The building preceding the present, and of which it only extended the breadth of the west wing, was erected in 1726; but though probably elegant as the residence of a single director, it was unequal in grandeur as the edifice of the opulent corporation to which it belonged. Such considerations induced the construction of the present East India House, of which we are about to give an account.

The front consists of a centre, and two wings. The centre forms a portico, with a pediment resting on six fluted Ionic pillars. The tympanum of the pediment describes various emblems of commerce, protected by George III. in alto relievo, who extends a shield over them in his right hand, implying his desire to shield commerce, rather than to wield the lance of war. Above the pediment is a fine statue of Britannia; and on the east and west corners are Asia, seated on a dromedary, and a beautiful figure of Europe. The principal entrance forms a recess from the portico, with a handsome pediment and two windows on each side. The wings are plain, except the basement windows, which are arched; above there are others of a square form. The two wings are surmounted by a handsome balustrade.

The interior is commenced by a spacious hall, whence a long passage extends in a south direction, on each side of which are apartments and offices, the whole terminated by a court room surrounded also by various offices.

The grand Court Room, on the right of the passage, is very superb. The eastern side of the wall is nearly filled by a beautiful chimney-piece of the finest marble

The

cornice is supported by two caryatides of white, on pe destals of veined marble; these, with the brackets, &c. also of white, form a beautiful contrast. But the principal beauty of this room is the fine design on bas relief of Britannia sitting on a globe, under a rock by the sea shore, looking towards the east; her right hand leans on an Union shield, whilst her left holds a trident; and her head is decorated by a naval crown. Behind her are two boys, one, regardful of her, as he leans on a cornucopia; the other,

diverting

diverting himself with the flowing riches. Britannia is attended by female figures, emblems of India, Asia, and Africa; the first, in a reclining posture, presenting a casket of jewels; the second, holding in her right hand an in-` cense vessel, emblematical of her spices; and in her left, the bridle of a camel; the third, her head covered by the usual tokens of her produce, and her left hand on the head of a lion. Old father Thames, with his head crowned with flags, holding in his right hand a rudder, and in his left a cornucopia, fills up the group; whilst the distance displays," mercantile labour and ships riding on the ocean. Over the whole are the arms of the company elegantly ornamented; and above the handsome doors, on each side, are pannels on which appear good pictures of Fort St. George, and Bombay.

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The north side is decorated by a large folding door of polished mahogany, enriched by Corinthian columns; on each side are fine mirrors, ornamented with white and gold; above these are mathematical instruments, and pannels with views of St. Helena, and the Cape of Good Hope. The west exhibits a grand Corinthian portico, with an elegant clock, and mirrors, and views of Fort William, and Tellichery. The south side has two ranges of windows. The tout ensemble of architecture in this room is excel-, lent; and an uncommonly fine Turkey carpet covers the whole flooring.

From this, on the south east, is an opening to the Committce Room; in which, over a beautiful marble chimney piece, is an excellent portrait of General Lawrence*.

* STRINGER LAWRENCE, Esq. from his earliest youth, was exceedingly anxious to acquire military glory. Whilst a subaltern in the army, he gave repeated proofs of his courage in the war between Great Britain and Spain in 1739, till the peace in 1748. The loss of Madras in 1746, had rendered the affairs of the East India Company in the Carnatic in a perilous state, and it required an officer of spirit, fortitude, and integrity, to preserve the company from ruin by the intrigues and enterprises of the Indian chiefs in the French interest. Mr. Lawrence, who had by this time risen to the rank of major, was appointed in the same year.

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The

The Old Sale Room is entered from the Court Room by the great north door. The west end of this apartment is circular. Here are three niches, containing marble statues of Lord Clive, Admiral Sir George Pococke, and Major General Lawrence, in Roman habits, all dated 1764. An excellent statue of Sir Eyre Coote, in his regimentals, also graces the room.

For the accommodation of bidders, there is a considerable ascent of steps to the east; and on the top is a stately Doric colonade.

