are two tiers of windows, which extend also along the entire front, and above is an attic story with square windows, surmounted by a balustrade.

The east and west sides of this building are uniform in design, the entrances only being dissimilar. Each has a slightly projecting centre, with two tier of windows between the basement and the attic story; on the right and left, the cornice is supported by four Corinthiau pilasters, between which, at either end, is a very large and lofty Venetian window; the whole is crowned by a balustrade. Above the roof, towards the west, is a heavy pile, extending across the edifice, containing the Ball-Room, &c. A corresponding erection which rose over the Egyptian Hall, at the east end, was taken down a few years ago. The disposition of the interior, and the arrangements to which the architect has had recourse in order to admit sufficient light into the various apartments, evince great professional judgment. The basement story is occupied by the kitchen and domestic offices, and by several rows of strong piers and arches which support the superstructure. The grand entrance in front opens into the Saloon, which is very spacious, and is handsomely adorned with Corinthian pillars, in imitation of yellow veined marble. Several pannels of the wainscotting are ornamented with carvings of military implements, &c. painted to imitate bronze; and the light is partly admitted by an elegant dome sky-light, and two smaller ones. The south end of this apartment leads into the Egyptian Hall, though wherefore it bears that appellation seems inexplicable, as there is not a vestige of Egyptian character in its whole extent. The ceiling is bowed and disposed into various parallel compartments it springs from a deep cornice, which originally supported spacious galleries, and is itself sustained by eight immense columns of the Corinthian order, on each side; and by two half-columns at each end: between the latter are the great windows.

This chamber occupies the entire width of the house; and, when entertainments are given here, is splendidly lighted by girandoles and lustres: its length from east to west is more than ninety feet; its breadth is upwards of sixty feet. The principal

other

other apartments on this floor, are the Justice Room, the Swordbearer's Room, and Wilkes's Parlour; the latter is very elegantly ornamented and fitted up; and the Sword-bearer's Room has a neatly painted ceiling, and is papered with a flock paper of fleurs de lis on a blue ground. Above this story the central area is open, and the building forms a surrounding quadrangle, a thorough communication being preserved by galleries and connecting chambers. The Ball-Room and the With-drawing Room are the chief apartments of the second story; the former is about the same length as the Egyptian Hall, but considerably narrower it is surrounded by a gallery for spectators; and the pannels beneath are adorned with stuccoed and carved compartments of almost every kind of musical instrument. The With-drawing Room has a grand but heavy-looking ceiling, the divisions being all loaded with ornaments; over the drapery of the windows are carvings of the City mace and sword, &c. richly gilt. In a contiguous apartment is the State Bed, which was made only a few years since, and is a very magnificent and elaborate piece of furniture: the City arms, resplendent with gold, ornament the head, and the curtains are of crimson damask; the dome, posts, and other parts of the wood-work, are also enriched with gilding. The attic is principally appropriated as servants' bed rooms.

Many sumptuous Entertainments have been given in this mansion; and the Princes of the Blood-royal, and the first Nobility of the land, have been banquetted with the greatest pomp, and on the most costly delicacies that affluence could purchase. The pa triotic Beckford, in 1770, gave a grand dinner and ball here, to a great assemblage of Nobility and Gentry; and on that occasion more than 600 dishes were served up, wholly on plate. In April, 1794, the late Marquis Cornwallis was also most splendidly entertained by the then Lord Mayor, Paul Le Mesurier, Esq. after he had been complimented with the freedom of the City for his brilliant conduct in carrying on and concluding the war with Tippoo Sultaun in India. In March, 1796, another very splendid fete was given here by the present Sir William Curtis,

Curtis, to a very numerous company, among which were the Duke of York, Prince Ernest, Prince William of Gloucester, the late Stadtholder and his family, and a long train of distinguished Nobility and Gentry. On Easter Monday, 1802, (April the 19th,) Sir John Eamer was honoured with the presence of the Prince of Wales, and his brothers, the Dukes of Clarence and Cumberland, at the dinner and ball given by the Lord Mayor, at the Mansion House, on that day, agreeably to established custom. The Prince of Wales, with his brothers, the Dukes of York, Clarence, Kent, and Sussex, Prince William of Gloucester, and a concourse of Nobility and Gentry, amounting nearly to 5000 persons, were also entertained here on Easter Monday, 1806, (April the 7th,) by James Shaw, Esq. since knighted. The present Lord Mayor, John Claudius Hunter, Esq. has, in the course of this year, 1812, given two very splendid feasts at the Mansion-House, the first, on Easter Monday, (March the 30th,) and the other on the third of June: about 6000 persons are thought to have been present at the latter; among them were several of the Royal Dukes, and a great number of the most illustrious personages of the country.

HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ROYAL EXCHANGE, AND THE BANK OF ENGLAND.

The ROYAL EXCHANGE is the general place of commercial resort for the London Merchants, and is situated on the northern side of Cornhill. Before the foundation of this edifice, the Merchants had been accustomed to assemble in LombardStreet, where they transacted business in the open air, exposed to all the inclemencies of the weather and alterations of the seaVarious schemes were occasionally suggested to remedy these inconveniencies; and, as early as 1531, Sir Richard Gresham, the King's Merchant, who was then Sheriff, wrote to Sir Thomas Audley, Lord Privy Seal, requesting him to move the King, (Henry the Eighth,) to direct a Letter to be sent to

sons.

Engravd by W. Angus, from a drawing by JR.Thomson for the Beauties of England & Wales.E.WB.de