flaughter-houfes, ftore-rooms, &c. under the di rection of 7 commiffioners and other officers. In Tower ward is alfo the CUSTOM-HOUSE, a large, handfome, and commodious building of brick and ftone. It ftands upon the bank of the Thames, and is accommodated with large wharfs, keys, and ware-houfes. On this fpot is the bufy concourfe of all nations, who pay their tribute to wards the fupport of Great Britain. The firft custom-houfe was erected in 1559; which, being burnt in 1666, was rebuilt by Charles II. In 1718 it underwent the fame fate, and was reftored in its prefent form. In 1268 the half-year's cuftoms for foreign merchandise came only to L.75:6:10; the annual produce of the customs ending in April 1789, amounted to L.3,711,126. In Water lane, a little to the NW. of the custom-house, is Trinity-boufe; founded in 1513, at a period in which the British navy began to affume a system. The founder was Sir Thomas Spert, comptroller of the navy, and commander of the great ship Henry Grace de Dieu. The fociety is a corpora tion, confifting of a mafter, 4 wardens, 8 affift ants, and 18 elder brethren; felected from commanders in the navy and the merchants fervice. They may be confidered as the guardians of our fhips, military and commercial. Their powers are very extenfive; they examine fuch of the children of Chrift's hofpita' as ftudy mathematics, and the mafters of his majefty's fhips; they appoint pilots for the Thames; fettle the general rates of pilotage; erect light-houses and feamarks; grant licences to poor feamen, not free of the city, to row on the Thames; prevent foreigners from ferving on board our hips without li cence; punish feamen for mutiny and desertion; hear and determine complaints of officers and men in the merchants service, but liable to appeal to the court of admiralty; fuperintend the deepening and clean fing of the Thames, and have under their jurifdiction the ballaft-office; have powers to buy lands, and receive donations for charitable ufes; and, in confequence, relieve annually many thoufands of poor feamen, their widows and orphans. In this house the bufinefs of the inftitution is car ried on, but the mother house is at Deptford. The EXCISE OFFICE is a moft magnificent building, erected on the fite of GRESHAM COLLEGE. (See § 23.) The payments into this office amount to above 5 millions a-year. S. of the Royal Exchange ( 25.) and near the W. extremity of Lombard Street, is the General Poft-Office; a very handfome and commodious building.

pieces of antiquity in London. It is a great ftone, now ftanding in a cafe on the N. fide of Canonftreet, clofe under the S. wall of St Swithin's church. It is called London Stone; and was formerly pitched edgeways on the other fide of the ftreet, opposite to where it now ftands, fixed deeply in the ground, and ftrongly faftened with iron bars. It is mentioned fo early as the time of Athelstan, K. of the W. Saxons, and has been carefully preferved. Of the original caufe of its erection no memorial remains; but it is fuppofed, that as London was a Roman city, this ftone might be the centre, and might ferve as an object from which the distance was computed to the other confiderable cities or ftations in the province. The church of St Mary le Bow, in Cordwainerfftreet ward, is the most eminent parochial church in the city. It was built in the reign of William I. and being the firft church, the fteeple of which was embellished with stone arches or bows, was thence called le Bow. It was burnt in 1666, but foon after rebuilt. The fteeple is reckoned the most beautiful of its kind in Europe. In Cheap ward is Guildhall, or the town-house of London, This was originally built in 1411, but being much damaged by the fire in 1666, it was rebuilt in 1669. The front has a Gothic appearance, as well as the two gigantic effigies in the hall. The hall is 153 feet long, so broad, and 55 high, adorned with the royal arms, and thofe of the city and its companies, as well as with feveral portraits of English fovereigns and judges. In this building are many apartments for tranfacting the bufinefs of the city, befides one for each of the judicial courts, of King's-Bench, Common-Pleas, and Exchequer. Goldsmiths Hall ftands in Fofter-lane, which opens into the W. end of Cheapfide. In this lane alfo is St Martin's le Grand, which, though furrounded by the city, was fubject, near 3 centuries, to Westminster Abbey. A fine college was built here in 700 by Wythred king of Kent, and rebuilt in 1056. On the N. fide of Cheapfide ftood the hofpital of St Thomas Acon, founded by Fitz-Theobald and his wife Agnes, fifter to Thomas a BECKET, to whom it was de. dicated. It was granted by king Henry VIII. to the company of mercers; deftroyed by the fire in 1666; but rebuilt by the mercers company, who have their hall here. Immediately to the E. is a narrow street called the Old Jewry, fo named from a great fynagogue which stood here till the Jews were expelled the kingdom in 1291. In Cripplegate ward is a hall, which belonged to the company of barber-furgeons, built by the celebrated Inigo Jones, and the upper end is formed out of one of the towers or barbicans of London wall. The anatomical theatre is elliptical, and very finely contrived. This hall is now called Barbers Hall; the furgeons having obtained a feparate charter, and built a new hall in the Old Bailey. Near Bridewell is St Bride's Church, a ftately fabric 111 feet long, 57 broad, and 41 high, with a beautiful spire 234 feet in altitude, and a ring of 12 bells in its tower.

