seen by permission of the trustees, Dr. Baillie and Dr. Combe. Garines

Mr. John Hunter's Museum.. od socia This collection of comparative anatomy must be considered as a proof of talents, assiduity, andi labour, which cannot be contemplated without surprize and admiration. Mr. Hunter's attempt in this collection was to exhibit the gradations of nature, from the most simple state in which life is found to exist, up to the most perfect and complex of the animal creation, to man himself. By his art and care he was able so to expose and preserve, in a dried state, or in spirits, the corresponding parts of animal bodies, that the various links in the chain of perfect being may be readily followed and clearly understood. They were classed by Mr. Hunter, in the following order; first, the parts constructed for motion; secondly, the parts essential to animals respecting their own internal economy, thirdly, parts superadded for purposes concerned with external objects; fourthly, parts designed for the propagation of the species, and the maintenance and protection of the young.

This valuable collection, since the death of Mr. Hunter, has been purchased by government, and committed to the care of the college of surgeons, who are forming arrangements, so as to render it an object of national utility, and lectures will be delivered on its various subjects. At present the superintendance of it is committed to a certain, number of the college, who are termed its Curators, and to whom application must be made for a view, of it. Mr. Heaviside and Sir Charles Blicke are two of these.

LITERARY ASSEMBLIES.

In London several regular and known meetings, are held of literary characters, who converse upon

philosophical subjects, new discoveries, and ob jects of science. One of the chief of them takes place between the hours of seven and nine every Thursday evening, during the meetings of the Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries, in an outer room of the apartments in Somerset-house, appropriated for their reception, and is exceedingly interesting to every intelligent stranger, who feels any degree of scientific or literary curiosity. About seven those gentlemen drop in who mean to assist at the meeting of the Society of Antiquaries. They engage, of course, in conversation; and many agreeable and important matters of informa tion are mutually communicated. The members of the Royal Society enter at eight, when the con versation, turning chiefly on philosophical subjects, are renewed and prolonged till nine. A stranger may be introduced to these conversations by any member of either of the two societies. He will not elsewhere obtain so advantageous an idea of the union of politeness, scientific intelligence, and talents for conversation, in the English character.

SIR JOSEPH BANKS,

President of the Royal Society,

Receives, on every Thursday morning, during the society's meetings, his friends, members of the society, and gentlemen introduced by them, at a public breakfast, at his house in Soho-square. The literary, and much more, the scientific news of the day, are the topics of the conversations which then take place. New and curious speciinens of subjects in antiquities, in natural history, and in various departments of science, are often produced for the inspection of the persons who then assemble. bici

On every Sunday evening, too, during the meetings of the Royal Society, the same gentleman

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opens his house for the reception of a conversationassembly of his literary and philosophical friends, and of all gentlemen, whether natives of this country or foreigners, whom his friends introduce.

DR. GARTHSHORE,

At his house, No. 88, St. Martin's-lane, has a conversation of his learned friends, every Monday evening, when there is an intermission of the meet ings at Sir Joseph Banks's.

MR. HEAVISIDE, of Hanover-square,

Has a Friday evening meeting, every week during the winter and spring, of gentlemen of the medical profession and others, in his noble museum of anatomy and natural history. A respectable stranger known to any of his friends, may easily obtain access to this very agreeable and instructive assembly.

HOSPITALS, AND OTHER PUBLIC
CHARITIES.

Greenwich Hospital.

Although this building is not situated in the metropolis, yet, it is a foundation so closely connected with London, of such extraordinary magnificence, and so well worthy the attention of all persons visiting this city, that the account of buildings, dedicated to public charities, will most properly begin with this edifice.

Greenwich Hospital was founded by William and Mary, for invalid seamen; and is situated on the south bank of the Thames, at the distance of five miles from London bridge. It consists of four grand buildings, absolutely separated from each

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ather; yet forming a very entire and most beautiful plan, especially when viewed from the river, to which its main front presents itself. The four different buildings are disposed in the following man ner: Two are next to the river, from which they are separated by a spacious terrace, $65 feet in length; and have a grand area, or square, between them, 273 feet wide, with a fine statue of George II. in the centre. Beyond, to the south, stand the two other parts, having an interval between them, considerably less than the grand square, being 115 feet wide; the effect of this is to make that connexion among the parts, which this edifice appears to have from the river.

The northern buildings are after one of the finest designs of Inigo Jones, and correspond in their style and ornaments, which are of the Corinthian order.

The southern are designed by Sir Christopher Wren, and correspond as to their effect, although there is some small difference between them. They have each a Doric colonnade, surrounding all that part which is seen from the river or terrace, twenty feet high, with an entablature and balustrade; and each is ornamented, at the corner seen from the river,with a dome, supported by duplicate columns, of the composite order, with four projecting groups of columns, at the quoins, and crowned with a

Aurreti

The whole of Greenwich Hospital is of Portland stone, except some subordinate parts, which are, however, to be taken down, and rebuilt of stone.

The grandeur of the effect of this whole edifice, thus decorated, and presenting so much rich variety without discordance, is scarcely to be imagined. And the effect, as to its beauty and variety, is heightened by the grand square and the area be. yond, being terminated with a view of the Obser-: vatory, standing on a hill in Greenwich Park.

This noble edifice will shew, by contrast, the impropriety of throwing buildings into squares, inclosed on all sides. On that plan we might have had a fine front to the river, with melancholy, though ornamented walls within the squares; but that most beautiful range of architecture, on each side of the extensive avenue, as it may be called, reaching from the northern to the southern extre mity of the edifice, terminated in an uncommonly fiue manner, with the beautiful and picturesque park, the hill, and observatory, would not have been, as it now is, the boast of this country, and the admiration of foreigners.

Another advantage results from this disposition of the buildings of Greenwich Hospital. The intervals between the four several parts being open at every end, they ventilate the whole place, instead of forming wells (as they would if inclosed) of stagnant and damp air.

Of the two northern buildings of the Hospital, that on the west side of the grand square is called King Charles's; and part of that was accustomed to be the occasional residence of Charles. The other is called Queen Anne's.

Of the two southern buildings, that on the west of the area is named King William's, and the other Queen Mary's.

Under the roof of King William's building, is the great hall, or, as it is usually called, the Painted Hall, the entrance to which is by a very elegant. vestibule, lighted by the dome of the building. From the vestibule a large flight of steps leads into the saloon, or grand hall, which is 100 feet long, 36 wide, and 50 high; ornamented with a range of Corinthian pilasters, standing on a basement, and supporting a rich entablature above. Between them, on the south side, are the windows, two rows in height, the jambs of these are ornamented with roses enamelled. On the north side are re