a small village and parish of Surrey, pleasantly situate on the right bank of the Thames, 6 miles W. of Hyde Park Corner. A stone bridge of seven arches connects it with Brentford, on the opposite bank. The great object of interest at Kew is the gardens. The old palace here, built in the time of James I., was long the favourite home of George III., who, carrying out the designs of his parents, greatly improved and enlarged the grounds. These, which embrace, inclusive of the Botanic Garden, an area of about 245 acres, were, in 1840, placed under the management of the Commissioners of Woods and Forests, and opened to the public. The Royal Botanic Garden, occupying about 75 acres, was begun by the Princess of Wales, mother of George III., and received continual additions during the reign of her son; but not till the recent improvements, under the able direction of Sir William Hooker, did the arrangements of the establishment entitle it to be regarded as one of the most complete in the world. The palm-house was, at the time of its erection, a wonder in architecture, being built of iron and glass, of the length of 362 feet, by a breadth of 100, and height of 66 feet in the central compartment. The whole of the grounds are laid out with admirable skill and taste. The most prominent object in the pleasure-grounds is a Chinese pagoda of 10 storeys, 163 feet high, and commanding an extensive view.