(24.) LONDON, PUBLIC OFFICES IN. The Vic tualling Office for the Navy, is feated on Little Tower-hill. It is feparated from Tower-hill by a wall and gate, and contains houses for the officers, YOL. XIIL PART II.

(25.) LONDON, ROYAL EXCHANGE OF. The Royal Exchange, which is the meeting-place of the merchants of London, ftands in the ward of Cornhill, and is the fineft and strongest fabric of the kind in Europe. It was founded in 1566. Sir Thomas Gresham, merchant in London, made an offer to the lord mayor and citizens, to build, at his own expenfe, a commodious edifice for merchants to meet and tranfact bufinefs, provided the city would find him a convenient fituation for the fame. The citizens accordingly purchafed, for 35321. 80 houfes in the two alleys called Nw St Chriftopher's and Savan-alley, leading out of Cornhill into Thread-needie freet. The materials of thofe houses were fold for 4781. and the ground, C.cc

when

fides of the royal exchange, divided into zoo fhops, which were let out to haberdashers, milliners, &c. and which for feveral years were well occupied. But these galleries are now let out to the Royal Exchange Affurance-office, the Merchant-feamens office, the Marine Society, auctioneers, &c. Under the whole area there are the fineft dry vaults that can be found any where, which are let out to the Eaft India company. In the turret is a good clock with 4 dials, which is regulated every day, so that it is a standard of time to all the mercantile part of the town; and it goes with chimes at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock, playing upon 12 bells. The outfide of this grand fabric fuffers very much in appearance, from the fhops that furround it, and are built within its walls; and which are occupied by booksellers, toymen, cutlers, hofiers, watchmakers, &c.

when cleared, was conveyed to Sir Thomas Grefham, who, accompanied by feveral aldermen, laid the first brick of the new building on the 7th of June that year. The whole fabric was roofed by Nov. 1567, and was foon after completed under the name of the Burfe. This building was totally deftroyed by the fire in 1666; and in its place the prefent magnificent ftructure was erected, at the expenfe of L.80,000, upon a plat of ground 203 feet in length and 171 in breadth, containing an area in the middle, of 61 fquare perches, furrounded with a fubftantial and regular ftone building, wrought in ruftic. It has two fronts, N. and 3. each of which is a piazza; and in the centre are the grand entrances into the area, under a very lofty and noble arch.. The S. front in Cornhill is the principal; on each fide of which are Corinthian demi-columns, fupporting a compafs pediment; and, in the intercolumniation on each fide, in the front next the street, is a niche, with the ftatues of Charles I. and II. in Roman habits, well executed. Over the aperture, on the cornice between the two pediments, are the king's arins in relievo: on each fide of this entrance is a range of windows between demi-columns, and pilafters of the compofite order, above which runs a baluftrade. This building is 56 feet high: and from the centre, in this front, rifes a lanthorn and turret 178 feet high, on the top of which is a vane of guilt brafs in the fhape of a grafshopper, the creft of Sir Thomas Gretham. The N. front in Thread-needle ftreet is adorned with pilafters of the compofite order; but has triangular pediments. The infide of the area is alfo furrounded with piazzas, forming ambulatories for merchants, &c. Above the arches of this piazza is an entablature with curious ornaments; and on the cornice a range of pilafters with an cntablature extending round, and a compafs pediment in the middle of the cornice of each of the four fides. Under the pediment on the N. hide are the king's arms; on the S. the city's arms; on the E. Sir T. Grefham's arms; and on the W. the mercer's arms. In these intercolumns are 24 niches, 20 of which are filled with the ftatues of the kings and queens of England. Under thefe piazzas, within the area, are 28 niches, all vacant but that in which Sir Thomas Gresham's ftatue is placed in the NW. angle, and that in the SW. where the ftatue of Sir John Barnard ftands. The centre of this area is ornamented with a ftatue of Charles II. in a Roman habit, upon a marble pedeital about 8 fect high, encompaffed with iron rails. The pedeftal is enriched on the S. fide with an imperial crown, a fceptre, fword, palm-branches, &c. On the W. fide is a cupid cut in relievo, refting his right hand on a shield with the arms of France and England quartered, and holding a rofe in his left hand. On the N. fide is another cupid inpporting a fhield with the arms of Ireland; and on the E. fide are the arms of Scotland, with a cupid holding a thistle; all done in relievo by Gibbon. In this area, merchants and men of bufinefs meet every day at change hours; and for the more regular and readier difpatch of bufinefs, they difpofe of themselves into feparate walks. In building this expensive ftructure, not only magnificence, and convenience, but alfo economy, were confulted. A gallery was built over the 4

