kinds of palms. One of the conservatories is devoted entirely to ferns, native and tropical; another to cactuses. The Pleasure Grounds are open on Thursdays and Sundays from Midsummer to Michaelmas. They comprise about 130 acres, and contain, amongst other buildings, an observatory, and a pagoda modelled after the Chinese. Near the grounds is the palace once occupied by George III., also Cambridge Cottage, the residence of the Duchess of Cambridge, and Cumberland Lodge, where the late King of Hanover lived while Duke of Cumberland.

RICHMOND (Hotel: Star and Garter, expensive) is about 1 miles from Kew, and may be reached either direct from London (9 miles), or by omnibus from Kew, or by rail from Kew Gardens Station. The view of the Thames from the terrace along Richmond Hill is considered one of the most beautiful in the neighbourhood of the metropolis, or indeed in any part of England. Richmond Park contains 2,253 acres, and affords a delightful promenade. Within its precincts we find Pembroke Lodge, the residence of the late Earl Russell, and The White Lodge, formerly occupied by the Prince of Wales.

HAMPTON COURT.-The most convenient way of reaching HAMPTON COURT is by railway from Waterloo Station. There

are more than twenty trains every day, including Sunday, distance 15 miles. Fares-first class, 2s.; second, 1s. 6d. ; return tickets, 2s. 9d. and 2s. (Hotels: Mitre, Greyhound, King's Arms.) The palace is situated on the north bank of the Thames. It was built originally by Cardinal Wolsey, and presented by him to Henry VIII. It was the

favourite residence of Oliver

Cromwell, and was considerably enlarged by William III. The state apartments are open from 10 to 6 from April 1st to October 1st, and from 10 to 4 during the other months, every day except Friday; on Sundays from 2 to 6. They contain an extensive collection of paintings. One room, called "the Queen's drawingroom," is filled with paintings by Benjamin West. The celebrated Cartoons of Raphael have been removed to the South Kensington Museum. Wolsey's Great Hall is a magnificent Gothic room, with an elaborately carved ceiling, and is hung round with Arras tapestry representing the history of Abraham. In the adjoining apartment, or with-drawing room, are some additional specimens of tapestry, greatly injured by age. In the gardens are shaded walks, and terraces overlooking the river. The great vine is the largest, probably, in the world, measuring 110 feet in the extent of its branches from the stem, the principal stem itself having a circumference of nearly 30 inches. It frequently yields 3000 bunches of grapes a year. Adjoining Hampton Court is BUSHY PARK, containing about 11,000 acres. Its great glory is its chestnut avenue late in the spring or in early summer when the trees are in blossom, a sight well worth the journey there from London to see.

EXCURSION.

LONDON TO GREENWICH AND WOOLWICH, BY STEAMER.

Fares 6d. and 4d.

L

EAVING the landingstage at Charing Cross or below at London Bridge, the steamer makes its way down the Pool, as that part of the river is called, passing through rows of colliers and other vessels waiting their turns to discharge. We

pass, on the left, the Custom House and the Tower, and, on either side, the several Docks, of which mention has been made. We next leave, on the left, the Isle of Dogs, and, on the right, Deptford, where Peter the Great worked as a shipwright. The yard is now closed. Opposite Millwall on the Isle of Dogs, is Greenwich (5 miles), (Hotels: Trafalgar, Ship), population estimated at 139,436. The tourist cannot fail to notice the magnificent Hospital, on the site of which was once a Royal Palace, the residence of Henry VIII. and of Queens Mary and Elizabeth. It stands close by the river on a spacious terrace, and has a frontage of 865 feet. The present building was constructed in the reign of William III. for the benefit of the seamen wounded in the battle of La Hogue, and previous to 1865 was open for the reception of all sailors of the Royal Navy who had become incapacited by wounds or ill-health endured or incurred while employed in active service. In 1865 it was converted into a Naval College, and School of Naval Architecture. In the hall are several pictures, and sundry memorials of Lord Nelson. Adjoin

ing Greenwich Hospital is the Park, in which is the Royal Observatory, established in the reign of Charles II. Calculations of latitude and longitude, and all astronomical and meteorological observations are regulated by "Greenwich Time" all over the world. At the hotels above mentioned the tourist may indulge in the luxury of a white-bait dinner. The members of the Government for the time being, at the close of the Parliamentary Session, celebrate the prorogation of Parliament by a banquet of this description. About 3 miles from Greenwich is Woolwich, with a population of nearly 50,000. The Arsenal is only shown by tickets, which can be obtained from the War Office in Pall Mall, and are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 to 11 A. M., and from 2 to 4 P.M. It contains an immense store of arms of all descriptions, esteemed the largest in the world.

The Royal Military Repository, on Woolwich Common, contains an assortment of ancient arms, and models of the various forts within the limits of the British Empire, and of vessels of war, &c.

At the Royal Military Academy candidates for commissions in the Royal Engineers, and Royal Artillery receive their professional education. There is accommodation for 160 students.