The geographical situation of London, in respect to its position on the globe, is in latitude degrees, minutes, north; and in longitude, degrees, minutes; or minutes, seconds west, from Greenwich. Its distance from the principal cities of Europe is as follows: from Edinburgh miles south; from Dublin miles south-east; from Amsterdam, miles west; from Paris, miles north north-west; from Copenhagen, miles southwest; from Vienna, miles north-west; from Madrid, miles north-east by east; from Rome, miles north north-west; from Constantinople miles north-west; and from Moscow, miles east south-east.

The immediate site of London is about miles from the sea, westward, in a pleasant and spacious valley, stretching along the banks of the Thames; which river, as it flows through the town, forms a bold curve or crescent. On the northern side, the ground rises with a quick ascent, and then more gradually, but unequally, heightens to the north-west and west, which are the most elevated parts. On the south side, the ground is nearly level, and was

The general soil of the valley in which the metropolis is situated, is gravel and clay, with loam and sand intermixed. The clay predominates in most parts of the town; and to this circumstance, combined with the facility with which the clay is converted into brick, the vast augmentation of buildings in London is partly to be attributed. From the neighbourhood of Tuthill Fields, on the south, to that of the Tower on the east, the buildings, following the natural bend of the river, rise in a sort of amphitheatric form, and are defended from the bleak winds of the north, by the rising grounds about and Highbury, and the hills of Highgate and Hampstead. Below the Tower, and extending to the extremity of the county along the river Lea, in the vicinity of , &c. the ground is in general flat, and the houses are exposed to the chilling blasts of the east. The western and higher parts of the metropolis, stand pleasantly open to the genial breezes of that quarter. The southern, or Surrey side, lies low and level, and is still marshy, particularly in the neighbourhood of , and Fields; of late years, however, as the population of these districts has advanced, greater attention has been given to the drainage, and the whole is now in a state of great improvement.

The extent of what is commonly called the metropolis, from west to east, or from to Poplar, is full miles and a half; its breadth, from north to south, is very irregular, but may be described as varying from to miles. The outward line, or circumference, of the contiguous buildings, allowing for the numerous inequalities of breadth, may be computed at about miles; and the area of the whole comprehends between and square miles. The principal mercantile streets range from west to east, and in that direction the metropolis is intersected by great thoroughfares; the , which is most adjacent to the Thames, and may be called the southern line, commences on the , at Hyde-Park Corner, and under the successive names of , , , Charing-cross, Strand, , , Church-yard,

Independent of its various local and municipal divisions, London may be considered as divided into grand portions, of which the city, commonly so called, is to be considered as the nucleus, and the remaining as so many suburbs; forming altogether probably the largest assemblage of human habitations ever known; certainly the most extensive now existing in the world.

The metropolis is computed to contain about squares, and streets, lanes, courts, &c.; the whole formed by upwards of buildings of various descriptions, as public structures, churches, dwelling-houses, warehouses, shops, &c. The churches and other principal edifices are mostly built of stone; the dwellings, with the exception of some of the mansions belonging to the nobility, also of stone, are almost wholly built with brick; but few wooden houses are now to be seen, and those are principally of a date anterior to the great fire of . Many of the squares are extremely spacious, and the central area of most of them is inclosed by an iron pallisade, and laid out in graveled walks and shrubberies, for the recreation of the inhabitants of the surrounding houses. The principal streets are also spacious and airy; and in most of the new parts of the town, the buildings are respectable and uniform; yet the continuity of line which results from the regularity, renders them by far less picturesque than the old houses, which were constructed with projecting porticos, over-hanging windows, gable-ends, &c. and of which some specimens may yet be found.

Through the numerous improvements that have been made in the course of the last years, the inhabitants of London enjoy greater conveniences than those of any other city in Europe All the streets are regularly paved, and divided into a carriage-way and a footpath on each side. The carriage-way is either paved with small square blocks of Scotch granite, or pebbles, so disposed as to rise with a small convexity in the centre, and having a continued channel, or kennel, on each side, at a short distance from the foot-pavement, or laid with small irregular pieces of Scotch granite upon the plan of Mr. M«Adam; the latter, though it answers well on country roads, is generally disliked in the metropolis from its accumulating mud and filth. The foot-paths are in general laid with large thick flags, or slabs, either of Yorkshire free-stone, moorstone, or lime-stone, and are finished with a regular kirb, raised a

The charges of constructing and keeping in repair the sewers, drains, &c. and of paving the streets, are defrayed by levies of a small sum per pound on the rents of all inhabited houses; and the expences of lighting and watching are likewise discharged in the same manner. The sewer tax is collected every or years under the direction of the commissioners of sewers; the taxes for paving, lighting and watching are, in general, assessed by the authority of magistrates and other officers, acting in the different districts and parishes, under the express regulations of various acts of parliament, obtained for local purposes.

