that a more level road will be obtained than the old pavement. Nearly all the streets are lighted by gas, an improvement which has only been introduced within a few years. London will not excite much admiration in the minds of those whose ideas of the beauty and grandeur of a great town are formed upon the notions they have obtained from the remains of Greek and Roman architecture. The dull uniformity, presented by rows of brick buildings, of the same general form and appearance, possesses very little attraction for the eye; but, with respect to the inside of the dwellings of the metropolis, they are unrivalled for grandeur, elegance, and convenience, according to the respective ranks of those to whom they belong in short, nothing is wanting to convey an adequate conception of the opulence, ingenuity, and industry of a great capital. The shops are also unrivalled, both in external appearance, and the riches and variety of the articles on sale. It is not, however, our intention to dwell longer in this place on subjects which more properly belong to other parts of the work; we shall only observe that, in whatever respect London may be inferior to Rome, and some other cities for architectural splendour, it is more than compensated by the comfort and convenience which it has derived from increasing information and practical science. No doubt, taking London as a whole, there is still much to be done, particularly on the shores of the Thames, where the wharfs and mercantile accommodations are, in many places, exceedingly incommodious and mean: but the grand docks formed within these few years, under the names of London, West-India, and EastIndia Docks, shew what can be effected by a combination of interests, and although, in respect to individual efforts, private interests and the sanctity of property, render improvement very gradual, yet even in this confined direction it is perceptibly gaining ground, and we may reasonably hope, that in a few years the shores of the fine river on which the British metropolis is seated, will present an appearance worthy the commercial fame and enterprise of the first mercantile city in the world. Levels in London above High-Water Mark. N. End of Northumberland-Street, Strand S. End of St. James's-Street N. End of Gloucester-Place 4693 2 72 N. Side of Aqueduct crossing the Regent's 102 6 S. End of King-Street, Great George-Street . The whole of Westminster, except the Abbey, and part of Horseferry Road, is below the level of the highest tide. The most commanding Views of the Metropolis. HAMPSTEAD Heath, Greenwich Park, Putney Common, and Primrose-hill. These four points of examination are strongly recommended to the foreign or native visiter of London. Population. The following is an Account of the Population of London and its vicinity, according to the Parliamentary returns of 1821 : London within the walls London without the walls Westminster and its Liberties 56,174 69,260 182,085 85,905 Brixton Division, including Barnes, Battersea, Ber- Tower Division, including Bethnal-Green, Spital- 182,089 119,802 276,630 291,650 1,263,595 The London Bills of Mortality, originally instituted in 1592, are founded upon the reports of the sworn searchers, who view all dead bodies after decease, and deliver their report to the parish-clerks. An annual summary of all these accounts is published on the Thursday before Christmas-Day, and is called the Bill of Mortality. The original bills comprehended only 109 parishes; but since the year 1660 the number of parishes has been increased to 147. They are divided into 97 parishes within the walls; 17 without the walls; 23 out-parishes in Middlesex and Surrey; and 10 in the City and Liberty of Westminster. They do not, however, include the extensive parishes of St. Pancras and Mary-le-bone. To this Bill of Mortality is appended an account of the Births, but as it does not contain a list of the children of Dissenters, it must necessarily be defective. CHAPTER III. LONDON VIEWED AS THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE. The Sovereign and Court. THE Court may be divided into the legislative, the executive, and the fashionable. In his LEGISLATIVE capacity, the king's prerogatives are very great; but the controlling checks on an undue exercise of power, provided by the constitution, form the greatest wonder in legislation that the world ever beheld. The king alone can convoke, prorogue, or dissolve the parliament but he cannot originate a bill, or raise money without its consent. The house of lords, which is created by the king's voice, cannot originate a money bill; all money-bills, all bills imposing taxes or penalties, must commence with the commons, and the lords must agree to or reject them altogether; any alteration, even in the mode of paying a penalty, is fatal to the particular bill. The king may raise an army, but he can procure no money; he may proclaim war, but without parliament he has not the means of carrying it on; and he may resort to the most extravagant expenditure, but it rests with parliament whether one farthing beyond the prescribed income shall be paid. re In the exercise of his EXECUTIVE functions, the sovereign appoints all the ministers of state, the judges, archbishops, bishops, &c.; but the ministers are moveable at pleasure, whilst the judges, being appointed for life, can only be affected by impeachment. Through the medium of the judges, the king enforces the execution of all laws: but as the sentences of the law may sometimes be too severe, he has the sole power of mitigating their severity, or of granting a full pardon to the delinquent. Besides being the source of mercy, he is the fountain of honour. All degrees of nobility, as well as pensions, &c., flow from him; but here again the king is controlled, for without the assent of parliament there can be no revenue attached to such advancements. The remaining leading division of the sovereign's power and influence, the FASHIONABLE, now claims our notice. Next to the solemnization of a coronation, the birthdays, drawing-rooms, and levees, held at one of the king's palaces, constitute the most celebrated courtpageants. When the late king, George II., attended to public affairs, St. James's palace was the general scene; but they were afterwards divided between that palace, Buckingham-house, and Carlton-palace. Notice is given of drawing-rooms and levees in the Gazette; the former are now held at St. James's Palace, and the latter at Carlton Palace. On those occasions are proffered the compliments of the nobility; persons holding high offices in the state; distinguished members of the law, church, navy,, army, &c. On these days, also, it is not unusual to witness the introduction of several of the younger branches of distinguished families, which, for females of high rank, is deemed a preliminary to their future visits, and communication with the fashionable world. The ceremony of presentation is usually performed by the parents, or some near relation, or friend. On the first presentation of the daughters of dukes, marquesses, and earls, it is customary for the queen, if there be one, slightly to kiss their cheeks. The king formerly did the same. After this the queen presented her hand to be kissed. Sometimes ladies send cards to the ladies in waiting, who in that case, present them. On these occasions it is essential that the visiters be full dressed; that is, the gentlemen in the full costume appropriate to their various ranks, professions, and offices; or otherwise, to wear the court-dress. |