LONDON plate glass, set in brass frames, and their interior is frequently lined with mirrors. Every sort of device is, as may be expected, used by the shopkeepers to attract customers. Markets, &c.-London has about 50 markets for provisions, in nearly all of which goods are sold by retail as well as wholesale, though the majority of the inhabitants purchase at shops distinct from the markets. Smithfield is the great mart for live stock, which is sold on Mondays and Fridays. No fewer than 1,403,400 sheep were sold here in 1838, and 183,362 head of cattle. We may remark, by the way, that Smithfield market is situated in the very centre of the city; and this circumstance, by obliging the stock to be driven to and from it through crowded streets, makes it a very great nuisance. Frequent attempts have been made to have it removed to the suburbs; but hitherto without effect. London is also totally unprovided with proper slaughter-houses, or abattoirs. Exclusive of the stock brought to Smithfield market, a good many cattle and sheep are now imported in steamers, and privately sold; and in the colder months slaughtered cattle and sheep are extensively imported, particularly from the ports on the E. coast. Newgate and Leadenhall markets, with the Whitechapel carcass butchers, supply most of the butchers of the town and neighbourhood; and these, as well as all the other markets, also supply retail customers, and have a good supply of vegetables, poultry, game, eggs, and butter. Covent Garden market is the principal vegetable mart in London, and the immense supply of the finest fruits and vegetables, and the beauty of the plants on sale, make it well worth a visit. The Borough and Spitalfields markets are also chiefly supplied with vegetables. Billingsgate is the great fishmarket, whence fish of all sorts are distributed to the shops and markets in different parts of the town. The supply of salmon, brought in ice from all parts of the kingdom, and of turbot, cod, lobsters, and oysters, is quite immense. Hungerford market is also a well-supplied fish depot; but at this and Farringdon markets (both of them new and handsome establishments), butchers' meat, fruit, and vegetables are also sold. The corn market is held in Mark-lane, and is attended almost exclusively by wholesale dealers. Different statements have, from time to time, been put forth of the consumption of the principal products brought into London; but, with the exception of coal, and one or two other articles, there are no means by which to arrive at anything like a correct conclusion in such matters. Allowing for the carcasses imported by steam and otherwise, the annual consumption of butchers' meat may at present be estimated at about 190,000 bullocks, 1,500,000 sheep, 25.000 calves, and 25,000 pigs, exclusive of great quantities of bacon and hams. The consumption of poultry, game, and eggs is also immense; but there are no means by which to estimate its amount. It may, however, be mentioned, that from 70 to 75 millions of eggs are annually imported into London from France and other foreign countries, exclusive of those brought from the different parts of Great Britain! About 12,000 cows are kept in the city and its environs for the supply of milk and cream; and if we add to their value that of the cheese and butter brought into the city, the expenditure on dairy produce will appear to be enormous. The consumption of wheat may, perhaps, be estimated at about 1,200,000 quarters a year; and the vast number of horses in London, and their high keep, must occasion an immense consumption of oats. The value of the fish, vegetables, &c., consumed in the city, has been set down by some intrepid calculators; but the data on which they formed their estimates were of too loose and unsatisfactory a character, to entitle them to any credit. External and internal Communication.-The recent introduction of railways has already effected a great alteration in the intercourse of the provincial districts with the metropolis; but so short a time has elapsed since they have come into operation, that it is difficult to estimate their ultimate results; which, however, there can be little doubt, will be advantageous alike to the metropolis and provinces. The Birmingham railway, opened through its whole extent in Sept. 1838, commences near Euston-square, where it has a splendid terminus. Trains leave both London and Birmingham eight times in the 24 hours, and the time occupied in the transit is five hours. The line is continued N. in two directions, by the Grand Junction and North Union railways, to Liverpool and Manchester, Preston and Lancaster; and, by the Derby and N. Midland railways, to Derby and Nottingham, Sheffield, Leeds, and York. The whole distance to the last place is now accomplished in 10 hours. The Southampton railway, which cost £1,700,000, was opened in 1838; it has its London station S. of the river, close to Vauxhall bridge, whence trains set out frequently during the day, and reach Southampton in three hours. The Great Western railway, constructed at a cost of £4,561 000, very lately opened as far as Bath, has its London terminus at Paddington, where are ample warehouses and accommodations both for passengers and goods. The Eastern Counties railway, opened as far as Brentwood, has its London terminus