Among the recent improvements of the metropolis, none, perhaps, merit greater celebration than the present brilliant mode of lighting the churches, theatres, public streets, shops, printing-offices, &c. with gas. This beautiful substitute for the former imperfect plan of securing a public light is rapidly extending its benefits, in consequence of the incorporation of the

Gas Light and Coke Company,

The guardianship of the metropolis at night is chiefly entrusted to aged men, who are mostly hired at small weekly salaries by the different parishes, and provided with a great-coat, a lanthorn, staff, rattle, and a watch-box. Each watchman has a regular beat, or walk, which it is his duty to go twice round every hour during the

The width of the streets, and the moderate height of the buildings, which are hardly ever run up into , or , and even more stories, as in some other cities, highly contribute to the healthfulness of London. Few of the streets are so narrow as to prevent carriages from passing, and many others, especially in the new parts of the town, are wide enough for or to pass without inconvenience. The general width of the principal trading streets may be stated at from to and feet; others, particularly westward, measure from to a feet and upwards: the width of , at the Treasury, is about feet; and that of Portland-place somewhat more than .

Of the relative extent of the principal streets and other avenues in London, some estimate may be formed from the following table:--

Notwithstanding the sudden and strongly contrasted changes of the weather in London, compared with the state of the atmosphere in other climes, and although multitudes of its poorer classes live in squalid poverty and wretchedness, the general healthiness of this capital may be deemed fully equal to that of any other in the world. In this respect considerable improvements have taken place since the times of the great plague and fire, and contagious disorders are now but of rare occurrence, at least to any extent. The annual mortality at the present period may be averaged at about in ; the number of deaths is greatest in infancy, and about - of the whole are of children under years of age.

The temperature of the air in London and its vicinity is sensibly affected by the influence of the coal fires, which warm and dry the atmosphere; and it is a remarkable fact that vegetation is earlier by days or a fortnight on the west and south-west sides of the metropolis, than on the northern and eastern sides. This is to be attributed to the severity of the north and north-east winds being mitigated in their passage over London by the warmth of the air arising from the fires. The more prevalent winds blow from the north-east and south-west; and these, with little variation, occupy about or months in the year. The westerly winds are generally pregnant with rain, the greatest falls coming from a few points west of the south; the easterly winds are sharp and piercing, but almost always dry. The heat of the atmosphere is very variable, it seldom remaining equal for many days; and every year differing from the preceding , as well in respect to heat and cold, as to moisture and rains.

Sometimes the winter is severely cold, with frosts from November till May, with little interruption: sometimes the water is not frozen for more than

ten

or

twelve

days. Most commonly there is a little frost in November and December; but otherwise these months (and particularly November) are very foggy [gloomy] and moist. The principal frost is generally in January; February is commonly a mild, open, moist month; March is generally cold [windy] and dry. The summer months vary as much; sometimes there are

three

months very warm; sometimes not more than a week [in continuance]; the latter half of July [and beginning of August] is commonly the hottest. In August, heavy rains often fall, especially in the last half of the month. The thermometer sometimes rises to above

80

° of Fahrenheit's scale, very rarely to

84

°; but the most common summer heat is from

65

° to

75

°; in winter it sometimes falls to

15

°, but the most common winter heat, when it freezes, is between

20

° and

30

°; it has been known to fall below the point marked

0

°, but very rarely; the most frequent when it does not freeze is between

40

° and

50

°.

The situation of London is so favourable, that springs, which might yield large quantities of water, are found on digging almost

The population of the metropolis has nearly doubled within the last years. The number of its settled inhabitants, including those of the contiguous parishes are given in the annexed table.

London is generally acknowledged to be the commercial city in the world; and its manufacturing importance is but little, if at all, inferior to any. It is the centre, indeed, of European traffic, and every article, whether of necessity, convenience, comfort, or luxury, may be here obtained.

