e are at Sawston Hall, plenty of curious old
pictures and engravings, books, missals, a real relic of chivalry, (light,
well-poised, and made of the true lance-wood,) a tilting lance; Queen
Mary's bed, and her pincushion; and a singular glass water-jug, made in
the reign of Queen Anne, which, when the present proprietor of Sawston
took possession of his inheritance, had been laid up for seventy years; it
is now, we believe, off the superannuated list, and sees daily service.
We have only space briefly to allude to the tradition, which, sketched at
length in the valuable periodical to which we have referred our readers,
induced us to supply the present illustrative account. The Princess Mary
fleeing from the persecutions of the heads of the Protestant party, was
entertained and lodged for a night by Sir John Huddleston, of Sawston. The
hall was in consequence besieged by an immense mob from Cambridge, fired,
and nearly destroyed; Mary and her host with difficulty escaped, (she
disguised as a market-woman,) and as queen, she rebuilt Sawston with the
stones of Cambridge Castle.

M.L.B.

* * * * *

MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS.

* * * * *

CHINESE CITIES.

(_For the Mirror_.)

The cities of China are generally of a square form, surrounded with lofty
walls, having projecting towers at regular intervals, and are usually
encompassed by a ditch, either dry or full of water. Distributed through
the streets and squares, or situated in the vicinity of the principal
gates, are round, hexagonal or octagonal towers, of various heights,
triumphal arches, beautiful temples dedicated to idols, and monuments
erected in honour of those who have rendered important services to the
nation, or the people; and lastly some public buildings more remarkable
for extent than magnificence.

The squares are large, the streets long and of different breadths, the
houses have, for the most part, but a ground floor, and rarely exceed one
story. The shops are varnished, and ornamented with silk and porcelain.
Before each door is fixed a painted and gilded board, seven or eight feet
high, supported on a pedestal, and having inscribed on it three large
characters chosen by the merchant for the sign of his shop, to distinguish
it from all others. To these are often added a list of the articles to be
disposed of, and the name of the seller. Under all, conspicuous for their
siz