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formed of white Italian marble, in imitation of the arch of Constantine, at Rome; but beautiful as this latter appendage is, one feels regret that it is before them. Somehow or other it is incongruous-not in keeping with the building to which it leads; and when a person recollects out of whose pocket the money came, to pay for it, they feel a regret one was not substituted more adapted to the edifice, and less expensive to themselves; for it is but on a close inspection, or forewarning, that the richness of the material is developed.

We next visited Belgrave Square, so justly celebrated for the splendour of its houses, every mansion in itself a palace. Near it is Eaton Square. We wandered through the Pantechnicon, and home by Hyde Park. In this is the Serpentine river. The grand entrance to Hyde Park is a noble arch, supported by fluted pillars of the Doric order, with a pediment at top, on which is beautifully executed, in basso relievo, a triumphal procession, in the ancient Greek style, probably copied from the Parthenon, at Athens. Looking through the vista of the arch, on a rising ground, you behold a striking statue of Achilles, raised on a pedestal, and dedicated to the Duke of Wellington by his countrywomen. This is cast from the cannon taken in his victories. Near the entrance is his superb mansion, Apsley House. Turning down a lane, brought us to Tattersall's stables. The betting-room is small, but there is room

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for many thousands to change hands; the offices seemed much inferior to Dycer's, Stephen's Green, Dublin.

As it was drawing near the hour to dine at our respective Inns of Court, we moved to Charing Cross. Here is a fine bronze statue of Charles I. on horseback, cast by Hubert la Sueur, in 1633, at the expense of Howard, Earl of Arundel ;-sold during the civil war to a brazier, John River, Holborn, to be broken up and destroyed. He however thought fit to conceal it, and at the restoration of Charles II., it was replaced on a handsome pedestal by Gibbons, where it now stands.

As my companion at the Inn dined at five o'clock, I accompanied him to see the Middle Temple Hall, of which he was student.

The Temple derives its name from being the head-quarters of the Knights Templars. After the suppression of this formidable order, the Professors of Common Law purchased the buildings, and converted them into Inns of Court. The Temple is now divided into Middle and Inner. House, which (though part of the buildings), lying outside the city, according to the division of Temple Bar, was called the Outer Temple.

Essex

Middle Temple Hall is large and lofty; the roof is made of timber, and has a fine effect. Here all the great entertainments of old were given. It contains, besides a picture of Charles I. on horseback, painted by Vandyke, those of Charles II.,

THE LUMBER TROOP.

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Anne, George I. and II. In this, also, are fine oak carvings; the doors are richly ornamented; at the foot of the hall is a well executed bust of Lord Eldon.

At Gray's Inn, I was requested, with a fellow student, and two barristers, to be present at an examination. Brief it must have been, for when I got at the table it was all over. Three words of Latin, I understand, are the test for a student to be admitted a barrister; it is well there is so much. I paid 11. 2s. 6d. for my extra bottle of port, which did not last long, and we left the hall at half-past seven o'clock.

To a stranger in London, nothing is so requisite as the acquaintance of some one who is versed in the mysteries of that mighty city. I was thus fortunate, and on that night, I had the pleasure of witnessing an election of Colonel for the Ancient and Honorable Lumber Troop. The room was crowded when we got in, but my conductor being a voter on the occasion, and well known to the heads of the department, way was speedily made, and we got next to the platform, on which the officers sat, and the votes were deposited. On the poll being declared, one had a decided majority, and of course was declared duly elected. He presently made his appearance, received the plaudits of his supporters with urbanity, and obtained the trappings of his order from the Lieutenant Colonel, with the air of one accustomed to such honours.

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THE LUMBER TROOP.

Silence being obtained, he made a capital speech, "thanked his friends for their support, said he entertained no hostility to those troopers who had supported his rival;-that the interests of the troop should be identified with his, and ended by calling for a song." I passed a very agreeable evening with the Ancient and Honorable Lumber Troop.

CHAPTER VI.

London Stone.-Acton.-Drury Lane Theatre.-National Gallery. Sunday from Home.-Dinner at Mr. Q.'sBritish Museum.-Thoughts on Whitehall.

Thursday, 14th.

IN Cannon-street, near the Church of St. Swithin, is the Old London Stone, supposed to have been the milliarium of the Romans, from which they measured the distances to their several stations throughout England. It is protected by a case, with a hole in the centre. History records that Jack Cade, when he reached the city with his insurgents, drew his sword, struck this stone, and cried out" Now is Mortimer lord of this city." I dined again at Gray's Inn Hall.

Friday, 15th.

Drove to Acton to pay a visit ;-beheld a very delightful country. Went by Hyde Park, and a number of pretty seats. Got down, in mistake, near East Acton, a very picturesque rural place, and had