neatly ornamented; and the whole interior displays consistent simplicity. This church is a rectory, in the gift of the Duke of Bedford. Two very handsome porticoes lead to a spacious church-yard; that on the north side has more dramatis personæ of Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres, than any place of sepulture in or about the metropolis. On Thursday, September 17, 1795, a fire broke out in the west end of this church, said to have been occasioned by the neglect of the plumbers engaged in the repairs of the building. The whole interior, organ, clock, vestry-room, &c. were destroyed, and several adjoining houses damaged. This beautiful edifice had been substantially repaired in 1688, at an expence of 14,0007. The roof was entirely of wood, and considered an inimitable piece of architecture. The whole was formerly insured at the Westminster Fire Office for 10,000l. but the insurance had expired twelve months, and not being renewed, so that the loss fell upon the parish. The walls, however, received little damage; and this relic of one of our first architects has been restored without any material deviation from the original plan. The church, before its partial destruction, contained several monuments, among which were those of Sir Peter Lely, 1680; William Stokeham, M. D. 1698; Sir John Baber, &c. On the false door, in the front, next the market, is an inscription, recording the event. Before this church are usually erected the hustings for the election of parliamentary representatives for Westminster. The view of Covent Garden Piazza, terminated by the entrance to the Theatre Royal, is very interesting. "The loftiness of the arches, the lightness of the groins, and the long continued per The original cost of the building was 6,5001. Its repairs, about six years previously to the fire, were charged at 11,000l. The parishioners paid seven and a half per cent. for those repairs; and through this accident, occasioned by neglect, there arose an accumulation of at least twenty-five per cent, upon the rents. spective, with the returning arcade leading to James Street, seen through the openings, produce an effect exceedingly picturesque." "A great and regular design," says Mr. Malton, "when once carried into execution, ought to be considered as public property, and the convenience or interest of individuals should not be permitted to alter its leading features; nor would this be so great a restraint on the owners of property as may be imagined. Those who are most conversant with works of this nature, need not be told, that whim and caprice more frequently suggest such alterations than frugality, or the wants of business, One tasteless occupier of a part of the piazza has rebuilt the superstructure without the pilasters, the cornice, or the dressings of the windows" Mr. Malton, however, in his " Picturesque Tour," has, in honour of the architect, represented the whole, as it was executed by him. Two most commanding and interesting objects in this neighbourhood next attract our attention: they are the two Theatres Royal of Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The destruction of these edifices by fire has already been detailed in an earlier part of this work; but as we have given a view of the late Theatre of Drury Lane, it will be proper to give a description of it as it appeared before that dreadful calamity. The plan of that Theatre included an area of 320 feet in breadth, and, measuring from the substratum to the roof, was 122 feet. It was raised on the site of the old house, and opened in the year 1794. There were four tiers of boxes, a pit, and two galleries, with a number of private boxes, ranged on each side the pit, and constructed so as to command a perfect view of the stage, and yet conceal the occupiers from observation. The stage was 105 feet in length, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet between the stage doors. Under the pit was a large range of lofty vaults, and immedi ately |