I have deemed it to be my duty to speak freely of the management of those lands in Paddington, which were claimed for the performance of certain specific purposes; and the nature and the amount of that income from those lands, received by the present Bishop of London and his lay lessees, have been spoken of with a freedom, which some may not admire. But I need not fear condemnation, for a former occupant of the See of London, thus addressed the over-paid bishops of his day; “Come off, ye Bishops; away with your superfluities; yield up your thousands; be content with hundreds.” Many changes have occurred since Dr. Aylmer penned those words; and much improvement has taken place and is taking place. Why then do we complain? A ready answer is furnished by one of the most accomplished statesmen of our time. Mr. Macaulay truthfully tells us that “there is constant improvement, precisely because there is constant discontent.” Let not my readers think, then, I have complained for the sake of complaining; or that because I speak of actions which are past, this exposure will have no influence on the future. I can most conscientiously say, that should a single good result from what I have written, I shall be amply repaid for any trouble it may have cost me to collect the materials for this historical sketch: and in dedicating the following pages to the Inhabitants of Paddington, I can say with the learned John Strype, “In what I have writ, I have endeavoured invariably to follow the tract of truth; and have related things as I found them.” And like him, too, “I may perhaps be censured for this plain and impartial way of writing; and blamed, that I have not put some veil or varnish upon some things, and been wholly silent of others.” But “we are not writing a Panegyric, but a faithful account.” WILLIAM ROBINS. OXFORD TERRACE, _May_ 20_th_, 1853. CONTENTS.