minated by a lantern, surmounted by a ball and a cross, of copper gilt. The west front consists of a double portico of two orders, the Corinthian and the Composite, resting on a basement formed by a double flight of steps of black marble, and surmounted by a spacious pediment. On each 'side is a tower, with columns, &c., one serving as a belfrey, the other as a clock tower. The dome is the most remarkable and magnificent feature of the building, rising from a circular basement, which, at the height of about 20 feet above the roof of the church, gives place to a Corinthian colonade, formed by a circular peristyle of 30 columns. Above the colonade, but not resting upon it, rises an attic story, with 'pilasters and windows, from the entablature of which springs the exterior dome, which is covered with lead, and ribbed at regular intervals. Round the aperture, at its summit, is another gallery; and from the centre rises the stone lantern, which is surrounded by Corinthian columns, and crowned by the ball and cross. The architectural detail of the interior is in the Roman style, simple and regular. The piers and arches which divide the nave from the side aisles, are ornamented with columns and pilasters, of the Corinthian and Composite orders, with other decorations. The dimensions of this vast fabric are as follow: height from the ground without, to the top of the cross, 340 feet; extreme length within, 500 feet; greatest breadth, 223 feet. The entire ascent to the ball is by 616 steps. The weight of the ball, which is capacious enough to contain eight persons, is 5600 lbs.; and that of the cross 3360 lbs. This cathedral contains monuments erected to the memory of many eminent persons deceased; particularly Mr Howard the philanthropist; Dr Johnson, sir William Jones, general Abercrombie, general Dundas, marquis Cornwallis, lord Howe, lord Nelson, &c. The body of the great architect is deposited in the vault; and an inscription over the choir points out the edifice itself as his most appropriate monument. The church of St Stephen Walbrook, also built by sir Christopher Wren, is just ly esteemed for its beauty of design and architectural decoration, although its dimensions are small. The tower of St Michael Cornhill, and those of St Bride, Fleet-street, and St Dunstan in the east, near Lower Thames-street, are also remarkable. The other churches in the city are mostly plain, and of, ordinary architecture. But the confined situations in which they stand are still more unfavourable than their plainness, to the architectural decoration of London. Were the foregoing buildings, the other churches, the numerous halls of the city companies, the insurance-offices and many of the banking houses, placed in advantageous situations, the immense number of public, and rather fine buildings would produce the most imposing effect and convey a more adequate idea of the wealth, extent, and grandeur of the Britis! metropolis. The inns of court were an ciently schools of law, in which the students were obliged to attend readings moots, or disputations, and perform various exercises, previously to their being called to the bar. This discipline is no longer required; it being now sufficient to dine a certain number of times in the hall of one of these inns, and to be then called to the bar by the society of the inn. The inns of court are the Inner and Middle Temple, Lincoln's inn, and Gray's inn. Each of these is composed of several large houses, surrounding squares, and which are divided into numerous sets of chambers. They are principally inhabited by barristers, students, attornies, and solicitors. Several subordinate establishments, called inns of chancery, are attached to the inns of court, and chiefly inhabited by attornies. The principal public buildings west of the city, exclusive of the royal palaces and houses of the nobility, are Westminster abbey; Westminster hall, the seat of the king's courts of record, viz. the courts of chancery, exchequer, king's bench, and common pleas; the house of lords, and house of commons; the horse guards, or war-cffice; the admiralty; the treasury; the secretary of state's-offices; the office of the board of controul for India affairs; Somerset-house, a grand and extensive stone building in the Strand, appropriated to various public uses and offices; the penitentiary-house, Millbank; the court of insolvent debtors; the several parish churches of Westminster; the king's theatre, or opera-house; the theatres of Covent-garden, Drury-lane, the Hay-market, the English opera-house, the olympic and sans-pareil theatres; all of which will be noticed in the article Westminster. The British museum is a noble house, formerly belonging to the duke of Montague, in Great Russel-street, Bloomsbury. It is a stately edifice, in