(26.) LONDON, ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL IN. Farringdon-ward Within is diftinguished by the most magnificent Proteftant church in the world, the cathedral of St Paul. Sir Chriftopher Wren's opinion, that there had been a church on this spot, built by the Chriftians in the time of the Romans, was confirmed when he fearched for foundations for his own defign, by discovering those of the original emicircular chancel of the old church. They confifted of Kentish rubble ftone, confolidated with exceedingly hard mortar, in the Roman manner, much excelling the fuperftructure. He explodes the notion of there having been here a temple of Diana. The first church is fuppofed to have been deftroyed in the Dioclefian perfecu tion, and to have been rebuilt under Conftantine. This was again demolished by the pagan Saxons; and reftored, in 603, by Sebert, a petty prince, under Ethelbert king of Kent, the first Chriftian monarch of the Saxon race; who, at the inftance of St Auguftine, appointed Melitus the first bishop of London. Erkenwald, the fon of king Offa, 4th in fucceffion from Melitus, ornamented his cathedral very highly, and improved the revenues with his own patrimony. When London was burnt in 1086, this church was rebuilt, and Bp. Mauritius laid the foundations, which remained till its 2d deftruction, in 1666. Though Mauri tius lived 20 years after he had begun this work, and Bp. Beauvages enjoyed the fee 20 more, yet fuch was the grandeur of the defign, that it remained unfinished. The ftyle of the ancient cathedral was a most beautiful Gothic; over the E. end was an elegant circular window; and from the central tower rofe a lofty and moft graceful fpire. The dimenfions, as taken in 1309, were thefe: The length 690 feet; the breadth 120; the height of the roof of the W. part, from the floor, 102; of the E. part, 188; of the tower, 260; of the fpire, which was made of wood covered with lead, 274. The whole fpace was 3 acres and a half, 1 rood and a half, and 6 perches. The high altar dazzled with gems and gold, the gifts of its numerous votaries. John king of France, when prifoner in England, firft paying his refpects to St Erkenwald's fhrine, offered 4 bafons of gold; and the gifts at the obfequies of princes, foreign and British, were of immense value. On the day of the converfion of the tutelar faint, the charities were prodigious, when an in

