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Title: London and its Environs Described, v. 1-6 - Containing an Account of whatever is most remarkable for - Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use In the City and in - the Country Twenty Miles round it.
Author: Anonymous
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "London and its Environs Described, v. 1-6 - Containing an Account of whatever is most remarkable for - Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use In the City and in - the Country Twenty Miles round it." ***
LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED.
VOL. I.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _C. Grignion sc._]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED.
CONTAINING
An Account of whatever is most remarkable
for GRANDEUR, ELEGANCE, CURIOSITY
In the CITY and in the COUNTRY
Twenty Miles round it.
COMPREHENDING ALSO
Whatever is most material in the History and Antiquities
of this great Metropolis.
Decorated and illustrated with a great Number of
Views in Perspective, engraved from original
Drawings, taken on purpose for this Work.
Together with a PLAN of LONDON,
A Map of the ENVIRONS, and several other
useful CUTS.
In SIX VOLUMES.
VOL. I.
LONDON:
Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY in Pall-Mall.
-------
M DCC LXI.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
TO HIS
ROYAL HIGHNESS
GEORGE,
PRINCE OF WALES,
THIS WORK IS MOST HUMBLY
INSCRIBED, BY
HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS’s
MOST DEVOTED
AND OBEDIENT
HUMBLE SERVANTS,
THE PROPRIETORS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PREFACE.
IT is hoped that the great variety of new, useful, curious and
entertaining articles which will be found in the following work, will
entitle it to a favourable reception from the public. No pains nor
expence have been spared to give it as much accuracy and perfection as
the nature of such a work will admit of. And though we do not flatter
ourselves that it will be absolutely free from errors or imperfections,
yet we doubt not but the candid reader will find so much to commend,
that he will easily be inclined to excuse some unavoidable deficiencies.
The Environs of London, though they contain many of the most remarkable
seats and places in the kingdom, have never before been included in any
account of that metropolis; and we are persuaded, that the most
intelligent enquirer will here find numberless curiosities, not hitherto
taken notice of by any other writers: besides, we have not only been
particular in our descriptions of whatever is remarkable twenty miles
round; but to assist his observation, we have added a map, which we
flatter ourselves will be found to have some advantages over any other
that has yet appeared. This map, and these descriptions, will serve both
as a guide and an instructor to the travelling Virtuosi, whether natives
or foreigners, in their little excursions to any part of these
delightfully adorned and richly cultivated environs.
In order to render the knowledge of this metropolis as complete as
possible, we have necessarily been obliged, in conformity with our plan,
to treat of what may to some appear little and uninteresting, as well as
of what is great and important. Among these the citizens are
particularly interested in knowing the extent and limits of the wards in
which they reside: and it was absolutely necessary to mention in their
proper places all the several companies that compose their whole body:
and as every inhabitant of the kingdom may, at one time or another, have
occasion to visit or write to their friends or relations residing in
this great city, the names and situation of all the several streets,
lanes, rows, courts, yards and allies could not be omitted. With regard
to these an ingenious gentleman has furnished us with a key, which has
let us into the origin of many of their names; and this part of our work
is farther illustrated by a new and correct plan.
The prints with which the whole is decorated, are all engraved by the
best hands, after original drawings, which were taken on purpose for
this work, from the several objects themselves, at a very great expence;
and we imagine they will not only be considered as an ornament, but that
they will be found of use in illustrating the verbal descriptions.
We beg leave in this place to make our grateful acknowledgments to
several of the nobility and gentry, who have been pleased to favour us
on this occasion with lists and accounts of their pictures, curiosities,
&c. which have greatly enriched and added a value to our work; and being
entirely new, cannot but be acceptable to the public.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._ _The Abby Church of
S^t. Peter’s, Westminster._]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED, &c.
† _Those with this mark generally derived their name from the ground
landlord, who built the street, lane, or alley, &c._
* _From signs._
☐ _From neighbouring places, as churches, &c._
‡ _From trees formerly growing there._
║ _From ridicule._
§ _From their situation, as backwards, forwards, with respect to other
streets._
A
ABBEY _Church of St. Peter’s, Westminster_. Many have been the fables
invented and propagated by the monks, relating to the original
foundation of this ancient edifice; but the most probable account is
given by those who place it under Sebert, King of the East Saxons, who
died in 616. These say, that this Prince being converted to christianity
by Austin’s discourses, and his uncle Ethelbert’s example, erected this
church on the ruins of a temple dedicated to Apollo, in the island of
Thorney, and caused Mellitus, Bishop of London, to consecrate it to St.
Peter.
As many ridiculous miracles have been related of its foundation, it is
the less surprizing that its dedication should also be represented as
miraculous, and that St. Peter himself, five hundred years after his
decease, should be represented by the monks, as doing honour to the new
fabric, by performing the ceremony himself. For according to the legend,
the King having ordered Mellitus to perform the ceremony, St. Peter
over-night called upon Edricus, a fisherman, and desired to be ferried
over to Thorney, which happened to be then overflowed by the heavy rains
that had lately fallen; the fisherman consented, and having carried over
the Apostle, he saw him consecrate the church amidst a grand chorus of
celestial music, and a glorious appearance of heavenly lights. After
which the Apostle returning, discovered himself to the fisherman, and
bid him tell Mellitus what he had heard and seen, and as a proof of his
divine mission, gave him a miraculous draught of salmon, and then
assured him, that none of his profession should ever want that kind of
fish in the proper season, provided they made an offering of the tenth
fish for the use of the new church; which custom, it seems, was
continued by the fishermen four hundred years after.
This church and its monastery were afterwards repaired and enlarged by
Offa, King of Mercia, but being destroyed by the Pagan Danes, they were
rebuilt by King Edgar, who endowed them with lands and manors, and in
the year 969 granted them many ample privileges.
The church and monastery having again suffered by the ravages of the
Danes, were again rebuilt by Edward the Confessor, who pulled down the
old church, and erected a most magnificent one, for that age, in its
room, in the form of a cross, which afterwards became a pattern for that
kind of building. The work being finished in the year 1065, he caused it
to be consecrated with the greatest pomp and solemnity, and by several
charters not only confirmed all its ancient rights and privileges, but
endowed it with many rich manors, and additional immunities: ordained
that all its lands and possessions, should be subject to none but its
own jurisdiction, and the convent be free from the authority of the
Bishop of London; and the church, by a bull of Pope Nicholas I. was
constituted the place for the inauguration of the Kings of England. In
short, he gave it a charter of sanctuary, in which he declares, that any
person whatsoever, let his crimes be ever so great, who takes sanctuary
in that holy place, shall be assured of life, liberty, and limbs, and
that none of his ministers, nor those of his successors, should seize
any of his goods, lands or possessions, under pain of everlasting
damnation, and that whoever presumed to act contrary to this grant,
should lose his name, worship, dignity, and power, and with the traitor
Judas, be in the everlasting fire of hell. This was the pious language
of St. Edward the Confessor, and from this charter, Westminster Abbey
became an asylum for traitors, murderers, robbers, and the most
abandoned miscreants, who lived there in open defiance of the laws.
This, and King Edward’s other charters, in which he recites the
ridiculous story of its consecration by St. Peter, as above related, its
destruction by the Danes, the grants and privileges of his predecessors,
and those bestowed by himself, drew people thither from all parts, so
that in a short time there was not sufficient room in the Abbey church
for the accommodation of the numerous inhabitants, without incommoding
the monks; he therefore caused a church to be erected on the north side
of the monastery, for the use of the inhabitants, and dedicated it to
St. Margaret.
William the Conqueror, to shew his regard to the memory of his late
friend King Edward, no sooner arrived in London, than he repaired to
this church, and offered a sumptuous pall, as a covering for his tomb;
he also gave fifty marks of silver, together with a very rich altar
cloth, and two caskets of gold; and the Christmas following was solemnly
crowned there, his being the first coronation performed in that place.
The next Prince who improved this great work, was Henry III. who in the
year 1200 began to erect a new chapel to the blessed Virgin; but about
twenty years after, finding the walls and steeple of the old structure
much decayed, he pulled them all down, with a design to enlarge, and
rebuild them in a more regular manner; but he did not live to accomplish
this great work, which was not compleated till 1285, about fourteen
years after his decease. And this is the date of the building as it now
stands.
About the year 1502, King Henry began that magnificent structure which
is now generally called by his name; for this purpose, he pulled down
the chapel of Henry III. already mentioned, and an adjoining house
called the White Rose Tavern; this chapel, like the former, he dedicated
to the blessed Virgin, and designing it for a burial place for himself
and his posterity, he carefully ordered in his will, that none but those
of royal blood should be permitted to lie there.