in Shoreditch, and is intended to run to Great Yarmouth, through Romford, Ingatestone, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, and Norwich, a total distance of 126 m. Trains leave London seven times a day. The Greenwich railway, the earliest in operation of all the lines connected with the metropolis, commences in the borough, opposite to St. Saviour's church, and ends in London-street, Greenwich: its entire length is 34 m. Trains run from both termini every quarter of an hour, from 8 A.M. to 10 P.M. The London and Croydon railway, opened through its entire length in June, 1839, branches from the Greenwich line about 2 m. from London bridge, and thence turning S., passes by New-Cross and Sydenham to Croydon, the whole distance being 104 m. The cost of this undertaking was £750,000, and the passengers have hitherto averaged about 1800 a day. Trains leave both ends 12 times a day. The traffic will, of course, be vastly increased, when the two extension lines to Brighton and to Dover shall have been opened. The Blackwall railway, recently opened, connects the E. and W. India docks with the metropolis: trains run from each terminus every quarter of an hour. The North Eastern railway has very lately been opened as far as Broxbourne. TABLE showing the Length of the Metropolitan Railways, and the amount of Trathic during the week ending Aug. 30, 1840. (Railway Times, Sept. 5, 1840.) In 1837, before any very extensive railway was opened, the number of stage-coaches licensed to run between London, and places above 20 m. distant, was about 600, conveying nearly 4000 passengers each day. In 1838 the average daily number of persons travelling by three railways alone, the Great Western, Birmingham, and South-western, was about 3500, and the average daily number by the Eastern Counties line was nearly 1000 in 1839. As the railways in 1840 accommodate about 25,000 passengers a day, and many stages still continue to run, the present number of passengers is at least six-fold that of 1837. The steamboats constantly plying on the river, and making daily excursions to Margate, Ramsgate, Gravesend, and other places below London, as well as to Richmond and various intermediate places up the river, have been roughly estimated to take 10,000 passengers a day. The weather, however, very much influences the number, as the major ity of steamboat passengers proceed on excursions of pleasure rather than business. Saturdays and Sundays are the grand days. The means of internal communication and of communication with places in the immediate neighbourhood of town, are also considerable. The number of short stages and omnibuses is altogether about 900, which, reckoning to each six journeys a day, and 10 passengers to each journey, convey every day about 54,000 persons. A new mode of internal communication between the E. and W. ends of London, has lately been effected by small steamers continu ally traversing the river, and taking a great number of passengers. Two or three of these convenient vessels leave London bridge every quarter of an hour during the summer, for Westminster and Chelsea. Hackney-coaches were introduced more than 200 years ago; and previously to the introduction of cabriolets, in 1820, were very numerous; but it is a singular and not easily explained fact that, with very few exceptions, the hackney-coaches of London are the dirtiest and most uncomfortable carriages imaginable. Cabriolets being cheaper and more rapidly driven than the old lumbering hackneycoaches, speedily deprived the latter of a great part of their employment. Various improvements have been made from time to time in these one-horse carriages, and many now in use are clean, neat, and commodious. Parcels Delivery Company.-A few years ago, a private company started under this name, which, while it has met with considerable success, has certainly been very serviceable to the public. The company have established a considerable number of vans, which traverse London in all directions with great regularity, three or four times a day, delivering parcels at more reasonable charges than had been imposed by the old private carriers. Another company, of the same kind, and conducted with equal spirit and ability, has been more recently established. Literature.-London ranks almost as high as a literary LONDON. on examination, to have attained the required proficiency. The senate, or board, consists of a chancellor, vice-chancellor, and 33 other members. The faculties are those of arts, law, and medicine, in each of which are several examiners, amounting in the whole to 22, of whom 10 are members of the senate. The sittings are held in Somersethouse, and the examinations are hair yearly. The greatest number of candidates for degrees has hitherto been furnished by the University and King's colleges. The former of these, opened in 1828, is governed by a council and senate of professors: the course of education embraces classics, pure and mixed science, history, jurisprudence, and medicine, religion being wholly excluded. The success of the medical school, which has for some years been the largest in London, has led to the erection of a good hosbeen so well attended as the sanguine friends of the establishment at first expected; but the attendance is likely to be increased from the addition to it