London and its Environs Described, Vol. V., By Anonymous

An Account of whatever is most remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use,

Decorated and illustrated with a great Number of Views in Perspective, engraved from original Drawings, taken on purpose for this Work.

Monument, a noble fluted column, erected by order of parliament, in commemoration of the burning and rebuilding of the city, on the east side of Fish street hill, in a square open to the street.

This stately column, which is of the Doric order, was begun by Sir Christopher Wren, in the year 1671, and completed by that great architect in 1677. It much exceeds, in height, the pillars at Rome of the Emperors Trajan and Antoninus, the stately remains of Roman grandeur; or that of Theodosius at Constantinople; for the largest of the Roman columns, which was that of Antoninus, was only 172 feet and a half in height, and 12 feet 3 inches, English measure, in diameter. But the diameter of this column 2at the base, is 15 feet, and consequently it is 120 feet high; the height of the pedestal is 40, and the cippus or meta with the urn on the top 42, making 202 feet in the whole. On the cap of the pedestal, at the angles, are four dragons (the supporters of the city arms) and between them trophies, with symbols of regality, arts, sciences, commerce, &c.

Within is a large staircase of black marble, containing 345 steps, 10 inches and a half broad, and 6 inches in thickness, and by these there is an ascent to the iron balcony (which is the abacus of the column). Over the capital is an iron balcony, encompassing a cone 32 feet high, supporting a blazing urn of brass, gilt.

In the place of this urn, which was set up contrary to Sir Christopher’s opinion, was originally intended a colossal statue, in brass, gilt, of King Charles II. as founder of the new city, after the manner of the Roman pillars, which terminated with the statues of their Cæsars; or else a figure erect of a woman crowned with turrets, holding a sword and cap of maintenance, with other ensigns of the city’s grandeur and re-erection.

Prior to this, the same gentleman made a design of a pillar of somewhat less proportion, viz. 14 feet in diameter, and 3after a peculiar device: for as the Romans expressed by relievo on the pedestals, and round the shafts of their columns, the history of such actions and incidents as were intended to be thereby commemorated; so this monument of the conflagration and resurrection of the city of London was represented by a pillar in flames; the flames, blazing from the loop-holes of the shaft, intended to give light to the stairs within, were in brass work gilt, and on the top was a phœnix rising from her ashes, also of brass gilt. Parentalia.

The west side of the pedestal is adorned with curious emblems, by the masterly hand of Mr. Cibber, father to the late Poet Laureat, in which the eleven principal figures are done in alto, and the rest in basso relievo. The principal figure, to which the eye is particularly directed, is a female, representing the city of London, sitting in a languishing posture on a heap of ruins: her head droops, her hair is dishevelled, and her hand, with an air of languor, lies carelessly on her sword. Behind is Time, gradually raising her up: at her side, a woman, representing Providence, gently touches her with one hand, while with a winged scepter in the other, she directs her to regard two Goddesses 4in the clouds, one with a cornucopia, denoting Plenty, the other with a palm branch, the emblem of Peace. At her feet is a bee-hive, to shew that by industry and application the greatest misfortunes may be overcome. Behind Time, are citizens exulting at his endeavours to restore her; and, beneath, in the midst of the ruins, is a dragon, the supporter of the city arms, who endeavours to preserve them with his paw. Still farther, at the north end, is a view of the city in flames; the inhabitants in consternation, with their arms extended upward, and crying out for succour.

On the other side, on an elevated pavement, stands King Charles II. in a Roman habit, with his temples incircled by a wreath of laurel, and approaching the figure representing the city, with a truncheon in his hand, seems to command three of his attendants to descend to her relief: the first represents the Sciences, with wings on her head, and a circle of naked boys dancing upon it, holding in her hand Nature, with her numerous breasts ready to give assistance to all: the second is, Architecture, with a plan in one hand, and a square and pair of compasses in the other: and the third is, Liberty, waving a hat in the air, shewing her joy at the 5pleasing prospect of the city’s speedy recovery. Behind the King, stands his brother the Duke of York, with a garland in one hand to crown the rising city, and a sword in the other for her defence. Behind him are Justice and Fortitude, the former with a coronet, and the latter with a reined lion. In the pavement, under the Sovereign’s feet, appears Envy peeping from her cell, and gnawing a heart; and in the upper part of the back ground the re-construction of the city is represented by scaffolds, erected by the sides of unfinished houses, with builders and labourers at work upon them.

The other sides of the pedestal have, each, a Latin inscription. That on the north side may be thus rendered.

‘In the year of Christ 1666, the second day of September, eastward from hence, at the distance of 202 feet, (the height of this column) about midnight, a most terrible fire broke out, which, driven by a high wind, not only laid waste the adjacent parts, but also places very remote, with incredible noise and fury: it consumed 89 churches, the city gates, Guildhall, many public structures, hospitals, schools, libraries, a vast number of stately edifices, 13,200 dwelling houses, 400 streets: of twenty-six wards it utterly destroyed 6fifteen, and left eight others shattered and half burnt. The ruins of the city were 436 acres, from the Tower by the Thames side to the Temple church, and from the north east, along the city wall, to Holborn bridge. To the estates and fortunes of the citizens it was merciless, but to their lives very favourable. That it might, in all things, resemble the last conflagration of the world, the destruction was sudden; for in a small space of time, the same city was seen most flourishing, and reduced to nothing. Three days after, when this fatal fire had, in the opinion of all, baffled all human counsels and endeavours, it stopped, as it were, by a command from heaven, and was on every side extinguished.’

‘Charles the Second, son of Charles the Martyr, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, a most gracious Prince, commiserating the deplorable state of things, whilst the ruins were yet smoaking, provided for the comfort of his citizens, and ornament of his city, remitted their taxes, and referred the petition of the magistrates and inhabitants to parliament; 7who immediately passed an act, that public works should be restored to greater beauty, with public money, to be raised by an impost on coals; that the churches, and the cathedral of St. Paul’s, should be rebuilt from their foundations, with the utmost magnificence: that bridges, gates, and prisons should be new erected, the sewers cleansed, the streets made straight and regular, such as were steep levelled, and those too narrow to be made wider. Markets and shambles removed to separate places. They also enabled, that every house should be built with party walls, and all in front raised of equal height; that those walls should be of square stone or brick; and that no man should delay building beyond the space of seven years. Moreover, care was taken by law to prevent all suits about their bounds. Anniversary prayers were also enjoined; and to perpetuate the memory thereof to posterity, they caused this column to be erected. The work was carried on with diligence, and London is restored; but whether with greater speed or beauty, may be made a question. In three years time the world saw that finished, which was supposed to be the work of an age.’

The inscription on the east side contains 8the names of the Lord Mayors from the time of its being begun, till its being compleated; and round the upper part of the pedestal is the following inscription in English.

‘This pillar was set up in perpetual remembrance of the most dreadful burning of this protestant city, begun and carried on by the treachery and malice of the popish faction in the beginning of September, in the year of our Lord 1666, in order to the carrying on their horrid plot for extirpating the protestant religion, and Old English Liberty, and introducing popery and slavery.’

This inscription, upon the Duke of York’s accession to the crown, was immediately erased; but soon after the revolution it was restored again.

This monument, says the author of The Review of our public buildings, “is undoubtedly the noblest modern column in the world; nay, in some respects, it may justly vie with those celebrated ones of antiquity, which are consecrated to the names of Trajan and Antonine. Nothing can be more bold and surprizing, nothing more beautiful and harmonious: the bas relief at the base, allowing for some few defects, is 9finely imagined, and executed as well: and nothing material can be cavilled with but the inscriptions round about it.” These, however, Sir Christopher Wren had prepared in a more elegant and masculine style, as appears by the Parentalia; but he was over-ruled.

Monument yard, New Fish street hill, so called from the Monument placed in it.

Moor court, 1. Fore street, Cripplegate, so called from its vicinity to Moorfields. 2. Miles lane, near Crooked lane.

Moorfields, a large piece of ground to the north of London wall, lying between the east end of Fore street, and the west end of New Broad street, and extending as far as Hoxton. These fields originally took their name from their being one continued marsh or moor; so that Roger Achiley, Lord Mayor, in 1521, caused the ground to be levelled, and bridges and causeways to be erected over these fields, in order to render them passable: but since that time the ground has been raised and drained, and the whole encompassed with houses.

Moorfields being a very extensive piece of ground, is now divided into Lower Moorfields, Middle Moorfields, and Upper Moorfields. The first of these divisions 10has the hospital of Bethlem, a noble building, extending along the whole south side: and here the fields are divided into four different squares, by very strong, but clumsey, wooden rails, each containing a large grass plat, surrounded on each side by a row of trees. Between these squares, which are generally denominated the quarters, are gravel walks; and one extending from east to west, with a row of trees on each side, forming a tolerable vista, is usually denominated the City Mall; a great concourse of well-dressed citizens of both sexes walking there, particularly every Sunday noon in fine weather, and on evenings.

The east side of this part of Moorfields is taken up by shops, where old books are sold at the south east corner, and second-hand goods of all sorts along that side.

The rest of Moorfields, containing the two other divisions, still lie waste, though they might be converted into gardens or public walks, and thus be rendered one of the principal ornaments of this metropolis.

Moorgate, situated near the north end of Coleman street, and 1664 feet to the west of Bishopsgate, was first erected in 11the year 1415, and received its name from its opening into Moorfields.

The present edifice, which is one of the most magnificent gates of the city, was erected in the year 1674, and consists of a lofty arch, and two posterns for foot passengers. The arch is built higher than the common rules of proportion, for the sake of the city trained bands marching through it with their pikes erected; a weapon now laid aside. Others, however, are of opinion, that its height was intended for the better convenience of bringing carts or waggons loaded with hay into the city, it having been intended to make a market for hay in Little Moorfields; a design which did not take effect. The upper part is ornamented with Corinthian pilasters, supporting their proper entablature, and with a round pediment, in which is the city arms. The apartments over the gate are appropriated to the use of one of the Lord Mayor’s carvers.

Moor’s alley, 1. King’s street, Westminster.† 2. Norton Falgate, near Shoreditch.†

Moor Park, near Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire, is at present the seat of Lord Anson. The park is not large, but is very beautiful, whether we consider it 12within itself or with regard to the fine and extensive prospects from it. The house was originally built by Cardinal Wolsey, and, passing through many hands, was afterwards in possession of the Duke of Monmouth. Then it came into the hands of Mr. Stiles, who enlarged, repaired, and beautified it, under the direction of Sir James Thornhill. It stands on a hill, not quite on the summit. It is of stone of the Corinthian order; and, if not in the highest stile of architecture, is yet very noble. The south, or principal front, has a portico and pediment of four columns. The offices are joined to the house by a beautiful circular colonade of the Ionic order, which terminates very elegantly with domes on each side their entrance. One cannot help wishing the house on the top of the hill, or that part of the hill were removed, for you can’t now see the principal front till you are upon it. Even in the view given in the print, part of one of the wings is hid by the rising ground.

Moor yard, 1. Fashion street, Spitalfields.† 2. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.† 3. Old Fish street.†

Moravians, a set of dissenters lately established 13in England. They have the following places of worship. 1. Lindsey House, Chelsea. 2. Monastery, Hatton Garden. 3. Nevill’s alley, Fetter lane.

Morden College, on the east side of Blackheath, for the support of poor decayed and honest merchants, was erected by Sir John Morden, Bart. a Turky merchant, several years before his death, which happened in the year 1708. It consists of a large brick building, with two small wings, strengthened at the corners with stone rustic. The principal entrance, which is in the center, is decorated with Doric columns, festoons, and a pediment on the top, over which rises a turret, with a dial; and from the dome, which is supported by scrolls, rises a ball and fane. To this entrance there is an ascent by a flight of circular steps; and having ascended them, and passed through this part of the building, we enter an inner square, surrounded with piazzas. The chapel is neatly wainscoted, and has a costly altar-piece.

This structure Sir John erected at a small distance from his own habitation, in a place called Great Stone Field, and endowed it, after his Lady’s decease, with his whole real, copyhold, and personal 14estate, to the value of about 1300l. per annum.

The founder of this noble charity placed in this hospital twelve decayed Turky merchants in his life time; but after his decease, the Lady Morden, finding that the share allotted her by Sir John’s last will was insufficient for her decent support, some parts of the estate not answering so well as was expected, she was obliged to reduce the number to four.

But upon her death the whole estate coming to the college, the number was increased, and there are at this time thirty-five poor gentlemen; and, the number not being limited, it is to be increased as the estate will afford; for the building will conveniently hold forty.

The Treasurer, who receives the rents and revenues, and keeps the books of the accounts and disbursements of the college, has 40l. a year; and the Chaplain, who reads prayers twice a day, and preaches twice every Sunday, had at first a salary of 30l. per annum, which the Lady Morden doubled at her death. She was, in other respects, a benefactress of the college, and, as she put up her husband’s statue in a niche, over the gate, 15the trustees put up her’s in another niche, adjoining to that of her husband. The pensioners have each 20l. a year, and at first wore gowns, with the founder’s badge; but this badge has not been worn for some years. They have a common table in the hall to eat and drink together at meals; and each has a convenient apartment, with a cellar.

The Treasurer, Chaplain, and Pensioners, are obliged to reside in the college; and, except in case of sickness, no other persons are to reside, live, or lodge there; but no person can be admitted as a pensioner, who cannot bring a certificate to prove his being upwards of sixty years of age.

Seven Turky merchants have the direction of this hospital, and the nomination of the persons to be admitted into it; to them the Treasurer is accountable; and whenever any of these die, the surviving trustees chuse others in their room. Stow’s Survey. Tour through Great Britain.

Morgan’s lane, 1. Old Horselydown lane.† 2. St. Olave street, Tooley street.†

16Morrell’s Almshouse, near the Nag’s head in Hackney road, was erected by the Goldsmiths company, in the year 1705, pursuant to the will of Mr. Richard Morrel, for the reception of six poor members of that company, each of whom has two neat rooms, 2s. per week, half a chaldron of coals, a quarter of a hundred of faggots, and a gown every year. Maitland.

Morrice’s Almshouse, in the Old Jewry, was erected by the company of Armourers, in the year 1551, pursuant to the will of the Lady Elizabeth Morrice, for the reception of nine poor widows, who, according to the discretion of the company, are allowed from six to twenty shillings per quarter, and nine bushels of coals each yearly. Maitland.

Mortlack, in Surry, is situated on the Thames, between Putney and Richmond, 17about one mile west of Barnes. Here are two charity schools, and a famous manufacture for weaving tapestry hangings.

Moses alley, 1. Willow street, Bank side, Southwark.* 2. Smock alley, Spitalfields.*

Moulsey, two towns, thus denominated from the river Mole, which runs between them into the Thames; East Moulsey is situated opposite to Hampton Court, and was granted by King Charles II. to Sir James Clarke, grandfather to the present lord of the manor, who had the ferry from thence to Hampton Court, in the room of which he has lately erected a handsome bridge, where a very high toll is taken of all passengers, carriages, &c.

West Moulsey is situated about a mile and a half west from Kingston, and here is a ferry to Hampton town, which likewise belongs to the same gentleman.

Mountmill, at the upper end of Goswell street. Here was situated one of the forts 18erected by order of parliament in the year 1643; but that becoming useless at the end of the civil war, a windmill was erected upon it, from which it received its present name, which is also given to the street.

Musicians, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1604.

They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty Assistants, and have a livery of thirty-one members, who on their admission pay a fine of 40s. but have no hall.

Muswell Hill, in Middlesex, on the east side of Highgate, took its name from a spring or well on the hill, by a house built by Alderman Roe, which afterwards came to the present Earl of Bath. By this well, which was esteemed holy, was a chapel with an image of our Lady of Muswell, to which great numbers went in pilgrimage. Both the manor and chapel were sold in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, to Mr. William Roe, in whose family they continued, till Sir Thomas Roe, the Ambassador, sold them in the last century. Some time ago the manor house was converted into a place of public entertainment.

Nag’s Head alley, 1. Bridge yard passage.* 2. Fenchurch street.* 3. St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark.* 4. In the Minories.*

20Nag’s Head court, 1. Golden lane, Redcross street.* 2. Gracechurch street.* 3. Great Tower hill.* 4. Leather lane, Holborn. 5. Snow hill.* 6. Three Colt street.* 7. Wentworth street.*

Nag’s Head yard, 1. Golden lane.* 2. Great Swallow street.* 3. Norton Falgate.*

Nailer’s yard, 1. Queen street, in the Mint, Southwark. 2. Silver street, Golden square.

Naked Boy court, 1. Little Elbow lane, Great Elbow lane, Thames street.* 2. Ludgate hill.* 3. In the Strand.

Nassau street, Gerrard street, by Prince’s street, Soho; probably thus named in honour of King William III.

Navy Office, in Crutched Friars. Here 21all affairs relating to the royal navy are managed by the Commissioners under the Lords of the Admiralty. It is a very plain building, that by its appearance gives us no idea of its importance; but it must be allowed the merit of being extremely convenient. The office where the Commissioners meet, and the clerks keep their books, is detached from the rest, as a precaution against accidents by fire, the papers here being of the utmost importance; and in the other buildings some of the Commissioners and other officers reside.

The Treasurer of the navy is an officer of prodigious trust, as he receives and pays all sums for the use of the navy: his salary is therefore 2000l. per annum, and 800l. for his instruments.

The seven Commissioners have all their different departments in the management of the business of this office; and each has a salary of 500l. a year.

One is Comptroller of the navy: he attends and comptrols all payments of wages; is obliged to know the market price of all stores belonging to shipping, and to examine and audit all the treasurers, victuallers, and storekeepers accounts. This Commissioner has two clerks who have 100l. a year each: one of 60l. a year, and nine of 50l. each. Besides 22in his office for seamen’s wages he has a chief clerk who has 200l. a year, and also nine others of 50l. each.

Two others are Joint-surveyors of the navy, and besides the salary of 500l. a year each, one of them has 80l. per annum for house rent. They are in general to know the state of all stores, and to see the wants supplied; to survey the hulls, masts, and yards, and to estimate the value of repairs by indenture; to charge all boatswains and carpenters of the navy with what stores they have received; and at the end of each voyage to state and audit their accounts. They have a chief clerk, who has 100l. a year, and six others of 50l.

The fourth is Clerk of the acts. It is his office to record all orders, contracts, bills, warrants, and other business transacted by the principal officers and commissioners of the navy. He has an assistant, who has a salary of 300l. a year, and 50l. for house rent; a chief clerk, who has 100l. a year; another has 70l. another 60l. and nine others have 50l. per annum each.

The fifth is Comptroller of the Treasurer’s accounts, and has a clerk of 100l. a year; another of 60l. another of 50l. and another of 40l. a year. The ticket 23office is under his inspection, and there he has two chief clerks of 200l. a year each; another of 80l. six of 50l. a year each, and one of 40l. In this office there are also six extra clerks who have 50l. a year each, and one who has 2s. 6d. a day.

The sixth is the Comptroller of the victualling accounts, who has a clerk of 100l. a year; one of 50l. and one of 40l. per annum.

The seventh is Comptroller of the store-keeper’s accounts, who has also a chief clerk, that has a salary of 100l. a year; six clerks of 50l. a year each; and another of 40l. per annum.

Besides these there are three Extra Commissioners of the navy, who have 500l. a year, and 80l. each for house rent; and under these are several clerks, and other officers.

There is also a Commissioner residing at Gibraltar, who has 1000l. a year, and several officers who have considerable salaries under him: a Commissioner resident at Chatham yard, at Portsmouth yard, and at Plymouth yard, who have 500l. a year each; but Deptford and Woolwich yards are under the immediate inspection of the navy board; as Sheerness 24yard is under the inspection of the Commissioner at Chatham.

The number of these Officers and Commissioners have been increased on account of the exigence of affairs; but the principal of them hold their offices by patent under the great seal.

Needlemakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Oliver Cromwell, in 1656, consisting of a Master, two Wardens, eighteen Assistants, and forty-eight Liverymen, who upon their admission pay a fine of 3l. 6s. 8d. but having no hall they transact their business in Guildhall.

It is remarkable that by an act of Common Council in 1658, it was ordered that every needlemaker free of the city, of whatever company they be, should from thenceforward be subject to the search and survey of this company; that no needlemaker of any other company should bind an apprentice to himself, till he had first bound him to the Master or 25one of the Wardens or Assistants of the Needlemakers company, who should turn over such an apprentice to him, before the Chamberlain of London, in order that all such apprentices might be made free of the Needlemakers company; and that any such master, not being free of that company, who should take an apprentice in any other manner, should forfeit the sum of 20l.

Netherhall, a village in Essex, near Great and Little Parndon, and at the conflux of the Lee and the Stort.

New Bond street, a street which consists of handsome new buildings, near Oxford street.

New Broad street, 1. A handsome street inhabited by merchants and other gentlemen; extending from the end of Broad street to Moorfields. 2. Marshal street, Carnaby street.

New Buildings, 1. Coleman street. 2. Dunning’s alley, Bishopsgate street without. 3. Feathers alley, in the Maze, Southwark.

Newbury’s Almshouse, on the north side of Mile-end green, also called the Skinners Almshouses, was erected by that company in the year 1688, pursuant to the will of Lewis Newbury, for twelve poor widows of the Skinners company, who have an allowance of 5l. 10s. a year, and half a chaldron of coals each.

Newcastle court, 1. Butcher Row, by Temple Bar. 2. Newcastle street, by Chick lane.

Newcastle street, 1. Chick lane, Smithfield. 2. From Seacoal lane to Fleet market. 3. Whitechapel.

New court, 1. Angel alley. 2. Blackman street, Southwark. 3. Bow lane, Cheapside. 4. Bowling alley, Dean’s yard, Westminster. 5. Brown’s street. 6. Canon row, Westminster. 7. Carey street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields. 8. St. Catharine’s court, near the Tower. 9. Fore street, Cripplegate. 10. George yard, Whitechapel. 11. Goswell street, Aldersgate street. 12. New Gravel lane, Shadwell. 13. Old Gravel lane, Ratcliff Highway. 14. Great St. Anne’s lane, by Orchard street, Westminster. 15. Hand alley. 16. Harrow alley, Petticoat lane. 17. Hart street, Crutched Friars. 18. High Holborn. 19. Hog lane. 20. Kent street. 21. Knightsbridge. 22. Lamb alley. 23. Little Broad street. 24. Little Newport street. 25. St. Margaret’s hill. 26. Middle Temple. 27. Moor lane. 28. Narrow street, Ratcliff. 29. Newington Butts. 30. New street. 31. Nightingale lane. 32. Peter street, Westminster. 33. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel. 34. Pig street, Threadneedle street. 35. Quaker street, Spitalfields. 36. Rosemary lane, Tower hill. 37. St. Swithin’s lane, Canon street. 38. Throgmorton street. 39. Wentworth 28street. 40. White Horse yard. 41. White street. 42. York street.

Newgate, is situated 1037 feet south west from Aldersgate, and is thought by most Antiquarians, to be so denominated from its being first erected in the reign of Henry I. several ages after the four original gates of the city: Howel is however of a contrary opinion, and asserts that it was only repaired in the above reign, and that it was anciently denominated Chamberlain gate; tho’ it is very extraordinary, that this gate is not once mentioned before the conquest. But be this as it will, it appears from ancient records, that it was called Newgate, and was a common jail for felons taken in the city of London, or the county of Middlesex, so early as the year 1218; and that so lately as the year 1457, Newgate, and not the Tower, was a prison for the nobility and great officers of state.

At length Newgate being much damaged by the fire of London in 1666, the present beautiful structure was erected. The west side is adorned with three 29ranges of Tuscan pilasters, with their entablatures, and in the inter-columniations are four niches, in one of which is a figure representing Liberty; the word Libertas is inscribed on her cap, and at her feet lies a cat, in allusion to Sir Richard Whittington, a benefactor to the prison, who is said to have made the first step to his good fortune by a cat.

The inside of the gate is also adorned with a range of pilasters, with their entablatures, and in three niches are the figures of Justice, Mercy and Truth.

“That Newgate considered as a prison, is a structure of more cost and beauty than was necessary, because the sumptuousness of the outside but aggravates the misery of the wretches within: but as a gate to such a city as London, it might have received considerable additions both of design and execution, and abundantly answered the cost in the reputation of building. The gate of a city erected rather for ornament than use, ought to be in the style of the ancient triumphal arches; and it must be allowed, that hardly any kind of building, admits of more beauty or perfection.”

If Newgate be considered as a prison, 30it is indeed a very dismal one. It is the county jail for Middlesex, both for debtors and malefactors, as well as the city prison for criminals. The debtor rendered unfortunate by the vicissitudes of trade, or unforeseen losses, has the reproach of being confined in the same prison with the greatest villains; and too often his being in Newgate is imputed by the ignorant to crimes which he abhors. On the other hand, those confined as criminals, are, even before they are found guilty by the laws of their country, packed so close together, that the air being corrupted by their stench and nastiness, occasions a dismal contagious disease, called the Jail distemper, which has frequently carried off great numbers, and even spread its contagion to the Court of Justice, where they take their trials. But to prevent these dreadful effects the city has introduced a ventilator on the top of Newgate, to expel the foul air, and make way for the admission of such as is fresh; and during the sessions herbs are also strewed in the Justice Hall, and the passages to it, to prevent infection.

In this prison there are however commodious and airy apartments for the use of such as are able to pay for them; and the advantage of a private passage behind 31the houses to Justice Hall in the Old Bailey, where they are in no danger of being rescued, while going to, or coming back from their trials. It is to be wished that this prison was made still more commodious; that the little cells of the malefactors were enlarged and rendered more airy, and that the proposal so often talked of, of building another prison for the debtors, was carried into execution.

Newgate Market, before the dreadful fire of London, was kept in Newgate street, where there was a market house for meal, and a middle row of sheds, which Maitland says, were afterwards converted into houses, inhabited by butchers, tripesellers, &c. while the country people, who brought provisions to the city, were forced to stand with their stalls in the open street, where their persons and goods were exposed to danger by the passage of coaches, carts, and cattle that passed through the streets. This must be allowed to have been a very inconvenient market, and the houses or sheds in the middle of the street, must almost have choaked up the passage, or at least have rendered it liable to frequent obstructions. At that time Butcher hall lane was filled with slaughter houses for 32the use of this market, and Blowbladder street was rendered remarkable by blown bladders hanging in the windows of the shops, where bladders were sold.

After the fire of London, which afforded an opportunity of rendering the new streets more commodious than the old ones had been, it was ordered by act of parliament that Newgate market should be removed from the street, and a square was formed on the south side for that purpose, surrounded by decent houses. This square is 194 feet long from east to west, and 148 feet broad from north to south. In the middle is a market house, under which are vaults or cellars, and the upper part of the building is employed as a kind of warehouse for the fruiterers, and the keepers of green stalls by night. In the shops under this building tripe and other things are sold, and in the middle near the market house are sold fruit and greens. At a convenient distance are shops for butchers, the sellers of butter, &c. and the houses beyond these, which extend along the sides of the market, are also taken up by butchers. It may be proper to observe with respect to the butter shops, that some of these contract for the produce of several dairies, and that it is not uncommon for one of these shops to take 30 or 40l. for 33butter alone, in a morning, even before eight or nine o’clock. The passages to the market from Paternoster row and Newgate street, are taken up with poulterers, bacon shops, fishmongers, and cheesemongers.

Newgate street, is a street of considerable trade, and extends from Blowbladder street, to Newgate.

New George street, 1. Near Bethnal green. 2. St. John’s street, Spitalfields.

New Gravel lane, Shadwell. Thus named from the carts loaded with gravel passing through it to the Thames, where the gravel was employed in ballasting of ships, before ballasting was taken out of the river. It obtained the epithet of New, to distinguish it from the Old Gravel lane, which was used for the same purpose long before.

New Jail, in Southwark, a prison lately erected near Bridewell alley, in the Borough, for felons in the county of Surry.

Newington Butts, a village in Surry, extending from the end of Blackman street, to Kennington common, is said to receive the name of Butts, from the exercise of shooting at Butts, much practised, both here and in the other towns of 34England, in the reign of King Henry VIII. &c. to fit men to serve in the regiment of archers. But Mr. Aubrey thinks it received this name from the Butts of Norfolk, who had an estate here. The Drapers and Fishmongers company have almshouses here: and Mr. Whatley observes, that here were planted the first peaches so much esteemed, distinguished by the name of Newington peaches. The church here, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Winchester, and the profits arising to the Incumbent amount to about 140l. per annum. Maitland. See Stoke Newington.

Newington Green, a pleasant village between Islington and Stoke Newington, chiefly consisting of a handsome square of a considerable extent surrounded by houses which are in general well built; before each side is a row of trees, and an extensive grass plat in the middle. It is in the parish of Stoke Newington; on one side of the ground is a meeting house. See Stoke Newington.

New Inn, contiguous to St. Clement’s Inn, in Wych street, is one of the Inns of Chancery, and was founded about the year 1485, for the reception of the students 35of an Inn of Chancery, at the south east corner of Seacoal lane.

New Inn is an appendage to the Middle Temple, and is governed by a Treasurer and twelve Ancients, who, with the other members, are to be in commons a week every term, or to compound for the same. Maitland.

New Palace yard, by Union street, Westminster. When King Richard II. rebuilt Westminster Hall in the year 1397, that part was called the New Palace, and being inclosed with a wall, it had four gates, of which that leading to Westminster stairs is the only one now standing. The three others that have been 36demolished were, one on the north, which led to the Woolstaple; another to the west, a beautiful and stately edifice called High Gate, at the east end of Union street; and another at the north end of St. Margaret’s lane. Maitland.

New Passage, 1. Bull and Mouth street, St. Martin’s le Grand. 2. Newgate market.

Newport Market, Litchfield street, a square with shops round it, with a market house in the middle, in which are shops for butchers, &c.

New Prison, near the east end of Clerkenwell green, is a house of correction for the county of Middlesex, in which rogues and vagabonds are kept to hard labour. It was erected in the year 1615.

New River. Various were the projects in the reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and King James I. for supplying the city of London with a sufficient quantity of water, for domestic uses: the former granted an act of parliament, which gave the citizens liberty to cut and convey a river from any part of Middlesex or Hertfordshire to the city of London, within the limited time of ten years; and the latter granted another act, in which they obtained the same power, but without being confined to any limited time: nobody however began this great and important work, till at last Sir Hugh Middleton undertook to bring a river from Amwell in Hertfordshire to the north side of London near Islington.

The work began on the 20th of September 1608, and was attended with innumerable difficulties. The distance from London is twenty miles, and he was obliged, in order to avoid the eminences and vallies in the way, to make it run a course of thirty-eight miles three quarters and sixteen poles, and to carry it over 38two vallies in long wooden frames or troughs lined with lead; that at Buthill, being six hundred and sixty feet in length, and thirty in height; under which, for the passage of the land waters is an arch capacious enough to admit under it the largest waggon laden with hay, or straw: the other near Highbury is four hundred and sixty-two feet long, and seventeen in height, where it is raised along the top of high artificial banks, and at the bottom of the hollow supported by poles, so that any person may walk under it. In short over and under this river, which sometimes rises thus high, and at others is conveyed under ground, runs several considerable currents of land waters, and both above and below it a great number of brooks, rills, and water courses have their passage.

This river, which is of inestimable benefit to London, was by this truly great man brought to the city within the space of five years, and was admitted into the reservoir near Islington on Michaelmas day 1613; on which day Sir Thomas Middleton, brother to the great Sir Hugh, was elected Lord Mayor for the ensuing year, who accompanying Sir John Swinerton, then Lord Mayor, attended by many of the Aldermen, the Recorder, and 39other gentlemen, repaired to the bason, now called New River Head, when about sixty labourers, handsomely dressed, and wearing green caps, carrying spades, shovels, and pickaxes, marched, preceded by drums and trumpets, thrice round the bason, when stopping before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and other gentlemen, who were seated upon an eminence, one of the labourers addressed himself to them in a long copy of verses, which being ended, the sluices were opened, and the stream ran plentifully into the reservoir, under the sound of drums and trumpets, the discharge of several pieces of ordnance, and the loud acclamations of the people.

Sir Hugh Middleton, to enable himself to complete this grand work, had at last, after spending his own fortune, been obliged to apply to King James I. who advancing a sum of money became entitled to a moiety of the profits; he was also obliged to sell many other shares, and in short, was in a manner entirely ruined by a project, that has been attended with unspeakable benefit to this city: since by the water of this river, a speedy stop has been put to a great number of dreadful fires, and the health of the city has been remarkably preserved by the cleanliness it 40has introduced among us. Yet so little was the great advantages that might then, and are now derived from this river, at that time understood, that for above thirty years there were not divided above 5l. odd money, to each of the shares, which are seventy-two in number.

This river now draws most of its water from the Lee, which being the property of the city of London, that corporation, contrary to the interest of the city in general, opposed a bill brought into parliament for giving farther powers to the New River company, to take the advantage that might be obtained by the river Lee: but the opposition was without effect, and in 1738–9 the bill passed into a law.

The Governors of the New River company then agreed with the proprietors of the lands on the river Lee for a cut of two cubic feet of water from that river, at a certain rate; and after the agreement, told them they would double the price for a four foot cut, which the proprietors agreed to, not considering the great disproportion between the two cuts; and this cut of the river Lee now supplies the largest share of the New River water.

In this river there are forty three 41sluices, and over it two hundred and fifteen bridges. On its approaching the reservoir, called New River Head, there are several small houses erected at a considerable distance from each other on its banks, into which the water runs and is conveyed by pipes to the nearer and more easterly parts of this metropolis. On its entering the above reservoir, it is there ingulphed by fifty-eight main pipes, each of seven inches bore; and here also an engine worked by horses, throws a great quantity of water up to another reservoir, situated on much higher ground, from which the water runs in pipes to supply the highest ground in the city, and its liberties. Many years ago 30,000 houses were thus supplied by this water, and since that time several main pipes have been laid to carry it into the liberties of Westminster.