At length on the general suppression of religious houses, the Abbey was
surrendered to Henry VIII. by William Benson, the Abbot, and seventeen
of the monks, in the year 1539, when its revenues amounted to 3977_l._
6_s._ 4_d._ ¾ _per annum_, a sum at least equal to 20,000_l._ a year at
present. Besides its furniture, which was of inestimable value, it had
in different parts of the kingdom, no less than two hundred, and sixteen
manors, seventeen hamlets, and ninety-seven towns and villages. And tho’
the Abbey was only the second in rank, yet in all other respects it was
the chief in the kingdom; and its Abbots having episcopal jurisdiction,
had a seat in the house of Lords.
The Abbey thus dissolved, that Prince erected first into a college of
secular Canons, under the government of a Dean, an honour which he chose
to confer on the last Abbot. This establishment, however, was of no long
duration, for two years after he converted it into a bishopric, which
was dissolved nine years after by Edward VI. who restored the government
by a Dean, which continued till Mary’s accession to the crown; when she,
in 1557, restored it to its ancient conventual state; but Queen
Elizabeth again ejected the monks, and in 1560 erected Westminster Abbey
into a college, under the government of a Dean, and twelve secular
Canons or Prebendaries, a Schoolmaster, Usher, and forty Scholars,
denominated the Queen’s, to be educated in the liberal sciences
preparatory to the university, and to have all the necessaries of life,
except cloathing, of which they were to have only a gown every year. To
this foundation also belong choristers, singing-men, an organist, twelve
almsmen, &c.
The Abbey church, which was stripped of many of its decorations by Henry
VIII. and was much damaged both within and without during the unhappy
civil commotions that defaced the ancient beauty of most of the
religious houses in this kingdom, has continued from the death of Henry
VII. almost to the present time, without any other considerable repairs,
and was gradually falling to ruin, when the Parliament interposed, and
ordered a thorough reparation at the national expence.
This venerable fabric has been accordingly new coated on the outside,
except that part called Henry the Seventh’s chapel, which is indeed a
separate building: and the west end has been adorned with two new
stately towers that have been lately rebuilt, in such a manner as to be
thought equal in point of workmanship to any part of the ancient
building; but though such pains have been taken in the coating, to
preserve the ancient Gothic grandeur, that this church in its distant
prospect has all the venerable majesty of its former state, yet the
beautiful carving with which it was once adorned, is irretrievably lost;
the buttresses, once capped with turrets, are now made in plain
pyramidical forms, and topped with freestone; and the statues of our
ancient Kings that formerly stood in niches, near the tops of those
buttresses, are for the most part removed, and their broken fragments
lodged in the roof of Henry the Seventh’s chapel. Three of these statues
are still standing next the towers on the north side, and indeed that is
the only side where you can take a view of the Abbey, the other side
being so incumbered with buildings, that even its situation cannot be
distinguished.
What next to the new towers principally engages the attention on the
outside, is the Gothic portico which leads into the north cross, which
by some has been stiled _the Beautiful_, or _Solomon’s Gate_. This was
probably built by Richard II. as his arms carved in stone was formerly
over the gate. It has been lately beautified, and over it is a new
window admirably well executed. Besides these there is little in the
outward appearance capable of engaging the attention, and its principal
beauties are to be found within.
The author of the work entitled _English Architecture_, seems to prefer
the Gothic to the Grecian architecture, as most suited to the purposes
of devotion, and gives this edifice as an instance, “There is in it,
says he, a majesty and grandeur, a sedate, and if we may so speak,
religious dignity, which immediately strikes the imagination; and never
failed to impress on the most insensible observer, that holy awe which
should attend, and which always disposes the mind to devotion.” But this
holy awe, thus mechanically incited, would be as friendly to Paganism as
to Christianity; and indeed, this awe is so far from being holy, that it
is a thing entirely distinct from rational piety and devotion, and may
be felt without any inclination to enter the choir.
Indeed the multiplicity of puerile ornaments profusely lavished, the
strong and beautiful perspective, and that romantic air of grandeur so
visible in this structure, and above all the height of the middle isle
at our first entrance, fill the eye, strike us in a very forcible
manner, and at once raise our admiration and astonishment. To which let
it be added, that the ranges of venerable monuments on each hand, some
of them most magnificent, have a natural tendency to strike the mind
with an uncommon degree of solemnity, and to raise the most serious
reflections.
The extent of the building is very considerable; for it is 360 feet
within the walls, at the nave it is 72 feet broad, and at the cross 195.
The Gothic arches and side isles are supported by 48 pillars of grey
marble, each composed of clusters of very slender ones, and covered with
ornaments. The moment you enter the west door the whole body of the
church opens itself at once to your view, the pillars dividing the nave
from the side isles being so formed as not to obstruct the side
openings, nor is your sight terminated to the east, but by the fine
painted window over Edward the Confessor’s chapel, which anciently, when
the altar was low, and adorned with the beautiful shrine of that
pretended saint, must have afforded one of the finest prospects that can
be imagined.
The pillars are terminated to the east by a sweep, enclosing the chapel
of Edward the Confessor, in a kind of semicircle. And it is worthy of
observation, that as far as the gates of the choir, the pillars are
filletted with brass, but all beyond with stone. Answering to the middle
range of pillars, there are others in the wall, which as they rise,
spring into semiarches, and are every where met in acute angles by their
opposites, and meeting in the roof are adorned with a variety of
carvings. On the arches of the pillars are galleries of double columns
fifteen feet wide, covering the side isles, and enlightened by a middle
range of windows, over which there is an upper range of larger windows,
and by these, together with the four capital windows, facing the north,
east, south and west, the whole fabric is so admirably enlightened, that
in the day you are never dazzled with its brightness, nor incommoded by
its being too dark. But before we leave these capital windows, which are
all finely painted, it is necessary to observe, that in the great west
window is a curious painting of Edward III. to the left of which in a
smaller window is a painting of one of our Kings, supposed to be Richard
II. but the colours being of a water blue the features of the face
cannot be distinguished. On the other side the great window is a lively
representation of Edward the Confessor in his robes, and under his feet
are painted his arms. At the bottom of the walls between the pillars are
shallow niches, arched about eight or ten feet high, on which the arms
of the original benefactors are depicted, and over them are their
titles, &c. but these are almost all concealed by the monuments of the
dead placed before them, many of which are extremely noble, and which we
shall particularly examine after having gone through the several parts
of the edifice.
After viewing the open part of the church, the next thing to be seen is
the choir, which can only be done during the times of divine service.
The grand entrance into it is by a pair of fine iron gates, on each side
of which is a very magnificent tomb. The floor is paved with the finest
black and white marble. The ancient stalls are covered with Gothic acute
arches, supported by small iron pillars, and are painted purple; but
what is most worthy of observation, is an ancient portrait near the
pulpit, of Richard II. sitting in a gilt chair, dressed in a green vest
flowered with gold, with gold shoes powdered with pearls. This piece is
six feet eleven inches in length, and three feet seven inches in
breadth; but the lower part is much defaced.
The next thing worthy of observation is the fine altar enclos’d with a
curious balustrade, within which is a pavement of mosaic work, laid at
the expence of Abbot Ware, in the year 1272, and is said to be one of
the most beautiful of its kind in the world: the stones of which it is
composed are porphyry, jasper, lydian and serpentine. The altar is a
beautiful piece of marble, removed from Whitehall, and presented to this
church by order of her majesty Queen Anne. On each side of the altar are
doors, opening into St. Edward’s chapel.
_Of the several Chapels in Westminster Abbey._ Besides that of Henry
VII. which, as we have already observed, is a separate building, and
will therefore be mentioned by itself when we have finished our survey
of the Abbey, there are ten chapels, round that of St. Edward the
Confessor, which stands as it were in the center, and, as has been said,
is inclosed in the body of the church, at the east end of the choir,
behind the altar; these, beginning from the north cross, and passing
round to the south cross, are in the following order: St. Andrew’s, St.
Michael’s, St. John the Evangelist’s, Islip’s chapel, St. John the
Baptist’s, St. Paul’s, Henry the Fifth’s, St. Nicholas’s, St. Edmund’s,
and St. Benedict’s.
