a large city of Middlesex in England, the metropolis of Great Britain, and one of the most wealthy and populous places in the world, is situated on the river Thames, in Long. 0°. N. Lat. 51° 32'.

The most ancient name of this city is Londinium, or Loundinum, according to Ammianus. It was then changed into Augusta; in honour, as some say, of Helena Augusta, the mother of Constantine the Great; while others think it more probable that it had this name from the second legion, whose peculiar title was Augusta; and some imagine that the honourable appellation of Augusta, was conferred upon this city by the Romans, as upon other principal cities of their empire, on account of its being grown up to be the capital of their British province. How long the name of Augusta prevailed is not now certainly known; but after the establishment of the Saxons we find no more mention of Augusta. It was then called Caer-Lundain, Lundon Byrig, Lundon Geaster, Lundon-ryce, Lundenne, Lundon-berb, or Lundenburg; and since the conquest the records call it Londonia, Londonia, Londine, Londres, and, for several ages past, London, a manifest corruption from Tacitus's Londinium. The most probable derivation of these names, according to Mr Entick, is from the British words "long," "a ship;" and "dinor," "a city;" i.e. a city or harbour for ships; for which, it appears from Tacitus, to have been famous from its first foundation.

The city of London cannot be reckoned more ancient than the time of Julius Caesar. Geoffrey of Monmouth indeed relates, that, before the Roman invasion, London was a town encompassed with walls, and fortified with innumerable towers: but herein he deserves no credit; for Cæsar informs us, that in his time the Britons had no other towns than thick woods surrounded with a ditch, and fortified with a rampart. The foundation of the town is with the greatest probability ascribed to Ostorius Scapula, about the year 49, for the security of the Roman allies, who were before too much exposed to the incursions of the Britons. It is indeed conjectured, and that not without a great degree of probability, that at this time the river Thames, by reason of the great spreading of its waters, was fordable at the place where London now stands, and that London was built particularly with a view to secure and command this ford. The embanking of the river, and the stoppage of the tide at London bridge, have greatly increased the depth of the water since that time, so that it is now very far from being fordable there.

At first, London had no walls or other fortifications built to defend it, and was therefore exposed to the attacks of every enemy: and thus it suffered severely about the year 64, being burnt by the Britons under Boadicea, and all the inhabitants massacred. Soon after this, however, it was restored by the Romans, and increased so much, that in the reign of the emperor Severus it is called by Herodian, a great and wealthy city. About the same time it was made a Roman prefecture, in imitation of Rome itself; whose prefect was sent annually to do justice, and to act in all public matters, such as taxes, tributes, imposts, and military affairs, as directed by the Roman senate. It continued in a defenceless state till the year 266, or 298, when walls were built round it on the following occasion. The province of Britain had for some time been dismembered from the empire by Carausius, who revolted from the emperors Diocletian and Maximian; but he being murdered by one Caius Alectus, a Roman army was dispatched against this new usurper. Alectus called in the Franks to support him; but being defeated and killed, his allies determined to plunder the city of London: but while they were busy in doing so, the Romans arrived, and cut them all in pieces. To prevent disasters of a similar kind for the future, a wall of hewn stone and British bricks was erected round the city. It was three miles and 165 feet in circumference; the figure quadrangular, but not equilateral, the sides being longer from east to west than from north to south. The vestiges of this wall are still to be seen. In the Saxon times, and probably from its first foundation, it extended along the side of the river; and if it is not at present possible to trace the foundations along the river-side, this may justly be supposed owing to the many and great encroachments made by wharfs, which are continually gaining upon it, so that now they advance as far as the fourth pier of London bridge.

Dr Woodward, in his Roman Antiquities and Present State of London, informs us, that he had an opportunity of examining the fabric and composition of materials of which these walls were built, from digging at Bishop's-gate for the foundation of certain houses to be erected in 1707. He writes, that the said wall, from the foundation, eight feet below the present surface, quite up to the top, which was in all ten feet more, was compiled alternately of layers of broad flate, bricks, and of rag-stones. The bricks lay in double ranges; and each brick being but one inch and three tenths in thickness, the whole layer, with the mortar interposed, exceeded not three inches. The layers of flate were not quite two feet thick of our measure. This was the height of the Roman work; and these were the remains of the ancient Roman wall supposed to be built by Constantine the Great. It was here very observable, that the mortar was, (as usual in the Roman work,) very firm and hard, that the stone itself as easily broke, and gave way as soon as it. Thus far from the foundation upwards, it was nine feet in thickness: the broad thin bricks were all of Roman make, and of the very sort, as we learn from Pliny, that were in common use among that people; being in length a foot and an half of their standard, and in breadth London. breadth a foot. Dr Woodward found them 17 inches four-tenths in length, 11 inches six-tenths in breadth, and one inch three-tenths in thickness. On the land-side the city-wall was strengthened and embellished with flatly towers; the remains of 15 of which are still to be seen. Dr Woodward discovered one built in the same manner and of the same materials as the wall, 26 feet high, in three stories, behind a house facing Gravel-lane in Houndsditch; but much decayed. In searching for this tower, Mr Entick and Mr Maidland found out another, about 80 yards nearer Aldgate, of the same Roman construction, 21 feet high, perfectly sound, and much more beautiful: the bricks were as found as when new laid; but most of the stones were decaying, having lain, according to the most probable computation, 1459 years.

The wall of London was finished about the year 306, and about the same time also it is very probable that a bridge was erected at the place where London-bridge stands; for it is not to be supposed that the city had no commerce with the country south of the river, and a ferry could not by any means be thought adequate to the business. Till the year 457, nothing remarkable happened to the city of London. It was then forced to submit to the Saxons, and became the chief city of the kingdom of Essex; and though it suffered much in the wars carried on between the Britons and Saxons, it soon recovered, so that Bede calls it a princely mart-town, under the government of a chief magistrate, whose title of portgrave, or portreeve, (for we find him called by both names), conveys a grand idea of the mercantile state of London in those early ages, that required a governor or guardian of the port. During the civil wars of the Saxons with each other, the Londoners had always the address to keep themselves neutral; and about the year 819, when all the seven Saxon kingdoms fell under the power of Egbert, London became the metropolis of England, which it has ever since continued.

During the invasions of the Danes, London suffered greatly. In 849, these invaders entered the Thames with 250 ships, plundered and burnt the city, and massacred the inhabitants; and two years after they returned with a fleet of 350 sail, fully determined to destroy every thing that had escaped their barbarity in the former expedition. At this time, however, they were disappointed; most of their troops being cut in pieces by king Ethelwolf and his son Athelbald; yet such was the destruction made by those barbarians at London, that it suffered more from these two incursions than ever it had done before.

In the reign of king Alfred the Great, London began to recover from its former ruinous state. He rebuilt its walls, drove out the Danish inhabitants who had settled there, restored the city to its former liberties and beauty, and committed the care of it to his son-in-law, Ethelred duke of Mercia, in hopes that this might always be a place of secure retreat within its strong walls, whatever might happen from a foreign or domestic enemy. In 893, however, he had the mortification to see his capital totally reduced to ashes by an accidental fire, which could not be extinguished, as the houses at that time were all built of wood. The walls, however, being constructed of incombustible materials, continued to afford the same protection as before; the houses were quickly rebuilt, and the city divided into wards and precincts for its better order and government. This king also instituted the office of sheriff, the nature of which office made it necessary to have it also in London; so that here we have the glimmerings of the order of magistrates afterwards settled in the city of London; in the person of the portreeve, or portgrave, or governor of the city, as supreme magistrate; in the sheriff, and in the officer or subordinate magistrate by what name forever then distinguished, which, being placed at the head of each ward or precinct, were analogous to the more modern title of aldermen and common-council men.

Alfred having settled the affairs of England in the brick and most prudent manner, directed his attention to the stone houses namenting, as much as possible, the city of London. For this purpose, he spirited up the English to an emulation in building their houses of stronger and more durable materials than formerly. At that time their houses were mostly of wood; and an house built of any other materials was looked upon as a kind of wonder. But Alfred having begun to raise his palaces of stone and brick, the opulent Londoners, and the nobility resident in and about London followed the example, though the custom did not come into general use till some ages after.

In 1015, a foreign enemy again appeared before besieged by London. Canute king of Denmark having invaded Canute, and plundered the counties of Dorset, Somerset, and Wilts, sailed up the Thames with 200 ships, and laid siege to the city. The citizens continued faithful, notwithstanding the defection of the greatest part of the kingdom; and made such a brave resistance, that Canute thought fit to withdraw his army, leaving only his fleet to blockade the city by water, that when he found a fair opportunity he might renew the siege with better success. At last, however, being defeated in several battles by Edmund Ironside, he was obliged to call off his ships to cover his own army in case of necessity. In the compromise, however, which was afterwards made between Edmund and Canute, the city of London was given to the latter, and owned him for its lawful sovereign. We have a strong proof of the opulence of London even at this time, from the tax laid upon it by Canute in order to pay his army; this being no less than 10,500l. while the rest of the nation was at the same time taxed only at 72,000l.

In 1046, we have the first intimation of the Londoners sending representatives to parliament. This happened on settling the succession to the throne after Canute's death. The English in general declared for Edward son of king Ethelred, or, if that could not be carried, for Hardicanute, son of Canute by queen Emma, and then absent on a tour to Denmark. The city of London espoused the claim and interest of Harold Harefoot, son also of Canute by queen Elgiva of Northampton. Edward's party soon declined; and the Londoners agreed, for the peace of the realm, that the two brothers should divide the kingdom between them; but as Hardicanute did not return in proper time to England, a witenage-meet was held at Oxford, where earl Leofric, and most of the thanes on the north of the Thames, with the pilots of London, chose Harold for their king. Here, by pilots we are to understand the directors, magistrates, or leading men, men of the city: and this manifestly shows, that London was then of such consequence, that no important national affair was transacted without the consent of the inhabitants; for the Saxon annals assure us, that none were admitted into this assembly of election but the nobility and the pilots of London.

On the invasion of the Normans under William I. London submitted as well as the rest of the kingdom; and received two charters from that prince, confirming all the privileges they had under the Saxon kings, and adding several new ones. But while the citizens were promising themselves all manner of security and tranquillity under the new government, it was almost entirely reduced to ashes by an accidental fire in 1077.

It had scarcely recovered from this calamity, when it was visited by another of the same kind in 1086, which began at Ludgate, and destroyed the best and most opulent part of the city; consuming among other buildings, the cathedral of St Paul's; which, however, was soon rebuilt more magnificently than before. Under the reign of William Rufus, London suffered considerably by fires, hurricanes, and inundations, and seems to have been depressed by the tyranny of that prince; but Henry I. granted large immunities to the city, which again revived its trade, and was favourable to the progress of the arts. The king, however, still retained the privilege of appointing the portreeve, or chief magistrate; but the immunities granted to the Londoners secured their affections, and tended much to secure him on the throne. At the same time there was such a plenty of all kinds of provisions, that as much corn was sold for 1s. as would suffice 100 people for a day; 4d. would purchase as much hay and corn as would maintain 20 horses for a day; and a sheep could be bought for a groat.

Henry thought proper also to check the licentious behaviour of the Normans, which, by the favour shewed them under the two Williams, had carried them into the most barbarous practices. Those who followed William Rufus in his excursions, harassed and plundered the country at discretion. Many of them were so extravagant in their barbarity, that what they could not eat or drink in their quarters, they either obliged the people to carry to market and sell for their use, or else they would throw it into the fire; and, at their going off, they frequently washed their horses' heels with the drink, and flayed the casks containing the remainder. King Henry resolved to put a stop to these excesses and savage customs; and therefore published a proclamation at London, commanding that thenceforward all persons who should be convicted of such barbarities should have their eyes pulled out, or their hands or feet cut off, as the ministers of justice should think fit. This effectually checked the licence of the Normans, and the city continued to flourish throughout the reigns of Henry I. and Stephen.

The attachment of the citizens to Stephen, however, was a crime which never could be forgiven by Henry II., and of consequence he made them sensible of his displeasure by making frequent demands of money from them. About this time, indeed, the Londoners were arrived at such a pitch of licentiousness, that their prosperity seemed a curse rather than a blessing. The sons of the most eminent and wealthy citizens entered into a confederacy to commit burglaries, and to rob and murder all that came in their way in the nighttime. The king took an opportunity from these irregularities to enrich himself. He demanded several loans and free gifts; till at last the Londoners, to prevent further inquiries into their conduct, paid into the exchequer 3000l. in three years. These disorders, however, were at last stopped by the execution of John Senex; who, though a very rich and reputable citizen, had engaged in these enterprises. He offered 500 lb. weight of silver, a prodigious sum in those days, for his pardon, but was refused. The king, however, still continued to drain the citizens of their money by free gifts; and at last fined every separate guild, fraternity, or company, that had presumed to act as bodies corporate without the royal letters-patent.

