an examination of the Tower, two things that ought always
to be viewed in juxta-position; one being the greatest
evidence of the science and wealth of modern times; and
the other of the power and pomp of our forefathers.

It is a long time before a stranger can fully appreciate
the extent of population and wealth of this vast metropolis.
At first, he is astonished and confused; his vision is
indistinct. By degrees he begins to understand its
localities, the ground plan becomes intelligible and he
can take it all in at a view. The map is a large one; it
is a chart of the world. He knows the capes and the bays;
he has sailed round them, and knows their relative
distance, and at last becomes aware of the magnitude of
the whole. Object after object becomes more familiar. He
can estimate the population; he compares the amount of
it with that of countries that he is acquainted with,
and finds that this one town contains within it nearly
as great a number of souls as all British North America.
He estimates the incomes of the inhabitants, and finds
figures almost inadequate to express the amount. He asks
for the sources from whence it is derived. He resorts to
his maxims of political economy, and they cannot inform
him. He calculates the number of acres of land in England,
adds up the rental, and is again at fault. He inquires
into the statistics of the Exchange, and discovers that
even that is inadequate; and, as a last resource, concludes
that the whole world is tributary to this Queen of Cities.
It is the heart of the Universe. All the circulation
centres here, and hence are derived all those streams