This corporation consists of a Governor, Deputy Governor, Treasurer, and twenty-six Directors, these twenty-nine are the proprietors of the first thirty-six shares: for though the Crown’s moiety is in private hands, yet they have no share in the management. The above Governor and Directors keep their office at a coffee-house in Ludgate street where every Thursday they hold a board for appointing 42of officers, granting of leases, and redressing of grievances.

The officers and servants belonging to the company are, a clerk and his assistant; a surveyor and his deputy; fourteen collectors, who, after deducting 5l. per cent. for collecting the company’s rents, pay their money every Thursday to the treasurer; fourteen walksmen, who have their several walks along the river, to prevent throwing into it filth, or infectious matter; sixteen turncocks; twelve paviours; twenty borers of pipes; besides horse engines for boring of others, together with a great number of inferior servants and labourers.

New square, 1. Lincoln’s Inn. 2. In the Minories. 3. New street, St. Thomas’s, Southwark.

New street, 1. Bishopsgate street. 2. Cambridge street. 3. Cloth Fair, Smithfield. 4. Dyot street, St. Giles’s. 5. Horselydown. 6. Fore street, Lambeth. 7. Fox’s lane, Shadwell. 8. Lower Shadwell. 9. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross. 10. Old street. 11. Queen street, in the Mint. 12. Shoe lane, Fleet street. 13. Shoemaker row, Black Friars. 14. Spring Gardens, Charing Cross. 15. St. Thomas’s 43Southwark. 16. Threadneedle street. 17. Upper Shadwell.

St. Nicholas Acons, a church which stood on the west side of Nicholas lane, in Langbourn ward, owed its name to its dedication to St. Nicholas, a citizen of Lycia in Asia Minor, who, though only a private housekeeper, was, from the caprice of the electors, chosen Bishop of Myræa; for the Bishops and Priests interested in the election not agreeing about 44the choice, came to an unanimous resolution that whatever person should first enter the church the next day, should be elected Bishop: when Nicholas repairing early next morning, to perform his devotions, being the first that entered, was chosen Bishop, pursuant to the above resolution; in which office his deportment was such, as to procure him a place among the class of saints.

The church being destroyed with most of the other public buildings by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of St. Edmund the King. Newc. Repert. Eccles.

St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, on the south side of Old Fish street, in Queenhithe ward, is thus denominated from its dedication to the above-mentioned saint, but the reason of the additional epithet is not known, some conjecturing that it is a corruption of Golden Abbey, and others that it is derived from Cold Abbey, or Coldbey, from its cold or bleak situation. It is known that there was a church in the same place before the year 1383: but the last structure being consumed in the great conflagration in 1666, the present church 45was built in its place, and the parish of St. Nicholas Olave united to it.

This edifice consists of a plain body well enlightened by a single range of windows decently ornamented. It is sixty-three feet long, and forty-three broad; thirty-six feet high to the roof, and an hundred thirty-five to the top of the spire. The tower is plain, but strengthened with rustic at the corners; and the spire, which is of the massy kind, has a gallery, and many openings.

The advowson of this church, which was anciently in the Dean and Chapter of St. Martin’s le Grand, is now in the Crown. The Rector, besides his other profits, receives 130l. a year in lieu of tithes. Maitland.

St. Nicholas Shambles, a church formerly situated at the corner of Butcher hall lane, took its additional epithet from the flesh market, which before the fire of London extended along Newgate street. This church with its ornaments was given by King Henry VIII. to the Mayor and Commonalty of the city, towards the maintenance of the new parish church then to be erected in the Grey Friars. Maitland.

46Nicholas’s Almshouse, in Monkwell street, was founded in the year 1575, by Sir Ambrose Nicholas, citizen and salter, for the accommodation of twelve widows of his company, to each of whom he allowed 1s. per week, and twenty-four bushels of coals a year. This charity he committed in trust to the company of Salters; the house was however destroyed in the great conflagration in 1666; but was soon after rebuilt, and each widow allowed two neat rooms and a garret. Maitland.

Nicoll’s court, 1. Rosemary lane, Little Tower hill.† 2. Sharp’s alley.†

Noah’s Ark alley, Narrow street, Ratcliff.* Noble street, 1. Foster lane, Cheapside.† 2. Goswell street, by Aldersgate bars.†

Nonesuch, in Surry, is situated near Sutton and Epsom, and was formerly called Cuddington, 47till a most magnificent palace was erected there, by Henry VIII. which obtained the name of Nonesuch from its unparallelled beauty. The learned Hentzner, in his Itinerarium, speaking of this palace, says, that it was chosen for his pleasure and retirement, and built by him with an excess of magnificence and elegance even to ostentation: one would imagine every thing that architecture can perform to have been employed in this one work: there are every where so many statues that seem to breathe, so many miracles of consummate art, so many casts that rival even the perfection of Roman antiquity, that it may well claim and justify its name of Nonesuch.

The palace itself is so encompassed with parks full of deer, delightful gardens, groves ornamented with trellis work, cabinets of verdure, and walks so embrowned by trees, that it seems to be a place pitched upon by Pleasure herself, to dwell in along with Health.

In the pleasure and artificial gardens are many columns and pyramids of marble, two fountains that spout water one round the other, like a pyramid, upon which are perched small birds that stream water out of their bills: in the grove of Diana is a very agreeable fountain, with Actæon turned into a stag, as he was sprinkled 48by the goddess and her nymphs, with inscriptions.

There is besides another pyramid of marble full of concealed pipes, which spirt upon all who come within their reach.

Such was this palace and gardens when Hentzner wrote, but King Charles II. gave it to the Duchess of Cleveland, who pulled it down and sold the materials; wherewith a new house was built by the Earl of Berkley, which was the seat of the late Earl of Guildford, and is now called Durdans; and Nonesuch, though it gives the title of Baron to the Duke of Cleveland, is now only a farm house.

Norfolk street, in the Strand. The bishop of Bath’s palace in the Strand, was afterwards, says Maitland, the Earl of Arundel’s, whence Arundel and Norfolk streets had their names.

North End, a pleasant village near Hammersmith, where are the handsome house and finely disposed gardens of the Earl of Tilney, and of the late Sir John Stanley.

Northall, a village on the north side of Enfield Chace, three miles north of High Barnet, is said to be corruptly so called from Northaw, or the North Grove, here being a wood that belonged to the monastery of St. Alban’s. A noble house was built here in the reign of Queen Elizabeth by Henry Dudley Earl of Warwick; after whose death it came to several possessors, and being sold to William Leman, descended to Sir William Leman his grandson, who has given the rent of the wells to the poor of the parish. King James I. also gave 40l. a year to the town in lieu of the ground he laid into his park, at Theobald’s out of the common.

North street, 1. Lamb street, Spitalfields. 2. Poplar. 3. Smith Square, Westminster.

Northumberland court, 1. Southampton buildings, Chancery lane. 2. In the strand.

Northumberland House, derives its name from the title of the ancient and noble family, in whose possession it has been above 100 years. It is the town residence of the Right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Northumberland, and one of the largest and most magnificent houses in London. It was originally built very early in the reign of James I. by Henry Howard Earl of Northampton; and it is reasonable to infer from some letters discovered in the front when it was lately rebuilt, that one Miles Glover was the architect.

At first it consisted only of three sides of a square; one of which faced the street near Charing Cross, and the other two extended towards the Thames. The entrance was then, as it is now, thro’ a spacious arched gateway for coaches in the middle of the street front; and, what is remarkable, the principal apartments were in the third or highest story. During the life of the aforesaid Lord, it was called Northampton House, after his death it became the property of his near relation the Earl of Suffolk; in whose time it does not appear to have undergone any change except in name; for it was thereupon called Suffolk House.

51In the reign of Charles I. Algernon Earl Of Northumberland, the Lord High Admiral of England, married Lord Suffolk’s daughter, and about the year 1642, became the proprietor of this house; from which time it has been well known by the name it now bears. To prevent mistakes, we beg leave to observe, that the Northumberland House, which is often mentioned in history before this period, stood in Aldersgate ward in the city, and was formerly, what this house is at present, the town seat of the Earls of Northumberland. But to return.

When London became more populous, and the buildings about Charing Cross daily increased, ‘twas found inconvenient to live in the apartments, which had been built by Lord Northampton; because they were greatly disturbed by the hurry and noise of passengers and coaches in the street. To avoid therefore that inconvenience, the aforesaid Earl of Northumberland compleated the square by building the fourth side; which being parallel and opposite to that next the street, is placed at a sufficient distance from the aforesaid disturbances, and almost enjoys all the advantages of retirement and a country seat. Inigo Jones appears to have been the architect employed 52for that purpose, and the front of the new side, which he built facing the garden, is very grand and stately, as the reader may see from the perspective view of it, annexed to this account.

Perhaps it will please some of our readers to be informed, that Lord Northumberland received General Monk, and had a conference with him and several of the leading men in the nation in one of these apartments. At which meeting the King’s restoration was for the first time proposed in direct terms, as a measure absolutely necessary to the peace of the kingdom.

In the year 1682, Charles Duke of Somerset married the Lady Elizabeth Percy, the daughter and heiress of Josceline Earl of Northumberland, and by that means became possessed of this house. Upon his death it descended to his son Algernon, by the aforesaid Lady, who succeeded to the title and a very large estate in 1748. His Grace immediately began to make alterations in some of the apartments, and to rebuild the front next the street; but, dying the year after, he did not live sufficient time to finish either.

The house in that condition, descended to his son-in-law and daughter, the present 53Earl and Countess of Northumberland; and it is in a great measure owing to the improvements, made by them at a very great expence and in a very fine taste, that Northumberland House is become a building so complete and stately, as to be generally admired for its elegance and grandeur.

The street was immediately made wider, and the front next to it compleated, as it appears in the print prefixed to this description. The four sides of the court were new faced with Portland stone, and finished in the Roman stile of architecture, so as to form as it were four stately fronts. Two new wings were also added, being above 100 feet in length, and extending from the garden front, towards the Thames. By means of these additions Northumberland House is more than twice as large as it was, when first built by Lord Northampton.

The entrance into it is on the side of the court opposite to the great gateway; the vestibule is about 82 feet long, and more than 12 feet broad, being properly ornamented with columns of the Doric order. Each end of it communicates with a stair case, leading to the principal apartments, which face the garden and the Thames. They consist of several spacious 54rooms, fitted up in the most elegant manner. The ceilings are embellished with copies of antique paintings, or fine ornaments of stucco, richly gilt. The chimney pieces consist of statuary and other curious marble, carved and finished in the most correct taste. The rooms are hung either with beautiful tapestry or the richest damasks, and magnificently furnished with large glasses, chairs, settees, marble tables, &c. with frames of the most exquisite workmanship, and richly gilt. They also contain a great variety of landscapes, history pieces, and portraits, painted by Titian and the most eminent masters. In some of the rooms may be seen large chests, embellished with old genuine japan; which being great rarities, are almost invaluable.

The company passes thro’ many of these apartments to the left wing, which forms a state gallery or ball room, admirable in every respect, whether we consider the dimensions, the taste, and masterly manner in which it is finished, or the elegant magnificence of the furniture.

It is 106 feet long, the breadth being a fourth part of the length, and the height equal to the diagonal of the square of the breadth; which proportions are esteemed to be the most proper for a gallery. 55The ceiling is coved and ornamented with figures and festoons richly gilt. To avoid repetitions, we beg leave once for all to say the same of the other decorations and frames of the furniture; for there is such a variety of gilding in the different parts of the gallery, that it would be endless to mention it in every particular description. But to proceed, the flat part of the ceiling is divided into five compartments, ornamented with fine imitations of some antique figures, as, a flying Fame blowing a trumpet; a Diana; a triumphal car drawn by two horses; a Flora; and a Victory holding out a laurel wreath. The entablature is Corinthian, and of most exquisite workmanship. The light is admitted thro’ nine windows in the side next the garden, being equidistant from one another, and in the same horizontal direction. Above these is another row of windows, which, tho’ not visible in the room, are so artfully placed as to throw a proper quantity of light over the cornice, so that the highest parts of the room are as much enlightened as the lowest, and the pictures on the opposite side are free from that confused glare, which would arise from a less judicious disposition. In the spaces between the windows, there are 56tables of antique marble, and stools covered with crimson damask, placed alternately. The piers are also ornamented with large square and oval glasses, arranged in the aforesaid order; the frames of which form a beautiful variety of foliage to adorn the higher parts quite up to the entablature.

Let us now pass over to the opposite side, which is divided into three large spaces by two chimney pieces made of statuary marble, with cornices supported by figures of Phrygian captives, copied from those in the Capitol at Rome, and executed in a very masterly manner. The finishing above the chimney pieces consists of terms, sphinxes, festoons, &c. and within the spaces formed by these ornaments are placed whole length portraits of the Earl and Countess of Northumberland in their robes.

That the three grand divisions of this side might be furnished in an elegant manner, his Lordship employed the most eminent masters to copy five of the most admired paintings in Italy, which are placed as follows: in the middle and largest division is Raphael’s celebrated school of Athens, copied from the original in the Vatican by Raphael Mengs. In the two other divisions on the right and left hand side 57of the former are placed the feast and council of the Gods, which were also painted by Raphael, and copied by Pompeio Battoni from the originals in the Little Farnese. The two ends of the gallery are ornamented with the triumphal procession of Bacchus and Ariadne (originally painted by Annibal Caracci in the Farnese palace) and Guido’s Aurora. The former was copied by Felice Costansi, and the latter by Masuccio, a scholar of Carlo Maratti, from the original in the Villa Rospigliosi. All these pictures are very large, being exactly of the same dimensions with the originals, and are copied in a very masterly manner. We heartily wish his Lordship’s taste in procuring them may incite those, who can afford it, to follow the example, and purchase copies of such paintings as are universally admired; for by these means not only private curiosity would be gratified, but the public taste also greatly improved.

Under the aforesaid pictures are placed large sophas, covered with crimson damask and richly ornamented. This gallery is lighted up for the reception of company in the evenings, by means of four glass lustres, consisting in all of as many branches as will receive 100 large wax candles, and suspended from the ceiling 58by long chains, magnificently gilt. We shall close our imperfect account of this stately gallery, by wishing that it was in the power of words to describe the fine effects, which arise from a view of its numberless beauties.

Besides the apartments already mentioned, there are above 140 rooms more in this house; which, being so numerous, and chiefly appropriated to the private uses of the family, cannot be particularly described in a work of this nature; however, we must add, that Lord and Lady Northumberland’s apartments are very commodious and elegantly furnished; her Ladyship’s closet is even a repository of curiosities, and, amongst other valuable things, contains so fine a collection of pictures, as to afford a most pleasing and almost endless entertainment to a connoisseur. The two libraries also consist of a great variety of books on the most useful and curious subjects, collected with judgement.

We have hitherto endeavoured to give some idea of the gradual improvements, by which Northumberland House acquired its present grandeur and magnificence; but we cannot take our leave of it without conducting, as it were, the reader into the garden, where he may enjoy the 59quiet and tranquility of the country amidst the noise and distraction of the town, and contrast the simple beauties of nature, with the stately productions of art.

It lies between the house and the Thames, and forms a pleasing piece of scenery before the principal apartments; for it consists of a fine lawn surrounded with a neat gravel walk, and bounded next the walls by a border of curious flowers, shrubs and ever-greens. At the end of the garden beyond the wall, were a few buildings which his Lordship ordered to be taken down, to open a larger prospect across the Thames to Southwark, and into the country behind it. And, as the horizon is finely diversified with hills, which when every thing is compleated, will appear as it were in the back scene, the view will command a very beautiful landscape.

Northumberland street, a handsome street now building in the Strand, by Northumberland House, down to the Thames, the houses in Hartshorn alley being pulled down for that purpose.

Norton Falgate, a street which extends from the end of Bishopsgate without to Shoreditch.

Oatlands, adjoining to Weybridge in Surry, is the seat of the Earl of Lincoln. The park is about four miles round. The house is situated about the middle of the terrace, whose majestic grandeur, and the beautiful landscape which it commands, words cannot describe, nor the pencil delineate 61so as to give an adequate idea of this fine scene.

The serpentine river which you look down upon from the terrace, though artificial, appears as beautiful as it could do were it natural; and a stranger who did not know the place would conclude it to be the Thames, in which opinion he would be confirmed by the view of Walton bridge over that river, which by a happy contrivance is made to look like a bridge over it, and closes the prospect that way finely.

St. Olave’s Hart street, situated at the south side of Hart street in Tower street ward, is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Olave, or Olaus, King of Norway, who from his strong attachment to the Christian religion, took part in the disputes with the English and Danes; for this, together with his supporting 62Christianity in his own dominions, and his sufferings on that account, he stands sainted in the Roman calendar.

A church stood in the same place, dedicated to the same royal patron, before the year 1319. The present structure is of considerable antiquity, for it escaped the flames in 1666, and since that time has had several repairs and additions, among which last is the portico; this is no small ornament, though it is not well adapted to the edifice. This portico was added in the year 1674.

This is a mixed building, with respect to its materials, as well as its form, part being of square stone, part of irregular stone, and part of brick. The body, which is square, is fifty-four feet in length, and the same in breadth; the height of the roof is thirty feet, and that of the steeple sixty. The windows are large and gothic, and every thing plain except the portico, which is formed of Corinthian pilasters, with an arched pediment. The tower, which consists of a single stage above the roof, is also extremely plain, and the turret wherewith it is crowned is well proportioned.

The patronage of this rectory has all along been in private hands. The Incumbent, besides several annual donations, 63and other profits, receives 120l. a year in tithes.

Mr. Weaver in his funeral monuments, mentions the following very whimsical one in this church, for Dame Anne, the wife of Sir John Ratcliff, Knt. which is to be read both downwards and upwards,

Mr. Munday, in his edition of Stow’s survey, mentions another here, which though of a different kind, appears equally extraordinary.

St. Olave’s Jewry, situated on the west side of the Old Jewry, in Coleman street ward, was anciently denominated St. Olave’s Upwell, from its dedication to the saint of that name, and probably from a well under the east end, wherein a pump is now placed; but that gave way to the 64name of Jewry, owing to this neighbourhood’s becoming the principal residence of the Jews in this city.

Here was a parish church so early as the year 1181; the last sacred edifice was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present finished in 1673. It consists of a well enlightened body, seventy-eight feet in length, and twenty-four in breadth; the height to the roof is thirty-six feet, and that of the tower and pinacles eighty-eight. The door is well proportioned, and of the Doric order, covered with an arched pediment. On the upper part of the tower, which is very plain, rises a cornice supported by scrolls; and upon this plain attic course, on the pillars at the corners, are placed the pinacles, standing on balls, and each terminated on the top by a ball.

This church, tho’ anciently a rectory, is now a vicarage in the gift of the Crown; and the parish of St. Martin, Ironmonger lane, is now united to it, by which the Incumbent’s profits are considerably increased; he receives besides other profits, 120l. a year in lieu of tithes.

St. Olave’s Silver street, stood at the south west corner of Silver street, in Aldersgate ward; but being consumed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish 65is annexed to the neighbouring church of St. Alban’s Wood street.

St. Olave’s Southwark, is situated in Tooley street, near the south end of London bridge. Tho’ the time when a church was first erected in this place cannot be discovered, yet it appears to be of considerable antiquity, since it is mentioned so early as the year 1281. However, part of the old church falling down in 1736, and the rest being in a ruinous condition, the parishioners applied to parliament for a power to rebuild it, which being granted, they were thereby enabled to raise the sum of 5000l. by a rate of 6d. in the pound, to be levied out of the rents of all lands and tenements within the parish; accordingly the church was taken down in the summer of the year 1737, and the present structure finished in 1739.

It consists of a plain body strengthened with rustic quoins at the corners; the door is well proportioned without ornament, and the windows are placed in three series; the lowest is upright, but considerably broad; those above them circular, and others on the roof are large and semicircular. The tower consists of three stages; the uppermost of which is considerably diminished; in this is the clock, and in the stages below are large windows. The top of the tower is surrounded by a plain substantial 66balustrade, and the whole has an air of plainness and simplicity.

It is a rectory in the gift of the Crown, and the Incumbent’s profits are said to amount to about 400l. per annum.

Old Artillery Ground, Artillery lane, Spitalfields. See the article Artillery Ground.

Old Bailey, a street which extends from Ludgate hill to the top of Snow hill, by Newgate. On the upper part near Fleet lane, the street is divided into two by a middle row of buildings, whence that towards the west is called Little Old Bailey, and the other to the eastward, is called Great Old Bailey. This street from Ludgate hill to Fleet lane, is in the liberties of the Fleet. In the upper part is Justice Hall commonly called the Sessions house, and in the lower part Surgeons Hall. Maitland observes, that the Old Bailey took its name from the Bale or Bailiff’s house, formerly standing there.

Old Barge House stairs lane, near Angel street, and almost opposite the Temple.

Old Bear Garden, Maid lane, Southwark; thus named from a bear garden formerly there.

67Old Bedlam, or Old Bethlem, Bishopsgate street. See the article Bethlem Hospital.

Old Bedlam lane, Bishopsgate street, near Moorfields, where Bethlem hospital formerly stood.

Old Change, extends from Cheapside to Old Fish street. Here was formerly kept the King’s exchange for the receipt of bullion to be coined. Maitland.

Old Fish street, Knightrider’s street; so called from a fish market being formerly kept there. Maitland.

Old Gravel lane, Ratcliff highway; so 68called from its being anciently a way through which carts laden with gravel from the neighbouring fields, used to pass to the river Thames, where it was employed in ballasting of ships, before ballast was taken out of the river.

Old Jewry in the Poultry. This street was originally called the Jewry, from its being the residence of the Jews in this city; but the Jews being banished by Edward I. they upon their readmission into England, settled in this city near Aldgate, in a place from them called Poor Jewry lane, on which occasion this, their ancient place of abode, was called the Old Jewry. Maitland.

Old Palace yard, by St. Margaret’s lane, Westminster, was built by Edward the Confessor, or, as others say, by William 69Rufus, and received the name of Old on the building of New Palace yard. See New Palace yard.

Old street, a street of great length, beginning at Goswell street, and extending east towards Shoreditch. It received its ancient name of Eald street, or Old street, from the Saxons, as being situated along the Roman Military Way, at a considerable distance north of London, though it is now joined to this metropolis. Maitland.

Orange court, 1. Castle street, Leicester fields, 2. King’s street, Soho, 3. Wapping.

Orange street, 1. Castle street, Leicester fields, 2. Lowman’s street, Gravel lane. 3. Red Lion square, Holborn. 4. Swallow street. 5. Sun Tavern fields.

The Orchard, 1. Bread street, Ratcliff. 2. Butcher row. 3. Limehouse causeway. 4. New street, Shadwell. 5. In Wapping. 6. Near Wapping.

Orchard street, 1. Near the Stable yard, Westminster, from the royal orchard formerly there. 2. Windmill street.

Office of Ordnance, in the Tower. This office is a modern building, a little to the north east of the white tower; and to the 71officers belonging to it, all other offices for supplying artillery, arms, ammunition, or other warlike stores to any part of the British dominions, are accountable; and from this office all orders for the disposition of warlike materials are issued. It is therefore of very great importance, as it has under its care the ammunition necessary for the defence of the kingdom, and the protection of our allies.

In ancient times before the invention of guns, this office was supplied by officers under the following names; the Bowyer, the Cross Bowyer, the Galeator, or Purveyor of helmets, the Armourer, and the Keeper of the tents; and in this state it continued till King Henry VIII. placed it under the management of a Master, a Lieutenant, a Surveyor, &c. as it still continues with some improvements.

The office of ordnance is now divided into two branches, the civil and the military; the latter being subordinate and under the authority of the former.

The principal officer in the civil branch of the office of ordnance is the Master General, who has a salary of 1500l. per annum, and is invested with a peculiar jurisdiction over all his Majesty’s engineers employed in the several fortifications of this kingdom, to whom they 72are all accountable, and from whom they receive their particular orders and instructions, according to the directions and commands given by his Majesty and council.

The Lieutenant General, who receives all orders and warrants signed by the Master General, and from the other principal officers, and sees them duly executed; issues orders, as the occasions of the state may require; and gives directions for discharging the great guns, when required at coronations, on birth days, festivals, signal victories, and other solemn occasions. It is also his peculiar office to see the train of artillery, and all its equipage fitted for motion, when ordered to be drawn into the field. He has a salary of 1100l. per annum; and under him is a clerk in ordinary, who has 150l. a year; an inferior clerk, and a clerk extraordinary, who have each 40l. a year.

The Surveyor inspects the stores and provisions of war in the custody of the Storekeeper, and sees that they are ranged and placed in such order as is most proper for their preservation. He allows all bills of debt, and keeps a check upon all artificers and labourers work; sees that the stores received be good and serviceable, duly proved, and marked, if they ought 73to be so, with the King’s mark, taking to his assistance the rest of the officers and Proof Masters. His salary is 700l. per annum.

As his post necessarily makes some assistance necessary, he has under him the Proof Master of England, who has 150l. a year. Two clerks of the fortifications, who have 60l. a year each, and another of 40l. Besides, in this time of war he has under him six extra clerks, who have each 40l. a year; and another who has 4s. 6d. a day.

The Clerk of the ordnance records all orders and instructions given for the government of the office; all patents and grants; the names of all officers, clerks, artificers, attendants, gunners, labourers, &c. who enjoy those grants, or any other fee for the same; draws all estimates for provisions and supplies to be made, and all letters, instructions, commissions, deputations, and contracts for his Majesty’s service; makes all bills of imprest, and debentures, for the payment and satisfaction for work done, and provisions received in the said office; all quarter books for the salaries and allowances of all officers, clerks, &c. belonging to the office; and keeps journals and ledgers of the receipts and returns of his Majesty’s 74stores, to serve as a check between the two accomptants of the office, the one for money, and the other for stores. His salary is 500l. per annum, and 100l. a year for being a check on the Storekeeper.

The great business of this officer is managed, under him, by six clerks in ordinary, one of whom has 180l. a year, another 150l. two 60l. a year, one 50l. and one 4s. a day: and he has at present thirteen clerks extraordinary, who have 40l. a year each. There are besides under him a ledger keeper to the out ports, and a home ledger keeper, who have 60l. a year.

The Storekeeper takes into his custody all his Majesty’s ordnance, munitions and stores belonging thereto, and indents and puts them in legal security, after they have been surveyed of by the Surveyor: any part of which he must not deliver, without a warrant signed by the proper officers; nor must he receive back any stores formerly issued, till they have been reviewed by the Surveyor, and registered by the Clerk of the ordnance in the book of remains: and he must take care that whatever is under his custody be kept safe, and in such readiness as to be fit for service upon the most peremptory 75command. His salary is 400l. per annum.

The Storekeeper has under his command three clerks in ordinary, one of whom has 150l. and another 60l. per annum, and also three extra clerks, each at 40l. a year.

The Clerk of the deliveries draws all orders for delivery of any stores, and sees them duly executed: he also charges by indenture the particular receiver of the stores delivered; and, in order to discharge the Storekeeper, he registers the copies of all warrants for the deliveries, as well as the proportions delivered. His salary is 400l. a year.

The above officer has under him two clerks in ordinary, one who has 150l. and another who has 70l. per annum, and also four clerks extraordinary who have each 40l. a year.

The Treasurer and Paymaster receives and pays all monies, both salaries and debentures in and belonging to this office. His salary is 500l. a year.

The above officer is assisted in his double employment of receiving and paying by three clerks in ordinary, one of whom has 150l. another 60l. and another 50l. per annum, and by three clerks 76extraordinary, each of whom has 40l. a year.

In this office there are likewise two Proof Masters, who have 20l. a year each; a Clerk of the works, who has 120l. a year; a Purveyor for the land, who has 100l. a year; a Purveyor for the sea, who has 40l. a year; an Architect, who has 120l. a year; an Astronomical Observator, who has 100l. a year, and some other officers.

In the other part of this office termed the Military Branch of the Ordnance, is a Chief Engineer, who has 501l. 17s. 4d. a year; a Director, who has 365l. per annum; eight engineers in ordinary, who have 10s. a day; eight engineers extraordinary at 6s. a day; eleven sub-engineers, at 73l. a year each; and sixteen pract. engineers, at 3s. a day.——See an account of the arms belonging to this office under the article Tower.

Ormond’s mews, 1. Duke street, Piccadilly. 2. Great Ormond street, Red Lion street, Holborn.

Ruins, by Harvey, with Christ and the woman of Canaan, by J. Vanderbank, sky and trees by Wotton.

Three boys, viz. Christ, John the Baptist, and an angel, of the school of Rubens or Vandyke.

St. Cecilia in a circle of flowers, by Philippo Laura, in the manner of Domenichino, the flowers by Mario di Fiori.

A landscape with the flight into Egypt, by Antonio (called Gobbo) Caracci, figures by Domenichino.

Shakespear, in crayons, by Vandergucht, from the only original picture, which is in the possession of Lady Carnarvon.

80Dead game, by De Koning, with a man, by Luca Jordano; but some are of opinion the whole piece is by L. Jordano.

A circle of flowers, by Baptist; with Christ and the woman of Samaria, by Cheron.

Christ crowned with thorns, with the reed in his hand, of the school of Caracci.

86Lot going out of Sodom, and Abraham with three Angels, two drawings, by Cheron.

A landscape, with a Magdalen in it, by Albani, or Bartolom. Breenberg in imitation of him.

Decollation of St. John the Baptist, by Mich. Angelo da Carravagio, or Valentini.

The holy child Jesus in the arms of Joseph, by Giuseppe del Solo, a disciple of Carlo Cignani.

An ascension, the finished sketch for the King’s chapel at Versailles, by Jouvenet.

Two sketches, after Tintoret, one the trial of Christ, the other leading him away.

Court of Orphans. This court is occasionally held at Guildhall, by the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, who are guardians to the children of freemen under the age of twenty-one years at the decease of their fathers, and take upon them not only the management of their goods and chattels, but likewise that of their persons, by placing them under the care of tutors, to prevent disposing of themselves 98during their minority, without their approbation.

By this court the common serjeant is authorised to take exact accounts and inventories of all the deceased freemen’s estates; and the youngest attorney of the Lord Mayor’s court being clerk to that of the orphans, is appointed to take securities for their several portions, in the name of the Chamberlain of London, who is a corporation of himself, for the service of the said orphans; and to whom a recognizance or bond, made upon the account of an orphan, shall by the custom of London, descend to his successor.

It may not be improper to add, that when a freeman dies and leaves children in their minority, the clerks of the several parishes are according to a law of the city, to give in their names to the common crier, who is immediately to summon the widow, or executor, to appear before the court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen, to bring an inventory of, and security for the testator’s estate; for which two months time is commonly allowed: and, in case of non-appearance, or refusal of security, the Lord Mayor may commit the contumacious executor to Newgate. Lex Lond.

Owen’s Almshouse, near the south end of 99Islington, was erected by the company of Brewers, in the year 1610, for ten poor widows of the parish of St. Mary’s Islington, pursuant to the will of the Lady Alice Owen, who allowed each widow 3l. 16s. per annum, three yards of cloth for a gown every other year, and 6l. to be laid out annually in coals for the use of the whole.

Oxford court, 1. Camomile street. 2. Salter’s Hall court, Swithin’s lane. Here was anciently the house of the Prior of Torrington in Suffolk, which afterwards fell to the Earls of Oxford; but that edifice being at length demolished, and this court built in its room, it retained the name of the former possessor. 3. Oxford street.

Oxford market, Oxford street, so called from its being on the estate of the late Earl of Oxford.

Oxford street, St. Giles’s pound. This street, the market, and court of the same name, are all on the estate of the late Earl of Oxford.

Packington’s Almshouse, in White Friars, Fleet street, commonly called Clothworkers almshouses, was founded by the Lady Anne Packington, relict of Sir John Packington, Chirographer of the court of Common Pleas, about the year 1560, for the accommodation of eight poor women, each of whom receives annually of the Clothworkers company, who have the trust of this charity, the sum of 4l. nine bushels of coals, and new apparel every third year. Maitland.

Packthread ground, 1. Bandy Leg walk. 2. End of Barnaby street. 3. Coleman street. 4. Gravel lane. 5. Near Maiden lane.

Pain’s hill, near Cobham, in Surry, is the 101seat of the Honourable Charles Hamilton, who has made great improvements, by inclosing a large tract of barren land, which though so poor as to produce nothing but heath and broom, he has so well cultivated and adorned, that few places are equal to it. The whole place is about five miles round; it is laid out in the modern taste, and planted with a beautiful variety of trees, plants, and flowers. The fine inequalities of the ground give a perpetual variety to the prospects, especially on that side next the river Mole, which river, though it lies lower than the level of the gardens by twenty feet, is brought into them by means of a wheel curiously contrived, which is turned by the river. Every time it turns round it takes up the water and conveys it through a spiral pipe from the circumference of the wheel to the center of it, from whence it is discharged into a trough, and from thence through pipes into the gardens, where by the joint assistance of nature and art, it is formed into a fine winding lake or piece of water, with an island in it, planted and laid out in walks, with bridges over to it of the most simple contrivance, and the whole surrounded with rising grounds, clumps of trees, and hanging woods, in as romantic and picturesque a 102manner as imagination can conceive. These gardens are but lately laid out, and consequently some of the plantations will appear to more advantage as they advance in growth. But the place upon the whole is very beautiful, and extremely well worth seeing.

Painter Stainers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1582; by the name of The Master, Wardens and Commonalty of the freemen of the art and mystery of painting, called Painter Stainers, within the city of London.

This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and nine Assistants, to which belongs a livery of 124 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 14l.

