UMDOM 3
ExchADge in 1S38. The new Houses of Pariiament,
designed by Barry vith much assistance from the Catholic architect Pugin, were be^a in IS40, the House of Lords being opened in 1847, the House of Commons in 1852.
In the great revolutionary year of 1848 London was threatened by the Chartists, and extensive prepara- tions were made for defence, but the movement came to nothing. Two great international exhibitions took place in the years 1851 and 1862 with useful re- sults to the commerce of the capital. This was fur- ther helped by the development of the railways, which brought about further alterations in London and neccBsitatcd the erection of the great terminal railway stations: Euston, L. & N.W.R.; King's Cross, G.N.R.; St. Pancras, M.R.; Paddinrton, G.W.R.; Maiylebone, G.C.R.; Waterloo, L. and S.W.R,; Liverpool St., G.E.R.; Holbom, S.E. and C.R.; Cannon St., S.E. and C.R.; Charing Cross, S.E. and C.R. ; Victoria, S.E. and C.R., and L.B. and S.C.R.1 London Bridge, L.B. and 8.C.R.; Fenchurch St., London, Tilburv and Southend Rail- way. One of the immediate results of the facilities offered by railways has been the desertion of the City as a residential ir, and the
ness people now live,
going into town daily
for business and rc-
turning home at
night. This sepa-
ration of the com-
mercial man's home
from his business has
considerably altered
the nature of London
family life. New in-
ventions also helped in accentuating thiscbange. The
first London tele^ph from Paddington to West Dray-
ton was opened m 1830, and a year later penny post-
age was introduced. In 1S43 the Thames tunnel Irom
Wapping to Rotherhithe was opened. In 1860 the
volunteer movement arose under public apprehension
of a, French invasion. Many other additions to the
buildings and thoroughfares of London were made dut^
ing Queen Victoria's reign, among them being South
Kensington Museum and the Public Record Office
(1856); theHolbomViaduct(1869); the Thames Em-
bankment (1870); the Albert Halland Burlington House
(1871); the New Law Courts (1882); the Imperial In-
Btitute{1893) and theNationalPortraitCaliery (1896).
The important changes which took place during this
time in the administration of London, the formation
firet of the Metropolitan Board of Works and then of
the London County Council, and the creation of nu-
merous boroughs will be de-wriljcd later (see Modern
Civil Administration). Since the death of Queen
Victoria, in 1901, London has added but little to its
history, though street improvements, such as the
opening of Kingsway and Aldwych and tic Ti-idening
of the Strand, continue to add to the convenience and
beauty of the metropolis. The opening of the cathe-
dral at Westminster m 1903 was not only noteworthy
to Catholies, but lias enriched London with one
more impressive arcliitecturai feature, remarkable as
being the only building in the Byiantine style in the
capital.
Some few historical notes on matters which have ""* ^-een included in this outline of London's history
From a drawlag in
16 LOMIMX
may here be added, as falling more conveniently tmdar separate heads.
The Citu Corporation and Otiildt. — In the Middle Ages the Merchant Guilds and Craft Guilds (see Guildb,
" ' I and powerful in London.
city T _ . .._
exist: Alder . „ . ^^ .
Bishop^te, Bread Street, Bridge, Bridge Without^ Broad Street, Candlewick, CastJe Bavnard, Cheap, Coleman Street, Cordwainer, Comhill, Cri^egate, Dowgate, Farringdon Within, Farringdon without, Langboum, Lime Street, Fortsoken, Queenbitbe, Tower, Walbrook, and Vintiy. Each of ttiese wards and is represented by an alderauui originaDy ' ^ -'---- the vear 13M for life. EtxAi aldemiaa ii, by virtue of his office, a judge and magia- trate tor the miile city. T^e aldeimcn were assisted i^ oam- mon councillora^ who were fint appointed in the leign of Ed- ward I, and in 1384 they were fomwd into ttu council.
each ward
two counoillon, but the number has been increased and now the wards elect vari- ous numbers from four to sixteen. In 1840 the number (rf common oouneihnen wasfbcedBt206. They L»m«™b PA..*e> ^n^^ annually,
ic British MuMum ihough the com-
mon council bas suc- ceeded to tlie powers of the ancient " Folk Hole ", that assembly is also represented by the Court of Common Hall, composed of the lord mayor, four ^dermen and the liverymen of the city guilds. This body formerly elected the sheriffs of London and Middlesex, but since 1888 the election of the sheriff of Middleeez has been vested in the London County Council, and the Cor- poration elects two sheriffs of London. The Court of Common Hall also annually elects two aldermen who have served as sheriffs from whom the Court of Alder- men chooses the lord mayor for the conaingyear. Thus even now some power remains vested in the nkembets of the guilds or, as they are now called. City Companies. Twenty-six of these companies still survive. They have but little connection with the crafts or trades
their charities, Kir many of thtm are very wealthy and
contribute largely to benevolent objects, technical in-
struction and the like. Twelve of these guilds are
known as the Greater Companies. They are: — Gold-
smiths (founded in 1327), Skinners (1327), Grocers
(1345), Vintners (1363), Fishmongers (1363), Drapers
(1364), Mercers (1393), Habcrdashera (1448), Iron-
mongers (1464), Merchant Taylors (1466), aotbwork-
erB(14S0),andSaltcra(1530}. .Other important com-
panies are Saddlers (1364), Cordwainers (1410), Ar-
mourers (1452), Barbers (1462), Stationers {1566),aod
Apothecaries (1615). Of these the Hracers, the first
in order of civic precedence, have an inetnne of £111,-
000 a year, and fifteen of the compaoiea have over
£10,000 a year.
