this gigantic growth in the business of the port, and the complete revolution which has since taken place in the imperial tariff, by which the docks have been so prejudicially affected. There cannot be a doubt that in continuing this concession without the protection of a monopoly, the Dock Companies made a great mistake; but it is one which a grasping and selfish policy should not be suffered to perpetuate. Both competitors for the trade of the port, the docks should be as free from unfair restrictions as the wharves; and it is to be hoped that before long the love of fair play, and hatred of oppression, of which we Englishmen claim to be so proud, will find expression in a great practical remonstrance, in which this burdensome tax upon the vitality and prosperity of the dock establishments, to the foundation of which London mainly owes its marvellous development as the great entrepôt for the commerce of the world, will be indignantly swept away. I will detain you no longer. What I have stated is but a sketch of a portion of a subject which a dozen lectures would not exhaust; and, as I only put it forward as a sketch, I must ask you, in making your criticism, to bear that fact in view. I have simply sought to lay before you a few facts not generally known and not easily accessible, and which I hope will not fail to invest the river and the docks with additional interest to all whose business or pleasure may be affected by either. I can only trust that you have found them interesting, and that you may perhaps find them useful. _Spottiswoode & Co., Printers, 38 Royal Exchange, E.C._ [Illustration: Appendix A. MR. EDWARD OGLES’ PLAN. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix B. THE MERCHANTS PLAN OF LONDON DOCKS. PLAN OF THE RIVER THAMES WITH THE PROPOSED DOCKS AND CUT. _Dan’l Alexander, Surveyor._ Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix C. CORPORATION SCHEME. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix D. MR. WYATT’S PLAN. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix E. SOUTHWARK SCHEME. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix F. MR. RALPH WALKERS PLAN OF WET DOCKS IN WAPPING. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix G. MR. SPENCE’S PLAN. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix H. MR. REVELEYS PLAN NO. 1. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix I. MR. REVELEY’S PLAN NO. 2. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix J. MR. REVELEY’S PLAN NO. 3. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix K. MR. REVELEY’S PLAN NO. 4. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.] [Illustration: Appendix L. THE RIVER THAMES SHEWING ALL THE DOCKS OF LONDON WITH THE EXTENSIONS NOW IN PROGRESS. Spottiswoode & Co. Lith. London.]