XX MINIATURE SKETCH OF the stranger would not be prepossessed in its favour, much less imagine it to be the abode of the Monarch of one of the richest European nations. BUCKINGHAM HOUSE, the town house of the Royal Family, settled on the Queen in case she . survives his Majesty, is a handsome brick building, with spacious accommodations. CARLTON HOUSE, in Pall-mall, the residence of the Prince of Wales, has a beautiful colonnade front, with several magnificent apartments, well worth inspection. Nor must CAMELFORD HOUSE, at the extremity of Oxford-street, be forgotten, though it be not remarkable for the elegance of its architecture, or the spaciousness of its apartments. A circumstance far more interesting than any thing of an extrinsic nature attaches to this mansion: it was the residence of the Prince Coburg and of his amiable consort the late Princess Charlotte of Wales: the spot is hallowed, for here was reared the purest altar of domestic felicity Weep, ALBION, for thy fairest flower, Weep, BRUNSWICK, for thy bosom's gem Weep thou, her own BELOVED ONE THE METROPOLIS. xxi Among the SQUARES of this metropolis must be mentioned, for their elegance and extent, Lincoln's Inn Fields, covering a space of ground equal to the base of the great Pyramid of Egypt; St. James's, Grosvenor, Portman, Berkeley, Cavendish, Leicester, Finsbury, together with Russel and Bedford squares, upon their completion. Most of these are enriched with statues in the centre, which add to their beauty, especially the two latter, decorated by the statues of the patriotic Duke of Bedford, and Charles James Fox, his right hand most appropriately holding MAGNA CHARTA, the basis of British liberty! Hyde Park Corner forms the only capital entrance into London from the great western road; and the adjoining Parks, with beautiful pieces of water, constitute a pleasing place for excursions, either to a pedestrian or equestrian party. But the Regent's Park, when the plan is fully developed, will be characterized with innumerable attractions. There are many excellent Markets in London, abounding with all sorts of provisions. Smithfield in particular has a great market for cattle and sheep twice a week, Mondays and Fridays; and here at the beginning of September is an annual fair, called Bartholomew Fair, which lasts three days, during which it is crowded with people towards the evening, who flock thither to behold every species of merriment and diversion: at the same time this Fair may be pronounced a nuisance, administering to all kinds of folly and depravity. SMITHFIELD was the spot where a portion of the glorious army of martyrs were burnt during the xxii MINIATURE SKETCH OF days of bloody Mary. In the centre is a trap door still to be seen leading to an adjoining dungeon, whence the victims were led out to be immolated at the shrine of a barbarous and besotted bigotry! Happily these times are succeeded by a spirit of candour and charity, the benevolent parent of universal toleration. This indeed is an emanation of genuine Christianity. The CITY is divided into twenty-six wards, each governed by an Alderman. Out of the Aldermen, on the 29th of September, the LORD MAYOR is chosen annually; and on the 9th of November he enters on the duties of his office with a fascinating pomp and festivity. His Lordship, with his civic train, goes by water to Westminster, where he takes the usual oaths, and then landing on their return near Blackfriars Bridge, proceed to Guildhall, preceded with their MEN OF ARMOUR, and the waying flags of the several companies, amidst the acclamations of their fellow citizens ! There are likewise 236 Common Councilmen (chosen annually on St. Thomas's Day), a Recorder, two Sheriffs, and many other inferior officers. The Livery is a numerous, and an important elective body; for to them is entrusted the election of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, the FOUR Members of Parliament, Chamberlain, with other offices too numerous to be here mentioned. THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, where the Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, meet for public business, is adorned by an exquisite statue of his Majesty, by Chantry, together with several handsome paintings. The Mayor and Al dermen are elevated above the rest on a semi THE METROPOLIS. xxiii circular seat at the further end of the room, whilst the Common Council are accommodated on benches arranged on both sides, one above the other, and covered with green baize. At times there is a display of eloquence among the different parties; for the one class are strenuous in maintaining courtly claims, whilst another pleads with a commendable zeal the rights of their fellowcitizens. The GATES of the metropolis were numerous, but St. John's Gate and Temple Bar are the only two left of these precious relics of antiquity. The late active chief magistrate, Matthew Wood, Esq. introduced into the police of this great City many valuable improvements. The House of Lords and the House of Commons are adjoining each other on the banks of the Thames, near Westminster Abbey. They have been lately much improved, especially for the accommodation of additional members, upon the union of Ireland with Great Britain. The number of representatives in the House of Commons are 658. Here are occasional displays of eloquence; but it was in the time of Pitt and Fox, of Sheridan and Burke, with a host of other luminaries, that senatorial effusions were poured forth which astonished and electrified the country! Around this spot are most of the offices belonging to Go vernment. For the more effectual administration of justice, there are seven PUBLIC OFFICES, where Magistrates sit daily, viz. Queen-square, Westminster; Great Marlborough-street, Oxford-street; Hatton-garden, Holborn; Worship-street, Moorfields, Lambeth xxiv MINIATURE SKETCH OF street, Whitechapel; High-street, Shadwell; and Union Hall, Southwark. Beside these, is the farfamed Bow-street office, of distinguished notoriety. At Michaelmas-day patroles on foot and on horseback frequent all the roads around the metropolis, to prevent nocturnal depredations. This precaution is continued throughout the winter until Lady-day. The County Sessions are held on Clerkenwell-green every quarter; and THE SESSIONS at the Old Bailey, close to Newgate, every six weeks. In front of this melancholy edifice, whose only decoration is the clankering fetter, on a sable scaffolding, and often in the presence of an immense number of spectators, too many, alas-are doomed to appease the avenging justice of their country, by an awful and irremediable precipitation into eternity! This frequency of capital punishment, equally at variance with justice and humanity, is the disgrace of the civilized community. The INNS OF COURT are spacious buildings, being the Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and Gray's Inn; SOCIETIES for promoting of science, the Royal and Antiquarian societies, with the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Gresham College, and the Linnean Society-INSTITUTIONS for the diffusion of knowledge, the Royal, London, Russel, and Surrey Institutions-lastly, its benevolent CHARITIES are innumerable, Christ Hospital, and the Charter House, for the education of youth-together with St. Bartholomew, St. Thomas, Guy's, the London, St. George's, Westminster, and Middlesex, Hospitals-not forgetting Bethlehem and St. Luke's Hospitals for the nsane of every description! Such divine and |