of an excellent junior school, the instruction in which forms a good preparation for higher studies. This school, which for some years bas averaged 350 scholars, is conducted by the classical professors, who pay a rent for the use of apartments within the college. King's college is a similar establishment to that last mentioned, and is similarly conducted, except that religion is taught in accordance with the principles of the Church of England. The general classes are well attended, and the junior school has upwards of 400 boys. The medical school is small. The buildings of these establishments are handsome and commodious; and the portico of University college is one of the finest in London. as a commercial city. Notwithstanding the factitious encouragement given to learning and science in Oxford and Cambridge, London is the favourite resort of literary and scientific men. Its immense population, the wealth and intelligence of its inhabitants, and the circumstance of its being the seat of government, attract aspiring individuals from all parts of the empire, especially those ambitious to distinguish themselves in literature or politics. The practical, common-sense character of the philosophy and literature of England is probably, indeed, in no small degree owing to its being principally cultivated in London, where the writers, by mixing with the world, learn to avoid those over-refined theories and fanciful distinctions, in which reclase speculators are so apt to indulge. With the exception of the provincial newspapers, the whole periodical literature of England centres in London. The number of per-pital close to the college. The general classes have not sons engaged in this department, as authors, publishers, printers, &c., is quite inmense. London has no fewer than 13 daily newspapers, and 67 that appear at other intervals. Many of these journals display great, and some consummate talent; and, considering the extreme rapidity with which articles for the daily journals must be written, and the want of time for revision, they are certainly extraordinary performances. So far as respects its newspaper press, London is infinitely superior to every other city; and however one-sided, prejudiced, and little to be depended on in party matters, it is not easy to imagine that it is likely to gain much in ability, variety, and interest. It appears, from the Stamp-office Returns, that of 58,516,862 stamps issued to the different newspapers published in the United Kingdom during the year ended the 15th Sept., 1839, no fewer than 29,127,583, or the half of the whole, were issued to those published in London! And when the superior ability and information of the London press is taken into account, its preponderance will appear still more striking. During the same year, the total amount of the duty on advertisements paid by the newspapers of the United Kingdom amounted to £123,690, of which £46,221 was derived from the metropolitan journals. A prodigious number of weekly, monthly, and quarterly magazines, reviews, and other publications, issue from the London press; and though many of these be of a very trashy and worthless description, a considerable number are of a widely different character, and are well fitted to amuse, instruct, and improve the reader. By far the greater number of these publications appear on the last day of every month, known among booksellers as "Magazine day;" when the great publishing houses make up and forward innumerable parcels, containing every variety of works, to their correspondents in all parts of the kingdom. The magnitude and importance of the periodical press of the metropolis will be best seen from the following statement, drawn up from the catalogue for 1841 published by Messrs. Longman and Co. The greater number of the works written in Scotland are now published in Edinburgh; but nearly the whole of the works written in England and Ireland are published In London. The latter, in fact, is to the literature of Britain what Leipsic is to that of Germany, or Paris to that of France. The London publishers have agents all over the country, to whom they send all new publications; so that in the few instances in which books are printed at Oxford or Cambridge, or other provincial towns, it is usual to send them to London to be published. Education.-London, unlike most other European capitals, had no university empowered to grant degrees till 1836, when one was established by royal charter (renewed in 1837) for "the advancement of religion and morality, and the promotion of useful knowledge, without distinction of rank, sect, or party. This institution differs (and, as we think, advantageously) from all other universities, in its having nothing to do with the business of education, being constituted for the sole purpose of ascertaining the proficiency of candidates for academical distinctions. It is, in fact, a Board of Examiners, empowered to grant degrees in science and literature to such candidates as are found, Among the literary and scientific establishments of the metropolis, one of the most important and best supported is the Royal Institution in Albemarle-street. The building (recently new fronted in good taste, with fourteen Corinthian columns,) is exceedingly well arranged, and comprises a good library and reading room, a