tables.

His friends were shocked at the idea of a respectable bookseller acting
as a common constable, but Mr. Sewell was not to be moved from his
purpose, assuring them 'that the office of Constable was of too much
importance to be executed by every one.'

He first of all put a stop altogether to the wooden watch-houses which
were wheeled out every night, and placed against the Bank and other
public buildings, and, instead, converted the back room of his shop into
a guard-room. Here he and many of his friends would keep watch, when his
turn for service came round, which was every fourth night, and they
would go the rounds of his ward, seeing that every man was in his proper
place. Mr. Sewell so arranged his men that every house in his ward was
passed by one of them four times in the hour, and he would constantly
pay surprise visits to be sure that all were attentive to their duties.

The public executions were his next care, for hangings were in that day,
alas! of weekly occurrence. Instead of the ribald scenes and unseemly
jokes which accompanied the progress of the unfortunate wretches to
Tyburn, Mr. Sewell insisted that a solemn decency should now mark these
processions. He had his watchmen dressed in long cloaks, with crape on
their hats, which he provided at his own expense; and then, as they
marched slowly, two and two, he himself led the procession from Newgate
Prison to Holborn Bars, where his authority ended.

[Illustration: "Managed to upset a wooden watch-house."]

It is also interesting, in these days of naval volunteers, to find that
Mr. Sewell started a 'Proposal for a Marine Voluntary Association for
Manning the Ancient and Natural Defences of Old England.'

Altogether, this old Cornhill bookseller was a wonderful man, and might
have lived in this day instead of a hundred years ago.

[Illustration: "Scores of angry bees came buzzing round her."]

OLIVE AND THE BEES.

'I mean to make a study of bees!' said Olive, in an important manner, as
she looked up from a big book on natural history which she had been
reading for the last ten minutes. 'Listen to this, Charlie,' she went
on, addressing her elder brother, who was arranging his fishing tackle;
'it says here, "To such as have leisure, and are desirous of amusement,
we know of no study which promises a greater degree of satisfaction." I
have plenty of leisure these holidays, and I mean to be like Hueber, and
study bees, and find out wond