rable degree of elegance, and is a very convenient theatre. It
was originally conducted by Hughes and Jones, and its exhibitions were
both scenic and equestrian, something in the style of what Astley's
Amphitheatre is now; but you must see the one in order to form an idea
of the other. Horses are now banished at this place, where, under
an annual license from the magistrates of the county, burlettas,
melodramas, dancing, and pantomimes are got up, and performed in a style
which would not disgrace even the patent theatres. It is at present
under the management of Mr. Dibdin, a son of the celebrated writer of
so many of our national, patriotic, and characteristic ballads.--Just
through the turnpike, the building which gives a sort of finish to the
road, is the School for the Indigent Blind; at the back of which is the
Philanthropic Institution, calculated to unite the purposes of charity
with those of industry and police, to rescue from destruction the
offspring of the vicious and criminal; and Bethlem Hospital, for the
care and cure of insane persons, well deserving of minute inspection;
and to the right, at the corner of a road which leads from Westminster
Bridge towards Vauxhall, is an Asylum for Female Orphans, which, as the
Magdalen was intended to reclaim prostitutes, was originally intended to
prevent prostitution. To the left again is the King's Bench; and as
that is our present place of destination, we will forego any further
description, till another opportunity.

"I cannot, however, refrain a few remarks on the ~45~~situation we are
now in, for from this place may be seen the children of penance (the
Magdalen); the children of darkness (the School for the Indigent Blind);
the insane (New Bethlem); the infatuated and fanatic (the congregations
of the Zoar Chapel, and the faithful of mewses, garrets, and wooden
tabernacles); the children of Thespis and Terpsichore (the Surrey
Theatre), mingled together as it were with the debtor and the captive
(the King's Bench): at least, placing ourselves at this obelisk in the
centre of the road, the mind's eye can comprehend them within a short
distance of each other."

"And a curious admixture of the useful and the sweet it certainly is,"
exclaimed Tallyho, anxious to give his Cousin a little respite, while
they turned to the left on their way to the Bench.

"You will find," continued Tom, "all the before-mentioned infirmities,
blindness, infatuation, madness, and proflig