The

Port of London,

The vast consumption of provisions in this immense capital must excite surprise, when duly considered, as to the means by which it is so regularly supplied. There are, however, no particular laws to effect this purpose; but all is left to the simple mechanism put in force by the expectation of profit, and the assured certainty with which every dealer can dispose of his goods.

The consumption of animal food is very great; but, to form a proper idea of its extent, the average weight, as well as the number of the animals, must be ascertained. About the year , the average weight of the oxen sold in the London market was lbs.; of calves lbs., of sheep lbs., and of lambs lbs.: the present average weight is, of oxen lbs, of calves lbs., of sheep lbs., and of lambs lbs. The number of oxen annually consumed in London has been estimated at , calves , sheep , lambs , hogs and pigs ; besides animals of other kinds. is the principal market for the above articles; and the total value of butchers' meat sold there annually is stated at

The quantity of fish consumed in the metropolis is comparatively small, on account of the high price which it generally bears; but this will probably be remedied, though some kinds of fish at particular seasons, are cheap, and of good quality. There are, on an average, annually brought to market cargoes of fish, of tons each, and about tons by land carriage: in the whole tons. The supply of poultry being inadequate to a general consumption, and the price consequently high, that article is mostly confined to the tables of the wealthy. Game is not publicly sold, yet a considerable quantity, by presents, and even by clandestine sale, is consumed by the middling classes. Venison is sold, chiefly by pastry-cooks, at a moderate rate, but the chief consumption, which is considerable, is amongst the gentry, and proprietors of deer-parks.

The annual consumption of wheat, in London, may be averaged at quarters, each containing Winchester bushels; of porter and ale barrels, each containing gallons: spirits and compounds gallons, wines pipes, butter lbs., and cheese lbs. The quantity of coals consumed is about chaldrons of bushels, or a ton and a half to each chaldron. About cows are kept in the vicinity of London, for supplying the inhabitants with milk, and they are supposed to yield nearly gallons every year; even this great quantity, however, is considerably increased by the dealers, who adulterate it, by at least -, with water, before they serve their customers.

It is a remarkable fact, that the Domesday-book, which is usually so minute in regard to our principal towns and cities, is wholly silent in respect to London. It only mentions a vineyard in , belonging

to the crown,

to the dean and chapter of

St. Paul's

.

a noble city, renowned for the opulence of its citizens,

filled with merchandise brought by the merchants of all countries, but chiefly by those of Germany :

in case of scarcity of corn in other parts of England, it is a granary, where it may be bought cheaper than any where else.

William Fitz-Stephen, a monk of Canterbury, in a curious Tract written about , intituled, has given an interesting picture of the metropolis and its customs, as they existed in Henry the 's reign. According to this author, the city was then bounded on the land-side by a high and spacious wall, furnished with turrets, and double gates; and had, in the east part,

a tower palatine,

an incomparable structure, guarded by a wall and bulwarks.

civil demeanour, their goodly apparel, their table, and their discourse.

lesser parochial ones.

the stag, the hind, the wild boar, and the bull.

by privilege and ancient dignity,

famous schools;

flocking together about the church, where the master hath his abode,

whatsoever multitude,

a great market for horses, whither earls, barons, knights, and citizens, repair, to

see and to purchase.

merchants bring their wares from every nation under Heaven. The Arabian sends his gold; the Sabeans, spice and frankincense; the Scythians, armour; Babylon, its oil; Egypt, precious stones; India, purple vestments; Norway and Russia, furs, sables, and ambergrease; and Gaul, its wine.

I think there is no city,

that hath more approved customs, either in frequenting the churches, honouring God's ordinances, observing holydays, giving alms, entertaining strangers, fulfilling contracts, solemnizing marriages, setting out feasts, and welcoming the guests, celebrating funerals, or burying the dead. The only plagues are, the intemperate drinking of foolish people, and the frequent fires. Most of the bishops, abbots, and nobility of England have fair dwellings in London, and often resort hither.

Henry the , whose great exactions have already been alluded to, has, in a few words, given a curious illustration of the affluence of the citizens in his days. The parliament, discontented at the lavish grants he had made to foreigners, refused him aid, and he was obliged to sell his jewels and plate. Being afterwards told that the Londoners had purchased them, he exclaimed passionately,

If Octavian's treasure was to be sold, the city of London would store it up!

rustical Londoners,

who call themselves barons, on account of their wealth,

all trade should cease within the city.

