stone pavilions, where sentinels equipped in full uniform mount guard during the day.

In this building is transacted, in a great variety of departments, the whole business of the British army; and here also are the orderly rooms for the three regiments of Foot Guards; a portion of which force parades every day before the park-front of the building, and the fine band of music which accompanies the spectacle, renders it highly attractive.

THE ADMIRALTY.

THE site of this edifice was formerly occupied by Wallingford House, built in the early years of the reign of Charles I. by Viscount Wallingford. It was from the roof of this

mansion that the pious Archbishop Usher was persuaded to take a last view of Charles I. to whom he was strongly attached, when he was led out on the scaffold before Whitehall. He sank overpowered with horror at the sight, and was borne insensible to his apartment.

In the reign of William III. this house was purchased for the Admiralty Office, and it was rebuilt under George II. by Ripley. It is a commanding building, of brick and stone; having a fore-court separated from the street by a stone screen and gateway, adorned with naval emblems. The front consists of a very lofty portico, supported by four massy stone pillars, of the Ionic order, and two deep advancing wings. On the top of the edifice is a telegraph for communicating orders and intelligence to the principal ports of the kingdom.

The business of this department is under

the direction of five lords commissioners, who have here spacious abodes, and the principal of whom is styled first lord of the admiralty. The whole navy of the united kingdom is under the control of this board, which nominates all the officers of his majesty's ships of

war.

ST. JAMES'S PALACE.

ST. James's Palace, situated on the north side of the park named after it, was originally an hospital founded by devout citizens of London, before the Conquest, for fourteen leprous females. It was subsequently endowed with lands in Westminster, Hampstead, Hendon, and other places; and a brotherhood of six chaplains and two laymen was added

for the celebration of divine and other services. Edward I. conferred on this establishment the privilege of a yearly fair to last seven days. In the reign of Henry III. the hospital was rebuilt by the Abbot of Westminster; and in 1450 the perpetual custody of it was granted by Henry VI. to Eton College, in exchange for the living of Chattisham, in Suffolk. Its favourable situation having attracted the notice of Henry VIII. he persuaded the college to relinquish its right to him, and to accept Chattisham again as an equivalent. He then dismissed the inmates, to whom he granted pensions; erected upon its site "a goodly palace," and formed the park by inclosing the adjoining lands with a brick wall.

It is conjectured that Holbein furnished the plan for "St. James's Manor House," as the new palace was then called. Only a small