12S Metropolitan Improvements. [FEB., 



learned a language only by a vocabulary instead of a grammar. There 

 is one excellence in Mr. N ash's designs, which is, that he seldom violates 

 that great desideratum of architectural beauty, the proportion of his out- 

 line ; thus, we are pretty sure of a good general effect, though we may be 

 offended with the detail. The only two instances in which he has failed 

 in this particular in the new street, are the spire and tower of All Soul's 

 Church, which we understand he was compelled to lower, either to meet 

 the desires or pecuniary circumstances of those under whose controul he 

 was placed ; and in the Quadrant, in which the superstructure of the 

 houses above appear mean and petite in comparison with the colonnade 

 below. 



To enter into particular criticism of all the buildings erected during the 

 late improvements, would occupy more room than we can spare to the 

 subject, and would be to fill our pages with dry technicalities, uninteresting 

 to any but the architect. We can only look upon them en grande, and 

 confess, that with all the little faults which the architectural critic may 

 discover, that, as a whole, we ought to be grateful both as Londoners and 

 Englishmen. S. S. 



A MORNING SALUTATION BETWIXT SOUL AND BODY. 

 BODY. 



TELL me, my Soul, where hast thou been 



Wand 'ring the livelong night; 

 What hast thou done what hast thou seen 



la the course of thy silent flight ? 



SOUL. 



I have been over the wide, wide sea 



Have over the waters crost ; 

 Seeking for ever so mournfully 



Her whom I have lost. 



I have been to visit the silent tomb, 



Where my hopes all buried lie ; 

 Fairer flowers in my pathway bloom ' 

 But dearer to me, though lost in gloom, 



Are those that have past me by. 



I have been wandering all alone 



'Mid the ruins of happier days j 

 Fairy palaces overthrown 

 Shining visions all scattered and gone, 



Lost in the desolate maze. 



I have been wand'ring I know not where, 

 Seeking for something that was not there 



Comfortless, void, and vain : 

 But I heard from afar the distant hum 

 Of the wakening multitude and I come 



I come to thee again. 



LYRA. 



