PREFACE.

phical lecture-rooms, and our municipal halls. For it will be evident to an attentive observer, that the free spirit of the British Constitution spreads its influence through every rank and order of men in the state,' and ‍through all its public institutions: and by the security it gives to the person, the speech, the property of every individual, it generates that manly confidence and independence of thinking, feeling, speaking, and acting, which, in some of their exhibitions, excite the astonishment of reflecting foreigners, who in vain look for a parallel in other nations.

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For this reasou, and with a view to trace appearances to their genuine causes, he has given an outline of the British Legislature, the situation and duties of the Executive Government, the splendour connected with the British Court, as detailed in the great offices of state, and the establishments of the numerous branches of the Royal House, &c. &c.; and, finally, a brief display of those usages which are connected with municipal power and civic pomp. In regard to another important part of the Work, the Editor has briefly to remark, that the flattering reception which "PLANTA'S New Picture of Paris" has met with from an indulgent Public, has induced the Publisher to enrich the present with a set of plates, on a plan similar to that which has been adopted in that popular work.

It is to be lamented that the Public Buildings in the British Metropolis are so much concealed by surround

ing objects, that their merits cannot be duly appre ciated by casual visitors. But no one will presume to assert, that St. Paul's Cathedral, or the venerable pile of Westminster Abbey, are surpassed even in Paris. Numerous, indeed, are the Public Buildings in London, which occupy a distinguished rank for architectural design, and masterly execution; and the present Work claims some merit for offering a view of many of them, which might, otherwise, be unknown even to a constant resident of the metropolis.

The other parts of the Work are cheerfully left to the candid criticism of a British Public, for whose use they have been arranged and composed, with no common care and attention. But they are not presumed to be so faultless as to preclude improvement; every friendly hint for which will be thankfully received by the Publisher, at No. 18, Strand.

S. C.

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