Miss Woodley. Very well, my fair cousin; from your present lecture I have learnt, that the boasted accomplishments communicable in London, resemble their specious improvements in architecture-such as their Roman cement, or artificial stone, which, at a distance, looks grand, but, on our approach, we observe the cracks and flaws which deform it; and, like the charms of enamelled ladies, renders deformity still more disgusting, because it has the semblance of grace and beauty.

QUACKERY.

Aviendo pregonado vino, venden vinagre.

Spanish Proverb.

After having cried up their wine, they sell us vinegar.

London, so justly celebrated for whatever can contribute to the comfortable and elegant accommodation of man, also abounds with such a variety of specious productions of empiricism, as must excite the indignant wonder of the rational observer. Indeed, the credulity of the people, not only of this great city, but of England in general, respecting the healing powers of advertised medicines, as well as the skill of regular physicians, is almost incredible. Men who, in the common transactions of life, are prudent, cautious, and vigilant, lest they should be out

witted, seem quite divested of suspicion when they resign themselves and their families to the Doctor. They very sagaciously conceive that a man of science who has, like a true patriot, devoted his attention to the structure of the human machine, who has watched over all its movements from the first period of infancy to the last of old age, and who has administered medicine in all its forms and combinations, must be much better qualified to manage the health of his neighbours than a cobler, or a tailor. Hence, every gentleman, nay, every genteel tradesman, has his family Physician, who, for an annual sum, engages to keep the machinery of his fire-side in thorough repair, as far as human skill can operate. The propriety and expedience of employing a popular physician must be evidentshould Madam be attacked by the vapours caught over an unfortunate game at cards, or Miss be visited by one of those imaginary evils of Pandora which are nameless, because they never existed, the Doctor is sent for, and after feeling the lady's pulse, rather a critical operation, and viewing her tongue, the conformation of which would puzzle the most experienced Anatomist, he prescribes a palatable mixture from the luxurious pharmacopéia; and she is sent to bed at an early hour, as "the best medicine is a sound sleep."

YOUNG GENTLEMAN'S

ADVENTURES IN LONDON;

With Illustrations of Characters and Manners, Arts and Literature, in this Metropolis.

EDMUND VERE, the son of an opulent cotton manufacturer at Spring Hill, in Lancashire, accompanied by his friend Mr. Wright, and a Mr. Buersil, from Yorkshire, set out in a postchaise from Manchester for London in the beginning of January 1820. Mr. Vere was yet a minor, in the twenty-first year of his age; his father had given him an introductory letter to his partner in trade, Mr. Bolton. The stay of the youth in the metropolis was limited to three months, and that he might enjoy all the gratifications obtainable from polished society, five hundred pounds were allowed for his expenditure during that time.

F

On the arrival of the travellers at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, Edmund proceeded in a hackney coach to the residence of Mr. Bolton, in Upper Brook-street, where he was received by his father's partner with the urbanity of a gentleman, and the cordial welcome of a friend. But his eager curiosity to view London was yet ungratified, and Mr. Bolton could hardly persuade him to restrain his impatience, and defer his ramble till the next day.

After breakfast, on the following morning, Edmund, who was an excellent pedestrian, set out on foot on his proposed ramble through London. He had predetermined to wander without a particular plan, rightly conceiving that he should derive a higher gratification from those incidental circumstances, and architectural beauties, which might present themselves,' as it were, spontaneously to his observation. Consequently he required no impertinent leader through the labyrinth of squares, streets, lanes, and courts, which perpetually met his eyes; nor was he disposed to consult engraved plans, or literary guides, trusting rather to his own eyes, and determined to obtain his knowledge of the topography of London, Westminster, and Southwark, by experience arising from reiterated ex

cursions.

On stepping into the street, he inquired the

way to St. James's Palace, of the first passenger he met, and was directed to Bond-street, and thence across Piccadilly, down St. James'sstreet. At ten o'clock in the morning Bondstreet was comparatively quiet, if not dull; several of the shopkeepers were arranging their merchandise in the most attractive forms to catch the glance of the beautiful, the gay, the noble, and the rich, who were soon to pass in such crowds through that celebrated thoroughfare; and jewellery, cosmetics, silks, lace, paintings, and books, presented a pleasing variety to the observant eye. But Edmund had never seen a palace, and he passed with accelerated quickness down St. James's-street, entered the royal court yard, and beheld a low quadrangle of mean brick work! He was disappointed. "Is this," said he to himself, "a meet habitation for our king? can the nation, with its characteristic magnanimity and munificence, permit our first magistrate to be so humbly lodged; or, is this pile considered venerable for its antiquity, and therefore preferred to a more magnificent edifice ?"

The military guard stationed in this square now engaged the attention of Edmund. It was composed of veterans, men who had braved death in the field of battle, and victoriously survived every conflict. The breast of each war