the French style of Louis XIV., and on the plan of the Thuilleries. The architect was Peter Paget, who was sent from Paris by Ralph, first duke of Montague, for the sole purpose of constructing this splendid mansion, which is perhaps better calculated for its present purpose, than for a private residence. The most remarkable churches in this direction are those of St George, Hanover-square, and St Mary-le-bone, the latter of which was lately erected by Mr Knapp, under the di rection of Mr Hardwick. Southwark contains the county jail for Surry, Guy's hospital, St Thomas's hospital, the Magdalen bospital in Horsemonger-lane, and the New Bethlem hospital for lunatics, erected in St George's Fields about six years ago, on the demolition of the old hospital in Moorficks-See Southwark. Bridges.-The bridges which unite the divisions of the metropolis, built on the opposite banks of the Thames, are the most interesting architectural objects in London, from their magnitude and solidity, the broad majestic river which flows beneath their arches, the variety of their forms and styles, and the extensive views of the metropolis which they command. London bridge was, till the middle of the 18th century, the only bridge connecting the Middesex and Surry banks. It was first built of stone in 1209, an old wooden bridge having been burut. Until the middle of the last century, it was crowded with houses; and the consequent narrowness of the passage rendered it extremely inconveBient for carts, carriages, and passengers. The buildings have long been removed; but the narrowness of its arches still obstructs and endangers the navigation, while their unequal sizes offend the eye. This bridge is, in fact, like a thick wall, pierced with small unequal holes, through which the current, dammed up by this clumsy fabric, rushes with great velocity, and in fact takes a leap, the difference between high and low water being upwards of 15 feet. The fall, of course, at about half ebb tide, is very great, and the passage consequently dangerous for boats and barges. This bridge is 915 feet long, and 45 broad; it contains 19 arches, some of which are only eight feet wide, and none of the athers, except the centre arch, exceed the width of 20 feet. The centre arch, which was formed by opening two into one, is 72 feet wide. It has been calculated that there pass daily over London bridge, 89,640 foot passengers, 769 waggons, 924 carts and drays, 1210 coaches, 485 gigs and taxed carts, and 764 saddle horses. Westminster bridge was commenced in 1738, and finished in 11 years and 9 months, at an expence of nearly L.400,000. It connects Lambeth with Westminster, near Westminsterball. Its length is 1223 feet, and its width 44 feet. It has 13 large and two small semicircular arches, and 14 piers. The middle arch is 76 feet wide. Each per is strengthened by a buttress, which terminates in a semioctangular recess. Twelve of these are covered with half dames, and form convenient shelters for passengers, in case of rain or accidents. Blackfriars bridge was commenced in 1761, and finished in 1769. It was built by pri-, The London is not so populous, with reference to its extent, as some other cities. This difference is owing to the width of the streets, particularly in the more modern districts, the moderate height of the houses, and the convenient space usually enjoyed by the inhabitants in their rooms. Several accounts of the population have been taken by public authority, at different periods, the results of which, as exhibited in the following table, shew the increase of the po pulation of the metropolis from 1700 to 1811, and also the relative numbers of the inha bitants of its various divisions. In this calculation, one twenty fifth part is added for occasional visitants, sailors, &c. on account of the immense annual arrivals of shipping. The cause of the great diminution in the number of the inhabitants of the ancient city, or London within the walls, is the removal of the residences of its commercial inhabitants to other districts, for the purpose of using their houses as warehouses, shops, and offices, and for the sake of inhabiting more commodious and healthy dwellings. These circumstances continually operating, occasion the apparent disproportions observable in the table. Intimately connected with the population, is the annual mortality, and the diseases of London. The former is greatly diminished since 1700, when it was calculated at 1 in 25; it is now about 1 in 38. It is calculated that London contains 122 churches of the established religion, or church of England; 120 chapels of ease, in parishes where the population is too great for their respective churches; 30 churches and chapels belonging to foreign Christians; six synagogues of the Jews; and about 200 meeting-houses of the different denominations of English Protestant dissenters and English Roman Catholics. According to a report laid before parliament during the session of 1818, it appears that the money raised by rates in the parishes of the metropolis, and expended for maintenance of the poor, amounted, in the years ending respectively, Easter 1813, to L.517,181. 