voice of the Speaker calling out Order, order, order. Very tart and occasionally acrimonious language was used in debate; most generally, however, it was hypothetical, and qualified in the end, so as to be harmless or retracted. The members are arranged, as with us, on opposite sides of the chamber. Those who support the government or administration sit on the right of the Speaker, and those opposed on his left.

We next went into the House of Lords, which presents a more dignified appearance than the Commons, but failed to impress me with that veneration and respect that I always experienced when I entered the Senate Chamber at Washington. We had the pleasure of hearing the Duke of Argyle, Lord Brougham, and several other distinguished Lords, upon a bill to suppress the sale of spirituous liquors. The subject certainly was not one calculated to bring out the powers of the speaker, yet it gave us an opportunity of forming an estimate of the body. I was struck with this fact in all the speaking that I heard in the House of Lords and Commons, a degree of hesitation or stammering, which is very unpleasant to the ear, and spoils the beauty of language. The oratory of Americans in the legislature, on the stump, at the bar, and in the pulpit, is far superior to any thing that I have yet heard in this country.

From Westminster Bridge we had a fine view of the great Thames and the seven bridges that span its channel, which are like so many bee-hives, with the tide of humanity going each way. It is really astonishing to think of the vast amount of commerce carried on in this river, which we in the States, accustomed to the great inland sea, would call nothing but a large creek. Yet small and filthy as it is, we see the vessels of all nations floating upon its surface, indicating an amount of trade no where else to be seen.

The bridges across the Thames are generally built of stone at an immense cost. They are too low to make much show, but are substantial structures, every way suited to accommodate the public.

From Westminster Bridge we drove down the Surrey side of London to the great Tunnel, through which we passed. This extraordinary undertaking was originally projected and carried out by Sir T. K. Brunel, and is an enduring monument of his skill and enterprise, notwithstanding it has failed in its results as a passway, most persons preferring to cross on the bridges. It consists of a square

mass of brick work, thirty-seven feet wide by twenty-two high, containing in it two archways, each of the width of sixteen feet four inches; each road is thirteen feet six inches wide, and fifteen feet six inches high, and footpaths three feet wide. There is a central line of arches separating the two passages, some of them wide enough for a carriage to go from one side of the Tunnel to the other. Between these archways are gas lamps and stalls for refreshments, trinkets, &c., kept by females, who are exceedingly annoying to visitors. The entire length of the Tunnel is thirteen hundred feet, and the thickness between the vault of the Tunnel and the Thames above, fifteen feet. It cost £611,000. Toll, one penny. To civil engineers, or persons interested in scientific pursuits, this structure possesses great attractions, for it is regarded as the most extraordinary triumph of science and perseverance in all England.

LETTER NINE.

LONDON, England.

Excursion to Windsor Castle-The Palaces of London-The Royal Mews-Amateur performances at the Devonshire House-The Royal Italian Opera, etc.

TAKING advantage of a clear sun and cloudless skies, which Londoners are rarely permitted to enjoy, we formed an agreeable party, and made an excursion to Windsor Castle, one of the country seats of Her Majesty the Queen.

It is beautifully situated on a lofty eminence about twenty miles from London, and possesses many attractions to render it an agreeable retreat from the noise and bustle of a city life. It does not equal Chatsworth, which I have previously described, either in the extent of the grounds, the magnificence of the castle, or the elegant manner in which the various apartments are furnished. Visitors are permitted to go over every part of the castle except the Queen's private apartments, which are inaccessible, except by an order from the Lord Chamberlain during her absence. The state-rooms are fitted up in very good style, and the walls are adorned by a great number of paintings by the most eminent masters, which the visitor is permitted

merely to glance at, being ushered by the guide in rapid succession from one room to another. Windsor Castle has been the principal seat of British royalty for upwards of seven centuries. The Saxon kings had a palace here long before the conquest. The present castle was founded by William the Conqueror, but was almost rebuilt by Edward III., with the assistance of the celebrated William Wykeham, who superintended the works. Great alterations were subsequently made by Sir Jeffrey Wyatville, during the reign of George IV. St. George's Chapel is an elegant specimen of florid Gothic architecture. It is the most interesting portion of the castle, as it contains the stalls of the Knights of the Garter, and the remains of some of the most distinguished characters of England. George III. and his Queen, George IV., the Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Kent, the Duke of York, William IV., and Queen Adelaide are deposited in the vaults of this chapel; also Edward IV. and his Queen. Henry VI., Henry VIII., Jane Seymour, and Charles I. are here interred. The keep, or round tower, in the centre of the castle, is perhaps the most remarkable part of the building. It is of great height, and furnishes a beautiful view of the parks and surrounding country. Here James I. of Scotland was confined, and here the Queen frequently resorts to enjoy the pure air and the luxury of quiet meditation.

