EXCURSION.

LONDON TO THE CRYSTAL

PALACE.

From Ludgate Hill, London Bridge, or Victoria, first class, 1s. 3d. second, 1s. Return tickets, first, 2s.; second, 1s. 6d. First class return ticket, includ ing admission to the Palace, 28. 6d. on ordinary days. From Victoria to the High Level Station, fares as above.

HE country through which we pass is rapidly becoming a mere suburb of London; detached villas and rows of houses displacing the trees and hedge-rows in every direction. The journey is effected in about 20 minutes from London Bridge, and about half an hour from Victoria. (Hotels: Queen's, Upper Norwood; Crystal Palace.) The Crystal Palace was constructed from the materials of the Great Exhibition of 1851, and nearly upon the same plan; it was opened by the Queen in 1854. Its length is about 1500 feet, its width nearly 400 feet, and it is about 200 feet high at the centre of the principal transept.

It is divided into Courts, many of them containing reproductions of the architecture and works of art which have come down to us from ancient times. They are as follows: The Egyptian, Assyrian, Greek, Roman, Alhambra, Byzantine, Mediaval, Renaissance, Pompeian, Italian and Modern Sculpture Courts. There are also other Courts devoted to specimens of every branch of manufacturing industry, which are also display. ed in the galleries and transepts of the building. In other parts of the structure will be noticed

choice collections of plants belonging both to temperate and tropical climates in all parts of the world, the temperature being carefully regulated in accordance with their requirements. The grounds extend over about 200 acres, and have been laid out under the directions of the late Sir Joseph Paxton, who also designed the Palace. They contain terraces and grassy slopes, beautifully diversified with flowerbeds, vases, and rock-work; a lake with boats for the use of visitors, an archery ground, &c. Near the border of the lake, at one end, the tourist will observe certain colossal models of extinct animals-the Icthyosaurus, Megatherium, and many others.

The fountains, which play on fête-days (for announcements of which see the newspapers), are amongst the chief attractions of the place. The largest throws a jet of 230 feet high."

Refreshments may be obtained within the Palace at moderate rates.

.EXCURSION.

LONDON TO THE ALEXANDRA PALACE.

HE routes are, either by the Great Northern Railway (King's Cross Station), or by the Great Eastern Railway (Liverpool Street Station), both of which have stations at the Palace. Time about 15 minutes. Admis sion, ls.

THE ALEXANDRA PALACE. The Palace is situated on the summit of Muswell Hill. The estate in the midst of which the Palace has been built, is about 530 acres

in extent.

The Palace itself is a brick building, and is in every respect a considerable improvement upon the building destroyed by fire June 9, 1873. It consists of nave and transepts decorated and embellished with statuary, fountains, and flowers. There is

a large organ and a concert room as well as ample provision for theatrical and operatic entertainments. In addition, there is a very interesting and characteristic series, representing the dwellings of various nations, with groups in dress, employment, &c., pourtraying the domestic life of the people. To the south of Muswell Hill is the racecourse, upwards of a mile in circumference, the centre being preserved as a cricket ground and archery lawn. The grounds are park-like in character, and contain some fine oak timber. The chief amusements at the Palace are the daily concerts and the representations in the theatre. The band of the Company consists of forty performers, and a numerous staff of the most eminent artists take part in the theatrical representations. The view from the south terrace extends over 30 miles of country, and on a clear day the windings of the Thames can be traced almost to the mouth of the river. In enumerating the attractions we must not forget the menagerie of birds and animals, and the fine aquarium for both marine and fresh water animals. Among the special fêtes we may enumerate flower shows, horse shows, and great displays of fireworks and baloon ascents.

EXCURSION.

LONDON TO EPPING FOREST.

London.

HIS celebrated Forest,

with that of Hainault adjoining, once extended almost to In 1793 there were 9000 acres of the forest unenclosed. Its present contents are about 3000. Within a few years measures have been taken to prevent further encroachments, and to preserve this beautiful and picturesque place as a recreation ground for the public.

