A fabulous rare panorama of Charleston, South Carolina, published in the June issue of the ‘London Magazine’ in 1762. The view is derived from the extremely rare and large William Henry Toms view first published in 1739. That view is the most important early view of the town and was drawn by Bishop Roberts. The original drawing by him is today at Colonial Williamsburg. Charleston’s quayside is seen from across the Cooper River. On the left, a battery defends the town against attack from the sea. Piers upriver allow ocean-going ships to load up with rice, the principal produce of the colony. Behind the wharves and warehouses were the principal streets of the ‘Metropolis of the Province’, where the great planters resided for most of the year. “An European at his first arrival must be greatly surprised when he sees the elegance of their houses, their sumptuous furniture, as well as the magnificence of their tables; can he imagine himself in a country, the establishment of which is so recent?” Several buildings are keyed. “At the extreme left, with the Union Jack flying, is Granville Bastion, the first of eight locations … As we move right, the small two-story structure built on the jutting triangular bastion is the Court house. The pointed roof on the next projecting building belongs to the Council Chamber. A high weather vane introduces the Meeting House before the eye moves further right to take in the graceful, tall spire of Saint Philip’s Church. The first large building to its right is the Custom House; past that, the imposing edifice with the elegant front entrance served as the secretary’s office. At the extreme right, Craven’s Bastion, with another Union Jack flying, ends the brief tour” (Deak). The view affords one of the few images of the colonial south before the American Revolution. Charleston was the fourth largest port in the American colonies with an estimated population of 11,000. The accompanying text describes the city people “Here the rich people have handsome equipages; the merchants are opulent and well bred; the poeple; are thriving and extensive, in dress and life; so that every thing conspires to make this town the politest, as it is one of the richest in America”. Refer Deak 90.