was at the period of his death still in progress of erection,
and he set apart a sum of money for the purpose of completing it, of
which he committed the management exclusively to the duchess, who
survived her husband many years. It seems alone necessary to add to
this, that the estates of Woodstock are held on feudal tenure, the
occupant presenting to the king once a year a standard similar to those
which the founder of his house captured; and that these are regularly
deposited in a private chapel at Windsor, where they may still be seen
by the curious.

"The funeral of this illustrious warrior and statesman was of course as
magnificent as his reputation and the honour of the country seemed to
require. His body, after undergoing the process of embalming, and lying
in state at Marlborough House, was conveyed in a sort of triumphal car
to Westminster Abbey, long lines of carriages following, and all the
parade of troops, heralds, and mourners preceding and surrounding the
senseless clay. A gorgeous canopy overshadowed it, adorned with plumes,
military trophies, and heraldic achievements. Dukes and earls were the
chief mourners; the pall being borne by persons of not less eminent
rank; and the cavalcade was received by the light of blazing torches at
the door of the abbey by all the dignitaries and ministers of the church
in full canonicals. Yet was the solemn ceremony performed for no other
purpose than to render due honours to the remains of England's most
illustrious commander. The body was not permitted for any length of time
to rest where, amid such splendous, it had been entombed; but, being
removed to the chapel at Blenheim, it was finally deposited in a
mausoleum, erected by Rysbrack, under the superintendence of the
duchess."

Altogether this volume maintains the creditable character of the series
to which it belongs.

* * * * *

SPANISH CHARACTERISTICS--BY WASHINGTON IRVING.[6]

[6] From the _Alhambra_.--See also, _Supplement_ published with
the present Number.

_Enjoyment in Travelling_.--We travelled in true contrabandista style,
taking every thing rough and smooth as we found it, and mingling with
all classes and conditions in a kind of vagabond companionship.

_A Miracle_.--Near Archidona is a mysterious path by which the Virgin
Mary is said to have led Queen Isabella to attack an old Moorish castle
on the summit of the mountain: you see this path like a rib