The Arkansas banner., 1849-11-13
[from the Louisville Journal. Foreign COfreSpOHdence.-NO. 6.

LONDoN. IuIY. K

CENrLEMES:-The origin of the city ol London is buried under heap Of ridiculous traditions, about gods and demigods, who are the repuied founders. King Lud is known to have repaired and surrounded if with a stone wall ana 10 have given it hIs name Lud.din or the city oi Lud. Hence LondiR--Lon- don. There can be doubt though of it's very ancient origin, for it was mentioned by Tacias being sacked by the British Queen Boadicia, which shows that 1t must have been even a, that time town of very considerable importance, in the Ro- man possessions.
 The vastness of the city of London is wonder lhe whole being thirty miles in ciTcumierance And the Improvements, and increase of the town, end its envTons, during the reigns Of George the Third and Fourth, William the Fourth and Queen Victoria, almost Inconceivahle. For the public convenience, and the beauty of the city, crowded districts have been con veTted into spacious squares and enlarged streets, lined with costly residences and magnificent shops. So lately as al the com, mencement of the eighteenth century the village ef Si. Maryiebone, now occupying central position in the Western portion of the Metropolis, was almost a mile from any part of the city of London The city of London taken n it's largest extent, but ex- elusive of the adonng villages is supposed to con tain over two millions and a hall of inhabitants.
 4 stranger would be somewhat beWilIered to hear people. in West-end, talking of driving to Me Gay. ThIs term he city ' is applied 10 that com. parativey small portion of London ancieuily incIu- ded within the walls, and which now forms the stronghold of commerce. The walls have1ong since disappeared, and but Of the numerous gates now remain, which is Temple Bar-a massive arcbed gae.wsy in the Strand, decorated with the statues and hsSsng two ponderous oak doors, which on great occasions closed with much ceremony by the Mayor Within the limits of "me cjty'' all bank. ing operations take place-ail important mercantile transactions are carried on; there trade assumes dignity and imposing appearance, which cotn nands respect and deiereHce in the mos; astocrac circles of this most arisocrs;ic of nations ln.. West end fashion has congregated the rich and noble and sI those who have professions 10 being And on the neutral ground, between "West end " and "t the city ''-along the dividing line between pleasure and bnsiness-are reared the splendid shops which tempt he eyes and empty the purses alike of nobies and snobs
 The Strand, Oxford street, and Piccadilly are the great thoroughiaIes Tn which alenesss and business wealth and poverty niHgIe their swollen tldes and hoisily roll oh together. Pccadiy and Oxford streets run by Hyde Park different sides and are consequently more thronged with private carriages; but the Strand leading 10 the Bank is ihe great om nihas route, and presents the busiest and most bust ling scene ever witnessed. B the bye it is some thing remarkable in the statistics oi omnibuses that though you can see twenty oi them at a sight. they all appear full, but have seemingly power of inde- finite exlension which always enables them upon application, to accommodate or two more inside or auoId another seat on top. The conductor perched upon small step behind, and gracefully swinging by strap, eagerly pres into the hurrylng crowd Tor psssensers--constant'y raising his hand upon the general suspicion of being haed and eteTnalty crying out !" bdiaA," or " Charrng Cross ' or some other prominent point by which they will pass li IS amusing to see how uRliring they are often rais- ing on tp-toe in Their anxiety To discover some weary ioot-passenger who wants 3 Iide; and care not how fuTtve may be the glance, or how slight inc signal ol such individuals. the conductor never iaHs to see them in inc thckest crowd but crying " hold hard " ro the driver, he jumps down--assiss yon in entering by gentle push, bangs the door which Is signal that the horses all understand and start of, leaving you mysteriously involved among The legs ot fat men. and the petticoals (lsdies believe are without iimbs) of ugly women to be lolted into place you best can. But still They are great conveniences, althogh always take the seat by the driver.
 Whist upon the subject of wheeled vehicles, I cannot resist remarking that the word cab " coi- veys rather ndstinct idea of the description Of carriage meant. In New Orleans. cab means one horse barouche. Atthe North, il isa small segment of an omnibus, with the door behind, and seats at the sides But in London, it either designates little close carriage, drawn by horse, or one of Hanson's patent safees" '" These last are deci- dedly the fastest and the saucest looking vehicles ever saw. They are shaped like low swung gig with iapboard. opening like the doors of cup. board, which closes over the knees of the passeI- ger, and protects him from the mud. Ssc A strong circular frame work. covered with patent leather, Tises about the hinder end o the horse and prevents the possibility of his kicking The diver is know Ingly mounted on a little seat behind the vehics which just elevates his head sufficiently above the top 10 enable him to catch glimpse of his horses ears The reins are passed 10 him over the top of the cab, through ring, and with his hat stuck lanntiiy on one side, and long whip m his hand he manages the ribbons in the truly profes styie-and dashes along the streets at a rate that few other carriages rival.
 Bond street was formerly the fashionable morning resort but Regent street has now eclipsed it in the splendor of its shops and the number of its we'll dressed idleTs. Hete foomen idle and dandies lounge. Here ladies " shop" and '' look at new goods" Here roll the luxurious carriages of the venerable aristocIacy, aud here dash the cabrioles of the young boods. Tb Regent street come young damsels 10 hatch hftations by ogling their beaux, and 10 Regent street married women resort 10 breed matrimonial difficulties by lenstheBing their bills Here too many wont 10 barter for diamonds all domestic happiness and peace at home; and here sweat the oolIgng shopmen in their anxious endeavos to gratiiy every whira of those dear crea lures whose oaprices always increase with their wealth and grow with their importance. It is really most magnificent street. The H Quad. rant is as its name indicates in the form of a crescent, iiaed on both sides with splendid sbops ot uniform height, cclor, and style of architect. uFe These fine stores, with a beautiful yeran- dah running along the second story of them a with their tssetuily orname0ted fronts and immense show windows blazing with everything that ia Iux u'ious present fhe most elegant and beautiful an- pearance. Al the foot of Regent street stands very hne monument to the late Duke of York. one hundred and hfty feet high. IL IS plain Doric column Of pale red granite, surmounted by bronze statue Of the Duke.
 Tn go'ng into Trafalgar square, you pass an eques- M Muian statue ot George III, m bronze Lead. | .nlnS' . would have been more in accordance with he density o iaInd and person Of the royal monarch out the English prefer red bronze. Eyefybody to their liking, Sc.
 Trafalgar square is, think, apart from all his ,o'ieai associations. the most interesting and the uaaasomesi portion of London 'Tis paved square. not very large, having the National Gallery on one sae and hotels and club houses on the others Here I 'ne iar'amed Mofley's, where Americans gener, ally congregate, The squaIe is decorated with TWO ieeoie attempts at loahtans, but their large uhslhs ,lhs and the paitering of iaiing waters make hem pleasing. At one corner is an equest,ian elAlue, m bIonze, ,oi GeoIge the Fourth by Chanirr.