The British Museum

The British Museum is the largest and the richest of its kind in the world. This museum comprises the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography, and the National Library. The present building was built in 1852. The museum is situated in Bloomsbury district of London.

By law a copy of every book, periodical or newspaper published in Britain must be preserved in the British Museum.

The British Museum contains books and manuscripts: Greek, Roman, British and oriental antiquities.

The Reading Room has an unusual shape. It is a perfect circle. The superintendent and his assistants sit in the center of the room and issue and collect books. The catalogues are kept behind them.

Those who come to the museum can see a fascinating array of clocks and watches.

There are departments devoted to maps, coins, medals and philately. There is also a department of prints and drawings. The museum has a department of ethnography. This collection is so vast that only a very small percentage is on show to the public.

H.T. read the paragraphs below and write a topic about London sightseeing. Things to See and Do in London, England

10 Downing Street, the historic home and office of Tony Blair, the British Prime Minister. The famous building fulfils many roles. It has been the heart of government for over a century as the meeting place of the Cabinet and as a reception venue for dignitaries from around the world. It is the workplace for the many staff that support the Prime Minister and it is also the home of Mr Tony Charles Lynton Blair and his family.

Trafalgar Square is one of the interesting sights in the west End of London. Originally laid out in the mid-19^th century, Trafalgar Square commemorates Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar, where on October 21, 1805 the English fleet under Nelson’s command defeated the combined fleet of France and Spain. The victory was won at the cost of Nelson’s life. In the middle of Trafalgar Square stands Nelson’s monument. The main feature is the 185 feet high column surmounted by a 16 feet tall statue of the great seaman on the top, and guarded at the base by four bronze lions. Bronze bas-reliefs on the pedestal represent Nelson’s four great naval victories. Different meetings and demonstrations are often held in this square. On the north side of the square is the National Gallery which houses a priceless collection of paintings from early middle ages up to the end of the 19^th century.

Westminster Abbey was erected in the 16^th century but the oldest part of the building was built in the 8^th century, it was a monastery- the West Minster. For nearly 1000 years all the kings and queens of England have been crowned here and many of them are buried here too. Here you may see the tomb of the Unknown Soldier who represents in his native soil a million dead in the First World War. One part of the Abbey is called Poet’s Corner: Chauser, Dickens, Hardy, Kipling and other are buried here. There are busts and statues of famous men: Shakespeare, Burns, Byron, Scott.

St. Paul’s Cathedral is the work of the eminent architect Sir Christopher Wren and is said to be one of the finest pieces of architecture in Europe. Old St. Paul’s was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666. The first service was held in the Cathedral 22 years later, but the building was not completed until 1710. The height to the top of the Cross is 365 feet. It took Christopher Wren 35 years to carry it out, and when he was an old man of 90, he was carried here once a year, so that he could see his beautiful work.

The Tower of London was built as a fortress by William the Conqueror more than 900 years ago. Later it became a place where English kings and queens lived. Then it was a prison from which nobody could escape. There are several Towers there: the Jewel Tower, the White Tower, the Lion Tower, the Bell Tower and others. One of the Towers is called the Bloody Tower because some people were murdered there. Now the Tower is a museum and houses the Crown Jews and one of the best collections of arms and armour in the world. The only inhabitants of the Tower now are ravens. These large birds are unfriendly and it is unwise to touch or feed them. But there is a legend that the Tower will fall if it loses its ravens. Therefore the birds are carefully guarded.

Big Ben is the name given to the clock Tower of the Houses of Parliament. The Great Bell strikes every quarter of the hour. Big Ben is a symbol of London.