On the death of Henry II. the title of the first magistrate of London was changed from portreeve to that of bailiff; and in 1189 claimed and acted in the office of the chief butler at the coronation of Richard I. In 1191 this monarch permitted the bailiff, named Henry Fitz Alwine, to assume the title of mayor. For, in the office of mayor, we find certain orders of the mayor and aldermen to prevent fires; whereby it was ordained, that "all houses thereafter to be erected in London and the liberties thereof, should be built of stone, with party-walls of the same; and covered either with slates or tiles, to prevent those dreadful calamities by fire, which were frequently and chiefly occasioned by housetops built of wood, and thatched with straw or reeds."

And for this purpose it was also provided by the discreetest men of the city, "that 12 aldermen of the city should be chosen in full hustings, and there sworn to assist the mayor in appeasing contentions that might arise among neighbours in the city upon inclosure between land and land, and to regulate the dimensions of party-walls, which were to be of stone, 16 feet high, and three feet thick; and to give directions about girders, windows, gutters, and wells." Such confidence also did Richard put in the wisdom and faithfulness of the city of London, that when it was resolved to fix a standard for weights and measures for the whole realm, his majesty committed the execution thereof to the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, whom he commanded to provide measures, gallons, iron rods, and weights for standards, to be sent to the several counties of England. This happened in 1198, at which time corn was advanced to the enormous price of 18. 4d. per quarter.

The city of London was much favoured by king John, who granted them three charters soon after his grant to accession. The first was a recital and confirmation of the city by those granted by Henry I. and II., with the farther privilege of being free from toll and every other duty or custom in his majesty's foreign dominions; for which they paid the sum of 3000 merks. The second was a confirmation of one granted by king Richard. By this the citizens of London had the jurisdiction and conservancy of the river Thames; with a clause to extend that jurisdiction, and the powers therewith granted, to the river Medway; and with another clause to enable the said city, as conservators of the rivers Thames and Medway, to inflict a penalty of 10l. upon any person that should presume to erect a weir in either of these rivers. The third charter contains a fee-farm-rent of the sheriffwicks of London and Middlesex. Middlesex at the ancient rent, of which they had been deprived by queen Maud; granting them also the additional power of choosing their own sheriffs. This charter was given by way of conveyance from the crown to the citizens for a valuable consideration, by which the sheriffs became their freehold; and this is the first covenant or conveyance we find on record with the legal terms of to have and to hold, which are at this time accounted an essential part in all conveyances of property.

During the reign of Henry III, the city of London was oppressed in many different ways. In 1218, he exacted a fine of 40 marks for selling a sort of cloth not two yards within the hills; and a 15th of the citizens personal estates for the enjoyment of their ancient rights and privileges. In 1221, he commanded by proclamation all the foreign merchants to depart the city; which drew 30 marks from the Anfatic company of the Steelyard, to have seisin of their guild or hall in Thames-Street. But it was the wrestling-match at St Giles's in the fields that brought on their greatest burden. In the year 1221, on St James's day, the citizens of London having carried off the victory from the people of Westminster and other neighboring villages, the steward of the abbot of Westminster, meditating revenge against the Londoners, proposed another wrestling-match with them, and gave a ram for the prize. The citizens referred to the place at the time appointed; but were unexpectedly assaulted by a great number of armed men, who killed and wounded many, and dispersed the rest. This raised a great commotion in the city. The populace breathed revenge; and, by the instigation of Constantine Fitz-Arnulph, a great favourite of the French party during the troubles in king John's reign, they proceeded to Westminster, and pulled down the houses both of the steward and abbot. Hearing afterwards that the abbot was come into the city with his complaint to Philip Daubney the king's counsel, they pursued him, beat his servants cruelly, took away 12 of his horses, and would have murdered himself, had he not escaped by a back-door. Upon this tumult, Hubert de Bury, then chief jurist, summoned the mayor and many of the principal citizens to attend him in the tower of London; and inquiring for the authors of the riot, Constantine, the ring-leader, boldly answered, that "he was one; that they had done no more than they ought; and that they were resolved to avow what they had done, let the consequence be what it would."

In this he was seconded by his nephew and one Geoffrey; but the jurist, having dismissed all the rest, detained these three, and ordered them to be hanged next morning, though Constantine offered 15,000 marks for his pardon. Hubert then coming into the city with a strong guard, caused the hands and feet of most of the principal rioters he could seize to be cut off; all which was executed without any legal proceedings or form of trial. After these arbitrary cruelties, he degraded the mayor and all the magistrates; placed a custos over the city, and obliged 30 persons of his own choosing to become securities for the good behaviour of the whole city. Several thousand marks were also exacted by the king, before he would consent to a reconciliation.

This arbitrary behaviour alarmed the whole nation. The parliament of 1224 began to be uneasy for themselves, and addressed his majesty that he would be pleased to confirm the charter of liberties which he had sworn to observe; and the consequence of this application was a confirmation of the magna charta in the full parliament at Westminster in the year 1225. At this time also all the rights and privileges of the citizens were confirmed. They were exempted from prosecutions for burels, i.e., litted-cloth; and were granted the right of having a common seal. The necessities circumstances of this monarch, however, made him often exact money arbitrarily as long as he lived.

Under the succeeding reigns, as the liberty of the people in general was augmented, so the liberty, opulence, and power of the citizens of London increased, until they became a kind of balance to the power of the crown itself, which in some measure they still continue to be. Riots indeed, for which they generally suffered, were by no means unfrequent; the city often suffered by fires, and plagues. Nothing, however, happened which materially affected the welfare of the city, till the reign of Charles II, in 1665.—This year London was ravaged by the most violent plague ever known in Britain, plague in warm, so that the weather was sometimes suffocating even to people in perfect health; and by this unusual heat and sultry atmosphere, people were undoubtedly prepared for receiving the infection, which appeared with violence in the months of July, August, and September. A violent plague had raged in Holland in the year 1663; on which account the importation of merchandise from that country was prohibited by the British legislature in 1664. Notwithstanding this prohibition, however, it seems the plague had actually been imported; for in the close of the year 1664, two or three persons died suddenly in Westminster, with marks of the plague on their bodies. Some of their neighbours, terrified at the thoughts of their danger, removed into the city; but their removal proved too late for themselves, and fatal to those among whom they came to reside. They soon died of the plague; and communicated the infection to so many others, that it became impossible to extinguish the seeds of it by separating those that were infected from such as were not. It was confined, however, through a hard frothy winter, till the middle of February, when it again appeared in the parish of St Giles's, to which it had been originally brought; and after another long rest till April, showed its malignant force afresh, as soon as the warmth of the spring gave it opportunity.

At first it took off one here and there, without any certain proof of their having infected each other, and houses began to be shut up, with a design to prevent its spreading. But it was now too late; the infection gained ground every day, and the shutting up of houses only made the disease spread wider. People, afraid of being shut up, and sequestered from all communication with society, concealed their illness, or found means to escape from their places of confinement; while numbers expired in the greatest torments, destitute of every assistance; and many died both of the plague, and other diseases, who would in all probability have recovered, had they been allowed their liberty, with proper exercise and air.—A house was shut up on account of a maid-servant, who had only spots, spots, and not the gangrenous plague-blotches, upon her, so that her distemper was probably a petechial fever. She recovered; but the people of the house obtained no liberty to stir, either for air or exercise, for 40 days. The bad air, fear, anger, and vexation, attending this injurious treatment, cast the miseries of the family into a fever. The visitors appointed to search the houses, said it was the plague, though the physicians were of a different opinion: the family, however, were obliged to begin their quarantine anew, though it had been almost expired before; and this second confinement affected them so much, that most of the family fell sick, some of one distemper, and some of another. Every illness that appeared in the family produced a fresh prolongation of their confinement; till at last the plague was actually brought in by some of those who came to inquire into the health of the family, and almost every person in the house died.

Many examples of a similar kind happened, and this was one of the worst consequences of shutting up houses. All means of putting a stop to the infection were evidently ineffectual. Multitudes fled into the country; many merchants, owners of ships, &c. shut themselves up, on board their vessels, being supplied with provisions from Greenwich, Woolwich, and single farm-houses on the Kentish side. Here, however, they were safe; for the infection never reached below Deptford, though the people went frequently on shore to the country-towns, villages, and farm-houses, to buy fresh provisions. As the violence of the plague increased, the ships, which had families on board, removed farther off; some went quite out to sea, and then put into such harbours and roads as they could best get at.

In the mean time the distemper made the most rapid advances within the city. In the last week of July, the number of burials amounted to 2010; but the first week of August it rose to 3817; thence to 3880; then to 4237; the next week, to 6102; and at last to 7000 and 8000 weekly. In the last week of September, however, the fury of the distemper began to abate; though vast numbers were sick, yet the number of burials decreased from 7155 to 5538; the next week there was a farther decrease to 4929, then to 4327, next to 2665, then to 1421, and the next week to 1031.

All this while, the poor people had been reduced to the greatest distresses, by reason of the stagnation of trade, and the sicknesses to which they were peculiarly liable on account of their manner of living. The rich, however, contributed to their subsistence in a most liberal manner. The sums collected on this occasion are, indeed, almost incredible; being said to amount to 100,000l. per week. The king is reported to have contributed 1000l. weekly; and in the parish of Cripplegate alone 17,000l. was distributed weekly among the poor inhabitants.—By the vigilance also of the magistrates, provisions continued remarkably cheap throughout the whole time of this dreadful calamity, so that all riots and tumults on that account were prevented; and at last, on the cessation of the distemper in the winter of 1665, the inhabitants who had fled returned to their habitations, and London to appearance became as populous as ever, though it was computed that 100,000 persons had been carried off by the plague.

The city was scarcely recovered from the desolation occasioned by the plague, when it was almost totally laid in ashes by a most dreadful fire. This broke out in a baker's shop in Pudding-lane, on Saturday-night, September 2, 1666. In a few hours Billingsgate ward was entirely burnt down; and before morning the fire had crossed Thames-Street, and destroyed the church of St Magnus. From thence it proceeded to the bridge, and consumed a great pile of buildings there; but was stopped by the want of anything more to destroy. The flames, however, being scattered by a strong east wind, continued their devastation in other quarters. All efforts to stop it proved unsuccessful throughout the Sunday. That day it proceeded up as far as Garlick-hill; and destroying Canon-street, invaded Cornhill and the exchange. On Monday, the flames having proceeded eastward against the wind through Thames-street, invaded Tower-street, Grace-church-street, Fenchurch-street, Dowgate, Old-fleet-street, Watling-street, Threadneedle-street, and several others, from all which it broke at once into Cheapside. In a few hours Cheapside was all in flames, the fire having reached it from so many places at once. The fire then continuing its course from the river on one side, and from Cheapside on the other, surrounded the cathedral of St Paul's. This building stood by itself at some distance from any houses; yet such was the violence of the flames, and the heat of the atmosphere occasioned by them, that the cathedral took fire at top. The great beams and massive stones broke through into Faith-church underneath, which was quickly set on fire; after which, the flames invaded Pater-noster-row, Newgate-street, the Old Bailey, Ludgate-hill, Fleet-street, Ironmonger-lane, Old-Jury, Laurence-lane, Milk-street, Wood-street, Gutter-lane, Foster-lane, Lothbury, Cateaton-street; and, having destroyed Christ-church, burnt furiously thro' St Martin's Le Grand towards Aldersgate.

The fire had now attained its greatest extent, and was several miles in compass. The vast clouds of smoke obscured the sun so, that he either could not be seen at all, or appeared through it as red as blood. The flames reached an immense way up into the air, and their reflection from the smoke, which in the nighttime seemed also like flame, made the appearance still more terrible. The atmosphere was illuminated to a great extent, and this illumination is said to have been visible as far as Jedburgh in Scotland. Some of the light ashes also are said to have been carried to the distance of 16 miles. Guildhall exhibited a singular appearance. The oak with which it was built was so solid that it would not flame, but burnt like charcoal, so that the building appeared for several hours like an enchanted palace of gold or burnished brass.

At last, on Wednesday morning, when everyone expected that the suburbs as well as the city were to have been burnt, the fire began of itself to abate by reason of the wind having ceased, and some other changes no doubt taken place in the atmosphere. It was checked by the great building in Leaden-hall-street, and in other streets, by the blowing up several houses with gun-powder; and on Thursday the flames were quite extinguished.—The following is a calculation of the damage done by this extraordinary Thirteen thousand two hundred houses, at 12 years purchase, supposing the rent of each 25 l. Sterling.

