In the same years were landed at these Docks the undermentioned quantities of dye-woods and mahogany:

Near the entrance of the West India Docks, is a NAVAL SCHOOL, established by the company, and supported by them, at a considerable annual expense, for the reception, protees tion, and accommodation of apprentices to ships in the West India Trade of London,, while the ships to which they belong are in port. The hull of the Lancaster, formerly a 64 gun ship in the royal navy, is now moored at a convenient distance from the shore, for the use of this institution. The apprentices are instructed, while remaining in this naval school, in reading, writing, and arithmetic; and, likewise, in the elementary mathematics, and in navigation, if required. According to the regulations of the West India Docks, the apprentices

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prentices are not permitted to remain on board their respective ships, while such vessels are in the import-dock; and the present establishment appears most desirably suited to their reception. The number of apprentices admitted to the school in the year 1814, was about 350.

On a parallel line with the West India Docks is a CANAL, which was formed in pursuance of the act of Parliament passed in 1799, for improving the port of London, and constructing those docks. By means of this cut, ships entering the port of London are enabled to avoid the circuitous navigation of the Thames round the Isle of Dogs, a distance of about two miles and a half. The canal is three quarters of a mile in length, and two hundred feet in width. The money employed in this undertaking was advanced out of the consolidated fund, and amounted to 133,8491. 12s. 6d.

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There are several extensive manufactories carried on at Mill-wall, near the West India Docks. The most important of these are the iron-works belonging to Mr. Pelly, in which are made anchors, mooring-chains, &c. for the sea service, and numerous articles for exportation and home consumption; a mill, belonging to Sir Charles Price and Co. for crushing rape and linseed ; and large rope-walks, upon a new construction, the property of Messrs. Joad and Curling.

Stepney Marsh, or as it is more frequently termed, the Isle of Dogs,* is a tract of pasture-land adjoining Poplar on the south, and lying within a bold curve formed by the Thames, U 4

in

The origin of this term is not known. A futile tradition says "that the place derives its name from the King's hounds having been kept there, when the royal family resided formerly at Greenwich Palace, to which it lies op posite." In some ancient writings possessed by the corporation of the city of London, this marsh is termed the Isle of Ducks, a mode of denomination that has not been noticed by any topographer, but which may readily be supposed to allude to the number of wild fowl which formerly frequented the spot.

in the progress of that river from Ratcliffe to Blackwall. Lysons says that its extent, according to a survey taken in 1740, was then 836 acres; but other surveys make it about 740. Middleton observes that the number of acres is lately reduced The to 500 by the formation of the West India Docks.* quantity of land really taken from the marsh for the use of the West India Docks and the contiguous canal, is 273 acres.

This is a peculiarly rich tract of pasture-ground, and it is said, in the circuit-walk annexed to Stow's Survey, and published in 1720, "that oxen fed in this marsh had then been known to sell for 341. a piece." It is described by Middleton as" producing the richest grass in the county. The ground is divided by ditches, which empty themselves through sluices, at low water, into the Thames, and keep the whole sufficiently dry." The marsh is protected by embankments from the swell of the river, which otherwise would overflow it at every tide; a circumstance of inconvenience which appears to have often occurred formerly. Small quantities of peat have been found in this marshy district.

The cold and swampy character of this tract of land would appear repulsive to all thoughts of human habitation; but piety, which in its obsolete modifications, sometimes sought strange recesses, induced an unknown devotee to found a chapel in the midst of the marsh, which is believed to have been dedicated to St. Mary. "It is mentioned," according to Lysons,+"by that name in a will of the 15th century. The object of its foundation does not appear. Perhaps, it was a her mitage, founded by some devout person for the purpose of saying masses for the souls of mariners." The site of this small religious structure is now occupied by a disconsolate dwelling, termed Chapel-house farm. This building exhibits no marks of antiquity, except in the lower part of the walls, which

Agricultural Survey, p. 284.

+ Environs of London, Vol. II. p. 707. See also, the Circuit Walk, printed in the last edition of Stow's Survey.