just at the edge of Blackheath, amid very historic
surroundings. Some one has called Blackheath the Rotten Row of the
olden days, for there royalty and fashionable people of the town went
to ride and disport themselves, just as they now do in Hyde Park; and
there important guests on the way to London, were wont to be met with
much ceremony by the Mayor and certain great citizens. After the
battle of Agincourt, the victor, Henry V, when returning to London,
was given a magnificent reception at Blackheath, and many were the
speeches of praise which had been prepared. The great soldier cut them
all short, however, insisting that the honor be given God. At
Blackheath, his descendant, Henry VIII, first saw Anne of Cleves
(officially, that is), and straightway decided to divorce her. But
perhaps the most joyful scene of all those at Blackheath, took place
on the May morning when Charles II came into his own, and all England
was glad, after the dark days of the Commonwealth and the iron rule of
the sober Puritans.

"This," declared Mrs. Pitt a little later, "is 'Shooter's Hill.' That
should bear a familiar sound. How many have ever read Dickens's 'Tale
of Two Cities'? You have, I know, Philip. Well, in the second chapter,
the stage which carried Mr. Jarvis Lorry on his way, is described as
slowly mounting this very hill, while most of its passengers toil
along the wet, snowy road, by its side. Do you remember, Betty? You
must try to think over all of Dickens's works which you have ever
read, for we are coming to a district which that author knew well and
often put into his novels."

Sure enough, they almost felt as though they had stepped into the
world of Dickens's stories, for so many of the places mentioned
therein they were able to find. Slowly they drove through Rochester's
streets, stopping when they came to any spot of especial interest.

"Here's the old Bull Inn," said Mrs. Pitt, pointing it out as she
spoke. "It is supposed that there are no less than twenty-five inns
named in Dickens's 'Pickwick Papers' alone. This is one of them, for
Room Number Seventeen was Mr. Pickwick's bedroom, and there is also
Winkle's, which was 'inside of Mr. Tupman's.' Come, shall we go in?"

The landlord of the Bull has most carefully preserved and cared for
all which is of even the slightest interest in connection with Dickens
or his books. He most kindly took Mrs. Pitt and her party all about
the old house, showing them everything,-