Eighty-seven parish-churches, at 8000 l. Six consecrated chapels, at 2000 l. The royal exchange The custom-house Fifty-two halls of companies, at 1500 l. each Three city-gates at 3000 l. each Jail of Newgate Four stone-bridges Sessions-house Guildhall, with the courts and offices belonging to it Blackwell-hall Bridewell Poultry Compter Woodstreet Compter St Paul's church Warehouses, household stuff, money, and moveable goods lost or spoiled Hire of porters, carts, wagons, barges, boats, &c. for removing goods Printed books and paper in shops and warehouses Wine, tobacco, sugar, &c. of which the town was at that time very full

It was never certainly known whether this fire was accidental or designed. A suspicion fell upon the Papists; and this gained such general credit, that it is asserted for a truth on the monument which is erected in memory of the conflagration. Of the truth of this assertion, however, though there was not sufficient proof, it had the effect of making the Papists most violently suspected and abhorred by the Protestants, which some time after proved very prejudicial to the city itself.

From this calamity, great as it was, London soon recovered itself, and became much more magnificent than before; the streets, which were formerly crooked and narrow, being now built wide and spacious; and the industry of its inhabitants repaired the losses they had sustained. In 1679, the city was again alarmed by the discovery of a design to destroy it by fire a second time. Elizabeth Oxley, servant to one Rind in Fetter-lane, having set her master's house on fire, was apprehended on suspicion, and confessed, that she had been hired to do it by one Stubbs a Papist, for a reward of 5 l. Stubbs being taken into custody, acknowledged that he had persuaded her to it; and that he himself had been prevailed upon by one father Gifford his confessor, who had assured him, that by burning the houses of heretics he would do a great service to the church. He also owned that he had several conferences with Gifford and two Irishmen on the affair. The maid and Stubbs also agreed in declaring, that the Papists intended to rise in London, expecting to be powerfully supported by a French army. In consequence of this discovery, the Papists were banished from the city and ten miles round, and five Jesuits were hanged for the abovementioned plot.

The Papists thought to revenge themselves, by forgetting what was called the meal-tub plot, in which Presbyterian were supposed to hatch treacherous designs against the life of the king. Sir Edmondbury Godfrey also, who had been very active in his proceedings against the Papists, was murdered by some unknown persons; and this murder, together with their discovering the falsehood of the meal-tub plot, so exasperated the Londoners, that they resolved to show their detestation of Popery by an extraordinary exhibition on the 17th of November, queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne, on which day they had usually burnt the pope in effigy. The procession began with a person on horseback pronouncing Sir Edmondbury Godfrey, attended by a bell-man proclaiming his execrable murder. He was followed by a person carrying a large silver cross, with priests in copes, Carmelites, and Gray friars, followed by six Jesuits; then proceeded divers waiters, and after them some bishops with lawn-sleeves, and others with copes and mitres. Six cardinals preceded the pope, enthroned in a state pageant, attended by divers boys with pots of incense, and the devil whispering in his ear. In this order they marched from Bishopsgate to Fleet-street; and there, amidst a great multitude of spectators, committed his holiness to the flames.

This procession gave great offence to the court, at which the duke of York, afterwards James II., had a great influence. The breach was farther widened by the choice of sheriffs for that year. The candidates set up by the court were rejected by a majority of almost two to one; but this did not deter their party from demanding a poll in their behalf, upon which a tumult ensued. This was represented by the Popish party in such colours to the king, that he issued out a commission that same evening for trying the rioters; which, however, was so far from intimidating the rest, that they grew more and more determined, not only to oppose the Popish party, but to exclude the duke of York from his succession to the crown.

In the mean time, the king prorogued the parliament, to prevent them from proceeding in their inquiry concerning the Popish plot, and the exclusion bill. Upon this the lord-mayor, aldermen, and common-council, presented a petition to his majesty, in which they requested, that he would permit the parliament to sit in order to complete their salutary measures and councils. This petition was highly resented by the king; who, instead of granting it, dissolved the parliament, and could never afterwards be reconciled to the city. From this time it was determined to seize their charter; and fresh provocations having been given about the election of sheriffs, a warrant was at last produced by the attorney-general, in order to overthrow their charter, and thereby to deprive the citizens of the power to choose sheriffs. said, and the liberties and privileges of the same city, the liberties and privileges following, viz.

1. To be of themselves a body corporate and politic, by the name of mayor and commonalty and citizens of the city of London.

2. To have sheriffs civilis et com. London & com. Middlesex, and to name, make, elect, and constitute them.

3. That the mayor and aldermen of the said city should be justices of the peace, and hold sessions of the peace.

All which liberties, privileges, and franchises, the said mayor and commonalty, and citizens of London, upon the king did by the space aforesaid usurp, and yet do usurp.

Though nothing could be more unjust than this prosecution, the ministry were determined at all events to crush the Londoners; rightly judging, that it would be an easy matter to make all other corporations surrender their charters into the king's hands, and that they had no other body in the nation to fear. Accordingly they displaced such judges as would not approve of their proceedings; and, on the 12th of June 1683, Justice Jones pronounced the following sentence: "That a city might forfeit its charter; that the malversations of the common-council were acts of the whole city; and that the points set forth in the pleadings were just grounds for the forfeiting of a charter."

Notwithstanding this sentence, however, the attorney-general, contrary to the usual custom in such cases, was directed to move that the judgment might not be recorded; being afraid of the consequences. Yet it was judged that the king might seize the liberties of the city. A common-council was immediately summoned to deliberate on this exigency. The country party moved to have the judgment entered; but they were over-ruled by the court-party, who insisted upon an absolute submission to the king before judgment was entered; and though this was in effect a voluntary surrender of the city-liberties, and depriving themselves of the means of getting the judgment reversed, the act of submission was carried by a great majority: and in a petition from the lord-mayor, aldermen, and common-council, they acknowledged their own misgovernment, and his majesty's lenity; begged his pardon, and promised constant loyalty and obedience; and humbly begged his majesty's commands and directions." To this his majesty answered, that he would not reject their suit, if they would agree upon the following particulars.

1. That no lord-mayors, sheriffs, recorder, common serjeant, town-clerk, or coroner, of the city of London, or steward of the borough of Southwark, shall be capable of, or admitted to, the exercise of their respective offices before his majesty shall have approved of them under his sign manual.

2. That if his majesty shall disapprove the choice of any person to be lord mayor, and signify the same under his sign manual to the lord mayor, or, in default of a lord mayor, to the recorder or senior alderman, the citizens shall, within one week, proceed to a new choice: and if his majesty shall in like manner disapprove the second choice, his majesty may, if he pleases, nominate a person to be lord-mayor for the year ensuing.

3. If his majesty shall, in like manner, disapprove the persons chosen to be sheriffs, or either of them, his majesty may appoint sheriffs for the year ensuing.

4. That the lord-mayor and court of aldermen may, with the leave of his majesty, displace any alderman, recorder, &c.

5. Upon the election of an alderman, if the court of aldermen shall judge and declare the person present to be unfit, the ward shall choose again; and upon a disapproval of a second choice, the court may appoint another in his room.

6. That the justices of the peace should be by the king's commission; and the settling of those matters to be left to his majesty's attorney-general, and council learned in the law.

To these the lord keeper added in the king's name,

"That these regulations being made, his majesty would not only pardon this prosecution, but would confirm their charter in such a manner as should be consistent with them;" concluding thus: "My lord mayor, the term draws towards an end, and midsummer-day is at hand, when some of the officers used to be chosen; whereof his majesty will reserve the approbation. Therefore, it is his majesty's pleasure, that you return to the city, and consult the common-council, that he may speedily know your resolutions thereupon; and accordingly give his directions. That you may see the king is in earnest, and the matter is not capable of delay, I am commanded to let you know he hath given orders to his attorney-general to enter upon judgment on Saturday next; unless you prevent it by your compliance in all these particulars."

A common-council was summoned, when the friends of liberty treated those flattery conditions as they deserved; and even declared, that they were ready to sacrifice all that was near or dear to them, rather than submit to such arbitrary impositions: but when it was put to the vote, there appeared a majority of 18 for submission.

Thus the king got the government of the city into his own hands, though he and his brother entirely lost the affections of the Londoners. But, not content with their submission, his majesty departed from his promise; commanded the judgment upon the quo warranto to be entered; and commissioned Sir William Pritchard, the lord mayor, to hold the same office during his majesty's pleasure. In the same manner he appointed or displaced the other magistrates as he thought proper; after which the ministry, having nothing to fear, proceeded in the most arbitrary manner.

In this subjection to the will of the court, the city Privileges of London continued till the revolution: but, in 1689, of the city the immediate restoration of the Londoners to their liberties was ordered; and in such a manner and form, as to put it out of the powers of an arbitrary ministry and a corrupt judge and jury to deprive them of their chartered liberties for the time to come. Accordingly a bill was brought into parliament, and passed, for reverting the judgment of the quo warranto against the city of London, and for restoring the same to its ancient rights and privileges. Since that time the city of London hath enjoyed tranquillity; its commerce hath been carried to the highest pitch; and for the politeness, riches, London stands on a spot where the Thames is formed into a half-moon, and at the distance of 60 miles by water from the mouth of the river, but where the flux and reflux of the tide is very perceptible. But the part particularly distinguished by the name of the city of London, stands on the north shore from the Tower to the Temple, and is covered from the cold north winds by the hills of Hampstead and Highgate. In its present extent, it has included one city, one borough, and 49 villages. For within it we find the city of Westminster, the borough of Southwark and the villages of Mora, Finsbury, Wenlexbarn, Clerkenwell, Islington, Hoxton, Shoreditch, Norton-falgate, the Spital, Whitechapel, Mile-end new town, Mile-end old town, Bethnal Green, Stepney, Bow, Bromley, Blackwall, Poplar, Limehouse, Ratcliff, Shadwell, Wapping-Stepney, Wapping, East-Smithfield, Hermitage, St Catherine's, the Minories, St Clement's Danes, the Strand, Charing-cross, St James's, Knightsbridge, Marybone, Soho, St Giles's in the fields, St Martins in the fields, Bloomsbury, Port-pool, Saffron-hill, Holborn. And on the south-side of the Thames are Vauxhall, Lambeth, Lambeth-marsh, Kennington, Newington-Butts, Bermondsey, the Grange, Horley Down, and Rotherhithe; beyond which, a very little to the eastward, stand the two villages of Deptford and Greenwich, the former of which contains between 1800 and 1900 houses, and the latter between 1300 and 1400, each of them excelling the capitals of three or four foreign princes put together, both in number of houses, inhabitants, and riches. The length of the ground on which all these buildings stand is seven miles and a half and 176 yards, its breadth three miles 170 yards and an half.

By the city of London, we are to understand no more than that part formerly encompassed by the wall, which in circumference measures only three miles and 165 feet. In this wall there were eight gates: but the wall hath long since been pulled down to make way for new buildings in several places; and there is now left standing only one of the city-gates called New-gate, the others being removed to widen the streets, and to make the avenues to the city more commodious and airy. The liberties, or those parts of this great city which are subject to its jurisdiction, and lie without the walls of London, are bounded on the east, in White-chapel, the Minories, and Bishopsgate, by bars, which were formerly polls and chains, that were frequently taken away by arbitrary power, when it was thought proper to seize the franchises of the city of London: on the north, they are bounded in the same manner in Pick-ax street, at the end of Fan-alley, and in St John's street: on the west, by bars in Holborn: at the east end of Middle Row, and at the west end of Fleet-street, by the gate called Temple-bar: on the south, we may include the jurisdiction which the city holds on the river Thames, and over the borough of Southwark, to which the city of London has an undoubted right by charter, and for which they paid a valuable consideration to king Edward VI, and which was confirmed to them by the 2d of William & Mary, c. 8.—The city is at present divided into 26 wards.

1. Aldersgate ward takes its name from a city-gate which lately stood in the neighbourhood. It is bounded on the east by Cripplegate ward; on the west, by Farringdon ward within and without; and on the south, by Farringdon ward within. It is very large, and is divided into Aldersgate-within and Aldersgate-without. Each of these divisions consists of four precincts, under one alderman, eight common-council men, of whom two are the alderman's deputies, eight constables, fourteen inquest-men, eight scavengers, and a beadle; exclusive of the officers belonging to the liberty of St Martin's le Grand, which contains 168 houses.

2. Aldgate takes its name also from a gate, which was of great antiquity, being mentioned in king Edgar's charter to the knights of the Knighton guild about the year 967; and was probably of a much more ancient foundation, for it was the gate through which the Roman Vicinal way lay to the ferry at Oldford. It was pulled down some years ago by parliamentary authority, at the petition of the corporation.—The ward of Aldgate is bounded on the east by the city-wall, which divides it from Portfoken-ward; on the north, by Bishopsgate ward; on the west, by Lime-street and Langbourn wards; and on the south, by Tower-street ward. It is governed by an alderman, six common-council men, six constables, twenty inquest-men, seven scavengers, and a beadle; besides the officers belonging to St James's, Duke's Place.—It is divided into seven precincts.