In the room for the Committee of Correspondence, is aportrait of Marquis Cornwallis, in a general's uniform; and another of Warren Hastings, Esq. These pictures are on each side of a handsome inlaid chimney piece. The portrait of the famous nabob of Arcot; and another of the same class, decorate the north and south ends, and afford a striking contrast to the plain dress of Mr. Hastings.-In this room are also the following views, painted by Ward, exhibiting interesting specimens of Indian architecture: a view of Trichinopoly; a curious rock, called Viri Malli; the bath of the Bramins, in Chillimbrum; Madura, to the

The many brillant actions in which he was successful on the coast of Coromandel, the discipline he established, the fortresses he protected, the settlements he extended, the French and Indian armies he defeated, and the peace which he concluded in the Carnatic, in the year 1766, are detailed in an ample manner: suffice it here to say, that the.. future successes of Lord Clive, and Sir Eyre Coote, were owing to his instructions, whilst they served under him.

An unusual credit, however, is attached to Major Lawrence, for after all his labours, he returned to England without being a nabob; this is peculiarly to his honour, considering the many opportunities his situation offered, of amassing immense wealth; but he detested avarice and rapacity; and his riches in retirement was exceedingly mo、 derate.

He did not long enjoy the otium cum dignitate. His death, which proceeded in a great measure from the fatigues he had suffered in the service of his country, was esteemed a public loss; and the company were so sensible of their obligations to him, that they caused a noble monument to be erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey.

cast;

east; Tippy Colum; Tanks, and mausoleum of the Seer Shaw; Choultry of Seringham; south entrance to the Pagoda at that place; besides views of Choultry's.

The New Sale Room, is a very fine specimen of the abilities of Messrs, Jupp and Holland; and is lighted from the cieling. It is ornamented with pilasters, and contains several paintings illustrative of Indian, and other commercial attributes. There is a peculiar convenience attached to this apartment; by means of subterraneous conveyance, the whole is rendered warm during the sales, in the coldest weather.

Over part of these rooms is The Library, a wonderful collection of what is interesting and curious in Indian and other literature. The books are contained in large presses, projecting into the repository.

Under the whole premises are very extensive store rooms and cellars. In these are deposited vast quantities of madiera, and the choicest wines of Indian vintage.

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Having already mentioned Lime Street, the west side of which is occupied by the offices and warehouses of the East India Company, we observe that in the reign of Edward I. it contained a royal mansion, denominated the King's Artirce.

Betwixt Lime Street and Billiter Lane, previously to the year 1590, was a large garden plat, inclosed from the street by a brick wall, which being taken down, and the ground dug for cellarage, a discovery was made of another wall, with an arched stone gateway; the gates, which had been of timber, towards the street, were wholly consumed; but the iron hinges and staples remained, and bars of iron were attached to the frames of the remaining square windows. This wall was twelve feet under ground; and, as Stow ima gined, was the ruin of a mansion which was burnt in the reign of king Stephen; the fire having begun near London Stone, and consumed the city eastward to Aldgate.

On the opposite side of the street is the church of

THIS building stands at the north-west corner of Aldgate ward; and is nearly obscured from Leadenhall street, except the tower, by houses. It receives its surname from a May-pole, which was usually set up in the middle of the street, and was higher than the tower. It was, however, discontinued after the riot of Evil May Day 1517, and laid along under the pent-houses of an alley, called from that circumstance Shaft Alley. The reformation of religion in the reign of Edward VI. was fatal to this Shaft, for the curate of St. Catharine Cree church, inveighing against all reliques of idolatry, in a sermon at Paul's Cross, condemned the May-pole so effectually, that the inhabitants, on the very Sunday afternoon that the sermon was preached, assembled in great numbers, dragged the idolatrous pole from its hiding place, where it had rested thirty-two years, and sawed it in pieces, each reformer taking, for his share of the booty, as much of the idolatrous spoil as had lain along the breadth of his house, and reduced this mark of superstition to ashes.

In records, this church was also, called St. Andrew upon Cornhill. The former fabric was certainly built before the year 1399, as is proved by a deed concerning a piece of

ground