cleanliness and health of the inhabitants of this populous place. The houses on each side of these streets are lofty, spacious, and commodious, generally four stories high, and chiefly occupied by tradesmen, whose shops present the most beautiful and perfect productions of nature and art for the general accommodation of man. There are two extensive lines of commercial streets from east to west, the principal of which begins at Mile End, and thence through Whitechapel, Aldgate, Leadenhall-street, Cornhill, Cheapside, St. Paul's Church-yard, Ludgatehill, Fleet-street, the Strand, Pall Mall, St. James's-street, and Piccadilly, to the southern side of Hyde Park. But besides these numerous storehouses of merchandise, there are also many thousand shops in various directions; and wheresoever the rambler moves, new and attractive objects, both animate and inanimate, afford a perpetual variety for the gratification of the most curious mind. The general appearance of the houses in London is that of neatness, and the ample supplies of water afforded by the Thames and New River water-works, are essentially conducive to the health and comfort of the inhabitants.

Among the edifices which adorn this metropolis, St. Paul's Church is the most magnificent. It is situated near the northern bank of the

cross.

Thames, and when viewed from Blackfriar's bridge in the vicinity, presents one of the noblest ornaments of superb architecture ever beheld by the human eye. This beautiful cathedral is built of Portland stone, in the form of a cross, adorned in the central part by a lofty dome, on the summit of which is a light and elegant lantern, ornamented with Corinthian columns, and surrounded by a balcony. The lantern supports a gilded globe, which is surmounted by a The interior length of the edifice is 500 feet, the breadth 250, the height to the top of the cross is 500, and the circumference 2,292 feet. This cathedral is adorned by three porticos: the western is the principal, and consists of twelve stately fluted Corinthian columns, over which eight composite columns support a grand pediment ensculptured with the history of St. Paul's conversion, beautifully executed in bassorelievo. But it is impossible to convey by words a distinct idea of the general magnificence of the noblest Protestant church in the world, the very appearance of which instantly brings to the recollection of the man of taste, the descriptive lines of Pope:

When we view some well-proportion'd dome,
The world's just wonder, and even thine, O Rome!
No single parts unequally surprise,

All comes united to th' admiring eyes.

Next to St. Paul's cathedral for magnificence, and even greater in extent, is that fine monument of gothic architecture Westminster Abbey, or the collegiate church of St. Peter. On its site once stood a temple dedicated to Apollo by the Roman settlers in Britain. Sebert, King of the West Saxons, erected a Christian college on the spot, which was repaired by Edward the Confessor in 1065; Henry III. rebuilt it, and Henry VII. added the chapel which is known by his

name.

It is a magnificent gothic structure in the form of a long cross; the choir is the most beautiful in Europe, and is celebrated as the place of coronation of the Kings and Queens of England.

The Abbey contains may superb monuments of kings, statesmen, heroes, poets, and other memorable men who were distinguished for their patriotism, wisdom, genius, and learning.

Many of the churches in the Metropolis are heavy inelegantstructures, erected in obscure streets and confined situations, and aptly described in the line,

"Houses, Churches, mixt together.”

But there are also several beautiful edifices consecrated to public worship, particularly St. Martin's in the Fields, and St. George's, Han

over Square, each of which is adorned with an elegant portico. St. Mary-le-Strand is built in the most beautiful proportions of architecture, and St. Stephen's Walbrook has long been admired for the superior beauty of its interior architecture. Among the modern churches that of St. Mary-le-Bone is remarkable for a spacious and stately portico composed of eight columns and two pilasters of Portland stone, in the Corinthian order; it has a projection on each side supported by columns, and the circular turret on the roof is adorned by small Corinthian columns, contains a clock and bells, and is crowned by a gilt vane. This church is built north and south, and the northern front, which is opposite the Regent's Park, contributes by its noble and picturesque appearance to the general beauty of the spot. Another new church, that of St. Pancras, is of Portland stone, in the Ionic order, built due east and west, opposite Seymour Place, Somerstown. It will probably be finished in the course of the year 1820, and be equally ornamental to the neighbourhood, and convenient to its numerous inhabitants.

The TOWER OF LONDON, which has been the scene of many a tragic and affecting event, is the only fortress in the city. It is situated on the northern bank of the Thames, eastward of London Bridge, and was inhabited by the sove

reigns of England till the reign of Queen Elizabeth. It is a place of considerable extent, and contains the Jewel Office, Mint, three armouries, and the royal train of artillery. The menagerie, near the west entrance, has for ages been a principal object of attraction to rustic visitors, who on their arrival considered it indispensable to see the lions.

ROYAL PALACES.

St. James's Palace was an hospital, founded before the Conquest, for fourteen leprous females and eight males. It was surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1532, who erected the present edifice, and enclosed St. James's Park as a place of amusement and exercise to the inmates of this palace and Whitehall. Queen Anne made this palace her winter residence, and it was also pre ferred as such by George I. and George II. His late Majesty George III., however, gave the preference to the late Queen's Palace, or Buckingham House, at the western extremity of St. James's Park.

St. James's Palace is a plain structure of brick, but contains several commodious state apartments.

The late Queen's Palace is a handsome building of brick, erected in 1703 by the Duke of