_The Chapel of St. Edward._ The first curiosity that here fixes our
attention, is the ancient shrine erected by Henry III. upon the
canonization of Edward King of England, the third of that name before
the conquest, and the last of the Saxon race; a Prince who owed the
title of Confessor and Saint, to the vast sums he bestowed on the
church, and the sollicitations of the monks, than to his own personal
merit: for he was a bad son, a bad husband, and so bad a king, that he
shewed greater favour to the Normans than to his own people, and by his
folly prepared the way for the conquest. He died in the year 1066, and
was canonized by Pope Alexander III. in 1269. This shrine, which was
once esteemed the glory of England, is now much defaced and neglected.
It was composed of stones of various colours, beautifully enriched with
all the cost that art could devise. No sooner was it erected, than the
wealth of the kingdom flowed to it from all quarters. Henry III. set the
first example, though he afterwards made use of the jewels and treasure
he offered there, to defray the charges of an expedition into France.
Before this shrine was a lamp kept continually burning, on one side
stood a silver image of the blessed Virgin, which with two jewels of
immense value, were presented by Queen Eleanor, the wife of Henry III.
on the other side stood another image of the Virgin Mary, wrought in
ivory, presented by Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Here also
Edward I. offered the Scots regalia and chair, in which the kings of
Scotland used to be crowned, which is still preserved and shewn to all
strangers. And about the year 1280, Alphonso, third son to the last
mentioned king, offered here the golden coronet of Llewellyn, Prince of
Wales, and other jewels; but it would almost fill a volume to enumerate
the offerings made at this shrine. Yet it is now so stripped as to
afford no satisfaction, except to the curious; however some of the
stone-work with which it is adorned, is still to be seen. This
stone-work is hollow within, and now incloses a large chest, which Mr.
Keep, soon after the coronation of James II. found to contain the
remains of St. Edward; for it being broken by accident, he discovered a
number of bones, and turning them up, found a crucifix, richly
ornamented and enamell’d with a gold chain of twenty inches long, both
which he presented to his Majesty, who ordered the bones to be replaced
in the old coffin, and enclosed in a new one made very strong, and
clamp’d with iron.
On the south side of this shrine lies Editha, daughter to Goodwyn, Earl
of Kent, and Queen to St. Edward, with whom she lived eighteen years,
and tho’ she was the most accomplished woman of that age, confessed on
her death-bed, that he suffered her to live and die a virgin; and, as an
ancient manuscript in the Cotton library has it, “nathelees, tho’ the
Kinge had a wyfe, he lived ev’moe in chastete, and clennes, wythowten
any fleshley dedes doynge wyth his wyfe the Queen, and so dyd the Queen
on her syde.” She survived her husband eight years, and beheld all the
miseries consequent upon his dying without issue. She was however
treated with great respect by William the Conqueror, who allowed her an
apartment in the King’s palace at Winchester, where she died, and was
interred here, by his express orders.
Near the remains of this Princess lie those of Queen Maud, surnam’d the
Good, the daughter of Malcolm Conmair, King of Scotland, to whom she was
espoused, in order to unite the Saxon and Norman lines, and thereby to
reconcile the affections of the English to the future Kings that should
spring from them. She died on the 11th of May 1118. This excellent
Princess was distinguished by her many virtues, particularly her
humility, and her placing her chief delight in relieving the poor.
On the north side of this chapel is the tomb of Henry III. the pannels
are of polish’d porphyry, and around them is mosaic work of gold and
scarlet. At the corners of the table are twisted pillars, gilt, and
enamell’d, and upon it is placed the effigy of that King in brass gilt,
finely executed. He died in 1272, aged 65, after a troublesome reign of
56 years.
At the feet of the last mentioned Prince lies the effigy of Eleanor,
Queen to Edward I. On the sides of this monument are engraven the arms
of Castile and Leon, quarterly, and those of Ponthieu, hanging on vines
and oak-trees, and round the copper verge is embossed this inscription
in Saxon characters;
_Icy gist Alianor Jadis Reyne de Angleterre,
Femme al. Re. Edward Fiz._
That is,
_Here lies Eleanor, once Queen of England,
Wife to King Edward._
It is remarkable, that the body of this Queen was only interred here,
and that her heart was placed in the choir of the friars predicants in
London.
There is also here a large plain coffin of grey marble, composed of
seven stones, four of which form the sides, two the ends, and one the
cover. This rough unpolished tomb incloses the body of the glorious King
Edward I. just mentioned, who was born on the 17th of June 1239. He was
named Edward, in honour of Edward the Confessor, and afterwards surnamed
Long Shanks, from his tall and slender habit of body. This brave Prince
died on the 7th of July 1307, aged 68.
In this chapel is a tomb of black marble, to the memory of Philippa, the
third daughter to William Earl of Hainault, and Queen to King Edward
III. who bestowed a profusion of expence on her tomb, round which were
placed as ornaments, the brazen statues of no less than thirty Kings,
Princes, and noble personages her relations.
Tho’ Edward III. was interred in the same grave as the Queen, he has a
monument erected for him adjoining to hers, covered with a Gothic
canopy. The effigy of this Prince, who died June 21, 1377, lies on a
tomb of grey marble, and at his head are placed the shield and sword
carried before him in France: the latter is seven feet long, and weighs
eighteen pounds. This tomb was, like the former, surrounded with
statues, particularly with those of his children.
Next to this is the tomb of Richard II. and his Queen, over which is a
canopy of wood, remarkable for a painting of the Virgin Mary and our
Saviour still visible. This Prince was murdered on Valentine’s day 1399,
and on the robing of his effigy are curiously wrought, peascod shells
open, and the peas out, perhaps in allusion to his being once in full
possession of sovereignty, which before his murder, was reduced to an
empty title.
Between St. Edward’s shrine, and the tomb of Queen Philippa, under a
large stone, once plated with brass, lies the great Thomas of Woodstock,
Duke of Gloucester, and uncle to the above Richard II. who murdered him
on the 8th of September, 1397, for being too free and too faithful a
monitor.
Here is also a table monument in memory of Margaret, daughter to Edward
IV. by his Queen Elizabeth Woodville; and a small monument of black
Lydian marble finely polished, in memory of Elizabeth Tudor, the second
daughter of Henry VIII who died at three years of age.
_Henry the Fifth’s Chapel_, is only parted from St. Edward’s by an iron
screen, on each side of which are statues as big as the life. His
monument, which is surrounded with iron rails and gates, is of black
marble, and upon it is placed his statue; but what is very remarkable,
it lies without the head. Your guides say, that the body is heart of
oak, and the head of beaten silver; as were also the scepter and other
ensigns of royalty with which this statue was adorned; but that the
value of these occasioned their being sacrilegiously taken away. This is
by some writers represented at a ridiculous tale. Over this tomb is a
chauntry chapel, in which the weapons, armour, and caparisons of Henry
V. were carefully laid up, and remain to this day.
Near this tomb lies enclosed in an old wooden chest, the remains of
Catharine, daughter of Charles VI. King of France, and the consort of
Henry V. She died on the 2d of January 1437, and was honourably interred
in the chapel erected by Henry III. but when her grandson Henry VII.
pulled down that to build his own chapel, her body was taken up, when
the bones appeared firmly united, and thinly covered with flesh; but the
coffin being decayed, was put into a wooden chest, and removed to the
place where it is now seen. This is the account given by those who shew
this venerable dust, the miserable remains of a lady of royal blood, and
of distinguished beauty.
_The Chapel of St. Andrew_, which is next the northern cross, has in the
center a magnificent monument erected to the memory of Sir Francis
Norris, ancestor to the late Sir John Norris. In the reign of Queen
Elizabeth he distinguished himself by his bravery in the Low Countries,
and was created Lord Norris of Rycot. This monument has a fine
representation of an encampment in relief, and is otherwise beautifully
ornamented; but has no inscription.
Against the east wall is a table monument to the memory of Sir John
Burgh, who was killed in 1594, in taking a large Spanish ship, laden
with gold, silver and jewels of inestimable value.
In one corner is an ancient monument of Robert Kirton, that has several
labels in black letters round his portrait, which rests upon eagles
crowned. He died Oct. 3, 1466.
_St. Michael’s Chapel_ has only one monument worthy of notice, which is
that of Sarah, Duchess of Somerset; and mother to the last Duke of
that branch of the family. On the base sit two charity boys, one on
each side, lamenting the loss of their great benefactress, who is
represented resting upon her arm, under a canopy of state, and looking
earnestly upon a group of cherubims, issuing from the clouds above
her. Underneath is a Latin inscription, enumerating her many
charitable foundations, and informing us that this excellent Lady died
on the 5th of September 1692.
