THIS is a very different kind of building from St. Paul's, which we have already described. Westminster Abbey. is built in what is called the Gothic style of architecture, with pointed B sort of doors and windows like those in most of our old churches, We do not exactly know when this abbey was first built, but it was a very long time ago, in the time of the Saxons, and very soon probably after the religion of Christ was first known in England, but the original building has been long since pulled down, and the present one erected in its place. The part which is called Henry the Seventh's chapel, was built by that king; he laid the first stone in the year 1502. It is a most beautiful building, and highly finished and ornamented. Westminster abbey was terribly abused and injured in the time of Oliver Cromwell, but was afterwards restored, and had the two stately towers built which now present us with so fine and noble an appearance. On entering the west door, the chapel appears truly noble and beautiful, of a vast height, and supported by those tall Gothic pillars which have so light and beautiful an effect, and give a sort of sacred appearance to the buildings which they support and adorn. About twenty years ago the roof of the tower of the choir was accidentally set on fire through the negligence of some plumbers who were employed in repairing the roof. Before assistance could be procured, the flames spread rapidly, and the roof fell in, doing considerable damage, which was, however, presently repaired again. The kings of England are always crowned in Westminster Abbey. The walls on the inside of the abbey are adorned with some noble and stately monuments; they are generally to the memory of great poets or statesmen, or warriors. It is impossible to look at these monuments without a sort of solemn feeling at the thoughts that the dead bodies of so many who were great in their day lie beneath your feet. No greatness can ward off death; and a meditation among the tombs calls to all the living, "Be ye ready;" "Prepare to meet thy God." Knowledge is a thing far more excellent than riches, outward pleasure, worldly dignities, or any thing else in the world besides holiness, and conformity of our wills to the will of God. B 2 C. QUESTIONS FROM THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND. (See our last No. P. 257.) 1. DID Richard the first leave any children? 2. What relation was King John to king Richard? 3. Ought John to have been king? 4. Who then? 5. What cruel act did John do? 6. Did John prosper after his cru. elty? 7. With whom was this king perpetually quarrelling? did the barons com 1. What paper pel the king to sign? 9. Where was this signed? 10. Did the signing the Great Charter put an end to the quarrels between the king and the barons ? 11. Where did king John die? 12. What was the cause of his death? 13. How long did he reign? 2 THE COMMON SCORPION. THIS is a very disagreeable and dangerous creature. Happily we have none of them in England. In hot countries they abound; and are common in some parts of Italy and France. In the countries of the East they are said to grow to the size of small lobsters, and some of them are as much as a foot in length. The form of a scorpion is something like that of a lobster, but is very ugly and frightful. On each side of the head there is an arm with four joints, with a claw at the end somewhat like that of a lobster. The body is divided |