WHAT its Capitol was to Rome-what the Kremlin is to Moscowsuch is the "Tower" to London, its palace citadel and stronghold, ar 1 the monument most closely connected with its popular annals and the history of the state. Indeed, it is chiefly in this latter respect, and on account of the objects of curiosity for which it serves as a repository, that the Tower now possesses much interest, since so far from being an imposing object to the eye, it shows itself only as a huddled-up mass of buildings, some of them comparatively modern; and none of them, with the exception of the new barracks, particularly dignified in appearance. The sole feature which gives character to the exterior, in a general view, is that lofty, upright structure, distinguished by the name of the "White Tower;" were it not for that, which, with

the turrets at its angles, forms a bold and conspicuous architectural object in the views from the river, and the opposite shores, the Tower would hardly be distinguishable at any distance.

To survey the Tower with advantage, taking the more important objects step by step, the visitor should commence at the principal entrance, by the spur-gate, on the west side, facing Lower Thames Street, after passing through which he will proceed through other fortified gateways, of rude and venerable appearance, along an avenue, bounded on the south side by the external walls and ramparts, and on the north by a very lofty mass of apparently solid wall, having only here and there an upper window, conveying the idea of habitation, and thereby rendering the expression of prodigious strength and security all the more forcible. A somewhat similar effect is produced by the smaller and more modern erections scattered about below and at intervals are obtained peeps into streets, and lanes of houses, picturesque enough when taken collectively, but not prepossessing in their physiognomy when considered separately. Having turned through the third gateway, and proceeded a short distance towards the Parade, the visitor finds himself, on turning a corner, almost at the foot of the White Tower and coming thus suddenly upon it, is the more impressed with its loftiness.

This structure, the most ancient of all the existing buildings, and generally supposed to have been erected, or at least begun, by the Conqueror, about 1078, when he employed Gundulph, Bishop of

Rochester, for his architect, is a quadrangular and nearly square edifice, measuring about one hundred and sixteen feet on its north and south sides, and ninety-six on the east and west; and is about ninety feet high, exclusive of the turrets at the four angles. After being repaired in the reign of Henry VIII. (1552), it was again put into good condition in that of George II., and the windows modernised, by being converted into the present very un-Norman looking, large, arched, sash-windows. The Norman Chapel of St. John one of the most complete specimens of a Norman Church on a small scale, in the upper part of the Keep, or White Tower, originally used by the English monarchs as a place of worship, is now devoted to the preservation of a portion of the public records; and the celebrated state prisons are mostly filled with military stores, or occupied as offices; one of the vaults is said to have been the prison of Sir Walter Raleigh, in which he wrote his History of the World. At the foot of the White Tower, on its south side, is

Erected in 1826. A long, low, and not very wide room, with a sort of aisle on its south side, with pillars and arches meant to pass for Gothic. Here are ranged a long line of British monarchs and warriors, twenty-two in number, on their war-steeds, and cased in complete armour, the whole forming a very interesting record of the various changes which have taken place in the use of armour from the time of Edward I., to that of James II., (1272-1686). The general arrangement of the suits and gallery was made by the late Sir Samuel Meyrick; each suit is assigned, for the sake of chronology, to some King or Knight; but, except in a few instances, they are not known to have been worn by the parties to whom they are assigned. The ceiling is characteristically ornamented with devices and decorations, composed of spears, pistols, and other military weapons. On