St James's Palace - On the spot where this building is erected, there was formerly a hospital dedicated to St James.  It was suppressed by Henry VIII. who, having caused it to be pulled down, erected a palace in its place, which retains the name of the hospital, and has been inhabited by our sovereigns ever since the destruction of Whitehall by fire, in 1697.  It has a sorry exterior appearance, nevertheless, it contains some large and handsome apartments, that may be seen when the court is not there.