dulgence

roof of the choir is fupported by 6 pillars, and that of the church by two ranges, confifting of 20 more. The roof of the church and choir is adorned with arches and fpacious peripheres of enrichments, admirably carved in ftone. Quite round the infide of the cupola, there is a whif pering iron balcony, or gallery, the top of which is richly painted by Sir James Thornhill. The firft ftone of this fuperb edifice was laid in June 21, 1675; and the building was completed in 1710; but the whole decorations were not finished till 1723. It was a most singular circumftance, that, notwithstanding it was 35 years in building, during which a revolution intervened, it was begun and finished by one architect, and under one prelate, Henry Compton, Bp. of London. The church of St Peter's was 135 years in building, in the reigns of 19 popes, and went through the hands of 12 architects. It is not, as has been faid, built after the model of that famous temple: it is the entire conception of our great countryman, and has been preferred in fome refpects, by a judicious writer, to even the Roman Bafilica. Its dimenfions are lefs. The comparative view is given in the Parentalia and copied in London and its Environs The height of St Peter's to the top of the crofs is 437 feet; that of St Paul's, 340 feet; fo that, from its fituation, it is lofty enough to be seen from the fea. The length of the firft is 729 feet; of the latter, 500. The greatest breadth of St Peter's is 364; of St Paul's, 180. In the reigns of James I. and Charles I. the body of this cathedral was the common refort of the politicians, the newfmongers, and the idle in general. It was called Paul's walk; and is mentioned in the old plays, &c. of the times. Notavithftanding the magnificence of this noble pile, its defects have been remarked. Its fituation is fuch, that it cannot be viewed at a distance. The divifion of the porticoes, and the whole structure into two ftories on the outfide, indicate a like divifion within. The dome bears too great a proportion to the reft of the pile, and ought to have been raifed exactly in the centre of the building; and there ought to have been two fteeples at the E. end, to correfpond with thofe at the W. On entering this church, we inftantly perceive an obvious deficiency, not only of elevation but length, to aflift the perspective; and the columns are heavy and clumfy, rather encumbering the prof pect than enriching it. St Paul's occupies an area of 6 acres, and is railed all round with iron baluftrades, each about 54 feet high, fixed on a dwarf wall of hewn ftone. In the W. end of this area is a marble ftatue of Q. Anne, holding a fceptre and globe, furrounded with 4 emblematical figures, reprefenting Great Britain, France, Ireland, and America. Befides very large contributions for carrying on this edifice, the parliament granted a duty on fea-coal, which, at a medium, produced scool. a-year.; and the whole expenfe of the building is faid to have amounted to 736,7521. 28. 3d.

dulgence of 40 days pardon was given, vere panitentibus, contritis, et confeffis; and, by order of Henry III. 1500 tapers were placed in the church, and 15,000 poor people fed in the church-yard. But the holiness of this place did not prevent thieves and profligates from lurking within the precincts, and committing murders and every fort of crime. Edward I. permitted the dean and canons to inclofe the whole within a wall; and to have gates to exclude disorderly people.— Within these walls, on the NW. fide, was the bifhop's palace. Froiffart tells us, that after the great tournament in Smithfield, Edward III. and his queen lodged here, on occafion of their nuptials. In 1561, the noble spire was totally burnt by lightning, and never reftored. In confequence of the refolutions taken in 1620, by James I. to repair the cathedral, the celebrated Inigo Jones was appointed to the work. But it was not attempted till 1633, when Laud laid the first ftone, and Inigo the 4th. That great architect begun with a moft notorious impropriety, giving to the W. end a portico of the Corinthian order, beautiful indeed, to this ancient Gothic pile; and to the ends of the two tranfepts, Gothic fronts in a most horrible ftyle. The great fire made way for reftoring this magnificent pile in its prefent noble form by Sir Chriftopher Wren, an architect worthy of fo great a defign. It is built of fine Portland stone, in form of a crofs. On the outfide are two ranges of pilafters, confifting of 120 each; the lower range of the Corinthian order, and the upper of the compofite. The fpaces between the arches of the windows and the architrave of the lower order, are filled with a great variety of curious enrichments, as are alfo thofe above. On the N. fide is a portico, the afcent to which is by 12 fteps of black marble, and its dome fupported by fix very large columns. Over the dome is a pediment, the face of which is engraved with the roy. al arms, regalia, and other ornaments. On the S. is a portico, the afcent to which is by 25 fteps, and its dome supported by 6 columns, correfponding with thofe on the N. fide. The W. front has a moft magnificent portico, fupported by 12 lofty Corinthian columns: over thefe are 8 columns of the compofite order, which fupport a noble pediment, crowned with its acroteria, and in this pediment is a reprefentation of St Paul's converfion, boldly carved in bas relief. The afcent to this portico is by a flight of fteps of black marble, extending the whole length of the portico; and over each corner of the W. front is a beautiful turret. A vaft dome, or cupola, rifes in the centre of the building: 20 feet above the church is a cir. cular range of 32 columns with niches, placed exactly against others within; and terminated by their entablature, which fupports a handfome gallery, adorned with a ftone balustrade. Above thefe columns is a range of pilafters, with windows between; and from the entabulature of thefe, the diameter of the dome gradually decreases. On the fummit of the dome is an elegant balcony, from the centre of which runs a beautiful lanthorn, adorned with Corinthian columns. The whole is crowned with a copper ball, supporting a crofs, both finely gilt. Within, the cupola ftands ou & ftupendous pillars, curiously adorned: the