Painter Stainers Hall, in Little Trinity lane, is adorned with a handsome screen, arches, and pilasters of the Corinthian order, painted in imitation of porphyry, with gilt capitals. The pannels are of wainscot, and on the ceiling is finely painted by Fuller, Pallas triumphant, while Art and Fame, attended by Mercury, suppress their enemies, Sloth, Envy, Pride, &c. the other paintings are Endymion 103and Luna, by Palmatier; Orpheus slaying Pan, by Brull; Art and Envy, by Hungis; the portraits of King Charles II. and his Queen Catharine, by Houseman; a portrait of Camden; the fire of London; a piece of architecture of the Corinthian order, by Trevit; another of the Ionic order, given by Mr. Thompson, the city painter; Heraclitus and Democritus, by Penn; a landscape, by Aggas; fish and fowl, by Robinson; a piece of birds, by Barlow; a piece of fruit and flowers, by Everbrook; a ruin, by Griffier; and a fine piece of shipping, by Peter Monumea. There are several other pieces in the parlour.

In the court room are some fine pictures, most of which are portraits of the members of the company; and in the front of the room is a fine bust of Mr. Thomas Evans, who left five houses in Basinghall street to the company.

Mr. Camden, the famous antiquarian, whose father was a painter in the Old Bailey, gave the Painter Stainers company a silver cup and cover, which they use every St. Luke’s day at their election; the old Master drinking to the one then elected, out of it. Upon this cup is the following inscription:

104Gul. Camdenus Clarenceux filius Sampsonis pictoris Londinensis dono dedit. Maitland.

Pallmall, a very handsome street, inhabited by several persons of the first quality, extending from the end of the Haymarket to St. James’s palace.

Palmer’s Almshouse, at Tothill-side, Westminster, was founded by James Palmer, B. D. in the year 1654, for the reception of twelve poor men and women, to each of whom he gave a perpetual annuity of 6l. and a chaldron of coals.

To this building also belongs a school, in which twenty boys are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic; for which the master has an annual salary of 12l. and a chaldron of coals, with a convenient house, and a gown every other year.

Here also is a chapel for the use of the pensioners and scholars, in which the founder himself for some time preached and prayed twice a day to them. Maitland.

Palyn’s Almshouse, in Pesthouse row, near Old street, was founded by George Palyn, citizen and girdler, for six poor members of his company; he also endowed it with an estate of 40l. a year, and 105committed it to the trust of that company. Maitland.

Pancras, a small hamlet in Middlesex, on the north west side of London, in the road to Kentish town. It has a church dedicated to St. Pancras, and called St. Pancras in the Fields, an old plain Gothic structure, with a square tower without a spire. It is a vulgar tradition that this church is of greater antiquity than that of St. Paul’s cathedral, of which it is only a prebend; but this arises from a mistake; for the church of St. Pancras, termed the mother of St. Paul’s, was situated in the city of Canterbury, and was changed from a Pagan temple to a Christian church by St. Austin the monk, in the year 598, when he dedicated it to St. Pancras.

The church yard, is a general burying place for persons of the Romish religion. At a public house on the south side of the church is a medicinal spring.

St. Pancras, a church which stood on the north side of St. Pancras lane, near Queen street, in Cheap ward, owed its name, as did the church mentioned in the above article, to St. Pancras a young Phrygian nobleman, who suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Dioclesian, for his strict adherence to the Christian religion. This church, which was a rectory, 106and one of the peculiars in this city belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, was destroyed by the fire of London, and not being rebuilt, the parish was, by act of parliament, annexed to the church of St. Mary le Bow in Cheapside.

Pannier alley, near Cheapside, leads from Blowbladder street into Pater noster row, and is said to be the highest ground within the city walls. About the middle of the alley, a stone is fixed in the wall in the form of a pedestal, on the side of which is cut in relief a boy riding astride upon a pannier, and this inscription.

Paper buildings, a range of buildings in the Temple, originally built in the year 1607; but being consumed by fire, were rebuilt; in a very handsome manner in 1685. At the north end are painted the figures of the four cardinal virtues.

Paper office, Whitehall. An ancient office under the Secretaries of state, the keeper of which has under his charge all 107the public papers, writings, matters of state and council; all letters, intelligences, negotiations of the King’s public ministers abroad, and in general all the papers and dispatches that pass through the offices of the two Secretaries of state, which are, or ought to be, from time to time transmitted to this office, and remain here, disposed by way of library. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Papey, an hospital which stood at the north end of St. Mary Ax, and was founded by three priests in the year 1430, for a Master, two Wardens, and several Chaplains, Chauntry Priests, &c. It belonged to the brotherhood of St. John the Evangelist and St. Charity. Such priests as were become lame, or in great poverty, were here relieved, and had chambers with a certain allowance of bread, drink, and coals; and one old man, with his wife, was to see them constantly served, and to keep the house clean. This hospital was suppressed in the reign of Edward VI.

Paradise row, 1. Brook’s street, Bond street. 2. Near St. George’s fields. 3. Lambeth. 4. Tottenham Court Road.

Pardon church, a chapel formerly situated to the east of the Bishop of London’s palace, 108in St. Paul’s church yard, in a place at that time known by the name of Pardon Church Haugh. This chapel was erected by Gilbert Becket, sheriff of London, in the reign of King Stephen, and rebuilt in the reign of Henry V. by Thomas More, Dean of St. Paul’s, who also encompassed it with a cloister. On the east side was a handsome library founded by Walter Shiryngton, Chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster. In this chapel were interred several persons, whose monuments, according to Mr. Stow, excelled in curious workmanship those in the neighbouring cathedral, and on the walls were painted the Dance of Death, in imitation of a painting in the cloister of St. Innocent’s church at Paris, with English verses translated out of French by John Lydgate, a famous old poet, by way of explanation.

Park, in Southwark; several streets built upon the spot where the Bishop of Winchester had formerly a park, which joined to his palace.

Parker’s Lane School, situated in Parker’s lane, Drury lane, was founded about the year 1663, by Mr. William Skelton of St. Giles’s in the Fields, for the education of fifty poor boys, thirty-five of whom to be of the parish of St. Giles in the Fields, ten of that of St. Martin in the Fields, and five of St. Paul’s Covent Garden. The Master has a salary of 20l. two chaldrons of coals, and a gown every year, for teaching the children reading, writing, and arithmetic, each of whom has a coat of 6s. price every year; and the surplus arising from the estate is employed in putting them out apprentices. Maitland.

Parliament. This great council, which is the highest and most ancient court of the kingdom, was indifferently denominated 110by the Saxons, Michel Gemote, and Witen Gemote, that is, the great court and council of wise men. Coke’s Institutes.

The first mention we find of this court, is on its being held in this city by Egbert and Withlaf, Kings of Wessex, and Mercia, in the year 833, for deliberating on ways and means to oppose the piratical invasions, and destructive depredations of the Danes. Spelman’s Concilia.

This great council, which was held twice a year before the conquest, consists of the King, the Lords spiritual and temporal, and the Commons: the Lords spiritual, consisting of the two Archbishops, and twenty-four Bishops, sit by virtue of their respective baronies, which they hold in a political capacity: the Lords temporal, who are created by the King’s patent, and therefore cannot be reduced to any certain number, sit by descent, or creation: and the Commons, who amount to 558, consist of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, the representatives of the commonalty of Great Britain; who, by virtue of the King’s writs, are elected by the several counties, cities, and boroughs.

The power of parliament is so great and extensive, that it makes, amends, reduces, revives, and abrogates laws, statutes, 111and ordinances, concerning matters ecclesiastical, civil, and military. None can begin, continue, or dissolve this council, but by the King’s authority.

All the members of parliament sat together till the fiftieth of Edward III. in the year 1377, when the Commons removed to the Chapter-house of Westminster, in the cloister of the Abbey.

For the distinct privileges, and the manner of proceeding in the houses of Lords and Commons, see the articles Lords, and Commons.

Parliament street, a very handsome and spacious new built street, adorned with very handsome buildings. It extends from New Palace yard to the Cockpit.

Pater noster row, extends from Cheapside to Amen corner. This street was anciently so called on account of the number of stationers, or writers who lived there before the invention of the noble art of printing; who wrote and sold the little books most in use in those times of ignorance, as alphabets with the Pater noster, the Ave Maria, the Creed and Graces. In the same place also dwelt the turners of beads for rosaries, who were also called Pater noster makers. At the end of Pater noster row near Amen corner is Ave Mary lane, which was also so called from the writers and beadmakers, who resided there. Pater noster row is still inhabited by many eminent wholesale booksellers and publishers. Maitland. 2. Dorset street, Spitalfields.

Pattenmakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles II. in the year 1670; consisting 113of a Master, two Wardens, twenty-four Assistants, and forty-six Liverymen, who at their admission pay a fine of 6l. but have no hall.

Pav’d alley, 1. Charles’s street, St. James’s. 2. Lime street, by Leadenhall street. 3. London House yard. 4. Water lane, Black Friars. 5. White Friars.

Pav’d court, 1. Bell Inn yard. 2. Five Feet lane. 3. Fleetwood’s rents. 4. George yard. 5. Green Bank.

This company is governed by three Wardens and twenty-five Assistants; but though they have a coat of arms, they have neither hall nor livery.

Paul’s alley, 1. Fenchurch street. 2. St Paul’s Church yard. 3. Redcross street. 4. Wood street, Cheapside.

114St. Paul’s Cathedral, the most magnificent Protestant church in the world. This edifice has been generally supposed to have been founded in the place where anciently stood a temple dedicated by the Romans to the goddess Diana; an opinion derived from the tradition, of the heads of oxen, the horns of deer, and the tusks of boars having been commonly dug up there; but as Sir Christopher Wren in clearing the foundations of this ancient structure, found none of these, he justly discredited the opinion, and his son, in his Parentalia, has given a different account of the origin of the ancient edifice.

This gentleman observes, that the first cathedral of the episcopal see of London was built in the area, where had been the Roman Prætorian camp, and in the situation on which all the succeeding fabrics stood: but that this structure was demolished during the great and general persecution under the Emperor Dioclesian. This persecution was however short, the church is supposed to have been re-edified under Constantine; but it was afterwards destroyed by the Pagan Saxons, and restored again upon the old foundations, when they embraced Christianity in the seventh century, when Sebert, King of 115Essex, advanced Mellitus to the bishopric of London.

In 675, we find Erkenwald the fourth Bishop of London from Mellitus, expending great sums of money in repairing and beautifying the ancient edifice, augmenting its revenues, and procuring for it the most considerable privileges from the Pope and the Saxon princes then reigning: for these works the Bishop was canonized at his death, and his body placed in a glorious shrine above the high altar in the east part of the church, where this shrine remained the admiration of succeeding ages, till the fatal destruction of the whole fabric by fire.

This catastrophe happened in the year 961; and as it was rebuilt the same year, it is highly probable, that these early structures, how magnificent soever they might then be thought, were only small wooden buildings.

During the Saxon heptarchy, this church flourished extremely; Kenrad King of Mercia declared it as free in all its rights, as he himself desired to be at the day of judgment; Athelstan endowed it with fifteen lordships; Edgar, with two; and Egleflede his wife with two more; all which were confirmed by the charters of Ethelred and Canute, which 116solemnly imprecate curses on all who dare to violate it.

The next benefactor to this church was Edward the Confessor; but at the Norman invasion, which soon followed, some of its revenues were seized by the Conqueror; but he was no sooner seated on the throne, than he caused full restitution to be made; and even confirmed all its rights, privileges and immunities, in the amplest manner; with benedictions upon those who should augment its possessions, and solemn imprecations upon all who should violate any of the charters made in its favour.

In that reign, however, a dreadful fire consumed it a second time, and by this conflagration, which happened in 1086, the greatest part of this city was also laid in ashes: but this destruction served to make way for a more magnificent building, than had ever yet been applied to the purposes of devotion in this kingdom. Maurice, then Bishop of London, having undertaken this great work, obtained of the King the old stones of a spacious castle in the neighbourhood called the Palatine Tower, situated near the river Fleet; but though he lived twenty years, and prosecuted the work with uncommon earnestness, yet he left the completion 117of what he had begun to succeeding generations.

The successor of this Bishop followed his example, and even applied the whole revenue of his see towards the advancement of this great work; but like the former left it unfinished; after which it is supposed to have been compleated by lay persons; but at what time, or in what manner, is no where mentioned. Indeed William Rufus, who succeeded the Conqueror, is said to have exempted all ships entering the river Fleet with stone or other materials for the new cathedral, from toll and custom; and it is not improbable that he might take this structure under his own particular direction.

But notwithstanding the length of time, and the great expence bestowed upon this church, it had not long been compleated, when it was thought not sufficiently magnificent; the steeple was therefore rebuilt and finished about the year 1221; and then Roger Niger being promoted to the see of London in 1229, proceeding with the choir compleated it in 1240, and solemnly consecrated it afresh the same year, in the presence of the King, the Pope’s Legate, and many Lords both spiritual and temporal.

The spacious and magnificent edifice 118of St. Paul’s cathedral, being thus finished, a survey was taken of it, by which its dimensions appear to have been as follows. The length of the body of the church was 690 feet; the breadth 130; the height of the roof of the west part within 102 feet; that of the east 88; and that of the body 150; the height of the tower from the ground was 260 feet; from whence rose a wooden spire covered with lead 274 feet in length; on the top of which was a ball nine feet one inch in circumference. This was crowned with a cross that was fifteen feet in length, and the traverse six feet.

The ornaments of this cathedral exceeded those of every other church in the kingdom. The high altar stood between two columns, adorned with precious stones, and surrounded with images most beautifully wrought, and covered with a canopy of wood curiously painted with the representation of Saints and Angels.

The new shrine of St. Erkenwald stood on the east side of the wall above the high altar, and was adorned with gold, silver, and precious stones; but not being thought sufficiently rich, in 1339 three goldsmiths of London were retained by the Dean and Chapter to work upon it a whole year, at the end of which its 119lustre was so great, that Princes, Nobles, Ambassadors, and other foreigners of rank flocked from all parts to visit it, and to offer their oblations before it: among these we find all the rings and jewels of Walter de Thorp, and the best saphire stone of Richard de Preston; which last was applied to the curing of infirmities of the eyes, and proclamation of its virtues was made by the express will of the donor.

The picture of St. Paul finely painted, was placed in a wooden tabernacle on the right side of the high altar, and was esteemed a masterly performance.

Against a pillar in the body of the church, stood a beautiful image of the Virgin Mary; and that a lamp might be continually kept burning before it, and an anthem sung every day, John Burnet, Bishop of Bath and Wells, bequeathed a handsome estate.

In the center stood a large cross, and towards the north door a crucifix at which offerings were made, that greatly increased the revenue of the Dean and Canons.

The last piece of ornament we shall mention, was the fine dial belonging to the great clock, which being visible to all who passed by, care was taken that it should appear with the utmost splendor, 120and in particular an angel pointed to the hour.

Under this cathedral was a parish church called St. Faith’s, in which several persons of distinction were formerly interred: but no records remain that mention the time when divine worship was performed in it.

St. Paul’s cathedral was encompassed with a wall about the year 1109, which extended from the north east corner of Ave Mary lane, eastward along Pater noster row, to the north end of the Old Change in Cheapside; whence it ran southward to Carter lane, and passing on the north side of it to Creed lane, turned up to Ludgate street. To this wall there were six gates, the principal of which was situated near the end of Creed lane in Ludgate street. The second was at St. Paul’s alley in Pater noster row, the third at Canon alley; the fourth, called the Little gate, was situated at the entrance into Cheapside; the fifth, called St. Austin’s, led to Watling street; and the sixth fronted the south gate of the church near St. Paul’s chain.

Within the north side of this enclosure was situated in the middle of the church yard, a pulpit cross, at which sermons were preached weekly; and here was 121held the folkmote, or general convention of the citizens.

Facing this cross stood the charnel, in which the bones of the dead were decently piled up together, a thousand loads whereof were removed to Finsbury fields in the reign of Edward VI. and there laid in a moorish place, with so much earth to cover them, as raised a considerable mount, on which was erected three windmills to stand upon.

On the north west corner of the church yard, was the episcopal palace, contiguous to which on the east was a cemetery denominated Pardon Church Haw, where Gilbert Becket erected a chapel in the reign of King Stephen. See Pardon Church.

On the east of the church yard was a clochier or bell tower by St. Paul’s school; wherein were four great bells, called Jesus bells, from their belonging to Jesus chapel in St. Faith’s church; but these, together with a fine image of St. Paul on the top of the spire, being won by Sir Miles Partridge, Knt. of Henry VIII. at one cast of the dice, were by that gentleman taken down and sold.

It may not be improper here to take notice of the celebration of divine service, the obsequies, anniversaries and chauntries 122particularly belonging to this cathedral: as to the first, Richard Clifford, Bishop of London, in 1414, with the consent of the Dean and Chapter, ordained that from thence forward it should be altered from the old form, and made conformable to the church of Salisbury, and other cathedrals within this kingdom.

The performance of obsequies for great persons deceased, was however retained as a peculiar privilege of this cathedral, from whence great profits arose. Indeed “the state and order observed on these occasions,” says Sir William Dugdale, “was little inferior to that used at the funerals of those great personages; the church and choir being hung with black, and escutcheons of their arms; their herses set up in wonderful magnificence, adorned with rich banner rolls, &c. and environed with barriers; having chief mourners and assistants, accompanied by several Bishops and Abbots in their proper habits; the Ambassadors of foreign Princes, many of our Nobility, the Knights of the Garter, the Lord Mayor, and the several Companies of London, who all attended with great devotion at these ceremonies.” This author adds a list of Emperors, Empresses, and Kings performed in this cathedral.

123As to anniversaries, those of the conversion and commemoration of St. Paul, the consecration of the church, and the canonization of St. Erkenwald, were the principal. It is very remarkable, with respect to the first of these anniversaries, that Sir William le Baud, Knt. in the third year of Edward I. granted a good fat doe annually on the day of the conversion of St. Paul, and a good fat buck upon the day of commemoration, which till the reign of Queen Elizabeth were received with great formality at the steps of the choir, by the Canons cloathed in their sacred vestments, with garlands of flowers on their heads. Camden, who was an eye witness of this solemnity, says, that the horns of the buck were carried on a spear in procession round the inside of the church, the men blowing horns, &c. and then the buck being offered at the high altar, a shilling was ordered by the Dean and Chapter for the entertainment of the servants who brought it, and this concluded the ceremony.

The anniversaries of the consecration and canonization, were celebrated at the public expence: but there were other anniversaries of a private nature, provided for by particular endowments, as that of Sir John Poultney, Knt. who had been 124four times Lord Mayor of London, and assigned annual salaries to all who bore office about the church, together with an allowance of 6s. 8d. to the Lord Mayor, 5s. to the Recorder; 6s. 8d. to the two Sheriffs; 3s. 4d. to the Common Crier; 6s. 8d. to the Lord Mayor’s serjeants, and 6s. 8d. to the Master of the college of St. Laurence Poultney, provided they were present at his anniversary; but if any were absent, their share were to be distributed to the poor. There were many other anniversaries of the same kind.

The chauntries founded by men of condition for the maintenance of one or two priests, to celebrate divine service daily, for the release from purgatory of their souls, the souls of their dearest friends and relations, and of all the faithful deceased; but these were in a short time increased to such a degree, and the endowments were so slender, that so early as the reign of Richard II. Bishop Baybroke caused forty-four of them to be united into one solemn service.

Having thus taken a transient survey of this magnificent edifice, in its flourishing state, with all its appendages, we shall now view its decline, and trace this venerable Gothic structure to its final destruction.

125The first remarkable misfortune that befel it was in 1444, when about two o’clock in the afternoon, its lofty wooden spire was fired by lightning; but by the assiduity of the citizens, it was soon seemingly extinguished: however to their great surprise and terror it broke out again with redoubled fury at about nine o’clock at night; but by the indefatigable pains of the Lord Mayor and citizens, it was at last effectually extinguished. The damage was not however fully repaired till the year 1462, when the spire was compleated, and a beautiful fane of gilt copper in the form of an eagle was placed upon it.

About an hundred years after this accident, another of the same kind happened to it, generally attributed to the same cause, but much more fatal in its consequences; the fire consuming not only the fine spire, but the upper roof of the church, and that of the aisles for in the space of four hours it burnt all the rafters, and every thing else that was combustible: but though it was universally believed that this fire was occasioned by lightning, yet, Dr. Heylin says, that an ancient plumber confessed at his death, that it was occasioned through his negligence in carelessly leaving a pan of coals in the steeple, while 126he went to dinner, which taking hold of the dry timber in the spire, was got to such a height at his return, that he judged it impossible to quench it, and therefore concluded it would be more consistent with his safety, not to contradict the common report.

This calamity was followed by a general contribution among the clergy, nobility, great officers of state, the city of London, and the Queen herself, who gave a thousand marks in gold towards its speedy repair, with a warrant for a thousand loads of timber to be cut in any of her woods, wherever it should be found most convenient; so that in five years time, the timber roofs were entirely finished, and covered with lead, the two largest being framed in Yorkshire, and brought by sea; but some difference in opinion arising about the model of the steeple, that part of the work was left unattempted; and it was never after rebuilt; for upon raising the roofs the walls were found to be so much damaged by the fire, that it was judged necessary to make a general repair of the whole building; but this was deferred for a long time.

At length Mr. Henry Farley, after above eight years earnest solicitation of 127King James I. prevailed on his Majesty to interpose in order to prevent the ruin of this venerable fabric, when that Prince, considering of what importance appearances are in the promotion of public zeal, caused it to be rumoured abroad, that on Sunday the 26th of March 1620, he would be present at divine service in St. Paul’s cathedral.

Accordingly at the day appointed, his Majesty came thither on horseback in all the pomp of royalty, attended by the principal nobility and great officers of his court, and was met by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Livery in their formalities, who, upon the King’s alighting at the great west door, joined in the procession. When his Majesty entered the church, he kneeled near the brazen pillar, where he prayed for success; and then was received under a canopy, supported by the Dean and Residentiaries, the rest of the Prebends and Dignitaries, with the whole company of singing men advancing before him to the choir, which, on this occasion, was richly adorned with hangings. Here he heard an anthem, and then proceeded to the cross, where Dr. King, Bishop of London, preached a sermon suitable to the occasion, from a text given him by his Majesty, in Psalm cii. 13, 14. 128and this sermon was afterwards circulated with considerable effect through the whole kingdom. After divine service was ended, his Majesty and the whole court were splendidly entertained at the Bishop’s palace, where a consultation was held, in which it was agreed to issue a commission under the great seal, directed to the principal personages in the kingdom, empowering them to consider of the necessary repairs, and to raise money for carrying them into execution. But tho’ the commissioners afterwards met to prosecute this enquiry, yet, as it was found that the ruin of the Bishop and principal Dignitaries of the cathedral was chiefly aimed at, the whole affair came to nothing.

However, in the succeeding reign another commission was obtained for the same purpose, by the assiduity of Archbishop Laud, which was attended with better success; so that in 1632, Inigo Jones, his Majesty’s Surveyor-general, was ordered to begin there pairs at the south east end, and to bring them along by the south to the west end.

That celebrated architect prosecuted the work with such diligence, that in nine years time, the whole was finished both within and without, except the steeple, 129which was intended to be entirely taken down, and a magnificent portico of the Corinthian order, was also erected at the west end, at the sole expence of King Charles I. ornamented with the statues of his royal father and himself.

Every thing being now in readiness for erecting the steeple and spire, which were to be of stone, an estimate was made of the money contributed, and that already expended in repairs; whereby it appeared that 101,330l. 4s. 8d. had been received into the chamber of London on this account, and but 35,551l. 2s. 4d. paid out, so that there appeared to be a fund in hand sufficient to erect it in the most magnificent manner: but the flames of civil war soon after breaking out, a period was put to this great design.

The revenues were now seized, the famous Pulpit Cross in the church yard was pulled down; the scaffolding of the steeple was assigned by parliament for the payment of arrears due to the army; the body of the church was converted into saw pits; part of the south cross was suffered to tumble down; the west part of the church was converted into a stable; and the stately new portico into shops for milliners and others, with lodging rooms over 130them, at the erecting of which, Dr. Heylin observes, the magnificent columns were piteously mangled, being obliged to make way for the ends of beams, which penetrated their centers.

However, at the restoration, a new commission was procured for its immediate reparation, and great sums of money raised by a voluntary contribution; but before any thing material could be accomplished, the dreadful fire of London reduced the whole edifice to little better than a heap of ruins.

After two years fruitless labour in endeavouring to fit up some part of the old fabric for divine worship, it was found to be incapable of any substantial repair. It was therefore resolved to raze the foundations of the old building, and to erect on the same spot a new cathedral that should equal, if not exceed the splendor of the old; for this end letters patent were granted to several Lords spiritual and temporal, authorising them to proceed in the work, and appointing Dr. Christopher Wren, Surveyor-general of all his Majesty’s works, to prepare a model. Contributions came in so extremely fast, that in the first ten years above 126,000l. was paid into the chamber of London; a new duty for the carrying on of this work 131was laid on coals, which at a medium produced 5000l. per annum, and his Majesty generously contributed 1000l. a year, towards carrying on the work.

Dr. Wren, afterwards Sir Christopher, was now called upon to produce his designs; he had before drawn several, in order to discover what would be most acceptable to the general taste; and finding that persons of all degrees declared for magnificence and grandeur, he formed a very noble one, conformable to the best style of the Greek and Roman architecture, and having caused a large model to be made of it in wood, with all its ornaments, he presented it to his Majesty; but the Bishops not approving of it, as not enough of a cathedral fashion, the Surveyor was ordered to amend it, upon which he produced the scheme of the present structure, which was honoured with his Majesty’s approbation. The first design, however, which was only of the Corinthian order, like St. Peter’s at Rome, the Surveyor set a higher value upon than on any other he ever drew, and as the author of his life observes, would have put it in execution with more cheerfulness, than that which we now see erected. This curious model is still preserved in the 132cathedral, and may be seen at a small expence.

In the year 1675, Dr. Wren began to prosecute the work; the pulling down the old walls, which were eighty feet high, and clearing the rubbish, had cost many of the labourers their lives; and this put him upon contriving to facilitate its execution by art. The first project he tried was with gunpowder; for on their coming to the tower of the steeple, the men absolutely refused to work upon it; for its height struck the most hardy of them with terror. He therefore caused a hole of about four feet wide to be dug in the foundation of the north west pillar, it being supported by four pillars each fourteen feet diameter, and then with tools made on purpose, wrought a hole two feet square into the center of the pillar, in which he placed a little deal box, containing only eighteen pounds of powder. A cane was fixed to the box with a match, and the hole closed up again with as much strength as possible.

Nothing now remained but to set fire to the train, and the Surveyor was exceeding curious to observe the effect of the explosion, which indeed was wonderful; for this small quantity of powder 133not only lifted up the whole angle of the tower, with two arches that rested upon it; but also the two adjoining arches of the isles, and all above them; and this it seemed to do somewhat leisurely, cracking the walls to the top, and lifting up visibly the whole weight about nine inches, which suddenly tumbling to its center, again caused an enormous heap of ruin, without scattering, and it was half a minute before this huge mountain opened in two or three places and emitted smoke. The shock of so great a weight from a height of two hundred feet, alarmed the inhabitants round about with the terrible apprehensions of an earthquake.

A second trial of the same kind, was made by a person appointed by Dr. Wren, who being too wise in his own conceit, disobeyed the orders he had received, put in a greater quantity of powder, and omitted to take the same care in closing up the hole, or digging to the foundation; but though this second trial had the desired effect, yet one stone was shot as from the mouth of a cannon to the opposite side of the church yard, and entered a private room where some women were at work; but no other damage was done, besides spreading a panic among the neighbours, who instantly made application 134above against the farther use of gunpowder, and orders were issued from the council board accordingly.

The Surveyor being now reduced to the necessity of making new experiments, resolved to try the battering ram of the ancients, and therefore caused a strong mast forty feet long to be shod with iron at the biggest end, and fortified every way with bars and ferrels, and having caused it to be suspended set it to work. Thirty men were employed in vibrating this machine, who beat in one place against the wall a whole day without any visible effect. He however bid them not despair, but try what another day would produce; and on the second day the wall was perceived to tremble at the top, and in a few hours it fell to the ground.

In clearing the foundation, he found that the north side had been anciently a great burying place; for under the graves of these latter ages, he found in a row the graves of the Saxons, who cased their dead in chalk stones; tho’ persons of great eminence were buried in stone coffins: below these were the graves of the ancient Britons, as was manifest from the great number of ivory and wooden pins found among the mouldered dust; for it was their method only to pin the corpse in 135woollen shrouds, and lay them in the ground, and this covering being consumed, the ivory and wooden pins remained entire.

At a still greater depth he discovered a great number of Roman potsheards, urns, and dishes, sound, and of a beautiful red like our sealing wax; on the bottoms of some of them were inscriptions, which denoted their having been drinking vessels; and on others, which resembled our modern sallad dishes, beautifully made and curiously wrought, was the inscription DZ. PRIMANI. and on others, those of PATRICI. QUINTIMANI. VICTOR. IANUS. RECINIO, &c. The pots and several glass vessels were of a murrey colour; and others resembling urns, were beautifully embellished on the outsides with raised work, representing grey hounds, stags, hares, and rose trees. Others were of a cinnamon colour, in the form of an urn, and tho’ a little faded, appeared as if they had been gilt. Some resembling juggs formed an hexagon, and were curiously indented and adorned with a variety of figures in basso relievo.

The red vessels appeared to have been the most honourable; for on them were inscribed the names of their deities, heroes, and judges; and the matter of 136which these vessels were made, was of such an excellent composition, as to vie with polished metal in beauty.

There were also discovered several brass coins, which by their long continuance in the earth were become a prey to time; but some of them that were in a more favourable soil, were so well preserved as to discover in whose reign they were coined: on one of them was Adrian’s head, with a galley under oars on the reverse; and on others, the heads of Romulus and Remus, Claudius and Constantine.

At a somewhat smaller depth were discovered a number of lapilli or tesselæ, of various sorts of marble, viz. Egyptian, Porphyry, Jasper, &c. in the form of dice, which were used by the Romans in paving the prætorium, or General’s tent. Conyers M. S. in the Sloanian library, in the Museum.

On searching for the natural ground, Dr. Wren perceived that the foundation of the old church stood upon a layer of very close and hard pot earth, on the north side about six feet deep, but gradually thinning towards the south, till on the declivity of the hill, it was scarce four feet; yet he concluded that the same ground which had borne so weighty 137a building before, might reasonably be trusted again. However, boring beneath this, he found a stratum of loose sand; and lower still, at low water mark, water and sand mixed with periwinkles and other sea shells; under this, a hard beach; and below all the natural bed of clay that extends far and wide, under the city, country, and river.

The foundations appeared to be those originally laid, consisting of Kentish rubble stone, artfully worked and consolidated with exceeding hard mortar, after the Roman manner, much excelling what he found in the superstructure. What induced him to change the scite of the church, and eraze the old foundations which were so firm, was the desire of giving the new structure a more free and graceful aspect; yet after all, he found himself too much confined; and unable to bring his front to lie exactly from Ludgate. However, in his progress he met with one misfortune that made him almost repent of the alteration he had made; he began the foundation from the west to the east, and then extending his line to the north east, where he expected no interruption, he fell upon a pit, where the hard crust of pot earth, already mentioned, had been taken away, and to his 138unspeakable mortification, filled up with rubbish: he wanted but six or seven feet to complete his design, yet there was no other remedy but digging thro’ the sand, and building from the solid earth, that was at least forty feet deep. He therefore sunk a pit eighteen feet wide, tho’ he wanted at most but seven, thro’ all the strata, that has been already mentioned, and laid the foundations of a square pier of solid good masonry, which he carried up till he came within fifteen feet of the present surface; and then turned a short arch under ground to the level of the stratum of hard pot-earth, upon which arch the north east coin of the choir now stands.

This difficulty being surmounted, and the foundations laid, he for several reasons made choice of Portland stone for the superstructure; but chiefly as the largest scantlings were to be procured from thence: however, as these could not be depended upon for columns exceeding four feet in diameter, this determined this great architect to make choice of two orders instead of one, and an Attic story, as at St. Peter’s at Rome, in order to preserve the just proportions of his cornice, otherwise the edifice must have fallen short of its intended height. Bramante in building St. Peter’s, though he had the 139quarries of Tivoli at hand, where he could have blocks large enough for his columns of nine feet diameter, yet for want of stones of suitable dimensions, was obliged to diminish the proportions of the proper members of his cornice; a fault against which Dr. Wren resolved to guard. On these principles he therefore proceeded, in raising the present magnificent edifice.

The general form of St. Paul’s cathedral is a long cross: the walls are wrought in rustic, and strengthened as well as adorned by two rows of coupled pilasters, one over the other; the lower Corinthian, and the upper Composite. The spaces between the arches of the windows, and the architrave of the lower order, are filled with a great variety of curious enrichments, as are those above.

The west front is graced with a most magnificent portico, a noble pediment, and two stately turrets, and when one advances towards the church from Ludgate, the elegant construction of this front, the fine turrets over each corner, and the vast dome behind, fill the mind with a pleasing astonishment.

At this end, there is a noble flight of steps of black marble, that extend the whole length of the portico, which 140consists of twelve lofty Corinthian columns below, and eight of the Composite order above; these are all coupled and fluted. The upper series supports a noble pediment crowned with its acroteria. In this pediment is a very elegant representation in bas relief, of the conversion of St. Paul, which was executed by Mr. Bird, an artist, who, by this piece, has deserved to have his name transmitted to posterity. Nothing could have been conceived more difficult to represent in bas relief than this conversion; the most striking object being naturally the irradiation of light, but even this is well expressed, and the figures are excellently performed. The magnificent figure of St. Paul, also on the apex of the pediment, with St. Peter on his right and St. James on his left, have a fine effect. The four Evangelists with their proper emblems on the front of the towers, are also very judiciously disposed, and well executed: St. Matthew is distinguished by an angel: St. Mark, by a lion; St. Luke, by an ox; and St. John, by an eagle.