10s. 114d. -1814, to L.559,695. 16s. 1d. 25th March 1815, to L.521,418. 1s. 5d. exclusive of the expenditure in suits, removals, &c. averaging about L. 21,000 per annum, and the allowances to the families of the militia. The average number of persons relieved permanently, in the same three years (not including their children), 36,034 was, Relieved occasionally, being parishioners, 81,282 Total, 117,316 By the same report it appears that, since 1803, the money raised by poor and other parochial rates had increased nearly one half; and the number of persons relieved, from 7 to 11 in every hundred; whereas the population in the same period had only increased one-sixth. By means of the above expenditure, workhouses for the helpless poor are maintained by most of the parishes; others contracting for such maintenance at various places, which is called farming the poor; and 165 parish schools are supported, with the assistance of voluntary donations, collections in churches, &c. which on an average clothe and educate 6000 boys and girls. The incorporated trading companies of London distribute, in various charities, above L. 75,000 annually; and a multitude of institutions for the relief of human afflictions of almost every description, distribute annually 'about L. 300,000, the produce of charitable devises and bequests, donations, and annual subscriptions. The total amount thus annually expended in the metropolis, in support of charitable institutions, including the poor's rate, is estimated at one million terling. The public charities of Loudon (exclusive of parochial establishments), chiefly consist of 22 hospitals for the sick, hurt, lunatic, and pregnant; 41 free-schools, with perpetual endowments, for the maintenance and education of 3500 poor children: many of these are of royal and ancient foundation, and from the excellence of their discipline, are attended by the sons of the most respectable people, in addition to the children supported on their foundations; 18 asylums of refuge for destitute foreigners and others, repentant prostitutes, juvenile delinquents, and the children of criminals; 107 alms-houses, which are establishments for the support of the poor and superannuated, in which generally each has a small dwelling, and an annuity competent to provide the necessaries of life; 20 dispensaries for affording to the poor medicines and advice gratuitously, and in many cases, attendance at their own habitations; and many other institutions for relieving the distresses of particular classes, and administering aid in various species of human misery. We propose to give the title, object, names of founders, date of establishment, and situation of the chief of these institutions. St Bartholomew's and St Thomas's hospitals, bridewell hospital, and Christ's hospital, are called of royal foundation, being principally endowed by Edward VI., out of the lands anciently given by individuals to suppressed monasteries, &c. St Bartholomew's (in Smithfield), and St Thomas's (in Southwark), were appropri ated to relieve the diseased; bridewell (near Fleet-street), to maintain and correct the idle, and Christ's hospital, to maintain and educate the young and helpless. The revenues of all these establishinents have been greatly increased by the augmentation of rents, and by additional donations. St Bartholomew's hospital admitted, in 1814, 4000 and 5000 poor women are annually 3909 in-patients, and 4176 out-patients; delivered by the assistance of these chariand buried 274. St Thomas's hospital, in ties, which are all supported by voluntary 1814, admitted 2713 in-patients, and 6117 contributions. In like manner, 20 dispenout-patients. Bridewell is used as a house saries are maintained, in various parts of of correction for dissolute persons and idle the metropolis, which supply the poor graapprentices, and for the temporary main- tuitously with medicines, and medical aid tenance of distressed vagrants. Christ's at their own homes, if requisite. This hospital maintains and educates about 1200 species of relief, the least expensive to the children in London, and at an auxiliary es- benefactors, and the most effectual and tablishment at Hertford, and sends one valuable to the poor patients, is annually boy annually to Cambridge, and one in administered to above 50,000 persons in seven years to Oxford. The annual expen- London and its immediate vicinity. Seven diture is