The best centre for excursions in the Forest is CHINGFORD, a station of the Great Eastern Railway, ten miles from London. Fares, first class 1s. 5d., second 1s. 1d. Here has recently been erected an elegant summer hotel called *THE FOREST HOTEL, which combines every requisite for either a brief or prolonged sojourn. The ANCIENT HUNTING LODGE OF QUEEN ELIZABETH adjoins the hotel. The whole district is rich is historical associations.

The neighbourhood may well have regal associations, for it is named in Anglo-Saxon CHING, or KING'S FORD; and the magnificent oaks, tall elms, and stately beeches of the adjacent King's Mead have a right royal aspect.

The OLD CHURCH, one of the most ancient in the county, its grey stone, covered with a thick mantle of ivy, is another attraction to antiquaries and lovers of the picturesque who ramble through the quaint churchyard.

One the most charming walks in the whole country is through FAIRMEAD WOOD and to LEPPITT'S HILL, from the top of which is to be obtained a magnificent view, extending on the one

hand far over and beyond Highgate, and on the other over and beyond London to Sydenham, where the Crystal Palace stands as a landmark, just as the Alexandra Palace breaks the distance in looking northward. Still a little further the visitor may extend his walk to HIGH-BEECH, which commands a great stretch of country, on one side including the Valley of the Lea and a large part of Hertfordshire, on the other that portion of Kent extending from Shooter's Hill to Gravesend. Either in going or returning between the FOREST HOTEL and High-Beech the pedestrian may take a ramble amidst the trees of the Great or the Little MONK WOODS; or, if time should serve, the journey may be extended to the recently discovered BRITISH CAMP in the district of Loughton, where an earlier sovereign than Elizabeth -Queen Boadicea-opposed the Roman foe under Suetonius, who had made a vast encampment, the complete remains of which, including about twelve acres, are still to be seen at Ambresbury (or Ambrose Bury) Bank, a little more than two miles further towards Epping.

Another pleasant stroll takes the visitor to the height of BUCKHURST HILL, near which the stag was let loose on Easter Monday for the Epping Hunt; and thence we may descend to the picturesque valley of the RODING, or may take rod and line and extend our journey to the haunt of the fisherman at PONDER'S END, or the quiet reaches of the river Lea, near the old Abbey of Waltham.

GOLDING'S HILL, with its wide expanse of forest scenery, the adjacent keeper's lodge, looking over the resorts of the wild deer, and STAPLES HILL, the scene of the midnight assertion of the

ancient claim of lopping and topping, with its miniature lake, and rustic shelter against the weather, are scenes of beauty not to be passed over.

The excursions around the FOREST HOTEL at Chingford would employ the visitor during several days of a summer holiday; while the nearer, and in many respects the most attractive, are easily accomplished during a morning's walk, giving ample leisure to return to a comfortable dinner and the enjoyment of the grounds of the hotel, or the views from the balconies of the building.

ROUTES FROM LONDON TO MANY OF THE PRINCIPAL TOWNS IN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

GIVING THE STATION OF DEPARTURE, DISTANCES, TIME OCCUPIED BY THE BEST TRAINS, FARES, AND THE NUMBER OF TRAINS.

1.

2.

TO ABERDEEN.

Euston, 540 miles, 15 hours and 40 min. ; first class, 78s. 6d.; second, 59s. 3d.; third, 40s.; 4 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays.

King's Cross, 541 miles, 16 hours and 10 minutes; fares as above; 6 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays.

3. St Pancras, 555 miles, 16 hours and 10 minutes; first class, 78s. 6d.; third, 40s.; 3 trains every week day, 1 on Sundays. Return tickets, first class, 133s. 6d.; second, 100s.; third, 78s. 9d.

7 hours; first class, 39s.; second, 30s. 6d.; third, 21s. 6d. ; 7 trains every week day, Mondays excepted, 2 on Sundays. 2. Paddington, 273 miles, 9 hours and 40 minutes; fares as above; 5 trains every week day, Mondays excepted, none on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 70s. 6d.; second, 53s.; third, 43s.

TO BATH. Paddington, 1063 miles, 2 hours and 15 minutes; first class, 23s. 5d.; second, 16s. 5d.; 11 trains every week day, 4 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 41s. 6d.; second, 28s. 6d.

