and he hoped, the general feeling and sentiments of the peo-, ple would be universal. He concluded with proposing that books of subscription should be opened at the Exchange, and afterwards forwarded to the Bank, recommending at the same time, that similar steps should be taken by all corporate bodies in the kingdom."

As soon as the meeting was dissolved, four separate books were opened on the hustings; and at the close of the day, the exact sum subscribed in cash was 46,534l. 34s. 6d. which, if calculated for the time the books were opened, is at the rate of 400l. a minute, The number of subscribers was two hundred and eighteen, and the subscriptions from one guinea to 3,000l. which last sum was the the donation of the house of Boyd, Benfield, and Co. with the promise of continuing it annually during the war. Several other subscriptions were also set down as annual; and the whole as free gifts, without any reference to a composition in lieu of

taxes.

The subsequent transactions of our city are great and extraordinary; her sons united in themselves, characters which were hitherto discordant and incompatible, unsupported by tributary states, unassisted by allies, and without the burthen of mercenary troops, they combined for their defence, the strength of Carthage and of Rome-" the soldiers of London were merchants, and her merchants soldiers!" A "nation of shopkeepers," as they were contemptuously called, unfurled the flag of defiance against the unprincipled attacks of foreign tyranny, and they individually armed, “in defence of the palladium which their ancestors had committed to their custody; which, while they possessed it, would render them invincible; and which, whilst they had life, they were determined to a man to protect.

A monarch of freemen and heroes could not but be gratified by the affection and loyalty of his countrymen, and particularly of his citizens of London. His majesty experienced a heartfelt satisfaction in their conduct, and was determined personally to express, what none but a benign sovereign could conceive.

On

- On the 21st of June, 1799, in pursuance of his gracious intention, previously intimated, to inspect the different volunteer corps, the king proceeded from Buckingham House, over Westminster Bridge, to the Asylum, where the Surrey corps were drawn up to receive him. Having passed these with the usual salute, he entered the city by way of Blackfriars Bridge, where he was met by the city magistrates, &c. His majesty then pursued his route through the city to the Royal Exchange, the Bank, the India House, and Tower Hill, and expressed his satisfaction on the appearance of the volunteers drawn out in each place. He and his attendants then thence to Finsbury Square, where he proceeded along the south side, first passed the light horse volunteers, and then the honourable Artillery Company, who had his royal highness the Prince of Wales at their head, as their captain-general. His majesty then went out by the north-west corner, towards Islington, and after inspecting the corps there, rode down the Duke of Bedford's private road, to the Lord Chancellor's, where an elegant entertainment was provided; he was there met by the Queen, the Duke of Clarence, five of the princesses, &c. About three o'clock, the king re-mounted, and proceeded to the Foundling Hospital, where, and in the way to which, were several different corps, all which his majesty compli mented. On his departure from the hospital, he returned by Guildford Street, the New Road, Marybone, and Paddington, to Hyde Park, where the Westminster and St: George's volunteers were drawn up.

The king ultimately proceeded down Constitution Hill to the Queen's Palace, which he reached about five o'clock. The metropolis of the British empire never presented a prouder or more delightful spectacle. The following is a return of the strength of the volunteer forces at the different stations:-St. George's Fields, 1596.-Bridge Street, Blackfriars, 1054.-St. Paul's Church Yard, 1000.-Royal Ex change and Bank, 1011.-India House, 500.-Tower Hill, 1038. Goodman's Fields, afterwards moved to Guildford VOL. I. No. 27. Street,

4 N

Street, 823.-Finsbury Square, 862.-Islington, 394.Foundling Hospital, 1230.-Hyde Park, 2790.--Total, 12,208.

The transactions of the year 1800, commenced in an awful and interesting manner, the life of a beloved king, was endangered by means of a maniac. On the 15th of May, at a review in Hyde Park, a casual shot had wounded a gentleman very near his majesty, but as this could not be construed into any design, it was not so confidered: but in the evening, on the king's entering Drury Lane Theatre, and whilst, as usual, he was bowing to the audience, a person of the name of James Hadfield, fired a horse-pistol, the effect of which was providentially defeated, by the contents being directed to the upper part of the royal box. It was afterwards proved that the assassin was deranged in his intellects, and when he came to be tried for the atrocity, he was sentenced to a lunatic asylum, where he still continues. The citizens of London were among the first to congratulate his majesty on his wonderful deliverance, couched in a loyal and affectionate address.

On the 4th of July, a cornfactor of the name of Rusby, was indicted for regrating, and convicted. Lord Kenyon observed to the jury, "you have conferred, by your verdict, almost the greatest benefit on your country that ever was conferred by any jury." This verdict was the more gratifying, as the cause had occurred during a time that the people were riotously inclined on account of the high price of bread.

Lord Kenyon's remark at this time was more necessary, as the high price of provisions had driven the lower classes of people to many acts of desperation; and that their complaints were far from being groundless, the subsequent resolutious justify.

At a court of common council held on the 14th of Oc. tober, the following address was unanimously agreed to, and ordered to be presented to his majesty by the whole

court:

« To

"To the King's most excellent Majesty,

"The humble address and petition of the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council assembled.

Most Gracious Sovereign,

"We, your majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the lord mayor, aldermen, and commons of the city of London, in common council assembled, humbly approach your throne with deep concern, to represent that every class of your majesty's subjects, but more especially those of the laborious and industrious poor, are now suffering extreme distress, arising from the excessive price of bread, and of every other necessary article of life. Under circumstances so trying, your majesty may rest assured, that your faithful citizens of London, steady in their attachment to your majesty's person and government, and in their confidence in that happy constitution under which we live, have discouraged, and will continue to discourage, every attempt to excite tumultuous and disorderly proceedings, not only unjustifi. able in themselves, but directly tending to continue and to increase the present calamity, and will, both by active exertions and by example, do their utmost to encourage a strict and uniform obedience to the laws, looking to the legislature, and to that only, under Divine Providence, for relief; and trusting in your majesty's paternal regard for your people, that its utmost energy will be exerted for that purpose. We therefore, humbly pray, that your majesty will be pleased speedily to convene your parliament, that they may concert such measures as they in their wisdom shall judge most effectual to remove the sufferings, and supply the wants, of your people; thereby preserving to them the blessings they have long enjoyed under your majesty's mild and gracious goverment."

On the 14th of October, the lord mayor and corporation of London, attended his majesty with the above address, to which his majesty was pleased to make this most gracious

answer:

"I am always desirous of recurring to the advice and assistance of my parliament on any public emergency; and, previous to receiving your petition, I had given directions for convening my parliament for the dispatch of business."

In the course of this year it was moved and carried in the affirmative, that 1,500l. per annum, should be granted to the lord mayor, in addition to his allowance by the city, as requisite to support the dignity of the office.

THUS have we deduced our HISTORY to the close of the year eighteen hundred. We certainly exceed the compass prescribed; but to have said less, would deprate our subject. Some unavoidable errors may have escaped; but they are not wilful, and therefore we hope for excuse and candid correction. We however, take upon us to assert, that as we have in no instance wandered from our purpose of detailing circumstances peculiarly attached to the HISTORY OF THE BRITISH METROPOLIS, we may venture a claim to confidence in the authenticity and correctness of our TOPOGRAPHICAL department.

END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.

Printed by W. Stratford, Crown Court, Temple Bar.