PREFACE. INTRODUCTIONS are tedious. All that the Editor could say in apology for a useless work would be impertinent; and to beg pardon for introducing a useful one equally unnecessary and absurd. The Editor, therefore, proceeds, at once, to state that he has endeavoured to accomplish three grand desiderata :— I. That of presenting the reader with a comprehensive view of what London contains, interesting to his special taste, thus saving him the unnecessary labour of wading through subjects that possess no attraction. II. That of making the book easy for reference-in most instances the alphabetical order being preserved. III. That of enabling the visitor, by simple maps, to see, at one view, a list of those objects of interest surrounding some principal point of attraction. Persons often return to their hotel from St. Paul's Cathedral or Westminster Abbey, and when asked if they have seen Goldsmiths' Hall (near the former), and St. Stephen's Crypt (near the latter), express themselves annoyed to find they had been so near those buildings and were unaware of their existence. By the introduction of the maps named, this loss of time will be obviated. b Having explained the nature of the work, the Editor has the pleasure to acknowledge, with sincere gratitude, the kind communications and suggestions received from the following gentlemen, without which the work would have been most imperfect : GEORGE BATCHELOR, ESQ. DECIMUS BURTON, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.A. W. P. GRIFFITHS, ESQ., F.S.A. C. MITCHELL, ESQ. E. B. PRICE, Esq., F.S.A. GEORGE RENNIE, ESQ., V.P., R.S. S. T. ROBINSON, ESQ. SYDNEY SMIRKE, ESQ., R.A., F.S.A. C. ROACH SMITH, ESQ., F.S.A. J. DE CARLE SOWERBY, ESQ. In conclusion, the Editor is not sufficiently conceited to believe this book perfect. There will be, necessarily, many errors (no work upon a subject so full of transition is free from them); and he respectfully hopes that those readers who discover such mistakes will kindly communicate, through the medium of his publisher, any corrections or suggestions they may deem necessary. May 16th, 1851. IMPORTANT NOTICE. To prevent Collision, it is a rule in the London streets for the foot-passenger invariably to walk on the right side of the pavement as he advances. There is an error now in the List of Omnibus fares given in our first chapter. The charge of 3d. for certain portions of their routes has been raised, since that sheet was printed off, to 4d. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTORY.-Hotels and Lodgings.-Cabs and Omnibuses, with their Fares. -Comparative Value of Foreign Coins.-London Topography.-Omnibus USEFUL INFORMATION.-Chronology of English Sovereigns.-The Royal Family. -Foreign Ministers in England.--Passports.-Customs' Duties.-Post- office Regulations.-Corporation and Officers of the City of London.- London Bankers.-Army and Navy Agents and Insurance Companies.―― Railways from London, with the features of interest in every town upon the PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL STATISTICS OF LONDON IN 1851.-Containing all Infor- mation relative to the Situation, Size, Population, Trades, Supply and ARCHEOLOGICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN.-Division I. Ecclesiastical.-Division II. Miscellaneous Buildings, &c. - Division III. Antiquarian Societies and ARCHITECTURE AND PRACTICAL BUILDING.-Part I. Ecclesiastical Architecture since the Great Fire, 1666.—Part II. Palatial, Domestic, and General WILL INTEREST THE ARTIST AND CONNOISSEUR.-Division I. Schools of Art. Division II. Societies for the Promotion of Art by Exhibitions, &c.- Division III. Public Picture Galleries and Pictures. WILL INTEREST THE ENGINEER AND SHIP BUILDER.-Containing a full descrip- tion of the Civil and Mechanical Engineering Works of London, with the TO THE LAWYER AND POLITICIAN.-Division I. Epitome of the English Con- stitution; Laws, and Mode of Administration in the Courts of Law and Police; Prisons. Division II. Municipal Constitution of the City of London, and History of its Offices, &c. Division III. Directory to the LEARNING AND SCIENCE.- Division I. Educational Institutions.-Division II. Learned and Scientific Societies, and Public Libraries.-Division III. The Medical Profession in London, and the Hospitals and Medical Societies.— LITERATURE AND THE PRESS.-Division I. A Sketch of the State of Literature in London in 1851.-Division II. The Newspapers and their Characteristics. MUSIC. Division I. General Remarks. Church Music. - Division II. The Opera and Concerts. Division III. Musical Societies. - Division IV. |