a city of Hindustan, in the province of Oude, situated on the south bank of the river Goomty, over which there are two bridges, one a very noble Gothic edifice of stone, and the other a platform laid upon boats, and merely connecting the King's Park with the palace. The Goomty is navigable for boats of a common size at all seasons of the year, and falls into the Ganges between Benares and Gazypoor. The last sovereign, Saadut Ali, had brought over an iron bridge from England, and a place was prepared for its erection; but, on his death, his successor declined prosecuting the work, on the ground that it was unlucky; so that it is now left to be destroyed with rust. The streets where the lower classes reside consist of mean houses built of clay, "with the filthiest lanes between them," says Bishop Heber, "that I ever went through, and so narrow that we were obliged to reduce our front, and even a single elephant did not pass very easily. A swarm of beggars," he continues, in the lively description which he gives of the aspect of the town and its population, "occupied every angle, and the steps of every door, and all or nearly all the remaining population were, to my surprise, as much loaded with arms as the inhabitants of the country; a circumstance which told ill for the police of the town, but added considerably to its picturesque effect. Grave men in palanquins, counting their beads, and looking like mullahs, had all two or three sword or buckler lacqueys attending..." Lucknow is a very ancient city. It was formerly the residence of the governors or nabobs of Oude, but was abandoned by Shujah ad Dowlah after the battle of Buxar; on his death in 1774, however, his successor returned to it; and being now the residence of the kings of Oude, it has been greatly increased, and embellished by palaces and other public buildings; and the bankers and men of property having accompanied the court, Lucknow became one of the largest and richest towns in Hindustan. In advancing into the town, the buildings begin to improve, though the streets continue to be equally narrow and dirty. Some of the streets are, however, more spacious; and one in particular is mentioned as being both wide and handsome. From the dwelling of the British resident, all the way down the principal street, and afterwards through the park of Dil-Koushar and the neighbouring drives, Lucknow appeared to Bishop Heber to have more resemblance to some of the smaller European capitals, such as Dresden, than any other town which he had seen in India. There are several palaces in Lucknow belonging to the king, but none of them are very striking buildings. There is one close to the residency, which is merely a cluster of mean houses, with some morsels of showy architecture intermingled like the offices of a college. The minister's house is a very large pile of buildings, in a dirty part of the town. There are many stately khanas, and some handsome mosques and pagodas, scattered in different corners of the most wretched alleys. The most striking buildings in Lucknow are the tombs of the late Nawab Saadat Ali and of the mother of the present king, the gate of Constantinople, and the imumbara or cathedral. The latter building consists of two courts, rising with a steep ascent one above another. It contains, besides a splendid mosque, a college for instruction in Mussulman law; apartments for the religious establishment maintained here; and a noble gallery, in the midst of which, under a brilliant tabernacle of silver, cut glass, and precious stones, lie buried the remains of its founder Asupul Dowlah. The whole is in a very noble style of eastern Gothic, and is distinguished by richness and variety, as well as by the just proportions and general good taste of its principal features. Close to this fine group is a large and handsome, though a dull and neglected looking pile, which is the palace or prison appropriated to the unfortunate widows and concubines of deceased sovereigns. There is a small summer palace of the king's about three miles from the city, to which there is a pleasant ride. The house is small and ugly, but the park is extensive, and it is well stocked with Indian deer, and with fine red deer. The king has also a large menagerie, containing a great number of scarce and curious animals; and, on the banks of the river Gomtai, in a well wooded park, is a large collection of different varieties of cows, camels, and deer, and five or six very large rhinoceroses. Amongst the curiosities in the neighbourhood is Constantia, the residence of the late General Martin, who, from being a common soldier, rose to a high rank in the Company's army. His house is a large and whimsical building, and the grounds are laid out in the worst possible taste, displaying the outline and arrangements the eccentric genius of the entrivier. To the house is annexed a very fine garden and extensive grounds. The population of Lucknow is estimated at 300,000; and Bishop Heber is of opinion that it is sufficiently crowded to contain that number. There are in Lucknow a considerable number of European inhabitants, consisting of the numerous dependents of the residency, and those Europeans and half castes retained by the king in his employment. There are also many tradesmen amongst both these descriptions of persons, and a strange medley of adventurers of all sects and nations, who ramble thither in search of employment, which, however, they seldom find. It is 650 miles travelling distance from Calcutta, from Delhi 280, from Agra 202, and from Benares 189 miles. Long. 80. 55. E. Lat. 26. 51. N. The district of Lucknow is adjacent to the city, and is situated between the 26th and 27th degrees of N. lat. The country is generally a sandy soil, covered, after a storm, with puddles of water. Some parts, however, are more fertile and better cultivated. The country is watered by the Ganges, the Goggrah, and the Gomtai; and over the small river Sye is a bridge of fifteen arches, an excellent specimen of Mahomedan architecture. The towns are mostly built of brick, and there are still in many parts extensive mounds of brick dust, the only vestiges of ancient cities. (Rennell's Memoir of a Map of Hindustan; Lord Valentia's Travels, &c.)