3. Barking or Barking ward, is bounded on the east and south by Coleman-street ward, on the north by part of Cripplegate, and on the west by part of the wards of Cheap and Cripplegate. On the south, it begins at Blackwell-hall; and runs northward to London-wall, pulled down some time ago to make way for new buildings in Fore-street; and spreads 88 feet east, and 54 feet west against the place where that wall stood. This is a very small ward, and consists only of two precincts: the upper precinct contains no more than 66, and the lower only 76 houses. It is governed by an alderman, four common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, three constables, seventeen inquest-men, three scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from Barking the mansion-house of the family of Barking, which was the principal house in it, and stood in the place of Blackwell-hall.

4. Billingsgate ward is bounded on the east by Tower-street ward; on the north, by Langbourn ward; on the west, by the ward of Bridge-within; and on the south, by the river Thames. It is divided into 12 precincts; and is governed by an alderman, 10 common-councilmen, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, 11 constables, 14 inquest-men, six scavengers, and a beadle. The origin of its name is unknown. Its situation on the river gives it great advantages with respect to trade and merchandize; so that it is well inhabited, and is in a continual hurry of business at the several wharfs or quays.

5. Bishopsgate ward is bounded on the east by Aldgate ward, Portfoken ward, and part of the Tower-liberty, or Norton-falgate; on the west, by Broad-street ward and Moorfields; and on the south, by Langbourn ward. It is very large, and divided into Bishopsgate-within, London, within; and Bishopsgate-without. The first contains all that part of the ward within the city-wall and gate, and is divided into five precincts; the second lies without the wall, and is divided into four precincts. This ward is governed by an alderman, two deputies, one within and the other without, 12 common-council men, seven constables, 13 inquest-men, nine scavengers, and two beadle. It took its name from the gate, which has been pulled down to make that part of the city more airy and commodious.

6. Bread-street ward is encompassed on the north and north-west, by the ward of Farringdon-within; on the east, by Cordwainer's ward; on the south by Queenhithe ward; and on the west, by Castle-Baynard ward. It is divided into 13 precincts; and is governed by an alderman, 12 common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, 13 constables, 13 inquest-men, 13 scavengers, and a beadle; and yet contains no more than 331 houses. It takes its name from the ancient bread-market, which was kept in the place now called Bread-street; the bakers being obliged to sell their bread only in the open market, and not in shops.

7. Bridge-ward within is bounded on the south by the river Thames and Southwark; on the north, by Langbourn and Bishopsgate ward; on the east, by Billingsgate; and on the west, by Candlewick and Dowgate wards. It is divided into 14 precincts, three of which were on London-bridge; and is governed by an alderman, 15 common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, 14 constables, 15 inquest-men, 14 scavengers, and a beadle. It takes its name from its connection with London-bridge.

8. Bread-street ward is bounded on the north and east, by Bishopsgate ward; on the south, by Cornhill and Wallbrook ward; and on the west by Coleman-street ward. It is divided into 10 precincts; and governed by an alderman, 10 common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, 10 constables, 13 inquest-men, eight scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from that part of it now distinguished by the name of Old Bread-street; and which, before the fire of 1666, was accounted one of the broadest streets in London.

9. Candlewick-ward, Candlewick-street, or Candlewright-street ward, as it is called in some ancient records, is bounded on the east by Bridge ward; on the south, by Dowgate, and part of Bridge ward; on the west, by Dowgate and Wallbrook; and on the north, by Langbourn ward. It is but a small ward, consisting of about 286 houses; yet is divided into seven precincts. It is governed by an alderman, eight common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, seven constables, 13 inquest-men, seven scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from a street formerly inhabited chiefly by candle-wrights or candle-makers, both in tallow and wax; a very profitable business in the times of Popery, when incredible quantities of wax-candles were consumed in the churches. That street, however, or at least its name, Candlewick, is lost since the great conflagration, for which the name Canon-street is substituted, the candle-wrights being at that time burnt out and dispersed through the city.

10. Castle-Baynard ward is bounded by Queenhithe and Bread-street wards on the east; on the south, by the Thames; and on the west and north, by the ward of Farringdon-within. It is divided into 10 precincts, under the government of an alderman, 10 common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, nine constables, 14 inquest-men, seven scavengers, and a beadle. It takes its name from a castle built on the bank of the river by one Baynard, a soldier of fortune, who came in with William the Conqueror, and was by that monarch raised to great honours and authority.

11. Cheap ward is bounded on the east by Bread-street and Wallbrook wards; on the north, by Coleman-street, Baffilaw, and Cripplegate; and on the south, by Cordwainer's ward. It is divided into nine precincts; and is governed by an alderman, 12 common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, 11 constables, 13 inquest-men, nine scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from the Saxon word chepe, which signifies a market, kept in this division of the city, now called Cheapside; but then known by the name of Westcheap, to distinguish it from the market then also kept in Eastcheap, between Canon or Camillewick street and Tower-street.

12. Coleman-street ward is bounded on the east by Bishopsgate, Broadstreet, and Cheap wards; on the north, by Cripple-gate ward, Middle Moorfields, and Bishopsgate; on the south, by Cheap ward; and on the west, by Baffilaw ward. It is divided into six precincts; and is governed by an alderman, six common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, six constables, 13 inquest-men, six scavengers, and a beadle. The origin of the name is not certainly known.

13. Cordwainer's ward is bounded on the east by Wallbrook, on the south by Vintry ward, on the west by Bread-street, and on the north by Cheap ward. It is divided into eight precincts; and is governed by an alderman, eight common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, eight constables, 14 inquest-men, eight scavengers, and a beadle. Its proper name is Cordwainers-street ward; which it has from Cordwainers-street, now Bow-lane, formerly occupied chiefly by shoemakers and others that dealt or worked in leather.

14. Cornhill ward is but of small extent. It is bounded on the east by Bishopsgate, on the north by Broadstreet, on the west by Cheap ward, and on the south by Langbourn ward. It is divided into four precincts, which are governed by one alderman, six common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, four constables, 16 inquest-men, four scavengers, and a beadle. It takes its name from the principal street in it, known from the earliest ages by the name of Cornhill, because the corn-market was kept there.

15. Cripple-gate ward is bounded on the east by Moorfields, Coleman-street ward, Baffilaw ward, and Cheap ward; on the north, by the parish of St Luke's, Old-street; on the west, by Aldergate ward; and on the south, by Cheap ward. It is divided into 13 precincts, nine within and four without the wall; and is governed by an alderman, 12 common-council men, of whom two are the alderman's deputies, 13 constables, 34 inquest-men, 16 scavengers, and three beadle. It takes takes its name from Cripplegate, which stood on the north-west part of the city wall. It was an old plain structure, void of all ornament, with one postern; but had more the appearance of a fortification than any of the other gates. It was removed in order to widen the entrance into Wood-street, which, by the narrowness of the gateway was too much contracted and rendered dangerous for passengers and great wagons.

16. Dowgate ward is bounded on the east by Candlewick and Bridge wards, on the north by Wallbrook ward, on the west by Vintry ward, and on the south by the Thames. It is divided into eight precincts, under the government of an alderman, eight common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, eight constables, 15 inquest-men, five scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from the ancient water-gate, called Dowgate, which was made in the original wall that ran along the north-side of the Thames, for the security of the city against all attempts to invade it by water.

17. Farringdon-within is bounded on the east by Cheap ward and Baynard-castle ward; on the north, by Aldergate and Cripplegate wards, and the liberty of St Martin's le Grand; on the west, by Farringdon-without; and on the south, by Baynard-castle ward, and the river Thames. It is divided into 18 precincts; and governed by one alderman, 17 common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, 19 constables, 17 inquest-men, 19 scavengers, and two beadles. It takes its name from William Farringdon citizen and goldsmith of London, who, in 1279, purchased all the aldermanry with the appurtenances, within the city of London and suburbs of the same, between Ludgate and Newgate, and also without these gates.

18. Farringdon-without is bounded on the east by Farringdon-within, the precinct of the late priory of St Bartholomew near Smithfield, and the ward of Aldergate; on the north, by the charter-house, the parish of St John's Clerkenwell, and part of St Andrew's parish without the freedom; on the west, by High Holborn, and St Clement's parish in the Strand; and on the south, by the river Thames. It is governed by one alderman, 16 common-council men, of whom two are the alderman's deputies, 23 constables, 48 inquest-men; 24 scavengers; and four beadles. It takes its name from the same goldsmith who gave name to Farringdon-within.

19. Langbourn ward is bounded on the east by Aldgate ward; on the north, by part of the same, and Limefreet ward; on the south, by Tower-street, Bishopsgate, Bridge, and Candlewick wards; and on the west by Wall brook. It is divided into 12 precincts. It had its name from a rivulet or long bourn of freshwater, which anciently flowed from a spring near Magpye alley adjoining to St Catherine Coleman's church.

20. Limefreet ward is bounded on the east and north by Aldgate ward, on the west by Bishopsgate; and on the south by Longbourn ward. It is divided into four precincts; and governed by an alderman, four common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, four constables, 13 inquest-men, four scavengers, and a beadle. It is very small; and has its name from some lime-kilns that were formerly built in or near Lime-freet.

21. Portfoken ward is bounded on the east by the parishes of Spitalfields, Stepney, and St George's in the east; on the south, by Tower hill; on the north, by Bishopsgate ward, and on the west by Aldgate ward. It is divided into five precincts; and is governed by an alderman, five common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, five constables, 19 inquest-men, five scavengers, and a beadle. Its name signifies the franchise of the liberty gate. This Portfoken was for some time a guild; and had its beginning in king Edgar, when 13 knights, " well-beloved of the king and realm, for services by them done," requested to have a certain portion of land on the east part of the city, left desolate and forsaken of the inhabitants by reason of too much fervitude. They besought the king to have this land, with the liberty of a guild for ever. The king granted their request on the following conditions, viz., that each of them should victoriously accomplish three combats, one above the ground, one underground, and the third in the water; and after this, at a certain day, in East Smithfield, they should run with spears against all comers. All this was gloriously performed; upon which the king named it Knighten Guild, and extended it from Aldgate to the places where the bars now are on the east, and to the Thames on the south, and as far into the water as an horseman could ride at low water and throw his spear.

22. Queen-hithe ward is bounded on the east by Dowgate, on the north by Bread-street and Cordwainer's wards, on the south by the Thames, and on the west by Calle-Baynard ward. It is divided into nine precincts; and is governed by one alderman, six common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, and nine constables. It has its name from the hithe, or harbour for large boats, barges, and lighters; for which, and even for ships, it was the anchoring place, and the key for lading and unloading vessels almost of any burden used in ancient times. It has the name of queen, because the queens of England usually possessed the tolls and customs of vessels that unloaded goods at this hithe, which were very considerable.

23. Tower ward, or Tower-street ward, is bounded on the south by the river Thames, on the east by Tower-hill and Aldgate ward, on the north by Longbourn ward, and on the west by Billingsgate ward. It is governed by one alderman, 12 common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, 12 constables, 13 inquest-men, 12 scavengers, and one beadle. It takes its name from Tower-street, so called because it leads out of the city in a direct line to the principal entrance of the Tower of London.

24. Vintry ward is bounded on the east by Dowgate, on the south by the Thames, on the west by Queen-hithe ward, and on the north by Cordwainer's ward. It is a small ward, containing only 418 houses; but is divided into nine precincts, and governed by an alderman, nine common-council men, one of whom is the alderman's deputy, nine constables, 13 inquest-men, three scavengers, and a beadle. It takes its name from the vintners or wine-merchants of Bordeaux, who formerly dwelt in this part of the city, were obliged to land their wines on this spot, and to sell them in 40 days, till the 28th of Edward I. 25. Wall brook ward is bounded on the east by Longbourn, on the south by Dowgate ward, on the west by Cordwainers ward, and on the north by Cheap ward. It is small, containing only 306 houses; but is divided into seven precincts, and governed by an alderman, eight common-council men, of whom one is the alderman's deputy, seven constables, 13 inquest-men, six scavengers, and a beadle. It has its name from the rivulet Wall brook, that ran down the street of this name into the river Thames near Dowgate; but in process of time it was lost by covering it with bridges, and buildings upon those bridges, that its channel became a common sewer.