To the north portico, there is an ascent by twelve circular steps of black marble; and its dome is supported by six large Corinthian columns, forty-eight inches in diameter. Upon the dome is a large 141and well proportioned urn, finely ornamented with festoons; and over this is a pediment supported by pilasters in the wall, in the face of which is the royal arms, with the regalia, supported by angels. And lest this view of the cathedral should appear void of sufficient ornament, the statues of five of the Apostles are placed on the top at proper distances.

The south portico answers to the north, and is placed directly opposite to it. This, like the other, is a dome supported by six noble Corinthian columns: but, as the ground is considerably lower on this, than on the other side of the church, the ascent is by a flight of twenty-five steps. This portico has also a pediment above, in which is a phœnix rising out of the flames with the motto RESURGAM underneath it, as an emblem of the rebuilding the church after the fire. This device had perhaps its origin from an incident, which happened at the beginning of the work, and was particularly remarked by the architect as a favourable omen. When Dr. Wren himself had set out upon the place the dimensions of the building, and fixed upon the center of the great dome, a common labourer was ordered to bring him a flat stone, the first he found among 142the rubbish, to leave as a mark of direction to the masons; the stone which the fellow brought for this purpose, happened to be a piece of a grave stone with nothing remaining of the inscription but this single word in large capitals, RESURGAM; a circumstance which Dr. Wren never forgot. On this side of the building are likewise five statues, which take their situation from that of St. Andrew on the apex of the last mentioned pediment.

At the cast end of the church is a sweep or circular projection for the altar, finely ornamented with the orders, and with sculpture, particularly a noble piece in honour of his Majesty King William III.

The dome which rises in the center of the whole, appears extremely grand. Twenty feet above the roof of the church is a circular range of thirty-two columns, with niches placed exactly against others within. These are terminated by their entablature, which supports a handsome gallery adorned with a balustrade. Above these columns is a range of pilasters, with windows between; and from the entablature of these the diameter decreases very considerably; and two feet above that it is again contracted. From this part the external sweep of the dome begins, 143and the arches meet at fifty-two feet above. On the summit of the dome is an elegant balcony; and from its center rises the lanthorn adorned with Corinthian columns; and the whole is terminated by a ball, from which rises a cross, both elegantly gilt. These parts, which appear from below of a very moderate size, are extremely large.

This vast and noble fabric, which is 2292 feet in circumference, and 340 feet in height to the top of the cross, is surrounded at a proper distance by a dwarf stone wall, on which is placed the most magnificent balustrade of cast iron perhaps in the universe, of about five feet six inches in height, exclusive of the wall. In this stately enclosure are seven beautiful iron gates, which, together with the banisters, in number about 2500, weigh two hundred tons and eighty-one pounds, which having cost 6d. per pound, the whole, with other charges, amounted to 11,202l. and 6d.

In the area of the grand west front, on a pedestal of excellent workmanship, stands a statue of Queen Anne, formed of white marble with proper decorations. The figures on the base represent Britannia with her spear; Gallia, with a crown in her lap; Hibernia, with her harp; and America 144with her bow. These, and the colossal statues with which the church is adorned, were all done by the ingenious Mr. Hill, who was chiefly employed in the decorations.

The north east part of the church yard is conferred by the Dean and Chapter upon the inhabitants of St. Faith’s parish, which is united to St. Austin’s, for the interment of their dead; as is also the south east part of the cemetery, with a vault therein, granted to St. Gregory’s parish for the same use.

On ascending the steps at the west end, we find three doors ornamented on the top with bas relief; the middle door, which is by far the largest, is cased with white marble, and over it is a fine piece of basso relievo, in which St. Paul is represented preaching to the Bereans. On entering this door, on the inside of which hang the colours taken from the French at Louisbourg in 1758, the mind is struck by the nobleness of the vista; an arcade supported by lofty and massy pillars on each hand, divide the church into the body and two isles, and the view is terminated by the altar at the extremity of the choir. The above pillars are adorned with columns and pilasters of the Corinthian and Composite orders, and the arches of the 145roof enriched with shields, festoons, chaplets and other ornaments.

In the isle on one hand is the consistory, and opposite to it on the other is the morning prayer chapel, where divine service is performed every morning early, Sunday excepted: each of these have a very beautiful screen of carved wainscot, that is admired by the best judges, and each are adorned with twelve columns, arched pediments and the royal arms, finely decorated.

On proceeding forward, you come to the large cross isle between the north and south porticos; over which is the cupola. Here you have a view of the whispering gallery, of the paintings above it, and the concave, which fills the mind with surprise and pleasure. Under its center is fixed in the floor a brass plate, round which the pavement is beautifully variegated; but the figures into which it is formed can no where be so well seen as from the whispering gallery.

You have now a full view of the organ, richly ornamented with carved work, with the entrance to the choir directly under it. The two isles on the sides of the choir, as well as the choir itself, are here enclosed with very fine iron rails and gates.

The organ gallery is supported by eight Corinthian columns of blue and white 146marble, and the choir has on each side thirty stalls, besides the Bishop’s throne on the south side, and the Lord Mayor’s on the north. The carving of the beautiful range of stalls as well as that of the organ, is much admired.

Here the reader’s desk, which is at some distance from the pulpit, is an enclosure of very fine brass rails gilt, in which is a gilt brass pillar supporting an eagle of brass gilt, which holds the book on his back and expanded wings.

The altar piece is adorned with four noble fluted pilasters painted and veined with gold in imitation of lapis lazuli, and their capitals are double gilt. In the intercolumniations are twenty-one pannels of figured crimson velvet, and above them six windows, in two series.

The floor of the choir, and indeed of the whole church, is paved with marble: but within the rails of the altar with porphyry, polished and laid in several geometrical figures.

But to be more particular: as the disposition of the vaultings within is an essential beauty, without which many other ornaments would lose their effect, so the architect was particularly careful in this respect. “The Romans,” says the author of the Parentalia, “used hemispherical vaultings, and Sir Christopher chose 147those as being demonstrably lighter than the diagonal cross vaults: so the whole vault of St. Paul’s consists of twenty-four cupolas cut off semicircular, with segments to join to the great arches one way, and which are cut across the other, with eliptical cylinders to let in the upper lights of the nave; but in the isles the lesser cupolas are both ways cut in semicircular sections, and altogether make a graceful geometrical form, distinguished with circular wreaths which is the horizontal section of the cupola; for the hemisphere may be cut all manner of ways into circular sections; and the arches and wreaths being of stone carved, the spandrels between are of sound brick, invested with stucco of cockle-shell lime, which becomes as hard as Portland stone; and which having large planes between the stone ribs, are capable of the farther ornaments of painting, if required.

“Besides these twenty-four cupolas, there is a half cupola at the east, and the great cupola of 108 feet in diameter at the middle of the crossing of the great isles. In this the architect imitated the Pantheon at Rome, excepting that the upper order is there only umbratile, and distinguished by different coloured marbles; in St. Paul’s it is extant out 148of the wall. The Pantheon is no higher within than its diameter; St. Peter’s is two diameters; this shews too high, the other too low; St. Paul’s is a mean proportion between both, which shews its concave every way, and is very lightsome by the windows of the upper order, which strike down the light thro’ the great colonade that encircles the dome without, and serves for the abutment of the dome, which is brick of two bricks thick; but as it rises every way five feet high, has a course of excellent brick of eighteen inches long banding thro’ the whole thickness; and moreover, to make it still more secure, it is surrounded with a vast chain of iron strongly linked together at every ten feet. This chain is let into a channel cut into the bandage of Portland stone, and defended from the weather by filling the groove with lead.

“The concave was turned upon a center; which was judged necessary to keep the work even and true, though a cupola might be built without a center; but it is observable that the center was laid without any standards from below to support; and as it was both centering and scaffolding, it remained for the use of the painter. Every story 149of this scaffolding being circular, and the ends of all the ledgers meeting as so many rings, and truly wrought, it supported itself. This machine was an original of the kind, and will be an useful project for the like work, to an architect hereafter.

“It was necessary to give a greater height than the cupola would gracefully allow within, tho’ it is considerably above the roof of the church; yet the old church having before had a very lofty spire of timber and lead, the world expected that the new work should not, in this respect, fall short of the old; the architect was therefore obliged to comply with the humour of the age, and to raise another structure over the first cupola; and this was a cone of brick, so built as to support a stone lanthorn of an elegant figure, and ending in ornaments of copper gilt.

“As the whole church above the vaulting is covered with a substantial oaken roof, and lead, the most durable covering in our climate, so he covered and hid out of sight the brick cone, with another cupola of timber and lead; and between this and the cone, are easy stairs that ascend to the lanthorn. Here the spectator may have a view of such amazing contrivances as 150are indeed astonishing. He forbore to make little luthern windows in the leaden cupola, as are done out of St. Peter’s, because he had otherwise provided for light enough to the stairs from the lanthorn above, and round the pedestal of the same, which are now seen below; so that he only ribbed the outward cupola, which he thought less Gothic than to stick it full of such little lights in three stories one above another, as is the cupola of St. Peter’s, which could not without difficulty be mended, and, if neglected, would soon damage the timbers.”

As Sir Christopher was sensible, that paintings, tho’ ever so excellent, are liable to decay, he intended to have beautified the inside of the cupola with mosaic work, which strikes the eye of the beholder with amazing lustre, and without the least decay of colours, is as durable as the building itself; but in this he was unhappily over-ruled, tho’ he had undertaken to procure four of the most eminent artists in that profession from Italy; this part is however richly decorated and painted by Sir James Thornhill, who has represented the principal passages of St. Paul’s life in eight compartments, viz. his conversion; his punishing Elymas, the sorcerer, with blindness; his preaching at Athens; his 151curing the poor cripple at Lystra, and the reverence paid him there by the priests of Jupiter as a God; his conversion of the jailer; his preaching at Ephesus, and the burning of the magic books in consequence of the miracles he wrought there; his trial before Agrippa; his shipwreck on the island of Melita, or Malta, with the miracle of the viper. These paintings are all seen to advantage by means of a circular opening, through which the light is transmitted with admirable effect from the lanthorn above.

The highest or last stone on the top of the lanthorn, was laid by Mr. Christopher Wren, the son of this great architect, in the year 1710; and thus was this noble fabric, lofty enough to be discerned at sea eastward, and at Windsor to the west, begun and compleated in the space of thirty-five years, by one architect, the great Sir Christopher Wren; one principal mason, Mr. Strong; and under one Bishop of London, Dr. Henry Compton: whereas St. Peter’s at Rome, the only structure that can come in competition with it, continued an hundred and fifty five years in building, under twelve successive architects; assisted by the police and interests of the Roman see; attended by the best artists of the world in sculpture, statuary, painting and mosaic work; 152and facilitated by the ready acquisition of marble from the neighbouring quarries of Tivoli.

The curiosities in this cathedral which strangers pay for seeing. On entering the south door, there is a pair of stairs within a small door on the right, leading to the cupola, and the stranger by paying two pence may gratify his curiosity with a prospect from the iron gallery at the foot of the lanthorn, which in a clear day affords a fine view of the river, of this whole metropolis and all the adjacent country, interspersed with pleasant villages.

The ascent to this gallery is by 534 steps, 260 of which are so easy that a child may without difficulty ascend them; but those above are unpleasant, and in some places very dark; but the little light that is afforded is sufficient to shew amazing proofs of the wonderful contrivances of the architect. But as the first gallery, surrounded by a stone balustrade, affords a very fine prospect, many are satisfied, and unwilling to undergo the fatigue of mounting higher.

On the stranger’s descent he is invited to see the whispering gallery, which will likewise cost two pence; he here beholds to advantage the beautiful pavement of the church, and from hence he has the most advantageous view of the fine 153paintings in the cupola. Here sounds are magnified to an astonishing degree; the least whisper is heard round the whole circumference; the voice of one person softly speaking against the wall on the other side, seems as if he stood at our ear on this, though the distance between them is no less than an hundred and forty feet: and the shutting of the door resounds through the place like thunder, or as if the whole fabric was falling asunder. To this gallery there is an easy ascent for persons of distinction, by a most beautiful flight of stairs.

The stranger is next invited to see the library, the books of which are neither numerous nor valuable; but the floor is artfully inlaid without either nails or pegs, and the wainscoting and book cases are not inelegant.

The next curiosity is the fine model Sir Christopher first caused to be made for building the new cathedral. It was not taken from St. Peter’s at Rome, as is pretended; but was Sir Christopher’s own invention, and the model on which he set the highest value; and it is a great pity, that what was performed as the utmost exertion of the abilities of this great architect, should be suffered to run to decay.

He is next shewn the great bell in the south tower, which weighs 84 c. weight. 154On this bell the hammer of the great clock strikes the hour, and on a smaller bell are struck the quarters.

The last thing shewn, are what are vulgarly called the geometry stairs, which are so artfully contrived as to hang together without visible support; but this kind of stairs, however curious in themselves, are neither new nor uncommon. Parentalia. Historical account of the curiosities of London, &c.

The cathedral church of St. Paul’s is deservedly esteemed the second in Europe, not for magnitude only but for beauty and grandeur. St. Peter’s at Rome is undoubtedly the first, but at the same time it is generally acknowledged by all travellers of taste, that the outside, and particularly the front of St. Paul’s, is much superior to St. Peter’s. The two towers at the west end, though faulty in some respects, are yet elegant, and the portico finely marks the principal entrance. The loggia, crowned with a pediment, with its alto relievo and statues, make in the whole a fine shape, whereas St. Peter’s is a straight line without any break. The dome is extremely magnificent, and by rising higher than that at Rome, is seen to more advantage on a near approach. The inside, though noble, falls short of St. Peter’s. The discontinuing 155the architrave of the great entablature over the arches in the middle of the isle, is a fault the architects can never forgive. Notwithstanding, without a critical examination, it appears very striking, especially on entering the north or south door. The side isles though small are very elegant, and if it does not equal St. Peter’s, there is much to be said in defence both of it and the architect, who was not permitted to decorate it as he intended, through a want of taste in the managers, who seemed to have forgot that it was intended a national ornament. St. Peter’s has all the advantages of painting and sculpture of the greatest masters, and is encrusted with a variety of the finest marbles, no cost being spared to make it exceed every thing of its kind. The great geometrical knowledge of the architect can never be sufficiently admired, but this can be come at only by a thorough inspection of the several parts.

For the farther satisfaction of the curious reader, we shall conclude this article with an account of the dimensions of St. Paul’s cathedral compared with those of St. Peter’s at Rome, from an account published some years ago: the measures of the latter being taken from the authentic dimensions of the best architects of Rome, reduced to English measure.

156
	Feet.	Feet.
The Plan, or Length and Breadth.	St. Peter.	St. Paul.
The whole length of the church and porch	729	500
The breadth within the doors of the porticos	510	250
The breadth of the front with the turrets	364	180
The breadth of the front without the turrets	318	110
The breadth of the church and three naves	255	130
The breadth of the church and widest chapels	364	180
The length of the porch within	218	50
The breadth of the porch within	40	20
The length of the platea at the upper steps	291	100
The breadth of the nave at the door	67	40
The breadth of the nave at the third pillar and tribuna	73	40
The breadth of the side isles	29	17
The distance between the pillars of the nave	44	25
157The breadth of the same double pillars at St. Peter’s	29
The breadth of the same single pillars at St. Paul’s		10
The two right sides of the great pilasters of the cupola	65:7½	25:35
The distance between the same pilasters	72	40
The outward diameter of the cupola	189	145
The inward diameter of the same	138	100
The breadth of the square by the cupola	43
The length of the same	328
From the door within the cupola	313	190
From the cupola to the end of the tribuna	167	170
The breadth of each of the turrets	77	35
The outward diameter of the lantern	36	18
The whole space, upon which one pillar stands	5906	875
The whole space, upon which all the pillars stand	23625	7000

158
	Feet.	Feet.
The HEIGHT.	St. Peter.	St. Paul.
From the ground without to the top of the cross	437½	340
The turrets as they were at St. Peter’s and are at St. Paul’s	289½	222
To the top of the highest statues on the front	175	135
The first pillars of the Corinthian order	74	33
The breadth of the same	9	4
Their basis and pedestals	19	13
Their capital	10	5
The architrave, frize, and cornice	19	10
The Composite pillars at St. Paul’s and Tuscan at St. Peter’s	25½	25
The ornaments of the same pillars above, and below	14½	16
The triangle of the mezzo relievo, with its cornice	22½	18
Wide	92	74
The basis of the cupola to the pedestals of the pillars	36½	38
159The pillars of the cupola	32	28
Their basis and pedestals	4	5
Their capitals, architrave, frize, and cornice	12	12
From the cornice to the outward slope of the cupola	25½	40
The lantern from the cupola to the ball	63	50
The ball in diameter	9	6
The cross with its ornaments below	14	6
The statues upon the front with their pedestals	25½	15
The outward slope of the cupola	89	50
Cupola and lantern from the cornice of the front to the top of the cross	280	240
The height of the niches in the front	20	14
Wide	9	5
The first windows in the front	20	13
Wide	10	7

160The whole expence of erecting this edifice, on deducting the sums expended in fruitless attempts to repair the old cathedral, amounted to 736,752l. 2s. 3d.

St. Paul’s Church yard, 1. The area round St. Paul’s cathedral, surrounded on the north and west chiefly by booksellers and toy-shops, and on the south side by the makers of chairs, screens and cabinets. 2. Behind Covent Garden church.

St. Paul’s Covent Garden, a very noble edifice built by Inigo Jones for a chapel, but now a parish church. See Covent Garden.

St. Paul’s School, at the east end of St. Paul’s Church yard, was founded by Dr. John Collet Dean of St. Paul’s in the year 1509, for a Master, an Usher and Chaplain, and an hundred and fifty-three scholars; for the teaching of whom the founder appointed a salary of 34l. 13s. 4d. for the upper Master; for the under Master 17l. 6s. 8d. and for the Chaplain or third Master, 8l. per annum. He appointed the company of Mercers trustees 161of this school, and by the improvement of the estate since that time, the good management of the company, and some additional sums left to this foundation, the salaries of the Masters are become considerable; the upper Master having 300l. a year, besides the advantage of additional scholars and boarders, by which he generally makes about 200l. a year more; the second Master has 250l. a year, and the third 90l. a year.

The original building was consumed by the fire of London, and soon after the present structure was raised in its place. It is a very singular, and at the same time a very handsome edifice. The central building in which is the school, is of stone; it is much lower than the ends, and has only one series of windows, which are large, and raised a considerable height from the ground. The center is adorned with rustic, and on the top is a handsome pediment, in which are the founder’s arms placed in a shield; upon the apex stands a figure representing Learning. Under this pediment are two windows which are square, and on each side are two circular windows crowned with busts, and the spaces between them are handsomely ornamented by work in relievo. Upon a level with the foot of the pediment runs 162on either side a handsome balustrade, on which is placed on each side a large bust with a radiant crown, between two flaming vases.

The buildings at the ends of this elegant structure are narrow, and rise to a great height. They are of brick ornamented with stone, and have each a small door, and are crowned at the top with a small balustrade.

St. Paul’s Shadwell, owes its existence to the increase of buildings. Shadwell, though now joined to London, was anciently a hamlet belonging to Stepney; but being greatly increased in the number of its inhabitants, Thomas Neale, Esq; erected the present church in the year 1656 for their accommodation; and in 1669, this district was by act of parliament constituted a distinct parish from that of Stepney, and 120l. per annum was granted for the maintenance of the Rector in lieu of tithes, besides a considerable glebe, oblations and church dues, so that the living is worth about 324l. a year. Maitland.

This church, which is but a mean edifice built with brick, is eighty-seven feet long, and sixty-three broad; the height to the roof is twenty-eight feet, and that of the steeple sixty. The body 163has a few windows with rustic arches, and some very mean ones in the roof. At the corners of the building are balls placed on a kind of small pedestals. The tower is carried up without ornament, and is terminated with balls at the corners in the same manner as the body of the church, and is crowned with a plain low turret.

Pay Office of the Navy, a plain building in Broad street near London wall, under the direction of the Treasurer and Paymaster, who pay for all the stores for the use of the royal navy, and the wages of the sailors in his Majesty’s service.

The Treasurer, who is the principal officer, has a salary of 2000l. per annum, and the Paymaster, who is also accomptant, has 500l. a year; under this last are eight clerks who attend the payment of wages; three, who have 80l. a year; and five who have 40l. a year each: besides two extra-clerks, who have each 50l. a year. There are also five clerks for paying bills in course, and writing ledgers, viz. three who have 80l. a year; and two who have only 40l. a year each; besides an extra-clerk who has 50l. a year.

In this office there is likewise a Cashier 164of the victualling, who has a salary of 150l. per annum, and has three clerks under him, one of 70l. one of 50l. and one of 40l. a year.

Peacock court, 1. Fleet market.* 2. Giltspur street, without Newgate.* 3. Whitechapel.*

Peacock yard, 1. Islington.* 2. Porter’s street.* 3. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.* 4. Whitehorse alley, Cowcross, Smithfield.*

Pearl street, 1. Grey Eagle street, Spitalfields.* 2. Silver street, Bloomsbury.*

Peartree court, 1. Aldersgate street.‡ 2. Clerkenwell close.‡ 3. Hockley in the Hole.‡

Peckham, a pleasant village in Surry, in the parish of Camberwell. Here is the seat of the late Lord Trevor, built in the reign of King James II. by Sir Thomas Bond, who being deeply engaged in the pernicious schemes of that imprudent Prince, was obliged to leave the kingdom with him, when the house was plundered by the populace, and became forfeited to the crown. The front of the house stands to the north, with a spacious garden before it, from which extends two rows of large elms, of considerable length, through which the Tower of London terminates the prospect. But on each side of this avenue you have a view of London; and the masts of vessels appearing at high water over the trees and houses up to Greenwich, greatly improve the prospect. Peckham, which lies on the back side of the gardens, is shut out from the view by plantations. The kitchen garden and the walls were planted with the choicest fruit trees from France, and an experienced gardener was sent for from Paris to have the management of them; so that the collection 166of fruit trees in this garden has been accounted one of the best in England.

After the death of the late Lord Trevor, this seat was purchased by a private gentleman, who began to make very considerable improvements, and had he lived a few years longer, would have rendered it a very delightful retreat.

There are also at Peckham several other villas, and neat houses of retirement, inhabited by the tradesmen of London, and those who have retired from business.

Peerless Pool, near Old street road, was formerly a spring that overflowing its banks, caused a very dangerous pond, which from the number of persons who lost their lives there, obtained the name of Perilous Pool. To prevent these accidents it was in a manner filled up, till in the year 1743, Mr. Kemp converted it into what may perhaps be esteemed one of the compleatest swimming baths in the 167world; and as it is the only one of the kind in Christendom, it may deserve a particular notice.

You enter from a bowling-green on the south side, by a neat arcade thirty-feet long, furnished with a small collection of modern books for the entertainment of those subscribers who delight in reading. Contiguous are many dressing apartments; some of which are open, and others rendered private, all paved with purbeck stone; and on each side of the bath is a bower divided into apartments for dressing. At the other end is placed a circular bench, capable of accommodating forty gentlemen at a sitting, under the shelter of a wall. One side is inclosed by a mount 150 feet long, planted with a great variety of shrubs, and on the top is an agreeable terrace walk planted with limes. The pleasure bath is 170 feet long, and above 100 broad; it is five feet deep at the bottom in the middle, and under four feet at the sides, and the descent into it is by four pair of marble steps to a fine gravel bottom. Here is also a cold bath, generally allowed to be the largest in England, it being forty feet long, and twenty feet broad, with two flights of marble steps, and a dressing room at each end; at four feet deep is a bottom of lettice 168work, under which the water is five feet deep. To these the ingenious projector has added a well stocked fish pond 320 feet long, for the diversion of those subscribers who are fond of angling, and adorned on each side with arbours, and with a terrace, the slopes of which are planted with many thousand shrubs, and the walks one of gravel, and the other of grass, are bordered with stately limes. The east end the garden extends to a genteel public house, and the westward is terminated by another garden, and a well-built private house inhabited by Mr. Kemp, the son of the ingenious projector, who after having made these improvements, changed the name from Perilous to Peerless Pool.

Pemell’s Almshouse, at Mile-end, was founded by Mr. John Pemell, citizen and draper, in the year 1698, for four poor drapers widows, and the same number of 169seamen’s widows, to be presented by the Churchwardens of Old Stepney parish. Each of these almswomen have an allowance of 1s. 8d. per week, half a chaldron of coals every year, and a gown every other year. Maitland.

Penny Post Office, an office unknown in other countries, was projected by Mr. David Murray, an upholder in Pater noster row in the year 1683, who by this admirable and useful project, deserves to be considered as a benefactor to the city, and to have his name transmitted down to posterity. He communicated the scheme to Mr. William Dockwra, who carried it on for some time with great success, till the government laid claim to it as a royal prerogative; Dockwra was obliged to submit, and in return had a pension of 200l. per annum allowed him by the King during life.

It was erected for carrying letters not only of one sheet but of several, to any part of this great metropolis, or the adjacent villages, on paying only one penny on delivering the letter to be thus carried: 170but at some of the more distant villages, an additional penny is demanded of the person to whom the letter is delivered.

This office is under the direction of the Postmaster-general; who appoints, as managers, a Comptroller, an Accomptant, a Receiver and Comptroller’s clerk; who have under their management six sorters, and eight subsorters of letters, seventy-four messengers, or letter-carriers, and 334 houses within the bills of mortality, for receiving or taking in letters, which are divided among the six offices following; the general office in St. Christopher’s Church yard, and the five offices called the sorting houses, one at Westminster, one at Lincoln’s Inn, St. Paul’s office, in Pater noster row, St. Mary Overy’s in Southwark, and the Tower hill office: besides these there are 500 shops and coffee-houses, from whence the messengers collect and carry the letters to their proper offices every hour, where being sorted, they are sent out again to be delivered. But as each of the six offices has a number of villages under its peculiar direction, those letters that require great speed should be sent to that office, whose peculiar province it is to forward them to the village to which you would have them sent. This renders it necessary to give a 171list of these villages and places, peculiarly under the care of each office: but we shall not attempt to follow the other writers, who have prefixed to the names of these villages the number of times to which letters are carried to, and returned from each; because that is entirely uncertain, and it is sufficient that letters are carried and returned from each at least once a day; since this is all that can be depended upon.

In the map we have given of the environs round London, the extent and limits of the Penny Post are shewn by a circular coloured line drawn round the city.

The chief office in St. Christopher’s alley, Threadneedle street, to which belong, one sorter, two subsorters, twenty messengers, and seventy-three receiving houses. This office collects, receives, conveys, and delivers letters to and from the following places, besides what it delivers in its own proper district in London.

St. Paul’s office is kept in Queen’s head alley, in Pater noster row, which collects, receives, conveys and delivers letters to and from the following and adjacent places, besides what it delivers within its proper district in London.

The Temple office is kept in Chichester’s rents in Chancery lane, which collects, receives, conveys and delivers letters and parcels to and from the following and adjacent places, besides what it delivers within its own proper district in town.

Westminster office is kept in Pump court near Charing cross, which collects, receives, conveys and delivers letters and parcels to and from the following and adjacent places, besides what it delivers within its own proper district in town.

Southwark office is kept in Green dragon court, near St. Mary Overy’s church, which collects, receives, conveys and delivers letters and parcels to and from the following 176and adjacent places, besides what it delivers within its own proper district in Southwark and London.

Hermitage office is kept in Queen street on Little Tower hill, which collects, receives, conveys and delivers letters and parcels to and from the following and adjacent places, besides what it delivers within its own proper district in town.

Several of the country messengers, and others for remote places, going on their walks by six o’clock in the morning, letters and parcels ought to be put in at the receiving houses before six o’clock over-night; otherwise a whole day may be lost in the delivery: but letters for places that are 178nearer, are generally collected and delivered two or three times a day.

All general post letters, both foreign and domestic, directed to the places above mentioned, not being post towns, are conveyed from the aforesaid offices every day at twelve o’clock; and answers being put into the receiving houses in the country towns, will next night be safely carried to the General Post office, by the officers appointed for that purpose.

Pepper alley, 1. by the Bridge Foot, in the Borough. 2. Down’s street, Hyde Park road. 3. Goswell street.

Pesthouse row, adjoining to the French hospital in Old street. Here stood, till the year 1737, the city Pesthouse, which consisted of several tenements, and was erected as a Lazaretto for the reception 179of distressed and miserable objects, infected by the dreadful plague in the year 1665. Maitland.

St. Peter ad Vincula, situated to the north west corner of Northumberland walk, at the end of the new armoury, in the Tower; was founded by King Edward III. and dedicated by the name of St. Peter in Chains, or St. Peter ad Vincula. This is a plain Gothic building void of all ornament, sixty-six feet in length, fifty-four in breadth, and twenty-four feet high from the floor to the roof. The walls, which have Gothic windows, are strengthened at the corners with rustic, and crowned with a plain blocking course. The tower is plain, and is crowned with a turret.

The living is a rectory in the gift of the King, valued at about 60l. a year. The Rector, as Minister of the Tower garrison, is paid by his Majesty; and the living is exempt from archiepiscopal jurisdiction.

Among the several monuments in this church is a grave stone, under which lies buried Mr. James Whittaker, his wife 180and children; and upon that stone are the following lines.

In this church lie the ashes of many noble, and some royal personages, executed either in the Tower, or on the hill, and deposited here in obscurity; particularly,

George Bullen, Lord Rochford, who was beheaded on Tower hill on the 17th of May, 1536.

Anne Bullen, wife to King Henry VIII. beheaded two days after, on a scaffold erected on the green, within the Tower.

Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, who from a blacksmith’s son at Putney, became the favourite of Henry VIII. and one of the most zealous promoters of the reformation from popery; but was beheaded on Tower hill in the year 1540.

Catharine Howard, the fifth wife of King Henry VIII. beheaded on Tower hill on the 13th of February, 1541.

Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, beheaded on Tower hill, on the 24th of June, 1552.

181John Dudley, Duke of Northumberland, who lost his head at the same place, on the 22d of Aug. 1553.

Under the communion table, lies the body of James Duke of Monmouth, the natural son of King Charles II. beheaded for asserting his right to the crown, in opposition to James II. on the 15th of July, 1683.

St. Peter’s Cheap, a church, which stood at the corner of Wood street Cheapside, in Faringdon ward within, but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the parish was united to St. Matthew, Friday street.

St. Peter’s Cornhill, a plain neat church, near the south east corner of Cornhill, in the ward of that name. There has been many ages a church in the same place, under the patronage of the same apostle: but the last edifice was destroyed by the fire of London, and this substantial structure rose in its place. The body is eighty feet long, and forty-seven broad; it is forty feet high to the roof, and the height of the steeple is an hundred and forty feet. The body is plain, and enlightened by a single series of windows. The tower, which is also plain, has a small window 182in each stage, and the dome which supports the spire is of the lantern kind; this spire, which is well proportioned, is crowned by a ball, whence rises the fane, in the form of a key.

The patronage of this rectory is in the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of this city. The Rector receives, besides other profits, 120l. a year by glebe, and 110l. a year in lieu of tithes.

St. Peter le Poor, on the west side of Broad street, in the ward of that name, is supposed by Maitland, to have received its additional epithet le Poor, from the mean condition of the parish in ancient times: tho’ it is now extremely wealthy, it being inhabited by a great number of merchants, and other persons of distinction.

Others imagine that it was called le Poor, from the neighbouring friary of St. Austin, where reigned an affected poverty. A church stood upon the same spot before the year 1181, and the present edifice which escaped the fire in 1666, is supposed to have been built about the year 1540.

This Gothic structure, instead of being an ornament to the street in which it is placed, as all public buildings ought to be, is a very great deformity; the building 183itself is mean, one of its corners being thrust as it were into the street, renders it narrow, obstructs the passage, and destroys the vista. This structure is of very considerable breadth in proportion to its length; it being fifty-four feet long, and fifty-one broad: the height to the roof is twenty-three feet, and that of the tower and turret seventy-five. The body is plain and unornamented; the windows are very large; and the dial is fixed to a beam that is joined on one end to a kind of turret, and extends like a country sign post, across the street; a very rude and aukward contrivance. The tower, which rises square, without diminution, is strengthened at the corners with rustic; upon this is placed a turret, which consists of strong piers at the corners arched over, and covered with an open dome, whence rises a ball and fane.

The advowson of this church appears to have been all along in the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s. The tithes at present amount to 130l. a year; and the other profits by annual donations settled upon the Rector, amount to about as much more.

Peter’s court, 1. Ironmonger row. 2. St. 184Martin’s lane, Charing cross. 3. Peter lane. 4. Rosemary lane.

St. Peter’s Paul’s wharf, stood at the south east corner of St. Peter’s hill, in Thames street, in Queenhithe ward, and was anciently denominated St. Peter’s Parva, or the Little, from its small dimensions. This church being destroyed with most of the others, by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, its parish is annexed to the church of St. Bennet Paul’s wharf.

Peter’s street, 1. Bandy leg walk, Deadman’s place. 2. Bloomsbury. 3. Halfmoon alley, Bishopsgate street. 4. In the Mint. 5. Stratton’s ground, Westminster. 6. Turnmill street, Cow cross. 7. Vere street, Claremarket. 8. Soho. 9. Westminster.

Petersham, a small village in Surry, near the 185New Park, and a little to the south of Richmond hill. Here stood a delightful seat built by the late Earl of Rochester, Lord High Treasurer in the reign of King James II. This fine house was burnt down in the year 1720, so suddenly that the family, who were all at home, had scarcely time to save their lives. Nor was the house, tho’ exquisitely finished both within and without, the greatest loss sustained; the noble furniture, the curious collection of paintings, and the inestimable library of the first Earl of Clarendon, Lord High Chancellor of England, and author of the History of the Rebellion, were wholly consumed; and among other valuable pieces, several manuscripts relating to those times, and to the transactions in which the King his Master, and himself were engaged both at home and abroad; besides other curious collections made by that noble Author in foreign countries.

