from one Monsieur, or Major Faubert, who came over from Paris, in 1681, and established a Riding Academy there, on premises, which, prior to that time, had been the residence of the Countess of Bristol. Evelyn, in his Diary, mentions, that "the Council of the Royal Society had it recommended to them, to be Trustees and Visitors, or Supervisors, of the Academy, which Monsieur Faubert did hope to procure to be built by subscription of worthy gentlemen and noblemen, for the education of youth, and to lessen the vast expense the nation is at yearly by sending children into France to be taught military exercises. We thought good to give him all the encouragement our recommendation could procure."

In another part of the same Diary, dated December 18th, 1684, the following description is given, of the exercises practised at this Academy:-"I went with Lord Cornwallis to see the young gallants do their exercise, Mr. Faubert having newly rail'd-in a manage and fitted it for the Academy. There were the Dukes of Norfolk and Northumberland, Lord Newburgh, and a nephew of (Duras) Earle of Feversham. The exercises were,-1. Running at the ring;-2. Flinging a javelin at a Moor's head ;-3. Discharging a pistol at a mark ;—and, lastly, Taking up a gauntlet with the point of a sword; all these perform'd in full speede. The Duke of Northumberland hardly miss'd of succeeding in every one, a dozen times, as I think. The Duke of Norfolk did exceeding bravely. Lords Newburgh and Duras seem'd nothing so dextrous. Here I saw the difference of what yo French call belle homme

à cheval,' and 'bon homme à cheval;' the Duke of Norfolk being the first, that is, rather a fine person on a horse; the Duke of Northumberland being both in perfection; namely, a graceful person, and excellent rider. But the Duke of Norfolk told me, he had not ben at this exercise these twelve yeares before. There were in the field y° Prince of Denmark, and the Lord Landsdown, sonn of y Earle of Bath, who had been made a Count of ye Empire last summer for his service before Vienna."

From the above extracts, it appears, that Faubert's Riding Academy was as fashionable a lounge for the noblemen and gallants of that period, as Tattersals is at the present day. When Swallow Street was pulled down, to effect the grand improvements which have taken place in this part of the metropolis, the greater part of this passage, including the Riding School, which had been converted into livery stables, shared the same fate, and but one of the original houses is now left standing.

TEMPLE BAR.—BUTCHER ROW.

Temple Bar divides the City of London from the liberty of Westminster: in ancient times, they were merely separated by a chain, or bar, placed across the street, which, from its immediate vicinity to the Temple, acquired the appellation which it still bears. In after ages, this bar gave place to an erection of timber, raised across the street, with a narrow gateway underneath, and an entrance on the south side to the house above. After the fire of London, Sir Christopher

Wren erected the present edifice, which was commenced in 1670, and finished in 1672. It is built of Portland stone, and rusticated, having a large flattened arch in the centre, and two small semicircular ones for foot passengers laterally. Over the gateway is an apartment, with a semicircular arched window on the eastern and western sides; the whole is crowned with a sweeping pediment. On the west façade are two niches, in which are placed statues of Charles the First, and Second, in Roman costume; and over the key-stone of the centre archway, are the royal arms; on the east, in similar niches, are statues of Queen Elizabeth and James the First. This gate is always closed, and opened with great formality, on state occasions; and the King, according to civic etiquette, cannot enter the City, without first knocking, and asking permission of the Lord Mayor.

On Temple Bar were formerly placed the heads of those persons who were decapitated for high treason: the last which was thus exhibited was that of Simon, Lord Lovat, who was executed on Tower Hill, for the rebellion of 1745. One of the iron poles, or spikes, on which they were placed, was only removed at the commencement of the present century.

In Nichols's "Literary Anecdotes," is the following singular passage, relating to the head of Counsellor Layer, which had been thus fixed upon Temple Bar. Layer was executed for high treason, at Tyburn, on May the 17th, 1723, and died in the steady maintenance of his principles. Dr. Rawlinson was a nonjuror, and a distinguished antiquary. He lived at