In the year , on the petition of the

male and female artificers of London,

prohibited, for a time to be limited by the king's pleasure, the importation or sale of woollen caps, woollen cloths, laces, corses, ribbands, fringes of silk or thread, laces of thread, silk twined, silk embroidered, laces of gold, tires of silk or gold, saddles, stirrups, harness belonging to saddles, spurs, bosses of bridles, andirons, gridirons, locks, hammers, pincers, fire-tongs, dripping-pans, dice, tennis-balls, points, purses, gloves, girdles, harness for girdles of iron, latten, steel, tin or alkmine, articles made of tanned leather, tanned furs, buscans (probably buskins), shoes, galoches or corks, knives, daggers, wood-knives, bodkins, shears for tailors, scissars, razors, sheaths, playing cards, pins, pattens, pack-needles, any painted ware, forcers, caskets, rings of copper, or latten gilt, chafing-dishes, hanging candlesticks, chafing bells, scaring bells, rings for curtains, ladles, scummers, counterfeit basins, ewers, hats, brushes, cards for wool, and blanch-iron wire, commonly called white wire.

The progressive increase of London was, in queen Elizabeth's time, somewhat checked by a proclamation, dated on the , prohibiting all persons from building houses within miles from any of the city gates: and various other regulations were ordained, to prevent any further resort of people to the capital, from distant parts of the country. The new lord mayor was strictly enjoined by lord Burleigh to enforce this proclamation, when he took the official oaths at , in the following autumn.

The dissolution of the monasteries which effected so great a chance in the metropolis occurred between the years and . Previously to this era, the various religious edifices and their respective appendages, within the walls of London, occupied nearly -thirds of the entire area; and about - of the whole population is supposed to have been associated in the numerous communities and brotherhoods which then separated

the drones from the working-bees.

Independently of the more extensive and splendid establishments of and , the metropolis and its suburbs, at the time immediately prior to the Reformation, contained all the variety of ecclesiastical institutions and buildings enumerated in the following list.

When a comparison is made between the extent of ground thus occupied by religious and ecclesiastical foundations, and that covered with merchants' warehouses, mansions, and cottages, or assigned to the purposes of trade and commerce, as wharfs, quays, shops, &c. the difference appears so striking, that a person unacquainted with its history, would at once infer that London had been a city of priests and monks rather than a commercial city: and that from the great number of holidays for legendary saints, fasts, vigils, processions, &c. enjoined by the Rubric, the inhabitants

dedicated but

one

day in the week to labour, instead of

six

.

There cannot be a question,

indeed, but that both the interests of commerce and the progress of population were greatly retarded by the numerous monastic institutions which thus

the capital; and however we may lament or execrate the

which demolished the immense and beautiful piles connected with these establishments (in many instances merely for the sake of the materials), and destroyed the rich specimens of art which they contained, we cannot but rejoice in the destruction of those bonds which separated man from his kind; and, in violating the strongest impulse of his nature, gave new strength to temptation, and led the way to the commission of every sensual enormity.

The liberation of so many thousands from the seclusion of the cloister, quickly led to an increased bustle and traffic, which called for new improvements in the avenues to the city.

From the very curious plan and view of London, intituled , by Ralph, or Radulphus Aggas, made soon after the accession of Queen Elizabeth, which is yet extant, though extremely scarce, a variety of interesting particulars of the state of

Similar void spaces, but separated by buildings, occurred between and the , at the extremity of which, next , stood a cross. was only an extensive inclosure, and , and seem to have extended but very little beyond Tower. From the gardens and inclosures immediately attached to the north side of Whitechapel and , the ground was only shaded with trees; the Spital Fields lying entirely open from the back of St. Mary Spital, which gave them name. was only a single line of buildings, extending from St. Botolph's, , to Bishopsgate Without: from thence a pretty regular street, but interspersed with openings and detached edifices, extended to church, which terminated the avenue. Westward from Bishopsgate, a few buildings, the principal of which was a long range named the Dogg-house, with gardens and inclosures intermingled, reached to Moorfield and Finsbury Field, both of which, from the Dogg-house to Finsbury-court, were completely open; and on Finsbury Field, where the handsome square of that name, and the houses beyond, extending to , now stand, were several windmills. In itself, from the spot now occupied by to , was not a single house, and only or detached buildings stood in the fields beyond. The mansion called Finsbury-court, was near the upper end of , between which and , the houses were very few. was merely indicated by a road described as

leading to St. Alban's;

way from Reading,

On the Surrey side, the plan exhibits only a single house that stood anywise contiguous to ; but more northward, near a road that took the same direction from as the present bridge road, and almost opposite to which was a kind of stage landing-place, were or buildings. All beyond these, to the banks of the Thames opposite to Whitefriars, was entirely vacant: there, a line of houses, with gardens and groves of trees behind them, commenced, and was continued with little intermission along to the vicinity of the Stews, and Winchester-house. of the most noted places in

