noblemen and gentry, of which the following are the principal-Balls, the seat of Captain Townshend, R. N.; Brickendonbury, of George Gould Morgan, Esq., and Bayfordbury, the residence of William Robert Baker, Esq. In addition to these may be added Ware Park, the seat of Venour, Esq., which is within an hour's walk of the town. Pansanger-house, the seat of Earl Cowper; Hatfield, the princely mansion of the Marquis of Salisbury, together with Brocket-hall, the seat of the late Premier, are within the compass of a morning's ride.

The visit of our Gracious Queen to Pansangerhouse, during the summer of 1841, will ever be remembered with delight by the inhabitants of Hertford and its vicinity, from the condescension shown by our beloved Sovereign and her illustrious consort, to all classes of her faithful subjects. The Address from the Corporation of Hertford on this occasion, felicitous in its comparison of the royal Lady, with good Queen Bess, with whom the county of Hertford stands intimately associated, was only surpassed by her Majesty's gracious reply, and fervent expressions of hope, "that the similarity thus drawn might be justified by the event."

The borough of Hertford returns two members to parliament, and has acquired a little note from its electioneering proceedings. This privilege was first obtained during the reign of Edward I., and continued until the fiftieth year of Edward the

Third's reign, when the town was relieved from the burden on the plea of poverty, and the burgesses did not regain the privilege till the twenty-second of James I.

Excellent accommodation is afforded the visitor to Hertford. The principal inns are the Salisbury, and Dimsdale Arms, (late the Half-moon) the Bull, &c. &c., all of which are of a superior description. Coaches leave for and arrive from London twice during the day, in addition to which one or two of the long stages pass through and enliven the

town.

A railroad is in course of construction from London to Cambridge, which passes near Hertford, and little doubt remains that ere long the town and its surrounding beauties will be the favourite resort of those inhabitants of our great metropolis, who desire for a time to leave the cares of business to seek the refreshing charms of the picturesque.

THE

BENEVOLENT SOCIETY OF BLUES.

66

IN the month of June, 1824, certain gentlemen who had been educated in Christ's Hospital convened a meeting, for the purpose of taking such measures as might appear best calculated to afford relief to their more necessitous brethren; and a series of resolutions were accordingly adopted as the basis of the regulations of a society to be forthwith established, under the appropriate designation of" the Benevolent Society of Blues." The declared objects of the society were, to grant annual pensions or weekly allowances to the aged and infirm ; to afford temporary relief to distressed parties; to grant small loans, to be returned by fixed instalments; and to relieve the distressed widows and orphans of Blues, as the funds of the Society might allow ;" at the same time it was cautiously provided" That no relief be granted to any persons (except to Blues, who shall have subscribed to the funds of the Society, and who shall have come to distress by some unforeseen calamity, subsequently

to their having become subscribers,) until the funds shall amount to £1000. This sum was realized in September, 1827, from which period to the present time, the relief imparted to unfortunate Blues has kept pace with the advances of the Society, while the number of pensioners has been increased with the increasing interest of the stock.

In dispensing relief, the directors are mainly guided by the character and peculiar situation of the applicants; to the intent that the assistance afforded may be the means, as far as possible, of restoring them to the station in life, from which, by misfortune, they had fallen, or of upholding them in that condition which may secure the most comfortable maintenance for themselves and their families. Aided by the liberal contributions, not only of Blues, but of many of the Governors, and others who feel an interest in the welfare of Christ's Hospital, the society have been enabled up to the present period to fund £5,050, and it is devoutly to be wished, that, as the good work in which they are engaged becomes more extensively known, not a Blue, who has the means, will withhold his mite from so excellent an Institution.

That misfortune may befall us, in whatever station we may be placed, the every-day occurrences of life plainly prove: hence it becomes the duty of every Blue, now basking in the sunshine of fortune, to contribute cheerfully his mite to this fund for the relief of his indigent brethren-a fund, numbering among

its contributors men of every station in society, who hail the friendly walls of Christ's Hospital as their Alma Mater, and who take pleasure in the growth and expansion of every plant that has been reared within its hallowed precincts, confirming by their generous sympathy, those words of solace, "The bruised reed shall not be broken."

The Society is supported by donations, and by annual subscriptions of half-a-guinea and upwards, from all persons friendly to the cause, which will be thankfully received by the Treasurer, John Smith, Esq., 49, Long Acre; the Secretary, Mr. T. R. Sidebotham, 14, College Street, Islington: and the Collector, Mr. Francis Jesse, South-sea House, Threadneedle-street.

NAMES OF THE

GOVERNORS OF CHRIST'S HOSPITAL.

IT has been thought inadvisable to publish a List of the Names of the Governors of Christ's Hospital, in this Appendix, in consequence of the addition to their number, each succeeding year, which, in the course of a few months would render this portion of the work incomplete. Printed lists with the name