theatre for lectures, capable of accommodating 900 persons, and a chemical laboratory supposed to be one of the largest and best supplied with apparatus in Europe. Lectures on various subjects are delivered by the professors and other gentlemen temporarily engaged; and the important investigations made here by the late Sir Humphry Davy, Mr. Faraday, and others, have conferred on the institution a well-merited celebrity. Next in importance to that just mentioned is the London Institution, in Finsbury Circus, Moorfields, the objects of which are very similar, though not so fully and scientifically carried out. Lectures are given on literature, the fine arts, &c., once or twice a week from November to May the library is both large and well selected, and the reading rooms are supplied with all the English and foreign literary journals. The Russell Institution, in Great Coram street, is similar in most respects to those just described; but, owing to the recent falling-off in its funds, its usefulness is at present very much circumscribed. The welfare and improvement, also, of the working classes, and of young men generally, has been greatly promoted within the last 15 years by the establishment of mechanics' institutions in different parts of London. The earliest of these, called, par excellence, "The Mechanics' Institute," in Southampton Buildings, Holborn (opened in 1824), has about 1100 members; and the attendance on the lectures delivered in the theatre of this establishment, shows that the inhabitants of the metropolis in humble life are quite as anxious for improvement as their more wealthy neighbours. Classes are established for languages, and the library, which comprises 7000 volumes, is said to be well selected. The Western Literary Institution, the City Institution, in Aldersgate-street, and other establishments of the same kind in various districts, have since been founded, and have uniformly contributed to improve the intellect and morals of the working classes. Among the many endowed schools in the metropolis, the most celebrated are: 1. Westminster School, founded by Queen Elizabeth in 1560, for the free instruction, clothing, board, and lodgment of 40 boys, called king's scholars, and for the gratuitous education of four others called bishop's boys; this school formerly enjoyed a high reputation; but its numbers have within the last dozen years fallen from 300 to 100. The king's scholars are elected for merit, and four years after their election are sent as students to Christchurch, Oxford, or as scholars to Trinity college, Cambridge. The school forms part of the collegiate establishment of the abbey. 2. The Charterhouse (corrupted from Chartreux), founded in 1611, and endowed with property, the gross rental of which in 1815 was £20,000 a year, is intended for the liberal education of 73 youths, 29 of whom are supported at the universities by exhibitions varying from £80 to £100 a year, and tenable for eight years. Besides the 44 foundation boys, the school is attended by others, whose number fluctuates according to the reputation of the masters, &c. A few years ago, after the im LONDON. provements introduced by Dr. Russell, this school had a very high character, and the pupils were very successful in the competition for honours at Oxford and Cambridge; but, since his retirement the school has been in a languishing condition. 3. Merchant Tailors' school, founded in 1561, in Suffolk-lane, Thames-street. The statues provide that a classical education be furnished gratis for 100 boys, and for 150 others at rates varying from 5s. to 2s. 6d. a quarter. The scholars are examined once a year, and the most advanced are sent to St. John's College, Oxford, where 37 valuable fellowships were founded by Sir Thomas White for the encouragement of boys brought up in this school. 4. St. Paul's school, established in 1518 by Dean Colet, and placed by him under the direction of the Mercers' Company, provides a free education for 153 boys, the most advanced of whom are sent to Oxford and Cambridge, with exhibitions varying from £50 to £100 in value. Lord Camden has been a liberal benefactor to this school. The present building was erected in 1824; the gross income of the school is upwards of £6000. 5. Christ's hospital, more commonly known as the Blue-coat school, is one of the noblest institutions in the city. It was incorporated by Edward VI. in 1553, and owes its origin to the active benevolence of some distinguished citizens. It was intended to maintain, clothe, and educate the young and helpless; and 380 boys and girls were admitted soon after its foundation. A second charter from Charles II., in 1673, provided for the education of 40 boys in mathematics and other learning calculated to qualify them for the sea-service. The management of the institution is vested in a body of governors (472 in 1840), who have each contributed, at least £400, to the funds of the institution; but very recently the qualification for a governor has been raised to £500. An individual, on becoming a governor, is entitled to present one boy; and he has usually a presentation once every succeeding three years. The present (1840) revenue of the hospital, arising from rents, and all other sources, amounts to about £70.000 a year, and its expenditure to nearly as much. Its