[Illustration: HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, LONDON, ENGLAND.--These edifices form a single pile of buildings of the richest Gothic style. They cover over eight acres, contain one hundred stair-cases, eleven hundred apartments, and cost $15,000,000. They are perhaps the most costly national structure in the world. The Queen enters on the opening and prorogation of Parliament through the Victoria Tower, which is three hundred and forty feet high. The imposing river-front of the edifice is nine hundred and forty feet long, and adorned with statues of English monarchs, from William the Conqueror to Queen Victoria.] [Illustration: TRAFALGAR SQUARE, LONDON, ENGLAND.--Here is one of the finest open places in London. This great square, which is a centre of attraction, was dedicated to Lord Nelson, and commemorates his glorious death in the battle of Trafalgar, October 22, 1805, gained by the English fleet over the combined armaments of France and Spain. In the centre of the Square, rises to the memory of the great hero, a massive granite column, one hundred and fifty-four feet high, and crowned with a statue of Nelson. At the foot of the pedestal is inscribed his last command, "England expects every man will do his duty."] [Illustration: BUCKINGHAM PALACE, LONDON, ENGLAND.--The above palace, being now the Queen's residence and occupying the site of Buckingham House, was erected in 1703 by the Duke of Buckingham, and purchased by George III. His successor remodeled it in 1825, but it remained vacant until 1837, when it was occupied by Queen Victoria, whose residence it has since continued to be. The palace now forms a quadrangle, and is three hundred and sixty feet long. It contains a sculpture-gallery, a library, green drawing-room, throne-room, grand saloon, state ball-room, picture-gallery and private apartments.] [Illustration: ROTTEN ROW, LONDON, ENGLAND.--Rotten Row is the finest portion of Hyde Park, irrespectively of the magnificent groups of trees and expanses of grass for which English parks stand pre-eminent. The Park is surrounded by a handsome and lofty iron railing, and provided with nine carriage entrances. In the spring and summer the fashionable world rides, drives or walks through the Row; and in the drives are seen unbroken files of elegant equipages and high-bred horses in handsome trappings moving continually, presided over by sleek coachmen and powdered lackeys, and occupied by some of the most beautiful and exquisitely dressed women in the world.]