CREMORNE GARDENS

Are situated on the north bank of the Thames, just above Battersea-bridge. The grounds are pleasantly laid out, and form an agreeable promenade. During the summer season there are a series of amusements of a similar character to Vauxhall, together with aquatic tournoments, &c. Admission, on gala nights, one shilling; other evenings, sixpence. Omnibus fare sixpence. Steam boats convey visitors from all the piers to Chelsea, fare twopence,

ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS,

Regent's-park. These gardens, which were opened in 1828, were the first of the kind in this country, and are superior to any other for the same purpose in the world. They owe their origin to the energy of the late Sir Stamford Raffles and Mr. Vigors, M.P. The grounds are extensive, and so laid out as to best suit the numerous animals located within it, and at the same time with an unfailing attention to the picturesque beauty of the general arrangement. During the summer months they are a source of great_attraction. The buildings are from designs by Mr. Decimus Burton. The animals are exhibited in paddocks, dens, and aviaries, suited to their various habits. In 1830, William IV. presented the society with the animals from the Tower.

On

Open daily from nine o'clock A.M. to sunset. Sundays to Fellows only. Admission one shilling: on Mondays sixpence.

SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS,

Manor-place, Walworth. These delghtful gardens were

originally formed by Mr. Cross, who removed hither the whole of his splendid collection of animals on the demolition of Exeter Change, formerly known as the itinerant menagerie of Mr. Polito. The grounds having been tastefully laid out under the superintending care of Mr. Phillips, and the avenues to the several buildings planted with upwards of two hundred varieties of the most choice and hardy forest trees, of this and other countries, forming a complete arboretum, all of which are clearly labelled: in the centre is a large circular lake, in which are numerous aquatic birds. The collections of animals, birds, and reptiles, are large, and continually receiving new accessions; and altogether form a most interesting and instructive resort. The panoramic views introduced on the borders of the lake have been much admired, and form great objects of attraction during the season.

Open daily. Admission one shilling; descriptive guide, sixpence.

BOTANICAL GARDEN,

Chelsea: established in 1676, by the Company of Apothecaries, as a Physic Garden. It is nearly square, and covers about two acres of ground; the southern side being bounded by the river, and the northern by the main street of Chelsea, the whole being surrounded by a lofty wall. The green-house and two conservatories which adjoin it are on the northern side, and the whole is laid out in walks, dividing the ground into square and oblong plots, of which there are a great many. On the western side there is another hot-house of smaller dimensions, and two tanks of an oval shape, for the cultivation of aquatic plants, which are very old, and surrounded by stone in a ruinous condition. On the southern side are two gigantic cedars of singular shape, planted in 1635.

The plants are generally in a very healthy state, but the gardens are susceptible of great improvement, and many repairs are absolutely necessary. In the centre of the garden is a statue of Sir Hans Sloane, by Rysbrack, executed in 1733.

Open daily, except Sundays. Admission, by tickets, to be obtained at Apothecaries' Hall, or through the intervention of members of that body.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS,

Regent's Park. Inner circle, about 18 acres in extent. The Royal Botanical Society was incorporated in 1839, for the promotion of botany in all its branches, and its application to medicine, arts, and manufactures; also for the promotion of extensive botanical and ornamental gardens, within the immediate vicinity of the metropolis. The winter garden, designed by Mr. Decimus Burton, is a scource of great attraction, and the grounds are laid out with much beauty. Three exhibitions are held annually in the month of May, June, and July.

The old Houses having been destroyed by fire, Oct. 15th, 1834, the present magnificent structure was commenced, from the designs of C. Barry, Esq. in 1840, and

is now rapidly approaching completion. The river-front includes the residence for the Speaker at the north end, the corresponding terminal towards the south being the residence for the Usher of the Black Rod. Between the two extremes, and comprising what are called the curtain portions, are the libraries for the House of Peers and the libraries for the House of Commons: in the immediate centre is the conference-room for the two Houses. All this is on the principal floor, about fifteen feet above the terrace, or high-water mark. The whole of the floor above the libraries, and overlooking the river, is appropriated to committee rooms for the purposes of Parliament; the Peers occupying about one-third towards the south, and the Commons two-thirds towards the north. The House of Peers and House of Commons are situated in the rear of the front building, or that next the river; and will, when completed, be enclosed also towards the west, so as to be entirely surrounded by Parliamentary offices.

The plan of this truly national edifice is exceedingly simple and beautiful. The Central hall, an octagon of seventy feet square, is reached through St. Stephen's Hall and Porch, communicating, by noble flights of steps, with Westminster Hall and forming an approach of unqualled magnificence. From the Central Hall, a corridor o the north leads to the Commons' Lobby and House of Commons; and a corridor to the south, to the Peers Lobby and the House of Peers. In a line with the House of Lords, still further to the south, are the Victoria Hall, the Royal Gallery, and the Queen's Robing Room, communicating with the Royal Staircase and the Victoria Tower, at the south-west corner of the pile, now rearing itself in Abingdon-street, intended for her majesty's

state entrance.

The construction throughout is externally of hard magnesian lime-stone, from North Anstone, in Yorkshire, near Worksop, Notts. It is a beautiful close-grained