about L. 30,000. Bethlem hos- other establishments afford medical aid of pital was founded by king Henry VIII. for a particular kind, or in particular disorders. lunatics, and contained in 1813, 252 pa- The Magdalen hospital, Blackfriars' road, tients, of whom 98 were cured and dis- was established in 1758, for the relief and charged. The charter-house, near Smith- reformation of prostitutes. This excellent field, was founded in 1611, by Thomas institution has reclaimed and restored to Sutton, Esq. for the maintenance and edu- society more than two-thirds of the unforcation of 44 boys, and the support of 80 tunate females who have sought its protecdecayed gentlemen, having been merchants tion. The London female penitentiary at or military men. This foundation also sup- Pentonville, conducted by a committee of ports 29 students at the universities. Guy's 64 ladies, has similar objects to the Maghospital was built by Thomas Guy, book- dalen. The asylum for female orphans, sieller of London, in 1701, and endowed tuated in St George's fields, is calculated to by him with L. 240,000 at his death. This prevent prostitution, by providing for, and agnificent building adjoins St Thomas's educating a number of poor female orphan in Southwark, and, as a school of medicine, children. The philanthropic society, St may be considered united to it; it contains George's fields, instituted in 1788, mainbeds for 320 patients, besides whom it re- tains and educates the destitute children of lieves 2000 out-patients annually. St criminals, and in some cases reclaims juveLuke's hospital, established in 1751, by nile delinquents. This society has at prevoluntary contributions, is in Old-street sent about 160 children, male and female. road, and is appropriated to the mainte- The sheriffs' fund relieves the wives and nance and cure of 300 indigent and outcast children of the prisoners of the metropolis, raaniacs. The foundling hospital, in Guil- and affords temporary assistance to the priford-street, was founded in 1739, through soners themselves, when discharged. It the exertions of captain Thomas Coram, was established in 1807; by Sir Richard master of a merchant ship in the American Phillips, and is supported by subscription. trade. It is supported by the rents of lands The refuge for the destitute, Hackney road, devised, and by voluntary contributions, was established by Dr Grindlay, in 1807, and now maintains upwards of 400 chil- as a temporary asylum for discharged pridren. This charity originally received all soners, deserted females, and other destifoundlings without inquiry, but was so tute persons, until they can procure emmuch abused, that it became necessary to ployment. The school for the indigent change the system. The other hospitals of blind, in St George's fields, maintains and London are St George's hospital, near Hyde instructs 21 boys and 14 girls, afflicted with Park corner; the London hospital, White- blindness. They are taught several manuchapel; the Middlesex hospital, Berner's- factures. The asylum for the deaf and street; the Westminster hospital, Petty dumb, in the Kent road, is one of the most France; the Lock hospital, Grosvenor-place; interesting charities existing. The chilthe small-pox hospital, Battle-bridge; dren are here fed, clothed, and taught to Beth-holim, Mile-end, an hospital for Spa- make themselves understood, and to exerrish and Portuguese Jews; another hos cise various mechanical arts for their future pital at Mile-end, for German and Dutch subsistence. The society of ancient BriJews; and an hospital for poor French tons, or Welch charity school, established Protestants in Old-street. in 1714, maintains and educates at present 100 children of poor Welch parents. There are similar societies for the benefit of the children of Scots and Irish parents. There are two institutions for the relief of the widows and children of the clergy; oue called the Sons of the Clergy; the other the There are 11 considerable establishments for lying-in women; in some of which they are amply provided with every comfort, and are is taken of the infants till they are two or three years old; by others the women are attended at their own homes. Between Corporation for the relief of poor Widows and Children of Clergymen. The marine society fits out landsmen as volunteers to serve in the royal navy in time of war, and equips distressed boys for the sea at all times. The society for the relief and discharge of persons confined for small debts, Craven-street, Strand, has released thousands since its establishment in 1772, from incarceration for petty sums, and often for jail fees only. There is also a society for educating the children of debtors. The society for bettering the condition of the poor, collects and diffuses, by periodical