On the ground where his house stood, the Earl of Harrington erected another, after one of the Earl of Burlington’s designs. The front next the court is very plain, and the entrance to the house not very extraordinary: but the south front next the garden, is bold and regular, and the apartments on that side, chiefly 186designed for state, are extremely elegant.

The gardens were before crowded with plantations near the house; but they are now laid open in lawns of grass: the kitchen garden, before situated on the east side of the house, is removed out of sight, and the ground converted to an open slope of grass, leading up to a terrace of great length; from which is a prospect of the river Thames, the town of Twickenham, and of all the fine seats round that part of the country. On the other side of the terrace, is a plantation on a rising ground; and on the summit of the hill is a fine pleasure house, which on every side commands a prospect of the country for many miles.

Petticoat lane, extends from Whitechapel into Spitalfields. On both sides of this lane were anciently hedges, and rows of elm trees, and the pleasantness of the neighbouring fields induced several gentlemen to build their houses here, among whom was the Spanish ambassador, whom Strype supposes to be Gondomar: but at length many French refugees settling in that part of the lane near Spitalfields in order to follow their trades, which in general was weaving of silk, it soon became a row of contiguous buildings. 187This lane is very long and very disagreeable, both on account of its nastiness and offensive smells, it being the chief residence of the horners, who prepare horns for other petty manufacturers.

Petty Bag Office, next the Rolls chapel, Chancery lane. The clerks in this office, who are three in number, are under the Master of the Rolls, and make all patents for customers, comptrollers, and congé d’elires: they also summon the Nobility, Clergy, Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses to parliament, &c. This office takes its name from each record being there put into a little bag.

Petty France, Tothill street, Westminster; thus named from its being at first inhabited by the people of that nation.

Petty France alley, Old Bethlem; so called from Petty France there, now called New Broad street, which was originally inhabited chiefly by the French.

188Pewterers, a company incorporated by letters patent, granted by King Edward IV. in 1474.

In the year 1534, the Wardens of the Pewterers company, or their deputies, were impowered by act of parliament to have the inspection of pewter in all parts of the kingdom, in order to prevent the sale of the base pewter, and the importation of pewter vessels from abroad. As a farther encouragement, all Englishmen are by that act strictly enjoined, not to repair to any foreign country to teach the art or mystery of pewterers, on pain of disfranchisement: and for the more effectually preventing the art being carried abroad, no Pewterer is to take the son of an alien as an apprentice.

This corporation has a Master, two Wardens, twenty-eight Assistants, and seventy-eight Liverymen, who on their admission pay 20l.

Phenix court, 1. Butcher row.* 2. High 189Holborn.* 3. Newgate street.* 4. Old Change, Cheapside.*

Phenix street, 1. Dyot street, St. Giles’s.* 2. Hog lane, St. Giles’s.* 3. Monmouth street, Spitalfields.*

Philip’s rents, 1. Lincoln’s Inn Fields.† 2. Maze pond street, Southwark.†

Physicians. There was no legal restraint on the practice of physic, till the third year of King Henry VIII. when it was enacted that none should practise physic or surgery within the city of London, of seven miles round, unless he were first examined, and approved by the Bishop of London, or the Dean of St. Paul’s, (who should call to his assistance four Doctors of physic, and for surgery, other expert persons in that faculty) upon pain of forfeiting 5l. for every month such persons should practise physic or surgery, without being thus admitted.

Seven years after this law, the Physicians were incorporated into a college or society; allowed a common seal, and the power of annually chusing a President, to 190govern all of that faculty: they were permitted to purchase lands and tenements, and to make statutes and ordinances for the government and correction of the college, and of all persons practising physic within seven miles of the city: it was also enacted that none, either within the city, or that compass, should practise, unless first allowed by the President and the Fellows, upon pain of forfeiting 5l. for every month: that four persons be chosen annually for the examination and government of all the Physicians of the city, and suburbs within seven miles round, and to punish them for their offences in not performing, making, and neglecting their medicines and receipts, by fines and imprisonments: and that neither the President, nor any of the members of the college, should be summoned upon juries, &c.

At their first institution there were but thirty Fellows belonging to the college; but at their request, King Charles II. augmented their number to forty; and King James II. considering the great increase of this city in its buildings and inhabitants, was pleased to increase the number to eighty, which they were not to exceed. Before this last charter, none could be admitted a Fellow of the college, if he had not taken his degree of Doctor in one of 191the universities; but now all who have taken their degree in any foreign university, are qualified to become Fellows.

The college has still great power in obstructing the practise of those who are not of their body; yet by connivance or favour, others practise physic; tho’ by law, if any one not so qualified, undertakes a cure, and his patient dies under his hand, he is deemed guilty of felony.

To this college belong a President, four Censors, and twelve Electors. The President is the principal member, and is annually chosen out of the society.

The four Censors have, by charter, authority to survey, correct and govern all Physicians, or others, that shall practise within their jurisdiction, and to fine and imprison for offences as they shall see cause. They may convene any Physician or practitioner before them, and examine him concerning his skill in physic, and if he does not appear to their summons, or upon his appearance refuses to answer, he may be fined for every default, any sum not exceeding forty shillings; or if any administer unwholsome and noxious medicines, he may be fined according to discretion, net exceeding 10l. or imprisoned, not exceeding fourteen 192days, unless for nonpayment of the fine, when it shall be lawful to detain him in prison until it be paid.

College of Physicians. This society had their first college in Knightrider street, which was the gift of Dr. Linacre, Physician to King Henry VIII. from whence they afterwards removed to Amen Corner, where they had purchased an house. Here the great Dr. Harvey, who immortalized his name by discovering the circulation of the blood, built them a library and public hall in the year 1652, which he granted for ever to the college, with his library, and endowed it with his estate, which he resigned to them while living, assigning a part of it for an anniversary oration, in commemoration of their benefactors, and to promote a spirit of emulation in succeeding generations. However, this edifice being consumed by the fire of London, and the ground being only upon lease, the Fellows erected the present structure.

The College of Physicians is a very noble edifice, situated near the north west corner of Warwick lane. It is built with brick and stone.

The entrance, which is grand, is under an octangular theatre, finishing in a dome, with a cone on the top, 193making a lantern to it. The inside is elegant, finely enlightened and very capacious. This was built by Sir Christopher Wren. The arches represented in the print are under the theatre thro’ which you enter the area. The central building, which is well worthy of observation, is the design of Inigo Jones, and contains the library and other rooms of state and convenience. The ascent to the door is by a flight of steps, and in the under part is a basement story. The whole front is decorated with pilasters of the Ionic and Corinthian orders; and on one side over the door case, is the statue of King Charles II. placed in a niche, and in the other side that of Sir John Cutler. The buildings at the two sides of the court are uniform, and have the window cases handsomely ornamented. The orders are well executed, and the whole edifice both beautiful and commodious.

The College of Physicians is a building of great delicacy, and eminently deserves to be considered among the noblest ornaments of this city, is yet so unlucky in its situation, in a narrow and dirty part of the lane, that it can never be seen to advantage.

There is here a hall, in which the Physicians sit to give advice to the poor 194gratis; a committee room; a library, furnished with books by Sir Theodore Mayerne and the Marquis of Dorchester, who was one of the Fellows; a great hall for the quarterly meetings of the Doctors, adorned with pictures and sculpture; a theatre for anatomical dissection; a preparing room, where there are thirteen tables, containing all the muscles in the human body; and over all garrets to dry the herbs for the use of the dispensatory.

Piccadilly, Haymarket. There were formerly no houses in this street, and only one shop for Spanish ruffs, which was called the Piccadilly or Ruff shop. At present there are several noble houses in it. See Devonshire House, Burlington House. The last house built in Piccadilly is the Earl of Egremont’s. It is of stone, and tho’ not much adorned, is elegant and well situated for a town house, having a fine view over the Green Park, which would be still more extended if the houses on each side were set farther back.

Piepowder court, a court of record incident to a fair, as a court baron is to a manor; it is derived from the French pié poudre, and is said to be so called from its expeditious proceedings in the decision of all controversies that happen in fairs; since for the encouragement of all traders, justice is supposed to be as quickly administered as dust can fall from the feet. Coke’s Institutes.

During the time of Bartholomew fair, this court is held in Cloth fair by the city of London and Mr. Edwards, for hearing and determining all differences committed against the tenor of the proclamation made by the Lord Mayor, on the eve of old St. Bartholomew, for the better regulation of that fair.

196Pinners, or Pinmakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1636.

They consist of a Master, two Wardens, and eighteen Assistants; but have no livery.

Their hall is situated near the southeast corner of Great Winchester street, Broad street: and is most noted for being let out for a meeting of Independents, who meet there every Sunday morning. This is the only Independent meeting in London, where the audience are not Calvinists. In the afternoon it is a meeting for a congregation of general Baptists.

Pipemakers alley, 1. Great St. Anne’s lane. 2. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.

Pipe Office, in Gray’s Inn lane, an office of the Treasury, in which all accounts and debts due to the King are drawn out of the Remembrancer’s office, and charged in a great roll made up like a pipe.

The chief officers are, the Clerk of the Pipe, and the Comptroller of the Pipe. The former makes leases of the King’s lands, on his being warranted so to do by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, 197or the Chancellor of the Exchequer: and these leases are sometimes directed to be made under the Great Seal, but for the most part pass the Exchequer: he has under him a Deputy, and eight Attornies, the two first of whom are Secondaries.

All accounts that pass the Remembrancer’s office, are brought to the office of the Clerk of the Pipe, and remain there, to the end if there be any determined debt due by any accomptant or other person, in any such account, it may be inserted in the great roll or the pipes thereof, and taken verbatim by the Comptroller of the Pipe into his roll, and process may be made by him for the recovery thereof by a writ called the Summons of the Pipe, which is in the nature of a levari facias.

All tallies that vouch the payments contained in such accounts, are examined and allowed by the Chief Secondary in the Pipe, and remain for ever after in this office.

The Comptroller of the Pipe writes in his roll all that is in the great roll; and nothing entered in the great roll can be discharged without his privity. He also writes out the summons twice every year to the sheriffs, to levy the debts charged in the great roll of the pipe. 198Chamberlain’s Present State. He has under him a Deputy Comptroller, and a Clerk.

Plaisterers, a company incorporated by letters patent, granted by King Henry VIII. in the year 1501, and confirmed by a charter granted by Charles II. in 1667, by the name of The Master, and Wardens of the guild or fraternity of the blessed Mary, of Plaisterers, London.

This company is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and thirty-two Assistants, and has seventy-seven Liverymen, who upon their admission pay a fine of 8l. They have a neat hall on the north west side of Addle street.

Plantation Office in the treasury. See 199the article Trade and Plantation Office.

Playhouse passage, 1. Bow street; leading to Covent Garden playhouse. 2. Drury lane, leading to the playhouse there.

Playhouse yard, 1. Black Friars, where a playhouse was formerly situated. 2. Whitecross street, Old street, where, according to Maitland, the first playhouse in London was erected; on the east side of that yard are still to be seen the ruins of the theatre.

Clerk of the Pleas Office, in Lincoln’s Inn. In this office all the officers of the Exchequer, and other privileged persons, as debtors to the King, &c. are to have their privilege to plead, and be impleaded as to all matters at the common law: and the proceedings are accordingly by declarations, pleas, and trials as at the common law; because they should not be drawn out of their own court, where their attendance is required. In this office are four sworn Attornies. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Plough alley, 1. Bankside, Southwark.* 2. Barbican.* 3. Carey street, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.* 4. Wapping.

Plough yard, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Brown’s gardens, St. Giles’s.* 3. Holborn hill.* 4. Harrow yard, Green bank.* 5. Seething lane, Tower street.* 6. Tower ditch.*

Plough yard School, in Plough yard, Seething lane, was founded by James Hickson, Esq; about the year 1689, for the education of twenty boys; for the instruction of whom he allowed the head Master 20l. per annum, a dwelling house, and two chaldrons of coals yearly; and to a Writing Master 8l. a year. Fourteen of the children are to be of the parish of Allhallows, Barking, and six of the hamlet of Wapping. Maitland.

Plumbers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1611. This corporation is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-four Assistants; with a livery of fifty-seven members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 10l. They have a 201small hall in Chequer yard, Dowgate hill. Maitland.

Poor Jewry lane, Aldgate; so called from its being inhabited by the Jews, on their return to England, after being expelled the kingdom by Edward I. See Old Jewry.

Pope’s Head alley, 1. Broad street.* 2. A neat passage from Cornhill into Lombard street, next to ‘Change alley.*

Popish Chapels, of these there are but few in the city of London; for as Popery is esteemed inconsistent with the liberties of a free people, they are therefore in a manner confined to the ambassadors, who keep them open for those of their own religion. These are,

Poplar, a hamlet of Stepney, is situated on the Thames to the east of Limehouse, and obtained its name from the great number of poplar trees that anciently grew there. The chapel of Poplar was erected in the year 1654, when the ground upon which it was built, together with the church yard, were given by the East India company, and the edifice erected by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants and others; since which time that Company has not only allowed the Minister a convenient dwelling house, with a garden and field containing about three acres, but has allowed him 20l. per annum during pleasure; wherefore this chapel for want of an endowment continues unconsecrated.

Poplar Marsh, called the Isle of Dogs, from the great noise made by the King’s hounds that were kept there during the residence of the royal family at Greenwich, is rather an isthmus than an island, 203and is reckoned one of the richest spots of ground in England; for it not only raises the largest cattle, but the grass it bears is esteemed a great restorative of all distempered cattle.

Here are two almshouses besides an hospital belonging to the East India company.

Porters. The London porters are divided into brotherhoods, and consist of four sorts, viz. Companies porters, Fellowship porters, Ticket porters, and Tackle porters.

I. The companies porters land and ship off all goods and merchandizes exported and imported to and from all parts near the west side of the Sound, in the Baltic sea, Germany, Holland, France, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and towards or beyond the Cape of Good Hope.

II. Fellowship porters, whose business is to land, ship off, carry or house, all merchandize, as corn, salt, coals, and other commodities, measurable by dry measure. They are upward of 700 in number, and their chief governor is the Alderman of 204Billingsgate ward. Their quarterage is 12d. whereas the Ticket porters pay but 4d. each.

There is a very remarkable custom among the Fellowship porters, which is as follows, viz.

By an act of Common Council, a sermon is preached to them, in the parish church of St. Mary at Hill, the next Sunday after every Midsummer day; when overnight they furnish the merchants and families about Billingsgate with nosegays, and in the morning they proceed from their place of meeting in good order, each having a nosegay in his hand: walking through the middle isle to the communion table, every one offers something into the two basons, for the relief of the poor, and towards the charges of the day; and after they have passed, the deputy, the merchants, their wives, children, and servants walk in order from their seats, and bestow their offerings also; which is a ceremony of much variety. The charges of their nosegays have amounted sometimes to near 20l. in one year.

III. The Ticket porters land and ship off goods imported or exported to all parts of America, &c. and house all merchants goods, metals, &c. They give ample security for their fidelity and 205honesty, and such as employ them need only take notice of their names stamped on a ticket that hangs at their girdles; that upon complaint being made to their Governor, satisfaction may be given to such as have been injured by them.

IV. Tackle porters are such of the Ticket porters as are furnished with weights, scales, &c. and their business is to weigh goods.

Any porter has the liberty of bringing goods into London; but may not carry any out of the city, or from one part of it to another, unless he be a freeman; otherwise he is liable to be arrested.

Porter’s yard, 1. Holiwell lane, Shoreditch.† 2. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.†

Portsoken Ward. The word Portsoken, according to Maitland, signifies a franchise at the gate: this ward is therefore situated entirely without Aldgate, and contains all Whitechapel as far as the bars; Petticoat lane, Houndsditch and the Minories. It is bounded on the east, by the parishes of Spitalfields, Stepney, and St. George’s in the east; on the south by Tower hill; on the west by Aldgate ward, from which it is separated by the city wall; and on the north by Bishopsgate ward.

Its principal streets are, Whitechapel up to the bars, the Minories, and Houndsditch; and its most remarkable buildings, the parish churches of St. Botolph’s Aldgate, and Trinity Minories,

This ward is governed by an Alderman and five Common Council men, including the Alderman’s Deputy; twenty-two inquest men, five scavengers, five constables, and a beadle. The jurors returned by the wardmote inquest serve in the several courts of Guildhall in the month of January. Maitland.

General Post Office, a handsome and commodious building near the south west extremity of Lombard street, facing Pope’s Head alley.

Of what antiquity the post is in this kingdom, is not easy to determine. Anciently the management of the foreign mails was under the direction of a stranger, who by the permission of the government was chosen by the foreigners dwelling in this city, who even pretended to have a right by prescription of chusing their own post master. However, in the year 1568 a difference arising between the Spaniards and Flemings in London, each chose their separate post master; and this contest occasioned a representation from the citizens to the Privy Council, to beseech her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, to fill that important post with one of her English subjects.

By the first accounts we find of the posts established for the convenience of this kingdom, it appears to have been managed by several private officers, who had their respective districts. But great inconveniences arising from their different methods of proceeding, they were suppressed, and a certain number of public 209officers erected in their room: but these also not answering the end proposed, a General Post Office was erected by act of parliament in the 12th of King Charles II. in the year 1660, to be kept within the city of London, under the direction of a Post Master appointed by the King.

By this act the General Post Master was impowered to appoint post houses in the several parts of the country hitherto unprovided, both in post and by-roads: the postage of letters to and from all places therein mentioned was not only ascertained, but likewise the rates of post horses to be paid by all such as should ride post.

At length, upon the union of the kingdoms of England and Scotland, a General Post Office was established by act of parliament in the year 1710, not only for the united kingdom of Great Britain, but likewise for that of Ireland, and her Majesty’s plantations in North America and the West Indies.

The office of Post Master is at present under the direction of two Commissioners who have 2000l. per annum, and are assisted by a Secretary of 200l. a year, who has four Clerks, two of 60l. a year, one of 50l. and one of 30l.

210The other officers under the direction of the Post Master General are, a Receiver General, who has 300l. per annum, under whom are two clerks, who have 50l. a year each.

An Accomptant General who has 300l. per annum, and has a Deputy of 90l. a year, and three Clerks who have 50l. a year each.

A Comptroller of the inland office who has 200l. a year, and has a Deputy of 90l. a year. A Solicitor to the post office who has 200l. a year; a Resident Surveyor, who has 300l. a year; and two Inspectors of the mis-sent letters who have 100l. a year each.

Six Clerks of the roads, viz. Chester, 100l. per annum; Assistant, 60l. West, 60l. and Assistant, 60l. North, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 60l. Bristol, 60l. a year, and Assistant 60l. Yarmouth, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 60l. Kent, 60l. a year, and Assistant, 50l. Notwithstanding the smallness of these salaries; the perquisite of franking news papers, &c. into the country renders the profits of the Clerks of the roads very considerable.

A Court Post who has 2l. a day; and a deliverer of the letters to the House of Commons, who has 6s. 8d. a day.

There is also a Clerk of the by-nights, 211who has 60l. a year, and his Assistant, 60l. Ten sorters, seven of whom have 50l. a year, and three 40l. a year each, seven, supernumerary sorters, three at 30l. and four at 25l. each. A window man and alphabet keeper, who has 60l. a year; and several other officers and servants, among whom are sixty-seven letter carriers at 11s. a week.

In the foreign office is a Comptroller, who has 150l. a year; an alphabet keeper, who has 100l. per annum, a Secretary who has 50l. a year; and six Clerks, five of whom have 50l. a year each, and one 40l. a year.

Rates for carrying Letters by the Post, to any part of Great Britain and Ireland.

Double letters to be paid twice as much as single, treble letters three times as much, and the ounce four times as much as single letters.

Every single letter not exceeding one sheet, to or from any place not exceeding eighty miles, 3d.

212Every single letter from Berwick to any place within forty miles distance, 3d.

Carriage of every single letter a greater distance than one hundred and forty miles 6d.

The port of every single letter to or from Edinburgh, and to and from Dumfries or Cockburnsperth, and between either of those places and Edinburgh, not coming from on ship-board, 6d.

The port of every single letter from Edinburgh to or from any place within fifty miles distance in Scotland, 2d.

The port of every single letter a farther distance, and not exceeding eighty miles within Scotland, 3d.

Between Donachaddee in Ireland and Port-Patrick in Scotland for port of letters and packets (over and above the inland rates) to be paid at the place where delivered; single letter, 2d.

The carriage of every single letter from England to Dublin, in Ireland, or from Dublin into England, 6d.

The carriage of every single letter from Dublin to any place within forty miles distance, or from any place within the like distance to Dublin, 2d.

And for the port of all and every the letters and packets directed or brought from on ship-board, over and above the said rates, 1d.

The several rates for the carriage of Letters, Packets, and Parcels; to or from any parts or places beyond the seas, are as follow; viz.

Double letters to be paid for twice as much as single, treble letters three times as much, the ounce four times as much as the single letters.

All letters or packets passing from London through France, to any part of Spain or Portugal (port paid to Bayonne) and from Spain and Portugal through France to London, 1s. 6d. single, double 3s.

All letters and packets passing from London through France, to any part of Italy or Sicily by the way of Lyons, or to any part of Turky, by the way of Marseilles, and from any of those parts thro’ France to London. Single 1s. 3d.

214All letters and packets coming from any part of the Spanish Netherlands to London. Single 10d.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Italy or Sicily (port paid to Antwerp), and from any port of Italy or Sicily, through the Spanish Netherlands unto London. Single 1s.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and all parts of the North, and from any of those parts through the Spanish Netherlands unto London. Single 1s.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands to any part of Spain or Portugal; and from any part of Spain or Portugal, through the Spanish Netherlands to London. Single 1s. 6d.

All letters and packets passing from any part of the United Provinces to London. Single 10d.

All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces, for any part of Italy or Sicily, and from any part of Italy or Sicily, through the United Provinces, to London. Single 1s.

215All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces, to any part of Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and all parts of the North; and from any of those parts and places, through the United Provinces, to London. Single 1s.

All letters and packets passing from London through the United Provinces, to any part of Spain or Portugal; and from any part of Spain or Portugal, through the United Provinces, to London. Single 1s. 6d.

All letters and packets passing from London through the Spanish Netherlands or the United Provinces, to Hamburgh (port paid to Antwerp or Amsterdam) and from Hamburgh through the Spanish Netherlands, or the United Provinces, to London. Single 10d.

All letters and packets passing between London, Spain, or Portugal, by packet boats. Single 1s. 6d.

All letters and packets passing from London to Jamaica, Barbadoes, Antigua, Montserrat, Nevis, and St. Christopher’s, in America, and from any of those parts to London. Single 1s. 6d.

All letters and packets from London to New York, in North America, and from thence to London. Single 1s.

216All letters and packets from any part of the West Indies, to New York aforesaid. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from New York to any place within sixty English miles thereof, and thence back to New York. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from New York to Perth Amboy, the chief town in East New Jersey, and to Bridlington, the chief town in West New Jersey, and from each of those places back to New York, and from New York to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and from each of those places to New York. Single 6d.

All letters and packets from Perth Amboy and Bridlington, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from Perth Amboy and Bridlington, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again. Single 6d.

All letters and packets from New York to New London, the chief town in Connecticut in New England, and to Philadelphia, the chief town in Pensilvania, and from those places back to New York. Single 9d.

217All letters and packets from New London and Philadelphia, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from New York and Philadelphia, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and so back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from New York aforesaid, to Newport the chief town in Rhode Island, and Providence Plantation in New England, and to Boston, the chief town in Massachusett’s bay, in New England aforesaid; and to Portsmouth, the chief town in New Hampshire, in New England aforesaid; and to Annapolis, the chief town in Maryland, and from every of those places to New York. Single 1s.

All letters and packets from Newport, Boston, Portsmouth, and Annapolis aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from Newport, Boston, Portsmouth, and Annapolis aforesaid, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again. Single 6d.

All letters and packets from New York 218aforesaid, to the chief offices in Salem and Ipswich, and to the chief office in Piscataway, and to Williamsburgh, the chief office in Virginia, and from every of those places to New York. Single 1s. 3d.

All letters and packets from the chief offices in Salem, Ipswich, and Piscataway, and Williamsburgh aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from the chief offices in Salem, Ipswich, Piscataway, and Williamsburgh aforesaid, not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again. Single 6d.

All letters and packets from New York aforesaid, to Charles Town, the chief town in North and South Carolina, and from Charles Town aforesaid to New York. Single 1s. 6d.

All letters and packets from Charles Town aforesaid, to any place not exceeding sixty English miles, and thence back again. Single 4d.

All letters and packets from Charles Town aforesaid, to any place not exceeding one hundred English miles, and thence back again. Single 6d.

Bags for the following towns are dispatched Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; and the returns are delivered Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; Arundel, Brighthelmston, Chichester, East Grinstead, Godalmin, Haslemere, Lewes, Midhurst, Petworth, Ryegate, Steyning, Shoreham.

On Tuesdays.] To Holland, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Scotland, and all parts of England and Wales.

N.B. One Tuesday the packet goes to Lisbon, and the next Tuesday to the Groyn, and so on.

Letters are returned from all parts of 222England and Scotland certainly, every Monday, Wednesday and Friday; and from Wales every Monday and Friday. But their coming from foreign parts is more uncertain on account of the seas.

Post Office court, a small but neat court in Lombard street, in which is the post office.

Postern Gate, an ancient gate which stood at the east end of Postern row on Tower hill. It was erected soon after the Conquest in a beautiful manner with stones brought from Kent and Normandy, for the convenience of the neighbouring inhabitants, both within and without the walls; but in the second year of the reign of Richard I. William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, and Chancellor of England, having resolved to enlarge and strengthen the Tower of London with an additional fortification, he caused a part of the city wall, which extended about 300 feet from the Tower to this gate, to be taken down, in order to make way for a strong wall and a spacious ditch: by which means the postern being deprived of its support on that side, fell down in the year 1440. It was afterwards replaced by a mean building of timber, laths and loam, with a 223narrow passage; but this also decayed, and has been many years removed quite away; nothing remaining at present to preserve the name, but a few posts to guard a narrow foot way from the encroachments of horses and carriages.

A little to the south of the place where the gate stood, is a descent by several stone steps to an excellent spring, much admired, which is still called the Postern Spring.

Postern row, a row of houses on Tower hill, leading from the place where the postern gate formerly stood.

Poulterers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Henry VII. in the year 1504.

They have a Master, two Wardens, twenty-three Assistants, and a livery of an hundred and six members, who on their admission pay a fine of 20l. but they have no hall.

Poultry, a street which extends from the Mansion house to Cheapside, and was so denominated from the Poulterers stalls 224which anciently extended along that street from Stocks market. Maitland. See Scalding alley.

Poultry Compter, one of the city prisons, so denominated from its use and situation: for this prison belonging to one of the Sheriffs, Maitland supposes, might possibly be named the Compter, from the prisoners being obliged to account for the cause of their commitment before their discharge: and the addition of Poultry is added from its situation in that street, to distinguish it from the Compter in Wood street.

For an account of the several officers belonging to the two Compters, see the article Compter.

Precentor or Chanter of St. Paul’s, an officer who superintends the church music, and has a sub-chanter to officiate in his absence. To him belongs the second stall on the north side of the choir: he is perpetual Rector of the church of 225Stortford, proprietor of the same, and patron of the vicarage. Newc. Repert.

Prerogative Court in Doctors Commons; this court is thus denominated from the prerogative of the Archbishop of Canterbury; who by a special privilege beyond those of his suffragans, can here try all disputes that happen to arise concerning the last wills of persons within his province, who have left goods to the value of 5l. and upwards, unless such things are settled by composition between the metropolitan and his suffragans; as in the diocese of London, where it is 10l.

This court, which was formerly held in the consistory of St. Paul’s, is kept in Doctors Commons in the afternoon, the next day after the court of Arches. The Judge is attended by the Register and his Deputy, who sets down the decrees and acts of the court, and keeps the records.

Prerogative Office in Doctors Commons, an office belonging to the above court, in which copies of all wills deposited in the office are wrote in large folio volumes, and any person may have the privilege of searching a particular will for a shilling, and of having a copy of the 226whole, or of any part of it, for a moderate fee.

The places belonging to this court are in the gift of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Presbyterians, a considerable body of Protestant dissenters; their religious sentiments are in general pretty far from Calvinism, they have now scarcely any resemblance to the church of Scotland; and every congregation in this city, is in a manner as independent of each other as the independents themselves. The meeting houses within the bills of mortality are as follows:

1. Bethnal green. 2. Broad street, Wapping. 3. Brook house, Clapton. 4. Church street, Hoxton. 5. Crosby square, Bishopsgate street. 6. Crown court, Russel street. 7. Founders hall, Lothbury. 8. Grafton street, Seven dials. 9. Gravel lane, Houndsditch. 10. Great St. Thomas Apostle’s. 11. Hanover street, Long Acre. 12. King John’s court, Bermondsey. 13. King’s Weigh-house, Little Eastcheap. 14. Leather lane, Holborn. 15. Little Carter lane. 16. Little Eastcheap, near Tower street. 17. Little St. Helen’s Bishopsgate street. 18. Long ditch, Westminster. 19. Maiden lane, Deadman’s 227place. 20. Middlesex court, Bartholomew close. 21. Mourning lane, Hackney. 22. New Broad street, London wall. 23. Near Nightingale lane. 24. Old Jewry, Poultry. 25. Parish street, Horselydown. 26. Poor Jewry lane, near Aldgate. 27. Queen street, near Cuckolds point. 28. Rampant lion yard, Nightingale lane. 29. Ryder’s court, near Leicester fields. 30. Salisbury street, Rotherhithe. 31. St. Thomas, Southwark. 32. Salters hall, Swithin’s lane. 33. Shakespear’s walk, Upper Shadwell. 34. Silver street, Wood street. 35. Spitalfields. 36. Swallow street, Piccadilly. 37. Windsor court, Monkwell street.

Price’s alley, 1. Brewer’s street. 2. Knave’s Acre, Wardour street.† 3. Queen street, in the Park, Southwark.†

Primrose alley, 1. Bishopsgate street. 2. 228Long alley, Moorfields. 3. St. Mary Overies dock, Southwark.

Primrose Hill, a very pleasant hill between Kilburn and Hampstead; also called Green Berry Hill, from the names of the three assassins of Sir Edmundbury Godfrey, who brought him hither after they had murdered him at Somerset house.

Prince’s court. Several of these courts and streets received their name, as well as those of King street and Queen street, after the restoration, in honour of the return of the royal family. 1. Duke street, St. James’s. 2. Drury lane. 3. Gravel lane, Southwark. 4. Hedge lane, Charing Cross. 5. Long Ditch, Westminster. 6. Lothbury. 7. Newport market. 8. Old Gravel lane, Ratcliff highway. 9. Tower hill. 10. Wentworth street.

Prince’s square, Ratcliff highway, is a neat square, principally inhabited by the families of gentlemen who belong to the sea. Its chief ornament is the church and church yard belonging to the Swedes, surrounded with iron rails and well planted with trees. The front of the church is carried up flat with niches and ornaments, and on the summit is a pediment. 229The body is divided into a central part projecting forwarder than the rest, and two sides. The central part has two tall windows, terminated by a pediment, and in the midst of that is an oval window; but in the sides there is only a compartment below with a circular window above. The corners of the building are wrought in a bold, plain rustic. The tower rises square from the roof, and at the corners are placed urns with flames: from thence rises a turret in the lanthorn form with flaming urns at the corners: this turret is covered with a dome, from which rises a ball, supporting the fane, in the form of a rampant lion.

Prince’s street, 1. St. Anne’s street, Soho. 2. Barbican. 3. Brick lane, Spitalfields. 4. Charles street, Old Gravel lane, Ratcliff. 5. Drury lane. 6. Duke street, St. James’s. 7. Duke street, Southwark. 8. Hanover square. 9. Little Queen street. 10. Oxford street. 11. Queen street. 12. Ratcliff Highway. 13. Red Lion square, Holborn. 14. Rotherhith Wall. 15. Sun Tavern fields, Shadwell. 16. The west end of Threadneedle street; first built by act of Parliament after the fire of London, in which it was called by this name before 230it was erected. 17. Upper Moorfields. 18. Whitcomb street, Hedge lane. 19. Wood street, Spitalfields.

Printing House yard, 1. Water lane. 2. By White’s alley, Coleman street; thus named from a large printing house there for woollens.

Privy Council, held at the Cockpit. This great and honourable assembly meet in order to consult upon those measures that are most likely to contribute to the honour, defence, safety and benefit of his Majesty’s dominions.

The members of this body are chosen by the King, and are, or ought to be distinguished by their wisdom, courage, integrity, and political knowledge. A Privy Counsellor, though but a Gentleman, has precedence of all Knights, Baronets, and the younger sons of all Barons and Viscounts. They sit at the council board bareheaded, when his Majesty presides; at all debates the lowest delivers his opinion first; and the King last of all declares 231his judgment, and thereby determines the matter in debate.

Privy Garden, Whitehall, was formerly used as a private garden, though it extended almost to the Cockpit. The wall joined the arch still standing by the Cockpit, and ran on in a line to King street. Plan of London drawn in Queen Elizabeth’s time.

Privy Seal Office, Whitehall. An office under the government of the Lord Privy Seal, a great officer, next in dignity to the Lord President of the Council, who keeps the King’s privy seal, which is set to such grants as pass the great seal of England. The Lord Privy Seal has a salary of 3000l. per annum. Under him are three Deputies, a Secretary, and three Clerks; but these Clerks have no salaries; they have however considerable fees, and 30l. a year board wages.

