blue '_jackets_' and kite-lanthorned caps was very busy at their several recreations. This, says my friend, was originally founded by Edward VI. for the education of '_poor children_,' but has been largely improved since by additional gifts, and is one of the noblest foundations in England. No youth can have the advantage of a better education than is here allowed them, [and they] are afterwards provided for according as they are qualified, being either sent to sea, [to] trades, or the university. There is a ridiculous story reported and credited by many people, which is, that a gentlewoman, possessed of great riches, when she came to die, gave her whole estate to this hospital, leaving behind her a poor sister, for whom she neglected to make any provision, who, having the expectancy of the estate after the other's decease, and finding herself unhappily disappointed, reflecting upon her unfortunate condition and the unkindness of her sister, broke her heart, and upon her deathbed rashly pronounced the curse of some distemper always to attend the hospital; ever since which time it has always been subject to * * * But I look upon this tale to be very fabulous, for indeed it would be very wonderful that so many hundred children, though looked after with all the cleanliness imaginable, should at any time be all free from all those distempers to which they are chiefly incident."--Part V. 1699. We have given at page 171 an engraving of the old cloister which Ned Ward mentions, shewing the ancient staircase also. Both are still remaining. If the word "jacket" was understood in his day, as it is at present, to mean a coat without tails, the costume has undergone an alteration. In Christ's Church, which was built after the Great Fire (that damaged both the church and the old hospital) by Wren, the "Spital Sermons," which were formerly preached at Paul's Cross, are still delivered at Easter. The children of Christ's Hospital attended then, as they do now, these ancient Spital Sermons. In this church Baxter, author of _The Saint's Rest_, is buried. It is well worth a visit to see the blue-coat boys (as they are commonly called) seated in the galleries on each side the organ. We have given an engraving of the church. Lamb, Hunt, and Coleridge, who were all educated at Christ's Hospital, have left pleasant reminiscences of this place in works which are in the hands of so many readers, that their names need only to be mentioned here. CHAPTER X. SMITHFIELD.