(27.) LONDON, SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, &C. IN. There are 3 colleges, 8 public free schools, and 131 charity schools; wherein above 5000 poor children are educated. In Dowgate ward is a noted academy, called Merchant-Taylors School,

Ccca

founded

founded by the merchant-taylors company in 1651. It was burnt in 1666, but fince rebuilt; and is a very large ftructure, with commodious apart. ments for the mafters and ufhers, and a fine library. Sir Thomas White, lord mayor, having founded St John's college in Oxford in 1557, appointed this fchool as a feminary for it, and eftablithed at Oxford 46 fellowships for fcholars elected from this fchool. In Cripplegate ward is a college, called Sion College, founded in 16273 on the fite of Elfing hofpital or priory, by Dr Thomas White, vicar of St Dunftan's in the weft, for the improvement of the London clergy; and with alms-houses, under their care, for 20 poor perfons, 10 men and 10 women. In 1631, the clergy of London were conftituted fellows of the col lege; and from them are annually elected, on Tuofday, 3 weeks after Eafter, a prefident, two dear s, and four affiftants, who meet quarterly, to hear a Latin fermon, and dine in the college hall. John Simpson, rector of St Olives, who fuperin tended the building, added, at his own expenfe, a library, 120 feet long, and amply filled with books. On the E. side of St Paul's cathedral is St Paul's School, founded in 1509, by Dr John Collett, dean of this church, who endowed it for a mafter, an under mafter, a chaplain, and 153 scholars. In Warwick lane ftands the College of Phyficians, erected in 1682 by Sir C. Wren. It is built of brick, and has a fpacious ftone frontispiece. Near the S. extremity of the Old Bailey, on the E. fide, is the hall of the Company of Surgeons, with a theatre for diffection. In Caftle Baynard ward is a large ftructure, called Doctors Commons. It confifts of feveral handfome paved courts, in which the judges of the court of admiralty, thofe of the court of delegates, of the court of arches, and the prerogative court, with the doctors that plead caufes, and the proctors of the place, all live in a collegiate way; and from commoning together, as in other colleges, the name of Doctors Commons is derived. Here courts are kept for the trial of civil and ecclefiaftical caufes, under the Abp. of Canterbury, and the Bp. of London. The college has an excellent library, every bishop at his confecration giving 20l. or 50l. towards purchafing books for it. Near Doctors Commons, on St Bennet's Hill, is the College of Heralds. See HERALDS, 3. This building, originally the houfe of the earl of Derby, is a fpacious quadrangle, built of brick, and has convenient apart ments. Here are kept records of the coats of arms of all the families and names in England.