26. The ward of Bridge without includes the borough of Southwark, and the parishes of Rotherhithe, Newington, and Lambeth. It has its name from London bridge, with the addition of the word without, because the bridge must be passed in order to come at it. This borough was incorporated in 1327. At this time, the citizens finding themselves greatly infested by felons, thieves, and disturbers of the peace, who escaped to and took shelter in Southwark, petitioned king Edward III. and his parliament for a grant of jurisdiction over the said village of Southwark: and their petition appeared so just, that his majesty, with consent of his parliament, granted to the said citizens, for himself and his heirs, the said village of Southwark, with the appurtenances, to have and to hold, to them and their heirs and successors, citizens of the said city, of the crown for ever, paying at the exchequer the farms due and accustomed. This ward is governed in a manner similar to the others. However, the magistracy of London seem to have adopted this ward only as a sinecure for the senior alderman for the time being; and thus neglecting the interests of Southwark, the justices of the county of Surry at last encroached so far upon the rights of the city of London as to contend with the citizens concerning their jurisdiction within the borough.

Of the many public buildings worthy of notice about London, the following are selected as the most remarkable.

1. The Tower. This building was at first designed as a fortress, and most probably erected in the time of the Romans. It was enlarged and strengthened by William the Conqueror, who garrisoned it with some of his best Norman troops, in order to keep the city in awe. In 1079, he built an addition to it, called the White Tower, on account of the colour of the stones with which it was constructed: and this being much damaged by an hurricane in 1093, repairs became necessary; at which time a new foundation was laid for a castle under the south side of the white tower, which was cattellated round at a great expense, but not finished till the reign of Henry I. It is indeed perhaps the best chosen situation for a fortress of any in the world. It lies to the eastward of the city, but sufficiently near to preserve it from any invasion by water; being only 800 yards from the bridge; and to the north of the river Thames, from which it is parted by a narrow ditch and a convenient wharf. With the latter it communicates by a draw-bridge, for the ready raising and receiving ammunition and military stores. On this wharf there is a long and beautiful platform, on which are planted 61 pieces of cannon, mounted on new and very elegant iron-carriages. They are chiefly used on days of state and for proclaiming any good news to the public. Parallel to the wharf, within the walls, is a platform 70 yards in length, called the Ladies Line, because much frequented by the ladies in the summer; it being shaded in the inside with a row of lofty trees, and without it is a delightful prospect of the shipping with boats passing and repassing on the river Thames. You ascend this line by stone steps, and being once upon it you may walk almost round the walls of the tower without interruption.

The principal entrance into the tower is by a gate to the well, large enough to admit coaches and heavy carriages; but these are first admitted through an outward gate, situated without the ditch upon the hill, and must pass a stout stone bridge built over the ditch before they can approach the main entrance. There is, besides, an entrance near the very south-west corner of the Tower outward wall, for persons on foot, over the draw-bridge already mentioned, to the wharf. There is also a water-gate, commonly called Traitor's gate, through which it has been customary to convey traitors and other state-prisoners to or from the Tower, and which is seldom opened on any other occasion; but the lords committed to the Tower in 1746 were publicly admitted at the main entrance. Over this gate is a regular building, terminated at each end by two round towers, on which are embrasures for pointing cannon. In this building there are the infirmary, the mill, and the water-works that supply the tower with water.

The white tower is a large square irregular building, situated almost in the centre, no one side answering to another; nor are any of its watch-towers, of which there are four that ornament the top, built alike: one of these towers is now converted into an observatory, and seems very well situated for the purpose. The building itself consists of three very lofty stories; under which are most spacious and commodious vaults, chiefly filled with salt-petre. It is covered at top with flat leads, from whence there is an extensive and delightful prospect. For a more particular description of the tower and the curiosities contained in it, see the article Tower of London.

2. The Royal Exchange was founded in the year 1566. Sir Thomas Gresham, merchant in London, made an offer to the lord mayor and citizens, to build at his own expense, a commodious edifice for merchants to meet and transact business, provided the city would find him a convenient situation for the same. The citizens accordingly purchased, for the sum of £332 l. 8o houses in the two alleys called New St Christopher's, and Swan-alley, leading out of Cornhill into Threadneedle street. The materials of those houses were sold for £78 l. and the ground, when cleared, was conveyed to Sir Thomas Gresham, who, accompanied by several aldermen, laid the first brick of the new building on the 7th of June that year. Each alderman also laid his brick, and left a piece of gold for the workmen; who set about it with such fidelity and resolution, that the whole fabric was roofed by the month of November 1567, and was soon after completed under the name of the Burse. Sir Thomas, by his will dated the 26th of November 1579, devised this stately fabric to the mayor and citizens of London and the company of mercers, to be equally enjoyed and possessed by them, with all its appurtenances and the profits arising therefrom. London, by condition that the citizens out of their moiety should pay a salary of £50 per annum each to four lecturers, to read lectures in divinity, astronomy, music, and geometry, in his mansion-house, viz., Gresham-college; and to pay £61. 13s. 4d. per annum each, to eight alms-people, situate behind the said college, in Breadloafreet; and £10 yearly to each of the prisons of Newgate, Ludgate, King's-bench, Marshalsea, and Woodstreet Compter: And that the merchants out of their moiety should pay £50 each per annum, to three lecturers to read lectures in law, physic, and rhetoric, in his mansion-house; and £100 per annum for four quarterly dinners at their own hall, for the entertainment of the whole company; and £10 yearly to Christ's, St. Bartholomew's, Bethlehem, and St Thomas's hospitals. The same sum was also to be paid annually to the Spital, and to the Poultry Compter. This building was totally destroyed by the fire in 1666; and in its place the present magnificent structure was erected at the expense of £80,000, which stands upon a plat of ground 203 feet in length and 171 in breadth, containing an area in the middle, of 61 square perches, surrounded with a substantial and regular stone building, wrought in rustic. It has two fronts, north and south, each of which is a piazza; and in the centre are the grand entrances into the area, under a very lofty and noble arch. The south front in Cornhill is the principal; on each side of which are Corinthian demi-columns, supporting a compass pediment; and, in the intercolumniation on each side, in the front next the street, is a niche, with the statues of king Charles I. and II. in Roman habits, and well executed. Over the aperture, on the cornice between the two pediments, are the king's arms in relievo: on each side of this entrance is a range of windows placed between demi-columns, and pilasters of the composite order, above which runs a balustrade. This building is 56 feet high: and from the centre, in this front, rises a lanthorn and turret 178 feet high, on the top of which is a fan of gilt brass made in the shape of a grasshopper, the crest of Sir Thomas Gresham's arms. The north front in Threadneedle-street is adorned with pilasters of the composite order; but has neither columns nor statues on the outside; and has a triangular, instead of compass, pediments. The inside of the area is also surrounded with piazzas, forming ambulatories for merchants, &c., to shelter themselves from the weather, when met thereupon buffets. Above the arches of this piazza is an entablature with curious ornaments; and on the cornice a range of pilasters with an entablature extending round, and a compass pediment in the middle of the cornice of each of the four sides. Under the pediment on the north side are the king's arms; on the south, the city's arms; on the east, Sir Thomas Gresham's arms; and on the west, the mercer's arms, with their respective enrichments. In these intercolumns are 24 niches, 20 of which are filled with the statues of the kings and queens of England. Under these piazzas, within the area, are 28 niches, all vacant but that in which Sir Thomas Gresham's statue is placed in the north-west angle, and that in the south-west, where the statue of Sir John Barnard was placed in his lifetime by his fellow-citizens to express their sense of his merit. The centre of this area also is ornamented with a statue of king Charles II., in a Roman habit, standing upon a marble pedestal about eight feet high, and encompassed with iron rails; which pedestal is enriched on the south side with an imperial crown, a sceptre, sword, palm-branches, and other decorations, with a very flattering inscription to the king. On the west side is a cupid cut in relievo, resting his right hand on a shield with the arms of France and England quartered, and holding a rose in his left hand. On the north side is another cupid supporting a shield with the arms of Ireland; and on the east-side are the arms of Scotland, with a cupid holding a thistle; all done in relievo: the whole executed by that able statuary Mr Gibbon.

In this area, merchants, and such as have business with them, meet every day between twelve at noon and three in the afternoon: and for the more regular and readier dispatch of business, they dispose of themselves into separate walks, according to the following plan.

North.

Threadneedle-street.

| East country walk. | Irish walk. | Scotch walk. | Dutch and Jewellers. | |-------------------|------------|-------------|---------------------| | Clothiers walk. | Hamburgh walk. | Salters walk. | Armenian walk. | | Silkmens walk. | Grocers and Druggists walk. | Brokers of Stock, &c. walk. | Sweeting's alley. | | Turkey walk. | | Italian walk. | Portugal walk. | | Virginia walk. | Jamaica walk. | Spanish walk. | Jews walk. |

South.

Cornhill. In building this expensive structure there was an eye not only to magnificence, and to accommodate the merchants, but also to reimburse the expense. For this reason a gallery was built over the four sides of the royal exchange. This was divided into 200 shops, which were let out to haberdashers, milliners, &c., and which for several years were well occupied. But these shops have now for a long time been deserted, and the galleries are let out to the Royal Exchange assurance office, the merchant-seamen's office, the Marine society, and to auctioneers, &c. Under the whole area there are the finest dry vaults that can be found anywhere, which are let out to the East India company to deposit their pepper. In the turret is a good clock with four dials, which is well regulated every day, so that it becomes a standard of time to all the mercantile part of the town; and it goes with chimes at three, six, nine, and twelve o'clock, playing upon twelve bells. The outside of this grand fabric suffers very much in its elegance from the shops that surround it, and are built within its walls; and which are occupied by bookellers, toymen, cutlers, hosiers, watchmakers, &c.

3. St Paul's cathedral is said by some to have been founded on that very spot where formerly stood a temple dedicated to the heathen goddess Diana. This, however, is refuted by Mr Entick, "Because (says he) there must have been found ox-skulls, horns of flags, and tusks of boars, used in sacrifices to that goddess, in the earth about her temple. But Sir Christopher Wren, who had more opportunity than any other person to discover the bowels of the earth, in digging the foundation of St Paul's as it now stands, declares that he found no indications to support such a tradition: but adds, that it was manifest the north side of this ground had been anciently a great burying-place; because he found, under the graves of the latter ages, in a row below them, the burial-places of the Saxon people, who were accustomed to line their graves with chalkstones, or to be buried in coffins hewn out of the solid stone; and, in a row below the Saxons, he met with British graves. In these last were found ivory and wooden pins, the latter made of box or other hard wood, about six inches long, and in great numbers, which were used to pin up the corpse in a woollen shroud. And in the same row, but deeper, were Roman urns intermixed: this burial-place was upwards of 18 feet deep, and belonged to the colony of London, when the Romans and Britons lived together. The surveyor's curiosity led him deeper; and upon searching for the natural ground below these graves, he discovered that the foundation of the old church stood upon a layer of very close and hard pot-earth. Then he dug wells in different places; and found that this pot-earth on the north-side of the church-yard was about six feet thick or more, but thinner and thinner towards the south, till it decreased to scarce four feet at the declining of the hill, under which he found nothing but dry sand, mixed sometimes unequally, but loose, so that it would run through the fingers. Thence he dug down to the level of low-water-mark; where he met with water and sand, mixed with periwinkles and other sea-shells. He continued boring; till he first came to a hard beach, and under that to the natural hard clay, upon which the city, country, and river of Thames, are founded:

whence he drew this inference, That the sea, or current of the river, had been where now the hill is, on which the cathedral of St Paul's stands. For which Sir Christopher accounted in this manner: "The whole country between Camberwell hill and the hills of Essex, (says he,) might have been a great frith or finn of the sea, and much wider near the mouth of the Thames; which made a large plain of land at low-water, through which the river found its way: but at low-water, in the summer-season, when the sun dried the surface of the land, and strong wind happened at the same time, before the flood came on, the lands would dry with the winds, and raise heaps, which in time increased to large and lofty sand-hills, such as those raised in the same manner on the coasts of France and Flanders. For lands are known, upon a conjunction of sunshine and wind, to drive into visible clouds; and this might be the effect many ages before history, without having recourse to the flood. The sand hill at St Paul's, in the time of the Roman colony, was about 12 feet lower than the present surface thereof; and the river-sand, easily driven with the wind, lay uppermost, and the hard coat of the earth might be thus made. For, pot-earth dissolved in water, and viewed by a microscope, is but impalpable sand, which with the fire will vitrify."