Protonotaries, or Prothonotaries, in the court of Common Pleas. The word is derived from Protonotarius, a chief Notary or Clerk; and they are accordingly the chief Clerks of this court. 232They enter and enrol all declarations, pleadings, assizes, judgments, and actions; and make out judicial writs, &c. for all English counties, except Monmouth. They are three in number, and have each separate offices, one in the Middle Temple, another in King’s Bench Walks, and the other in Searle’s court, Lincoln’s Inn. In these offices all the Attorneys of the court of Common Pleas enter their causes.

Each of these Protonotaries has a Secondary, whose office is, to draw up the rules of court, and these were formerly the ancientest and ablest Clerks or Attorneys of the court.

Protonotary’s, or Prothonotary’s Office in Chancery, is kept in Middle Temple lane, and is chiefly to expedite commissions for embassies.

Pudding lane, Thames street. In this lane the fire of London broke out, at a house situated exactly at the same distance from the Monument as that is high. Upon this house, which is rebuilt in a very 233handsome manner, was set up by authority the following inscription:

‘Here by the permission of Heaven, Hell broke loose upon this protestant city, from the malicious hearts of barbarous papists, by the hand of their agent Hubert: who confessed, and on the ruins of this place declared his fact, for which he was hanged, viz. That here began the dreadful fire, which is described and perpetuated, on and by the neighbouring pillar, erected 1681—in the mayoralty of Sir Patience Ward, Knt.’

But the inhabitants being incommoded by the many people who came to look at the house, and read this board, it was taken down a few years ago.

Puddle dock, Thames street. There was anciently a descent into the Thames in this place, where horses used to be watered; who raising the mud with their feet, made the place like a puddle; from this circumstance, and from a person named Puddle dwelling there, this dock, according to Maitland, obtained its present name.

Pump alley, 1. Brown’s street.☐ 2. Gardener’s lane, Petty France, Westminster.☐ 3. Green bank, Wapping.☐ 4. Perkins’s rents, Peter street, Soho.☐ 5. Quaker street, Spitalfields.☐ 6. Queen street in the Park, Southwark.☐ 7. Red lion street, Wapping dock.☐ 8. Near Whitecross street, Cripplegate.☐

Pump court, 1. Bridgewater gardens.☐ 2. Charing Cross.☐ 3. Crutched Friars.☐ 4. Glasshouse yard.☐ 5. Holland street.† 6. Jacob’s street, Mill street.☐ 7. Inner Temple.☐ 8. Long alley, Shoreditch.☐ 9. The Minories.☐ 10. Noble street, Foster lane.☐ 11. Rose and Crown court.☐ 12. Portpool lane.☐ 13. Queenhithe.☐ 14. Three Foxes court, Longlane, Smithfield.☐ 15. White Hart yard, Drury lane.☐ 16. White’s alley.☐

Pump yard, 1. Near Aldersgate Bars.☐ 2. Church lane.☐ 3. Golden lane.☐ 4. Gravel lane.☐ 5. King John’s court, Southwark.☐ 6. Newington Butts.☐ 7. In the Orchard, Ratcliff.☐ 8. Pump alley, Chequer alley.☐ 9. Three Colts street.† 10. Whitehorse alley, Cow Cross.☐

Putney, a village in Surry, situated on the Thames, five miles south west of London, famous for being the birth place of Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex, whose father was a blacksmith here. About this village the citizens of London have many pretty seats; and on Putney Heath is a public house, noted for polite assemblies, and in the summer season for breakfasting and dancing, and for one of the pleasantest bowling greens in England. Here is an old church erected after the same model with that of Fulham, on the opposite shore, and they are both said to have been built by two sisters.

That part of Putney which joins to the Heath, commands a fine view both up and down the river Thames.

Pyrford, or Purford, in Surry, the fine seat of the late Denzil Onslow, Esq; situated two miles from Guilford, on the banks of the Wey. It is rendered extremely pleasant, by the beautiful intermixture of wood and water, in the park, 236gardens, and grounds adjoining. By the park is a decoy, the first of the kind in this part of England.

Quakers, a body of dissenters who have the following places of worship in this metropolis:

1. Devonshire street, Bishopsgate street. 2. Ewer’s street, Southwark. 3. Fair street, Horselydown. 4. Little Almonry, Westminster. 5. St. John’s lane. 6. Sandy’s court, Houndsditch. 7. School house lane, Ratcliff. 8. Savoy in the Strand. 9. Wapping. 10. White hart yard, Gracechurch street. 11. Workhouse, Clerkenwell.

Quakers Workhouse, in Bridewell Walk, Clerkenwell, contains about eighteen or twenty old men and women; but they are not confined to any number. These are provided with all the necessaries of life in a very decent manner: as are also forty boys and twenty girls; who are not only taught reading, writing and arithmetic; but to spin, sew, knit, and 237make thrum-mops, &c. in order to inure them to early labour: the boys, when put out apprentice, have 5l. given with each. These children are cloathed in very good cloth and callimancoes, and supported at the expence of about 600l. per annum.

Queen Anne’s street, a very handsome regular street, building north of Cavendish square, and parallel to that and Wigmore street. It being built on the estate of the late Lord Harley, Earl of Oxford, it received its name in honour of his Royal Mistress.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, in School house lane, Tooley street, Southwark, was founded by that Princess, for instructing the boys of St. Olave’s parish in English, grammar and writing.

This school generally consists of near three hundred boys, for the teaching of whom the master of the grammar school has a salary of 61l. per annum; his usher 41l. 10s. the writing-master has 60l. out of which he is obliged to supply the school with pens and ink; the English master has 37l. 10s. and his usher 20l. These sums, together amounting to 220l. per annum, 238are chiefly raised from an estate in Horselydown, which, pursuant to the letters of incorporation, is, with the school, under the management of sixteen of the parishioners. Maitland.

Queenhithe, in Thames street, a hithe or harbour for large boats, lighters, barges, and even ships, which anciently anchored at that place, as they do now at Billingsgate, the draw-bridge being drawn up for their passage through; Queenhithe being then the principal key for lading and unlading in the heart of the city. Hither vast numbers of these vessels came laden with corn, as the barges do now with malt and meal, this being the great meal market of the city.

Queenhithe Ward, is bounded on the north by Bread street ward, and Cordwainers ward; on the east by Dowgate ward; on the south by the Thames, and on the west by Baynard’s castle ward. The principal streets and lanes in this ward, are, next to Queenhithe, a part of Thames street, from St. Bennet’s hill to Townsend lane; Lambert hill, Fish street hill, Five foot lane, Bread street hill, Huggen lane, Little Trinity, with the 239south side of Great Trinity lane, and Old Fish street.

The most remarkable buildings, are the parish churches of St. Nicholas Cole Abbey, St. Mary Somerset, and St. Michael’s Queenhithe; Painterstainers hall, and Blacksmiths hall.

This ward is governed by an Alderman and six Common Council men, including the Alderman’s Deputy; thirteen inquest men, eight scavengers, nine constables, and a beadle. The jury-men returned by the Wardmote inquest, serve in the several courts of Guildhall in the month of October. Maitland.

Queen’s court, 1. St. Catharine’s lane, East Smithfield.* 2. Great Queen street.* 3. High Holborn.* 4. King street, Covent Garden.*

Queen’s Head alley, 1. Hoxton.* 2. Newgate street.* 3. Shadwell.* 4. Wapping.* 5. Whitechapel.*

Queen’s Head court, 1. Fleet street.* 2. Giltspur street.* 3. Gray’s Inn lane.* 4. Great Windmill street.* 5. High Holborn.* 6. King street, Covent Garden.* 7. Pye corner.* 8. In the Strand.* 9. Turn again lane.*

240Queen’s Head yard, 1. Gray’s Inn lane, Holborn.* 2. White Horse street.*

Queen’s Library, a handsome building erected by that learned Princess her late Majesty Queen Caroline, into which books were put in the month of October 1737. This is a very noble room, furnished with a choice collection of modern books in several languages, consisting of about 4500, finely bound, and placed in great order, with brass net-work before them. Maitland.

Queen’s square, 1. St. James’s Park. 2. Little Bartholomew close. 3. Ormond street, by Red Lion street, Holborn. This, as a late writer justly observes, is an area of a peculiar kind, it being left open on one side for the sake of the beautiful landscape formed by the hills of Highgate and Hampstead, together with the adjacent fields. A delicacy worthy, as it is an advantage to the inhabitants, and a beauty even with regard to the square itself.

Queen street. Many of these streets were thus named after the restoration, in honour of the royal family. 1. Bloomsbury. 2. Opposite King street in Cheapside; this street was widened, and had its name 241changed to Queen street, by act of Parliament, after the fire of London. 3. Great Russel street, Bloomsbury. 4. Great Windmill street. 5. Hog lane, St. Giles’s. 6. Hoxton. 7. Long Ditch, Westminster. 8. In the Mint, Southwark. 9. Moorfields. 10. Near New Gravel lane, Shadwell. 11. Old Paradise street, Rotherhith. 12. Oxford street. 13. In the Park, Southwark. 14. Ratcliff. 15. Redcross street, Southwark. 16. Rosemary lane. 17. Rotherhith. 18. Seven Dials. 19. Soho square. 20. Tower hill. 21. Mews, Great Queen street.

Rag Fair, 1. East Smithfield. 2. Rosemary lane. Here old cloaths are sold every day, by multitudes of people standing in the streets; there is here a place called the ‘Change, where all the shops 242sell old cloaths: it is remarkable that many of the old cloaths shops in Rosemary lane, where this daily market is kept, deal for several thousand pounds a year.

Raine’s Hospital, in Fowden Fields in the parish of St. George, Ratcliff Highway, a handsome building erected by Mr. Henry Raine, brewer, in the year 1737, who endowed it by a deed of gift with a perpetual annuity of 240l. per annum, and added the sum of 4000l. in South sea annuities, amounting to about 4400l. to be laid out in a purchase.

The children of this hospital, which contains forty-eight girls, are taken out of a parish school almost contiguous to it, erected in the year 1719, by the above Mr. Raine, at the expence of about 2000l. and he likewise endowed it with a perpetual annuity of 60l.

The children are supplied with all the necessaries of life, and taught to read, write, sew, and household work, to qualify 243them for service, to which they are put, after having been three years upon the foundation. Maitland.

Ram alley, 1. Cock lane.* 2. Cow Cross, Smithfield.* 3. St. John’s street, Spitalfields.* 4. Rotherhith Wall.* 5. Wright street, Rotherhith.*

Ramsay’s Almshouse, in Horns yard, Cloth Fair, was founded by Dame Mary Ramsey, relict of Mr. Thomas Ramsey, some time Lord Mayor, about the year 1596, for three poor women, who formerly received coals and cloaths; but at present only 2s. per week each. Maitland.

Ranelagh Gardens, at Chelsea; so called from their formerly belonging to the Earl of Ranelagh. This is one of those public places of pleasure which is not to be equalled in Europe, and is the resort of people of the first quality. Though its gardens are beautiful, it is more to be admired for the amphitheatre. This is a circular building, the external diameter is 185 feet, round the whole is an arcade, and over that a gallery with a balustrade (to admit the company into the upper 244boxes) except where the entrances break the continuity. Over this are the windows (as may be seen in the print) and it terminates with the roof. The internal diameter is 150 feet, and the architecture of the inside corresponds with the outside, except that over every column, between the windows, termini support the roof. In the middle of the area, where the orchestra was at first designed, is a chimney having four faces. This makes it warm and comfortable in bad weather. The orchestra fills up the place of one of the entrances. The entertainment consists of a fine band of music with an organ, accompanied by the best voices. The regale is tea and coffee.

Ratcliff School, was founded by Nicholas Gibson, Sheriff of this city, in the year 1537, for the education of sixty poor children; the master had a salary of 10l. and the usher 6l. 13s. 4d. per annum, at that time very considerable sums: at present the master has 23l. 6s. 8d. and the usher 9l. 13s. 4d. a year. This house belonging to the adjoining almshouses, is 245under the management of the Coopers company. Maitland.

Record Office, in the Tower, is kept in Wakefield’s Tower, which joins to the Bloody Tower, near Traitor’s Gate; and consists of three rooms one above another, and a large round room where the rolls are kept. These are all handsomely wainscoted, the wainscot being framed into presses round each room, within which are shelves, and repositories for the records; and for the easier finding of them, the year of each reign is inscribed on the inside of these presses, and the records placed accordingly.

Within these presses, which amount to fifty-six in number, are deposited all the rolls from the first year of the reign of 246King John, to the beginning of the reign of Richard III. but those after this last period are kept in the Rolls chapel. See Rolls Office.

The records in the Tower, among other things, contain, the foundation of abbies, and other religious houses; the ancient tenures of all the lands in England, with a survey of the manors; the original of our laws and statutes; proceedings of the courts of common law and equity; the rights of England to the dominion of the British seas; leagues and treaties with foreign Princes; the achievements of England in foreign wars; the settlement of Ireland, as to law and dominion; the forms of submission of the Scottish Kings; ancient grants of our Kings to their subjects; privileges and immunities granted to cities and corporations during the period abovementioned; enrollments of charters and deeds made before the conquest; the bounds of all the forests in England, with the several respective rights of the inhabitants to common of pasture, and many other important records, all regularly disposed, and referred to in near a thousand folio indexes. Chamberlain’s Present State. Strype’s Stowe.

This office is kept open, and attendance 247constantly given, from seven o’clock till one, except in the months of December, January, and February, when it is open only from eight to one, except on Sundays and holidays. A search here is half a guinea, for which you may peruse any one subject a year.

Recorder of London. This officer ought always to be a learned Lawyer, well versed in the customs of the city. He is not only the chief Assistant to the Lord Mayor in matters of law and justice; but takes place in councils and in courts before any man that hath not been Lord Mayor: he speaks in the name of the City upon extraordinary occasions; usually reads and presents their addresses to the King; and when seated upon the bench delivers the sentence of the court. Maitland.

Red Bull alley, 1. Kent street, Southwark.* 2. St. Olave’s street, Southwark.* 3. Thames street.*

Red Bull yard, 1. Ailesbury street, St. John’s street, Clerkenwell.* 2. Islington.*

Redcross alley, 1. Jewin street, Redcross street. 2. By London Bridge. 3. Long Ditch, Westminster. 4. St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark. 5. Old street. 6. Redcross street, in the Mint.

Redcross court, 1. Cow lane. 2. In the Minories. 3. Old Bailey. 4. Tower street.

Redcross street, 1. Extends from Cripplegate to Barbican: at the upper end of this street, opposite the west end of Beach lane, stood a red cross, which gave name to this street. Maitland. 2. Nightingale lane, East Smithfield. 3. In the Park, Southwark.

Redcross Street School, was founded in the year 1709, by Dame Eleanor Hollis, who endowed it with 62l. 3s. per annum, in ground rents; for the education of fifty poor girls; but by additional benefactions the revenue is increased to 80l. 2s. 8d. a year.

This school being kept in the same house with that of the parish boys of St. Giles’s, Cripplegate, it is generally taken for the parish girls charity school.

Red Lion alley, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. St. Catharine’s, Tower hill.* 3. Cow Cross, Smithfield.* 4. St. John’s street, Smithfield.* 5. St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark.* 6. In the Minories.* 7. Peter’s street, St. John’s street, Westminster.* 8. Thames street.* 9. Tower Ditch.* 10. Whitechapel.*

Red Lion court, 1. Addle hill, by Thames street.* 2. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 3. Bennet’s hill, Thames street.* 4. Bennet’s street, Southwark.* 5. Brick lane.* 6. St. Catharine’s lane.* 7. Castle yard, Holborn.* 8. Charterhouse lane, by Charterhouse square.* 9. Cock lane, Snow hill.* 10. Drury lane.* 11. Fleet street.* 12. Grub street.* 13. Holiwell lane.* 14. Kingsland road.* 15. London Wall.* 16. Long Acre.* 17. Red Lion alley, St. Margaret’s hill.* 18. Red Lion street, Spitalfields.* 19. Long alley, Moor fields.* 20. Silver street, Cripplegate.* 21. Watling street, St. Paul’s church yard.* 22. Wheeler street, Spitalfields.* 23. White Hart yard.* 24. Windmill hill.*

Red Lion square, by Red Lion street, Holborn. A handsome square, adorned with a lofty obelisk placed upon a pedestal in the center.

Red Lion street, 1. In the Borough.* 2. A very neat well-built street, leading to Clerkenwell.* 3. St. George’s Fields.* 4. High Holborn.* 5. Spitalfields market.* 6. Wapping.* 7. Whitechapel.*

Red Lion yard, 1. Cavendish street.* 2. Church street, Lambeth.* 3. Great Warner’s street.* 4. Houndsditch.* 5. Long lane, Smithfield.* 6. Long Acre.* 7. Lower Shadwell.* 8. Red Lion street.* 9. Star street, Clerkenwell.*

251Register Office of Deeds, for the county of Middlesex, Bell yard, Fleet street.

City Remembrancer, an officer who on certain days attends the Lord Mayor. His business is to put his Lordship in mind of the select days when he is to go abroad with the Aldermen, &c. and to attend the parliament house during the sessions, in order to make a report to the Lord Mayor of what passes there.

The King’s Remembrancer’s Office, in the Inner Temple. An office belonging to the court of Exchequer, in which there are eight sworn Clerks, two of whom are Secondaries.

Here are entered the state of all the accounts relating to the King’s revenue, for customs, excise, subsidies: all aids granted to the King in Parliament; and every thing relating to his Majesty’s revenue, whether certain or casual: all securities, either by bonds or recognizances, given to the King by accountants and officers: all proceedings upon any statute by information for customs, excise, or any other penal law: all proceedings upon the said bonds or recognizances, or any other bonds taken in the King’s name, by officers appointed for that purpose under the great seal of England, and transmitted hither for recovery thereof, are properly in this office, 252from whence issue forth process to cause all accountants to come in and account; For there being a court of equity in the court of Exchequer, all proceedings relating to it are in this office. Chamberlain’s Present State.

The Lord Treasurers Remembrancer’s Office, also belongs to the court of Exchequer. In this office process is made against all Sheriffs, Receivers, Bailiffs, &c. for their accounts, and many other things of moment, as estreats, rules, &c. All charters and letters patent, upon which any rents are referred to the King, are transcribed, and sent into this office by the Clerk of the petty bag, in order to be transmitted to the Clerk of the pipe, that process may be made to recover the money by the Comptroller of the pipe. Out of this office process is likewise made to levy the King’s fee farm rents, &c.

In short, when the Auditors of the revenue have made schedules of such arrears, and transmitted them to the Remembrancer, the state of all imprest accounts, and all other accounts whatsoever, are entered in this office, as well as in that of the King’s Remembrancer. Both this and the other office are in the King’s gift. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Reygate, a large market town in Surry, situated in the valley of Holmsdale, twenty-four miles from London, and surrounded on each side with hills. It is an ancient borough, and had a castle, built by the Saxons, on the east side of the town, some ruins of which are still to be seen, particularly a long vault with a room at the end, large enough to hold 500 persons, where the Barons who took up arms against King John are said to have had their private meetings. Its market house was once a chapel dedicated to Thomas Becket. The neighbourhood abounds with fullers earth and medicinal plants.

On the south side of the town is a large house, formerly a priory: it belongs to the late Mr. Parsons’s family, and is beautified with plantations, and a large piece of water. It has two rooms, each fifty feet long, and of a proportionable breadth; but the ceilings are much too low. The house and gardens are on every side surrounded with hills, so as to render the prospect very romantic.

In this town the late celebrated Lord Shaftesbury had an house, to which he retired to seclude himself from company. 254It is now in the possession of a private gentleman, who has laid out and planted a small spot of ground, in so many parts, as to comprise whatever can be supposed in the most noble seats. It may properly be called a model, and is called by the inhabitants of Reygate, The world in one acre.

Richmond, a village in Surry, twelve miles from London. This is reckoned the finest village in the British dominions, and has therefore been termed the Frescati of England. It was anciently the seat of our Monarchs, and the palace from its splendor was called Shene, which in the Saxon tongue signifies bright or shining; Here King Edward III. died of grief for the loss of his heroic son Edward the Black Prince; and here died Anne the wife of Richard II. who first taught the English women the use of the side saddle; for before her time they were used to ride astride; Richard, however, was so afflicted at her death, that it gave him such a dislike to the place where it happened, that he defaced the fine palace; but it was 255repaired and beautified afresh by King Henry V. who also founded near it three religious houses. In the year 1497, this palace was destroyed by fire, when King Henry VII. was there; but in 1501 that Prince caused it to be new built, and commanded that the village should be called Richmond; he having borne the title of Earl of Richmond, before he obtained the crown by the defeat and death of Richard III. Henry VII. died here; and here also his grand-daughter Queen Elizabeth breathed her last. On the ground where formerly stood a part of the old palace, the Earl of Cholmondeley has a seat, as has also Mr. Wray.

The present palace, which is finely situated, is a very plain edifice built by the Duke of Ormond, who received a grant of a considerable space of land about Richmond, from King William III. as a reward for his military services; but it devolved to the Crown on that Duke’s attainder, in the beginning of the reign of King George I. and this house was by his present Majesty confirmed to the late Queen Caroline, in case she became Queen Dowager of England.

His Majesty took great delight here, and made several improvements in the palace, while her Majesty amused herself 256at her royal dairy house, Merlin’s cave, the Hermitage, and the other improvements which she made in the park and gardens of this delightful retreat.

Though the palace is unsuitable to the dignity of a King of England, the gardens are extremely fine, without offering a violence to nature; and Pope’s advice with respect to planting, may be considered as a very accurate description of the beauties to be found here.

In short, almost every thing here has an agreeable wildness, and a pleasing irregularity, that cannot fail to charm all who are in love with nature, and afford a much higher and more lasting satisfaction than the stiff decorations of art, where the 257artist loses sight of nature which alone ought to direct his hand.

On entering these rural walks, you are conducted to the dairy, a neat but low brick building, to which there is an ascent by a flight of steps; in the front is a handsome angular pediment. The walls on the inside are covered with stucco, and the house is furnished suitably to a royal dairy, the utensils for the milk being of the most beautiful china.

Passing by the side of a canal, and thro’ a grove of trees, the temple presents itself to view, situated on a mount. It is a circular dome crowned with a ball, and supported by Tuscan columns, with a circular altar in the middle, and to this temple there is an ascent by very steep slopes.

Returning by the dairy, and crossing the gravel walk, which leads from the palace to the river, you come to a wood, which you enter by a walk terminated by the Queen’s pavilion, a neat elegant structure, wherein is seen a beautiful chimney-piece, taken from a design in the addition to Palladio, and a model of a palace intended to be built in this place.

In another part of the wood is the Duke’s summer house, which has a lofty arched entrance, and the roof rising to a point is terminated by a ball.

258On leaving the wood you come to the summer house on the terrace, a light small building with very large and lofty windows, to give a better view of the country, and particularly of that noble seat called Sion house. In this edifice are two good pictures, representing the taking of Vigo by the Duke of Ormond.

Passing through a labyrinth, you see, near a pond, Merlin’s cave, a Gothic building thatched; within which are the following figures in wax, Merlin, an ancient British enchanter; the excellent and learned Queen Elizabeth, and a Queen of the Amazons; here is also a library consisting of a well chosen collection of the works of modern authors neatly bound in vellum.

On leaving this edifice, which has an antique and venerable appearance, you come to a large oval of above 500 feet in diameter, called the Forest oval, and turning from hence you have a view of the Hermitage, a grotesque building, which seems as if it had stood many hundred years, though it was built by order of her late Majesty. It has three arched doors, and the middle part which projects forward, is adorned with a kind of ruinous angular pediment; the stones of the whole edifice appear as if rudely laid together, 259and the venerable look of the whole is improved by the thickness of the solemn grove behind, and the little turret on the top with a bell, to which you may ascend by a winding walk. The inside is in the form of an octagon with niches, in which are the busts of the following truly great men, who by their writings were an honour not only to their country, but to human nature. The first on the right hand is the incomparable Sir Isaac Newton, and next to him the justly celebrated Mr. John Locke. The first on the left hand is Mr. Woolaston, the author of The Religion of Nature displayed; next to him is the reverend and learned Dr. Samuel Clarke, and in a kind of alcove is the truly honourable Mr. Robert Boyle.

Leaving this seat of contemplation, you pass through fields cloathed with grass; through corn fields, and a wild ground interspersed with broom and furze, which afford excellent shelter for hares and pheasants, and here there are great numbers of the latter very tame. From this pleasing variety, in which nature appears in all her forms of cultivation and barren wildness, you come to an amphitheatre formed by young elms, and a diagonal wilderness, through which you pass to the forest walk, which extends about half a mile, and 260then passing through a small wilderness, you leave the gardens.

At the extremity of the garden on the north east, is another house that belonged to her Majesty, and near it the house of his late Royal Highness Frederic Prince of Wales, which is on the inside adorned with stucco. Opposite the Prince’s house is the Princess Amelia’s, built by a Dutch architect, the outside of which is painted.

To the west of the gardens are seen the fine houses of several of the nobility and gentry, particularly the Lady Buckworth’s, and Mr. Geoffrey’s, and extending the view across the Thames, there appears Isleworth.

But to return to the village of Richmond. The Green is extremely pleasant, it being levelled and enclosed in a handsome manner; it is also surrounded with lofty elms, and adorned on each side with the houses of persons of distinction. A sun dial is here affixed in a pretty taste, encompassed with seats: this, and the railing in of the Green, were at the sole charge of her late Majesty.

Among the pretty seats on this spacious Green, is a handsome edifice that formerly belonged to Sir Charles Hedges, and since to Sir Matthew Decker, in the gardens of which is said to be the longest and highest 261hedge of holly that was ever seen, with several other hedges of evergreens; there are here also vistas cut through woods, grottos, fountains, a fine canal, a decoy, summer house and stove houses, in which the anana, or pine-apple, was first brought to maturity in this kingdom.

On the north east side of the Green is a fine house, which belonged to the late Mr. Heydigger, and a little beyond it that of the Duke of Cumberland; passing by which, you come to a small park belonging to his Majesty, well stocked with deer, and opposite to it is the entrance into the gardens.

The town runs up the hill above a mile from the village of East Shene, to the New Park, with the royal gardens sloping all the way towards the Thames; whose tide reaches to this village, though it is sixty miles from the sea; which is a greater distance than the tide is carried by any other river in Europe.

On the ascent of the hill are wells of a purging mineral water, frequented during the summer by a great deal of good company. On the top there is a most extensive and beautiful prospect of the country, interspersed with villages and inclosures; the Thames is seen running beneath, and the landscape is improved by the many 262fine seats that are scattered along its banks.

There is here an almshouse built by Dr. Duppa, Bishop of Winchester in the reign of King Charles II. for the support of ten poor widows, pursuant to a vow made by that Prelate during that Prince’s exile. There is another almshouse endowed with above 100l. a year, which, since its foundation, has been considerably increased by John Mitchell, Esq; Here are also two charity schools, one for fifty boys, and the other for fifty girls.

New Park, in Surry, is situated between Kingston and Richmond. This is one of the best parks in England; it was made in the reign of King Charles I. and inclosed with a brick wall, said to be eleven miles in compass. In this park there is a little hill cast up, called King Henry’s Mount, from which is a prospect of six counties, with a distant view of the city of London, and of Windsor Castle.

The new lodge in this park, built by the late Sir Robert Walpole Earl of Orford, is a very elegant edifice. It is built of stone in a square form, with wings on each side of brick. It stands on a rising ground, and commands a very good prospect of the park, especially of that fine piece of water which is in it, and which 263might be enlarged and brought across the vista which is in the front of the house, through a wood. This park is the largest of any within the environs of London, except that of Windsor, and the finest too; for though it has little more than a wild variety of natural beauties to shew, yet these are such as cannot fail to please those who are as much delighted with views in their rudest appearance, as in all the elegance of art and design. The Princess Amelia resides in the old lodge; the new lodge is not inhabited.

Richmond’s Almshouse, in Goose alley, Sea coal lane, was erected by the company of Armourers, in the year 1559, pursuant to the will of Mr. John Richmond, for eight poor old men and women, who, according to the discretion of the company, receive from five to fifteen shillings per annum each. Maitland.

Rickmansworth, a town in Hertfordshire, 22 miles from London, is situated in a low moorish soil on the borders of Buckinghamshire, near the river Coln. 264It has a market on Saturday, and is governed by a Constable and two Headboroughs. The several mills on the streams near this town cause a great quantity of wheat to be brought to it. Here is a charity school for twenty boys and ten girls, with an almshouse for five widows, and another for four. In the neighbourhood is a warren hill, where the sound of the trumpet is repeated twelve times by the echo.

Robin Hood court, 1. Bell alley.* 2. Bow lane, Cheapside.* 3. Grub street, Fore street* 4. Near Morgan’s lane.* 5. Shoe 265lane.* 6. In the Strand.* 7. Thames street.* 8. Tooley street, Southwark.*

Roehampton, in Surry, is situated between Putney Heath and East Shene, and is one of the pleasantest villages near London, having many fine houses of merchants scattered about, so as not to resemble a street or regular town.

Rogers’s Almshouse, in Hart street, near Cripplegate, was erected by the Lord Mayor and citizens of London, in the year 1612, pursuant to the will of Mr. Robert Rogers, citizen and leatherseller, for six poor men and their wives, who have an annual allowance of 4l. each couple. Maitland.

Rolls Office and Chapel, in Chancery lane, a house founded by King Henry III. in the place where stood a Jew’s house forfeited to that Prince in the year 1233. In this chapel all such Jews and infidels 266as were converted to the Christian faith, were ordained, and in the buildings belonging to it, were appointed a sufficient maintenance: by which means a great number of converts were baptized, instructed in the doctrines of Christianity, and lived under a learned Christian appointed to govern them: but in the year 1290, all the Jews being banished, the number of converts decreased, and in the year 1377, the house with its chapel was annexed by patent to the Keeper of the Rolls of Chancery.

The chapel, which is of brick, pebbles and some freestone, is sixty feet long, and thirty-three in breadth; the doors and windows are Gothic, and the roof covered with slate. In this chapel the rolls are kept in presses fixed to the sides, and ornamented with columns and pilasters of the Ionic and Composite orders.

These rolls contain all the records, as charters, patents, &c. since the beginning of the reign of Richard III. those before that time being deposited in the Record Office in the Tower: and these being made up in rolls of parchment gave occasion to the name.

At the north west angle of this chapel is a bench, where the Master of the Rolls hears causes in Chancery. And attendance 267is daily given in this chapel from ten o’clock till twelve, for taking in and paying out money, according to order of court, and for giving an opportunity to those who come for that purpose to search the rolls.

The Minister of the chapel is appointed by the Master of the Rolls, and divine service is performed there on Sundays and holidays at about eleven and three.

On the walls are several old monuments, particularly at the East end is that of Dr. Young Master of the Rolls, who died in the year 1516. In a well wrought stone coffin lies the effigies of Dr. Young, in a scarlet gown; his hands lie across upon his breast, and a cap with corners covers his ears. On the wall just above him, our Saviour is looking down upon him, his head and shoulders appearing out of the clouds, accompanied by two angels.

The office of the Rolls is under the government of the Master of the Rolls, whose house is by the chapel, and has been lately rebuilt in a handsome manner at the public expence.

The place of Master of the Rolls is an office of great dignity, and is in the gift of the King, either for life, or during pleasure. He is always the principal 268Master in Chancery, and has in his gift the offices of the Six Clerks in Chancery; of the Two Examiners of the same court, and of the Clerk of the Chapel of the Rolls, who acts immediately under him in that office. He has several revenues belonging to the office of the Rolls, and by act of Parliament receives a salary of 1200l. per annum out of the hanaper. Stowe. Maitland. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Rolls buildings, Fetter lane; so called from their belonging to the Rolls office.

Rolls Liberty, a small district out of the government of the city. It begins at the corner of Cursitor’s alley, next to Chancery lane, taking in the south side to the Rose tavern, where it crosses into White’s alley, which it takes all in except two or three houses on each side, next to Fetter lane; and there it crosses into the Rolls garden, which it likewise takes in; and from thence running into Chancery lane, by Serjeant’s Inn, extends into Jack-a-napes lane, about the middle of which it crosses into Pope’s Head court, which it takes all in, as it does the east side of Bell yard, almost to the end next Temple Bar, except a few houses on the back side of Crown court, which is in the city liberty; and then crossing Bell yard, near 269Temple Bar, runs cross the houses into Sheer lane, taking in all the east side; and again crossing over to Lincoln’s Inn New Court, runs up to the pump by the iron rails, where it crosses over into Chancery lane, and thence to the corner of Cursitor’s alley. Stowe.

Rope walk, 1. Near Cut throat lane, Upper Shadwell. 2. Near Elm row, Sun tavern fields. 3. Goswell street. 4. St. John street, Smithfield. 5. King David’s lane. 6. Knockfergus, near Rosemary lane. 7. Near Nightingale lane. 8. Petticoat lane. 9. Rotherhith. 10. Near Shad Thames. 11. Sun tavern fields. 12. Near Whitechapel.

Rose alley, 1. Bank side, Southwark.* 2. Bishopsgate street without.* 3. East Smithfield.* 4. Fleet lane, Fleet market.* 5. Golden lane, Barbican.* 6. High Holborn.* 7. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.* 8. Rose street, Long Acre.* 9. Saffron hill.* 10. Shoreditch.* 11. Sugarbaker’s lane, Duke’s Place.* 12. 270Tooley street, Southwark.* 13. Turnmill street.* 14. Widegate alley, Bishopsgate street without.*

Rose and Crown court, 1. Church lane.* 2. St. Catharine’s lane.* 3. Cock lane, Shoreditch.* 4. Fashion street, Artillery lane, Spitalfields.* 5. Foster lane, Cheapside.* 6. Gray’s Inn lane.* 7. Holiwell street.* 8. Houndsditch.* 9. Moorfields.* 10. Rosemary lane.* 11. Shoe lane, Fleet street.* 12. Sutton street.* 13. Whitechapel.*

Rose and Crown yard, 1. St. Giles’s street.* 2. King street, St. James’s square.* 3. Long alley, Moorfields.* 4. Rotherhith.*

Rose court, 1. Aldermanbury.* 2. Beer lane, Tower street.* 3. Bishopsgate street.* 4. Goddard’s rents.* 5. Rochester street.* 6. Thieving lane.* 7. Tower street.* 8. Bow lane.* 9. Wheeler street.*

Rose street, 1. Brick lane.* 2. Gravel lane.* 3. Hog lane, Shoreditch.* 4. 271Long Acre.* 5. St. Martin’s lane.* 6. Newgate street.* 7. Newport market.* 8. Spitalfields.*

Rose yard, 1. Catharine wheel alley.* 2. Newington Butts.* 3. Whitehorse street.*

Rosemary lane, extends from the bottom of the Minories to Wellclose square, and is chiefly taken up with old cloaths shops.

