lately obtained permission from the magistrates to perform during the Ascot races. The system adopted by administration to concentrate the military force, was carried into effect at Windsor in the year 1795, when extensive and convenient barracks were built for 750 infantry; and a large building is now erecting for the reception of about 400 cavalry. The parish of New Windsor, according to a late survey, contains 2618 acres, which, exclusive of the space occupied by the buildings, are principally disposed into parks, gardens, and pleasure grounds.

WINDSOR CASTLE,

THE magnificent residence of the British Sovereigns, is most delightfully situated on the summit of a lofty hill, whose base is laved by the pellucid waters of the Thames. The prospects to the east, west, and north, are extensive and beautiful, being enlivened by the windings of the river, and variegated with elegant mansions, luxuriant meadows, and gentle eminences, covered with the rich foliage of innumerable woods. On the south, the view is bounded by the wild and picturesque scenery of the Forest, intermingled with a great variety of verdant accompaniments.

Here hills and vales, the woodland and the plain;
Here earth and water seem to strive again;

Not chaos like, together crush'd and bruis'd,

But, as the world, harmoniously confus'd;

Where order in variety we see,

And where, tho' all things differ, all agree.
WINDSOR FOREST.

This venerable structure owes its origin to William the Conqueror, who had no sooner negociated the exchange before mentioned, than he erected a castle or palace on this spot, as a hunting seat. He also designed the parks, extended the boundaries of the Forest, and established rigid laws for the preservation of the game. Henry the First considerably improved the edifice which his father had erected, enlarged it with additional buildings, and, for greater security, surrounded the whole with a strong wall. The alterations made by this Prince were so important and

numerous,

From 1364 to 1370, the erection of the castle seems to have proceeded with much rapidity; "artificers being yearly impressed for the King's service:" from that time till the year 1375, this harsh measure appears to have been abandoned; and as the Monarch died in 1377, we may conclude that the principal part of this magnificent structure was completed at the above period.

The facts displayed in this narrative furnish some interesting remarks on the manners of the fourteenth century. They point out the very degraded state in which the Britons of that period were contented to exist. The mandate of the Prince was sufficient, authority both for the infringement of personal liberty and individual property; and his will was as much observed and obeyed, as the obligations of an act of Parliament. The talents of the subject were fettered to the Monarch's caprice, and their reward regulated by his pleasure. The whole of the possessions of the governed, appears to have been at the King's disposal; for we find that even his writ, directed to the sheriffs, and unauthorized by the consent of the other branches of the legislature, was a sufficient warrant for the confiscation of all the effects of the persons who gave employment to an oppressed workman. Those days were indeed evil; and it cannot be denied that every injured sufferer had full license to exclaim, with the poet, "spero meliora."

Many alterations and additional buildings have been made in the castle by the successors of this Monarch. Edward the Fourth enlarged and rebuilt the beautiful chapel of St. George. Henry the Seventh vaulted the roof of the choir of that structure, and erected the spacious fabric adjoining the King's apartments in the upper ward. Henry the Eighth rebuilt the great gate in the lower ward. Edward the Sixth, and Mary, his successor, had a fountain of curious workmanship made in the centre of the upper court, to supply the castle with water. Queen Elizabeth raised the noble terrace on the north side, which commands an unbounded prospect over one of the most beautiful vallies in the kingdom. Charles the First made several improvements, and erected a gate leading to the park; but, during the convulsions which shortly

ensued,

ensued, the castle was despoiled of many of its ornaments, and the palace of the Monarch became his prison. Charles the Second repaired and embellished the whole structure, decorated the apartments with numerous fine paintings, established a magazine of arms, and continued the terrace round the east and south sides of the upper court. This walk is faced with a rampart of free stone, and extends to the length of 625 yards, being only inferior to the terrace of the Seraglio at Constantinople. Various alterations have been made by succeeding Princes; but the principal improvements during this and the last century have been effected by the reigning Sovereign, whose munificent plans for the embellishment of this structure have far exceeded the designs of his predecessors. Under his direction the Chapel of St. George has been completely repaired, and superbly decorated. It now forms as perfect an exemplar of beauty, elegance, and unison of parts, as any edifice in the kingdom. The ditches also, which skirted the east and south sides of the castle, have been filled up, and the ground levelled. The rooms have been furnished with new paintings; and many of the windows on the north side of the upper court enlarged, and adapted to the gothic style of architecture. Further improvements are in contemplation, particularly the erection of a chapel in the Horn Court, which is to be ornamented with upwards of thirty paintings by Benjamin West, Esq. The subjects to be taken from the evidences of revealed religion.

This majestic edifice is divided in two courts, called the upper and lower wards, which are separated by THE KEEP, or ROUND TOWER, built on a lofty artificial mount, surrounded with a moat, in the centre of the castle. The ascent to the upper apartments is by a long flight of stone steps, guarded by a cannon planted at the top, and levelled at the entrance. The curtain of the tower is the only battery now in the castle: round it are seventeen pieces of ordnance, which seemingly retain their situation more as objects of ornament than utility. The summit of this

building

All the windows of the court are intended to be made into this form: but the illness of his Majesty has occasioned a temporary suspension of the work. Many other projected alterations are delayed by the same cause.