The cathedral was finished in a very magnificent manner about the year 610, in the reign of Ethelbert king of Kent. It is, however, supposed to have been at first built only of wood; for it was accidentally burnt in 961, and re-built again the same year. A similar disaster befell it in the year 1086, when a considerable part of the city shared the same fate. However, such was the activity of Maurice bishop of London, and such the devotion of the people to the apostle Paul, that the cathedral was rebuilt in a much more magnificent manner than any structure applied to the purposes of devotion had ever been in England before. Maurice obtained a grant of the materials found in the ruins of a tower, called the great palatine tower, near Fleet-ditch, which had been burnt down at the same time, to help forward St Paul's. But the good bishop had planned this cathedral so extensively, that he was obliged to leave the finishing of it to posterity; though he prosecuted the work with the greatest diligence for 20 years. It was not fully completed till the year 1240, under the reign of Henry III. In 1444, the wooden part of the steeple was consumed by lightning. A misfortune of the same nature happened to it in 1561. The lightning struck the steeple within a yard of the weather-cock. A small light, like a torch, appeared at that place, which increased with such rapidity, that in a quarter of an hour the weather-cock fell down. The wind rising high at the same time, the whole steeple was burnt down to the battlements in an hour's time. The falling of the burning timber-work soon set fire to that which supported the bells, which by the vehemence of the conflagration were melted, and at the same time the roofs of the cathedral taking fire, the whole fabric was ruined.

After this conflagration, there was a general contribution among the clergy, nobility, great officers of state, the city of London, and queen Elizabeth herself, who gave 1000 merks of gold towards its speedy repair, with a warrant for 1000 loads of timber to be ent in any of her woods; and the real shewn on this occasion, by persons of all ranks, had so good an effect, that in five years time, the timber roofs (the two largest whereof were framed in Yorkshire and brought from thence by sea) were entirely finished and covered with lead. But some difference in opinion arising about the model of the fleepole, that part of the work was left unattempted, and never afterwards rebuilt: for, upon raising the roofs, the walls, by the corroding quality of the coal-smoke, were found to be so much decayed, that a general repair of the whole building was judged absolutely necessary; and though this was delayed from time to time, yet by the indefatigable application of Henry Farley, a private gentleman, king James came to this resolution, to undertake the arduous task of repairing the cathedral. For this purpose it was agreed to issue a proclamation under the great seal, empowering several principal personages, or any six of them, to inquire into the true state of the decays, with the cause thereof, and to consider of the necessary repairs, and the means of raising money for carrying them into execution. But it being afterwards found, that the ruin of the bishop, and of the principal dignitaries of the cathedral, was chiefly aimed at by the commissioners, the whole matter came at last to nothing. In the time of Charles I. however, between the years 1631 and 1643, no less than 101,330l. 4s. 8d. was laid out in repairing this cathedral. In 1643, the money, goods, and materials, bought or given for the repair of this cathedral, were seized by order of the parliament, and the body of the church was afterwards converted into horse-quarters for soldiers; a part of the building towards the east being partitioned off by a brick-wall, in the year 1649, for a preaching-place. In 1660, this was made the choir, and the other parts of the church were repaired, when the whole was destroyed by the great fire in 1666. So vehement was the heat at that time, that the stones of the walls were splintered, and came off in great flakes; so that, instead of being repaired, this magnificent cathedral now required to be rebuilt from the foundation. Immediate attention was paid to this by the king and parliament; a tax was laid upon coals for the purpose; and it was rebuilt in such a manner, as to be excelled for its architecture by no structure in the world.

The old church was 690 feet long, and 130 broad; the height of the roof of the west part from the floor being 102 feet, that of the east only 88, and that of the body 150 feet. The height of the tower was 260 feet; from whence rose a wooden spire, covered with lead, 274 feet in height. On the top of this was a ball capable of holding ten bushels of corn; and upon that ball was a cross 15 feet high, whose traverse measured six feet. This fabric covered three acres and a half, one rood and a half, and six perches, of ground. Its ornaments exceeded those of every church in the kingdom. The chapels, chantries, monuments, inscriptions, anniversaries, and all other structures in and about the old church, are largely treated of in Dugdale's history of this cathedral.

It being resolved to erect a new cathedral, which should equal, if not exceed the magnificence of the old fabric, letters patent were issued under the great seal, authorising commissioners to give directions, and to manage that work; and appointing Sir Christopher Wren, surveyor-general of all his majesty's works, to prepare a suitable design for the fabric; and king Charles II. was graciously pleased to give 1000l. per annum out of his privy purse, for carrying it on. Sir Christopher endeavoured to gratify the connoisseurs with a design antique and well-studied, conformable to the best style of the Greek and Roman architecture. Of this design he caused a curious large model to be made of wood, accurately wrought, with all its proper ornaments, and presented it to his majesty; but, the bishops not approving it, as not being enough of a cathedral fashion, the surveyor was ordered to amend it; and at length produced the scheme of the present structure, which was honoured with his majesty's approbation. The surveyor, however, set a higher value on the first design than on any other he ever drew. It was only of one order, viz. the Corinthian, like St Peter's at Rome; and the author of his life assures us, that he would have put it in execution with more cheerfulness than that which was afterwards erected.—This original model is still preserved in the cathedral, and may be seen at a small expense.

The work was begun in 1675, and finished in 1710, at the expence of 736,752l. 2s. 3d. according to Mr Entick; of 800,000l. according to others; and of more than a million, according to Smollet. It hath three grand porticoes, supported by fluted columns, on the north, south, and west sides; the nave and choir are paved with marble, and the altar with porphyry finely polished. The dome is painted by Sir James Thornhill, with the history of St Paul's conversion; and has on its vertex a neat balcony; and above that a beautiful stone lantern near 70 feet high, with a ball and fine gilt cros at top. The church is built of Portland stone, in form of a cross, in imitation of St Peter's at Rome.

The length of the cathedral from east to west is 500 feet within the walls; the breadth, from north to south within the doors of the porticoes, 223 feet; at the entrance, 100 feet; its circuit, 2292 feet; its height within, 110 feet; to the gallery of the dome, 208 feet; to the upper gallery 276; the diameter of the dome 108 feet; from thence to the top of the cross, 64 feet; of the cross from the ball, 30 feet; the diameter of the ball, fix feet; the diameter of the columns of the porticoes four feet; their height 48 feet; to the top of the west pediment under the figure of St Paul, 120 feet; of the towers at the west front 280 feet; and the extent of the ground-plot whereon it stands, two acres, 16 perches, 23 yards, one foot. This vast fabric is surrounded at a proper distance with strong iron palisadoes, in number about 2500; and in the area of the grand west front, on a pedestal of excellent workmanship, stands a statue of queen Anne, with proper decorations. The figures on the base represent Britannia with her spear, Gallia with a crown in her lap, Hibernia with her harp, and America with her bow; all the workmanship of the same ingenious artist. The following are the dimensions of the old cathedral compared with the new and with the church of St Peter's at Rome. The Gothic arches and side aisles are supported by 48 pillars of grey marble, each composed of clusters of very slender ones, and covered with ornaments. The grand entrance into the choir is by a pair of fine iron gates, on each side of which is a very magnificent tomb. The floor is paved with the handsomest blue and white marble. The stalls are covered with Gothic acute arches, supported by small iron pillars, and painted purple. At the east end is the altar, made of a beautiful piece of marble, the gift of queen Anne, inclosed by a curious balustrade, and upon a pavement of porphyry, jasper, Lydian, and serpentine stones, laid in the Mosaic style, at the expense of abbot Ware, A.D. 1272; and is said to be one of the most beautiful of its kind in the world.

On each side of this altar a door opens into St Edward's chapel; round which are ten other chapels, ranging from the north to the south cross aisle, and are dedicated, 1. To St Andrew. 2. To St Michael. 3. To St John Evangelist. 4. Ilip's chapel. 5. To St John Baptist. 6. To St Paul. 7. Henry V.'s chapel. 8. To St Nicholas. 9. To St Edmund. 10. To St Benedict.

In St Edward's chapel are still to be seen the remains of his shrine; which, though now in obscurity, and robbed of all its riches and lustre, was once esteemed the glory of England, so far as art and riches could make it. Here are the tombs of king Edward I. and several other kings and queens of England; and here also is shown the famous chair in which the kings of Scotland used to be crowned at Scone. Henry V.'s chapel is divided from St Edward's by an iron screen, on each side of which are statues as big as life.—St Andrew's chapel, which is next the north cross, and the others which surround the choir, are crowded with the monuments of noble personages, worth the attention of the curious.—At the corner of St Benedict's chapel, an iron gate opens into the south cross aisle; which from the number of monuments erected therein to celebrated English poets, has obtained the name of the poets corner: though here we find a most magnificent monument erected at the south end in memory of the late John duke of Argyle and Greenwich; another to William Camden the antiquarian; and others to the celebrated divine Dr Isaac Barrow, to Thomas Parr who died at the age of 152 years, &c.

The south aisle is adorned with 19 curious monuments of the pious, the brave, and the learned. Amongst whom, next the entrance at the west end, is a noble monument, erected by order of parliament, in honour of the brave captain Cornwall. And turning northward from the west door, we view 48 more monuments worthy of notice.

On the east of the abbey, and which, though separate from the other chapels in the choir, seems to be one and the same building with the abbey, stands the chapel of king Henry VII., which that king founded in the year 1502, and was at that time styled the wonder of the world, and is now one of the most expensive remains of the ancient English taste and magnificence. There is no looking upon it without admiration: it conveys an idea of the fine taste of Gothic architecture in that age: and the inside is so noble, majestic, and of such curious workmanship, that it would take a volume to describe each part with justice and propriety. Its original intention was to be a dormitory for the royal blood; and so far the will of the founder has been observed, that none have been interred therein, but such as have traced their descent from ancient kings. The tomb of king Henry VII. is most magnificent, inclosed with a screen of cast brass, most admirably designed, and as well executed. Within the rails are the figures of that king and his royal consort, in their robes of state, on a tomb of black marble: and at the head of this tomb lie the remains of Edward VI.

In different parts of this chapel are the monuments of Lewis Stuart duke of Richmond, George Villars duke of Buckingham, John Sheffield duke of Buckingham, Charles Montague marquis of Halifax, Edward V. and his brother Richard; the vault of James I. and his queen Anne, and daughter Mary, on which is a small tomb adorned with the figure of a child; a lofty monument of queen Elizabeth, and another of Mary queen of Scots; the monuments for Margaret Douglas, daughter of Margaret queen of Scots, Margaret countess of Richmond mother to Henry VII. the vault of king Charles II. and William III. queen Mary his consort, queen Anne and prince George. Over these royal personages are their effigies (except that of prince George) in wainscot preses, made of wax to resemble life, and dressed in their coronation robes. And at the corner of the great east window, in another wainscot press, stands the effigy of Mary duchess of Richmond, daughter to James duke of Richmond and Lenox, dressed in the very robes she wore at the coronation of queen Anne. On leaving the aisle, you are shewn another press, containing the effigy of general Monk, who, on account of his loyalty, and part he took in the restoration of king Charles II. had a vault appropriated to him and his family, amongst the royal blood. It only remains to observe, that the royal family of the house of Hanover are interred in a vault under the centre of this chapel; without any monumental inscription or ornaments.

5. Westminster-hall, built by William Rufus, as an addition to the palace of Westminster, was rebuilt, A.D. 1397, by king Richard II. with additional apartments on the east and west sides, and called the new palace, to distinguish it from the old palace, where the house of lords and commons now assemble. The front of this hall is narrow, built with stone in the Gothic taste, with a tower on each side the entrance, adorned with much carved work. The part called the hall, is supposed to be the largest room in Europe not supported by pillars, being 270 feet long, and 74 broad. It is a regular Gothic structure. In this hall we find the high courts of equity and justice; the high court of chancery at the north-west corner, and the court of king's bench at the south-west corner: about the middle on the north-side is the court of common-pleas; and at the north-east corner is his majesty's court of exchequer.

In the south-west angle of new palace-yard stands the exchequer, or the office of the receipt of his majesty's exchequer: a plain old building of wood and plaster, where the king's revenue is received and disbursed: and to which belong the several offices called the pipe-office in Gray's inn, foreign officers' office and king's remembrancer's office in the Temple; clerk of the pleas office, in Lincoln's-inn, &c.

Behind, to the westward of Westminster-hall and the exchequer, we come to the seat of judicature, the house of commons and the house of lords.

The house of commons, composed of the representatives of the people, and elected by them for counties, cities, and boroughs, sit upon national affairs in St Stephen's chapel, at the south-west angle of Westminster-hall, built originally by king Stephen; and has been appropriated to its present use ever since the reign of king Edward VI. and now called the house of commons; to which there is a communication and an ascent from Westminster-hall, by a dark entry and a grand flight of stone stairs.

From hence passing through a kind of hall paved with stone, called the court of request, used chiefly by those who attend the parliament to walk in, we come, on the left hand, into the house of Lords, a spacious lofty room, well disposed for the conveniency of the peers of the realm, who sit there upon national affairs, and concur with the commons in making laws to be signed by the sovereign upon the throne, and hung with tapestry representing the defeat of the Spanish armada.