establishment in London, on the site of the Old Grey Friars' monastery, accommodates, at present, 767 boys; and it has attached to it a subsidiary establishment at Hertford, for the younger children, where there are now 424 boys and 76 girls; making in all 1267 children, maintained, clothed, and well educated by the establishment. There are schools for grammar, mathematics, writing, and drawing. The Grecians, or those most advanced in the grammar-school, are sent with valuable exhibitions to Oxford and Cambridge, and those in the mathematical school are placed with commanders of ships, and equipped with clothing and nautical instruments, at the hospital's expense. Others are apprenticed to different trades. A magnificent building, called the Great Hall, erected by public subscription, and finished in 1829, opens towards Newgate-street, and is one of the finest ornaments of the city. The hall, in which the children breakfast, dine, and sup, is 187 feet in length, 51 in width, and 464 feet high. Occasionally they sup in public, and on these occasions there is a great concourse of strangers to witness the spectacle, which is of the most interesting description. The whole interior arrangements deserve the highest praise; and every attention is paid to the health and comfort of the children. The well-known dress of the boys, which has not been changed since the formation of the institution, is, however, not merely antiquated, but inconvenient and uncomfortable; and it is certainly high time that it were modified. Presentations can only be obtained from the governors; who, speaking generally, exercise their patronage with the greatest disinterestedness. 6. The city of London school, established in 1835, may be said to have resulted from the inquiries of the charity Commissioners. A Mr. Carpenter had left an estate for a school, and the value of the property had greatly increased without any proper application of the funds. Repeated inquiries and remonstrances at length induced the corporation to establish a school on the site of Honey-lane market, Cheapside. The system of instruction is good, and the school is attended by upwards of 400 boys. The buildings, occupying a space of 180 feet long and 80 feet broad, are commodiously contrived, and have externally some pretensions to architectural elegance. Independently of the endowed schools, almost every parish supports a free school by voluntary contributions, and thus about 12,000 children of both sexes are clothed and educated. The number of private and Sunday schools is considerable, but cannot be accurately estimated. The National society, which has its model school in the Sanctuary at Westminster, gives instruction in various schools to nearly 9000 children, and upwards of 3000 are taught in the Lancastrian method by the British and Foreign School society, which has a good normal and model school in the Borough road. Much, however, still remains to be done towards giving a sound elementary education to the children of the industrious classes; though, at the same time, it must be admitted that more has been effected in this respect during the last 20 years than our ancestors had done during entire centuries. (Carlisle; Educ. Rep.) The charges on account of education at most of the public schools in London are oppressively high, far higher, indeed, than they ought to be: and this circumstance, combined with the want of schools in many districts, and the wish to improve their health, has led to the practice, so general in London, of sending children to the outskirts of the town to be boarded and educated. But the education in very many of these boarding establishments is of a very worthless description; and it is really surprising that no effort should have been made, by subjecting the masters to examination, establishing proprietary boarding-schools, or otherwise, to improve the quality of these suburban seminaries. British Museum.-This truly national institution, estab- accessible situation in the W. end of the town LONDON. Hoa'ry, Foreign, and Cor. Total have free admission from 10 to four, and in the summer | STATEMENTS as to the principal Scientific and Literary Somonths from 10 to seven. The building is closed during the first weeks of January, May, and September. The establishment is governed by 48 trustees, 23 of whom are official; and to these the officers are responsible. The chief acting trustees, with whom the appointment of the officers rests, are the archbishop of Canterbury, the lord chancellor, and the speaker of the House of Commons. (Pari. Rep. on British Museum, 1835.) Literary and Scientific Societies. Before the present century the learned societies of London were few in number, and very comprehensive in their objects. The great advancement of the physical sciences, in recent times, and the increased ardour with which every branch of knowledge has been cultivated, have produced a corresponding increase in the number of learned associations, and in all recent instances each body has confined its operations within a limited sphere. The following list comprises the principal societies, with the dates of their formation, the objects contemplated by them, when not sufficiently indicated by their names, and the publications made at their expense: The Royal Society; physical and mathematical