You must make a very long, broad colonnade before our house, covered with cloth, and open before, so that mamma may have air and shade at once." I was pleased with my son's idea, and promised him to construct a gallery soon, and call it the _Franciade_ in honour of him.

My little boy was delighted that his suggestion should be thus approved, and begged me not to tell his mamma, as he wished to surprise her, as much as his brothers did with their carriage; and he hoped the _Franciade_ might be finished before she visited Tent House.

I assured him I would be silent; and we took the road hence, talking about our new colonnade.
I projected making it in the most simple and easy way.

A row of strong bamboo-canes planted at equal distances along the front of our house, and united by a plank of wood at the top cut into arches between the canes; others I would place sloping from the rock, to which I would fasten them by iron cramps; these were to be covered with sailcloth, prepared with the elastic gum, and well secured to the plank.

This building would not take much time, and I anticipated the pleasure of my wife when she found out that it was an invention of her little favourite, who, of a mild and reflecting disposition, was beloved by us all.