the British empire extends interminable, beneath an unsetting sun.

The Hospital is a noble and majestic edifice, founded in 1694, by King William III. and Queen Mary, for invalid seamen, and consists of four grand edifices, detached from each other, yet forming a very entire and beautiful plan, especially when viewed from the river, to which the main front is opposite. These buildings, which are respectively denominated King Charles's, Queen Anne's, King William's, and Queen Mary's, are disposed in the following manner: King Charles's and Queen Anne's buildings are situated to the north, or next to the river, from which they are separated by a spacious terrace, eight hundred and sixty-five feet in length; they have a grand area or square between them, two hundred and seventy-three feet wide, with a fine statue of George II., by Rysbrach, in the centre. Beyond to the south, stands the two other piles, having an interval between them considerably less than the grand square, being but one hundred and fifteen feet wide; the effect of this is to occasion an apparent connexion between these portions of the edifice as seen from the river.

The present establishment of Greenwich Hospital consists of a master and governor, a lieutenant-governor, four captains, and eight lieutenants, with a variety of officers of the hospital, two thousand seven hundred and ten pensioners, one hundred and sixty-eight nurses, and thirty-two thousand out-pensioners. The number of persons residing within the walls, including officers, &c., amounts to nearly three thousand five hundred.

The Great or Painted Hall is approached by a noble flight of steps. The dimensions of this truly regal apartment is one hundred and six feet long, fifty-six feet wide, and fifty feet high. Viewed from the steps, the scene is grand and inspiring; the eye takes in the painted ceiling (the work of Sir James Thornhill,

repaired in 1808 by Rigaud), the pictorial walls, and the marble floor. The portraits are placed in seniority of rank, and the historical paintings arranged according to the date of action. Here are also statues of those great naval commanders-Nelson, Howe, Duncan, and St. Vincent; as also Sir Sidney Smith, Viscount Exmouth, and Lord de Saumerez.

The Chapel is approached by an octangular vestibule, in which are four niches, containing statues of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Meekness. From this vestibule the visitor ascends, by fourteen steps, to the interior of the chapel, which is one hundred and eleven feet long and twenty-five feet broad, and capable of conveniently accommodating fourteen hundred pensioners, nurses, and boys, exclusive of pews for the directors and the several officers. It is a most beautiful specimen of Grecian architecture, and is from the designs of James Stuart, Esq., the well known Author of the " Antiquities of Athens." It was first opened for Divine service on the 30th September, 1789; the former edifice having been destroyed by fire on the 2nd January, 1770.

The hospital gates open at sunrise. The Painted Hall and Chapel are open every week-day from ten till seven during the summer months, and from ten till three in the winter; and on Sundays after Divine service in the morning. On Mondays and Fridays they are open free to the public, and on other days on payment of 4d. Soldiers and sailors are admitted free at all times. Clarke's Handbook Guide, 3d.

CHELSEA HOSPITAL.

Go with old Thames, view Chelsea's glorious pile,
And ask the shattered hero whence his smile;
Go view the splendid domes of Greenwich-go
And own what raptures from reflection flow

Hail! noblest structures, imaged in the wave,
A nation's grateful tribute to the brave.
Hail! blest retreats from war and shipwreck hail!
That oft arrest the wandering stranger's sail.
Long have ye heard the narratives of age,
The battle's havoc and the tempest's rage:
Long have ye known reflection's genial ray

Gild the calm close of valour's various day.-Rogers.

The Royal Hospital for invalids in the land service was begun by Charles II., and finished during the reign of William and Mary. It is a noble structure, forming three sides of a quadrangle, and built after the designs of Sir Christopher Wren. The number of in-pensioners is three hundred and thirty-six, who must, except under special circumstances, be sixty years of age, and have passed twenty years in her Majesty's service, before it is possible to admit them. They wear a uniform dress of red lined with blue, are lodged and fed, and receive an allowance of eightpence per week. The out-pensioners form an unlimited number, and are dispersed all over the three kingdoms, with liberty to exercise their various occupations, though liable to be called upon for garrison duty in time of war. In the Chapel are preserved the eagles of Napoleon, captured at Barossa, Talavera, and Waterloo. In the Dining Hall remain the fragments of the standards won at Blenheim from the proud Louis XIV., surnamed "the Great," besides flags of all nations down to the Chinese, with the Dragon banners.

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S HOSPITAL,

On the east side of Smithfield, seems to have been the first establishment of the kind in London for relieving the diseased and maimed poor. It owes much to the munificence of Henry VIII., who endowed it, at the

Reformation, with an annual revenue; and profits largely at times by the liberality of private benefactors. Persons hurt by accident are admitted at any hour of the day or night, without previous recommendation, which it is indispensable, however, for applicants in all other cases to procure, before they can be examined or received.

St. George's Fields. For the cure of lunatics. Erected in 1815, on its present site, in consequence of the improvements in Moorfields, by which its removal was demanded. The edifice presents a grand front, five hundred and eighty feet long, composed of two wings and a noble portico, formed by a lofty range of Ionic pillars, supporting a handsome pediment, with a tympa