sciences. Instituted early in the 17th century; incorporated 1663. "Philosophical Transactions," from the year 1665. The Society of Antiquaries. Instituted 1717; incorporated 1781. "Archæologia," from the year 1770. Medical Society. Established 1773. "Vetusta Monumenta," from 1747. Society of Arts. Established 1754, for the encouragement of the arts, commerce, and manufactures of Great Britain, by granting rewards. "Transactions," from the year 1783. Linnean Society; natural history. Established 1788; incorporated 1802. Transactions," from the year 1791. Royal Institution. Established 1799, for the application of science to the ordinary purposes of life. "Journal," from 1810. Horticultural Society. Established 1804; incorporated 1809. "Transactions," from 1812. Royal Medico-Chirurgical Society. Established 1805. Chartered 1831. "Transactions," from the year 1808. Geological Society. Established 1807; incorporated 1826. "Transactions," from 1811. Income. cieties in London. Name of Society. Date of No. of ry Mem bers. ration. responding No. of Members. L. Those marked with an asterisk have charters. collection, purchased in 1824, of Sir G. Beaumont's collection, given by him in 1826, and of others, partly presented and partly purchased, amounting in all to about 170, are arranged in five rooms, of such diminutive size, that they will contain only a few more pictures, and none of large size. About half the pictures belong to the Italian school; and of these the Ecce Homo, and the Mercury, Venus, and Cupid, of Correggio; the Raising of Lazarus, by Sebastian del Piombo; the Bacchus and Ariadne, of Titian; and the Holy Family, by Murillo, are reckoned the most valuable. The works of the two Caracci, N. and G. Poussin, and Claude, may be here seen in their highest perfection; and there are some fine specimens of the English school, by Reynolds, Hogarth, Gainsborough, Wilson, and Lawrence. The gallery is open to the public on the first four days of the week: on Friday and Saturday students are permitted to copy the pictures. The Royal academy, which at present (by permission of government) occupies the remainder of this edifice, was established in 1768, for the instruction of young artists: lectures are delivered in anatomy, painting, sculpture, and architecture, and daily instructions are given to the students by the keeper, and other academicians. The annual exhibition of this corporate society usually comprises about 1200 specimens of art, and is one of the favourite lounges during the summer months. The profits of the exhibition, besides paying all the expenses of the schools, contribute to form incomes for the most deserving artists, while studying at Rome. (See Comm. Report on the Arts, &c., of 1838.) The society of British artists exhibits annually a good collection of pictures; "Journ-but, as a whole, they are very inferior to those exhibited by the academy. The British institution, and society of painters in water colours, have also exhibitions, and their rooms are crowded during the fashionable season. Society of Civil Engineers. Established 1817; incorporated 1828. "Transactions," from 1834. Royal Astronomical Society. Established 1820; incorporated 1831. "Memoirs," from 1822. Medico-Botanical Society. Established 1821. "Trans actions," from 1834. Royal Institute of British Architects. Established 1835; buildings called the Globe, Blackfriars, and Old Drury, incorporated 1838. "Transactions," from 1836. Royal Botanic Society. Chartered 1839. Nearly all these societies hold meetings twice a month, from November to June inclusive; at which papers are read illustrative of matters connected with the objects of each association. The following Table, taken from Gilbert's "Clerical Almanack" for 1840, supplies several details with respect to some of the more important of these societies, on which, it is believed, considerable reliance may be placed: [See top of next column] Picture Galleries.-The present national collection of pictures is of recent foundation, and should only be looked upon as the nucleus of one that may hereafter be worthy of the country. It occupies the W. wing of the National gallery, erected 1834-37, at the public expense, on the N.W. side of Trafalgar-square, facing Whitehall and Parliament-street, unquestionably the finest situation in the metropolis. The building has a front of 500 feet, with a portico and dome in its centre, supported by Corinthian columns. But whether it were owing to the limited means placed at the disposal of the architect, or to some incapacity on his part, the fabric is neither worthy of its site, its object, nor of the country. Unfortunately, too, the defects of its exterior are not countervailed by any superiority of internal economy, the apartments for the exhibition of the pictures being miserably deficient in point of size, and illarranged. The pictures, which consist of the Angerstein Theatres and Music.