Such then, and so constructed was London about the period of Elizabeth's accession; yet the reign of that princess forms a splendid epoch in its advancing growth, and notwithstanding the

dilapidating

The great augmentation in the buildings of the metropolis, which had taken place during the reign of queen Elizabeth, may be seen from the following passages, selected, with a few verbal alterations for the better connection, from

honest Stow.

St. Katherine's, below the Tower, has

of late years been inclosed about, or pestered with small tenements and homely cottages, having inhabitants, English and strangers, more in number than some cittie in England.

From this precinct of St. Katherine to

Wapping

in the Wose, and

Wapping

itself, never a house was standing within these fortie years, but is now a continuall streete, or rather a filthy straight passage, with lanes and allyes, of small tenements, inhabited by saylors and victuallers, along by the river Thames, almost to Radcliffe, a good myle from the Tower.

late time is builded a large store-house,

the grounds adjoining are employed in building of small tenements.

Tower-hill

also is greatly diminished by tenements.

the Nunnes of St. Clare, called the

Minories

, is now builded divers faire and large store-houses for armour and habiliments of war, with divers work-houses, serving to the same purpose.

is now of latter time inclosed, and the bankes thereof let out for garden plottes, carpenters' yards, bowling-allies, and divers houses be thereon builded.

Eastward from St. Botolph's church

were certain fayre innes, for receipt of travellers, up towards Hogge lane end, which stretcheth north to St. Mary Spittle, without Bishopsgate, and within these fortie-

four

yeares past, had on both sides fayre hedge rowes of elm trees, with bridges and easy styles to passe over into the pleasant fields, very commodious for citizens therein to walke, shoote, and otherwise to recreate and refresh their dulled spirits in the sweet and wholesome ayre, which is now within few yeares made a continual building throughout, of garden houses and small cottages: and the fields on either side be turned into garden plottes, teynter yards, bowling alleyes, and such like, from

Houndsditch

in the west, so farre as Whitechappel, and farther in the east. The south side of the highway from Ealdegate had some few tenements thinly scattered here and there, with much voyde space betweene them, up to the barres, but now that streete is not onely pestered with divers allies, on either side to the barres, but also even to Whitechappel,

and almost half a mile beyond it, into the common field.

From north-west to Bishopsgate, on the outer side of ,

was a fayre field, some time belonging to the priory of the Trinitie;--this field (as all other about the citie) was inclosed, reserving open passages thereinto, for such as were disposed; towards the street were some small cottages of

two

stories high, and little garden plottes backward, for poor bed-rid people. This street was

first

paved in the year

1503

;

three

brethren, that were gun-founders, surnamed Owens, gat ground there to build upon, and to inclose for casting of brasse ordinance. These occupied a good part of ye street on the field side, and in short time divers other also builded there, so that the poore bed-rid people were worne out, and in place of their homely cottages, such houses builded, as do rather want room than rent. The residue of the field was, for the most part, made into a garden, by a gardiner named Casway,

one

that served the market with hearbes and rootes: and in the last year of king Edward the

Sixth

, the same was parcelled into gardens, wherein are now many fayre houses of pleasure builded.

mud wall round the ditch side of this street, is also by little and little all taken downe; the bank of the ditch being raysed, made level ground, and turned into garden plottes, and carpenters' yards; and many large houses are there builded, by which meanes the ditch is filled up, and both the ditch and wall so hidden, that they cannot be seene of the passers by.

Without the church-yard of St. Botolph, without Bishopsgate, is a causeway leading to a quadrant called Petie Fraunce,

of Frenchmen dwelling there, and to other dwelling-houses, lately builded on the banke of the towne ditch by some citizens of London, that more regarded their owne private gaine than the common goode of the citie.

