basement to a range of apparently fluted pilasters, of the Composite order, the intervals between which are occupied by twenty-four windows, and eight niches. All this part is inclined forward, so as to form the frustrum of a cone. Above, from a double plinth, over the cornice of the pilasters, springs the internal dome; the contour being composed of two segments of a circle, which, if not interrupted by the opening beneath the lantern, would have intersected at the apex. The dome, the idea of which was confessedly taken from the Pantheon at Rome, is of brick, two bricks thick, of eighteen inches long, bending through the whole thickness. For greater security also, in the girdle of Portland stone, which encircles the low part, an enormous double chain of iron, strongly linked together, and weighing nearly 96 cwt., was inserted in a channel, which was afterwards filled up with lead. Over this cupola is a cone of brick, so built as to support a stone lantern of an elegant figure. The choir is of the same form and architectural style as the body of the church.

The dimensions of this vast and magnificent fabric, are-Height, from the ground without to the top of the cross, 340 feet: extreme length within, 500 feet: greatest breadth, 223 feet: the entire ascent to the ball includes 616 steps. The weight of the ball, which is capacious enough to contain eight persons, is 5,600lbs. and that of the cross 3,360lbs. The particular objects of curiosity, which are com

prised in this church, and which are generally shown to strangers, are:

The Whispering Gallery :—which encircles the interior of the lower part of the dome, and is so constructed, that a low whisper, breathed against the wall in any part of the circle, may be. heard on the opposite side.

The Library:-chiefly remarkable for the floor, which is constructed of small pieces of oak, disposed in geometrical figures.

The beautiful Model :-constructed by Sir Christopher Wren.

The geometrical Staircase:-the finest specimen of the kind in Great Britain.

The Clock, and the great Bell on which it strikes: a particular description, of which, and of other objects, may be had for a mere trifle, on viewing the Cathedral.

About the year 1790, a scheme was suggested, and has been happily carried into effect, for breaking the monotonous uniformity of the architectural masses in the interior of the Cathedral. This was done by admitting large and noble monuments for eminent public persons deceased.

This may, with strict propriety, be termed national, as commemorative of British virtues, talents, or heroism. Statues are already erected for Mr. Howard, the philanthropist, Dr. Johnson, and Sir William Jones, Generals Abercromby and Dundas, Marquess Cornwallis, Lord Howe, Sir John Moore, and Lord Collingwood: also

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for Captains Mosse, Riou, Westmacott, Burgess, and Faulknor. One is preparing for Lord Nelson, whose perishable remains are interred in a vault under the central part of this hallowed building; and near them the remains of his friend Lord Collingwood.

Among other eminent characters, whose bodies have been deposited in these vaults, are—Sir Christopher Wren; Dr. Newton, late Bishop of Bristol; Alexander Wedderburn, Earl of Rosslyn; Sir John Braithwaite; Sir Joshua Reynolds, President of the Royal Academy; and two other eminent artists, James Barry, and John Opie, Esquires.

Westminster Abbey.

On the site of the present Abbey once stood a temple of Apollo, which, according to tradition, was thrown down by an earthquake, in the time of Antoninus Pius; and from the ruins of which, Sebert, king of the West Saxons, raised a Christian church, which was ruined by the Danes. It was repaired by Edward the Confessor, and given to a few monks; and this spot he chose for his burial place. Henry III., 160 years after, took down this fabric, and erected a new church, which occupied 50 years in building. It suffered much by fire in 1274, but was repaired by Edward I., Edward II., and the abbots. In 1700, this church being much decayed, the parliament granted money for repairing it; and

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the bounty has been frequently repeated since that time.

The form of the Abbey is that of a long cross. Its greatest length is 489 feet, and the breadth of the west front is 66 feet: the length of the cross aisle is 189 feet, and the height of the roof 92 feet. At the west end are two towers. The nave and cross aisle are supported by 50 slender pillars of Sussex marble, exclusive of pilasters. In the upper and lower ranges there are 94 windows; all which, with the arches, roofs, and doors, are in the Gothic taste. The inside of this church is much better executed than the outside, and the perspective is good, particularly that of the grand aisle. The choir, from which there is an ascent by several stepsto a fine altar-piece, is paved with black and white marble; having 28 stalls on the north, the same number on the south, and eight at the west end. The altar is made of a beautiful piece of marble, the gift of Queen Anne, enclosed by a curious balustrade, and upon a pavement of porphyry, jasper, Lydian, and serpentine stones, laid in the mosaic style, and is said to be one of the most beautiful of the kind in the world. On each side of this altar a door opens into St. Edward's Chapel, round which are ten other chapels, ranging from the north to the south cross aisles, and are dedicated to their ten respective saints.

In St. Edward's Chapel are still to be seen the remains of his shrine, which, though now in obscurity, and robbed of all its riches and lustre,

was once esteemed the glory of England, so far as art and riches could make it. Here are the tombs of king Edward I., and several other kings and queens of England; and here also may be seen the famous chair in which the kings of Scotland were crowned at Scoon. Henry II.'s Chapel is divided from St. Edward's by an iron screen, on each side of which are statues as large as life. St. Andrew's Chapel, which is next to the north cross, and the others which surround the choir, are crowded with monuments of noble personages, worthy of the attention of the curious. At the corner of St. Benedict's Chapel an iron gate opens into the south cross aisle; which, from the number of monuments erected therein to celebrate English poets, has obtained the name of Poets' Corner; though we find here a most magnificent monument erected at the south end to the memory of John, duke of Argyle; another to Camden, the antiquary; Doctor Isaac Barrow, the divine; and Thomas Parr, who died at the age of 152 years. The south aisle is adorned with various monuments of the pious, the brave, and the learned; and turning northward from the west door, our eyes are struck with a multitude of others, of a curious and interesting character. On the east of the Abbey, and which, though separate from the other chapels, seems to be the same building with the Abbey, stands the chapel of king Henry VII., which that king founded in the year 1502, and was at that time styled the "wonder of the world," and is now one of the