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-MERGERS' HALL,

Cheapside. The front of the bailding, next Cheapside, has a richly sculptured façade, adorned with emblematical figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity, with other enrichments. In the hall are some curious and interesting relies of Whittington, "thrice Lord Mayor of London." The entrance from Ironmonger Lane is decorated with rustic stone pillars, supporting an arch, on the keystone of which is the company's arms.

IRONMONGERS' HALL,

Fenchurch Street. A spacious building of Portland stone, erected in 1748, on the site of the previous hall, having a rusticated basement, above which, in the centre, are four Ionic pilasters, supporting a pediment, in which are sculptured the arms of the company, having instead of supporters a large cornucopia on each side, pouring out fruit and flowers. The vestibule is spacious, and divided into avenues by six columns of the Tuscan order.

GROCERS' HALL,

Grocers' Hall Court, Poultry. A plain building, with a stone façade, at the upper part of which are sculptures, emblematical of Oriental commerce. It stands on the site of the ancient residence of the Lords Fitzwalter. In the hall is a portrait and statue of Sir John Cutler, and portraits of Lord Chatham and his son the Right Honourable William Pitt.

This company at one time held high rank among the City companies, in the reign of Henry II. there being no less than twelve aldermen at one time members o

this company. It also boasts of having the names of five kings enrolled among its members,

DRAPERS' HALL,

Throgmorton Street. A quadrangular building, built on the site of the mansion formerly the residence of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex. In the hall are portraits of Fitz-Alwyn, the first Lord Mayor of London, Mary Queen of Scots, Lord Nelson and other fine pictures.

BARBERS' HALL,

33, Monkwell Street, Cripplegate. This building was designed by that great architect, Inigo Jones, and though of a simple construction is exceedingly elegant, and is considered as one of his master-pieces. The grand entrance is enriched with the company's arms, large fruit, and other decorations. The court-room has a fret-work ceiling, and is adorned with several beautiful paintings, particularly a very handsome one, by Hans Holbein, of King Henry VIII. uniting the Barbers and Surgeons into one company, which contains portraits of eighteen of the most eminent members of the company at that time. Admission, free, by order from any member of the court.

ARMOURERS' HALL,

81, Coleman Street. Contains a fine painting, by Northcote, representing the entry of Richard II. and Henry of Bolingbroke into the City. Admission, free, by an order from any of the livery, or by a respectful application.

STATIONERS' HALL,

Stationers' Hall Court, on the north side of Ludgate Hill. This building stands on the site of a mansion, which anciently belonged to the Dukes of Bretagne. It is a spacious, convenient hall, and lighted by a single series of windows, over which is placed a neat medallion. The entrance is from a small paved court, enclosed with a dwarf wall, surmounted by an iron railing. The window of stained glass was presented to the company by Alderman Cadell.

SALTERS' HALL

Cannon Street. A handsome and very elaborate elevation, erected in 1826, from the designs of George Smith, Esq., on the site of the mansion of the Earls of Oxford. It consists of a tetrastyle Ionic portico, which supports an attic that forms a base or pedestal for the armorial bearings and supporters of the company. It is prettily situated in a planted garden, with dwelling-houses and offices on each side.

In the hall are several pictures, and in the court-room a curious bill of fare, the expense of entertaining fifty of the Company of Salters, amounting to £1 13s. 24d.

PAINTER STAINERS' HALL,

9, Little Trinity Lane. A neat building, having a garden on the north side. The hall-room is adorned with a handsome screen, arches, pillars, and pilasters of the Corinthian order, painted in imitation of porphyry, with gilt capitals. The panels are of wainscot, and the ceiling is embellished with historic and other paintings,

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among which are portraits of Charles II. and his Queen Catherine, by Houseman. Sir Joshua Reynolds was a member of this company. Admission, by an introduction from any of the livery.

CLOTH WORKERS' HALL,

On the east side of Mincing Lane, Tower Street. It is a neat brick building, with fluted columns of the same, having Corinthian capitals of stone. The hall is lofty, and adorned with wainscot to the ceiling which is of curious fret-work. At the west end are figures of James I. and Charles I., richly carved, life size, in their robes, with regalia, all gilt and highly finished; and a spacious window of stained glass.

VINTNERS' HALL

On the south side of Upper Thames Street, on the west of the approach to Southwark Bridge. It consists of three sides of a quadrangle, enclosing a square court, the north side of which is enclosed by lofty iron gates, hung on rusticated piers. The south portion of the quadrangle contains the hall; this side, like the other two, is divided, by pilasters, into three divisions, the intercolumniations containing windows of stained glass, which light the hall. Over this is an entablature, carried through the entire building. Each side of the quadrangle is surmounted by a pediment, the tympanum of the centre division being charged with a shield, bearing the company's arms— -three tuns and a chevron.

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CHAPTER XVIII.

CLUB HOUSES.

These establishments, which have of late years assumed a splendour unknown to the ideas of their originators, are the resorts of political, fashionable, and literary characters, for the purpose of conversation, reading, or refreshment. Persons desirous of admission must be proposed by members, and ballotted for. The subscriptions vary, according to the character of the Club, from twenty to twenty-five guineas entrance, and from five to six guineas per annum.

THE UNION,

Trafalgar Square, Cockspur Street. Erected in 1824, from the designs of Sir Robert Smirke. It is a plain substantial building, in the Grecian style, and forms, in connection with the College of Physicians, a continuous frontage to Trafalgar Square.

UNITED SERVICE,

116, Pall-Mall. Erected in 1828, on the site of Carlton Palace, from designs by Mr. Nash.

THE ATHENÆUM,

112, Pall-Mall. A spacious and elegant building, erected in 1829, on the site of Carlton Palace, from the designs of Mr. Decimus Burton. It is in the Grecian style of architecture. Over the portico is a statue of Minerva, by Bailey; and round the sides of the building is a copy of the frieze on the Parthenon, by Henning, representing the Panathenaic procession,

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