gives it the name of Ars Palatina, or the Palatine Tower; the commander of which had the title of Palatine. Within this tower is a very ancient cha pel, appropriated to the devotions of the kings and queens. In 1092, a violent tempeft did great injury to the Tower; but it was repaired by William II. and Henry I. The former added another caftellated building on the 8. fide, between it and the Thames, afterwards called St Thomas's Torver. The Tower was first inclosed by William Longchamp, Bp. of Ely, and chancellor under Richard I. who furrounded the whole with walls embattled, and made on the outside a vast ditch, into which, in after times, water from the Thames was introduced. Different princes added other works. The prefent extent within the walls is 12 acres and 5 roods, the circuit on the outside of the ditch 1052 feet. The Lions Tower, originally called the Bal wark, was built by Ed. IV. Hen. I. had his mehagerie at his manor of Woodstock, where he kept lions, leopards, lynxes, porcupines, and other wild animals, which were afterwards removed to the Tower. The royal menagerie is exceedingly well fupplied. In 1758 the Tower ditch was railed all around. New barracks were fome years ago erected on the Tower wharf, which parts it from the river; and upon the wharf is a line of 61 pie. ces of cannon, which are fired upon ftate holidays. On this fide of the Tower the ditch is narrow, and over 'it is a draw-bridge. Parallel to the wharf, within the walls, is a platform 70 yards in length, called the Ladies Line, as it is much frequented by ladies in funfmer, being shaded in the infide with a row of lofty trees; and without is a delightful profpect of the shipping on the Thames. The afcent to this line is by ftone steps, and when once upon it one may walk almost round the walls of the tower without interruption. The principal entrance into the Tower is by a gate to the W. large enough to admit coaches and heavy carriages; but thefe are firft admitted through an outward gate, fituated without the ditch upon the hill, and must pass a ftout ftone-bridge built over the ditch before they can approach the main entrance. There is, befides, an entrance near the SW. corner of the Tower outward wall, for perfons on foot, over the draw-bridge to the wharf. There is alfo a water-gate, commonly called Traitor's gate, through which traitors and other ftate-prifoners are conveyed to or from the Tower, and which is feldom opened on any other occafion; but the lords committed to the Tower in 1746 were admitted at the main entrance. Over this gate is a regular building, terminated at each end by two round towers, on which are embrafures for pointing cannon. In this building are the infirmary, the mill, and the water works that fupply the Tower with water. In the Tower are a church, the offices of ordnance and of the mint, which comprehends near one third of the Tower; thofe of the keepers of the records, of the jewei office, of the Spanish armoury, the horse armoury, and the new or fmall armoury; with barracks for the foldiers of the garrifon, and handsome houses for feveral officers who refide here. The princi pal officers of the Tower are, a conftable, a lieutenant, and a deputy lieutenant. Eleven hamlets belong to this fortrefs; the militia of which, con

(28.) LONDON, TOWER of. The Tower ftands E. of the Bridge and Monument (§ 18, 23.) It is the chief fortrefs of the city, and fuppofed to have been built by William the Conqueror, in 1066. It appears, however, to have been raised upon the remains of a more ancient fortrefs, erected probably by the Romans: for in 1720, in digging on the S. fide of what is called Cafar's Chapel, there were difcovered fome old foundations of ftone, 3 yards broad, and fo ftrongly ce mented, that it was with the utmost difficulty they were forced up. The great fquare tower, called the White Tower, was erected in 1078, under the direction of Gundulph, Bp. of Rochefter. This building originally flood by itself, Fitzftephen

fifting

E

fifting of 400 men, are obliged, at the command of the conftable of the Tower, to repair bither, and reinforce the garrifon. It would fwell this article beyond all due bounds, to give a defcription of all the curiofities in this ancient repofitory of the relics of royal magnificence. We fhail therefore only give a very brief sketch of them. The first object of curiofity fhown to ftrangers is the wild beafts. The next is the Mint, which comprehends about one 3d of the Tower. The next is the White Tower built by William I, à large square ftone building, nearly in the centre, containing a great variety of warlike engines; a complete fet of arms for 10,000 feamen; various models of new invented engines of destruction; and the memorable spoils of the invincible Spanish ARMADA. On the NW. of the White Tower is the Grand Store-house, 245 feet long, and 60 broad; containing what is called a wilderness of arms, for 80,000 men, all bright and fit for fer vice, ranged in order. This grand fore-houfe was begun by James II. and finished by William III. The horse armoury contains a reprefenta tion of the kings and heroes of England, in their warlike accoutrements, fome of them on horfeback, About 20 yards E. of the grand storeroom, the Royal Jewels are deposited in a dark ftrong ftone room; viz. r. The imperial crown ufed at the coronation of the kings, made of gold, and enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, fapphires, and pearls: the cap within is of purple velvet, lined with taffety, and turned up with ermine. 2. The golden globe, put into the king's right hand before he is crowned, enriched with precious tones. 3. The golden fceptre, with its crofs upon a large amethyst, fet round with diamonds. 4. The fceptre and dove, perched upon a Jerufalem crofs, enriched with diamonds, &c. 5. St Edward's staff, 4 feet 7 inches long, and 34 in circumference, all of beaten gold, which is carried before the king at his coronation. 6. The crown of State, worn by the king in parlia ment, in which is a large emerald, 7 inches round; a pearl reckoned the fineft in the world, and a ruby of inestimable value. 7. The prince of Wales's crown. 8. The crown, globe, and fceptre, of Q. Mary II. with the diadem fhe wore at her coronation. 9. An ivory fceptre, garnished with gold, with a dove on the top, of gold enamelled with white; made for K. James II.'s queen. The Curtana, or Sword of mercy, with a blade 32 inches long, and near 2 broad, without a point; which is carried before the king at his coronation, between the two fwords of justice. 11. The golden fpurs, and armillas, or bracelets for the wrifts. 12. The AMPULLA, or golden eagle, which holds the holy oil, with which the monarchs are anointed, and the golden fpoon into which it is poured. 13. A falt-cellar of gold, in the form of the fquare White Tower, of moft exquifite workmanship. All these are very ancient, and are used only at coronations. 14. A filver font, double gilt, elegantly wrought, in which the royal family are baptized. 15. A large filver fountain, presented to K. Charles II. by the town of Plymouth: befides all the crown jewels, worn by the princes, and much ancient plate. The public records are alfo kept in an office, which is open for inspection, from feven