From Windsor, we repaired to Buckingham Palace, the city residence of the Queen, which is regarded as the most elaborate and magnificent building of the kind in London. It was commenced during the reign of George IV., who after the most lavish and extravagant expenditure, exceeding £600,000, abandoned it as altogether unfit for the pageantries of royalty, and but little suited as a place of residence for his Majesty. William IV. not liking the building or the situation, it was not occupied until the accession of Victoria, when various alterations, additions, and improvements were made in accordance with her wishes, and the requirements of an increasing family. As it now stands it is an ornament to the city, and a building in every way suited for the residence of the royal family.

After examining the palace, we walked around to see the royal mews, which are very near. The state carriage is a superb piece of workmanship, being elaborately carved, finished with gilt work, and adorned with all the devices of royalty. The carriages used on ordi

nary occasions, numbering some forty-five or fifty, are substantial, but not very elegant or expensive. The state horses are the most beautiful animals I ever saw, being almost perfect in form, size, and color. The Queen has in all about three hundred horses, many of which are very superior. What sense can there be in having so many carriages and horses for the use of one little woman and her children, when one third of the number would answer every purpose ? But in monarchies the whims and caprices of the sovereign must be indulged-it matters not how foolish and extravagant-and at the expense of the democracy, the fruits of whose labors are applied to uphold the false dignity of the nation.

Several of the London palaces have rooms beautifully fitted out in theatrical style for the exhibition of amateur performances. Those who assist in the plays are from private circles, who volunteer their services merely to gratify the lord of the house, or benefit some laudable institution in need of pecuniary assistance. The guests are always ticketed by the lord, notwithstanding they are required to pay enormously for the honor of being invited. These performances are always select, and generally wind up with a ball and supper, which adds much to the enjoyment of the evening.

The Duke of Devonshire gave one of these entertainments recently at his city residence, in Picadilly, for the benefit of the "Literary Guild." Sir E. B. Lytton's comedy was represented most beautifully, and a new farce of the old extravagant school, which seems to have been written for the purpose of showing the talents of Mr. C. Dickens, in what is called a "personation" part. Mr. Dickens sustained himself in his usual manner, displaying great versatility of genius, and some drollery in the system of disguising and counterdisguising. The evening wound up with a ball and a supper, and every thing was conducted in superior style.

London is now full of attractions of every description. All the various places of amusement are in full blast, affording to foreigners visiting the Exhibition an opportunity of passing their evenings pleasantly. The opera houses are peculiarly attractive at this time, being fortunate in procuring for the season the best talent in Europe. Mesdames Sontag, Castellan, and Grisi are all here, and you can well imagine what a sensation they create among the uppertendom of London.

The Queen honors one of the opera houses nearly every evening with her presence, accompanied by distinguished foreigners. Her presence is always a sure guarantee for a brilliant house, as many persons go there to show their loyalty, and others merely to gaze on her Majesty's little round face.

LETTER TEN.

LONDON, England.

Excursion to Epsom-Tower of London-Docks and Vaults, etc.

A FEW days since, the great city of London was in a perfect state of commotion-cabs, busses, and postillions were hurrying to and fro in every direction. Lords and ladies, gentlemen and cockneys, together with the stranger from every clime, were in a perfect state of excitement, indicating to the calm observer that something of more than ordinary interest was on the tapis. Having previous intimation through a friend that the celebrated Derby stake would come off on that day, we agreed to make an excursion to Epsom, and mingle for a time among the sportsmen of England. Failing to procure a private conveyance, we hurried across London bridge to the railroad station, where we found some two or three thousand persons endeavoring to obtain tickets and seats. Seeing this eager crowd pushing and scuffling in their efforts to get ahead of each other, my friend remarked that our chance of witnessing the races was rather slim. I replied to him not to fear, that I would play a Yankee trick upon them and get tickets before our time. Assuming an air consequential, (for I believe it was not nature,) I passed along through the crowd, saying, "Gentlemen, allow me to pass if you please." Thinking that I was either a railroad official, or person wishing to attend to something very urgent, they politely gave way, and I procured tickets without any difficulty. But this was the smallest part of the trouble; after getting our tickets we found it still more difficult to get seats, as none were secured. As the train, numbering some fifty or sixty cars, came alongside the platform, the rush to get seats was intense, in which several persons were seriously injured.