_St. John the Evangelist’s Chapel_, has in the center a curious monument
to Sir Francis Vere, a gentleman of the first reputation for learning
and bravery, who particularly distinguished himself at the battle of
Newport, in which he commanded in front under Prince Maurice, in the
service of the States, against the Spaniards. This great warrior was
30 years in the Dutch service, and in 20 of them commanded the
auxiliary troops of England. He died on the 28th of August 1608, in
the 54th year of his age. His monument is a table supported by four
knights kneeling, on which lie the several parts of a complete suit of
armour, and underneath the effigies of Sir Francis, lying, as if
undressed, in a loose gown, on a quilt of alabaster. On the base is a
short Latin inscription in gold letters, shewing to whom it belongs;
that he was nephew to the Earl of Oxford, and Governor of Portsmouth
and the Brille, and that his disconsolate widow consecrated this
monument to his memory.
Close to the wall is a monument of Sir George Hollis, nephew to Sir
Francis Vere, and a Major General under him. On the pedestal is
represented the siege of a town in relief, where the principal figure
is a General on horseback holding a battoon, and having one eye
blemished, perhaps alluding to the siege of Newport, in which Sir
George also gained great honour, and had a horse killed under him. On
each side of this pedestal sits a Pallas, lamenting the death of the
great warrior, who is represented above in the Roman habit, standing
erect upon a lofty altar, with a cherub supporting the plinth on which
he stands. Sir George died in January 1626. An ingenious author
speaking of this monument, says, that Sir George was the first erect
figure set up in the Abbey; “an attitude, says he, which I am far from
discommending, for ’tis my opinion, statues should always represent
life and action: ’tis peculiarly adapted to heroes, who ought never to
be supposed at rest, and should have their characters represented as
strong as possible: this before us is bold and manly, though not
chaste and elegant: ’tis finely elevated too, and the mourning
Pallases, at the base of it, are both well fancied and well applied.”
Near Sir Francis’s tomb is that of Aubery de Vere, the last Earl of
Oxford of that name, and Lieutenant-General of Queen Anne’s forces,
who died March 12, 1702.
In this chapel there are also some antique monuments; particularly on
the right hand, is that of John de Eastney, one of the Abbots, who was
a great benefactor to this church, and died on the 4th of May 1438. A
brazen statue of this Abbot in his mass habit, lies upon his tomb. It
is remarkable, that in breaking up a grave about thirty years ago, his
body was discovered in a coffin quilted with yellow sattin, having on
a gown of crimson silk, girded round him with a black girdle; on his
legs were white silk stockings, and over his face a clean napkin
doubled up, and laid corner wise. His body and legs are said to have
been plump and firm, but his face somewhat discoloured.
There is likewise here the monument of Sir John Harpedon, Knt. who
died in 1457. He lies in armour, resting his feet on a lion, and his
head on a greyhound.
_St. Erasmus’s, or Islip’s Chapel_, has but two monuments worthy of
notice; the first that of John Islip, Abbot of Westminster, the
founder of this chapel, which he dedicated to St. Erasmus. It is
adorned with much carving in devices, intaglios, and febuses, alluding
to the name of the founder, as a person slipping boughs off a tree; an
eye with the slip of the tree; and a youth sliding from a bough, with
_I slip_, in a label proceeding out of his mouth. In the middle is
Islip’s tomb which is a plain marble table, supported by four small
brass pillars; over it was anciently painted on the roof, a picture of
our Saviour on the cross. He died in January 1510.
The other is the tomb of Sir Christopher Hatton, son to Christopher
Hatton, Lord Chancellor of England. The principal figures are a knight
in armour, and a lady in deep mourning resting on the ascending sides
of a triangular pediment, parted in the middle by a trunkless helmet.
Over their heads is a neat piece of architecture, in the center of
which is a scroll with their arms, held up by naked boys, one of whom
holds an extinguished torch reversed over the Knight, to shew that Sir
Christopher died first; the other over the Lady holds his torch
upright and burning, to signify that she survived him. The inscription
informs us, that Sir Christopher died on the 10th of September 1619.
Over this chapel is a chauntry, in which are two large wainscot
presses, filled with the effigies of Princes, and others of high
quality, interred in the Abbey. These effigies, ’tis said, resembled
the deceased as near as possible, and were formerly exposed at the
funerals of our Princes and other great personages, in open chariots,
with their proper ensigns of royalty or honour. Those here deposited
are all maimed, some stripped, and others in tattered robes; but the
most ancient are the least injured, which seems as if the value of
their cloaths had occasioned this ravage; for the robes of Edward VI.
that were once of crimson velvet, but now appear like leather, are
left entire; while those of Queen Elizabeth and King James I. are
taken away, as is every thing of value from all the rest.
_St. John Baptist’s Chapel_, contains several monuments: one at the
entrance is to the memory of Mrs. Mary Kendall, the daughter of Thomas
Kendall, Esq; she died in her thirty-third year, and her epitaph
informs us, that “her many virtues rendered her every way worthy of
that close union and friendship, in which she lived with Lady
Catharine Jones; and in testimony of which, she desired that even
their ashes, after death, might not be divided; and therefore ordered
herself here to be interred, where she knew that excellent Lady
designed one day to rest, near the grave of her beloved and religious
mother, Elizabeth Countess of Kendall.”
Next to this is a monument erected to the memory of Col. Edward
Popham, and his Lady, whose statues in white marble stand under a
lofty canopy, resting their arms in a thoughtful posture upon a marble
altar, on which lie the gloves of an armed knight. This gentleman was
an active officer in Cromwell’s army, and his atchievements were here
inscribed on his tomb. Upon the restoration, the monument was ordered
to be demolished, and the inscription erased; but at the intercession
of some of his Lady’s relations, who had eminently served his Majesty,
the stone whereon the inscription was cut was only turned inwards, and
no other injury done to his monument.
In the midst of this chapel is a large table monument for Thomas
Cecil, Earl of Exeter, Baron Burleigh, Knight of the Garter, and Privy
Counsellor to King James I. whereon is placed his statue lying down,
with his Lady on his right side, and a vacant space on his left for
another. The Lady on his right side is his first wife the Lady Dorothy
Nevil, daughter to the Lord Latimer; and the vacant space was left for
his second wife, Frances Bridges, of the noble family of Chandois; but
as the right side was taken up, she gave express orders in her will,
not to place her effigy on his left, however, according to the
inscription, they are all buried together in one vault.
But the most magnificent monument in this chapel is against the east
wall, where stood the altar of St. John Baptist; this was erected to
the memory of Henry Carey, first cousin to Queen Elizabeth, who, on
being denied the honours of peerage, laid the disappointment so much
to heart, that he languished for a long time on a sick bed, at which
the Queen being moved, too late, created him a Baron, and ordered the
patent and robes to be laid before him, but without effect. He died on
the 23d of July 1596, aged seventy-two.
Here also is a monument to Thomas Carey, second son to the Earl of
Monmouth, who is said to have died of grief in 1648, at the age of
thirty-three, on account of the untimely fate of his royal master King
Charles I.
Here are likewise a few antique monuments, particularly one in which
the figure of a Bishop properly habited, lies under a Gothic canopy.
This is supposed to be erected for Thomas Rathal, Bishop of Durham,
who died in 1524.
And an ancient stone monument for William of Colchester, whose
effigies lie with the head supported by an angel, and the feet by a
lamb.
_St. Paul’s Chapel_, has on the left hand, a lofty monument erected to
the memory of Sir John Puckering, Knt. and Lord Chancellor in the
reign of Queen Elizabeth, in which office he died on the 20th of April
1596. His epitaph in Latin over his effigies, is thus translated:
The publick care and laws engag’d my breast,
To live was toilsome, but to die is rest;
Wealth, maces, guards, crowns, titles, things that fade,
The prey of Time and sable Death are made.
VIRTUE INSPIRES MEN.
His Wife this statue rears to her lov’d spouse,
The test of constancy and marriage vows.
_I trust I shall see the Lord in the Land of the Living._
Adjoining to this monument, is one, much decay’d, for Sir James
Fullerton and his Lady, whose effigies lie upon it, and on a table of
black marble is the following quaint inscription:
Here lie the Remains of Sir James Fullerton,
Knt. first Gentleman of the Bedchamber
to King Charles the First (Prince
and King) a generous Rewarder of all
Virtue, a severe Reprover of all Vice, a
profest Renouncer of all Vanity. He
was a firm Pillar to the Commonwealth,
a faithful Patron to the Catholic Church,
a fair Pattern to the British Court. He
lived to the Welfare of his Country, to
the Honour of his Prince, to the Glory
of his God. He died _fuller_ of Faith
than of Fear, _fuller_ of Resolution than
of Pain, _fuller_ of Honour than of Days.