10.

to one, 9 months in the year, and from eight to one in winter.

(29) LONDON, TRADING COMPANIES OF. The trading part of London is divided into 89 companies; though fome of them have neither charters, halls, nor liveries. Of thefe, 55 have each a hall for tranfacting the bufinefs of the corporation; and this confifts of a mafter, or prime warden, a court of affiftants, and livery.-Of thefe companies, 12 are fuperior to the reft, both in antiquity and wealth; and of one of those 12, the lord mayors have generally made themselves free at their election. Thefe are the mercers, grocers, drapers, fifh-mongers, goldfmiths, fkinners, merchant-taylors, haberdashers, falters, ironmongers, vintners, and clothworkers.-The principal incorporated focieties of the merchants are, the Hamburgh Company, the Hudson's Bay Company, the Ruffia Company, the Turkey Company, the Eaft India Company, the Royal African Company, the South Sea Company, and fome Infurance Companies. Most of these companies have ftately houses for tranfacting their bufinefs, particularly the Eaft India and South Sea companies. See COMPANY, § IV.

This great

(30.) LONDON, WARDS OF. See § 6. (31.) LONDON, WATER, &C. OF. and populous city is happily fupplied with abundance of fresh water from the Thames and the New River; which is not only of inconceivable service to every family, but by means of fire-plugs every where difperfed, the keys of which are depofited with the parish officers, the city is in a great measure fecured from the fpreading of fire; for thefe plugs are no fooner opened, than vaft quantities of water fupply the engines. This plenty of water has been attended with another advantage; it has given rife to several companies, who infure houfes and goods from fire; the premium is fmall, and the recovery in cafe of lofs is eafy and certain. (See INSURANCE, 1.) Each of thefe offices keeps a set of men in pay, who are ready at all hours to give their affiftance in cafe of fire; and who are extremely bold, dexterous, and diligent.

(32.) LONDON, WEALTH AND GRANDEUR OF. Before the conflagration in 1666, LONDON was very inelegant, inconvenient, and unhealthy; of which latter misfortune many melancholy proofs are authenticated in hiftory, and which proceeded from the narrownefs of the ftrects, and the projections of the buildings, that confined the putrid air; and joined with other circumftances, such as the want of water, rendered the city feldom free from peftilential devaftation. The fire which con. fumed the greateft part of the city, dreadful aš it was to the inhabitants at that time, was productive of confequences which made ample amends for the loffes fuftained by individuals; a new city arofe on the ruins of the old; but, though more regular, open, convenient, and healthful, than the former, yet it is ever to be regretted, that the magnificent, elegant, and ufeful plan of the great Sir Chriftopher Wren was difregarded, and facrificed to the mean and selfish views of private property; views which did irreparable injury to the citizens themselves, and to the nation in general; for had that great archi

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