A woodworm
          That lies in old wood, like a hare in her form;
          With teeth, or with claws, it will bite, or will scratch;
          And chambermaids christen this worm a death-watch;
          Because, like a watch, it always cries click;
          Then woe be to those in the house who are sick;
          For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost
          If the maggat cries click when it scratches the post.

Gay, too, in a pastoral dirge, says,

                                      The wether’s bell,
          Before the drooping flock, toll’d forth her knell;
          The solemn deathwatch click’d the hour she died.

* * * * *

FINE ARTS

* * * * *

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.

Abridged from the “Introduction” to Britton’s Picture of London, 26th edition, just published.

The year 1825 will ever be memorable in the annals of the metropolis; for more novel improvements, changes, and events occurred in that one year than during any other corresponding period. Schemes for the formation of new Companies—­the vast speculations arising out of them, tending to the aggrandizement of a few persons, and to the ruin of others, with the utilities of some, and the futilities and impositions of many,—­may also be said to belong to this year.

Let us, however, take a brief review of the real improvements and useful novelties that have been progressing, or have commenced in London since that singular and eventful era.  Commencing at the court, or west end, we will take an imaginary tour to the east, adverting to such new buildings as are calculated to arrest the attention of the stranger in our progress.  Without remarking on the general improvements of the age, we shall find enough to engross our attention in the particular objects before us.  The most noted, or conspicuous of these are:—­1.  The New Palace, with the adjoining Park and Gardens. 2.  A Terrace, Street, and Public Buildings on the site of Carlton House. 3.  Belgrave Square, and the adjoining Squares and Streets. 4.  The Entrance Lodges and Bridge in Hyde Park, with the improvements in the Roads and Walks of the same. 5.  The Regent’s Park, with its Terraces, Villas, Public Buildings, Zoological Gardens, and Colosseum. 6.  The London University. 7.  The British Museum. 8.  The Post Office. 9.  London Bridge, and its Vicinity. 10.  St. Katherine’s Docks. 11.  The New Buildings and Alterations connected with the Houses of Parliament, the Ministerial Offices, and others, at Charing Cross.  All these rank among the novelties and embellished features of London; and whilst the design and execution of so many public works manifest the increasing taste, or luxury of the age, they employ and give encouragement to numerous artists, artisans, and tradesmen.