door of this room a passage leads to the lower vestibule, where is a Professor's private room on each side.

In the South Range, there is a Cloister for the exercise of the Students during the intervals of Lecture, corresponding with that in the North Range; and at the south end of it is a lobby, in which is the University Office, where all the financial business of the University will be conducted. At the foot of the staircase is the room of the Clerk; and further on, a room for the Meetings of the Council, and for the accommodation of the Warden. Opposite to this room is an apartment which it is intended to appropriate to the collections of the Professors of Botany, and of Mineralogy and Geology. A door from this room leads into the Lower South Theatre, which in dimensions and fitting up is similar to the Lower North Theatre. This is to be appropriated to the Professor of Botany, who is to lecture daily from eight to nine in the morning during the months of May, June, and July, and to those Professors who are not yet appointed.

Ascending the staircase to the Upper Floor, the rooms on each side of the first landing, 26 feet by 19, are to contain the apparatus for the Lectures on Natural Philosophy and Astronomy. A door from each room leads into the Upper South Theatre, which is in all respects similar to the Upper North Theatre, with the addition of a small gallery behind the Lecturer, to be used in performing certain experiments. Besides the apparatus-rooms on each side of the landing, there are two smaller rooms, one of which, with a sky-light, is to be used as a workshop for the keeper of the Natural Philosophy apparatus, the other as a Professor's private room. Above these are three rooms, which are meant to contain models used in the lectures on the application of Mechanical Philosophy to the Arts.

Adjoining the South Cloister there is a Court, and on the south side of it is the staircase by which the Students go to the Theatres. On the north side of the court a door leads to two Lecture Rooms under the Hall. That on the right, 44 feet by 38, is fitted up with twelve rows of seats, rising six inches above each other. This Lecture Room is to be used for Mathematics and the Roman language and Literature. The room on the opposite side of the passage is of the same dimensions, and is to be used for the Greek and English languages.

Another staircase from this court leads to two apartments under the Lecture Rooms just described, which are intended as common rooms for the use of the Students. They are fitted up with tables and benches; and here they may wait, and have an opportunity of reading and writing during the intervals of lecture.

In the area are the doors leading to the Refreshment Rooms, a suite under the Clois

ter, communicating with each other, and fitted up with tables and benches. A Steward has been appointed who will sell on his own account, but at prices sanctioned by the Council, all such articles as are suitable. Adjoining to the Refreshment Rooms are apartments for the Steward and Housekeeper, and for the domestics of the establishment. Under the vestibule are two small kitchens, cellars, &c. There is also a similar suite of vaulted rooms under the North Cloister, but they are not appropriated at present to any particular purpose.

The entire edifice, with some slight exceptions, is heated with warm air, the stoves of which are on the basement floor.

Behind the North Theatres is the dissecting room and theatre for anatomical demonstration, separated by a high wall from the court: but this building is evidently on too small a scale to answer the purpose. It is intended, it appears, to devote some of the apartments of the basement under the North range to anatomical purposes; but we hope, for the health of the students, which must be endangered by so confined a space, this project will be abandoned.

In justice to the conductors of this important undertaking, we cannot close our descriptive remarks, without noticing the extraordinary despatch with which the building has been erected. We will venture to say that no university in Europe, on a similarly extensive scale, has been brought into active operation in so short a period-seventeen months only having been allowed to intervene between the laying of the first stone and the opening of the classes. It can now be no longer said that, while nearly every metropolis in Europe has its university, the boasted capital of Great Britain was an opprobrious exception. Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, Prussia, Russia, Italy, Switzerland, &c. could refer with exultation to their metropolitan universities; as well as numerous provincial ones *; while England stood alone, we may say, the reproach of the continental literati. This reproach is now removed; and we rejoice at the event, because, as admirers of learning and science, we deeply estimate its objects. That such an institution has long been a desideratum, the present crowded state of our two English Universities, and the utter absence of any public medical school, as in Paris, will sufficiently testify. At Oxford and Cambridge (whose medical diplomas alone are acknowledged by the Royal College of Physicians) it is well known there is not the least chance of obtaining that knowledge which medical students are expected to pos

France has 25 Universities; Germany from 20 to 30; Prussia 4; Russia 6; Italy 15; Spain 11; Netherlands 6; Switzerland 4; Scotland 4; and England heretofore only 2, of which number the petty States of Denmark and Portugal can boast.

sess, and in after-life practically to apply; but the London University appears so particularly devoted to this important object, that we do not hesitate to predict its being the first medical and anatomical school, not only in the British empire, but in the civilized world.

The day previous to the opening of the University, a special general meeting of proprietors was held in the council chamber, to receive the Report of the Council as to the progress of the building, and the arrangements made for the opening of the classes of students. Among the proprietors present were the Duke of Somerset, Lord Auckland, Lord Sandon, Lord J. Russell, Dr. Lushington, Joseph Hume, esq. M. P. Henry Warburton, esq. M. P. J. V. Fazakerley, esq. M. P. Thos. Denman, esq. the Common Sergeant, Zachary M'Caulay, esq. T. Wilson, esq. and J. Mill, esq. Dr. Lushington was appointed chairman. Mr. Horner, the Warden of the University, read the Report of the Council. Of the 150,000l. subscribed capital, calls had been made to the amount of 97,500l. and 10,950l. paid in full, including donations. With these funds the Council had paid 30,000l. for the land; 49,0961. towards the building; 3,7481. for collections of philosophical apparatus, anatomical preparations, books, &c.; and 4,8914. for expences of management, including printing, advertisements, &c. from the commencement of the Institution, leaving 20,715l. as the balance of the calls prior to this date, and a further call of ten per cent. or 11,800l. would be due on the 15th of Nov. Thus the sum of 87,7351. had been paid by the Council, and 62,2651. remain at their disposal. The Duke of Somerset stated his conviction of the satisfaction which the Report must give to every lover of improvement, and stated that he should send one of his sons to the Institution.