Near these is the hospital of St. Mary of Bethlehem, upon the streetes side northward from which many houses have been builded with alleyes backward, of late time, too much pestered with people (a great cause of infection) up to the barres.

the late dissolved priorie and hospital of Our Blessed Ladie, commonly called St. Mary Spittle, and near adjoining, are now many faire houses, builded for receipt and lodging of worshipfull and honorable persons.

Golding-lane was replenished on both sides, with many tenements of poor people.

from the further end of Aldersgate-streete, straight north to the barre, is called

Goswell street

, also replenished with small tenements, cottages, and allies, gardens, banquetting-houses, and bowling places.

Oldborne have ye many faire houses builded, and lodgings for gentlemen, innes for travellers, and such like, up almost, (for it lacketh but little) to St. Giles's-in-the-fields.

is furnished with faire buildings, and many tenements on both the sides, leading to the fields towards Highgate and Hamsted.

South from Charing Crosse on the right hand, are divers fayre houses lately builded before the Parke. On the left hand from Charing Crosse be also divers fayre tenements lately builded.

In

on the banks of the river Thames, there is now a continuall building of tenements, about half a mile in length to the bridge. Then from the bridge, straight towards the south, a continuall street called Long Southwarke, builded on both sides with divers lanes and alleyes up to

St. George's church

, and beyond it through

Blackman-street

towards new towne, or

Newington

. Then by the bridge, along by the Thames eastward, is St. Olave's-street, having continuall building on both the sides, with lanes and alleyes up to Battle-bridge, to Horsedowne, and towades

Rotherhithe

; also some good halfe mile in length from London-bridge. So that I accompt the whole continual buildings on the banke of the said river, from the west towards the east, to be more than a large mile in length. Then have ye from the entring towards the said Horse-downe,

one

other continual street, called Bermondes-eye-street, which stretcheth south, likewise furnished with buildings on both sides, almost halfe a mile in length, up to the late dissolved monasterie of St. Saviour, called

Bermondsey

; and from thence is

one

Long-lane

, so called of the length, turning west of

St. George's church

, afore named; out of the which

Long-lane

breaketh

one

other street towards the south, and by east, and this is called Kentish-street, for that it is the way leading into that countrey; and so you have the boundes of the borough.

The augmented population of the metropolis requiring fresh supplies of water, several new conduits were erected during Elizabeth's reign; of the principal of these was on , where a ruinous conduit was rebuilt, and had water conveyed to it through leaden pipes, from a reservoir of the waters of several springs made in the fields, near the extremity of the present (where also a conduit was formed), so named from the patriotic citizen, William Lamb, esq. (some time a gentleman of the chapel to Henry the ), at whose sole charge the work was executed. Conduits for the conveyance of Thames water were built also at Dowgate, Leadenhall, and ; and at Broken-wharf a vast engine was constructed in the year , for supplying the western parts of the city.

Howe, speaking of the foreign commerce of the city in the year , has this passage:--

London, at this day, is

one

of the best-governed, most rich, and flourishing cities in Europe; plenteously abounding in free trade and commerce with all nations; richly stored with gold, silver, pearl, spice, pepper, and many other strange commodities from both Indies; oyles from Candy, Cyprus, and other places under the Turk's dominion; strong wines, sweet fruits, sugar, and spice, from Grecia, Venice, Spayne, Barbaria, the islands and other places lately discovered and known; drugs from Egypt, Arabia, India, and divers other places; silks from Persia, Spayne, China, Italy, &c.; fine linen from Germany, Flanders, Holland, Artois, and Hainault; wax, flax, pitch, tarre, mastes, cables, and honey from Denmark, Poland, Swethland, Russia, and other northern countries; and the superfluity in abundance of French and Rhenish wines, the immeasurable and incomparable increase of all which cometh into this city, and the increase of houses and inhabitants within the terme and compasse of

fifty

years, is such and so great, as were there not now

two

-thirds of the people yet living, having been eye-witnesses of the premises and bookes of the customhouse, which remain extant, the truth and difference of all things afore-mentioned were not to be justified and believed.

During the early years of Charles I., the commerce of this metropolis still continued to make a rapid progress; and though the civil wars, for a time, had a very contrary operation, yet in the end

postmaster of England for foreign parts

Many extensive improvements were effected in the rebuilding of the city;

it was determined to widen the more public streets, and to clear away, as much as possible, those nuisances termed middle-rows, with which the old city abounded. Aldgate-street had a middle-row;

Cornhill

,

Cheapside

,

Newgate-street

,

Ludgate-street

, and many others had middle-rows.