TO BEDFORD. 1. St Pancras, 50 miles, 1 hour and 8 minutes; first class, 6s. 7d.; second, 3s. 114d.; 13 trains every week day, 7 on Sundays. Return ticket double fare.

2. Euston, 63 miles, 1 hour and 46 minutes; first class, 7s. ; second, 5s. 9d.; third, 4s. 2d.; 8 trains every week day, 1 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 13s. 6d.; second, 11s.

1.

TO BELFAST.

Euston, via Holyhead, thence by steamer to Kingstown, and by rail via Dublin, first class, 65s. 6d.; second, 47s. 6d.; See Dublin. Return ticket, first

class, 110s.; second, 80s. 2. Euston, via Fleetwood, thence by steamer; see Fleetwood; first class, 45s.; second, 35s.; third, 21s. Return ticket, first class, 75s.; second, 58s. 6d.; third, 35s. 6d.

3. Euston, via Holyhead and Greenore, first class, 50s.; second, 40s.; third, 21s. Return ticket, first class, 83s. 6d.; second, 67s.; third, 35s. 6d.

4. St Pancras, at 10 A.M. daily, Sundays excepted, via Barrow, thence by steamer; first class, 45s.; second, 21s. Return ticket, first class, 75s.; second, 35s. 6d.

1.

TO BIRMINGHAM. Euston, 113 miles, 3 hours and 5 minutes; first class, 17s. 4d.; second, 13s. 6d.; third, 9s. 5d.; 12 trains every week day, 4 on Sundays.

2. Paddington, 129 miles, 4 hours

and 30 minutes; first class, 17s. 4d.; second, 13s. 6d.; third, 9s. 5d.; 6 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays. Return tickets, first class, 33s. 6d.; second, 25s.

3. St Pancras, 4 hours and 35

minutes; first class, 17s. 4d.; third, 9s. 5d.; 6 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays.

TO BRADFORD.

1. King's Cross, 196 miles, 4 hours and 48 minutes; first class, 26s. 9d.; second, 21s.; third, 15s. 10d.; 8 trains every week day, 4 on Sundays. 2. St Pancras, 212 miles, 5 hours and 50 minutes; first class, 26s. 9d.; third, 15s. 10d.; 8 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays. Return ticket double fare.

TO BRIGHTON.

1. London Bridge, 50 miles, 1 hour and 20 minutes; first class, 12s. 3d.; second, 8s. 6d.; third, 4s. 24d.; 16 trains every week day, 6 on Sundays.

2. Victoria, 1 hour and 30 min.; fares as above; 15 trains every week day, 6 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 17s. 6d.; second, 12s. 6d.; third, 7s. 6d.

TO BRISTOL. Paddington, 118 miles, 2 hours first class, 26s. 1d.; second, 18s. 3d.; third, 10s. 6d.; 12 trains every week day, 4 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 45s.; second, 32s.

TO CAMBRIDGE. 1. Liverpool Street, 58 miles, 1 hour and 30 minutes; first class, 9s. 3d.; second, 7s. 3d.; third, 4s. 7d.; 10 trains every week day, 3 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 15s. 10d.; second, 13s. 4d.

2. King's Cross, 57 miles, 1 hour and 35 minutes; first class, 9s. 3d.; second, 7s. 3d.; third, 4s. 7d.; 8 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 15s. 10d.; second, 13s. 4d.

TO CANTERBURY. 1. Charing Cross, 2 hours, first class, 15s.; second, 10s. 6d.; third, 5s. 2d.; 10 trains every week day, 3 on Sundays.

2. Victoria, 2 hours and 8 min.;

1.

TO CHELTENHAM. Paddington, 120 miles, 3 hours and 35 minutes; first class, 23s. 6d.; second, 16s. 9d.; third, 10s. 1d.; 8 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays.

2. Euston Square, via Birmingham. Return ticket, first class, 40s.; second, 28s. 6d.

TO CHEPSTOW. Paddington, 1413 miles, 4 hours and 17 minutes; first class, 25s. 6d.; second, 19s.; third, 12s. 10d.; 8 trains every week day, 2 on Sundays. Return ticket, first class, 42s. 6d. ; second, 32s. 6d.