There is a monument erected to the memory of Sir James Bromley,
Chancellor to Queen Elizabeth, who died on the 12th of April 1587.
This monument is of alabaster, with pillars of Lydian marble gilt, and
Sir James is represented lying in his Chancellor’s habit, with his
four sons and four daughters kneeling on the base.
In the same chapel is a plain monument of Sir Dudley Carlton, who for
his services to King James I. and King Charles I. was made Viscount
Dorchester, and Secretary of State. He died on the 15th of February
1631, and is represented on his tomb sitting in a half rais’d posture.
To the east of this monument is another of alabaster to the memory of
Frances the wife of Thomas Ratcliffe, Earl of Sussex, who
distinguished herself by her humanity and generosity, and died on the
15th of April 1589. She is represented in a recumbent posture, resting
on an embroidered cushion, dressed in robes, and with a coronet on her
head.
Next to this is the monument of Francis Lord Cottington of Hanworth,
who died on the 9th of June 1652, and of his Lady who died in 1633.
This monument is of black touchstone, and remarkably different from
every other in the Abbey, On the top is a circular frame of gilt
brass, enclosing the bust of the Lady, and beneath is his Lordship on
a table monument resting on his left arm, and over a satyr’s head is
the inscription in English mentioning his Lordship’s titles and
employments.
_St. Nicholas’s Chapel_ contains several remarkable monuments: near the
entrance is one of black marble, finely polished, to the memory of the
Lady Jane Clifford, youngest daughter to the Duke of Somerset, and
wife to Charles Lord Clifford and Dungarvan, who died Nov. 23, 1679.
This black monument is adorned with cherubims and a scroll of
alabaster, whereon is written a long inscription in English,
containing an account of the Lady’s descent and marriage.
By the door on the same side, is a monument of alabaster erected for
Lady Cecil, the daughter of Lord Cobham, who having married Sir Robert
Cecil, son to William Lord Burleigh, Treasurer of England, died in
child-bed in 1591. The Latin inscription is a dialogue between herself
and husband, expressing their mutual affection.
At some distance is a magnificent temple of various coloured marble,
erected to the memory of Anne Duchess of Somerset, wife to Edward Duke
of Somerset. She died on the 16th of April 1618, aged twenty-eight.
The inscription is in Latin and English, and contains a pompous detail
of the noble lineage of this great Lady, her alliances and issue.
In this chapel is likewise a very expensive monument, erected by the
great Lord Burleigh, to the memory of his wife Mildred, and their
daughter the Lady Anne, Countess of Oxford, representing a stately
temple built with porphyry, and other kinds of marble gilt. It is
divided into two compartments, one elevated over the other. In the
lower lies Lady Burleigh, in a recumbent posture, with her daughter
Lady Jane in her arms; and at her head and feet are her children and
grand-children kneeling. In the upper compartment is the figure of a
venerable old man, supposed to be the Lord Burleigh, on his knees, as
if at fervent prayer. The Lady Burleigh died April 4, 1589, aged
sixty-three, after being forty years married, and her daughter, the
Lady Oxford, June 5, 1588. On the tomb is a long Latin inscription,
explaining the figures, and displaying their respective virtues and
accomplishments.
The next monument I shall mention in this chapel, is that of the Lady
Winifrid, married first to Sir Richard Sackville, Knt. and afterwards
to John Paulet, Marquis of Winchester. On the base are the figures of
a Knight armed and kneeling, and facing him a Lady in mourning also on
her knees; behind whose back lies an infant on a baptismal font with
its head supported by a pillow.
In the middle of the chapel is a fine raised monument of polished
marble, to the memory of Sir George Villars and his Lady, whose son
was raised by King James I. to the dignity of Duke of Buckingham.
In this chapel are two beautiful pyramids; the largest erected to the
memory of Nicholas Bagnal, a child of two months old, overlaid by his
nurse; the other to the memory of Anna Sophia Harley, a child of a
year old, daughter to the Hon. Christopher Harley Embassador to the
French King. She died in the year 1600, and her father, as appears by
the inscription, caused her heart to be inclosed in a cup, and placed
upon the top of the pyramid.
There are also in this chapel, a monument to the memory of the Lady
Elizabeth Fanes, and one or two others, scarcely worth notice.
_The Chapel of St. Edmund_, has at the entrance a lofty monument with
Gothic spires erected to the memory of John of Eltham, second son to
King Edward III. and so called from Eltham in Kent. His statue in
armour is of white alabaster, the head incircled by a coronet. He died
in Scotland at nineteen years of age, unmarried, tho’ three different
matches had been proposed to him, the last of which, to Mary daughter
of Ferdinand King of Spain, he accepted, but lived not to consummate
it.
Next to this is a small table monument, on which lie the effigies of
William of Windsor, and Blanch of the Tower, the son and daughter of
Edward III. They took their surnames from the places of their birth,
and both died in their infancy. They are dressed in the habits of the
times, the young Prince in a short doublet, of the indecency of which
Chaucer’s parson complains, and the Princess in a horned head-dress,
which Stow says, was frightful.
On another tomb lies the statue of the Lady Frances, Duchess of
Suffolk, represented dressed in her robes. She was the daughter of the
famous Charles Brandon by Mary the French Queen, daughter to Henry
VII. and became Duchess of Suffolk by marrying Henry Grey, Marquis of
Dorset, who, upon her father’s decease, was created Duke of Suffolk.
On her tomb are two inscriptions, the first in Latin verse in praise
of her virtues, and the other in English, shewing her different
marriages.
The next is an elegant monument of white marble, erected by John Earl
of Clare, to the memory of his son Francis Hollis, a youth of great
bravery, who, after returning from making a campaign in Flanders, died
on the 12th of August 1622, aged eighteen. He is represented clad in
Grecian armour, sitting on a Greek altar. A good author mentioning
this statue, says, that it expresses more juvenile sweetness and
beauty, than any thing of the kind he ever saw, and that if this
figure has any fault in character or design, it is being placed in a
languid sedentary posture, tho’ cloathed in armour, and described as a
hero in his bloom; a more spirited attitude, he observes, would have
been more suitable to the person represented, would have given the
statuary greater latitude to exert his genius, and afforded more
satisfaction to the spectator. The epitaph on this is as follows:
What so thou hast of nature or of arts,
Youth, beauty, strength, or what excelling parts
Of mind and body, letters, arms, and worth,
His eighteen years, beyond his years brought forth;
Then stand, and read thyself within this glass,
How soon these perish, and thy self may pass;
Man’s life is measur’d by the work, not days,
No aged sloth, but active youth hath praise.
On an altar, in the same taste, but differently ornamented, sits the
statue of the Lady Elizabeth Russel, the daughter of Lord Russel. This
statue is of white alabaster, and the Lady is represented in a
sleeping posture. Your guides say, that she died with a prick of her
finger; but this story has no other foundation, than a misapprehension
of the statuary’s design; for having represented her asleep, and
pointing with her finger to a death’s head under her right foot, it
has been supposed, by the position of her finger pointing downwards,
that it was bleeding, and that this had closed her eyes in death;
though the artist’s design seems rather to allude to the composed
situation of her mind at the approach of death, which she considered
only as a profound sleep, from which she was again to wake to a joyful
resurrection, of which the motto under her feet, is an evident
illustration; _Dormit, non mortua est_; “She is not dead, but
sleepeth.” The Latin inscription on the scroll beneath, only tells
that this monument was erected to her memory by her afflicted sister
Anne. The device is an eagle, the emblem of eternity, resting on a
florilege of roses, &c.
Within the iron rails that inclose this last monument, is a
magnificent one to the memory of John Lord Russel, son and heir to
Francis Earl of Bedford, and of his young son Francis, by Elizabeth
the daughter of Sir Anthony Cook, Knt. This monument is of various
coloured marble and alabaster, and is adorned with gilding. Lord
Russel is represented lying in his robes, with his infant son at his
feet. His Lady, who erected this tomb, was esteemed the Sappho of the
age, and was not only an excellent poetess, but mistress of the
learned languages; and five epitaphs on this tomb are of her
composition, three of which are in Latin, one in Greek, and the other
in English, which last is here transcribed as a specimen of the rest,
that are to the same purpose:
Right noble twice, by virtue, and by birth,
Of Heaven lov’d, and honour’d on the earth:
His country’s hope, his kindred’s chief delight,
My husband dear, more the world’s fair light,
Death hath me ’reft. But I from death will take
His memory, to whom this tomb I make.
