stove with a chimney-flue which perforated one side of the building. On several occasions he was observed during the winter months—particularly after meal-time—to be somnolently reposing by the stove, while the flue was judiciously emulating his example, by acquiring all the heat possible from the fire—and, indeed, once or twice its face was illumined by a red glow of satisfaction rather alarming to those in charge of the records, who witnessed it. Some five or six years ago, by the instigation of Lord Lincoln, who was then Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, Prince Albert paid a visit to Carlton Ride, and after examining the furniture, &c., directed that it should be all removed, and that the remainder of the building should be given up for the records; consequently, a variety of important parchments were removed into it—chiefly ecclesiastical records, touching the property belonging to the religious houses dissolved in King Henry VIII.’s time, together with a most valuable and minute series of documents, relating to the receipt and expenditure of the royal revenue, from Henry II. down to Charles II. To these were added various Exchequer and Common Pleas records. The water as well as the fire test of destruction has been also applied to our national muniments. The Common Pleas records previous to the coronation of George IV. were deposited in a long room, called “Queen Elizabeth’s Kitchen,” lying under the Old Court of Exchequer on the west side of Westminster Hall. This room was frequently flooded during the prevailing high tides of spring or autumn. Rats and vermin abounded, and neither candle nor soap could be kept in the rooms, although mere public documents were deemed quite safe there. The consequence was, that before these could be removed, the authorities had to engage in a little sporting. The rats had to be hunted out by means of dogs. We believe this was about the time that the celebrated dog “Billy” was in the height of fame; and we are not quite sure that his services were not secured for this great Exchequer Hunt. After several fine “bursts” the rats allowed the documents to be removed, and turned into a temporary wooden building, which was so intensely cold during winter time, that those wishing to make searches prepared themselves with clothing as if they were going on an Arctic expedition. Here mice abounded in spite of the temperature; and the candles, which the darkness of this den rendered necessary, were gradually consumed by them. But this light sort of food wanted a more consolidating diet, and they found a relishing _piece de resistance_ in the prayer-book of the Court, a great portion of which they nibbled away. Ten years afterwards the records were packed off to the King’s Mews, Charing Cross, into stables and harness lofts; and on the demolition of this building in 1835, Carlton Ride was selected as their resting-place. The records of the Queen’s Remembrancer