others, and our own country, during the last century, has been distinguished by artists, such as Reynolds, Hogarth, West, Barry, Wilson, Morland, Gainsborough, and many others. At the exhibition at Somerset House, you will see a fine collection of paintings, and models of Sculpture, besides a variety of miniature pictures, which are very beautiful. And now, my dear children, I think we have seen all the contents of the Bazaar, which I hope has amused as well as instructed you."

The young people all expressed their thanks to their kind parents for the entertainment they had received, as well from the curious characters which they had seen drawn together by the same motives, as from the inspection of the various articles which the neat and elegant little shops contained.

"I think we could not have spent a morning better," said Mrs. Durnford, "and since we are all of the same opinion we will now return home to dinner, perfectly well satisfied with The Visit to the Bazaar."

FINIS.

H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge-Street, Blackfriars, London.