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companies into one large square annexed to the Guildhall, and to 

 make a fine quay on the bank of the river fi-om Blackfriars to 

 the Tower. His streets were to be of three magnitudes — ninety 

 feet, sixty feet, and thirty feet. In spite of the best advice, the 

 jealousies of the citizens prevented any systematic design being 

 followed, and the old lines were in almost every case retained. 

 Wren built St. Paul's and the many churches round it ; but it is 

 much to be regretted that his scheme for laying out the city was 

 not adopted. A great impetus of change was given by this fire, as 

 the wooden houses now gave place to brick, and an Act of Parlia- 

 ment for rebuilding the city of London gave the coup de grace to 

 the carpenters as house builders. 



With this rebuilding and great extension of the city, we may 

 consider modern London, as contrasted with old London, com- 

 mences. 



Public buildings, of a most tasteless character, were erected; 

 and these are only now being replaced, and the ugly appearance 

 of many of the streets amended. Coaches and chairs began to 

 take the place of the old conveyance by water, and the banks of 

 the river became naturally neglected, the town spreading in all 

 directions. In 1750, Westminster Bridge was opened, and London 

 Bridge ceased to be the only one connecting the two banks. Dr. 

 Johnson said to Bosvvell in 1775, "Why sir. Fleet Street has a 

 very animated appearance, but I think the tide of existence is at 

 Charing Cross." 



To come to the present 19th century. Since 1800 the City 

 itself has been almost entirely rebuilt, and many of the squares, 

 such as Russell and Bloomsbury, were laid out soon after 1800. 

 The growth m those parts has been rapid, and to show how late it 

 has been, — at that time grapes were ripened by the sun in the 

 open air in gardens in Gower Street, and twenty-five dozen nectar- 

 ines were gathered in 1800 from three completely-exposed trees in 

 a garden there; and the richest flavoured celery was gathered 

 there in abundance. I believe in the time of George III., if not 

 later, snipe were shot just behind Buckingham Palace, in a place 

 now three or four miles from anything approaching country. 



