queens of England is performed in this choir. Indeed, the whole appearance of this majestic pile is calculated to excite the most sublime and affecting ideas, for the stranger at almost every step discovers some monument consecrated to departed genius and virtue. The Poet's corner, in the south cross aisle, is peculiarly calculated to impress the mind of sensibility with awe and tenderness; and while we read the inscriptions on the monuments of Milton, Spencer, Shakespeare, Dryden, and Goldsmith, the bosom thrills with a proud recollection of some of the most energetic effusions of the English Muse. The remains of that excellent moralist and critic, Dr. Johnson, are interred a few paces in front of the statue of Shakespeare; but the admirer of genius looks around, in vain, for a memorial of our sweetest bard, the elegant Pope.

The curiosities of Westminster Abbey are numerous. Edward the Confessor's Chapel contains his chair, in which the kings and queens of England are crowned.

The Chapel of Henry VII. contains his tomb, and a variety of curiosities.

The prospect from the western tower of the Abbey is highly picturesque and delightful, presenting a great part of Westminster and its environs; a distant view of Hyde Park, the Serpentine River, and Kensington Gardens; many magnificent public buildings, particularly the Banquetting-House, at Whitehall; the Bridges, with the majestic sweep of the river; together with a view of Somerset House, St. Paul's Cathedral, and a variety of towering spires.

All the curiosities of Westminster Abbey may be

seen for one shilling and sixpence, and the stranger will be amply gratified by his visit,

The King's, or Westminster School, stands near the Abbey. This institution was founded in 1070, and is at present one of the greatest schools in England. It is conducted by two masters and five ushers, and contains about 400 scholars.

It

The entrance of St. Stephen's, Walbrook, has been praised by architects and men of taste. stands near the Mansion-House, and is built in the form of a cross. The beautiful dome, and superb roof, supported by columns of the Corinthian order, present a rich assemblage of architectural elegance.

The exterior of St. George's Church, Hanoversquare, particularly its stately portico, has been justly admired; and the portico of St. Martin's Church is also very magnificent. Most of the remaining churches have nothing remarkable, except the pleas ing variety of Gothic spires, which give the eastern part of the metropolis such a superiority, in point of appearance, over all other cities in the world.

The number of churches in the metropolis is 122, including St Paul's Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey, or the Collegiate Church of St. Peter; besides 150 Chapels, 150 Meeting houses, and six Synagogues. Total of places of public worship,

428.

Next to the places set apart for the purposes of religion may be mentioned the various institutions for education. These are numerous, and amount to 4,050, including 16 Inns of Court; 5 Colleges; 62 Public schools; 237 parish schools; and 3,730 private schools.

The number of Hospitals, Alms houses, Dispen saries, and other charitable institutions, amount to 164.

An estimate of the consumption of provisions has been given in the Encyclopedia Britannica and other recent publications; but these calculations mast necessarily be vague and unsatisfactory.

The several markets established in this metropolis are under excellent regulations. The most remarkable are West-Smithfield, for cattle and horses; Leadenhall, Newgate, and Fleet markets, for butchers meat; and Covent Garden for vegetables and fruit.

COURTS OF JUDICATURE, PRISONS, &c.

THERE are are 57 Courts of Justice in the metropolis, four Ecclesiastical courts; 14 Prisons, and four Houses of Correction.

From the abovementioned view, it must be evident, that, with all the boasted advantages enjoyed by man in a wealthy and populous capital, he is yet far from that state of moral perfection so fondly pictured by speculative philosophers. The highest encomiums have been lavished on the founders of hospitals and alms houses; but were the simple principles of beneficence practised by statesmen, there would be no occasion for such asylums for the unfortunate. Relief to the indigent, distributed at their houses, or lodgings, would be more beneficial than that afforded by the most extensive workhouse; and the delicacy and sensibility of many a worthy mind would be preserved from the degradation of beggary. It is

iu consequence of frequent wars, multiplied taxes, the luxurious waste of the opulent, and the connivance of men in power at gaming and inebriation, that the most polished nations of Europe languish under a variety of wretchedness, nor can the eye of the philanthropist perceive one ray of hope in the whole gloomy horizon of political oppression.

Our workhouses are in reality dormitories, where human activity and strength are suffered to remain unexerted; where infancy is nursed in the lap of ignorance, and afterwards set adrift on the ocean of life, like a ship without a rudder. But are not the Houses of Correction and Prisons productive of a reformation of morals? Alas! the very reverse is the case. It is the misfortune of the prisoner, confined for debt, or his crimes, to become worse, instead of better, by confinement. As for the unhappy woman who is immured in a prison, her finer sensibilities are gradually blunted by an intercourse with the vicious; an intercourse which she is unable to avoid, unless she can hire an apartment, where in seclusion she may reflect on her misfortunes in hopeless sorrow.

PUBLIC COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.

THIS building is admirably adapted to the purposes of commerce. It was originally founded in 1566; but being destroyed by the great fire in 1666, it was rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren.

The Royal Exchange is situated on the northern

side of Cornhill, and has two fronts, each of which communicates with the area by a gateway. The area is divided into twenty walks, where merchants of different nations assemble for the dispatch of business, which is principally transacted from three to four o'clock in the afternoon. The Royal Exchange is open from eight o'clock in the morning till six in the evening; and the stranger will be much gratified by the regularity and order with which business to an immense amount is transacted.

THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

THIS depository of wealth is of the utmost consequence to the commercial prosperity of the nation. It is a detached building of stone, situated in Threadneedle-street. The Company of the Bank of England was incorporated, by an act of the legislature in the reign of William III. their capital was then limited to £.1,200,000, but at present it amounts to £.11,550,000. The whole interior of this building may be viewed in company with one of the clerks, and the hours of business are from nine o'clock in the morning till five in the afternoon.

SOMERSET PLACE.

THIS lofty and magnificent pile is the most extensive and elegant commercial edifice in Europe. It stands on the northern bank of the river, in the centre of the metropolis, and takes its name from Somerset, the protector, who built a palace on its seite in the year 1549.