The jealousy with which the increase of London was viewed by the Government, in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James the First, is a matter of sufficient notoriety. The Proclamations upon this subject from both Sovereigns must be in your recollection. The general interests of trade, the particular encouragement of apprenticeships, the dread of mischievous people congregating, the fears of lire, plague, and famine, and of the increasing price of provisions, all contributed to a narrow line of policy: so that the construction of buildings upon new sites was in a great measure forbidden unless licensed, as well as rebuildings upon old sites, except under restrictions which tended to beautify the metropolis, and to lessen danger as to fire. Nor was this jealousy confined strictly to the City. In the Proclamations of the 44th of Elizabeth, and of the 1st, 2d, and 5th years of James, we find the inmates of the Suburbs included.