The following is a brief outline of the introductory lectures already given, as preparatory to the regular courses.

Oct. 1. C. BELL, esq. the Professor of Surgery, &c. delivered his introductory lecture on the Science of Physiology. After making a few preliminary observations on the objects and views of the new Institution, he proceeded to a brief and elementary consideration of his subject, and in a discourse of much perspicuity applied the principles of hydraulics to the exemplification of that grand and perfect system of nature, the circulation of the blood. The lecture was heard with satisfaction and applause by an auditory of between eight and nine hundred persons, who filled the theatre in every

[Oct.

of medicine, and then principally directed his observations to the importance of the study, and the means by which pupils would best attain a competent knowledge of the science he has undertaken to treat. He recommended strongly the cultivation of the ancient and modern languages, of natural history, of mathematics, and of so much of the fine arts as would tend to illustrate or facilitate their professional acquirements.

Oct. 3. Dr. DAVIS delivered his opening lecture on Midwifery, and the Diseases of Women and Children. He gave a rapid but highly interesting sketch of the progress which the obstetric science had made from the days in which it had been wholly in the hands of females, to more modern times, and announced his intention of dividing the subjects into two classes; the first of which would be occupied by teaching his pupils that which may be called the mechanical part of the art, by means of models and machines; and the other, the pathological division, which would be devoted to the study of the diseases of mothers and children.

Oct. 4. Mr. PATTISON read an introductory lecture on Anatomy and Operative Surgery, and ably expatiated on the important advantages to be derived from an intimate knowledge of the structure of the human frame.

Oct. 6. The introductory lecture on Materia Medica and Pharmacy, was delivered by Dr. A. T. THOMPSON.

Oct. 7. Dr. T. WATSON gave his opening lecture on Clinical Medicine, wherein he clearly shewed that the chief object of clinical instruction was to teach the practice of physic by examples.

Oct. 15. The introductory lecture on Chemistry, given this day by Dr. TURNER, was peculiarly interesting. He entered into a general view of material nature, and shewed the different classifications under which matter was arranged. He then proceeded to illustrate the various positions advanced during the lecture, with numerous chemical experiments, which called forth the repeated applauses of a numerous and respectable auditory.

Oct. 24. An introductory lecture on the English Language and Literature, was delivered by the Rev. THOS. DALE, M. A.

Oct. 27, 28. The Rev. D. LARDNER, LL.D. gave a lecture introductory to Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, which was accompanied with many beautiful illustrations and experiments.

The Professors of Languages and Literature will commence their respective courses early in November. We understand that a fund has been raised for establishing a lecture on Divinity for those Students who may be members of the Established Church, and that the Rev. Professor Dale is to be Lecturer in Divinity, for which purpose a chapel has already been purchased,

1828.]

MR. URBAN,

Sept. 9.

207

acres.

The population of this place has greatly increased since the formation of the East and West India Docks, in the adjoining parish of Poplar (late a hamlet also of Stepney). The number of inhabitants is now upwards of 12,000. The poor's rate, which in 1794 was only 8001. is now 6,000l. per ann.; and there are, at the present time, about 2000 houses within the limits of this parish, whereas, then there were only 500.

A new workhouse has lately been erected, which is a neat structure of brick, on the site of the old Rectory House, and under the superintendence of Mr. Goldring; this was much wanted, the former one being old, and in a very dilapidated condition.

Some private establishments in this parish are well worthy of notice, especially the Iron Cable Factory of Messrs. Brunton, situate in the Commercialroad; the Dry Docks of Messrs. Curling and Young, at Limehouse Hole; and the extensive and admirable Rope works of Messrs. Huddart and Co. near the Lea Cut.

The fine and beautiful Commercialroad, as Baron Dupin calls it, in his "Commercial Power of Great Britain," constructed under the direction of Mr. Walker the eminent engineer, and along which it is calculated that

conveyed, amount to 250,000 tons, runs directly through this parish. It is 70 feet in width; the centre part is paved with stone from Scotland, and the whole rises 37 feet from the entrance of the West India Docks to its junction with Church-lane, Whitechapel.

The Lea Cut and the Regent's Canal both enter the Thames at Limehouse; the former was executed in 1772 for the purpose of obtaining a more direct communication between the Pool and the River Lea, which it joins at Brom ley. The latter may be considered a modern public improvement, and exhibits many features of skill and ingenuity well worth the attention of the engineer. Its route is traced through nine parishes, and it is in length eight miles; its mean width is 37 feet. It rises 84 feet by means of 12 locks, is crossed by 37 bridges, passes by means of a tunnel (upwards of half a mile in length) under the New River, and part of Islington, and by another tunnel (a quarter of a mile in length) at Paddington, communicates with the Grand Junction Canal. It was executed under the direction of Mr. Morgan, Civil Engineer.

The foundation of St. Anne's Churcht, which was one of the fifty appointed to be erected in the reign of Queen Anne, was commenced in 1712, bat the building altogether was not completed until 1729. It was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of London in 1730.

The architect, Nicholas Hawksmoor, one of Sir Christopher Wren's pupils, has in this, as well as in the Church of St. George in the East, exhibited a style remarkable for its solidity of appearance and singularity of design.

GENT. MAG. October, 1828.