Barbers' Hall, Monkwell Street, contains a painting by Holbein, representing the presentation of the charter to the Barber-surgeons' company, by Henry VIII. ·

Coachmakers' Hall, Noble Street, Cheapside, was long noted for the meetings of a debating society, which was considered as an eminent school for oratory.

Goldsmiths' Hall, Foster Lane, is a substantial brick edifice, containing several apartments, in which some good pictures are preserved.

These different Halls were erected for the management of the affairs of the companies, respectively; and they are also used for feasts on certain public days and particular occasions. Many of the companies are extremely rich, possessing clear annual revenues of from 30 to 40, and 50,000l. Among the most wealthy are the Mercers, Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Skinners, Merchant Taylors, Haberdashers, and Ironmongers.

The citizens of London, in common with the bulk of their countrymen, never forget in the midst of their abundance, the wants of others. The sums distributed annually to the indigent by the City Companies, from various funds bequeathed and granted for that purpose, amount to more than 26,000l.

PALACES AND PARKS.

St. James's Palace first deserves to be noticed, both from its antiquity, and from its having been, until the present reign, the principal town-residence of the kings of England, (since the destruction, by fire, of Whitehall, in 1695,) as well as the place where they have held their courts. It stands on the north side of St. James's Park, on the site of an hospital founded before the Conquest, for fourteen leprous females, to whom eight brethren were afterwards added. In 1532, this hospital was surrendered to Henry VIII. who erected a considerable part of the present edifice. It is a brick building, the front of which has little morethan a large, and dull, but venerable-looking gate-house, to re commend it to the spectator; but the part containing the

state apartments, which is in the rear, though far from imposing, has, at least, the grandeur which results from size and regularity.

The main entrance is by a staircase and passage, which open into the principal court, next to Pall Mall; here the interior walls are painted in distemper of a dead stone colour, and the exterior sprinkled to resemble granite. The king's guard-room, at the top of the staircase, is a kind of gallery, converted into an armoury, which is systematically decorated with daggers, swords, muskets, &c. arranged in various figures. Here, when drawing-rooms are held, the yeomen of the guard attend in full costume, armed with their battle-axes. The next is a small chamber, lined with excellently wrought tapestry. This forms the entrance to a suite of three principal rooms, the innermost of which is the grand Presence Chamber.

These apartments are fitted up with almost matchless splendour. The cornices, mouldings, &c. are richly gilt; the walls are lined with crimson damask, and the window curtains are of the same material. Sofas, ottomans, &c. covered with crimson velvet, trimmed with gold lace, form part of the furniture, the effect of which is greatly height-ened by rich and elegant lustres, and magnificent pier glasses. In the first room is a painting of George II. in his Parliamentary robes, and views of Tournay and Lisle; and in the second is George III. in the robes of the Order of the Garter, together with two fine paintings of the victories achieved by Lord Howe, on the 1st of June 1794, and Lord Nelson, at Trafalgar, October 21st, 1805.

The Presence Chamber, or grand drawing-room, though fitted up in a style corresponding with the others, exceeds them much in size and splendid decoration. Over the fireplace is a full-length portrait of his present majesty in his coronation robes, by Sir Thomas Lawrence; and on each side are paintings of the battles of Vittoria and Waterloo. The sides of the room are decorated with plate glass; the cornices, mouldings, &c. are richly gilt, and the window curtains, of crimson satin, are tastefully trimmed with goldcoloured fringe and lace. The throne is extremely magnificent; it consists of a superb state chair surmounted by a canopy, &c. composed chiefly of rich crimson Genoa