Rotherhith, vulgarly called Rederiff, was anciently a village on the south east of London, though it is now joined to Southwark, and as it is situated along the south bank of the Thames, is chiefly inhabited by masters of ships, and other seafaring people.

Rotherhith School was founded in the year 1612, by Mr. Peter Hills and Mr. Robert Bell, who endowed it with 3l. a year, for the education of eight poor seamens children. Maitland.

Rotherhith Water Works, situated at the upper end of Rotherhith Wall, and the lower end of Mill street, where the 272engine is wrought by water from the river Thames, which being brought in by the tide is contained in the canals in the neighbouring streets. By this engine a sufficient quantity of water is raised to supply two main pipes of a six inch bore, whereby the neighbourhood is plentifully supplied with Thames water.

Round court, 1. Black Friars. 2. Black Lion yard. 3. Blue Boar’s Head court, Barbican. 4. Butler’s alley. 5. Jewin street. 6. St. Martin’s le Grand. 7. Moses and Aaron alley, Whitechapel. 8. Old Bethlem. 9. Onslow street, Vine street, Hatton Wall. 10. Sharp’s alley, Cow Cross. 11. In the Strand.

Royal Exchange, Cornhill. This edifice, which is dedicated to the service of commerce, was founded by Sir Thomas Gresham, a merchant distinguished by his abilities and great success in trade, who proposed, that if the city would prepare a proper spot, he would erect the building at his own expence. This proposal was accepted by the Lord Mayor and citizens, who purchased some houses between Cornhill and Threadneedle street, 273and having caused them to be pulled down and cleared away, the foundation of the new building was laid on the 7th of June 1566, and carried on with such expedition, that it was finished in November 1567.

This edifice was called the Bourse, but it soon after changed its name; for on the 23d of January 1570, Queen Elizabeth, attended by a great number of the nobility, came from Somerset house, her palace in the Strand, and passing through Threadneedle street, dined with Sir Thomas Gresham at his house in Bishopsgate street, and after dinner returning through Cornhill, entered the Bourse on the south side, where having viewed every part except the vaults, especially the gallery above stairs, which extended round the whole building, and was furnished with shops, in which were sold all sorts of the finest wares in the city, her Majesty caused this edifice to be proclaimed in her presence, by a herald and trumpet, The Royal Exchange.

Sir Thomas Gresham, at his death, left the building to his Lady, and after her decease to the Lord Mayor and citizens, and to the Mercers company, directing the rents to support, under their inspection, lectures on the sciences, at his dwelling 274house, now Gresham College, and some charities to the prisons.

The original building stood till the fire of London in 1666, when it perished amidst the general havoc: but it soon arose with greater splendor than before. The model of the present structure was first shewn to King Charles II. who was well pleased with it, it was however debated whether they should build after that model or not; for fear of launching out into too great an expence: but the majority desiring to have it a magnificent structure, and imagining, that the shops above and below stairs would in time reimburse them, had the present edifice erected at the expence of 80,000l.

The ground plat of this building is 203 feet in length; 171 feet in breadth, and the area in the middle is 61 square perches. This area is surrounded with a substantial and regular stone building, wrought in rustic. In each of the principal fronts is a piazza, and in the center are the grand entrances into the area, under an arch which is extremely lofty and noble; on each side that of the principal front which is in Cornhill, are Corinthian demi-columns supporting a compass pediment; and in the intercolumniation on each side, in the front next 275the street, is a niche with the figures of King Charles I. and his son Charles II. in Roman habits, and well executed. Over the aperture on the cornice between the two pediments are the King’s arms in relievo. On each side of this entrance is a range of windows placed between demi-columns and pilasters of the Composite order, above which runs a balustrade. The height of the building is fifty-six feet, and from the center of this side rises a lantern and turret, 178 feet high, on the top of which is a fane in the form of a grasshopper of polished brass, esteemed a very fine piece of workmanship: a grasshopper being the crest of Sir Thomas Gresham’s arms.

The north front of the Royal Exchange is adorned with pilasters of the Composite order, but has neither columns nor statues on the outside, and instead of the two compass pediments has a triangular one.

Within the piazzas of these two fronts are two spacious stair cases with iron rails, and black marble steps; these lead into a kind of gallery that extends round the four sides of the building, and in which were about two hundred shops, that have been let from 20l. to 60l. a year each; and a very considerable trade was 276carried on here; but it has long declined, and all the shops are deserted.

One side of this gallery is employed as auction rooms for furniture, and in other apartments above stairs are the Royal Exchange Assurance office, &c. and in the vaults are the pepper warehouse of the East India company.

The inside of the area is surrounded with piazzas like those of the south and north fronts; forming ambulatories for the merchants to shelter themselves from the weather. Above the arches of these piazzas is an entablature with curious enrichments; and on the cornice a range of pilasters with an entablature extending round, and a compass pediment in the middle of the cornice of each of the four sides. Under that on the north are the King’s arms; on the south those of the city; on the east those of Sir Thomas Gresham; and under the pediment on the west side the arms of the company of Mercers, with their respective enrichments.

In these intercolumns are twenty-four niches, nineteen of which are filled with the statues of the Kings and Queens of England, standing erect, drafted in their robes and with their regalia, except the statues of Charles II. and George II. which are dressed like the Cæsars.

277These statues are, on the south side; Edward I. Edward III. Henry V. Henry VI. On the west side, Edward IV. Edward V. with the crown hanging over his head; Henry VII. and Henry VIII. On the north side, Edward VI. Mary, Elizabeth, James I. Charles I. Charles II. and James II. And on the east side are William and Mary in one niche, Queen Anne, George I. and George II. All these statues were painted and gilt, by a voluntary subscription, in the year 1754.

The four niches that are vacant, are those where Edward II. Richard II. Henry IV. and Richard III. should have been: upon which Maitland says, that hence it seems that the city had no mind to shew any respect to the said Kings, two of whom took away their charters, and the other two were usurpers. But why Henry IV. should be excluded as an usurper, and his brave son Henry V. and Henry VI. be placed there, who only enjoyed the crown in consequence of his usurpation, is not easily accounted for. Richard III. was indeed a monster of cruelty: but Mary was no less cruel, and yet a statue is here erected to her honour. Though Edward II. and Richard II. took away the charter of the city, King Charles II. did so too, and yet has three statues at 278the Royal Exchange; and his brother James II. who has also a statue, followed his brother’s steps, and not only humbled the city, but caused an Alderman to be hanged at his own door, without being allowed on his trial the time necessary to send for his witnesses.

Under the piazzas within the Exchange are twenty-eight niches, all vacant except two; one in the north west angle, where is the statue of Sir Thomas Gresham, and another at the south west, of Sir John Barnard, who is perhaps the only citizen of London, that has had the honour of having his statue erected in his life-time merely on account of his merit.

In short, in the center of the area is erected, on a marble pedestal about eight feet high, another statue of King Charles II. in a Roman habit, executed by Mr. Gibbon, and encompassed with iron rails. On the south side of the pedestal, under an imperial crown, a scepter, sword, palm branches, and other decorations, is the following inscription:

On the west side of this pedestal, is cut in relievo, a Cupid resting his right hand on a shield, containing the arms of France and England quartered, and holding in his left a rose.

‘This statue was repaired and beautified by the company of Merchant Adventurers of England, anno 1730; John Hanbury, Esq; Governor.’

On the east side are the arms of Scotland, with a Cupid holding a thistle. All done in relievo.

In the area on the inside of the Royal Exchange, merchants meet every day at twelve at noon, and a prodigious concourse of those of all nations continue there till two, in order to transact business; but 280soon after that hour the gates are shut up, and not opened again till four. For the readier dispatch of business, and that every particular merchant may be easily found, they are disposed in separated classes, each of which have their particular station, called their walk, as may be seen at one view by the following plan, by attending to which any merchant may easily be found.

The Royal Exchange, without critical examination, has something grand in it, and the entrance would certainly appear to more advantage if it were not incumbered with a parcel of little shops. The arcade or walks within the quadrangle have something noble, but the upper part is in a very bad taste. The statue of King Charles II. in the middle of the area is a good one. The other statues in the several niches have been lately new painted and gilt in parts. The painting is no doubt very necessary for their preservation, but it were to be wished the gilding of them had been omitted, as it must give foreigners of judgment (and such sometimes frequent this place) a contemptible opinion of our taste. The two statues, one on each side the gate, of King Charles I. and II. are particularly good. The clock tower or steeple with Gothic windows is unpardonable, and the cornices at their angles are so broke, as to appear very disgustful to an architect.

Royal Exchange Assurance Office, for assuring houses and other buildings, goods, wares and merchandize from fire. This corporation was established by act of Parliament, at the same time with that of the London Assurance, when it was enacted, that such as should be admitted 282members of these corporations, should be each a distinct and separate body politic, for the assurance of goods, ships and merchandize at sea, or for lending money upon bottomry.

That no other society should insure ships, or lend money on bottomry for the future; though any private person might do it as usual.

And that each of these corporations, in consideration of the many benefits that might accrue to them by their charters, should pay the sum of 300,000l. into his Majesty’s Exchequer, for discharging the debts of the civil list.

These corporations however met with so little encouragement at first, that Maitland says, the crown was obliged to remit most part of the money.

By a second charter granted to this corporation, they are impowered not only to insure ships, but houses, goods and lives. Maitland.

This society therefore, by this last mentioned charter, assure all buildings, household furniture, wearing apparel by special agreement, and goods, wares, and merchandize, the property of the assured, except glass and china ware not in trade, and all manner of writings, books of accompts, notes, bills, bonds, tallies, ready 283money, jewels, plate, pictures, gunpowder, hay, straw, and corn unthreshed, from loss or damage by fire, upon the following conditions.

I. All manner of stone and brick buildings, covered with slate, tile, or lead, wherein no hazardous trades are carried on, nor any hazardous goods deposited, are considered as Common Assurances, and are assured upon these terms: any sum above 100l. and not exceeding 1000l. at 2s. per cent. per annum; any sum above 1000l. and not exceeding 3000l. at 2s. 6d. per cent. per annum.

II. To accommodate those who are desirous of being assured for a term of years, this corporation will assure on such buildings or goods, any sum not exceeding 1000l. at the rate of 12s. per cent. for seven years, and as far as 2000l. at the rate of 14s. per cent. without subjecting the assured to any calls or contributions to make good losses.

III. Assurances on buildings and goods, are deemed distinct and separate adventures; so that the premium on goods is not advanced by reason of any assurance on the building wherein the goods are kept, nor the premium on the building by reason of any assurance on the goods.

IV. Plaister or timber buildings covered with lead, tile, or slate, wherein no 284hazardous trades are carried on, nor any hazardous goods deposited; and goods or merchandize not hazardous in such buildings, are termed Hazardous Assurances, and insured upon the following terms: any sum above 100l. and not exceeding 1000l. at 3s. per cent. per annum: any sum above 1000l. and not exceeding 2000l. at 4s. per cent. per annum: and any sum above 2000l. and not exceeding 3000l. at 5s. per cent. per annum.

V. Hazardous trades, such as apothecaries, colourmen, bread and bisket bakers, ship and tallow chandlers, innholders and stable-keepers, carried on in brick or stone buildings, covered with slate, tile, or lead; and hazardous goods, such as hemp, flax, pitch, tar, tallow, and turpentine, deposited in such buildings, may be assured at the annual premiums, set down under the head of Hazardous Assurances, in the above article.

VI. Any of the above hazardous trades carried on, or hazardous goods deposited in timber or plaister buildings; earthen, glass, or china ware in trade, and thatched buildings, or goods therein, are termed Doubly Hazardous Assurances, and may be assured on the following premiums: any sum above 100l. and not exceeding 1000l. at 5s. per cent. per annum: and 285any sum above 1000l. and not exceeding 3000l. at 7s. 6d. per cent. per annum.

VII. Assurances of mills, wearing apparel, and assurances to chemists, distillers, and sugar-bakers, or any other assurances more than ordinarily hazardous, by reason of the trade, nature of the goods, narrowness of the place, or other dangerous circumstances, may be made by special agreement.

VIII. Two dwelling houses, or any one dwelling house, and the out-houses thereunto belonging, or any one dwelling house, and goods therein, may be included in the sum of 100l. But when several buildings, or buildings and goods are assured in the same policy, the sum assured on each is to be particularly mentioned.

IX. To prevent frauds, if any buildings or goods assured by this corporation, are, or shall be assured with any other corporation or society, the policy granted by this corporation is to be null and void, unless such other assurance is allowed by endorsement on the policy.

X. Every person upon application to be assured with this company, is to deposite 8s. 6d. for the policy and mark, which 8s. 6d. is to be returned, if the assurance proposed is not agreed to. No policy is to be of any force, till the premium for 286one year is paid. And for all subsequent annual payments made at the office, the assured are to take receipts, stamped with the seal of the corporation, no other being allowed of.

XI. No policy is to be extended, or construed to extend to the assurance of any hazardous buildings or goods, unless they are expressly mentioned in the policy, and the respective premium for such assurances be paid for the same.

XII. No loss or damage by fire happening by any invasion, foreign enemy, or any military or usurped power whatsoever, is to be made good.

XIII. All persons assured by this corporation, are, upon any loss or damage by fire, forthwith to give notice thereof by letter or otherwise, to the Directors or Secretary, at their office in the Royal Exchange, London; and within fifteen days after such fire, deliver in as particular an account of their loss or damage, as the nature of the case will admit of, and make proof of the same, by the oath or affirmation of themselves, and their domestics, or servants, and by their books of accompts, or other proper vouchers, as shall be required; and also to procure a certificate under the hands of the Minister and Church-wardens, together with some 287other reputable inhabitants of the parish, not concerned in such loss, importing, that they are well acquainted with the character and circumstances of the sufferer or sufferers; and do know, or verily believe, that he, she, or they, have really and by misfortune, sustained by such fire, the loss and damage therein mentioned. And in case any difference shall arise between the corporation and the assured, touching any loss or damage, such difference shall be submitted to the judgment and determination of arbitrators indifferently chosen, whose award in writing shall be conclusive and binding to all parties. And when any loss or damage is settled and adjusted, the sufferer or sufferers are to receive immediate satisfaction for the same.

In adjusting losses on houses, no wainscot, painting, sculpture, or carved work, is to be valued at more than three shillings per yard.

Any larger sum, and some of the goods excepted in the preamble, may be assured by special agreement.

For the timely assistance of such as are assured, this corporation has several engines and men, with proper instruments to extinguish fires, and also porters for removing goods, each of whom has a badge, upon which is the figure of the Royal 288Exchange, and the badges are all numbered; of which all persons are desired to take notice who intrust them with goods, or have any complaint to make. The same figure is fixed on buildings assured by this corporation.

The Royal Exchange Assurance office is under the management of a Governor, Sub-Governor, Deputy-Governor, and twenty-four Directors; besides whom there are a Treasurer, a Secretary, an Accomptant, and several Clerks.

Royal Oak court, 1. Kent street, Southwark.* 2. Parker’s lane, Drury lane.* 3. Peak street, Swallow street.*

Royal Oak yard, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Hockley in the Hole.* 3. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*

Royal Society, in Crane court, Fleet street. This society, which took its rise from a private society of learned and ingenious men, was founded for the improvement of natural knowledge. The honourable 289Robert Boyle, Sir William Petty, Dr. Seth Ward, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Wallis, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Willis, Dr. Bathurst, and Dr. Wren, together with Mr. Matthew Wren and Mr. Rook, frequently met in the apartments of Dr. Wilkins, in Wadham College, at Oxford, to discourse on philosophical subjects; and there the learned productions of these gentlemen, not only eminently distinguished that society at home, but also rendered it highly revered by the literati abroad.

The meetings of these literati, which began about the year 1650, continued at Oxford till 1658, when the members being called to different parts of the kingdom, on account of their respective functions; and the majority coming to this city, they constantly attended the astronomical and geometrical lectures at Gresham college, where, being joined by several persons of the greatest learning and distinction, they continued to meet there once or twice a week, till the death of Oliver Cromwell: when anarchy succeeding, they were obliged to quit their place of meeting, on account of its being converted into military quarters for the reception of soldiers.

However, the storm being soon after allayed by the restoration of King 290Charles II. the society began to resume their meetings, and for the more effectually carrying them on, entered into an obligation to pay each one shilling a week, towards the defraying of occasional charges.

From these small beginnings, this society soon arose to be one of the most celebrated in all Europe: for their design being favoured by some ingenious men who had followed the King in his exile, his Majesty granted them a charter, dated the 15th of July 1662, and then a second charter, dated the 22d of April 1663, whereby they were denominated, The Royal Society, and made a corporation, to consist of a President, Council, and Fellows, for promoting natural knowledge and useful arts, by experiments; in this charter his Majesty declared himself their founder and patron, giving them power to make laws for the government of themselves; to purchase lands and houses; to have a common seal, and a coat of arms.

No sooner was this Royal Society thus incorporated by King Charles II. than that Prince made them a present of a fine silver mace gilt, to be carried before the President; and as a farther mark of favour, their royal patron, by his letters patent of the 8th of April 1667, gave them Chelsea 291college with its appurtenances, and twenty-six or twenty-seven acres of land surrounding it. But afterwards the society neglecting to convert a part of it into a physic garden, as was intended, and the King being resolved to erect an hospital for old and maimed soldiers, thought no place more proper for such a design than this college; he therefore purchased it again of them for a considerable sum.

A little before the society received these letters patent from his Majesty, the honourable Henry Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk, made them a present of a very valuable library, on the 2d of January 1666.

This collection was part of the royal library belonging to the Kings of Hungary, originally kept at the city of Buda. Upon the decease of Matthias Corvinus, the last King of the Hungarian race, it was disposed of, and about two thirds of the books were bought by the Emperor, and are now in the imperial library at Vienna: the remaining part coming to Bilibaldus Perkeymherus of Nuremberg, it was purchased of him by the Earl of Arundel, on his return from his embassy to the imperial court.

This fine collection consists of 3287 printed books in most languages and faculties; 292chiefly the first editions soon after the invention of printing; and a valuable collection of manuscripts in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Turkish, amounting to 554 volumes, which, together with the former, are thought to be of such value as not to be parallelled, for the smallness of their number.

The noble benefactor, at the time of his donation, desired that the inscription of, Ex dono Henrici Howard Norfolkciensis, might be put in each book: and that in case the society should happen to fail, the library should revert to his family. This the society not only readily complied with, but some years after caused the following inscription to be set up in the library:

Besides this Arundelian or Norfolk library, which takes up a large room, another curious and valuable collection was left the society in the year 1715, by their Secretary Francis Aston, Esq; which together with the numerous benefactions of the works of the learned members, in all faculties, but more especially in natural and experimental philosophy, amount to above 3600, and are placed in glass cases in another room.

The museum belonging to the society, was founded by Daniel Colwall, Esq; in the year 1677, who gave his excellent collection of natural and artificial curiosities, which compose the greatest part of the catalogue published in the year 1681, by Dr. Grew, under the title of Museum Regalis Societatis. But these curiosities, by the generous benefactions of other curious persons, are now increased to above six times the number of those mentioned in the catalogue.

294Upon the society’s removal from Gresham college to their house in Crane court, Richard Waller, Esq; one of the Secretaries, erected in the year 1711, at his own expence, the repository in the garden for the reception of the above curiosities, which consist of the following species, viz. human, quadrupedes, birds, eggs, nests, fishes, insects, reptiles, woods, stalks and roots; fruits of all sorts; mosses, mushrooms, plants, spunges, &c. animal and vegetable bodies petrified; corals, and other marine productions; fossils, gems, stones, metals, antimony, mercury, and other metallic bodies, salts, sulphurs, oils, and earths; philosophical and mathematical instruments; Indian, American, and other weapons, with a variety of apparel, &c.

In short, by the above Royal and other benefactions, the admission money, and annual contributions of the members, this society was at length in so flourishing a condition, that they applied to his late Majesty King George I. for an additional privilege to purchase in mortmain 1000l. instead of 200l. per annum, which he was pleased to grant by his letters patent, in 1725. Among the Fellows of this society are his Majesty King George II. and many of the greatest Princes in Europe.

295This learned body is governed by a President and Council, consisting of twenty-one Fellows, distinguished by their rank and learning.

The officers chosen from among the members, are, the President, who calls and dissolves the meetings, proposes the subjects of consultation, puts questions, calls for experiments, and admits the members that are from time to time received into the society.

The two Secretaries, who read all letters and informations; reply to all addresses or letters from foreign parts, or at home; register all experiments and conclusions, and publish what is ordered by the society.

The Curators, who have the charge of making experiments, receive the directions of the society, and at another meeting bring all to the test.

Every person to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, must be propounded and recommended at a meeting of the society, by three or more members; who must then deliver to one of the Secretaries a paper signed by themselves with their own names, specifying the name, addition, profession, occupation, and chief qualifications; 296the inventions, discoveries, works, writings, or other productions of the candidate for election; as also notifying the usual place of his abode, and recommending him on their own personal knowledge. A fair copy of which paper, with the date of the day when delivered, shall be fixed up in the common meeting room of the society, at ten several ordinary meetings, before the said candidate shall be put to the ballot: but it shall be free for every one of his Majesty’s subjects, who is a Peer, or the son of a Peer, of Great Britain or Ireland, and for every one of his Majesty’s Privy Council of either of the said kingdoms, and for every foreign Prince or Ambassador, to be propounded by any single person, and to be put to the ballot for election on the same day, there being present a competent number for making elections. And at every such ballot, unless two thirds at least of the members present give their bills in favour of the candidate, he cannot be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; nor can any candidate be balloted for, unless twenty-one members at the least be present.

After a candidate has been elected, he may at that, or the next meeting of the society, be introduced, and solemnly admitted 297by the President, after having previously subscribed the obligation, whereby he promises, “That he will endeavour to promote the good of the Royal Society of London, for the improvement of natural knowledge.”

When any one is admitted, he pays a fee of five guineas, and afterwards 13s. a quarter, as long as he continues a member, towards defraying the expences of the society; and for the payment thereof he gives a bond; but most of the members on their first admittance chuse to pay down twenty guineas, which discharges them from any future payments.

Any Fellow may however free himself from these obligations, by only writing to the President, that he desires to withdraw from the society.

When the President takes the chair, the rest of the Fellows take their seats, and those who are not of the society withdraw: except any Baron of England, Scotland, and Ireland, any person of a higher title, or any of his Majesty’s Privy Council of any of his three kingdoms, and any foreigner of eminent repute, may stay, with the allowance of the President, for that time; and upon leave obtained of the President and Fellows present, or the major part of them, any 298other person may be permitted to stay for that time: but the name of every person thus permitted to stay, that of the person who moved for him, and the allowance, are to be entered in the journal book.

The business of the society in their ordinary meetings, is, to order, take account, consider and discourse of philosophical experiments and observations; to read, hear, and discourse upon letters, reports, and other papers, containing philosophical matters; as also to view and discourse upon the rarities of nature and art, and to consider what may be deduced from them, and how far they may be improved for use or discovery.

No experiment can be made at the charge of the society, but by order of the society or council. And in order to the propounding and making experiments for the society, the importance of such experiment is to be considered with respect to the discovery of any truth, or to the use and benefit of mankind.

The Philosophical Transactions are printed at the charge of the society, and the Clerk delivers gratis one of the copies to every Fellow of the Society who shall demand it, either in person, or by letter under the hand of such Fellow, within one 299year after the Clerk has begun to deliver such copies.

If any Fellow of the society shall contemptuously or contumaciously disobey the statutes or orders of the society; or shall by speaking, writing, or printing, publicly defame the society, or maliciously do any thing to the detriment thereof, he shall be ejected.

The meetings of the Royal Society are on Thursdays, at five o’clock in the afternoon.

The members of the Council are elected out of the Fellows, upon the feast of St. Andrew in the morning; when after the election they all dine together.

Eleven of the old council are chosen for the ensuing year; and ten are elected out of the other members. Then the President, Treasurer, and Secretary are elected out of these. But the same persons are usually rechosen into these offices.

Rumford, a town in Essex, 12 miles from London, and 5 from Burntwood, is a very great thoroughfare, and is governed by a Bailiff and Wardens, who are by patent impowered to hold a weekly court for the trial of treasons, felonies, debts, &c. and 300to execute offenders. It has a market on Mondays and Tuesdays for hogs and calves, and on Wednesday for corn, all of which are chiefly bought up for the use of London.

Russel court, 1. Blue Anchor alley, Rosemary lane.† 2. Cleveland row, St. James’s.† 3. Drury lane.† 4. Ratcliff highway.†

Russel street, Covent Garden; so called from the Duke of Bedford, upon whose estate it is built.

Russia Company, a body of merchants incorporated by letters patent, granted by Queen Mary on the 6th of February 1555, by which they were not only impowered to carry on an exclusive trade to all parts of the Russian empire, but to all such countries as they should discover in those northern parts. In consequence of this charter, they soon after discovered the Cherry Islands, Greenland, Nova Zembla, Newfoundland, Davis’s Streights, and Hudson’s Bay; and their first Governor 301was that celebrated mariner Sebastian Cabot.

In consideration of these valuable discoveries, their privileges were confirmed by Parliament; and in the year 1614 enlarged by King James I.

In the year 1742, the Russia company obtained leave of the present Czarina Elizabeth, to trade with Persia thro’ Russia, and between the years 1743 and 1749, Mr. Hanway observes, they imported raw silk to the amount of 93,375l. value in Persia: but Mr. Elton, one of the company’s agents, being employed by Kouli Khan, who then sat on the Persian throne, to build some ships of force on the Caspian sea, the Russians apprehended they should be disturbed by the Persians in their navigation over that sea, and therefore put an end to the traffic of the British Russia company through Russia to Persia.

This company exports cloth of all sorts, both dressed and dyed; kersies, baize, cottons, fustians, perpetuanoes, Norwich stuffs, lace, thread, lead, tin, pewter, allum, copper, and most other sorts of English commodities: and we import from thence, cordage, tar, tallow, potashes, cable yarn, bees wax, linen cloth, isinglass, hides of several sorts, both tanned and raw; hogs bristles, linseed, 302several sorts of rich furrs, train oil, flax, hemp, caviare, stock fish, cod fish, salmon, &c.

This company is under the management of a Governor, four Consuls, and twenty-four Assistants, annually chosen on the 1st of March, who keep their courts monthly, or as occasion requires, in a large room in the Old East India house in Leadenhall street: but considered as a company, their trade at present is not very considerable; it being carried on chiefly by private merchants, who are admitted to reap the profit of trading to Russia, on paying 5l. each.

Rutland court, 1. Charterhouse square. 2. Glasshouse yard, Goswell street. 3. Near Puddle dock, Thames street.

Sacrist of St. Paul’s cathedral, an officer who is assistant to the Treasurer. He is to keep every thing in order belonging to the altar, and to open the church doors at the first ringing of the bell for morning and evening prayers. This officer 303when chosen by the Treasurer, must be presented to the Dean for his approbation, by whom he is admitted upon taking an oath to discharge his office with fidelity.

The Sacrist has three servants under him, called Vergers, who also keep servants for cleaning the church, tolling the bell, blowing the organ bellows, and other servile business. Newc. Rep.

Sadlers, a very ancient company, though it was not incorporated by letters patent till the reign of Edward I. They are governed by a Prime and three other Wardens, with eighteen Assistants, and have a livery of seventy members, whose fine on their admission is 10l. They have a very handsome hall in Cheapside. Maitland.

Saffron hill, 1. Field lane, at the bottom of Snow hill. 2. Hockley in the Hole.

Salisbury court, Dorset street, Fleet street; so called from the Bishop of Salisbury’s city mansion there; afterwards the Earl of Dorset’s.

304Salisbury street, 1. Marigold street, Rotherhith Wall. 2. In the Strand; so called from the Earl of Salisbury’s house, which formerly stood there.

Salt Office, in York Buildings, is under the government of five Commissioners, each of whom has a salary of 500l. per annum. Under these Commissioners are the following officers: a Treasurer, who has 430l. a year, for himself and three Clerks; he has also a Deputy: two Billmen: a Comptroller, who has 350l. a year, with a Deputy and two Clerks: the Comptroller’s Secretary has 200l. a year, and an Assistant: an Accomptant General, who has 200l. per annum, and his Clerk 40l. a year: a Correspondent, who has 100l. a year, and his Clerk 60l. a Chief Accomptant and Clerk of Securities, who has 180l. per annum: two Accomptants, who have 70l. a year each, a Clerk, who has 60l. and another 40l. per annum: a Storekeeper and Clerk of the charities and diaries, who has 60l. a year; a Collector of the port of London, who has 60l. an Assistant Searcher 60l. and two Surveyors who have 40l. a year each.

Besides these, there are in this office 305an housekeeper who has 100l. a year, and several other servants.

Salters, one of the twelve principal companies, and the ninth in order of precedency, is of considerable antiquity, since they had the grant of a livery from Richard II. in the year 1394; but it does not appear that they were incorporated before the first year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in 1558.

This company has a Master, two Wardens, twenty-seven Assistants, and a livery of 190 members, who upon their being admitted, pay a fine of 20l. They have a very considerable estate, out of which they pay 500l. per annum to charitable uses. Their hall, which is a plain brick building, is situated in a neat court in Swithin’s lane.

Salters Hall court, in Swithin’s lane, where is Salters hall, in which is a handsome presbyterian meeting-house.

St. Saviour’s Bermondsey, a priory, and afterwards an abbey, founded by Alwin Child, a citizen of London, in the year 1082, in the place now denominated St. John’s court Bermondsey.

This priory was not only confirmed by the charter of William Rufus, together with all the benefactions belonging to it; but that Prince also conferred upon the Prior and Monks the manor of Bermondsey, and erected a handsome and spacious conventual church for their accommodation. This priory, however, being an alien and a cell to one in France, it was among other foreign foundations sequestered by Edward III. in the year 1371, 307who constituted Richard Denton, an Englishman, Prior thereof.

This priory was in 1391 converted into an abbey; and at the general suppression of monasteries in the year 1539 was surrendered to Henry VIII. when being granted to Sir John Pope, he demolished the old abbey, and erected in its room a stately edifice, which some time after came to the Earls of Sussex. Stow’s Survey.

St. Saviour’s dock, vulgarly called Savory dock, in Rotherhith, took its name from the above abbey, dedicated to the holy Saviour. Maitland.

St. Saviour’s Mill, vulgarly called Savory mill, also belonged to the above abbey, and was in the year 1536 let by the Abbot and Monks to John Curlew, at the yearly rent of 6l. which was then the value of eighteen quarters of good wheat; and he was also bound to grind all the corn used in the abbey.

In the place where this mill stood, is now an engine for raising water to supply the neighbourhood. Maitland.

St. Saviour’s School, in St. Saviour’s church yard, Southwark, was founded by the parish, for the education of boys in grammatical learning, and confirmed by letters patent granted by Queen Elizabeth, so early as the year 1562, and the 308fourth of her reign; by which six of the vestry are for ever appointed Governors.

To this school belong a Master and Usher, the former of whom has a salary of 30l. and the latter 20l. per annum.

St. Saviour’s Southwark, or St. Mary Overies, a church of great antiquity, situated to the south west of the bridge foot. In the place where it stands, is said to have been anciently a priory of nuns founded by one Mary a Virgin, the owner of a ferry over the river Thames, before the building of London bridge. Some time after the priory was converted into a college of Priests; but that establishment, as well as the former, proving of no long duration, it was in the year 1106 founded by two Norman Knights, and the Bishop of Winchester, for Canons regular, and from its dedication to the Virgin Mary, and its situation, was called St. Mary Overie, that is, St. Mary over the river.

This edifice was destroyed by fire about the year 1207; but it being soon after rebuilt, Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, added to it a spacious chapel, which he dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen; and this being afterwards appointed for the use of the inhabitants, it at last became their parish church.

309The monastery and church were rebuilt in the reigns of Richard II. and Henry IV. but at the general suppression of religious houses were surrendered to Henry VIII. in the year 1539; upon which the parishes of St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Margaret, purchased the conventual church of King Henry; and were the next year united by act of Parliament, and the church being then repaired, was called by the new name of St. Saviour’s. Stowe.

Both the construction and extent of this Gothic structure resemble a cathedral more than a parish church. The length is 260 feet, and that of the cross isle 109: the breadth of the body is 54 feet, and the height of the tower, including the pinacles, is 150 feet. The construction of the windows, entrances, and every other part, is purely in the Gothic style, except a modern door, which is neither Gothic, nor agreeable to the rules of any other architecture. The tower, which is square, and well proportioned, is supported by massy pillars over the meeting of the middle and cross isles; it is crowned with battlements, and has a pinacle at each corner.

In a chapel at the east end of the church is the monument of Bishop Andrews, 310who was interred there; and in another part of the church is that of the Bishop of Winchester; but the most singular monument is that of the family of the Austins, erected in the last century, and repaired, new painted, and gilt by the relations in 1706.