reports, useful knowledge, conductive to the welfare of the laborious classes. The royal humane society has, since its establishment in 1774, preserved the lives of nearly 3000 persons, apparently dead by drowning, suffocation, &c. and has given rise to similar institutions in every part of the world. The Samaritan society relieves destitute persons who are discharged when cured from the London hospital, until they obtain the means of subsistence. The national vaccine society maintains nine establishments for exterminating the small-pox, by vaccinating gratuitously. There are two other institutions for the same purpose. The Scottish hospital, and benevolent society of St Patrick's, relieve distressed natives of Scotland and Ireland. The society for the relief of foreigners affords extensive aid in money, and legal and medical assistance. The literary fund administers relief to the distresses of authors and men of letters: its timely aid has rescued many valuable characters from irretrievable ruin, and alleviated the sufferings of others under the afflictions of sickness and intirinities of age. The artists' fund, and artists' general benevolent fund, are instituted for providing for decayed artists, their widows and children. The theatrical fund relieves superannuated or infirm performers, and the widows and families of such as die in distressed circumstances. The London maritime institution is designed as a provision for decayed captains in the merchant service. The society for the relief of the widows and orphans of medical men, the society of school-masters, the royal society of musicians, choral fund, and new musical fund, the commercial travellers society, the bankers' clerks society, and others for the benefit of their respective members, differ from those institutions in which the benefactors do not anticipate any probability of becoining objects of the relief to which they contribute. Such societies are, how ever, of the most extensive utility, and under the name of benefit clubs, exist in great numbers in every district of the metropolis. The British and Foreign Bible society has expended, in 14 years, the sum of L.612,603, in distributing Bibles and Testaments in various languages. The church missionary society expends about L. 20,000 per annum in support of missions to different parts of the world, for spreading the Christian religion. Equal exertions are made by the Wesleyan missionary society. Prayer books and homilies are circulated gratis by another society; and there are many other institutions for the advancement of religion, and improvement of morals. With respect to the municipal government of the metropolis, its various districts are subject to different jurisdictions. That of the city is vested, by statutes and charters, in its own corporation, by the title of The mayor cominonalty, and citizens of the city of London.' The commonalty was anciently the whole body of freemen who assembled in public, and voted in person; but this method being subject to many inconveniences, was laid aside about the reign of Edward I., and a representative systein introduced in its stead, which has ever since subsisted with little variation. The city is divided into 25 wards, and the wards into 236 precincts. The householders inhabiting each precinct (being freemen of the city), paying scot and lot, and having houses of the value of L. 10 per annum, elect annually a representative as a member of the common council. This election is made on St Thomas's day, at a meeting in each ward, called a wardmote, at which the alderman of the ward presides. The same electors also choose an alderinan for each ward, who holds his office for life; and two aldermen annually for the office of lord mayor, of whom the court of aldermen selects one. The lord mayor, aldermen, and common council, form the court of common council, which constitutes the legislature of the city, to frame all laws for its internal government. The aldermen and common council have each a separate negative, but the lord mayor has not. This court sits in public, and its debates are highly interesting. The lord mayor is the chief magi strate in the city; and the aldermen are perpetual justices of the peace for the city, and the chief magistrates in their respective wards. The other principal executive officers of this corporation are the recorder, common serjeant, town clerk, and two sheriffs. The latter are chosen annually by the livery, and execute the office of sheriff for the county of Middlesex, in pursuance of a charter. A variety of courts are held in the city, for the administration of law, according to its ancient and peculiar cus toms; as the court of hustings, mayor's court, sheriff's court, court of requests, &c. But most matters of importance are now |