There is nothing that so forcibly strikes a stranger, on entering London, as the state of its leading streets. When I use the term street, I shall not, I am sure, be understood as meaning the pavement or causeway of our principle thoroughfares. I refer, if the expression be a proper one, to their animated condition, as illustrative of the character, habits, and pursuits of the inhabitants of our compact metropolitan world; for London must be regarded as a little world of itself.

There may be said to be, just now, seven great openings into London, through which the vast majority of visitors make their entrance into it. The first is through Gracechurch Street or King William Street, into the city. Through one or other of these streets, most of those who come by sea to London, whether from some part of the United Kingdom, or from some more distant part of the world, enter this all-absorbing place.

Another road is that which, passing the Elephant and Castle, extends itself to the High Street of the Borough, and thence along London Bridge to Gracechurch Street. A third, is that which comes past Hyde Park Corner, and loses itself in Piccadilly. These roads connect the metropolis with various parts of the South of England.

A fourth great opening into London, is through Oxford Street, the longest, and perhaps the finest street, all things considered, in the world.