The first figure is a rock, upon which is written, Petra erat XTS. that is, The rock was Christ. Down this rock runs a stream of water; and out of it glides a serpent, his old skin being stript off by the rock, which is seen hanging on that part of his back that is not yet got thro’. At the foot of the rock there grows standing corn, on which is a label with these words, Si non moriatur, non reviviscit, that is, If it dieth not, it liveth not again. Underneath the corn is this motto, Nos sevit, fovit, lavit, coget, renovabit, i.e. He hath sown, cherished, washed us, and shall gather us together and renew us.

Upon the top of the rock stands an angel, holding a sickle in his left hand, and with his right pointing to the sun, which shines, and on its lower rays is a label, upon which is, Sol justitiæ, i.e. The Sun of righteousness.

On the sides of the monument are scythes, flails, shepherds crooks, rakes, 311ploughs, harrows, and other instruments of husbandry hanging by a ribband out of a Death’s head; and above them, Vos estis agricultura, i.e. Ye are God’s husbandry.

On the outside of these a harvest man with wings is seated on each side, one with a fork behind him, and the other with a rake. They have straw hats, and lean their heads upon their hands, the elbows resting upon their knees, as if fatigued with labour, and under them are these words, Messores congregabunt, i.e. The reapers shall gather. Under all is a winnowing fan, upon which is stretched a sheet of parchment bearing a long inscription in Latin.

Though the name of this church has been changed from St. Mary Overies to that of St. Saviour, yet the former still prevails. It is a rectory in the gift of the parish, and the profits arising to the two Chaplains, are said to amount to above 300l. per annum.

Savory mill stairs, corruptly so called, Rotherhith. See St. Saviour’s mill stairs.

Savoy, or Lancaster Palace, is situated to the westward of Somerset house, between the Strand and the Thames. This place obtained the name of the Savoy, from 312Peter Earl of Savoy and Richmond, who built it about the year 1245, and afterwards transferred it to the friars of Montjoy, of whom Queen Eleanor, the wife of King Henry III. purchased it for her son Henry Duke of Lancaster. The Duke afterwards enlarged and beautified it, at the expence of 52,000 marks, at that time an immense sum. Here John King of France resided, when a prisoner in England in the year 1357, and upon his return hither in 1363, when it was esteemed one of the finest palaces in England.

This edifice was burnt in 1381 by the Kentish rebels, on account of some pique they had conceived against John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was then the proprietor. But the ground afterwards devolving to the Crown, King Henry VII. began to rebuild it as it at present appears, for an hospital, for the reception of an hundred distressed objects; but that Prince not living to see it compleated, Henry VIII. his son, not only granted his manor of the Savoy to the Bishop of Winchester and others, the executors of his father’s will, towards finishing the hospital; but by his charter of the 5th of July 1513, constituted them a body politic and corporate, to consist of a Master, five secular Chaplains, and four Regulars, in honour 313of Jesus Christ, his Mother, and St. John Baptist; the foundation to be denominated The hospital of King Henry VII. late King of England, of the Savoy.

This hospital was suppressed in the reign of Edward VI. when the revenues were found to amount to 530l. per annum, which that Prince gave to the city of London towards making a provision for the hospitals of Bridewell, Christ-church, and St. Thomas: but Queen Mary converted it into an hospital again, and having endowed it anew, her Ladies and Maids of honour completely furnished it, at their own expence, with all necessaries. However the hospital was again suppressed upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne, and the revenues applied to the uses intended by her brother.

Nothing here is now to be seen, but the ruins of the ancient edifice built with free-stone and flints, among which is still remaining part of a great building, in which detachments of the King’s guards lie, and where they have their Marshalsea prison for the confinement of deserters and other offenders, and to lodge their recruits.

A part of the Savoy was assigned by King William III. for the residence of the French refugees, who have still a chapel 314here, in which they conform to the church of England. Stowe. Dugdale’s Mon. Ang.

Scalding alley, in the Poultry. In this alley was formerly a large house, known by the name of the Scalding-house; for the street called the Poultry containing a number of Poulterers stalls, the fowls they sold there were first scalded in this house. Maitland.

Schoolhouse yard, 1. Rose street, Shoreditch.☐ 2. Schoolhouse lane, Ratcliff.☐ 3. Sutton street, St. John’s street, Clerkenwell.☐

Schools. Of these we have given an account under the names of their particular foundations; the most famous and noble of these, are, the Charterhouse, Mercers school, Merchant Taylors school, St. 315Paul’s school, and Westminster school; and among those for the instruction of the lower class, is Christ-church school, a noble foundation for the education and support of the children of deceased citizens, and a great number of smaller foundations, as, St. Olave’s school, Ratcliff school, Tothill fields school, and several others; all of which the reader may find under their respective articles.

In these schools, exclusive of Christ-church hospital, are educated 2888 boys, and 285 girls; the charge of whose education, &c. exclusive of those which belong to hospitals and almshouses, amounts, according to Maitland, to the annual sum of 1990l.

Besides these, which are supported by regular funds, there are a great number denominated Charity Schools, that have no other foundation and support, than generous benefactions, annual subscriptions, and the charitable collections made in the several churches in this city and suburbs. Of these we shall give a list, with the number of the boys and girls in each.

Schools.	Boys.	Girls.
Allhallows, Lombard street	40	00
St. Andrew’s, Holborn	80	70
316St. Anne’s, Aldersgate	30	20
St. Anne’s, Westminster	52	52
St. Bartholomew the Great	35	16
Bartholomew Close, Presbyterian	50	25
Bethnal Green	00	30
Bevis Marks, Portuguese Jews	12	00
Billingsgate Ward	40	00
St. Botolph’s, Aldersgate	50	50
St. Botolph’s, Aldgate	50	40
St. Botolph’s, Bishopsgate	30	20
Bridge and Candlewick Wards	60	40
Bridewell Walk, Clerkenwell, Quakers	40	20
St. Bride’s	50	50
Broad street Ward	50	30
Castle Baynard Ward	30	20
St. Catherine Creechurch	40	00
St. Catherine’s, Tower	35	15
Christ-church, Spitalfields	30	30
Christ-church, Surry	30	10
St. Clement’s Danes	85	55
Corbet’s court, Spitalfields, French	50	50
Cordwainer and Bread street Wards	50	30
Cornhill and Lime street Wards	50	30
Cripplegate Ward within	50	20
Dowgate Ward	30	20
St. Dunstan’s in the West	50	20
East Smithfield Liberty	40	30
317St. Ethelburg’s	20	00
Faringdon Ward within	60	40
Fry’s court, Tower hill, Presbyterian	30	10
St. George’s, Hanover square	50	40
St. George’s, Queen square	50	50
St. George’s, Ratcliff Highway	50	50
St. George’s, Southwark	50	00
St. Giles’s, Cripplegate	130	00
St. Giles’s in the Fields	101	101
Grey Eagle street, Spitalfields, French	50	50
St. James’s, Clerkenwell	60	40
St. James’s, Westminster	102	80
St. John’s, Hackney	30	20
St. John’s, Wapping	38	23
Keat’s street, Spitalfields, Independent	30	00
King’s head court, Spitalfields, Independent	00	30
Knightsbridge chapel	6	6
St. Laurence, Poultney	16	00
St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch	50	50
St. Luke’s, Old street	40	00
St. Margaret’s, Westminster	52	34
St. Martin’s in the Fields	101	51
St. Mary’s, Islington	26	18
St. Mary’s, Lambeth	28	00
St. Mary la Bonne	12	00
318St. Mary le Strand	16	00
St. Mary Magdalen’s, Bermondsey	50	20
St. Mary’s, Newington Butts	32	00
St. Mary’s Rotherhith	45	00
Mile-end, Old Town	22	10
Nortonfalgate	60	00
St. Olave’s, Jewry	30	00
St. Olave’s, Southwark	00	60
St. Paul’s, Covent Garden	30	20
St. Paul’s, Shadwell	50	50
Poplar Hamlet	30	20
Portpool lane, Welch	50	00
Queenhithe Ward	36	24
Ratcliff Hamlet	35	25
Ratcliff Highway, Presbyterian	30	00
St. Saviour’s, Southwark	80	50
St. Sepulchre’s	84	76
Shakespear’s walk, Shadwell, Presbyterian	30	00
St. Stephen’s, Wallbrook	30	00
St. Thomas’s, Southwark	30	00
Tower street Ward	60	60
Vintry Ward	50	00
Unicorn yard, Horselydown, Independent	50	00
Zoar street, Southwark, Presbyterian	137	00

319Thus in these charity schools are educated 3458 boys, and 1901 girls, in all 5359. Mr. Maitland has been at some pains in endeavouring to learn the respective charges of the above schools; but not being able to obtain an account of each, he has endeavoured to settle as near as possible the expence of maintaining the whole, and that by a method equally plain and satisfactory: for having found that the parish school of St. Andrew’s, Holborn, which contains eighty boys, cost in one year 272l. 2s. 9d. and seventy girls in the same school 139l. 14s. 6d. he computed, that as the charge of eighty boys amounts to 272l. 2s. 9d. so that of 3458 boys must amount to 11,763l. 2s. 10¼d. and so, by the same method of calculation, as the expence of seventy girls amounts to 139l. 14s. 6d. that of 1901 girls must amount to 3794l. 10s. 7½d. per annum; whence it appears, that the whole expence of all the said charity children amounts to 15,557l. 13s. 5¾d. per annum.

The same author adds, that the annual expence of the above free-schools, exclusive of those belonging to the hospitals and almshouses, amounting to 1990l. it appears that the expence of these schools, 320added to that of the charity schools, amount in all to 17,547l. 13s. 3¾d.

As to the number of private schools in this metropolis and its suburbs, for educating youth in all kinds of literature, they are supposed to amount to above three thousand. Maitland.

Scotland yard, Whitehall; so named from a palace which formerly stood there for the reception of the Kings of Scotland, when they came to do homage for the county of Cumberland, and other fiefs held by them of the Crown of England. Stow’s Survey.

Scots Corporation, for the relief of poor and necessitous people of that country. This corporation owes its origin to James Kinnier, a Scotsman, and merchant of this city; who on his recovery from a long and dangerous illness, resolved to give part of his estate towards the relief of the aged and necessitous of his country, within the cities of London and Westminster: and having prevailed with a society of his countrymen, who composed a box club, to join their stock, applied for a charter, by which he and his co-adjutors were, in the year 1665, constituted a body politic and corporate, 321with several privileges, which King Charles II. confirmed the following year by letters patent, wherein are recited the privileges granted in the former charter, with the addition of several new ones, viz.

That they might erect an hospital within the city or liberties of London and Westminster, to be called, The Scots hospital of King Charles II. to be governed by eight Scotsmen, who were to chuse from among themselves a Master, who, together with these Governors, were declared to be a body politic and corporate, and to have a common seal. They were also impowered to elect thirty-three Assistants, and to purchase in mortmain 400l. per annum, over and above an annual sum mentioned in the first charter; the profits arising from these purchases to be employed in relieving poor old Scots men and women, and instructing and employing poor Scottish orphans, the descendants of Scotsmen within this city.

This humane foundation had however like to have been crushed in its bud by two very dreadful events, the plague, and the fire of London; which happened in the very years when the charters were granted. However, those who had the direction of the work began in the year 3221670 to prosecute it with vigour; and found themselves not only in a condition to provide for their poor, but took a lease of a piece of ground in Black Friars, to build upon, for the term of a thousand years, at a ground-rent of 40l. and by charitable contributions were enabled to erect their hall, with two houses at Fleetditch, and four in Black Friars, which were soon after finished at the expence of 4450l.

All matters relating to the corporation are managed by the Governors without fee or reward; for they not only, upon all such occasions, spend their own money, but contribute quarterly for the support of the society, and the relief of the poor; they provide for the sick; to the reduced and aged they grant pensions; they bury the dead, and give money to such as are disposed to return to Scotland. The sums disbursed by the society amount to about 600l. per annum.

The officers belonging to this corporation are, a Treasurer, a Register, two Stewards, and a Beadle.

Scot’s yard, 1. Bush lane.† 2. Mill bank, Westminster.† 3. Montague street, Spitalfields.† 4. Stony lane, Southwark.† 5. Whitecross street.†

323Scriveners, a fraternity anciently denominated The Writers of the court letter of the city of London, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1616, by the name of The Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Society of Writers of the city of London.

This company is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-four Assistants, with fifty-three livery-men, who upon their admission pay a fine of 5l.

The company of Scriveners being reduced to low circumstances, thought proper to sell their hall in Noble street to the Coachmakers company.

Scroop’s court, Holborn. In this court anciently stood one of the Inns of court called Scroop’s Inn.

The Office for the relief of Sea Officers Widows. The Lords of the Admiralty having taken into consideration, the unhappy condition to which the widows of many of the officers of the navy were reduced by the death of their husbands, proposed both to the commissioned and half-pay officers of the navy, to enter into a voluntary agreement, to grant three pence in the pound out of their pay, towards 324establishing a fund for allowing pensions to such of their widows as are left in mean circumstances.

To this the officers readily consenting, the Lords Commissioners laid the affair before his present Majesty, who, to promote so good a work, granted his letters patent in the year 1732, directing that three pence in the pound be deducted from the pay and half-pay of all commission and warrant officers of the navy; and to appoint the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the Treasurer, Commissioners, Paymaster, and Cashier of the navy, for the time being, twenty Captains, ten Lieutenants, five Masters, five Boatswains, five Gunners, five Carpenters, five Pursers, and five Surgeons of the navy, the eldest of their respective stations, to be Governors of this corporation: out of whom are appointed a President, two Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, and fifteen Assistants, as a committee for the management of all the affairs belonging to this charity.

The first Commissioner of the Admiralty is to be always President; and the Treasurer of the navy to be always the Treasurer; but the two Vice Presidents, and fifteen Assistants, are to be elected annually.

325By the orders of this generous corporation, no officer or servant employed therein, is to receive any salary, reward, or gratuity; the whole business being transacted gratis.

The first step taken by the Governors was providing for the widows whose husbands died after the date of the above letters patent; who, in the first year amounted to twenty-four, to whom pensions were allowed, according to the following regulations, viz. To the widow of a Captain, 45l. per annum; to the widow of a Lieutenant or Master, 30l. and to the widow of a Boatswain, Gunner, Carpenter, Purser, Surgeon, second Master of a yacht, or Master of a naval vessel appointed by the navy board, 20l. per annum.

The Lords Commissioners afterwards commiserating the unhappy circumstances of many poor widows, whose husbands died before this corporation was established, and therefore could receive no benefit from the fund which was justly appropriated to the relief of the widows of those officers who had paid to its support, renewed their application to his Majesty, who recommended their case to the Parliament; upon which it was enacted, that one seaman should be allowed upon the books of every ship of war, in the sea-pay 326in every hundred men that its complement should consist of, and that the produce of the wages of such seamen, and the value of their victuals should be given and applied towards the relief of poor widows of commission and warrant officers of the royal navy.

Seacoal lane, extends from Snow hill to Fleet lane. Stowe thinks it was originally called Limeburners lane, and that it took its present name from the burning of lime there with sea coal.

Office of sick and hurt Seamen, and for taking care of Prisoners of War, on Tower hill, is under the government of four Commissioners, the first of whom has 400l. per annum, and 65l. for house rent; and the other three 300l. a year. The officers under these Commissioners are, a Secretary, who has 200l. per annum; a first Clerk, who has 100l. a year; and three inferior Clerks, who have 60l. a year.

Office for sick and maimed Seamen in the Merchants Service, in the Royal 327Exchange. The corporation who provide for these objects of distress, consists of a number of merchants, who were incorporated on the 24th of June 1747, and are governed by a President, and a Council of twenty-one.

Secretary of State’s Office, Whitehall. The Kings of England had anciently no more than one Secretary of state, till about the end of the reign of Henry VIII. when it was thought proper that this important office should be discharged by two persons of equal authority, both stiled Principal Secretaries of state.

At that time they did not sit at the council board; but having prepared their business in a room adjoining to the council chamber, they came in, and stood on either hand of the King; when nothing was done till they had gone through with their proposals. But Queen Elizabeth seldom coming to council, that method was laid aside, and the Secretaries took their places as Privy Counsellors, which dignity they have enjoyed ever since, and a Council is seldom, or never, held without the presence of, at least, one of them.

Their employment rendering their office a place of extraordinary trust, this, together with the multiplicity of their business, 328places them in a distinguished light, both in respect to the King and the people: for they attend almost every day upon his Majesty, as occasion requires; the petitions of the people are for the most part lodged in their hands, to be presented to the King; and, in return, they make the dispatches, according to his Majesty’s answers and determinations.

The correspondence to all parts of Great Britain without distinction, relating to the church, the army, the militia, grants, pardons, dispensations, &c. is managed by either of the Secretaries. But as to foreign affairs, all the nations that have any intercourse with Great Britain, are divided by them into two provinces, the northern and southern, each being under one of the Secretaries, as his separate department. They have this special honour, that if either of them be a Baron, he takes place, and has the precedence of all other persons of the same degree, tho’ by creation they might have a right to precede him: but if he is above the degree of a Baron, he then takes place only according to the seniority of his creation.

Each of the Secretaries have lodgings appointed for them in all the King’s houses; both for their own accommodation, for their office, and for those that 329attend upon it. They have each a salary of 3000l. a year; which, added to their lawful perquisites, is said to make their places worth 8000l. per annum each.

The Secretaries and Clerks they employ under them are wholly at their own choice, and have no dependence upon any other person. These are,

In the northern department, two Under Secretaries and Keepers of state papers, a first Clerk, and ten other Clerks, a Gazette writer, who has 300l. per annum; and a Secretary for the Latin tongue, whose salary is 200l. a year.

In the southern department are, two Under Secretaries, a first Clerk, seven other Clerks; and a Law Clerk to both, who has a salary of 400l. per annum.

The Secretaries of state have also the custody of the King’s seal, called the signet; the use and application of which gives denomination to another office, called the Signet office. See the article Signet Office.

There is also another office depending on the Secretaries of state, called the Paper office; for which see that article.

330St. Sepulchre’s, on the north side of the top of Snow hill near Newgate, and in the ward of Faringdon without, owes its name to its being dedicated in commemoration of Christ’s sepulchre at Jerusalem. It is of great antiquity, and was probably founded during the time, when all Europe were employed in crusades to the holy land; however, about the beginning of the twelfth century, it was given by the Bishop of Salisbury to the Prior and Canons of St. Bartholomew in Smithfield, who, in virtue of that grant, had the right of advowson till the dissolution of their monastery, when coming to the Crown, it continued therein till King James I. in the year 1610, granted the rectory and its appurtenances, with the advowson of the vicarage, to Francis Philips and others; after which the rectory with its appurtenances were purchased by the parishioners, to be held in fee-farm of the Crown, while the advowson was obtained by the President and Fellows of St. John Baptist’s college in Oxford, in whom the patronage still continues. Dugd. Mon. Ang.

The present structure was much damaged, though not destroyed by the fire of London; after which it was thoroughly 331repaired in 1670, when nothing of the old building, except the walls, was suffered to remain, and not those entirely.

This is a very spacious church, it being 126 feet long, besides a broad passage through at the west end; the breadth is fifty-eight feet, exclusive of the north chapel; the height of the roof in the middle isle is thirty-five feet, and the height of the steeple to the top of the pinacles, is 146 feet. The whole length of the side is in a manner taken up by a row of very large Gothic windows, with buttresses between, over which runs a slight cornice, and on the top a plain and substantial battlement work. The steeple is a plain square tower crowned with four pinacles.

The wall of this church yard, till very lately, extended so far into the street all along the south side of the church, as to render the passage narrow and dangerous; but after the church yard on that side had been shut up about fourteen years, it was levelled, and laid open to the street in the beginning of the present year 1760.

The Vicar of this church, besides other advantages, receives 200l. in money in lieu of tithes.

Munday, in his edition of Stow’s Survey, 332mentions the following monumental inscription in this church.

Before we conclude this article, it may be proper to observe, that in the year 1605, Mr. Robert Dew gave by deed of gift, fifty pounds to this parish, on condition that for ever after, a person should go to Newgate, in the still of the night before every execution day, and standing as near the cells of the condemned prisoners as possible, should, with a hand bell, (which he also gave for that purpose) give twelve solemn tolls with double strokes, and then 333after a proper pause, deliver with an audible voice the following words:

After many mercies shewn you, are now appointed to die to-morrow in the forenoon, give ear and understand, that to-morrow morning the greatest bell of St. Sepulchre’s shall toll for you in form and manner of a passing bell, as used to be tolled for those at the point of death: to the end that all godly people hearing that bell, and knowing it is for your going to your deaths, may be stirred up heartily to pray to God to bestow his grace and mercy upon you whilst you live.

“I beseech you, for Jesus Christ’s sake, to keep this night in watching and prayer, for the salvation of your own souls, while there is yet time and place for mercy; as knowing to-morrow you must appear before the judgment seat of your Creator, there to give an account of all things done in this life, and to suffer eternal torments for your sins committed against him, unless upon your hearty and unfeigned repentance, you find mercy through the merits, death, and passion of your only mediator and advocate Jesus Christ, who now 334sits at the right hand of God to make intercession for as many of you as penitently return to him.”

He likewise ordered that St. Sepulchre’s great bell should toll, till it was supposed these unhappy prisoners were executed; and that as the criminals passed by the wall of St. Sepulchre’s church yard, to execution, the same bellman should look over it, and say:

“All good people, pray heartily unto God for these poor sinners, who are now going to their death, for whom this great bell doth toll.

“You that are condemned to die, repent with lamentable tears: ask mercy of the Lord for the salvation of your own souls, through the merits, death, and passion of Jesus Christ, who now sits at the right hand of God, to make intercession for as many of you as penitently return unto him.”

For this service the bellman or sexton receives 1l. 6s. 8d. a year; but upon these occasions there is generally so much noise, that nobody can hear one word that the bellman says.

335St. Sepulchre’s alley, a passage by the east end of St. Sepulchre’s church. Sergeants at Law. The highest degree of lawyers under a Judge. The young student in the common law, when admitted to be of one of the inns of court, is called a Moot-man, and after about seven years study, is chosen an Utter Barrister, and is then capable of being made a Sergeant at law.

When the number of Sergeants is small, the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, by the advice and consent of the other Judges, chuses about six or eight of the most learned persons of the Inns of court, and presents their names to the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper, who sends to each of them the King’s writ to appear on a particular day before the King, to receive the degree of a Sergeant at law.

At the time appointed, they being dressed in robes of two colours, brown and blue, they go, attended by the students of the Inns of court, with a train of servants and retainers, dressed in peculiar liveries, to Westminster hall, where they publicly take a solemn oath, and are cloathed with robes and coifs, without which they are from thenceforward never to appear in public. After this they give a great entertainment 336to the principal persons of the nation; and present gold rings to the Princes of the blood, the Archbishops, the Lord Chancellor, and the Treasurer, to the value of forty shillings each ring; to the Earls and Bishops rings of 20s. and to other great officers, Barons, &c. rings of less value, besides a great number of rings to their private friends.

Out of these Sergeants are chosen the Judges of the King’s Bench and Common Pleas.

Sergeants Inn, on the south side of Fleet street, almost opposite to the end of Fetter lane. It consists of a court surrounded with handsome new buildings, among which are the Society’s chapel and hall; and a very handsome edifice belonging to the Amicable Society.

The officers belonging to this Inn, are, a Steward, a Master Cook, and a Chief Butler.

Sergeants Inn, Chancery lane, near the end next Fleet street, consists of two courts, a small hall, and a convenient kitchen; but the buildings are low and mean.

The officers of this Inn are, also, a Steward, a Master Cook, and a Chief Butler.

Seven Dials, near Monmouth street; so called from a handsome pillar, upon which are seven sun-dials, fronting the same number of streets, which radiate upon it.

Sevenoak, a market town in Kent, near the river Dart or Darent, 23 miles from London, in the road to Rye. It obtained its name from seven very large oaks which grew near it, when it was first built; and is governed by a Warden and Assistants. Here is an hospital and school, for the maintenance of people in years, and the instruction of youth, first erected by Sir William Sevenoak, Lord Mayor of London in the year 1418, who is said to have been a foundling supported and educated at the expence of a charitable person of this town, whence he took his name. The school afterwards met with other benefactors, and among the rest, Queen Elizabeth having greatly augmented its revenue, it was thence called Queen Elizabeth’s free school. It was rebuilt in 1727. Sir Henry Fermor, Bart. has a seat here; as has also Dr. Thomas Fuller. About a mile from Sevenoak, to the south, 338is Knowl Place, the seat of the Duke of Dorset, situated in the middle of a park; and towards the east is the seat of —— Pratt, Esq; which is also seated in the midst of a park.

Seven Stars alley, 1. Cable street, Rag fair.* 2. Ratcliff highway.* 3. Rosemary lane.* 4. Whitecross street.*

Seven Stars court, 1. Great Garden, St. Catharine’s lane.* 2. Moor lane.* 3. Seven Stars alley, Ratcliff highway.*

Seven Steps alley, 1. Old Montague street. 2. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel. 3. Rotherhith Wall.

Shadwell, formerly a hamlet in the parish of Stepney, is now a distinct parish, and by the great increase of buildings is united to this metropolis. This parish, which is one of the Tower hamlets, is situated on the north bank of the Thames, and received its name from a fine spring which issues from the south wall of the church yard. The parish is, from its situation, divided into Upper and Lower Shadwell, Lower Shadwell being anciently a part of Wapping marsh.

In the north east of this parish is Sun tavern fields, where a Roman cemetery, or burying place, was discovered about the 339year 1615, wherein were found two coffins, one of which being of stone, contained the bones of a man; and the other of lead, finely embellished with scallop shells, and a crotister border, contained those of a woman, at whose head and feet were two urns, each three feet high; and at the sides several beautiful red earthen bottles, with a number of lachrymatories of hexagon and octagon forms. On each side of the inhumed bones were two ivory scepters of the length of eighteen inches each, and upon the breast the figure of a small Cupid, curiously wrought; as were likewise two pieces of jet resembling nails, three inches in length. According to the opinion of that judicious antiquary Sir Robert Cotton, who made this discovery, the person here interred must have been the wife of some Prince, or Roman Prætor, by the decorations of the coffin and the things contained in it.

In this place were likewise discovered several urns, with Roman coins, which had on one side this Inscription, Imp. Pupienus Maximus P. F. and on the reverse, with hands joined, Patrus Senatus.

A few years ago was also discovered in this place a mineral spring, said to be impregnated with sulphur, vitriol, steel, and antimony. It is esteemed a great anti-scorbutic, and is said to have performed 340many remarkable cures in the leprosy, scurvy, scald heads, and other cutaneous diseases.

Shadwell Waterworks are placed in Shadwell, and wrought by two fire engines, that fill two main pipes of six or seven inches bore with Thames water; by which means that neighbourhood is well supplied. Maitland.

Shaftesbury House, in Aldersgate street. See the article London Lying-in Hospital.

Sharp’s alley, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.† 2. Cow Cross, Smithfield.† 3. Leadenhall street.† 4. Nortonfalgate.†

Sheen, or East Sheen, a pleasant village, situated a little to the south of Mortlake, where is the fine seat of the Lord Viscount Palmerston, the successor of Sir William Temple. The gardens were laid out and completed by the great genius of Sir William, who here spent the latter part of his life.

Sheers alley, 1. East Smithfield.* 2. Shoreditch.* 3. White street.* 4. Wentworth street.* 5. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Sherburn lane, Lombard street; thus named from the brook Langbourn, which anciently ran out of Fenchurch street, and here turning south, divided into several shares, rills, or streams. This lane was also anciently called Southbourn lane, because these rills here ran south to the Thames. Maitland.

Sheriffs, two very ancient officers of the city, established in the time of the Saxons: but Richard I. changed the name of these officers to the Norman appellation of Bailiff, which signifies an Intendant, Collector, or petty Magistrate; as the Saxon Sciregrave implies a Judge, Overseer, or 342Collector. However, the appellation of Bailiff proving of no long duration, the more ancient one of Sheriff was restored to that office.

The Sheriffs are chosen by the Liverymen of the several companies on Midsummer day, the Lord Mayor drinking to those whom he nominates for their approbation: but any person who can swear that he is not worth 15000l. may be excused from serving the office; however, if he is qualified with respect to fortune, he is obliged to serve, or to pay a fine of about 500l. or otherwise to engage in a law suit with the city. This last is particularly the case of the dissenters, who look upon themselves as disqualified by law; since by act of Parliament, every person who serves the office of Sheriff ought to have received the sacrament in the church of England, twelve months before he enters upon his office.

Any gentleman of the city may be chosen an Alderman, without his serving the office of Sheriff; but he is obliged to be a Sheriff before he can be Lord Mayor.

The office of Sheriff, according to our great antiquary Mr. Camden, is to collect the public revenues within his jurisdiction, to gather into the Exchequer all fines, to serve the King’s writs of process, 343and by the posse comitatus to compel headstrong and obstinate men to submit to the decisions of the law; to attend the Judges, and execute their orders, to impanel juries, and to take care that all condemned criminals be duly executed.

All actions for debt in the city are entered at the two compters belonging to the Sheriffs, where the prisoners either give bail, or are confined in prison, unless being freemen, they chuse to be carried to Ludgate. See the article Compter.

Sheriffs Courts, are courts of record held in Guildhall every Wednesday and Friday, for actions entered in Wood street Compter, and on Thursdays and Saturdays for those entered at the Poultry Compter, of which the Sheriffs being Judges, each has his Assistant or Deputy, who are commonly called Judges of these courts, before whom are tried actions of debt, trespass, covenant, &c. where the testimony of an absent witness in writing is allowed to be good evidence. Maitland.

To each of these courts belong four Attorneys, a Secondary, a Clerk of the papers, a Prothonotary, and four Clerks sitters. See the article Compter.

Ship alley, 1. Broad street, Ratcliff.* 2. Fore street, Limehouse.* 3. Phœnix 344street, Spitalfields.* 4. Ratcliff highway.* 5. Wellclose square.*

Ship yard, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. In the Borough.* 3. Golden lane, Barbican.* 4. Green bank, Wapping.* 5. King street, New Gravel lane.* 6. Monkwell street.* 7. Petty France, Westminster.* 8. Phœnix street.* 9, Redcross street, Cripplegate.* 10. Without Temple Bar.*

Shipwrights, a company by prescription for several ages, were incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1605.

This corporation consists of a Master, two Wardens, and sixteen Assistants; but have neither livery nor hall: for though they had formerly a hall near Ratcliff cross, yet that being demolished they occasionally meet at different places to transact their affairs.

Shoreditch, extends from Nortonfalgate to the end of Old street. Shoreditch was anciently a village situated along the Roman highway, by the Saxons denominated Eald street, or Old street, and according to Maitland, owes its name to one of the predecessors of Sir John Sordig, or Sordich, who was Lord thereof in the year 1339, and not, as vulgarly supposed, to Jane Shore, concubine to Edward IV. This village was at a considerable distance north of the city of London, though it is now joined to it.

Shoreditch church, at the north end of Shoreditch. See the article St. Leonard Shoreditch.

Shovel alley, 1. Back lane, Rag fair.* 2. Cable street.* 3. St. Catharine’s.* 4. East Smithfield.* 5. Great Gardens, St. Catharine’s lane.* 6. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Signet Office, Whitehall; an office under the Principal Secretaries of state, who have the custody of the King’s seal, called the signet; the use and application whereof gives name to this office, which constantly attends the court.

In this office there are four chief Clerks, and two Deputies. These chief Clerks wait alternately by months, and prepare such writings as are to pass the signet. They have no fee from the King, but only 200l. a year board wages. One of them always attends the court wheresoever it removes, and, by warrant from his Majesty, prepares such bills or letters for the King to sign, as not being matter of law, they are directed by warrant to prepare.

In their office all grants, either prepared by the King’s Counsel at law, or by themselves, 347for the King’s hand, when signed, are returned, and there transcribed again; and that transcript is carried to one of the Principal Secretaries of state, and sealed; and then it is called a signet. This being directed to the Lord Privy Seal, is his warrant for issuing out a privy seal upon it. Privy seals for money, however, now always begin in the Treasury, from whence the first warrant issues, counter-signed by the Lord Treasurer: but when the nature of the grant requires the passing of the great seal, then the privy seal is an authority to the Lord Chancellor, to pass the great seal; as the signet was to the Lord Privy Seal to affix that seal to the grant. But in all these three offices, the signet, privy seal, and great seal, the grant is transcribed; and therefore every thing which passes from the King has these several ways of being considered before it is perfected. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Silkmen, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1631. They have a Governor and twenty Assistants; but neither hall nor livery. Maitland.

Silk Throwers. This trade was first practised in London in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, by foreigners, whose dependents, and those to whom they had taught the art of silk throwing, were constituted 348a fellowship of the city in 1622, and were afterwards incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1630.

They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty Assistants; but have neither hall nor livery. Maitland.

Office of Clerk of the King’s Silver, in the Inner Temple. To this Clerk every fine or final agreement upon the sale of land, is brought, after it has been with the Custos Brevium, when he makes an entry of what money is to be paid to the King’s use. This office belongs to the court of Common Pleas, and is executed by a Deputy. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Silver street, 1. Bloomsbury. 2. Bridgewater square. 3. Near Golden square. 4. Green alley, Tooley street. 5. Hare street, Spitalfields. 6. Near New Gravel lane, Shadwell. 7. Pelham street, Spitalfields. 8. Soho square. 9. White Friars, Fleet street. 10. Wood street, Cheapside.

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The Project Gutenberg eBook of London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6)

LONDON

AND ITS

ENVIRONS

DESCRIBED.

MON

N.

O.

P.

Q.

R.

S.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

Qu	A	D	T	D	P
os	nguis	irus	risti	ulcedine	avit.
H	Sa	M	Ch	M	L

The Project Gutenberg eBook of London and Its Environs Described, vol. 5 (of 6)

LONDON AND ITS ENVIRONS DESCRIBED.

MON

N.

O.

P.

Q.

R.

S.

THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

LONDON

AND ITS

ENVIRONS

DESCRIBED.