MARY-le-BONE (ST.), a parish in the Holborn division of the hundred of OSSULSTONE, county of MIDDLESEX, forming an extensive suburb to the metropolis, and containing 96,040 inhabitants. This district, now covered with buildings of the first order, and inhabited by families of the highest rank, was formerly an obscure village in the vicinity of London, difficult of access, and containing only a few solitary houses, with a small church, approached by two irregular and inconvenient paths, leading from Vere-street and Tottenham Court-road. The adjoining fields were the lurking-place of robbers, and the church in Bishop Braybrook's license for its removal, is described as being, from its lonely situation, exposed to continual depredation. From its situation near a bourne called Aye brook, or Eye brook, and from its dedication to the Virgin, the parish was called St. Mary at Bournesome, however, have deduced its etymology from St Mary la bonne, but no sufficient reason can be adduced for its having been thus pre-eminently distinguished above various other places, the churches of which were dedicated to the Virgin Mary; and others ascribe the affix to the discovery of a prodigious quantity of human bones near the site in 1729, but this period is too recent to render the latter derivation probable. Mary le Bone park, now occupied by buildings, was an extensive tract, well stocked with deer, in which Queen Elizabeth entertained the Russian ambassador with the diversion of hunting; the ancient manor-house, in which the Harleian library was deposited previously to its removal to the British Museum, has been taken down, with the exception only of that part of the building containing the library, which is now a boarding-school for young ladies. Behind the old manor-house were Mary le Bone gardens, much frequented as a place of public entertainment in the reign of Queen Anne, the site of which is now occupied by Beaumont and Devonshire streets. On Conduit mead, now Stafford-place, was the banquet-hall used by the mayor and aldermen of the city of London, when they visited the conduits in this part of the parish, which supplied the city with water. Among the earlier of the numerous and magnificent ranges of building which have been erected in this parish, are Cavendish-square, in the centre of which is a gilt equestrian statue of William, Duke of Cumberland, surrounded by several noble mansions; Manchestersquare, a spacious area, the north side of which is occupied by a mansion formerly the town residence of the Duke of Manchester, afterwards that of the Spanish ambassador, and now the residence of the Marchioness of Hertford} Portman-square, of which the centre is beautifully laid out in plantations and walks, and the area surrounded by stately residences; Portland-place, a noble range of lofty and commodious mansions, four hundred and forty feet in length, and one hundred feet wide, opening at the northern extremity into Park-crescent, and commanding a beautiful view of the Regent's Park, bounded by the Hampstead and Highgate hills; Stafford- place, Cumberland-place, and various noble ranges of building, with numerous spacious streets leading from Oxford-street and the Edgware-road, and traversing the parish in all directions; among the principal of which may be noticed Upper and Lower Seymour-street, Wigmore and Mortimer streets, in one continued line; Berkeley- street (West), and Upper Berkeley-street, Great and Upper Mary le Bone streets, Harley-street, Wirapolestreet, High-street, Orchard-street, Baker-street, Gloucester- place, York-place, and Upper Baker-street and place: the latter of these have, by a recent construction, been extended to the New road, which crosses the parish from east to west. Among the more recent additions are, Montagu and Bryanston squares, ranges of handsome building with gardens in the central part of the area; Blandford and Dorset squares, and the buildings inLisson Grove and St. John's Wood, on the west; Osnaburgnstreet and terrace, and Albany-street, on the east; on the south, the continuation of Regent-street, Langhamplace, and Park-crescent, in front of which is a noble colonnade of duplicated columns of the Ionic order, divided into two quadrants by Portland-place, and ornamented with a bronze statue of the Duke of Kent, the area also being tastefully laid out as a shrubbery. Opposite this, on the other side of the New road, which is ..bordered by ranges of handsome buildings, are two avenues leading into the park, forming fine ranges of building, decorated with Ionic pillars and cornices, the eastern of which, including the Diorama, is the only range on this side of the park which is within the parish. To the west are, Ulster-terrace, a neat range of building, with a basement story of the Ionic