300 houses, irregularly built, and containing nearly 2000 inhabitants. It is, however, a place of but little notoriety, excepting at the dissolution of Parliament; yet the memorable spirited contests of those "men of the people," WILKES and SIR FRANCIS BURDETT, have given it a sort of political importance it otherwise would not have acquired. On the left of BRENTFORD is seen Kew-Bridge; and at various parts of the town, the new palace, built under the immediate direction of His MAJESTY, (although it never became the residence of the King,) is viewed across the river with a pleasing effect, and generally considered as an ornament to Brentford. The propriety of erecting a palace in such a situation has been much questioned, in consequence of the humidity with which the interior has to contend against; but, the palace at Kew derived most of its importance from being the residence of the QUEEN, during her long-protracted illness and death, which occurred on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1818, at twenty minutes after one o'clock. The remains of her Majesty also lay in state at Kew-Palace, previous to their interment in the royal cemetry at Windsor, Dec. 2. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent attended as chief mourner upon this occasion. During one of the longest reigns which ever occurred in this or any other country, (throughout a period of fifty-seven years, in which some political questions of great moment were agitated, and personally connected with her Majesty's situation,) it is almost impossible to suppose, that the character of the QUEEN could be passed over without some inquiry as to the merits of praise or censure. The charges of parsimony, and even exercising an undue influence in state affairs, have been levelled at her late Majesty, resting, it appears, merely on hearsay and conjecture: it is, however, admitted by all parties, that, in the example of domestic morality and virtue which she constantly held forth to the English people, she merited the highest praise that a nation can bestow. It would require an age of experience and an unbounded knowledge of mankind, to make a fair calculation of the innumerable benefits which such an influence as this must have had on society; and, it is not too much to say, that the chastity which distinguishes the females of this country above all others in the world,-a virtue without which political liberty is a mere shadow,was, in some degree, caused by the salutary lessons which the uniform practice of the court had inculcated. Fortunately for the nation, the most useful virtues of private life were practised in a quarter where, like the fashions in dress, it was impossible they should not be imitated; so that the possession of those virtues was an object of ambition. The noble firmness with which the Queen repelled from her presence females of even the highest rank, whose characters appeared in a suspicious light, must command the admiration and gratitude of all persons, who can appreciate the benefits resulting from public and private morality. The middle classes of society also felt an elevation of mind, and a self-applauding conciousness of their own dignity, when they perceived, that without the practice of those moral virtues which belonged to themselves, neither rank, title, or wealth, could meet with any countenance at court. The Grand Junction Canal, after running from Northamptonshire through a variety of places, for the distance of 934 miles, at length unites itself with the Thames at Brentford-Bridge. On passing through Brentford, on the left, stands Sion-House, the capacious and elegant mansion of the Duke of Northumberland, fitted up and finished after the best models of Greece and Rome, which, for taste and beauty, is scarcely to be paralleled in Europe; the approach to which through the grounds is particularly picturesque; and the lion on the top of the handsome gates of the lodge, not only designates this prominent ornament of the Northumberland family, but renders the entrance truly grand and imposing. This neighbourhood has also to boast of more houses belonging to some of the most ancient of our nobility. On the right, Sion-Hill, the Duke of Marlborough; opposite to Sion-Lodge, is the seat of Miss Batten; and, at the distance of a mile is Osterley-Park, the beautiful residence of the Earl of Jersey, formerly belonging to Mr. Child, the most opulent banker in the city, but which was left by him to Lady Sarah Fane, (who married the above Earl, and daughter to the Countess of Westmorland,) in consequence of the latter's elopement and marriage with the Earl of that name, in opposition to her father, Mr. Child. This circumstance, which once so much agitated the fashionable world, is now got rid of in the mind of the traveller by his arrival at SMALLBERRY-GREEN, (8 m. f.) This little village becomes important to the inquisitive mind of the passenger, who learns, that Spring-Grove, on the right, is the seat of that learned antiquary and botanist, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. The mildness of manners, the amiability of deportment, and the literary converzationes of this gentleman to benefit his country, and improve the general habits of society, have not been able to preserve him from the attacks of ridicule and satire by the humourous Capt. MORRIS and the facetious (though not always correct as to facts) PETER PINDAR. On the discovery of Botany-Bay, by Capt. Cook, the former poet thus mentions Sir Joseph, in one of his political songs, which was received with great éclat at the Sons of Anacreon, Beef-steak Club, &c. &c. You have heard of Captain Cook, our worthy great commander! The great Sir Joseph Banks, and Doctor Solander; They sail'd round the world, were perplex'd and were teas'd too, To find out a place where the King might send "his thieves" to! So Britons fill up bumpers, rejoice now and all sing, What "a glorious set of thieves" we shall have from their offspring. Bow, wow. Thus also Peter Pindar satirizes the learned Sir Joseph's pursuits :— Sir Joseph, fav'rite of great queens and kings, And ladies fair applaud, with smile so dimpling; It happen'd on the self-same morn so bright, The nimble pupils of Sir Sampson Wright,* A simpling, too, for plants, called thieves, proceeded; Of which the nation's field should oft be weeded. Sirs, I'm no highwayman,' exclaim'd the knight,- you are right, A footpad only-Yes, we know your trade Yes, you're a pretty babe of grace; We want no proofs, old codger, but your face; Now to the 'squire familiar bow'd the knight, Who knew Sir Joseph at first sight, What's strongly mark'd, is quickly known again— And with a pause that awe and dread commanded, The thief-takers severely reprimanded, For thus mistaking gentlemen. Then on their knuckles rais'd their hands and eyes, * One of the then police-magistrates at Bow-Street-Office. But a truce to PETER and his muse, as the coach is arrived at HOUNSLOW, (9 m. 3 f.) a town of little note; and, although time is afforded the traveller to exercise his mind while the horses are changing, and "coachy" is taking his little whet, yet no objects present themselves worthy of his immediate attention. But, notwithstanding, there are several good seats contiguous to Hounslow belonging to Mrs. Fullerton; WhittonPlace, George Gostling, Esq. Here is also WhittonPark, so justly celebrated for its fine cedars of Lebanon; and the residences also of Sir Benjamin Hobhouse; Samuel Prime, and James Campbell, Esqrs. On leaving the town, on the left, is the great road to the Land's End, of 290 miles. On crossing the Heath, once of such "dread import," (a few years since either by day or night,) and so very fruitful to the pages of the Newgate Calendar, from its numerous collectors, (otherwise highwaymen,) all the palpitations of the heart, shiverings, and cold sweats, which formerly operated upon the delicate feelings of the female passengers, under the apprehension of being robbed every instant, and the anxieties and state of suspense experienced by the more courageous male travellers, "whistling aloud, like the school-boy, to keep their courage up," are now completely removed, and Hounslow-Heath has become almost as safe as riding through St. James's Park. This change, perhaps, is not owing to an increase of horse and foot patroles, exertions of the police-officers, or well-armed guards to most of the stage-coaches, but to be attributed to the change which has taken place in committing depredations upon the public, with less hazard to the robber for his personal safety. The following original anecdote may prove acceptable, concerning one of those " high spirits" of the school of crime, a noted highwayman upon the above Heath, a great collector, and a perfect Macheath in real life, surrounded by |