shopkeepers, in this metropolis, and the easy circumstances of the larger part, are proofs of its prodigious commerce. To say that there are a few merchants and bankers whose revenues equal those of many princes, is no more than may be said of some towns on the continent. But our opulent traders are not confined to one class, or to a few fortunate individuals. Shopkeepers accumulate noble fortunes; which, in some instances indeed, form a singular contrast with the pettiness of the articles from which they are derived, a pastry-cook having been known to leave more than 100,000l. to his heirs. And as to the number of the wealthy, they seem, from external appearances, to be the greater part; and are, in truth, more abundant than any imagination would picture, unaided by a knowledge of the country. To speak generally, it is by industry, and the employment of large capitals, that the Lor don merchants and wholesale traders raise their immense revenues. The retail trade is, as may be expected, more lucrative. A shopkeeper, with a moderate capital, is, generally speaking, able to maintain a family in plenty, and even with a great share of the luxuries of life, and at the same time provide a fund sufficient to enable his children to move with the same advantage in a similar sphere.

Accommodations for Travellers.

London excels in accommodations for temporary resi dents, as well as for its inhabitants. In many of the finest situations at the west end of the town, are hotels that even the spoiled children of fortune will not disdain, either for their lodging or tables. In every eligible street throughout the whole metropolis are to be found private lodgings that are not equalled, for cleanliness and other comforts, by those of any other city of Europe.*

All the

* Ready-furnished lodgings, by the week or month, may be met with in private houses, in most of the second, third, and fourth-rate streets, on terms which vary according to the quality and extent of the apartments. Upon the first floor, ready-furnished rooms may be had from two to three, four, or six guineas per week; and on the second floor, they are about two-thirds of those

principal quarters of the town are amply furnished with taverns and coffee-houses. Nor are the less wealthy who visit London on business, banished from commodious lodgings, or excellent food; the former they will readily find at the houses of reputable tradesmen, and the latter at eating-houses, which are places where provisions are served up to individuals in the smallest quantities they may require, and at the lowest possible charge. though it may be just to acknowledge that to this liberal statement, there may be some exceptions, yet no traveller is driven to the necessity of remaining at an inn where there are bad accommodations, and of drinking bad wine; though the danger of the last is the most common evil a stranger will find in London.

But

The capital is supplied with 1200 hackney coaches and chariots, some sedan chairs, and 3000 wherries, or boats plying on the Thames for hire. Stage coaches, for conveyance to and from the circumjacent towns and villages, abound to a degree no where else to be seen, and their fares are extremely reasonable. There are a number of livery stables (chiefly towards the skirts of the town), at which the saddle-horses of individuals are kept in a very excellent manner, at a certain rate per week, and where horses may be hired at a certain rate per day. Post-chaises and private coaches are also to be hired in every quarter with perfect facility by the distance or day.

REMARKABLE BUILDINGS WESTWARD.

WESTMINSTER ABBEY,

Or, Collegiate Church of St. Peter.

THIS interesting edifice derives its name of Westminster Abbey from its situation in the western parts of the prices. When a lodging is taken it is necessary to be very particular about the articles which are to be fur nished, and the attendance which is expected. When it is left, such notice should be given as was previously agreed upon.

town, and its original destination as the church of a monastry. It was founded by Sebert, king of the East Saxons; but being after destroyed by the Danes, it was rebuilt by King Edgar in 958. Edward the Confessor again rebuilt the church in 1065; and Pope Nicholas II. constituted it a place of inauguration of the kings of England. The monastry was surrendered by the abbots and monks to Henry VIII. who at first converted the establishment into a college of secular canons, under the government of a dean, and afterwards into a cathedral, of which the county of Middlesex (with the exception of the parish of Fulham, belonging to the Bishop of London) was the diocese. Edward VI. dissolved the see, and restored the college, which was converted by Mary into its original establishment of an abbey. Elizabeth dissolved that institution in 1560, and founded the present establishment, which is a college consisting of a dean, twelve secular canons, and thirty petty canons, to which is attatched a school of forty boys, denominated the Queen's or King's Scholars, with a master and usher; and also twelve almsmen, an organist, and choristers.

