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and proportions; which, for scientific skill of construction, and elegance of elevation, surpasses all other steeples in London. It was repaired, and partly rebuilt, in 1820, in accordance with the original design, by Mr. George Gwilt. "It is beyond question," says an old writer, as perfect as human imagination can contrive or execute, and till we see it outdone we shall hardly think it to be equalled."

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In this church the bishops of London are always consecrated; and here the "Boyle Lectures" are delivered annually, on the first Monday of the month from January to May, and from September to November, in accordance with the bequest of the Hon. Robert Boyle.

Underneath is an ancient crypt, belonging to the original edifice, built in 1087.

CHRIST CHURCH,

Newgate-street, erected in 1687, by Sir Christopher Wren, on the site of a church of Franciscans; where, it is said, no less than six hundred or seven hundred persons of distinction were interred. The present church is a handsome structure, with a lofty square tower: the pulpit is carved with representations of the Last Supper and of the four evangelists. The font is of white marble, adorned with alto-relievos. The Spital sermons are preached in this church in Easter week; and here, on St. Matthew's Day, a sermon is annually preached before the lord mayor, aldermen, and governors of Christ's Hospital; after which the senior scholars make Latin and English Orations, in the Great Hall, previously to being sent to the university. Richard Baxter, the nonconformist, is buried within the walls of this building.

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Fleet-street, erected in 1680, by Sir Christopher Wren, on the site of the church destroyed by the great fire in 1666. "This church," says Elmes, "is of great strength and beauty: its interior is at once spacious, commodious, and elegant." It is one hundred and eleven feet in length, fifty-seven feet in breadth, and forty-one feet in height; composed of a lofty nave, covered with an arched ceiling; and two aisles, separated below by solid pedestals supporting coupled Doric columns, which support the aisles of the nave and galleries. At the east end is a beautiful stained glass window, by the late Mr. Muss, representing the "Descent from the Cross," after Rubens.

Its handsome tower and well-proportioned spire, which is one of the highest in London, and exceeded by few in the kingdom, was originally two hundred and thirty-four feet in height; but having been injured by lightning in 1764, it was repaired and reduced to its present height of two hundred and twenty-six feet.

Among the eminent persons buried here, are Richardson, the author of "Pamela;" Sir Richard Baker, author of the "Chronicles;" and Wynkin de Worde, the famous printer.

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Or St. Mary's Inner Temple, belongs to the societies of the Inner and Middle Temple. The western part, or round, is highly interesting, as being one of the earliest specimens of the pointed style of architecture. It was

built by the Knights Templars, about 1185, and displays a series of six clustered columns of black Purbeck marble, supporting the same number of pointed arches; over which is a triforium and a clerestory, with semicircular

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arches. In the area, on each side, is a series of recumbent effigies of Knights Templars.

At the western end is a noble doorway, with several ornamental mouldings, forming a semicircular arch.

The body of the church is of a later date, and is one of the purest examples of the style of the thir

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teenth century. It is eighty-two feet in length by fifty-eight feet in breadth, and is formed into a centre and lateral aisles by five arches on either side, corresponding with the same number of triple windows. The breadth of the centre aisle is the same as the diameter or central space of the circular part, whereby a pleasing harmony is kept up throughout, and unity of plan is combined with great variety of it. The restorations and polychromatic decorations of the interior have been admirably executed, under the able directions of Mr. Sidney Smirke and Mr. Decimus Burton, at the expense of the benchers. On entering the western door, the effect is picturesqe and imposing: it discloses a fine architectural picture, which, while it delights the eye by its varied perspective, strongly excites the imagination by partially revealing what can be fully enjoyed only on a nearer approach to it. The floor is paved with encaustic tiles, by Minton; and the windows at the east end are filled with stained glass, of harmonious design, by Mr. Willement.

ST. DUNSTAN'S IN THE WEST,

Fleet-street, erected from the designs and under the superintendence of John Shaw, Esq. F. R. and A. S. in 1832. The tower is of Kelton stone, a very superior kind of freestone, of beautiful colour, from the county of Rutland. Upon the tower is an enriched stone lantern, perforated with Gothic windows of two heights, each angle having a buttress and enriched finial; the whole being terminated by an ornamental pierced and very rich crown parapet. The height of the tower to the battlements is ninety feet; and the whole height of the tower and lantern is one hundred and thirty feet. The body of the church is of fine brick, finished with stone; it is of octagon form, about fifty feet in diameter, and will hold about nine hundred persons.

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