is a handsome receding portico of the pure Grecian Doric order of architecture, supporting an entablature ornamented by wreaths of laurel, instead of the more appropriate tryglyphs; above which is the cornice crowned by a magnificent blocking course, surmounted by a stylobate, bearing the imperial arms of the United Kingdoms. The interior is a quadrangular paved court, surrounded by a colonnade, in which are seats appropriated to the cornfactors, each of whom has a desk containing samples of corn. The market-days are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, but the most business is transacted on Mondays. LONDON BRIDGE.. THE first pile for the formation of the coffer dams, in which were built the piers of this magnificent structure, unrivalled by any bridge in the world, was driven on the 15th of March, 1824. The coffer dams being completed, the first stone was laid on the 27th of April, 1825. The construction of the pier proceeded with such rapidity, that the first arch was keyed in on the 4th of August, 1827, and the bridge finally finished on the 31st of July, 1831; having occupied seven years and a half in its construction. The bridge consists of five semi-elliptic arches, the centre of which is 152 feet span, with a rise above high-water mark of twenty-nine feet and a half. The length of the bridge, from the extremity of the abutments, is 928 feet, the abutments being each 130 feet span ; the breadth of the roadway between the parapet is fifty-three feet, and the foot-paths nine feet each in width. The whole of the bridge is built of granite, of which there were about 120,000 tons employed. The expenses of its erection, amounting to about two millions of pounds sterling, were defrayed partly by government, and partly by the corporation of London. As an indemnification to the corporation, they are allowed to levy a tax for twenty-six years of tenpence per chaldron on all coals entering the port of London. CROSBY HOUSE. THIS magnificent structure was built by Sir John Crosbie,* grocer and woolman, and sheriff of London, in 1470, on ground leased to him by * Sir John Crosbie lived in the reign of Henry V., as appears by the will of Henry Lord Scrope, of Masham, who was beheaded at Southampton for high treason. That nobleman bequeathed to Sir John a woollen gown without furs, and one hundred shillings. Having been knighted by Edward IV. in 1471, the next year Sir John was appointed one of the commissioners for settling the differences then subsisting between Edward and the Duke of Burgundy. He was at that time a member of the Grocers' Company and a considerable dealer in wool, by which he raised a considerable fortune, and was enabled to purchase Alice Ashfield, prioress of St. Helens. In this house Richard, Duke of Gloucester, lodged after he had conveyed his innocent nephews to the tower, and meditated on their murder. Shakspeare alludes to this building in his play of Richard III. : Buckingham.-Good Catesby, go, effect this business soundly. Gloster.-At Crosby Place; there you shall find us both. The hall, improperly termed Richard the Third's chapel, is still entire, although it is divided by floors for the convenience of the packers, who at present inhabit it. It is in length eighty-seven feet, in breadth twenty-eight feet, and in height thirty-six feet. The hall is lighted at the west side by a range of beautiful Gothic windows, and by an elegant circular window at one end. The roof is divided by three rows of pendants, which are connected by painted arches. CLOTH WORKERS' HALL. THE Cloth-workers' Company was incorporated first by letters patent of Edward IV., in 1482, under the title of " the Fraternity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Sheermen of London:" and, secondly, by Queen Elizabeth, who changed their first appellation to that of" the Master, Wardens, and Commonalty of Freemen of the Art and Mystery of Cloth-workers of the City of London ;" whose title was confirmed by Charles I. This company has a master, four wardens, thirty assistants, and a livery; and supports the following charities: A free-school at Sutton Vallence, in Kent, another in the Isle of Man, alms-houses at Sutton Vallence and Islington, and nine exhibitions for poor scholars in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The whole the manor of Hanworth and lands in the adjoining parish of Feltham, in Middlesex, as well as to erect this house, at that time the highest in London. By his last will, after bequeathing considerable sums to various monasteries and hospitals, he gave to the repairs of St. Helen's church five hundred marks; sending the poor-house keepers in Bishopsgate Ward 301.; to the repairs of Hanworth church 401.; of Bishopsgate and London Wall 100l.; and towards erecting a new tower of stone at the south-east of London Bridge, if the same were begun by the corporation, 100l. ; besides a number of other legacies. The mansion was afterwards granted by Henry VIII. to Anthony Bonvica, an Italian merchant; Henry, being a great favourer of the merchants of that country, for the sake of magnificent silks, velvets, tissues of gold, jewels, and other luxuries," as he expresses it, "for the pleasure of us and our dearest wyeff the queane.” In the reign of Elizabeth, Crosby House was appropriated for the reception of ambassadors; it has since been a dissenting meeting-house, but has now dwindled into warehouses. expenditure of this company, for charitable purposes, is estimated at 1,400%. per annum. The hall is a neat brick building, with fluted columns of the Corinthian order. The interior is a lofty room, wainscoted to the ceiling, which is highly adorned with fret-work. The screen is of oak, ornamented with four pilasters supporting an entablature and compass pediment of the Corinthian order. At the west end are carvings as large as life of James I. and Charles II., in their robes. In the windows are painted the arms of England, the city, the company, and others belonging to the masters and benefactors. VINTNERS' HALL. THIS handsome building is erected on the spot originally occupied by the residence of Sir John Stody, mayor of London in the year 1357, at that time called Stody Place; which place Sir John afterwards presented to the Vintners' Company. The present edifice is enclosed by a square court, with a large iron gate separating it from the street, hung upon columns wreathed with grapes and leaves, surmounted by the figure of a Bacchus seated upon three tuns. In the great hall, which is exceedingly handsome, is a good painting of St. Martin dividing his cloak with our Saviour, who appeared to him in the character of a beggar, and a statue of that saint; but why St. Martin is selected as the patron of the company does not appear. The Vintners were originally known by the name of Merchant Winetrimmers of Gascoigne, and were distinguished into importers, who were called vineatrij, or wholesale dealers in wine; and tabernarij, or neatrij, who kept taverns or cellars to retail wine, bought of the merchant. They were incorporated by Edward III., and confirmed by Henry VI., who granted them a charter to form them a body politic, by the name of "The Master, Wardens, and Freemen, and Commonalty of the Mystery of Vintners of the City of London." The freemen belonging to this company (the eleventh of the twelve principal companies) have the privilege of retailing wine without a licence. PAINTER STAINERS' HALL. THE Company of Painter Stainers originated from some artists, who formed themselves into a fraternity as early as the reign of Edward III., but they were not incorporated. They styled themselves Painter Stainers; and employed themselves in painting and staining glass, illuminating missals, and painting altars |