boundary-wall of the royal gardens is a tract of ground, which, in 1824,
was open fields, intersected by mud-banks, and partly occupied by a few
sheds, and inhabited by the lowest characters of society. In 1829, the
same land, consisting of about 140 acres, is nearly covered with houses
of the largest size, surrounding spacious squares, or skirting wide and
handsome streets. Of all the extraordinary works carried into effect by
London gentlemen and tradesmen, we may fairly adduce this as a
pre-eminent example. In the space of about four years, the houses
surrounding one large square, called Belgrave, have been erected, some
of them finished and occupied, and several others, of nearly equal
dimensions and value, completed.

The most prominent feature of this district is _Belgrave Square_,
which includes within the front walls of the houses an area of about ten
acres, the centre of which, enclosed by lofty and handsome railing, is
laid out as a pleasure garden. The whole of the houses are large, lofty,
and spacious, with stuccoed fronts, porches, balustraded balconies;
and those in the centre of each side are decorated with columns, or
three-quarter columns, vases on the parapet, &c.

Of _Eaton Square_, one portion only is built at present: as laid
out, planted, and railed in, it is intended to occupy an area of about
fourteen acres, and will be bounded by four rows of houses on the north
side, and the like number on the south side, having the king's private
road extending east and west through the centre. It measures 600 yards
long by 120 yards wide, between the houses. At the eastern extremity is
a new church, built from the designs of Henry Hakewill, Esq.

To the north of this district, at Hyde Park Corner, is a large new
edifice appropriated to _St. George's Hospital_. It is a commodious