gress of navigation was, undoubtedly, a great benefit to the nation; but there are very few benefits that have not some evil attending them, and it is a strange as well as a lamentable truth, that just when slavery had been abolished in England, not by law, but from feelings of humanity, a company should be formed, under the authority of a Protestant government, to buy and sell slaves in foreign countries. A sea captain, named Hawkins, finding that negroes could be sold for a great price in the West Indies, persuaded a company of merchants in London, to subscribe money for the purpose of fitting out ships to sail to the coast of Guinea, where he proposed to seize on the natives, and carry them to Hispaniola, to sell to the Spaniards as slaves. The design was put in execution, and found so profitable, that the slave trade was carried on to a great extent, and the ships returned to England, laden with sugar, ginger, and other West Indian produce.

It was customary, at this period, for the merchants in London, both English and foreign, to meet every morning in Lombard-street, with their brokers and interpreters, to buy and sell all kinds of merchandise; and this was the place of exchange, till Sir Thomas Gresham, a wealthy merchant, thinking it would be much more convenient to have a meeting place where they would not be exposed to the weather in open streets, erected, at his own expense, a building for that purpose, which the queen went to see when it was finished, and desired it should be called the "Royal Exchange." This building was destroyed at the great fire of London in the year 1666, and having been rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren, was again unfortunately burnt down in 1838.

A more magnificent Exchange is now standing on the site of the former building. The first stone of the present building was laid by Prince Albert, in the presence of the civic authorities, in February, 1842.-From Miss Corner's History of England.'

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.

MARY, queen of Scots, after having met with many misfortunes in her own country, was compelled to resign her crown in 1568, and seek a refuge in England, where she hoped that her distresses would ensure her the protection of her royal cousin. But Elizabeth was not inclined to treat her with kindness, and instead of receiving her at court, sent her to Bolton Castle, in Yorkshire, where she was treated exactly like a state prisoner, and afterwards removed to other castles, in the custody of different noblemen, on the plea that she had conspired with others to take the life of her husband, Lord Darnley, who had been murdered in Scotland.

For eighteen melancholy years, the Scottish queen was kept a prisoner in England; during which time several persons of rank were put to death on suspicion of attempting to liberate her; for Elizabeth knew very well that all the Roman Catholics in the kingdom would much rather have Mary to reign over them than herself, and it was very difficult at this period to distinguish who were Roman Catholics, and who were not; for a vast number of persons concealed their true sentiments, for the sake of preserving their lands and liberty.

At length, the dreadful massacre of the Protestants in Paris, on St. Bartholomew's eve, was the means of bringing ruin on Mary; for as the Duke of Guise, who was at the head of the Roman Catholic party in France, was Mary's nephew, and his power was so much strengthened by the cruel transactions which had just taken place in that country, the English people began to fear more and more that their own time might soon come. Mary, therefore, was most strictly guarded, lest she and her uncle should communicate with each other. The finishing stroke was given on the discovery of what is called the Babington Conspiracy. A number of young gentlemen, of high birth and fortune, resolved to make an effort for the liberation of the Scottish

queen. Their plans were arranged, and everything was ready for the execution of the plot, when they were betrayed and executed for high treason, A.D. 1586.

The once beautiful Mary, now pale, sickly, and crippled, was carried from one place of confinement to another, and at length shut up within the dismal walls of Fotheringay Castle, in Northamptonshire. Here she was tried for being concerned in the late plot, and condemned to death. Four months afterwards the warrant for her execution came.

On the 8th of February, 1587, at eight o'clock in the morning, with a serene countenance, and leaning on the arms of two of her guards, she walked towards the place of her execution, which was the great hall of Fotheringay Castle. From long confinement, she had almost lost the use of her limbs, and moved with much difficulty. Meeting her steward, Sir Andrew Melville, on the way, he fell on his knees before her, the tears streaming down his face. "Ah, madam," cried he, "was ever man the bearer of such woful news as I must carry to Scotland!" "Rather rejoice, my faithful servant," replied the queen, "that my troubles are about to end."

