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Next to St. Paul's cathedral for magnificence, and even greater in extent, is that fine monument of gothic architecture Westminster Abbey, or the collegiate church of St. Peter. On its site once stood a temple dedicated to Apollo by the Roman settlers in Britain. Sebert, King of the West Saxons, erected a Christian college on the spot, which was repaired by Edward the Confessor in 1065; Henry III. rebuilt it, and Henry VII. added the chapel which is known by his

name.

It is a magnificent gothic structure in the form of a long cross; the choir is the most beautiful in Europe, and is celebrated as the place of coronation of the Kings and Queens of England.

The Abbey contains may superb monuments of kings, statesmen, heroes, poets, and other memorable men who were distinguished for their patriotism, wisdom, genius, and learning.

Many of the churches in the Metropolis are heavy inelegantstructures, erected in obscure streets and confined situations, and aptly described in the line,

"Houses, Churches, mixt together.".

But there are also several beautiful edifices consecrated to public worship, particularly St. Martin's in the Fields, and St. George's, Han

over Square, each of which is adorned with an elegant portico. St. Mary-le-Strand is built in the most beautiful proportions of architecture, and St. Stephen's Walbrook has long been admired for the superior beauty of its interior architecture. Among the modern churches that of St. Mary-le-Bone is remarkable for a spacious and stately portico composed of eight columns and two pilasters of Portland stone, in the Corinthian order; it has a projection on each side supported by columns, and the circular turret on the roof is adorned by small Corinthian columns, contains a clock and bells, and is crowned by a gilt vane. This church is built north and south, and the northern front, which is opposite the Regent's Park, contributes by its noble and picturesque appearance to the general beauty of the spot. Another new church, that of St. Pancras, is of Portland stone, in the Ionic order, built due east and west, opposite Seymour Place, Somerstown. It will probably be finished in the course of the year 1820, and be equally ornamental to the neighbourhood, and convenient to its numerous inhabitants.

The TOWER OF LONDON, which has been the scene of many a tragic and affecting event, is the only fortress in the city. It is situated on the northern bank of the Thames, eastward of London Bridge, and was inhabited by the sove

reigns of England till the reign of Queen Eliza beth. It is a place of considerable extent, and contains the Jewel Office, Mint, three armouries, and the royal train of artillery. The menage rie, near the west entrance, has for ages been a principal object of attraction to rustic visitors, who on their arrival considered it indispensable to see the lions.

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ROYAL PALACES,

St. James's Palace was an hospital, founded before the Conquest, for fourteen leprous females and eight males. It was surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1532, who erected the present edifice, and enclosed St. James's Park as a place of amusement and exercise to the inmates of this palace and Whitehall. Queen Anne made this palace her winter residence, and it was also pres ferred as such by George I. and George II. His late Majesty George III., however, gave the preference to the late Queen's Palace, or Buckingham House, at the western extremity of St. James's Park.

St. James's Palace is a plain structure of brick, but contains several commodious state apartments.

The late Queen's Palace is a handsome building of brick, erected in 1703 by the Duke of

Buckingham, and purchased by George III, in 1761, for the royal residence. The apartments are:magnificent: it also contains a valuable library, and the rear of the structure is adorned by extensive and beautiful gardens.

But the principal palace in the metropolis is Carlton House, the present residence of his Majesty King George the Fourth. It is situated at the northern extremity of St. James's Park, was rebuilt a few years ago, and contains several commodious apartments, furnished in the most splendid manner. The armoury, which occupies three large rooms, is the most curious in Europe, and contains the rarest specimens of ancient and modern armour. Lobste

The principal front of, Carlton House is magnificent, and divided from Pall Mall by a low screen, surmounted by a fine colonnade in the Ionic order.

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Opposite the front of this palace a small square, called Waterloo-place, and a regular, street, extending along the gradual ascent to the end of Piccadilly, will,when finished, add considerably to the architectural beauty of this part of the town. It is to be regretted, however, that the bad taste of the architect has induced him to form the fronts of the houses, and even the columns at the entrances, of that composition termed Roman cement, or, in plain English, plaster; which is so

liable, by its cracks and flaws, to discover the deformities of its very perishable substance. The fronts of those two fine lines of building ought to have been either solid Portland stone, or good Greystock brick, either of which would have combined durability with elegance, and harmonized with the magnificence of the palace at the southern end.

The only remains of Whitehall Palace is the Banqueting-house, which stands on the east side of Parliament-street. It is an exquisitely beautiful piece of architecture, of hewn stone, two "stories high, adorned with columns and pilasters of the Ionic and composite orders, the capitals of which are ornamented with ensculptured foliage and fruit the roof is covered with lead, and surrounded by a balustrade.

The other remarkable public buildings in Westminster, besides the Abbey already mentioned, are the Horse-Guards, a structure, of stone; the Admiralty, a large brick building; Westminster Hall, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.

PUBLIC COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.

Of these, the Royal Exchange, founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in 1566, and opened in the presence of Queen Elizabeth in 1570, is remark