-The great theatres of modern London present a curious contrast to the rude and confined in the time of Shakspeare, in which neither scenery, decorations, nor the comfort of the audience were at all considered. The two patent theatres, Drury Lane and Covent Garden, contiguous to each other, have handsome exteriors, and very extensive and highly decorated insides. They enjoy or rather are supposed to enjoy, the exclusive privilege of representing tragedy and comedy, the legitimate drama; but the declining taste of those who visit the theatres, and the caprice of managers, have led to the frequent introduction of spectacles, and other pieces, to which music and scenery contribute more than the actors on the stage. Late dinner hours and other circumstances have of late years occasioned a great falling off in the taste for theatrical exhibitions, which are now visited more by strangers than by residents in London. At present few theatres are profitable. The Haymarket theatre, which has recently enjoyed more than ordinary prosperity, is of smaller size, and therefore better adapted for hearing, than the immense houses above mentioned: it is open during about eight months of the year, including the recesses of the two patent theatres. Besides these, there are several minor theatres, the names, localities and objects of which are given in the table at the top of next page. Among these, Astley's deserves particular notice, for the excellent horsemanship displayed by M. Ducrow and his corps dramatique: it is certainly superior to the Franconi theatre at Paris. LONDON. Operas and farces Adelphi . Ditto Strand . Ditto. commodation of an immense number of patients. St. Luke's, City-road, established for a similar purpose in 1751, accommodates 300 persons. The Foundling hospital, Brunswick-square, was founded by Capt. Corain, in 1739, but the building was not com menced till 1742. It was established for the indiscriminate admission of deserted children; but the numbers were found to increase so rapidly, that the funds failed, and in 1760 the mode of admission was so much altered, that it is now nominally only a Foundling hospital. The number of children averages about 450, and they are maintained till the age of 12, when they are either apprenticed or otherwise provided for. The revenue is about £13,000 per annum. The Italian Opera house, in the Haymarket is the largest theatre in London. It scarcely, however, deserves the name of a national theatre, inasmuch as the singers, dan- The Magdalen hospital, Blackfriars-road, was establishcers, and musicians are chiefly foreigners, and as it depends ed in 1748, for the reformation of erring females: the ob for its support chiefly on the patronage of the court, nobil-ject is said to be attained in the majority of cases, more ity, and higher classes, many of whom hold private boxes, than two thirds of the females admitted being either reat rents averaging from £120 to £400 a year. All the pat- stored to their friends, or provided with the means of pro ronage of rank and wealth, however, cannot, owing to the curing an honest livelihood. enormous cost of the performances, make it a good speculation for the manager, who at the end of an anxious season has frequently to lament heavy losses. The establish ed London concerts consist of the ancient, phil-harmonic, and sacred-harmonic concerts, all of which are well and fashionably attended: many others are given by professional persons, for their own benefit, in the different public rooms at the W. end. The promenade concerts lately in troduced, in imitation of those at Paris, promise, by the high favour which they enjoy, to improve the musical taste of the people, which has undoubtedly been on the increase during the last few years. Benevolent Institutions.-There are above 70 establishments in London for the cure of disease; of which, 27 are properly hospitals; 25 dispensaries, where medicine and advice are gratuitously administered; nine are infirmaries for special disenses; and 11 lying-in charities. There are also 18 asylums for orphans and otherwise destitute persons, and various other benevolent establishments. The principal are the following: 1. St. Bartholomew's hospital, in West Smithfield, was first founded in the 12th century, and refounded by Henry VIII. in 1546. The building, a spacious quadrangular structure, is principally modern, having been finished in 1770. It makes up 600 beds, and receives annually about 5000 in-patients, and 6000 out-patients. Necessity is the only recommendation to this institution; and patients are received without limitation. The medical staff is equal to any in the metropolis. The staircase was gratuitously painted by Hogarth. 2. Guy's hospital, St. Thomas'sstreet, Southwark, founded in 1721, contains accommodation for 500 in-patients, and has an excellent museum and theatre of anatomy. This magnificent hospital, which consists of two quadrangies and two wings, was founded and endowed by Thomas Guy, a bookseller, who expended £18,793 upon the building, and left £219,419 for its endow ment-the largest sum, perhaps, that has ever been expended by any individual on similar purposes. Recently, however, Guy's hospital has met with another benefactor, but little inferior, in point of liberality, to its founder; a citizen, of the name of Thomas Hunt, having bequeathed to it, in 1829, the princely sum of £200,000! The medical school attached to this hospital, while under the superintendence of the late Sir Astley Cooper, was one of the most extensive, and probably, also, the best in the empire. 3. St. Thomas's hospital, in High-street, Borough, was formed out of two other charities by Edward VI., and rebuilt in 1693. Additions were made in 1732, and a large part was rebuilt in 1836. It contains 18 wards, and 485 beds. The annual expenditure is about £10,000. 