On reaching the hall where the scaffold was prepared, she looked calmly on the dismal scene, and took her seat; when the warrant for her execution being read, she again employed herself in prayer.

At length, two of her female attendants proceeded to remove her veil, and other parts of her dress that might impede the fatal blow; but the executioners interfered to perform that office, on which she smiled, and said she was not used to be assisted by such valets. All being now ready, her servants uttered loud cries and lamentations; but she made a sign to them to be silent, laid her head quietly on the block, and in another instant was at rest for ever. Thus died the once beautiful and much-admired Mary, queen of Scots; and when the Dean of Peterborough cried with a loud voice, "so perish all the enemies of Queen Elizabeth!" one voice alone said "Amen!"

That this unhappy and much-injured lady had faults, no

one can deny; perhaps she was not wholly guiltless of crime; but the treatment she experienced can never be justified on any ground, and must always remain a blot on the memory of the English queen. The execution of Mary, queen of Scots, took place on the 7th of February, 1587.-Adapted from Miss Corner's History of England.'

MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND CONDITION OF THE PEOPLE IN THE TIME OF QUEEN ELIZABETH.

THE style of living had very much improved, and many delicacies were seen at the tables of the great, which, in former times, were covered with huge dishes of meat and fish, without sauces or vegetables. Lamb was now occasionally eaten as a luxury, asparagus and cauliflowers were introduced about this time, and it was not unusual for people of rank to indulge themselves with a dessert of fruits and jellies. The fashionable dinner hour was eleven in the forenoon, but the merchants generally dined at twelve, and the labouring people at one o'clock. Breakfast was taken at about seven in the morning; at which early hour ladies even of the highest rank were wont to regale themselves with hot meat and ale, for neither tea nor coffee was then known in England. In great mansions, dinner and supper were served in the large hall, where the table of the host was usually placed on a dais, or raised flooring. There was neither china nor glass to grace the board, but the plates and dishes were of pewter or wood, and the drinking cups of horn, except where silver could be afforded. In every respectable family it was still customary to have a large silver saltcellar, which was placed in the centre of the table, and served as a sort of boundary mark, the superiors sitting above, the inferiors below, the salt. Table-linen and silver spoons were common at this period among the middle classes;

but as forks had not yet come into use, our worthy ancestors of the sixteenth century were obliged to have recourse to their fingers, in the fashion of more ancient times. The citizens of London were especially famed for good eating and drinking, and the lord mayor was expected to set an example of hospitality, by keeping open house, and a plentiful table, all the year round.

The custom of observing festivals did not disappear with the Roman Catholic religion, for people are never very ready to give up their enjoyments, and there were many seasons of merry-making in the course of the year. During the Christmas holidays, business was laid aside, and all people, from the queen and her court, to the humblest peasant, devoted their time to merriment and feasting. On New Year's eve, the young people, in country towns and villages, used to carry round, from house to house, a large bowl, called the "wassail bowl," from an old Saxon word, implying, "I wish you health," filled with spiced ale; and every one who tasted it was expected to give something to the bearers. The custom of the wassail cup is continued at the table of the lord mayor to this very day; and this vessel, being filled with spiced wine, is sent round to each guest in turn, who tastes it, as a token of goodwill to every one present.

May-day was another great festival, when the rustics of every parish used to repair at midnight to the woods, where, like the fairies we read of in olden fictions, they sang and danced till morning light, and then returned to the village, carrying home with them branches of trees, wild flowers, and the May-pole, drawn by a team of oxen. This May-pole was set up on the village green, or some other open place, and a queen of May chosen from among the village lasses, to whom due honours were paid during the day. Other characters were also assumed, such as those of Robin Hood, and all his band; and there were morris dancers and minstrels to add to the festivity of May-day.

Weddings, among persons of the lower classes, were