which is the only remaining city gate. It was built in 1670, by Sir Christopher Wren, after the great fire. On this, the city side, are statues of James and Anne of Denmark; on the other are Charles I. and II. The gate is now only closed on such occasions as the Queen going in state to the city, when she is not admitted until the pursuivant has knocked and permission been granted by the Lord Mayor. On the top of this gate were formerly exhibited the heads of traitors: the last exposed here were those of persons who suffered after the rebellion of 1745. Horace Walpole, in a letter dated 16th Aug., 1746, says, “I have this morning been at the Tower, and passed under the new heads at Temple Bar, where people make a trade of letting spy-glasses, at a halfpenny each, to view them.” One of the iron spikes remained till the present century. UMBRELLAS TO MEND!--ANY OLD ONES TO SELL! During the day the Umbrella-mender goes his rounds, repeating these words, “Umbrellas to mend! Sixpence apiece for your old broken umbrellas!” and, having collected enough, he returns home to patch and mend, after which he or some of his family hawks them about for sale. Here he appears in his glory, under the auspices of St. Swithen, the patron saint of umbrella and patten-maker. It is the Strand, near SOMERSET HOUSE. On this site formerly stood Somerset Palace, built by Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, about 1549. The present building was begun in 1774, after a design by Sir W. Chambers. The Strand front is one hundred and thirty feet long, has a rustic basement supporting Corinthian columns, and is crowned in the centre with an attic, surmounted by a group consisting of the arms of Britain supported by the genius of England and Fame. Nine large arches compose the basement, three of which open into the court. The key-stones are nine masks, representing the ocean and the eight chief rivers of England. In the quadrangle, directly fronting the entrance, is a bronze figure of the Thames, by Bacon; also a statue of George III. It has a Thames front, with a spacious terrace and water-gate. [Illustration: SOMERSET HOUSE. UMBRELLAS TO MEND, ANY OLD ONES TO SELL.] [Illustration: COVENT GARDEN MARKET. CHERRY RIPE; ROUND & SOUND 4ᴰ. A POUND.] CHERRIES, ROUND AND SOUND!--FULL WEIGHT, FOURPENCE A POUND! Of cherries there are a great variety; most come from the county of Kent, and are sold in the streets of London, sometimes as low as one penny per pound! the sellers of which are often addicted to giving short weight, as their customers apprehend, hence the cry of “full weight.” COVENT-GARDEN MARKET.