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other offices; and on each side rises a flight
of steps of very considerable extent, lead-
ing up to the portico, in the middle of
which is the door which leads to the
apartments and offices where business is
transacted. The stone balustrade of the
stairs is continued along the front of the
portico, and the columns, which are
wrought in the proportions of Palladio,
support a large angular pediment, adorn-
ed with a very noble piece in bas relief,
representing the dignity and opulence of
the city of London, by Mr. Taylor.
In the center stands a very graceful
woman crowned with turrets, represent-
ing the city, her left foot placed upon
the figure of Envy, who lies on her back,
and seems endeavouring to rise. Her left
arm rests upon a large shield, which has
the city arms, and in her right hand she
holds a wand. This being the principal
figure, is done in alto relievo: she seems
ready to step forwards, her head and right
arm, which are completely finished, pro-
ject foward from the back ground, and
her wand extends beyond the cornice of
the pediment. Near her, on her right
side, stands a Cupid holding the cap of
Liberty over his shoulder at the end of a
short staff, in the manner of a mace; and
a little farther, a river God, representing
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the Thames, lies reclined, pouring a
stream of water from a large vase; and
near him an anchor fastened to its cable,
with shells lying on the shore. On the
left hand of London is Plenty, kneeling
and holding out her hand in a supplicating
posture, as if beseeching her to accept of
the fruits she is pouring from her cornu-
copia; and behind her are two naked
boys with bales of goods, as emblems of
commerce.
It is, however, very obvious, that the
principal figures in this pediment are too
large, which obliges London to stand, and
Plenty to kneel, in a less graceful manner
than they might otherwise do; and, be-
sides their extraordinary size, renders them
too crouded.
Beneath this portico are two series of
windows, which extend along the whole
front, and above these is an Attic story
with square windows crowned with a ba-
lustrade.
The building is an oblong, and its
depth is the long side; it has an area in
the middle, and the farthest end is an
Egyptian hall, which is the length of the
front, very high and designed for public
entertainments. To make it regular in
flank, the architect has raised a similar
building on the front, which is the upper
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