of a Roman matron named Cornelia, who was one
day entertaining a visitor, when the conversation led to the subject
of jewels. "These are my jewels," said the hostess, and turned to show
the stranger her beautiful children. The story comes readily to mind
as one looks at this portrait of Lady Cockburn and her Children.
Indeed, the picture was once engraved[7] under the fanciful title of
"Cornelia and her Children." Like the Roman matron of old, the English
mother gathers her children about her as the choicest jewels of her
possession. Her stately beauty is of the classic sort, and the
children are as charming as English children are reputed to be.

[Footnote 7: By Tomkins, in 1792.]

All three are boys. The eldest is James, who kneels on his mother's
lap, playfully grasping the mantle about her neck, and supported in
his precarious position by her hand placed firmly on his back. He has
the sweet expression which betokens a sunny nature, and his well-cut
features are such as make a handsome man. He was his father's heir and
namesake, succeeding him as the seventh baronet.

The rogue peeping over his mother's shoulder is George. Though his
features are less regular than his elder brother's, he is none the
less attractive, for he is a jolly little fellow. When he grew to
manhood he entered the navy and became an admiral. It was on his ship,
the Northumberland, that Napoleon was conveyed to the island of St.
Helena to end his days in exile. In the course of time Admiral
Cockburn became the eighth baronet of the name.

The baby lying on the mother's lap is William. In after years he
entered the ministry, married a daughter of Sir Robert Peel, and
became Dean of York. It was fitting that one of Lady Cockburn's sons
should enter the Church, as her father, Dr. Ayscough, had been Dean of
Bristol. Upon the death of his elder brother, the Dean of York became
the ninth baronet.

The picture shows the three children in a game of hide-and-seek.
George, who is evidently the leader of the fun, dodges up and down
behind his mother, throwing little William into an ecstasy of delight.
As the round face appears again over the shoulder, the baby reaches up
his fat little hand to clutch his brother's arm, fairly doubling
himself up in his pleasure, and grasping one foot in his other hand.

James enjoys the play more quietly. It is quite likely that he has
been hiding his face in his mother's mantle, but now he pauses to
watch his litt