6. Guild-hall stands at the north end of King-street. In it the nine courts of the city are kept, viz. 1. The court of common-council. 2. The court of the lord-mayor, and his brethren the aldermen. 3. The court of hustings. 4. The court of orphans. 5. The two courts of the sheriffs. 6. The court of the wardmote. 7. The court of hallmote. 8. The court of request, commonly called the court of conscience. 9. The chamberlain's court for binding apprentices, and making them free.

The guildhall stood formerly in or near Aldermanbury, or Aldermen-court, from which situation of this hall the street is said to take its denomination, and consequently the hall must have been founded before the year 1189; for then we find this street to have had that name. And it is not unlikely that Edward the Confessor, who began to reign in 1042, had a considerable share in the first foundation, his arms being in several places of this present hall: "Which (Robert Fabian faith) was begun to be new-built in the year 1411, the 12th of Henry IV. by Thomas Knowles, then mayor, and by his brethren the aldermen. The same was made, of a little cottage, a large and great house, as it now stands. Towards the charge whereof the companies gave great benevolences. Also offences of men were pardoned for sums of money towards this work; and extraordinary fees were raised, fines, amercements, and other things employed, during seven years, and a continuation thereof three years more; all to be employed to this building."

This stately hall being much damaged by the unhappy conflagration of the city in the year 1666, was restored anno 1679, and extremely well beautified and repaired both in and out-side, which cost about 2500l. The portico is adorned with a stately Gothic front-piece, enriched with the king's arms under a cornice, pediment, and vase, and between two cartouches and the city-supporters, on acroteries, and these between two other vases, under which are niches; and in the middle of this front are depenciled in gold these words:

Reparata & ornata Thoma Ralston, milit. Maior, An. Dom. MDCCVI. London. Above the balcony are the figures of Moses and Aaron; on the sides beneath, are the four cardinal virtues, over the aperture; and below the balcony are depicted the arms of the 24 companies.

The roof of the inside is flat, divided into panels; the walls on the north and south sides are adorned with four Gothic demi-pillars, painted white, and veined with blue, and the capitals gilt with gold, upon which are the royal arms, and those of Edward the Confessor. Going up nine or ten steps to the mayor's court, on each side, at some height, are two giants of an enormous size, the one holding a pole ax, the other an halbert; supposed by Mr Strype to be an ancient Briton and a Saxon.

Between these, and over the steps and aperture leading to the mayor's court, is a balcony, supported at each end by four iron pillars in the form of palm trees, which compose something like two arbours: under these are the following large capital letters, S. P. Q. L., i.e. Senatus Populique Londinensis.

Round the hall, on 14 demi-pillars above the capitals, are the king's arms on the north-eastward, and the arms of London on the south-eastward pillar; and westward from thence are the arms of the 12 companies; at the east end are the king's arms between the portraits, finely painted, of their late majesties king George II. and queen Caroline: close by the first is the picture of queen Anne, at the foot of an anabathrum, under a rich canopy; by the latter, his late majesty king George I. and at the same end of the hall, but on the north and south sides, the pictures of king William III. and queen Mary, fronting each other. The intercolumns are painted in imitation of porphyry, and embellished with the pictures, in full proportion, of 18 judges, which were there put up by the city in gratitude for their signal services done in determining differences between landlord and tenant (without the expense of law-suits), in rebuilding the city, pursuant to an act of parliament, after the fire in 1666.

This hall is in length 153 feet, breadth 48, and altitude within 55. It is used by the city for the session of the several courts of judicature before named; for feasting our kings, queens, and other potentates, foreign ministers, &c.; and lastly, for choosing the lord-mayors, sheriffs, members of parliament, &c. it being capacious enough to contain 7000 persons.

7. The college of physicians stands on the west side of Warwick-lane in Farringdon-ward without. It is a most noble edifice of brick and stone. The entrance is grand, under an octagonal theatre, finishing in a dome, with a cone at the top making a lanthorn to it. The inside is elegant, finely enlightened, and very capacious; designed by Sir Christopher Wren. The central building, which contains the library and other rooms of state and convenience, was the design of Inigo Jones. The ascent to the door is by a flight of steps, and in the under part is a casement story. On one side, over the door-case, is the statue of king Charles II. in a niche; on the other side, the statue of Sir John Cutler. The whole front is decorated with pilasters of the Ionic and Corinthian orders. The buildings at the two sides of the court are uniform, with window-cases handsomely ornamented. Within is a great hall for the quarterly meetings of the doctors, adorned with pictures and sculpture; a theatre for anatomical dissection; a preparing room, where there are 13 tables, containing all the muscles, &c. of the human body; a library well furnished with books; a committee-room; a hall in which the physicians sit to give advice gratis to the poor; besides the different apartments for the servants, officers, &c.

The physicians were incorporated in the 10th of Henry VIII. An account of their constitution and privileges is given under the article COLLEGE.

8. The British Museum, a magnificent building situated in Russell-Street, and containing an amazing number of curiosities, is described under the article MUSEUM.

9. Ranelagh Gardens are one of those public places of pleasure about this metropolis, which are not to be equalled in any part of Europe. The gardens themselves are very beautiful; but the amphitheatre is much more to be admired. It is a circular building, whose external diameter is 185 feet. Round the whole is an arcade; over that, a gallery and balustrade, (to admit the company into the upper-boxes,) except where the entrances break the continuity; and over this are the windows and roof. The internal diameter is 150 feet; and the architecture of the inside corresponds with the outside, except that over every column, between the windows, termini support the roof. In the middle of the area is a chimney with four faces, which makes it warm and comfortable in cold weather. The orchestra fills up the place which was originally one of the entrances. The orchestra then flood on the centre, where the chimney is at present. The entertainment consists of a fine band of music, with an organ, and some of the best voices: and the regale is tea and coffee, included in the money paid for entrance.

10. Vauxhall Gardens, which take their name from the village of Vauxhall, about two miles from London bridge, in the parish of Lambeth and county of Surrey, are also celebrated all over Europe for the entertainments they afford. A noble gravel-walk, of about 900 feet in length, planted on each side with very lofty trees, which form a fine vista, leads from the great gate, and is terminated by a landscape of the country, a beautiful lawn of meadow-ground, and a grand Gothic obelisk. At the corners of the obelisk are painted a number of slaves chained, and over them this inscription:

SPECTATOR FASTIDIOSUS SIBI MOLESTUS.

To the right of this walk, and a few steps within the garden, is a square, which, from the number of trees planted in it, is called the grove; in the middle of it is a magnificent orchestra of Gothic construction, ornamented with carvings and niches, the dome of which is surmounted with a plume of feathers, the crest of the prince of Wales. In fine weather, the musical entertainments are performed here. At the upper extremity of this orchestra a very fine organ is erected; and at the foot of it are the seats and desks for the musicians, placed in a semicircular form, leaving a vacancy at the front for the vocal performers. The concert is opened with instrumental music at five o'clock; which having continued about half an hour, the company are entertained with a song; and in this manner several other songs are performed, with quartets and and concertos between each, till the close of the entertainment, which is generally about 10 o'clock. A curious piece of machinery is exhibited about 9 o'clock, in a hollow on the left hand, about half-way up the walk already described, representing a beautiful landscape in perspective, with a miller's house, a watermill, and a cascade. The grove is illuminated in the evening with about 1500 glass lamps; in the front of the orchestra they are contrived to form three triumphal arches, and are all lighted, as it were, in a moment. In cold or rainy weather, the musical performance is in a rotunda 70 feet in diameter, on the left side of the entrance into the gardens, nearly opposite to the orchestra. Along the front, next the grove, is a piazza formed by a range of pillars, under which is the entrance from the grove. The front of the ceiling is supported by four columns of the Ionic order, embellished with foliage from the base a considerable way upwards; and the remaining part of the shaft, to the capital, is finely wreathed with a Gothic balustrade, where boys are represented ascending it. In the centre hangs a magnificent chandelier, 11 feet in diameter, containing 72 lamps in three rows. The top is a dome, fluted on the outside, and painted within like a shell. The roof is so contrived, that sounds never vibrate under it. A part of the rotunda is laid open for receiving a saloon; and its entrance here is formed and decorated with columns like those in the front of the orchestra. In the roof, which is arched and elliptic, are two little cupolas in a peculiar taste, and adorned with painting; and in the summit of each is a sky-light, divided into 10 compartments, with frames in the Gothic style. Above each cupola is an arch divided into compartments; from the centre of each of which, depends a large chandelier, in the form of a basket of flowers. Adjoining to the walls are 10 three-quarter columns. Between these columns are four paintings by Hayman, on subjects of British glory.

The entrance into this saloon from the gardens is through a Gothic portal. The pavilions or alcoves are ornamented with paintings from the designs of Mr Hayman and Mr Hogarth, on subjects adapted to the place; and each pavilion has a table in it large enough for six or eight persons. The pavilions continue in a sweep, which leads to a beautiful piazza, and a colonnade 500 feet in length, in the form of a semicircle, of Gothic architecture, embellished with rays. This semicircle leads to a sweep of pavilions that terminate in the great walk. Near the centre of the gardens is a crois gravel-walk formed by stately trees on each side. On the right hand, it is terminated by the trees which shade the lover's walk; and at the extremity on the left, is a beautiful landscape painting of ruins and running water. At each end of another walk is a beautiful painting; one is a building, with a scaffold and a ladder before it, which has often deceived the eye; the other is a view in a Chinese garden. The principal part of all those walks forms the boundaries of wilderness composed of trees which shoot to a great height, and are all inclosed with an espalier in the Chinese taste.

11. The Monument is a great fluted pillar, of the Doric order, erected in memory of the conflagration in 1666. It is situated on the east side of Fifth-street hill, facing Crooked-lane. It was begun by Sir Christopher Wren in 1671, and finished by him in 1677. Its height from the pavement is 202 feet; the diameter of the shaft, or body of the column, is 15 feet; the ground-plinth, or lowest part of the pedestal, is 28 feet square; and the pedestal is 40 feet high. Over the capital is an iron balcony encompassing a cone 32 feet high, which supports a blazing urn of gilt brass. Within is a large stair-case of black marble, containing 345 steps, each 10 inches and a half broad, and six inches thick. The west side is adorned with a curious emblem in alt-relief, denoting the destruction and restoration of the city. The first female figure represents London sitting in ruins, in a languishing posture, with her head dejected, her hair dishevelled, and her hand carelessly lying on her sword. Behind is Time, gradually raising her up; at her side is a woman touching her with one hand, whilst a winged sceptre in the other directs her to regard the goddesses in the clouds; one with a cornucopia, denoting Plenty; the other with a palm branch, the emblem of Peace. At her feet is a bee-hive, shewing, that by industry and application the greatest misfortunes are to be overcome. Behind the figure of Time are citizens exulting at his endeavours to restore her; and beneath, in the midst of the ruins, is a dragon, who, as the supporter of the city-arms, with his paw endeavours to preserve the same. Opposite to the city, on an elevated pavement, stands the king, in a Roman habit, with a laurel on his head, and a truncheon in his hand; and approaching her, commands three of his attendants to defend her relief. The first represents the Sciences, with a winged head, and circle of naked boys dancing thereon; and holding Nature in her hand, with her numerous breasts, ready to give assistance to all. The second is Architecture, with a plan in one hand, and a square and pair of compasses in the other; and the third is Liberty, waving a hat in the air, shewing her joy at the pleasing prospect of the city's speedy recovery. Behind the king stands his brother the duke of York, with a garland in one hand to crown the rising city, and a sword in the other for her defence. The two figures behind are Justice and Fortitude; the former with a coronet, and the latter with a reined lion; and under the royal pavement lies Envy, gnawing a heart, and incessantly emitting pestiferous fumes from her mouth. On the plinth the reconstruction of the city is represented by builders and labourers at work upon houses. On the north, south, and east sides, are inscriptions relating the destruction occasioned by the conflagration, the regulations about rebuilding the city, and erecting the monument; and round it is the following one:

"This pillar was set up in perpetual remembrance of the most dreadful burning of this Protestant city, begun and carried on by the treachery and malice of the Popish faction, in the beginning of September, in the year of our Lord 1666, in order to their carrying on their horrid plot for extirpating the Protestant religion and old English liberty, and introducing Popery and slavery."

The city and liberties of London are under a civil, ecclesiastical, and military government. The civil divides it into wards and precincts, under a lord-mayor, aldermen, and common-council; London citizens were subject from such a government, put them upon means to abolish the perpetuity of that office; and they brought it to an annual election. But that manner of election being attended with many inconveniences, and becoming a continual bone of contention amongst the citizens, the parliament, 17 Richard II. A.D. 1394, enacted, That the aldermen of London should continue in their several offices during life or good behaviour. And so it still continues; though the manner of electing has several times varied. At present it is regulated by an act of parliament, passed in the year 1724-5; and the person so elected is to be returned by the lord mayor (or other returning officer in his stead, duly qualified to hold a court of wardmote) to the court of lord mayor and aldermen, by whom the person so returned must be admitted and sworn into the office of aldermen before he can act. If the person chosen refuses to serve the office of alderman, he is liable to fine.

