four windows on each side, and ten at the eastern extremity, five above and five below. The entire roof of the chapel, including the side aisles, and the curve at the end, is of wrought stone, in the gothic style, and of most exquisite beauty. An altar tomb, erected by Henry, at the cost of 1000l. to receive his last remains, stands in the centre of the chapel. It is of a basaltic stone, ornamented with gilt brass, and is surrounded with a magnifi cent railing of the same. This monument is by Pietro Torregiano, a Florentine sculptor, and pos sesses uncommon merit. Six devices in bas-relief, and four statues, all of gilt brass, adorn the tomb.

It is impossible to suppose gothic beauty of a higher degree than the whole of the interior of Henry the Seventh's chapel; and it is with regret that the antiquarian sees the stalls of the Knights of the Bath, who are installed in this, chapel, reared against the pillars and arches of the nave, forming screens that separate the smaller aisles from the body of the chapel, and diminish the airiness, and interrupt the harmony of the plan.

The exterior of this fine example of gothic art and taste, is in a most ruinous condition. The roof has been repaired lately; but the turrets, and the arched buttresses, are going fast to decay, and must soon fall if not thoroughly repaired.

Beside these venerable, antiquities, which all deserve to be seen in their respective degrees, a va riety of figures in wax, and in cases with glazed doors, are shewn as curious to the stranger. They ought to be removed, as disgraceful to the gran deur and, solemnity of the other parts of the scene, and as a satire on the national taste, which is scarcely excused when such things are exhibited in a room to amuse children.

The remaining objects that are shewn for money in this church are, the models of 50 churches by Sir Christopher Wren; the tombs in the northern

part of the cross aisle; the tombs at the west end of the church; and the prospect from the top of one of the western towers.

The prospect from this tower, the ascent to which consists of 283 steps, is infinitely more beautiful, though less extensive, than that from St. Paul's. The many fine situations at the west end of the town, and its environs, occasion this difference. The Banquetting House at Whitehall, St. James's Park, with the Parade and Horse Guards, Carleton House, the gardens of the Queen's Pa lace, the Green Park, the western end of Piccadilly, and Hyde Park, with its river, lie at once under the eye, and compose a most grand and delightful scene. The two bridges of Westminster and Blackfriars, with the broad expanse of water between them; the Adelphi and Somerset House on its banks; St. Paul's stupendous pile, and the light gothic steeple of St. Dunstan's in the East, are alike embraced with one glance, and happily contrast with the former prospect. From this tower the exterior form of St. Paul's, when the sun falls upon it, is distinctly seen; and here its exquisite beauty will be more fully comprehended than in any part of the city, for a sufficient area to take in the entire outline is not to be found there.

The following are the prices for seeing the curiosities: The tombs at the east end of the church, with the chapel of Henry VII. sixpence; the models, threepence; the tombs in the northern part of the cross-aisle, three-pence; the west end and the tower, six-pence.

Formerly the great western, door stood open the whole day, and strangers could see the greater part of the church gratis; lately they are shut out of all but the poet's corner (which they may still visit gratis) except at the hours of divine service, which are every day at ten in the morning, and three in the afternoon.

1

Lord Mansfield's Monument.

This monument is the work of Mr. Flaxman, jun, and will not only perpetuate his name, but will form a new and happier epoch in the history of monumental sculpture in England.

Lord Mansfield is represented in judge's robes, sitting on the seat of justice, holding in his left band a scroll of parchment, with his right hand resting on his knee, and having his left foot a little advanced. The seat of justice is placed on a circular elevation of peculiar elegance. The figure of Lord Mansfield is taken from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and is executed with so much spirit and judgment by the sculptor, that it has the appearance of being done immediately from

the life.

This grand monument is erected beneath one of the lofty arches of the abbey, at the northern end of the cross aisle. It is insular, having no wall to block up the arch, and destroy the building, for the sake of the ornament. From the northern entrance of the church it is seen with most advan tage, the whole design, which is marked by the simplicity and grandeur of its execution, being discovered at one view, although the monument is in a circular form,

Cloisters, Chapter-house, and other remains belonging to Wesminster Abbey.

The cloisters of this foundation remain entire. They are on the south side of the church, from which there is a door leading to them, and have several monuments, some ancient and others modern. From the cloisters is an entrance into the chapter-house, through a fine gothic portal, the ornaments of which are carved with most rare ele. gance. From what is left undefaced of the inte rior of the chapter-house, it appears to have been.

singular in its construction. It is an octagon, and its original form was very lofty, with a pillar rising from the centre of the floor to support the roof, and having arches springing from the walls of each angle, and meeting at the top of the pillar. If we suppose this room to have been decorated with painted windows, and other gothic ornaments, it must have produced a surprising effect. At present, only part of the central pillar (of great beauty) is remaining, and the whole building is disguised by an entire new room, and several galleries being made to contain the records of the crown, which are now deposited here. The cele. brated Doomsday Book is kept at this place. It is comprised in two volumes, one a large folio, the other a quarto; the first begins with Kent and ends with Lincolnshire, is written on three hundred and eighty-two double pages of vellum, in one and the same hand, in a small but plain character, each page having a double column, and contains thirtyone counts. The quarto volume is on four hundred and fifty double pages of vellum, but in a single column, and in a large fair character, and contains the counties of Essex, Norfolk, and Suffolk. This record is in high preservation, the words being as legible as when first written, though so long since as 1086. The records of the star-chamber proceedings are deposited here. All the records are labelled, and arranged in excellent order. In 1377, the Commons of Great Britain first held their parliaments in this building; in 1547, Edward VI. gave them the chapel of St. Stephen, of which we shall speak hereafter. Beneath the chapter-house is a very curious crypt, which is now seldom visited.

To the west of the abbey stood the sanctuary; and on the south side was the eleemosynary, or almonry, where the alms of the abbot were distri buted. The almory is endeared to every lover

of science, by its being the spot on which was erected the first printing press in England. In 1474, William Caxton printed the Game and play of Chesse, the first book printed in this country. Abbot Islip deserves to be mentioned, as the enlightened patron of the art of printing.

OTHER CHURCHES.

St. Stephens's, Walbrook, adjacent to the Mansionhouse of the lord-mayor, is a church that deserves to be mentioned immediately after St. Paul's Cathe dral and Westminster Abbey, for the, perhaps, unrivalled beauty of the architecture of its inte rior. For harmony of the proportions, grace, airiness, variety, and elegance, it is not to be surpassed. It is a small church, in the form of a cross, being 75 feet in length, and 36 in breadth. The roof is supported by Corinthian columns, so disposed as to raise an idea of grandeur which the dimensions of the church do not seem to promise. Over the centre, at which the principal ailes cross, is a dome divided into compartments; the roof being partitioned in a similar manner, and the whole being finely decorated. The effect of this building is inexpressibly delightful, the eye at one glance embracing a plan full and complete, and afterwards are seen a greater number of parts than the spec. tator was prepared to expect. This most beautiful church is the work of Sir Christopher Wren, It is known and admired on the continent as a master-piece of art. Over the altar is a painting of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, by. West, which was placed there in 1776.

The Church of St. Martin's in the Fields, situated a little to the north of the Strand, is remarkable for a very noble portico, the design of which is taken from the ancient temple at Nismes, in France, The portico is composed of six columns in front, the effect of which is, however, lessened by iron