John was his name (ah, was!) wretch, must I say;
Lord Russel once, now my tear-thirsty clay.
In this chapel is a monument partly enclosed, to the memory of Talbot
Earl of Shrewsbury and his Lady, who are represented lying on a black
marble table supported by an alabaster pedestal. This monument is
adorned with variegated marble finely carved. The inscription contains
his titles and character, which is a very noble one, and informs us
that he died on the 8th of February 1617, in the fifty-seventh year of
his age.
In this chapel are several other monuments, adorned in their ancient
manner, with statues lying flat on the backs; and also some other
monuments affixed to the walls.
_The Chapel of St. Benedict_, which is that next to the south cross,
has a monument erected to the memory of Lionel Cranfield Earl of
Middlesex, Lord High Treasurer of England in the reign of King James
I. This monument was erected by his relict the Lady Anne, and is of
black marble, on which are two statues in a recumbent posture,
representing his Lordship lying in his robes, with his Lady. It has a
long Latin inscription, representing his various employments and
honours, and that he finished his life in a retired leisure, and died
on the 6th of August 1645, aged seventy.
On the east side, where stood the altar of St. Benedict, is a monument
of various kinds of marble, in memory of Lady Frances Countess of
Hertford, who died on the 14th of May 1598, in the forty-fourth year
of her age. It is of various kinds of marble, and the Countess is in
the old taste represented in her robes, lying with her head resting on
an embroidered cushion, and her feet on the back of a lion.
On the south side of this chapel is a table monument of white marble
to the memory of George Sprat, the second son of Dr. Sprat, Bishop of
Rochester, an infant of a year old.
Near it is the monument of Dr. Gabriel Goodman, the first Dean of this
church, who founded an hospital, and instituted a school at Rathven in
Denbighshire, where he was born. He was a person of great piety, and
was the first who raised the learned Camden from obscurity. He is
represented kneeling, in his proper habit. He died in 1601.
_The Tombs in the open parts of the Abbey._
1. At the corner of the last mentioned chapel is a plain neat monument
to the memory of Mr. Dryden, adorned with no other ornaments than an
elegant bust of that great poet. It was erected by the late Duke of
Buckingham, who thought no inscription necessary to transmit the fame
of that great poet to posterity; we therefore only see these few
words, J. DRYDEN, born 1632, died May 1, 1700, and underneath, John
Sheffield Duke of Buckinghamshire erected this monument, 1720.
2. High on a pillar is a neat table monument to the memory of Mrs.
Martha Birch, who died in 1723, in the fiftieth year of her age. The
inscription also informs us, that she was daughter to Francis Viner,
Esq; and was first married to Francis Millington, Esq; and after his
death to Peter Birch, Prebendary of this Abbey; and that she was
pious, chaste, and prudent.
3. At a small distance is a plain neat monument, to the memory of
Abraham Cowley, on which is placed a flaming urn, begirt with a
chaplet of laurel; expressive emblems of the glory he acquired by the
spirit of his writings. The Latin inscription and epitaph on the
pedestal have been thus translated.
Near this place lies ABRAHAM COWLEY, the Pindar, Horace, and Virgil of
England; and the delight, ornament, and admiration of this age.
While, sacred bard, far worlds thy works proclaim,
And you survive in an immortal fame,
Here may you bless’d in pleasing quiet lie,
To guard thy urn may hoary Faith stand by;
And all thy favourite tuneful Nine repair
To watch thy dust with a perpetual care.
Sacred for ever may this place be made,
And may no desperate hand presume t’ invade
With touch unhallow’d, this religious room,
Or dare affront thy venerable tomb;
Unmov’d and undisturb’d till time shall end.
May Cowley’s dust this marble shrine defend.
So wishes, and desires that wish may be sacred to posterity,
George Duke of Buckingham, who erected this monument for that
incomparable man. He died in the forty-ninth year of his age,
and was carried from Buckingham-house, with honourable pomp,
his exequies being attended by persons of illustrious
characters of all degrees, and interred August 13, 1667.
His grave is just before the monument, as appears by a blue stone, on
which is engraved his name.
4. The monument of that ancient poet Geoffery Chaucer, was once a
handsome one in the Gothic stile; but is now defaced by time. Chaucer,
who is stiled the Father of the English poets, was the son of Sir John
Chaucer, a citizen of London, employed by Edward III. in negociations
abroad relating to trade. He was first a student at Cambridge; but
afterwards studied at Merton College, Oxford; and to perfect himself
in the knowledge of the laws, entered himself of the Middle Temple:
thus accomplished, he soon became a favourite at court, and was
employed as shield-bearer to the King; was a gentleman of the
bedchamber, and by Edward III. was sent Embassador abroad. However, in
the succeeding reign he fell into disgrace, and was committed to the
Tower for high-treason, where he wrote his Testament of Love: but upon
the death of Richard II. he became a greater favourite at court than
ever, from his having married the great John of Gaunt’s wife’s sister.
He was born in 1328, and died in 1400.
5. The plain monument of Mr. John Phillips, has his bust in relief,
represented as in an arbour, interwoven with vines, laurel branches,
and apple-trees; and over it this motto, _Honos erit huic quoque
pomo_, alluding to the high qualities ascribed to the apple, in his
excellent poem called _Cyder_. He was author of but few pieces; but
those were masterly performances. His Blenheim, Splendid Shilling, and
Lyric Ode to Lord Bolingbroke on Tobacco, have been much admired. He
was the son of Dr. Stephen Phillips, Archdeacon of Salop, was born at
Brampton in Oxfordshire on the 30th of December 1676, and died of a
consumption at Hereford, on the 15th of February, 1708, in the prime
of his life. The inscription on his monument contains an account of
his virtues and abilities, and is the strongest testimony of his
merit, since that alone could inspire his great patron Sir Simon
Harcourt, Knt. with such a generous friendship for him, as to
countenance and encourage him in the amplest manner when living; and
to extend his regard for him even after his death, by erecting this
monument to his memory.
6. Next this is Mr. Michael Drayton’s monument. This gentleman was
esteemed an excellent poet, and learned antiquarian. The inscription
and epitaph were formerly in gold letters; but are now almost
obliterated, and are as follow:
MICHAEL DRAYTON, Esq; a memorable Poet of his
Age, exchanged his Laurel for a Crown of Glory,
Anno 1631.
Do, pious marble! let thy Readers know
What they, and what their Children owe
To Drayton’s Name, whose sacred dust
We recommend unto thy trust;
Protect his mem’ry and preserve his story;
Remain a lasting Monument of his Glory;
And when thy Ruins shall disclaim
To be the Treasurer of his Name:
His Name, that cannot fade, shall be
An everlasting Monument to thee.
7. Ben Johnson’s monument is of white marble, and his bust is executed
with great happiness and spirit; ’tis inclosed with a tablature
ornamented with a few proper and elegant decorations, consisting of
emblematical figures: and has no other inscription but the words O
RARE BEN JOHNSON! This gentleman was the son of a clergyman, and
educated at Westminster school, while Mr. Camden was Master; but after
his father’s death, his mother marrying a bricklayer, he was forced
from school, and being obliged to work for his father, ’tis said, that
at the building of Lincoln’s Inn, he was sometimes seen at work with
his trowel in one hand, and Horace in the other. However, Mr. Camden
having an esteem for him on account of his abilities, recommended him
to Sir Walter Raleigh. He attended that brave man’s son in his
travels, and upon his return, entered himself at Cambridge; afterwards
he wrote a considerable number of plays; became Poet Laureat to King
James I. and died on the 16th of August 1637, aged 63. His tomb was
erected by the Earl of Essex, who has inscribed his own name on the
stone.
8. Spenser’s tomb is of grey marble, and has suffered greatly by time.
It was erected in an age when taste was in its infancy in England, and
yet has something in it venerably plain, and not absurdly ornamental.
The inscription upon it is as follows:
Here lies (expecting the second coming of our Saviour Christ
Jesus) the Body of Edmund Spenser, the Prince of Poets in his
time, whose divine Spirit needs no other witness than the
works he left behind him. He was born in London in 1510, and
died 1596.
9. Above Spenser’s monument is that of Samuel Butler, the author of
Hudibrass. By the Latin inscription, it appears, that it was erected
by John Barber, Esq; Citizen of London, and afterwards Lord Mayor in
1731, that he who was destitute of all things when alive, might not
want a monument when dead. Mr. Butler was born at Shernsham in
Worcestershire in 1612, and died at London in 1680.
