“As much as other persons,” was the reply; “if it is the anchor of hope, as we are taught, they have as great a right to rely upon it as any body else--besides, the names given to houses and places in London have nothing to do with their occupations or situations, any more than the common language of life has to do with nature; else why have we a Waterloo House in the vicinity of St. Giles's for the sale of threads, laces, and tapes--a Fleet for the confinement of prisoners, or the King's Bench devoted to the same purposes, unless it is, “That when we have no chairs at home, The King (God bless him) grants us then a bench.” Though London contains a round of delights and conveniences scarcely to be equalled, it is at the same time a combination of incongruities as difficult to be conceived. The denomination of this House has therefore nothing to do with the business to which it is devoted. The body which transacts its concerns is called The Master, Wardens and Assistants, of the Guild, or Fraternity of the most glorious and undivided Trinity, and of St. Clement, in the parish of Deptford, Stroud, in the county of Kent.” “An admirable illustration of your assertion,” replied Bob; “and pray may I be allowed, without appearing romantic or unnecessarily inquisitive, to ask what are the objects of the Institution?” “Certainly. The use of this Corporation is to superintend the general interests of the British shipping, military and commercial. To this end, the powers of the ~307~~ Corporation are very extensive; the principal of which are, to examine the children educated in mathematics in Christ's Hospital--examine the masters of the King's ships--appoint pilots for the Thames--erect light-houses and sea-marks--grant licenses to poor seamen, not free of the City, to row on the Thames--and superintend the deepening and cleansing of the river; they have power to receive donations for charitable purposes, and annually relieve great numbers of poor seamen and seamen's widows and orphans; and as they alone supply outward-bound ships with ballast, on notice of any shoal or obstruction arising in the river Thames, they immediately direct their men and lighters to work on it till it is removed. The profits arising to the Corporation by this useful regulation is very considerable.” During this conversation they had continued to walk towards the Trinity House, and were now close to it. “Come,” continued Dashall, “the interior is worth seeing: there are some fine paintings in it, and the fitting up is altogether of an elegant description.”