Westminster and its Liberties.

WESTMINSTER for many ages was a place entirely distinct from London; and the distance between them was considerable. The Strand was the road which formed the communication between the two towns, and Westminster was then open on either side to the Thames and the fields. It appears that in 1385 this road was paved as far as the Savoy: and many years after, Sir Robert Cecil having built a house at Ivy Bridge, caused the pavement to be extended thither; and many of the houses of the nobility were erected in the Strand. But for a more particular account of the antiquities and history of Westminster, the visitor is referred to the publications recommended in the commencement of this work.

Government of Westminster,

THE government of this important and ornamental portion of the British metropolis, is under the jurisdiction of the dean and chapter of Westminster, in civil as well as ecclesiastical affairs; and their authority also extends to the precinct of St. Martin's le Grand, and to some towns of Essex, which are exempted from the jurisdiction of the bishop of London and the archbishop of Canterbury. But the management of the civil part has, since the reformation, been in the hands of laymen, elected from time to time, and confirmed by the dean and chapter.

Of these magistrates, the principal is the high steward, who is usually a nobleman of the highest rank. This officer is chosen by the dean and chapter. His post is similar to that of chancellor of an university, and is held for life. On his death, or resignation, a chapter is called for the election of another, in which the dean sits as high steward, till the election is concluded.

The next great officer is the deputy steward, who is chosen by the high steward, and confirmed by the dean and chapter. This officer also holds his post during life, and supplies the place of a sheriff, for he keeps the court leet with the other magistrates, and is always chairman at the quarter sessions.

The high bailiff, who is next in rank, is nominated by the dean, and confirmed by the high steward. He also holds his office for life, and has the chief management of the election of members of parliament for Westminster; and all the other bailiffs are subordinate to him. He summons juries, and in the court leet sits next to the deputy steward. To him all fines and forfeitures belong, which render his situation very profitable. But the duties of it are commonly executed by a deputy well versed in the laws.

There are, also, sixteen burgesses and their assistants, whose office in all respects resembles that of the aldermen's deputies of the city of London, each having his proper ward under his jurisdiction: and from these are elected two head burgesses; one for the city, and the other

for the liberties, who in the court leet rank next to the head bailiff. There is also a high constable, who is chosen by the court leet, and has all the other constables under his direction.

The government of Westminster has but a slight resemblance to that of a great and opulent city. It is much more like that of a small country borough. Its representatives are chosen by the householders, and it has no power of making freemen. It has no trading companies, and no courts except those of the leet, the sessions, and a court of requests lately erected. Besides the above officers, there are in Westminster fifty-two inquest-men, twelve surveyors of the highways, fifty-five constables, thirty-one beadles, two hundred and thirty-six watchmen, and eighty scavengers.

Southwark,

ANOTHER great portion of this extended metropolis, was governed by its own bailiffs till the year 1327. The city, however, found great inconveniences from its neighbourhood, malefactors escaping thither, in order to be out of the reach and cognizance of the city magistrates. A grant was therefore made of that town at that period, and the mayor of London was constituted bailiff of Southwark, and empowered to govern it by his deputy. The inhabitants some time after recovered their former privileges. But in the 4th year of the reign of Edward VI., the crown

granted it to the city of London for a pecuniary consideration; and, within a month after the passing of the patent, in consideration of a farther sum paid to the crown by the city, Southwark was made one of the city wards, and named Bridge Ward Without. The number of the aldermen being increased from twenty-five to twenty-six, a new one was chosen to govern that borough. In consequence of the above grant, Southwark has been subject since that period to the lord mayor, who has under him a steward and bailiff, the former of whom holds a court of record every Monday at St. Margaret's Hill, for all debts, damages, and trespasses, within his limits: and the lord mayor proclaims Southwark fair on the 19th of September.

Police of the Metropolis.

THE police of the metropolis is a system highly interesting. But a vast proportion of those who reside in the capital, as well as the multitude of strangers who resort to it, have no accurate idea of the principles of organization, which move so complicated a machine.

That part of the system which comprehends paving, watching, lighting, cleansing, and removing nuisances, is chiefly under the management of parochial commissioners.

To administer that branch of the police, which is connected with the prevention, suppression, and punishment of crimes, twenty-six

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