10. A plain and neat monument of white marble in memory of that divine
poet, John Milton, who died in 1674. Under a very elegant bust made by
Rysbrack is this inscription:
In the year of our Lord Christ 1737, this bust of the author
of _Paradise Lost_ was placed here by William Benson, Esq; one
of the two auditors of the imprest to his Majesty, &c.
11. A monument erected to the memory of Thomas Shadwell, is adorned
with his bust crowned with a chaplet of bays, an urn, and other
decorations. It was erected to his honour by his son Dr. Thomas
Shadwell, and the Latin inscription informs us, that he was descended
from an ancient family in Staffordshire; was Poet Laureat and
Historiographer in the reign of King William, and died November 20,
1692, in the fifty-fifth year of his age. This poet was the author of
several plays; but falling under the lash of Mr. Dryden, was satirized
by him under the character of Ogg, in the second part of his Absalom
and Achitophel.
12. The monument of Matthew Prior, is adorned with great expence. On
one side of the pedestal stands the figure of Thalia, one of the
Muses, with a flute in her hand; and on the other History, with her
book shut; between these statues is Prior’s bust upon a raised altar,
and over it is a handsome pediment, on the ascending sides of which
are two boys, one with an hour-glass in his hand run out; the other
holding a torch reversed. On the apex of the pediment is an urn, and
on the base of the monument is a long inscription in Latin, mentioning
the public posts and employments with which he had been intrusted; and
above we are informed, that while he was writing the history of his
own times, death interposed, and broke both the thread of his
discourse and of his life, on the 18th of September 1721, in the
fifty-seventh year of his age.
13. The monument of St. Evremond is a very plain one, adorned with a
bust. The inscription observes, that he was of a noble family in
Normandy, and was employed in the army of France, in which he rose to
the rank of a Marshal; but returning to Holland, was from thence
invited by King Charles II. into England, where he lived in the
greatest intimacy with the King and principal nobility; more
particularly with the Duchess of Mazarine. He was of a very sprightly
turn of humour, as well in his conversation as writings, and lived to
the age of ninety, when he was carried off by a fit of the strangury,
on the 9th of September 1703.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _C. Grignion sc._ _Monument of
Shakespear_]
14. The monument erected to the memory of the immortal Shakespear, a
print of which we have here given, is worthy of that great dramatic
writer, and both the design and execution are extremely elegant. Upon
a handsome pedestal stands his statue in white marble in the habit of
the time in which he lived, with one elbow leaning upon some books,
and his head reclined upon his hand, in a posture of meditation. The
attitude, the dress, the shape, the genteel air, and fine composure
observable in this figure of Shakespear, cannot be sufficiently
admired, and the beautiful lines of his upon the scroll are happily
chosen.
The cloud-cap’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself;
Yea, all which it inherits, shall dissolve,
And like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a wreck behind.
Immediately over his head upon a curious piece of dark-coloured
marble, is the following inscription, in capital letters raised in
gold:
GULIELMO SHAKESPEAR
ANNO POST MORTEM CXXIV.
AMOR PUBLICUS POSUIT.
The heads on the pedestal representing Henry V. Richard III. and Queen
Elizabeth, three principal characters in his plays, are likewise
proper ornaments to grace his tomb. In short, the taste that is here
shewn, does honour to those great names under whose direction, by the
public favour, it was so elegantly constructed; these were the Earl of
Burlington, Dr. Mead, Mr. Pope, and Mr. Martin. It was designed by
Kent, and executed by Scheemakers; and the expence defrayed by the
grateful contributions of the public.
Mr. Fleetwood, then Master of Drury Lane Theatre, and Mr. Rich of
Covent Garden, gave each a benefit, arising from one of his own plays,
towards it, and the Dean and Chapter made a present of the ground.
15. The next monument is a very fine one to the memory of Nicholas
Rowe, Esq; and his only daughter. On a pedestal about twenty inches
high, which stands on an altar, is a fine bust of Mr. Rowe; near it is
his Lady in the deepest affliction, and between both, on a pyramid
behind, is a medalion, with the head of a young Lady in relief. On the
front of the pedestal is this inscription:
To the memory of Nicholas Rowe, Esq; who died in 1718, aged
forty-five, and of Charlotte his only daughter, wife of Henry
Fane, Esq; who inheriting her father’s spirit, and amiable in
her own innocence and beauty, died in the 23d year of her age,
1739.
Underneath upon the front of the altar are these lines:
Thy reliques, Rowe! to this sad shrine we trust,
And near thy Shakespear place thy honoured bust.
Oh! skill’d, next him, to draw the tender tear,
For never heart felt passion more sincere:
To nobler sentiments to fire the brave,
For never Briton more disdain’d a slave!
Peace to thy gentle shade, and endless rest,
Blest in thy genius, in thy love too blest!
And blest, that timely from our scene remov’d,
Thy soul enjoys that liberty it lov’d.
To these so mourn’d in death, so lov’d in life,
The childless Mother, and the widow’d Wife,
With tears inscribes this monumental stone,
That holds their ashes, and expects her own.
16. Near this last, is a fine monument erected to the memory of Mr.
John Gay, by the Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, his great patrons.
His bust is a very good one, and the masks, instruments of music, and
other devices, are blended together in a group, in allusion to the
various species of writings in which he excelled, as farce, satire,
fable, and pastoral. The short epitaph in the front, was written by
himself, and has given some offence, as the sentiment at first view
seems by no means proper for a monument;
Life is a jest, and all things shew it:
I thought so once, but now I know it.
Underneath are these lines:
Of manners gentle, of affections mild;
In wit, a man; simplicity, a child;
With native humour temp’ring virtuous rage,
Form’d to delight, at once, and lash the age:
Above temptation in a low estate,
And uncorrupted, ev’n among the great.
A safe companion, and an easy friend;
Unblam’d thro’ life, lamented in thy end.
These are thy honours; not that here thy bust
Is mix’d with Heroes, or with Kings thy dust;
But that the Worthy and the Good shall say,
Striking their pensive bosoms—Here lies Gay.
A. POPE.
Here lie the ashes of Mr. John Gay, the warmest friend, the gentlest
companion, the most benevolent man; who maintained independency in low
circumstances of fortune; integrity, in the midst of a corrupt age;
and that equal serenity of mind, which conscious goodness alone can
give, throughout the whole course of his life. Favourite of the Muses,
he was led by them to every elegant art, refined in taste, and fraught
with graces all his own. In various kinds of poetry, superior to many,
inferior to none: his works continue to inspire what his example
taught; contempt of folly, however adorned; detestation of vice,
however dignified; reverence of virtue, however disgraced.
Charles and Catharine, Duke and Duchess of Queensberry, who
loved his person living, and regret him dead, have caused this
monument to be erected to his memory.
17. The next is a most magnificent, lofty and elegant monument,
erected to the late Duke of Argyle, enclosed with rails, and decorated
with figures finely executed. The statue of the Duke is spirited even
at the verge of life. On one side of the base is Pallas, and on the
other Eloquence; the one looking sorrowfully up at the principal
figure above, and the other pathetically displaying the public loss at
his death. Above is the figure of History, with one hand holding a
book, and with the other writing on a pyramid of most beautiful
variegated marble, admirably polished, the name and titles of the Hero
in large gold letters, JOHN DUKE OF ARGYLE AND GR. at which point the
pen of History rests. His actions are supposed to be contained in the
book she holds in her other hand, on the cover of which in letters of
gold are inscribed the date of his Grace’s death, and the years of his
life. Above is inscribed on this beautiful pyramid in gold letters,
the following epitaph, said to be written by Paul Whitehead, Esq;
Britain, behold, if patriot worth be dear,
A shrine that claims thy tributary tear:
Silent that tongue admiring Senates heard:
Nerveless that arm opposing legions fear’d:
Nor less, O Campbell! thine the pow’r to please,
And give to grandeur all the grace of ease.
Long from thy life let kindred heroes trace
Arts which ennoble still the noblest race.
Others may owe their future fame to me,
I borrow immortality from thee.
On the base of the monument is this inscription:
In memory of an honest man, a constant friend, JOHN the Great
Duke of Argyle and Greenwich, a General and Orator exceeded by
none in the age he lived. Sir Henry Fermer, Baronet, by his
last will left the sum of five hundred pounds towards erecting
this monument, and recommended the above inscription.
