iron.  He was supposed to be the inventor of the Eolian Harp, whose soft notes are produced by a current of air causing the wires to vibrate.  This was not comprehended by the vulgar; so, from being wiser than his neighbours, he was deemed a conjuror by them.

43.  The Postman and Letter-Carrier.

Make haste, my good lad, or the postman may be gone.  These letter-carriers begin to ring a bell about five o’clock every evening, and collect letters and newspapers in the several parts of the town, so as to be able to get to the General Post Office in time for sorting them for the mail-coaches.

The gentleman’s servant with the letter, seems to be sent from some lawyer in the Temple, as there is a view of the gardens and fountain.

44.  The Temple

Is a place of residence for students of the common law, divided into two societies, called the Inner and the Middle Temple, which, with the other law-associations, are called Inns of Court.  The buildings of the Temple are ample and numerous, with pleasant gardens extending to the shores of the Thames, which prove agreeable retreats to young persons who have been engaged in study.

45.  The Knife-grinder.

This man seems to be very busy, and it is but reasonable to suppose that he may meet with many employers amongst the students of the law, and the law-stationers, in and about the Temple: for as they use many pens, a sharp knife must be quite needful for mending them.  But I think he does not confine himself to grinding knives only, but when wanting a job, he cries, “Knives to grind!  Scissors to grind!  Razors to grind!”

Well! who would believe it? why, that is lazy Tom, turned knife-grinder at last!

“Ay, master, and I never was so happy in my life.  I thought, like a foolish old fellow, that a beggar’s life must at least be an easy one; but at last I found out, that, though I had nothing to do, I often had nothing to eat.  So, one day, I thought to myself, thinks I, ‘I’ve a vast mind to bestir myself, and work for my living, for after all this idling, I don’t see that I am much of a gentleman for it.’  So I bought this grinding barrow, and began business for myself; and now I earn a comfortable living, and am as happy as the day is long:

“And so every body who tries it, will find:
I wish you good morning, Sir—Scissors to grind!”

46.  The Chair-mender.

Old chairs to mend! old chairs to mend!
If I’d as much money as I could spend,
I’d leave off crying, old chairs to mend!

Perhaps so, but then you might not be more healthy, useful, or happy, than at present.  Exercise and sobriety contribute to health, and industry produces the means of procuring wealth sufficient to live in a comfortable manner.  A chair-bottomer is a very useful man: he contributes to the ease and comfort of many of his employers; yet, one cannot help asking, Has every chair which wants a new bottom, been worn out fairly?  What! have no little boys, or great girls, been standing up in them? or drawing them up and down the house and yard, to wear out the rushes?

During the war with Holland, rushes for bottoming chairs were very scarce and dear, so that the poor men in that line of business found a great difficulty to obtain materials and employment.

This man, although he appears poor, yet he occupies the highest situation in the city of London, having taken his seat in Panyer Alley, leading from Newgate Street to Paternoster Row; where a stone is placed, in the wall of one of the houses, with the following inscription in old English verse:

WHEN Y HAVE SOVGH^T
THE CITTY ROVND,
YET STILL THS IS
THE HIGHS^TGROVND.
AVGVST THE 27,
1688.

47.  The News Boy and Flying Pieman.

“Great News!  Great News!”  “All Hot!  Smoking Hot!”  These are two busy men, indeed; one cries food for the mind, and the other food for the body.  Neither of these tradesmen keep long in one place.  The news-boy would be very glad to have a hot plumcake, but he has not time to eat it; nor will the pieman wait to hear what the news is.  So that they are not only busy men, but what is very different, men of business.  They are passing by The Obelisk, in Fleet Street, built by the City of London, on the spot which was once the centre of Fleet Ditch, which flowed as high as Holborn Bridge, under that part which Fleet Market is now built upon.

48.  Blackfriars’ Bridge.

Here we have a view of Blackfriars’ Bridge, and, from the great bustle there is upon the river, there seems to be a rowing match among several watermen.  This bridge is a noble structure, consisting of nine arches, the centre one being one hundred feet wide.  Over each pier is a recess, with seats for passengers on the bridge, supported by two beautiful Ionic pillars, which stand on a semi-circular projection, rising above high-water mark; and the whole appears an admirable piece of workmanship, upon the water.  This bridge was begun in the year 1760, from a design of Robert Mylne, Esq. the architect, and finished in about eight years, at the expence of rather more than one hundred and fifty thousand pounds.

Blackfriars’ Bridge is a very pleasant place for a walk, especially on a fine summer’s evening, when the air is still and serene, and the light pleasure-boats are gliding up and down the river with their gay companies.

It is a beautiful sight to see the sun setting from this place: it shines upon the great dome of St. Paul’s, in all its glory, and makes it look as if it were made of gold.  The watermen are always waiting about the bridges, and keep a brisk cry of Boat! boat, who wants a boat?  Oars, Sir! sculler, Sir!