the poor, and their praise endureth for ever." Adjoining to this room is a smaller one, in which several wind-dials are exhibited, the hand pointing hopefully or threateningly to E. or W., or N.E. or S., for each wind is desirable for some underwriter's risks. W. is just the wind for H., but it is dangerous for P. Besides these, there is a curious instrument called "The Wind Measurer," a kind of pen dulum moved by outward currents of air, which indicates as it moves certain figures on the parchment-sheet over which it vibrates-on a calm day scarcely changing its position, but during heavy gales violently agitated, and perceptibly raised according to the force and direction of the wind.

Various telegraphic means of communication are at the service of the members, and in this way they can correspond with nearly the whole of Europe without leaving the building. What ingenious atoms men are, and how elaborate their wants become in a highly civilized age! We telegraph from St. Stephen's to the opera house to warn members of a division; we telegraph to the club house to warn members when home duties demand their presence; we telegraph to and from Lloyd's to settle how much in the pound must be paid on a hogshead of claret or a bale of cotton.

Quite apart from the other sources of information, the black book occupies its own stand. Every incoming underwriter faithfully visits it every morning It conŝains accounts of the loss or damage of insured vessels as far as known on each day, and you need only learn the name of the ship to ascertain whether it is entirely lost or merely damaged-Gratitude only signifies that ship's damage, but The Gratitude means its absolute loss. When I looked on this terrible book, the day's loss or damage only applied to six vessels, but in stormy weather the number rises frightfully. Judge how interesting suck

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a register must prove when all the members have one or more sea risks.

The news-room has a daily supply of journals, metropolitan, provincial, and European, in a variety of languages, brother Jonathan of course being duly attended to. There are also files of the more important newspapers, which extend to many years. The arrival or non-arrival of the mails is noted from hour to hour; the merchant can need no sort of useful business information that is not at his hand. Nor have the demands of the stomach been neglected. A capital luncheon-room is provided, where, at moderate prices, sandwich, chop, kidney, with the desirable accessories, may be obtained in appetizing forms. Mr. Gladstone's wine licence will be a boon, for then, in addition, hock, claret, or champagne will be attainable. The economical might surely have their beer permitted on the same terms. Why should the licensed victuallers be more protected than other traders?

The members of Lloyd's, as might be expected, are very numerous, though great care is taken to exclude all but responsible people. The election is by ballot; the names of candidates are exposed in the anteroom for a fortnight previous, and each must have the recommendation of two known members. The Committee are chosen for three years, and the qualification is six years of membership. To show how unselfishly these directors work, we may mention that at a meeting reported in the Times (March 29) we find the following munificent grants were made:— £25 for the Mariners' Benevolent Society, £25 for the Lifeboat Society, £30 for rewards to seamen meritoriously active in cases of shipwrecks, besides a number of goodconduct medals, both in gold and silver.

To speak of Lloyd's, is to suggest a thousand interesting topics, and prove the policy, usefulness, and benevolence of such a society; but ample reason has been

given for our faith in this really noble City institution. How many must it save from ruin by its implied invitations to timely providence, and how greatly do the charities of its members, individually and collectively, lessen the dreary mass of human misery! If you have a tale of sorrow to tell, to alleviate which you solicit pecuniary aid, do you not first visit, almost as a matter of course, Lloyd's and the Stock Exchange?

58

MRS. SALMON'S WAXWORK.

VERY few of our readers have heard of Mrs. Salmon, the Tussaud of bygone days. Her waxen wonders, once universally admired, and produced at a cost of £500, were ultimately sold by auction for £50. Possibly some further particulars on the subject may not be without interest. I first noticed the toy-shop in Fleet-street, where the museum in question was located, in 1805. It had been popular for many years, and all country cousins expected to be treated to it. Of course, in the days before railroads, arrivals from the provinces were rare, and a Yorkshire bumpkin, or a genuine Welshman, was a thing to stare at; yet in a city like London, though its inhabitants were then under a million, there would be numerous idle or inquisitive folks to whom a sight was quite a boon; and the "waxwork" was thought to be a really flourishing concern. Mrs. Salmon was a remarkable woman for that period, and though almost uneducated, her natural abilities were excellent. It occurred to her, when her worldly means were small-for she had been left a widow, and executrix to the poorest of properties, which must have been quickly eaten up if not improved-that there was an opening for some novelty of a generally attractive character. She made and sold toys, and had considerable skill in modelling; might she not fashion a group of life