consisted at first of only nine members, which number was, however, gradually increased to the large number of thirty-five; yet, limited as it was, it would not be easy even now to bring together as large a number of equally distinguished characters. That club dined together once a fortnight, on which occasions "the feast of reason and the flow of soul " were, no doubt, enjoyed in perfection. In most clubs of that period, on the contrary, the flow of wine, or other liquor, was far more abundant than that of mind, and the conversation was generally more easy and hilarious than intellectual or refined.

The Army and Navy Club, corner of Georgestreet, St. James's Square, was built 1847-50, from the designs of Parnell and Smith. The building | cost in all £35,000, exclusive of fittings. The comparatively small plot of land on which it stands has cost the Club £52,500, and the total expenditure may be called in round numbers £100,000. The largest apartment is the "Morning Room ;" and the "Library" is larger than the "Drawing Room." The enrichments of the ceilings throughout are in cartonpierre and papier-mâché. The principal furniture is of walnut-wood. The Kitchen is one of the successful novelties of the building, and will repay a visit.

Most part of the club-bouses are i. Pail Mall and St. James's-street. The building erected for the Reform Club, by Mr. Barry, is one of the finest structures belonging to this class of edifices, and is fitted up with equal taste and magnificence.

It was built in the year 1839: the club consists of 1400 members; the annual subscription being ten guineas, and the entrance fee twenty guineas. This club was founded by the liberal members of the two Houses of Parliament, about the time of the passing of the Reform Bill, 1830-32. The interior of the edifice, especially the large hall covered with glass, in the centre of the building, is very imposing.

The Carlton, the Conservative, the Athenæum, and the United Service Clubs, are splendid specimens of architecture..

On State occasions, when the Queen holds a Drawing Room" at St. James's Palace, this street is full of gaiety and splendor. From two o'clock till seven, the carriages of the nobility passing to and from the palace, completely blockade this thoroughfare and the adjacent streets. It is a splendid sight to witness the gaudy liveries without, and the magnificent tiaras of diamonds glittering within, these superb equipages as they pass in procession.

St. James's Park was originally formed by Henry VIII., who caused to be drained and enclosed what at that time was little better than a marsh. It was afterwards much improved by Charles II., who employed Le Nôtre to plant the avenues and form a canal, as also an aviary adjoining, from which the Bird-cage Walk took its name. This park is covered with beautiful flowerbeds, lofty elms and dwarf shrubs, and green sward divided by gravelled walks; while the lake, with its fountain and artificial islands (the latter designed for the accommodation of the numerous water-fowl) render this deservedly one of the most popular promenades in the Metropolis.

On the parade, in front of the Horse Guards, are placed Turkish piece of ordnance captured at Alexandria by the British army, a piece of ordnance captured at Waterloo, and one of the mortars used by the French army to throw shells into Cadiz; its range being said to be three miles, and its weight sixteen tons.

One of the regiments of the Foot Guards daily parades in this park, between ten and eleven o'clock in the morning, attended by the band.

Bridgewater House, in St. James's Park, the town residence of the Earl of Ellesmere, is enriched with a rare collection of pictures by the