In the Appendix to the Parish Register Abstract, forming part of the printed statement of Population Returns, occur remarks to the following effect, concerning the number of Inhabitants ascribed to the Metropolis.

The Metropolis of the British Empire is situated in the two counties of Middlesex and Surrey. Its population, in the general statement of the Abstract, amounts to one million, nine thousand, five hundred, and forty-six persons. But, considering that 14,000 arrivals of shipping annually make a constant, though fluctuating, accession to its Population, to a larger amount than elsewhere, a 25th part is added in forming a comparison with the Parish Register Returns. With this addition, the metropolis, in 1811, contained one million and fifty thousand Inhabitants.

From farther observations in the same Appendix we find that, however rapidly the metropolis increases in extent, its population has not increased so fast as that of the kingdom in general. In 1700, the metropolis contained almost an eighth part of the Inhabitants of England and Wales; in 1750, above a tenth part; and at present rather less than that proportion.

As it is supposed that objections may be made to this esti mate of the Population of the metropolis, it is added, in the Appendix already quoted, that the total Population of all the parishes whose churches are within a circle extending eight miles round St. Paul's Cathedral, (including the aforesaid addition of one twenty-fifth part) amounts to one million, two hundred and twenty thousand. The Population ascribed to the City of Paris is included in a district of this size.

The HUNDRED of OSSULSTON

comprehends the whole of the Middlesex environs of the me tropolis. On the west it abuts on the hundreds of Isleworth

and Elthorne: on the north it meets the hundreds of Gore and Edmonton; and the latter district runs in contiguity with its limits on the east, until the river Lea forms a natural boundary on the Essex side.

This hundred affords the title of Baron to Charles Bennet, Earl of Tankerville. The Bennet family was anciently seated in Berkshire. Sir John Bennet (made Knight of the Bath at the coronation of Charles II.) was a faithful adherent to the royal cause during the darkest periods of internal convulsion in the seventeenth century; and, in consequence of such services, he was, in the year 1682, advanced, by the restored monarch, to the dignity of a Baron of this Realm, by the title of Lord Ossulston, Baron of Ossulston. His Lordship was twice married. His first Lady was Elizabeth, Countess of Mulgrave, daughter of Lionel Cranfield, Earl of Middlesex. Charles, second Lord Ossulston, was created Earl of Tankerville in 1714. The Heir apparent of the present Earl, Charles Augustus, Lord Ossulston, is Member of Parliament for Knaresborough.

The great increase of buildings and population in a district so intimately blended with the metropolis, has caused several sub-divisions to take place in regard to Ossulston hundred. By this measure the convenience of political arrangements was readily facilitated. But the Topographer finds it difficult, in such an amalgamation of town and country as has ensued from the increase in extent of the metropolis, and the advancement in size of the neighbouring villages, to apportion to their proper places the delineations of Parishes half-involved in London, and in the other part retaining the features of subur ban villages. In this case the distinction must needs be arbitrary. We have considered the term LONDON to imply the mass of buildings exhibiting to the eye a uniform whole; and, where any brief interval of building has permitted us to profit by the usual acceptation of a separate and

peculiar