The women here are generally more handsome than in other places, sufficiently endowed with natural beauties, without the addition of adulterate sophistications. In an absolute woman, say the Italians, are required the parts of a Dutch woman, from the girdle downwards; of a French woman, from the girdle to the shoulders: over which must be placed an English face. As their beauties, so also their prerogatives are greater than any nation; neither so servilely submissive as the French, nor so jealously guarded as the Italians; but keeping so true a decorum, that as England is termed the Pergatorie of Servants, and the Hell of Horses, so is it acknowledged the _Paradise_ of _Women_. And it is a common by-word amongst the Italians, that _if there were a bridge built across the narrow seas, all the women in Europe would run into England_. For here they have the upper hand in the streets, the upper place at the table, the thirds of their husband's estates, and their equal share of all lands; privileges with which other women are not acquainted. They were in high esteem in former times amongst foreign nations, for the modestie and gravitie of their conversation; but of late so much addicted to the light garb of the French, that they have lost much of their ancient honour and reputation amongst knowing and more sober men of foreign countries who before admired them.--_Peter Heylin's Cosmographie_, 1652. PRICES FOR SEATS AT CORONATIONS. On consulting Stowe, Speed, and other antiquaries, it appears that the price of a good place at the coronation of William the Conqueror was a _blank_; and probably the same at that of his son William Rufus. At that of Henry I. it was a _crocard_, and at King Stephen's and Henry the Second's a _pillard_. At King Richard's and King John's, it was a _fuskin_; and rose at Henry the Third's to a _dodkin_. In the reign of Edward I. the coins began to be more intelligible; and we find that for seeing his coronation a Q was given, or the half of a _ferling_, or farthing, which was, as now, the fourth part of a _sterling_, or penny. At the coronation of Edward II. it was a farthing; and at that of Edward III. a halfpenny, which was very generally given. In the reign of Richard II. it was a penny, and continued the same at that of Henry IV. But at that of Henry V. it was two pennies, or half of a _grossus_, or groat; and the same at that of Henry VI. and of Edward IV.; nor do we find it raised at the coronation of Richard III. or that of Henry VII. At that of Henry VIII. it was the whole _grossus_, or groat, nor was the price altered at those of Edward VI. and Queen Mary; but at Queen Elizabeth's it was a _teston_, _tester_, or sixpence. At those of James I. and Charles I. a shilling was given; which sum was advanced to half a crown at the coronations of Charles and James II. At King William's and Queen Anne's, it was a crown; and at George the First's the show was seen by many at the same price.