Park, with a fine open space about it, and is seen to great advantage in every direction. It forms to the eye of the stranger one of the handsomest structures in the United States; and, perhaps, of its size, in the world.

The building is of a square form, and is two stories in height, besides a basement story. It has a wing at each end, projecting from the front, and the roof is elevated in the centre. The whole length of the building is two hundred and sixteen feet, and the height fifty-one feet. The front and both ends, above the basement story, are built of native white marble, from Stockbridge, Massachusetts; and the rest of the building is constructed of brown free stone.

The roof is covered with copper, and there is a balustrade of marble entirely round the top. Rising from the middle of the roof is a cupola, on which is placed a colossal figure of JUSTICE, holding in her right hand a balance, and in her left a sword pointing to the ground.

There are four entrances to the building, one in front, one in the rear, and one in each end. To the front entrance, there is access by a flight of twelve marble steps, rising from which are sixteen columns supporting a portico over the entrance, also composed of marble.

Three staircases lead from the first to the second story. The principal of these is in the centre, with marble steps; and round the top of it is a circular gallery, railed in, and floored with marble. From this gallery ten marble columns ascend to the ceiling, which here opens and displays a handsome dome, beautifully ornamented, and

giving light from the top to the interior of the building.

The foundation stone of this noble building was laid on the 26th Sept. 1803, during the mayoralty of Edward Livingston, Esq., and at the time when the yellow fever prevailed in the city. It was finished in 1812, and cost half a million of dollars. This Hall is applied to the use of the Common Council, in their different meetings respecting the affairs of the city; and to the sittings of the judges of the courts of law.

Without the gates of several great cities in China, there are lofty towers erected, which seem chiefly intended for ornament, and for taking a view of the sur

rounding country. The most remarkable of these towers is that of Nankin, called the Porcelain Tower, from its being entirely covered with porcelain tiles, beautifully painted. It is of an eight-sided figure, contains nine stories, and is about two hundred feet high, being raised on a very solid base of brick work.

The wall at the bottom is at least twelve feet thick. The building gradually diminishes to the top, which is crowned by a sort of spire or pyramid, having a large golden ball or pine-apple on its summit. It is surrounded by a balustrade of marble, and has an ascent of twelve steps to the first floor, from whence there are very narrow and inconvenient stairs, leading to the ninth story.

Between every story there is a kind of shed on the outside of the tower, and at each corner are hung little bells which make a pleasant jingle in the wind. Each story is formed by large pieces of timber covered with boards. The ceilings of the rooms are adorned with paintings, and the light is admitted through windows made of grates or lattices of wire. There are likewise many niches in the walls, filled with Chinese idols; and the variety of ornaments that embellish the whole, render it one of the most beautiful structures in the empire. It has now stood above three hundred and fifty years, and has yet suffered but little from time.

MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE.

The Turks never aim at grandeur in their private houses, but their mosques or temples, and other public

buildings are extremely magnificent. The royal mosques in particular, are very beautiful and stately edifices, and are usually the first that engage the attention of a stranger after his arrival in Constantinople. All the mosques of the city stand alone, within spacious enclosures, planted with trees and adorned with fountains.

The principal of the royal mosques is that of St. Sophia, which is situated on an eminence in one of the best and finest parts of Constantinople. It was formerly a

Christian church, having been built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justin; but the Turks have now converted it into a mosque for the worship of Mahomet. The length of the edifice is one hundred and fourteen paces, and the breadth eighty. It has in front a portico thirty six feet wide, supported by marble columns, and communicating with the church by nine stately folding doors, whose leaves are of brass.

The body of the mosque is covered by a dome of admirable structure, at the foot of which runs a colonnade, sustaining a gallery ten yards broad. Over this are too small galleries, supported by columns and arches of excellent workmanship, answering to those below. The dome is said to be one hundred and thirteen feet in diameter, and is built upon arches, supported by vast pillars of white marble. The form of the dome is that of a hemisphere, or half globe, and it is illuminated by twentyfour windows, placed round it at equal distances.

On the east side of this vast cupola is a half-dome, which was the sanctuary of the Christians. Here is now a niche, wherein the Turks keep their Koran; the volume which contains the revelations and doctrines of their pretended prophet, Mahomet. At a little distance from the niche is the chair of the Mufti or high-priest." It is raised on several steps, and on the side of it is a kind of pulpit, where certain prayers are repeated by persons appointed for that purpose.

The Turks have been accused of pulling down some parts of this edifice since they took it from the Christians.