THE residences of the Sovereigns of England are called palaces. The beautiful picture on the opposite page is a representation of what is called "BUCKINGHAM PALACE;" and of the park, and water, and gardens. This is the palace in which the Queen usually resides when her majesty is in London.

The history of the various palaces of the Kings and Queens of England would be interesting, but we cannot tell of them all now, beyond pointing out where they were. The Tower of London is no doubt one of the most ancient, especially as that city was generally the seat of power and government. But the Saxon Monarchs, before the conquest, often resided at Winchester, a city about sixty miles south of London. The Tower, however, was, as we have said, the chief place down to the time of Richard III, the last of the Plantagenets; when, chiefly on account of the murders said to have been committed there by his orders, it was deserted as a royal residence.

After this, Whitehall in Westminster, and Hampton court, about twenty miles from London, were the usual abodes of royalty. Windsor Castle also, about twenty miles from London, had, for many centuries, been a favourite country residence of the sovereigns of England. St. James's Palace, in Westminster, was the principal London residence of the Brunswick family-the George's I, II, III, and IV. George III bought the mansion called "Buckingham House," in 1761, as a residence for Queen Charlotte; and here all her numerous children were born, except the eldest.

About the year 1808, when a boy, the writer remembers his indulgent father taking him to London, and one fine summer's morning they went up to this palace and waited outside the gates to see the king come from Windsor. In about half an hour we observed a cloud of dust on the gentle ascent called "Constitution-hill," and presently a troop of soldiers