4. St. George's hospital, near Hyde park corner, lately rebuilt, has a fine front, 200 feet in length, facing the Green park. It accommodates 460 in-patients. 5. The Middlesex hospital, near Oxford-street, founded in 1745, receives 300 inpatients, and relieves numerous out-patients. 6. London hospital, in Whitechapel, was founded in 1749. Its wards accommodate about 250 patients. 7. Westminster hospital, rebuilt in 1833, near the Abbey, receives 230 in-patients. The University College and King's College hospital, and Charing Cross hospital, are smaller establishments of the same nature, each accommodating about one hundred and twenty patients. Medical schools are connected with the above hospitals, in which lectures are delivered by the officers, and which are attended, altogether, by about 1200 students. Bethlehem hospital, or Bedlam, is appropriated exclusively to the insane poor; it was founded in 1675, in Moorfields, whence it was removed, in 1814, to St. George's fields. The present building, received some extensive additions in 1839, and is now 697 feet in length, being at once extensive and magnificent. The rooms are large and airy, well warmed and ventilated, and are sufficient for the ac224 The Philanthropic institution, St. George's fields, was founded, în 1788, for the reception and reform of young criminals discharged from prison. It provides them with immediate means of subsistence, and instructs them in some trade, so as to prevent the otherwise almost inevitable necessity of their returning to their former habits. Hotels and Taverns.-The hotels, taverns, and coffeeshops of all classes, may be reckoned at something more than 6000. There are about 30 great hotels, situated chiefly at the W. end of the town, in the neighbourhood of Piccadilly. "In these establishments," says Prince Puckler Muskau, "everything is infinitely richer and more abun dant than on the continent." The commercial and other inns, amounting to nearly 400, are scattered throughout the metropolis. They are generally respectable establish ments, some of them being quite as commodious, if not so elegant, as the fashionable hotels. The establishments of licensed victuallers, under which denomination are included all places for the retail sale of spirits, amount to about 5000. Many of these are respectably conducted, though some are of an opposite character. The publicans furnish their guests not only with beer and spirits, but also with dining accommodation, &c. The gin or dram shops have been very much embellished of late years; and many of them are so handsomely, and even splendidly, fitted up, that they have acquired and are entitled to the name of "gin palaces." But notwithstanding the number and magnificence of these establishments, there is no real room or ground for the prevalent opinion, as to the increase of intemperance. No doubt it is much too widely diffused; but it nevertheless admits of demonstration, that, as com pared with the population, the consumption of spirits in the metropolis is now very decidedly less than in the reign of George II., and the greater part of that of George III.; and that there has been a corresponding improvement in the habits of the lower classes. The eating-houses and coffee-rooms, where spirits are not sold, amount to about 700; and are more numerous in the city than in Westminster. There are about 600 beershops. Numerous private houses are let out in lodgings, and many families receive boarders. The expense of liv ing in these establishments varies, of course, with the quality of the house and the means of the guest. A lodger at an inn can hardly be accommodated, on a decent scale, much below 108. a day, including all expenses of board, food, and servants; the maximum of the scale will, of course, depend on the habits or caprice of the guest. Board and lodging in private houses may be obtained at a somewhat lower rate than at hotels; but a single man in lodg ings usually dines at an eating-house, and families generally prefer boarding at their own cost. A dinner (without wine) at an ordinary eating-house costs from 1s. 6d. to 28.; and seldom exceeds 58. at the more elegant establishments. In most cases the guest may depend on every attention; and at the superior houses he will find all the luxuries of the season. Clubs. There are about 40 clubs in the metropolis. A few of these establishments, such as Brookes's, Boodle's, and White's are of ancient date; but their present arrangements and constitution are of recent introduction. The accommodation they afford to gentlemen only occasionally visiting town, and to others desirous of enjoying the luxu ries of a splendid establishment, at a modern expense, and of meeting with a great variety of society, has made them popular among the upper classes. The club-houses are mostly edifices of a very superior character; and add much to the magnificence of the squares and streets which they are situated. Each club consists of a limited number of members, varying from 1000 to 1500; they are admitted by ballot, pay a certain sum at entrance, from 10 to 25 guineas, and an annual subscription, varying from 5 to 10 guineas. The club-houses are fitted up with every lux |