order; York-terrace, divided into two corresponding ranges by York-place, forming an avenue into the park from Mary le Bone church, each range consisting of a basement of the Grecian Doric, from which rise six Ionic columns supporting a triangular pediment in the centre, and four Ionic pillars surmounted by a cornice at each extremityj Cornwall-terrace, an elegant pile of the Corinthian order, consisting of a centre and two -wings, richly ornamented; Sussex-place, having also a central portico of six Corinthian columns supporting a triangular pediment, and connected with the wings by a range of duplicated columns of the Ionic order; Clarenceterrace, a noble range of building with a colonnade of the Corinthian order, rising from the balustrade of the basement story, and supporting an enriched cornice and balustrade in front of the attic, and connected with the wings by quadrants of the same order; the centre and the wings being surmounted by conical domes terminating in a point, and disposed in pairs; and Hanoverterrace, consisting of a centre with a portico of six, and two wings of four, fluted columns of the Doric order, supporting triangular pediments, of which the tympana are enriched with subjects in alto relievo, and surmounted by statues of the muses, finely sculptured on the apex, and at each extremity of the base. The central area of the park is tastefully laid out in plantations, lawns, and pleasure grounds, interspersed with elegant villas embosomed in trees, and varied with beautiful sheets of water, in which are some islands of picturesque appearance; the western side commands a fine view of the Coliseum, which has an imposing grandeur of effect, of the handsome terraces on that side of the park which is without the parish, and of the chapel of St. Catherine's hospital, and other interesting objects: the inner circle, to which is a handsome entrance from York-terrace, by a stone bridge over the artificial water, is laid out in nursery grounds, round which is a pleasant circular promenade and drive for carriages; the outer circle forms a more extensive ride, including an area of more than four hundred and fifty acres, beautifully planted. On the north side are the Zoological gardens, an extensive tract of ground, elegantly laid out and arranged for the reception, classification, and exhibition of animals of every description from various parts of the globe, forming a rapidly-increasing collection of quadrupeds, birds, fishes, reptiles, and insects, classified with a view to promote the study of that important branch of natural history. His,present Majesty, William IV., immediately after his accession to the throne, presented a considerable number of animals to the Society, which had been the private collection of George IV. In the intermediate space are St. John's Lodge, the elegant residence of the Marquis ofWellesley; the Holme; the South Villa; and the residence of the master of St. Catherine's hospital, Sir Herbert Taylor, which is in the early style of English architecture, corresponding with the adjacent hospital and chapel; and near St. John's Wood, the splendid villa of the Marquis of Hertford. The Portman barracks, for the guards, in Portman- street, afford accommodation for five hundred men, with sufficient ground for drilling them. The bazaar in King-street and Baker-street, for the sale of horses, carriages, furnittire, jewellery, and fancy articles by commission, is a most extensive establishment, containing stabling for three hundred horses, and galleries for five hundred carriages, which are constantly on sale: the gallery for the sale of fancy articles is four hundred feet in length, and divided into two ranges, on each side of which are the various stalls; the subscription-room, which is handsomely fitted up, is one hundred and thirteen feet in length, forty-five feet wide, and fortyfive feet high, and, with four ante-rooms of corresponding embellishment, forms a suite for the exhibition of splendid furniture: the buildings occupy more than three acres of ground, and attached to them is a commodious riding-school of large dimensions. The Oxford- street bazaar, for the sale of fancy articles and the exhibition of panoramic views, is on a smaller scale -. it has recently been rebuilt, having, not long after its original establishment, been destroyed by fire. The infirmary, exclusively for sick and lame horses, in Regent-street, near Langham-place, is a neat building, with a colonnade of the Grecian Doric order, and contains arrangements for the reception of from twenty to thirty horses. The London carriage repository, in Langham-place, is a capacious building, with a handsome stone front, in which upwards of three hundred carriages of all descriptions are constantly on sale. The streets are well