Page:Thomas Hare - The Election of Representatives, parliamentary and municipal.djvu/264

 of the empire. There is the Bank of England, and the other companies and firms of bankers. whose money transactions represent no small portion of the dealings and commerce of every quarter of the earth. Here are the managers, directors, and staff of the principal associations which, by ships and railways, conduct the intercourse of the people of all nations. There are classes almost beyond the possibility of recapitulation,—merchants, shipowners, brokers, manufacturers of an infinite variety of fabrics,—traders, capitalists, composed of companies and individuals, having ramifications of business with every port, inland town, market, and village. Here are associations, academies, and museums, for the promotion of learning, and science, in all their developments. Ireland sends its brilliant imagination and its romantic bravery; Scotland, its keen intellect and its untiring perseverance. The metropolis attracts to itself much that the kingdom produces of high talent or superior energy; it gathers together the diversities of gifts with which nature endows her most favoured sons. Here the learning of Johnson, the erudition and wisdom of Burke, the genius of Eeynolds, of Lawrence, of Flaxman, and Chantrey, found their home. Here the eloquence of Erskine, of Copley, and of Brougham, had their appropriate theatre. It is here that Wren achieved his triumphs; and here it may be given to Scott to realise his conception of what Gothic architecture is capable. Davy brings hither from Cornwall his researches in chemistry; Stephenson, from Northumberland, his applications of mechanics; Herschel, from Somersetshire, his astronomical observations. Here, Abemethy, and Cooper, and Brodie, held their daily levees. From the rapidity of communication and of travel, the metropolis has now robbed the old provincial capitals of much of their lustre. It is the dwelling of the gentry of the kingdom. Hither thousands, whose skill aod industry have been crowned with success, retire, and bring their acquired wealth, and find repose in contemplating that