The present church was built by Henry III. and his successors, with the exception of the two towers at the western entrance, which are the work of Sir Christopher Wren. The length of the church is 360 feet,' the breadth of the nave 72 feet; and the cross aisle 195 feet. If wholly disencumbered of the buildings which, on the south and east, are close to it, the outside of this edifice would present a noble aspect; yet, it cannot be called beautiful, even in the gothic style, being wholly devoid of that unrivalled lightness, by which many stupendous gothic structures in different parts of England are distinguished.The great gate on the northern side, now shut up, has a very fine effect, but falls short of the degree of magnificence and beauty ascribed to it.

The roof of the nave of this church, and of the cross aisle, is supported by two rows of arches, one above the other, each of the pillars of which is a union of one ponderous round pillar, and four of similar form, but extremely slender. These aisles being extremely lofty, and one of the small pillars continued throughout, from the base to

the roof, they produce an idea that is uncommonly grand and awful.

The choir is one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is divided from the western part of the great aisle by a pair of noble iron gates, and terminates at the east by an elegant altar of white marble. The altar is enclosed with a very fine ballustrade, and in the centre of its floor is a large square of curious Mosaic work, of porphry, and other stones of various colours. In this choir, near the altar, is performed the ceremony of crowning the kings and queens of England.

The interest of the interior of this church is greatly increased by a series of monuments. The best are the productions of Roubilliac and Bacon. The mechanical execution of the former artist is accurate and spirited, but his designs are not always suited to the occasion. The monument erected to the memory of Lady Elizabeth Nightingale and her husband, has immortalized the fame of Roubilliac.

At the southern extremity of the cross aisle are erected monuments to the memory of several of our eminent poets. This interesting spot is called Poets' Corner; and never could place be named with more propriety; for here are to be found the names of Chaucer, Spencer, Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Milton, Dryden, Butler, Thomson, Gay, Goldsmith, Addison, Samuel Johnson, &c.Here also, as if this spot was dedicated to genius of the highest rank, are the tombs of Handel, Chambers, and Garrick.

In the south aisle, some of the more remarkable monuments are those of Dr. Watts, W. Hargrave, Esq. Captain James Cornwall, &c. At the west end of the Abbey are those of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Dr. Mead, Sir Charles Wager, the Earl of Chatham, &c. On the north side of the entrance into the choir is the monument of Sir Isaac Newton, and not far from it is that of Earl Stanhope.

Near the great gates, and oposite the tomb of the Earl of Chatham, about 12 feet from each other lie the remains of those two great political rivals, Charles James Fox and William Pitt. Lord Mansfield's monument is erected beneath one of the lofty arches of the abbey at the northern

end of the cross aisle. Lord Mansfield is represented in judge's robes, sitting on the seat of justice, holding in his left hand a scroll of parchment, with his right hand resting on his knee, and having his left foot a little advanced. The seat of justice is placed on a circular elevation of peculiar elegance. The figure is taken from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, and is executed with singular spirit and judgment, by Flaxman.

Over the western entrance stands a monument to the last William Pitt, not very admirable for its design, and however executed, too remote from the eye, and in too bad a light to be viewed with distinctness; on its right another monument, by Flaxman, to the memory of Captain Montagu, is more worthy of the arts and of this grand mausoleum.

CURIOSITIES OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

These consist chiefly of eleven highly interesting chapels, at the eastern end of the church, with their tombs. The * usual entrance to them is by an iron gate, at the southeast corner of the church; within which a verger always attends to shew them to strangers.

Edward the Confessor's Chapel.

Immediately behind the altar of the church stands a chapel dedicated to Edward the Confessor, upon an elevated floor, to which there is a flight of steps on the northern side. The shrine of the confessor, which stands in the centre, was erected by Henry III. and was curiously ornamented with Mosaic work of coloured stones, which have been picked away in every part within reach. Within the shrine is a chest containing the ashes of the confessor. The frieze representing the history of the confessor from his birth to his death, put up in the time of Henry III. is highly curious, and deserves the study and attention of every lover of antiquity.

The tomb of Henry III. is in the same chapel; it has been extremely splendid, but is now mutilated and most infamously destroyed by breaking away the inlaid parts. The table on which lies the king's effigy in brass is supported by four twisted pillars, enamelled with gilt. This tomb, which is a fine specimen of its kind, is almost entire on the side next the area.