The middle-rows in Holborn and St. Giles's are now the only specimen remaining of this kind of avenue.

Some of these were temporary, consisting only of moveable stands, erected, or rather put together, on market days; the others were permanent, but in either case, they were considerable obstructions and impediments to the free passage of the streets. At this time it was also determined that much of the ground-plot of the ancient city should be given to the public, and that many gateways that had formerly stood before those buildings which had courts, should be turned into the open streets. Yet, it is a curious circumstance that, while the surveyors of those times were widening the larger avenues, they were crowding the intervening buildings much closer than before; as it is well known that the houses of capital merchants, the city halls, and many other edifices, stood in the centre of large gardens and courts, which were afterwards covered with inferior buildings. Indeed, so much ground was covered after the conflagration, and so closely were the buildings within the walls of the new city connected, that it has been said to contain

four thousand

houses more than the old, and consequently a far greater number of inhabitants.

Nearly the whole of what is now called Spital-fields was completed after the fire, together with all the streets between Bricklane and . A similar increase also took place towards Goodman's-fields, , and , which, with nearly all the ground beyond to , had previously been open fields. The western side of the was built over the ditch, which had surrounded the ancient city wall, and had been filled up. was also commenced, and the unfortunate duke of Monmouth began a splendid house on the south side, where Bateman's-buildings now stand, and was so named from respect to his memory.

In the reigns of William the and queen Anne, the buildings and population considerably increased, particularly in the parishes of St. Andrew, St. James, Clerkenwell, and .

The increase in the -mentioned parish was principally made on acres and rood of meadow-land, which had been purchased in the reign of queen Elizabeth, for , by sir William Harpur, knt., lord mayor of London in , and invested by him in the corporation of Bedford, for the support of a school, &c. in that town, of which he was a native. The annual rental of the devised land, till the year , was about ; but the corporation then let it on lease for the term of years, at the yearly rent of ; and years afterwards a reversionary lease was granted, for the further term of years, at the improved rent of per annum. In consequence of these leases, a great number of houses were erected, and the following streets, &c. were all formed on the land above-mentioned:--, , Bedford-court, , Theobald's-road, , , , , , , , Boswell-court, Richbell-court, Hand-court, Gray's-inn-passage, -cups-yard, and some other contiguous places. The present rental of this estate amounts to upwards of annually. The neighbourhood of Soho was also much augmented.

About , the globular glass lamps, with oil burners, were introduced, under a patent granted to a person named Michael Cole, but these were in laid aside for gas-lights.

At the commencement of the last century the village of St. Mary-le-bone was nearly a mile distant from any part of London, the most contiguous street being , which scarcely extended to the present . Soon after the accession of George the , however, some extensive plans were formed for increasing the buildings of this vicinity, and , , , &c., were erected on part of a large tract of land, called Conduit Mead, belonging to the city of London; and upon which, near the present Stratford-place, , the lord mayor's banqueting-house formerly

The erection of Blackfriars-bridge, between the years and , led to the building of that noble avenue, , and Chatham-place, and to numerous streets on the Surrey-side of the Thames. In , the new paving of the metropolis, according to the present mode, was commenced in ; and the enormous signs, which, hanging across the streets and foot-paths, prevented the free circulation of the air, were removed under the authority of Parliament. In , another important act was passed, for regulating the construction of new buildings, and party-walls, so as to prevent

mischiefs

About , that noble pile of building, the , was begun by the brothers, John, Robert, James, and William Adams; and, within a year or afterwards, the same ingenious architects commenced the building of that grand avenue called Portland-place. The streets adjoining, together with Bentinck chapel, were raised about the same time; and, between and , Stratford-place, Titchfield-chapel, Portland-chapel, Fitzroy-chapel, Portman-chapel, and parts of , and Cumberland-place, were built. St. Mary-le-bone-gardens were shut up about , and the site was soon occupied by , and parts of Devonshire-place and Mews; the stables of the latter stand on the site of the ancient manor-house of St. Mary-le-bone parish.

