Produced by Chris Curnow, Barry Abrahamsen, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE Picture Gallery EXPLORED. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: Page 12. Page 53. London: Published by Harvey & Darton, Mar. 1, 1825.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE PICTURE GALLERY Explored; OR, AN ACCOUNT OF VARIOUS ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND MANNERS: INTERSPERSED WITH ANECDOTES AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EMINENT PERSONS. [Illustration: DE PLANOIN ALTUM] London: PUBLISHED BY HARVEY AND DARTON, GRACECHURCH STREET. 1825. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PREFACE. ---------- ALTHOUGH nothing is original in the following little work, except the dialogue, which was necessary as a connecting link; yet the compiler trusts, that it will be found to contain, in a small compass, much useful and interesting information. In selecting the anecdotes from writers of acknowledged merit and veracity, she has endeavoured to avoid, as much as possible, the beaten track, and to introduce names and points of character, not usually presented to the notice of children. She still remembers, with pleasure, the avidity with which, when quite young, she perused _true_ stories, and how anxiously she sought for further particulars of those illustrious individuals, who either gained her affectionate admiration by their exemplary virtues, or elated her young imagination by the brilliancy of their talents or their achievements. Such biographical sketches are introduced, as were thought likely to awaken emulation, or to lead forward in the path of piety and knowledge. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE PICTURE GALLERY. ---------- CHAPTER I. “WELL, Ann,” said Susan Spencer, “it really is fixed for us to visit cousin Robert; for mamma has given orders to Hayward to prepare our clothes, and we are to set out next Monday.”