built it in the present elegant and magnificent style. In 1245, he commenced this great work, in the mode of architecture which began to take place in his days. He did not live to complete his design, which was carried on by his successor, and finished in his fourteenth year. A casual fire destroyed the roof, which was replaced by Edward.

To describe every thing worthy of notice in this venerable pile, would carry us far beyond the limits prescribed. Here repose the royal, the noble, and the illustrious in arms and arts; and the memorials, erected to do them homage, at once inspire emulation and awe. We can only particularize a few.

Here is an altar-tomb of Henry III. with wreathed columns at each corner. The figure of this prince, who died in 1272, is of brass, and placed recumbent. This is supposed to have been the first brazen image known to have been cast in our kingdom. Here may be read an excellent lecture on the progress of these efforts of human skill, from the simple altar-tomb to the most ostentatious proofs of human vanity. The humble recumbent figure, with uplifted hands, as if deprecating the justice of Heaven for the offences of this mortal state; or the proper kneeling attitude, supplicating that mercy which the purest must stand in need of, may be seen here in various degrees of elegance. The careless, lolling attitudes of heroes, in long gowns and flowing perriwigs, next succeed; and after them, busts or statues vaunting their merits, and attended with such a train of Pagan deities, that would almost lead to suppose oneself in a heathen pantheon instead of a Christian church.

In the ancient tombs there is a dull uniformity. The sides are often embellished with figures of the offspring of the deceased; and often with figures of mourners, in monastic habits.

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The second of our monarchs, who lies here, is the renowned Edward I. in an altar-tomb, as modest and plain as his fame was great. A long inscription, in monkish lines, imperfectly records the deeds of the conqueror of Scotland, and of the ancient Britons. In 1770, antiquarian curiosity was so urgent with the respectable dean of Westminster, as to prevail on him to permit certain members of the society, under proper regulations, to inspect the remains of this celebrated hero: and discover, if possible, the composition which gave such duration to the human body.

In the minute relation given by that able and worthy antiquary, the late Sir Joseph Ayloffe, Bart. almost every particular is given." On lifting up the lid of the tomb, the royal body was found wrapped in a strong, thick, linen-cloth, waxed on the inside; the head and face were covered with a sudarium, or face-cloth, of crimson sarcenet, wrapped into three folds, conformable to the napkin used by our Saviour in his way to his crucifixion, aş we are assured by the church of Rome. On flinging open the external mantle, the corpse was discovered in all the ensigns of majesty, richly habited. The body was wrapped in a fine linen cerecloth, closely fitted to every part, even to the very fingers and face. The writs de cera renovanda circa corpus regis Edwardi primi being extant, gave rise to this search. Over the cere-cloth was a tunic of red silk damask; above that a stole of thick white tissue crossed the breast, and on this, at six inches. distant from each other, quatre-foils of philligreework, of gilt metal, set with false stones, imitating rubies, sapphires, amethysts, &c. and the intervals between the quatre-foils on the stole, powdered with minute white beads, tacked down into a most elegant embroidery, in form not unlike what is called the true lover's knot. Above these

servient to the amusement of this and the palace of Whitehall. Charles II. was particularly fond of it, planted the avenues, made the canal, and the aviary, adjacent to the Bird-cage walk, which took its name from the cages which were hung in the trees. Charles, says Cibber, was often seen here, amidst crowds of spectators, feeding his ducks, and playing with his dogs, and passing his idle moments in affability even to the meanest of his subjects, which made him to be adored by the common people; so fascinating in the great are the habits of condescension!

It does not appear, however, that the palace was inhabited by any of our monarchs till after the fire at Whitehall. James I. presented it to his accomplished son Henry, who resided here till his lamented death, in 1612. Charles I. was brought here from Windsor, on January 19th, by the power of the army, which had determined on his death.

His son, the bigoted James, sent to the Prince of Orange, when he had approached in force near to the capital, a most constrained invitation to take his lodgings at this palace. The prince accepted it; but at the same time hinted to the frightened prince, that he must leave Whitehall. It was customary to mount guard at both the palaces. The old hero, Lord Craven, was on duty at the time when the Dutch guards were marching through the park to relieve, by order of their master. From a point of honour, he had determined not to quit his station, and was preparing to maintain his post; but, receiving the command of his sovereign, he reluctantly withdrew his party, and marched away with sullen dignity.

During the reign of King William, St. James's was fitted up for the residence of the princess, Anne (afterwards queen) and her spouse, Prince George of Denmark. From that time to the

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sent it has been regularly the court of our monarchs.

Unattractive as the outside of St. James's palace may look, it is said to be the most commodious for regal parade of any in Europe; and we believe this to le a fact.

To the east of St James's palace, in the reign of Queen Anne, was built Marlborough-house, at the expence of the public. This national compliment cost not less than forty thousand pounds, while Blenheim cost half a million.

To take a review of the space between this palace and Charing-cross, as it was about the year 1560, it will appear a tract of fields; there were no houses, excepting three or four, on the east side of the present Pall-mall.

By the year 1572, Cockspur-street filled up the space between those houses and Charing-cross. Pallmall was also laid out as a walk, or a place for the exercise of the Mall, a game long since disused. The north side was also planted with a row of trees. On the other side was the wall of St. James's park. Charles II. removed it to its present place, planted the park, and made all those improvements, which we now see. In his reign, the Hay-market, and Hedge-lane, had names; but they were literally lanes, bounded by hedges; and all beyond, to the north, east, and west, was entirely country. All the space occupied by the streets radiating from the Seven Dials, was at that period open ground.

Leicester-fields was also unbuilt; but the house of that name is found in the same plan, and on the ite of the present. It was founded by one of the Sydnies, earls of Leicester, and was for a short time the residence of Elizabeth, daughter of James I. the titular queen of Bohemia, who, on February 13th, 1661, here closed her unfortunate life. It has been tenanted for a great number of years. It was suc

cessively the pouting-place of princes. The late king, when prince of Wales, after he had quarrelled with his father, lived here several years. His son Frederick followed his example, succeeded him in his house, and in it finished his days. In this house Sir Ashton Lever exhibited his magnificent: Museum, now the property of Mr. Parkinson.

At the upper end of the Hay-market, stood Piccadilla-hall, where Piccadillas or Turn-overs were sold, which gave name to that vast street, called from that circumstance, Piccadilly. This street was completed in 1642, as far as the present Berkeley-street. The first good house which was built in it was Burlington-house; the noble founder, father to the late earl of Burlington, said he placed it there. "because he was certain no one would build beyond him."

Golden-square, of dirty access, was built after the Revolution, or before 1700. In these fields had been the lazareto, during the period of the dreadful plague of the year 1665. It was built by that true hero, Lord Craven, who stayed in London during the whole time; and braved the fury of the pestilence, with the same coolness as he fought the battles of his beloved mistress Elizabeth, titular queen of Bohemia

Bond-street, in 1700, was built no farther than the west end of Clifford-street. New Bond-street was at that time an open field, called Conduit Mead.

George-street, Hanover-square, and its church, rose about the same time. It is the last parish in this part of Westminster, excepting the distant Mary-bonne. Every part besides was open ground, covered with dunghills, and all sorts of filth. May Fair was kept about the spot now covered with May Fair chapel, and several fine streets. The fair was attended with such disorders, riots, thefts, and even