with a window on each side; in each of the retiring wings are two other windows. Four pilasters of the Ionic order, in the front, support a corresponding entablature and pediment. In the largest and most central intercolumniation over the entrance is a spacious Venetian window, and above it a circular one within an arch; the spaces between the outer pilasters contain smaller windows with angular pediments. In the tympanum of the pediment are the company's arms, having, instead of supporters, a large cornucopia on each side, in bold relievo, pouring out fruits and flowers: the whole building is terminated by a neat balustrade, crowned with vases. The vestibule is spacious and divided into avenues by six columns of the Tuscan order. The rooms, particularly the court-room and state-room, are magnificent and richly decorated, containing several portraits of good and worthy benefactors, &c.

Here is also the hall belonging to the Hudson's Bay Company, or Denmark-House, in which was lodged the first ambassador sent here, says Hollinshed, " from the Emperor of Cathaie, Muscovia, and Russeland." The Russian Company was formed three years before this ambassador's arrival; but afterwards, when Russia was acquainted with our wealth and power, the commerce was redoubled between the two nations.-In the hall of Hudson's Bay House used to be a vast pair of the Moose Deers' horns, weighing fifty-six pounds; also the picture of an Elk, the European Morse, killed in the presence of Charles the Eleventh of Sweden.

Aldgate and the Minories.-Returning eastward towards Houndsditch and Whitechapel-Road, we come to the spot where Aldgate stood across the street, till 1768. Nearly opposite to Aldgate Church is the street called the Minories, from certain Nuns of the Order of St. Clare or Minoresses, who had a convent founded for them here, in 1293, by Blanch, Queen of Navarre, the wife of Edmund, Earl of Lancaster. This street,

though not many years since a very mean neighbourhood, now contains a number of good tradesmens' houses, particularly gun-smiths, clothiers, &c. The west side has been entirely rebuilt, and several new streets leading from it into Crutched Friars. Here are America-Square, the Crescent, and the Circus, composed of excellent houses, the site of which, since Stow's time, was occupied by dunghills, out-houses, gardens, and carpenters' yards, bordering upon the filthy and dangerous ditch, a continuation of that which washed the city walls about Houndsditch, and emptied itself into the Thames.

On the east side of this street we see the little church of St. James, rebuilt in 1706, of brick, being about sixty-three feet in length, and twenty-four in breadth; and, excepting a small turret, is void of ornament. It nevertheless contains some remarkable monuments.

Goodman's Fields, or a number of spacious streets bearing that name, are a little to the east of the Minories, passing through Haydon-Square. Stow remembered, in these fields, a farm belonging to the Minoresses, and mentioned his having fetched, when a boy, many a half-penny worth of milk, never having less than three ale-pints for his money in the summer, nor one ale-quart in the winter, always hot from the kine. Many opulent Jews occupy the large houses in the handsome streets hereabouts; and Little Alie-Street contains a German Lutheran Chapel, where Dr. Wachsel was the officiating minister many years. It was in a theatre in this neighbourhood, where Garrick, in October, 1741, first displayed his inimitable powers; and during the short time he performed here, all the streets in a line from Whitechapel to Temple Bar were filled with the carriages of the nobility and gentry.

Rosemary-Lane, or Rag Fair.-This place, at the south extremity of the Minories, turning to the left hand, and which once maintained a boasted celebrity

for the sale of old clothes, has wonderfully fallen off since a certain description of Israelites have dispersed and spread themselves about the most public avenues, even at the west-end of the town. On this account, Mr. Pennant's report of a man being clothed here for fourteen-pence, has no longer the least foundation. The houses in Rosemary-Lane, and a part of the Minories, are mostly occupied by wholesale dealers in secondhand clothes, who export them to our colonies and to South America. In the Exchanges, or covered buildings here, left off things, &c. are still sold at very considerable prices; and it is only in the middle of the street, at a certain time in the afternoon, that the most inferior articles of dress are vended by Jews and others to the poor and labouring classes; but at nothing like the prices mentioned by Mr. Pennant. At this time the trading exclamations of Breeches Folks, Shoe Folks, Breaking Taylors, &c. may be heard indiscriminately from a number of men and women, who attend regularly.

The New Mint.-Near the west end of RosemaryLane is King-Street, leading to the New Mint, erected on the site of the Victualling Office, before it was removed to Deptford. The present structure is from a design of Mr. Smirke, Junior, for the various purposes of coinage, and is upon an extensive plan, as it contains every department necessary for the different operations in coining, and residences for the principal officers. The building is composed of a long stone front, consisting of three stories, surmounted by a handsome balustrade. The wings are decorated with pilasters; the centre with demi-columns, and a pediment ornamented with the arms of the United Kingdoms. Over the porch is a gallery, balustrades, &c. of the Doric order. A fire which broke out here in the summer of 1815 did considerable damage in the interior, but hap pily did not injure the appearance of this beautiful edifice.