These high officers constitute a second part of the city legislature when assembled in a corporate capacity, and exercise an executive power in their respective wards. The aldermen who have passed the chair, or served the high office of lord mayor, are justices of the quorum; and all the other aldermen are not only justices of the peace, but by the statute of 43 Eliz. intituled, An act for the relief of the poor, "every alderman of the city of London, within his ward, shall and may do and execute, in every respect, so much as is appointed and allowed by the said act to be done or executed by one or two justices of peace of any county within this realm." They every one keep their wardmote, or court, for choosing ward-officers and settling the affairs of the ward, to redress grievances, and to present all defaults found within their respective wards.

The next branch of the legislative power in this commonwealth is the common-council. The many inconveniences that attended popular assemblies, which were called folkmote, determined the commonalty of London to choose representatives to act in their name and for their interest, with the lord mayor and aldermen, in all affairs relating to the city. At first these representatives were chosen out of the several companies: but that not being found satisfactory, nor properly the representatives of the whole body of the inhabitants, it was agreed to choose a certain number of discreet men out of each ward: which number has from time to time increased according to the dimensions of each ward: and at present the 25 wards, into which London is divided, being subdivided into 236 precincts, each precinct sends a representative to the common-council, who are elected after the same manner as an alderman, only with this difference, that as the lord mayor presides in the wardmote, and is judge of the poll at the election of an alderman, so the alderman of each ward is judge of the poll at the election of a common-council man.

Thus the lord mayor, aldermen, and common-council, when assembled, may be deemed the city parliament, resembling the great council of the nation. For it consists of two houses; one for the lord mayor and aldermen, or the upper-house; another for the commoners or representatives of the people, commonly called the common-council men. And they have power in their incorporate capacity to make and repeal bye-laws; laws; and the citizens are bound to obey or submit to those laws. When they meet in their incorporate capacity, they wear deep-blue silk gowns: and their assemblies are called the court of common-council, and their ordinances acts of common-council. No act can be performed in the name of the city of London without their concurrence. But they cannot assemble without a summons from the lord-mayor: who, nevertheless, is obliged to call a common-council, whenever it shall be demanded, upon extraordinary occasions, by six reputable citizens and members of that court.

This corporation is assisted by two sheriffs and a recorder, &c. The sheriffs are chartered officers, to perform certain suits and services, in the king's name, within the city of London and county of Middlesex, chosen by the liverymen of the several companies on Midsummer-day. Their office, according to Camden, in general, is to collect the public revenues within their several jurisdictions; to gather into the exchequer all fines belonging to the crown; to serve the king's writs of process; to attend the judges, and execute their orders; to impannel juries; to compel headstrong and obstinate men by the poire committor to submit to the decisions of the law; and to take care that all condemned criminals be duly punished and executed. In particular, in London, they are to execute the orders of the common-council, when they have resolved to address his majesty, or to petition parliament.

The sheriffs, by virtue of their office, hold a court at Guildhall every Wednesday and Friday, for actions entered at Wood-street Compter; and on Thursdays, and Saturdays for those entered at the Poultry Compter; of which the sheriffs being judges, each has his assitant, or deputy, who are called the judges of those courts; before whom are tried actions of debt, trespass, covenant, &c. and where the testimony of any absent witness in writing is allowed to be good evidence. To each of these courts belong four attorneys, who, upon their being admitted by the court of aldermen, have an oath administered to them.

To each of these courts likewise belong a secondary, a clerk of the papers, a prothonotary, and four clerks-fitters. The secondary's office is to allow and return all writs brought to remove clerks out of the said courts; the clerk of the papers files and copies all declarations upon actions; the prothonotary draws and ingrosses all declarations; the clerks-fitters enter actions and attachments, and take bail and verdicts. To each of the compters, or prisons belonging to their courts, appertain ten sergeants at mace, with a yeoman to each, besides inferior officers, and the prison-keeper.

In the sheriffs' court may be tried actions of debt, ease, trespass, account, covenant, and all personal actions, attachments, and sequestrations. When an erroneous judgment is given in either of the sheriffs' courts of the city, the writ of error to reverse this judgment must be brought in the court of hustings before the lord mayor; for that is the superior court. The sheriffs of London may make arrests and serve executions on the river Thames.

We do not read of a recorder till the year 1304, who, by the nature of his office, seems to have been intended as an assistant to, or adviser with, the lord mayor, in the execution of his high office, in matters of justice and law. He is chosen by the lord-mayor and aldermen only; and takes place in all courts, and in the common-council, before any one that hath not been mayor. Of whom we have the following description in one of the books of the chamber. "He shall be, and is wont to be, one of the most skilful and virtuous apprentices of the law of the whole kingdom; whose office is always to sit on the right hand of the mayor, in recording pleas, and passing judgments; and by whom records and proceedings, had before the lord-mayor and aldermen at Great St Martin's, ought to be recorded by word of mouth before the judges assigned there to correct errors. The mayor and aldermen have therefore used commonly to set forth all other businesses, touching the city, before the king and his council, as also in certain of the king's courts, by Mr Recorder, as a chief man, endued with wisdom; and eminent for eloquence."

Mr recorder is looked upon to be the mouth of the city, to deliver all addresses to the king, &c. from the corporation; and he is the first officer in order of precedence that is paid a salary, which originally was no more than 10l. Sterling per annum, with some few perquisites; but it has from time to time been augmented to 280l. per annum, and become the road to preferment in the law. This office has sometimes been executed by a deputy.

The next chartered officer of this corporation is the chamberlain; an office of great repute and trust, and is in the choice of the livery annually. This officer, though chosen annually on Midsummer-day, is never displaced during his life, except some very great crime can be made out against him. He has the keeping of the moneys, lands, and goods, of the city-orphans, or takes good security for the payment thereof when the parties come to age. And to that end he is deemed in the law a sole corporation, to him and his successors, for orphans; and therefore a bond or a recognition made to him and his successors, is recoverable by his successors. This officer hath a court peculiarly belonging to him. His office may be termed a public treasury, collecting the customs, moneys, and yearly revenues, and all other payments belonging to the corporation of the city. It has been generally customary for the government to appoint the chamberlain receiver of the land-tax.

The other officers under the lord-mayor are,

1. The common serjeant. He is to attend the lord-mayor and alderscourt of aldermen on court-days, and to be in council with them on all occasions, within or without the precincts or liberties of the city. He is to take care of orphan's estates, either by taking account of them, or to sign their indentures, before their passing the lord-mayor and court of aldermen. And likewise he is to let, let, and manage the orphan's estates, according to his judgment, to the best advantage.

2. The town-clerk; who keeps the original charter of the city, the books, rolls, and other records, wherein are registered the acts and proceedings of the city; so that he may not be improperly termed the city-register: he is to attend the lord-mayor and aldermen at their courts, and signs all public instruments.

3. The city-remembrancer; who is to attend the lord-mayor on certain days, his business being to put his... London. His lordship in mind of the select days he is to go abroad with the aldermen, &c. He is to attend daily at the parliament-house, during the sessions, and to report to the lord-mayor their transactions.

4. The sword-bearer; who is to attend the lord-mayor at his going abroad, and to carry the sword before him, being the emblem of justice. This is an ancient and honourable office, representing the state and princely office of the king's most excellent majesty, in his representative the lord-mayor; and, according to the rule of armory, "He must carry the sword upright, the hilt being held under his bulk, and the blade directly up the midst of his breast, and so forth between the sword-bearer's brows."

5. The common-hunt; whose business is to take care of the pack of hounds belonging to the lord-mayor and citizens, and to attend them in hunting in those grounds to which they are authorized by charter.

6. The common-crier. It belongs to him and the sergeant at arms, to summon all executors and administrators of freemen to appear, and to bring in inventories of the personal estates of freemen, within two months after their decease: and he is to have notice of the appraisements. He is also to attend the lord-mayor on set days, and at the courts held weekly by the mayor and aldermen.

7. The water-bailiff; whose office is to look after the preservation of the river Thames, against all encroachments; and to look after the fishermen for the preservation of the young fry, to prevent the destroying them by unlawful nets. For that end there are juries for each county, that hath any part of it lying on the sides or shores of the said river; which juries, summoned by the water-bailiff at certain times, do make inquiry of all offenses relating to the river and the fish, and make their presentments accordingly. He is also bound to attend the lord-mayor on set days in the week.

N.B. These seven purchase their places; except the town-clerk, who is chosen by the livery.

There are also three sergeants-carvers; three sergeants of the chamber; a sergeant of the channel; four yeomen of the water-side; an under water-bailiff; two yeomen of the chamber; two meal weighers; two yeomen of the wood wharfs; a foreign taker; city-marshals. There are besides these, seven gentlemen men; as, The sword bearer's man, the common hunt's two men, the common crier's man, and the carver's three men.

Nine of the foregoing officers have liveries of the lord-mayor, viz. the sword-bearer and his man, the three carvers, and the four yeomen of the water-side. All the rest have liveries from the chamber of London.

The following officers are likewise belonging to the city; farmer of the markets, auditor, clerk of the chamber, clerk to the commissioners of the sewers, clerk of the court of conscience, beadle of the same court, clerk of the city-works, printer to the city, justice of the Bridge-yard, clerk-comptroller of the Bridge-house, steward of the Borough, bailiff of the Borough.

There are also a coroner, called so from corona, i.e. a crown, because he deals principally with the crown, or in matters appertaining to the imperial crown of England. As to the antiquity of this office, there were coroners in the time of king Alfred, as appears by the book entitled The mirror. The lord-mayor for the time being, is coroner, but hath his deputy for the management thereof. In ancient time, this office was of such great esteem, that none could execute it under the degree of a knight. As the sheriff may inquire of all felonies, so the coroner is to inquire of all sudden deaths; and to that end he impannels a jury, takes evidence upon oath, and gives the charge to the jury.

Besides these officers, there are several courts in this city for the executing of justice, viz. the court of hustings, lord-mayor's court, &c. In the city there are also two subordinate kinds of government. One executed by the alderman, deputy, and common council men, and their inferior officers, in each ward; under which form are comprehended all the inhabitants, free or not free of the city. Every ward is therefore like a little free state, and at the same time subject to the lord-mayor as chief magistrate of the city. The housekeepers of each ward elect their representatives the common-council, who join in making bye-laws for the government of the city. The officers and servants of each ward manage the affairs belonging to it, without the assistance of the rest; and each has a court called the wardmote, as has been already described, for the management of its own affairs. The other, by the master, wardens, and court of assistants, of the incorporate companies; whose power reaches no further than over the members of their respective guilds or fraternities; except that in them is invested the power to choose representatives in parliament for the city, and all those magistrates and officers elected by a common hall; which companies are invested with distinct powers, according to the tenor of their respective charters.

With regard to the number of inhabitants in London, they have commonly been reckoned at a million, or at least upwards of 700,000; but Mr Entick reduces this number to 500,000, and indeed considerably reduces the supposed number of inhabitants in several other great cities, although he estimates the number of houses in London at 100,000.

"If we compare London, (says he), with other cities both ancient and modern, we shall find that our metropolis is the most numerous. Nineveh, though its walls are said to encompass 480 furlongs, or 60 miles, does not appear to have contained above 403,000 citizens, which is 97,000 less than London. Babylon was also 60 English miles in compass, and not allowed to contain more than 487,921 inhabitants, which is 12,079 less than London. As to Jerusalem, the inhabitants did not amount to more than a fifth part of the present inhabitants of this metropolis. Rome has been the subject of many panegyrics; but, in its utmost extent, it never entertained more than 367,448, which is 132,552 less than in London. Constantinople is at this time allowed to have no more than 420,000 inhabitants; Grand Cairo no more than 300,000; Pekin in China no more than 412,610: and to conclude this parallel, it may be concluded that Paris, whose encomium has been so extravagantly published, does not contain more than 437,438 inhabitants.

Another method to arrive at some certainty about the the number of inhabitants in such a vast place, is, that it has been calculated upon a presumption of the number of mouths, which consume yearly 369,635 quarters, and upwards, of wheat flour; 98,244 cattle; 711,123 sheep and lambs: 194,760 calves; 186,932 hogs; 52,000 sucking pigs; 115,536 bushels of oysters; 14,740,000 mackerel; 16,366,728 pounds of butter; 21,066,000 pounds of cheese; besides the infinite quantities of fowls of all sorts, of fish of all sorts, and of garden-ruff and milk: of which last article, reckoning only a gallon to each house in a week, there is expended annually 5,200,000 gallons. And in the year from Midsummer 1759 to 1760 there were brewed in the city and suburbs, 975,217 barrels and three firkins of beer.