paved, splendidly lighted with gas, and amply supplied with water by the West Middlesex and other companies. This parish is within the jurisdiction of the' magistrates appointed,, under the police act for the metropolis, passed in the reign of George III., some of whom hold sessions every day, except Sundays, at the police-office, High-street, Mary le bone; and also in the jurisdiction of the county court of Middlesex, for the recovery of debts under 40s., under the act of parliament passed in the 23rd of George II. The parish is divided into four separate districts; the livings are all rectories, not in charge, in the archdeaconry of Middlesex, and diocese of London, and in the patronage of the Crown. The parochial church is a spacious and handsome structure, in the Grecian style of architecture, with a noble portico of the Corinthian order supporting a triangular pediment, and having at the angles of the building groups of Corinthian pillars, surmounted by a cornice and balustrade from the lower part of the tower, which is square, rises a circular turret, surrounded by pillars of the Corinthian order, and surmounted by a dome supported on cary atides. The district church of St. Mary, Bryanstonsquare, is a spacious edifice of brick, with a handsome circular portico of the Ionic order, supporting a cornice and close balustrade, from which rises a circular tower, surrounded by pillars of the Composite order, and surmounted by a campanile turret and dome: it was erected in 1823, by grant from the parliamentary commissioners, at an expense of £18,746. 3., and contains one thousand eight, hundred and twenty-eight sittings, of which one thousand three hundred are free. The di-strict church in Langham-place, dedicated to All So ils, and containing one thousand seven hundred and sixty-one sittings, of which three hundred and twentytwo are free, was erected in 1823, by grant from the parliamentary commissioners, at an expense of £17,633.6.2.: it is a handsome structure, with a circular range of twelve columns, of the Roman Ionic order, surrounding the base of the tower, and supporting a handsome cornice and balustrade, and surmounted by a circular range of Corinthian pillars, from within which rises a spire terminating in a point, of graceful form and beautiful proportion, but of which the effect is destroyed by the concealment of the base and a considerable portion of its elevation. The altar-piece is ornamented with a fine painting, by Westall, of Christ crowned with thorns. The district church of Christchnrch, Stafford-street, containing one thousand eight hundred and forty-four sittings, of which nine hundred and thirty are free, was erected in 1824, by grant from the parliamentary commissioners, at an expense of £ 17,872. 12.: it is a handsome edifice of brick ornamented with stone, with a portico of four Ionic columns supporting a triangular pediment, above which is a square tower, of which the sides are decorated with four Corinthian pillars supporting an entablature and cornice, surmounted by an open campanile turret and dome. The district church dedicated to the Holy Trinity, in Portland-road, was erected in 1827, by grant from the parliamentary commissioners, at an expense of £21,525. 4., and contains two thousand and three sittings, of which seven hundred and forty-three are free; it is a neat edifice of brick ornamented with stone, having on each side a range of Ionic pillars supporting a cornice and balustrade, and at the west end an Ionic portico of four columns, above which is a square tower with duplicated Ionic pillars at the angles, surmounted by a small campanile turret surrounded by pillars of the Composite order supporting a conical dome. The old parish church in High-street is now a chapel of ease, as is also St. John's chapel at St. John's Wood, ahandsome structure of brick, with a stone portico of four Ionic columns, supporting a triangular pediment, and surmounted by an open campanile turret: the livings are both perpetual curacies, the former in the patronage of the Rector, the latter in that of the Crown; attached to St. John's chapel is an extensive cemetery, and, in addition to the burying-ground of the former, are two capacious cemeteries belonging to the parish, in Paddington-street. The proprietary episcopal chapels are, Oxford chapel, in Vere-street; Portland- street chapel; Bentinck chapel, in Chapel-street, Lisson Grove; Wellbeck chapel, in Westmorland-street; Portman-street chapel; Quebec-street chapel; Margaretstreet chapel; Brunswick chapel, in Upper Berkeleystreet; Baker-street chapel; and Percy chapel, in Charlotte street. There are places of worship for Baptists, Independents,- Wesleyan, and Calvinistic Methodists, and for Seceders from the Scottish church; a chapel belonging to the