From the year , till the breaking out of the revolutionary war, and, generally speaking, with the exception of a few years at intervening periods, till the present time, the outskirts and suburbs of London have continued to increase with astonishing rapidity; the extension, indeed, has far exceeded all prior example. Contiguous villages have been connected, and, as it were, incorporated with the metropolis; masses of buildings, sufficiently large to bear the name of towns, have sprung up in its vicinity, and are now all but united with it; elegant squares and stately streets have added to its splendor; and new institutions, combining science with utility, and commercial advantage with architectural adornment, have, at the same time, augmented its extent, and increased its riches and magnificence.

The extensive chapelry of was begun about the year , and is now united with , which has also been greatly extended in many parts. Somers-town was commenced about , and Camden-town about . Since that period, almost the entire mass of buildings which constitutes the upper part of Tottenham-court-road, has been built, together with its wide-spreading neighbourhood on the west. Even the distant village of Paddington, by the increase of buildings in this direction, has been completely united with the metropolis, and is itself in a state of very rapid enlargement. The new buildings along Hampstead-road, and on the east and west sides of the Regent's-park, are also rapidly augmenting; but the grandest features in the northern quarter of the town are to be found on the estates of the duke of Bedford and the . Here several magnificent squares have been built, or are now in progress; together with many respectable leading

On the Surrey side of the Thames the improvements and increase of buildings have been equally rapid, though not on so important a scale. A new road has been opened from the to connect with the , and St. George's-fields are mostly covered with buildings. A new road from Waterloo-bridge across Lambeth-marsh to the Obelisk, is also completed; and various collateral streets and avenues have been planned, and are now in progress, to fill up the extensive intermediate space between the Thames and the roads from Blackfriars and bridges, which also meet at the Obelisk.

[] See volume i, p. 4.

[] About one-twelfth part of the water, at ordinary spring tides, is computed to be denied a passage by the piers and starlings of the old bridge, and through this impediment, the tide rises nineteen inches higher on the east side than on the west.

[] Brayley's London, ii, p. 6.

[] Brayley's London, ii, p. 7.

[] Fordyce, p. 8.

[] The waters of these springs contain a small portion of a salt, and a larger quantity of magnesia vitriolata, so as to be sensible to the taste, and so as, in some places, to act as a purgative. They also contain gas, sometimes in quantity sufficient to give them briskness, and render them agreeable to the taste. The Thames water is very pure some miles above the town; near the town it is mixed with sand, and contains a sufficient quantity of mucilaginous matter to purity. When preserved in casks, it purifies itself by putrefaction, and remains afterwards more pure, but it never purifies sensibly in the river, nor in the cisterns in which it is sometimes kept a few days for use. At the lower part of the town it contains a little sea salt when the tide is at its height. Its specific gravity is nearly the same with that of distilled water; and the New River water is of similar quality. This is likewise pure, unless alter heavy rains; and is bright and clear, and does not putrify on keeping. --Fordyce.

[] Vestiges, Europ. Mag. vol. ii, p. 172.

[] Vestiges, Eu. Mag. vol. 1, 427.

[] Brayley's London, ii, p. 42.

[] Aggas's original plan was first reduced and copied, with some additions, into Braun's Civitates, between the years 1752-3 and 1584. In 1748, it was re-engraved, by Vertue, in six sheets, who annexed to it the date 1560. The original plan is printed on six sheets, and two half-sheets, and measures six feet three inches, by two feet four inches.

[] Brayley ii. p. 49.

[] Sur. of Lond. p. 89.

[] Ibid p. 90.

[] Ibid p. 91.

[] Sur. of Lond. p. 92. The streets leading to Whitechapel and its neighbourhood were ordered to be paved, by act of parliament, in the thirteenth year of Elizabeth, viz. 1571.

[] Sur. of Lond. p. 92, 93.

[] Sur. of Lond. p. 127.

[] Ibid, p. 128.

[] Ibid, p. 129.

[] Ibid, p. 354.

[] Sur. of Lond. p: 355.

[] Ibid, p. 361.

[] Ibid, p. 374.

[] Vestige, &c. Eur. Mag. vol lii. p. 341, 342. After the fire, the streets of the city may be said to have been raised out of their own ruins: the accumulation of rubbish was immense; this it was found much easier to spread over in order to level, in some degree, the ground-plot which devastation cleared, than to cart away the ashes it had left. Upon this made ground the houses that formed the new streets were erected; and, it is a curious circumstance, that the workmen, in digging through it, in order to form their foundations, found three different streets above each other; and that at more than twenty feet under the surface, they discovered Roman walls and had tessellated pavements. --Ibid.