Greek church; and a French, and a Spanish, Roman Catholic chapel. The parochial school in High-street, for the maintenance, clothing, and instruction, of one hundred girls, was established in 1750, and is supported by subscription a similar institution for one hundred boys has been recently discontinued. The Philological Society's school in King-street, Bryanston-square, was established for the instruction of the children of clergymen, and naval and military officers. The central National school m High-street, is supported by subscription, and is also endowed with a small sum vested in the funds: there are in this institution three hundred boys, and one hundred and fifty girls, of whom one hundred and twenty are clothed; the western district National school, in St. Mary's, Bryanston-square; and the eastern district school, near Langham-place, afford each the means of instruction to nearly four hundred children of both sexes, of whom, about seventy in each school are clothed: there are other schools, supported by the dissenting congregations in the parish. The schools of the Incorporated Society for clothing, maintaining, and educating, poor orphans of clergymen of the established church, were originally founded at Acton, and at Lisson Green, and continued there till 1812, when a spacious and handsome brick building was erected for that purpose at St. John's Wood, near the Regent's park, consisting of a centre containing a committee-room and a house for the master and mistress, and two wings, in the lower part of which are two school-rooms sevenfy feet in length, and on the upper story dormitories for the scholars; the boys' school, which occupies the north wing, is superintended by a master, who is a clergyman of the established church, and an assistant; and the girls' school by a mistress; to each, which are separate and distinct establishments, there is a matron, or housekeeper. There are at present in this institution from one hundred and twenty to one hundred and thirty children of both sexes; the boys are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and Latin, and the girls receive an English education, and are instructed in needle-work; a considerable fund, arising from subscription, is appropriated to the apprenticing of the children on their leaving school. The workhouse is a most extensive building, containing every requisite accommodation for one thousand of the poor; and a school of industry, in which the children are taught the earlier parts of the trades to which they are placed out apprentices, with a fee from the parish funds. Middlesex hospital, in Charles-street, is a spacious building of brick, for the reception of invalids and pregnant women: it is attended by physicians, surgeons, and other medical practitioners; forming a school of medicine and surgery, where lectures are read on the practice of medicine and surgery, and a gratuitous course of clinical lectures regularly delivered. The general lying-in dispensary, in Charlotte- street, Rathbone-place, was established in 1778, for the assistance of married women at their own habitations; and there is a general dispensary in Wellbeck- street. Queen Charlotte's lying-in hospital, Harcourt- street, Bryanston-square, was originally established, in 1752, at Bays water, and removed to its present situation in 1809: it is under the direction of a committee, of which His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex is president; and is adapted to the reception of from twenty to thirty patients, who receive every necessary attention, and the best medical assistance. The asylum for the recovery of health, in Lisson Grove (North), was originally established in 1821, under MAR the patronage of His present Majesty, whilst Duke of Clarence, and the Princess Augusta, for patients who are in circumstances. to contribute towards the expense of their maintenance in the institution; the buildings comprise two separate houses, for the reception of male and female invalids, who are admitted on the recommendation of subscribers, receive medical attendance, and are lodged and boarded in the institution, for 17s. 6d. per week for adult males, 14s. for females, and 10s. 6d. for children: it is under the. direction, of a committee, of which the Duke of Cambridge is president; about twenty adults and ten children may be accommodated in this institution, which is supported by voluntary contributions. The western general dispensary, in Lisson Grove (South), was first established in 1830, for the visitation and relief of the sick poor in this part of the parish of Mary-le-bone, and the adjoining parish of Paddington, and for the reception of one or two casualty patients: it is supported by subscription, and is gratuitously visited by the most eminent of the faculty.