19. The monument of Isaac Barrow, D.D. is remarkable for a fine bust
of that great divine and mathematician, who, as the inscription shews,
was Chaplain to King Charles II. Head of Trinity College, Cambridge;
Professor of Geometry at Gresham College in London, and of Greek and
Mathematics at Cambridge. He died on the 14th of May 1677, aged
forty-seven.
19. A table monument of white marble, erected to the memory of Sir
Richard Cox, who was taster to Queen Elizabeth, and King James I. and
to the latter steward of the household.
20. A neat monument erected to the memory of the learned Isaac
Casaubon, by Dr. Moreton, Bishop of Durham. That profound scholar and
critic whose name is inscribed upon it, was born in France, and in his
younger years was keeper of the royal library at Paris; but at length
being dissatisfied with the Romish religion, he, upon the murder of
his great patron Henry IV. quitted his native country, and at the
earnest entreaty of King James I. settled in England, where he died in
1614, aged forty-five.
21. Above this last monument, is another for John Earnest Grape, a
person well skilled in oriental learning, who is represented as large
as the life, sitting in a thoughtful posture upon a marble tomb, as if
contemplating on death.
22. Next to the west corner of the south cross is an ancient monument
to the memory of that great antiquarian William Camden, who is
represented in a half length, in the dress of his time, holding a book
in his right hand, and in his left his gloves. He rests on an altar,
on the body of which is a Latin inscription, which mentions his
indefatigable industry in illustrating the British antiquities, and
his candour, sincerity, and pleasant good humour in private life. He
died Nov. 9, 1623.
In this south cross are several stones to be met with on the pavement,
worthy of notice. Among these is one over the body of Thomas Parr, of
the county of Salop, born in 1483. He lived in the reigns of ten
Princes, King Edward IV. King Edward V. King Richard III. King Henry
VII. King Henry VIII. King Edward VI. Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth,
King James I. and King Charles I. and was interred here Nov. 15, 1635,
aged an hundred and fifty-two.
At a small distance from Parr, is a small white stone, over the body
of Sir William Davenant, who succeeded Ben Johnson as Poet Laureat to
King Charles I. and died in 1688, aged sixty-three. On this stone is
inscribed O RARE SIR WILLIAM DAVENANT! and this probably gave the
thought of putting the like inscription on the monument afterwards
erected to his predecessor Ben Johnson.
Under the pavement near Dryden’s tomb, lie the remains of Francis
Beaumont, the dramatic writer, who died in London in March, 1615, and
was buried here without either tomb or inscription.
Affixed to the pillars in this south cross, are also two table
monuments; which we shall but just mention, one for Samuel Barton,
D.D. a Prebendary of this church, who died in Sept. 1715, aged
sixty-two: and the other to the memory of Anthony Horneck, D.D. who
was born at Wittenberg in Zealand, but was educated at Oxford, and
became King’s Divinity Professor and Chaplain, a Prebendary of this
church, and a Preacher at the Savoy. This gentleman, who was
remarkable for his piety, died of the stone on the 30th of January,
1696, aged fifty-six.
23. On entering the south side, there is next the wall a monument
erected to the memory of Sophia Fairholm, Countess of Anandale. It is
the representation of an ancient sepulchre, over which a stately
edifice is raised, ornamented at the top with the family arms. She
died in the year 1716, aged forty-six; and the monumental inscription
informs us, that it was erected by her son the Marquis of Anandale, as
a mark of his duty and gratitude.
24. The monument of the brave Sir Cloudesly Shovel, who here appears a
very unmeaning figure, with a large stiff wig, reposing himself upon
velvet cushions under a canopy of state; and on the base is
represented in bas relief, the ship Association in which the Admiral
last sailed, striking against a rock, with several others perishing at
the same time, and at the top are two boys blowing trumpets.
This monument has been highly censured by all persons of taste, tho’
it is erected to his memory at great expence, and even by his
Sovereign Queen Anne. The great Mr. Addison has justly exposed it in
the Spectators, and complains at this brave rough English Admiral’s
being here represented by the figure of a beau; and also censures the
inscription, which instead of celebrating the many remarkable actions
he had performed in the service of his country, only informs us of the
manner of his death, from which it was impossible to reap any honour,
tho’ it may excite our pity. The inscription is as follows:
Sir Cloudesly Shovel, Knt. Rear-Admiral of Great Britain, and
Admiral and Commander in chief of the fleet—the just reward of
his long and faithful services. He was deservedly beloved of
his country, and esteemed, tho’ dreaded by the enemy, who had
often experienced his conduct and courage. Being ship-wrecked
on the rocks of Scylly, in his voyage from Toulon, the 22d of
October 1707, at night, in the 57th year of his age. His fate
was lamented by all, but especially by the seafaring part of
the nation; to whom he was a generous patron, and a worthy
example. His body was flung on the shore, and buried with
others in the sand; but being soon after taken up, was placed
under this monument, which his royal Mistress had caused to be
erected to commemorate his steady loyalty and extraordinary
virtues.
25. The monument of George Stepney, Esq; has his bust under a canopy,
and two naked boys weeping and holding handkerchiefs at their eyes.
This monument, though the materials are very rich, is allowed to be
void of design, and but poorly executed. The Latin inscriptions give
an account of his virtues, his learning and abilities, and the many
negociations in which he was employed at foreign courts. He died at
Chelsea in 1706.
26. A lofty and much more elegant monument for George Churchill, whose
merits are mentioned in a long Latin inscription, where it is said
that he was the second son of Sir Winston Churchill, of Dorsetshire,
Knt. and a not unworthy brother of John Duke of Marlborough: that he
was early trained to military affairs, and served with great honour by
sea and land, under King Charles II. King James II. King William III.
and Queen Anne: that he was Admiral of the English fleet, at the
burning of the French fleet at La Hogue, in King William’s reign; and
for his bravery there, made one of the Commissioners of the Admiralty:
that in the succeeding reign he was made Admiral in chief, and died on
the 8th of May 1718, aged fifty-eight.
27. Near that of Churchill’s, is a stately monument erected for Sir
Palmes Fairborne. Two pyramids of black marble standing on cannon
balls, have two Moorish Emperors heads in profile on their tops; these
pyramids are adorned with relievos, on one Sir Palmes is shot while
viewing the enemy’s lines before the town; and on the other is a
hearse and six horses bringing him off wounded to the castle. Above in
a lofty dome are the arms of the deceased, with this motto underneath,
TUTUS SI FORTIS, and over his arms a Turk’s head on a dagger, by way
of crest, which he won by his valour in fighting against that people
in the German war. On this monument is the following inscription:
Sacred to the immortal memory of Sir Palmes Fairborne, Knt.
Governor of Tangier, in execution of which command, he was
mortally wounded by a shot from the Moors, then besieging the
town, in the 46th year of his age, October 24, 1680.
His epitaph, wrote by Mr. Dryden, runs thus:
Ye sacred reliques, which your marble keep,
Here undisturb’d by wars, in quiet sleep:
Discharge the trust, which (when it was below) }
Fairborne’s undaunted soul did undergo, }
And be the town’s palladium from the foe. }
Alive and dead these walls he will defend:
Great actions great examples must attend.
The Candian siege his early valour knew,
Where Turkish blood did his young hands imbrue;
From thence returning, with deserv’d applause, }
Against the Moors his well-flesh’d sword he draws, }
The same the courage, and the same the cause. }
His youth and age, his life and death combine, }
As in some great and regular design, }
All of a piece throughout, and all divine. }
Still nearer heav’n his virtue shone more bright, }
Like rising flames expanding in their height, }
The martyr’s glory crown’d the soldier’s fight. }
More bravely British General never fell,
Nor General’s death was e’er reveng’d so well,
Which his pleas’d eyes beheld before their close,
Follow’d by thousand victims of his foes.
To his lamented loss, for times to come,
His pious widow consecrates this tomb.
26. On a table monument enriched with military trophies, and raised
against the wall, is the following inscription:
To the memory of the honoured Major Richard Creed, who
attended his Majesty King William the Third in all his wars,
every where signalizing himself, and never more himself than
when he looked an enemy in the face. At the glorious battle of
Blenheim, Ann. Dom. 1704, he commanded those squadrons that
began the attack; in two several charges he remained unhurt;
but in a third, after many wounds received, still valiantly
fighting, he was shot through the head. His dead body was
brought off by his brother, at the hazard of his own life, and
buried there. To his memory his sorrowful mother erects this
monument, placing it near another which her son, when living,
used to look upon with pleasure, for the worthy mention it
makes of that great man Edward Earl of Sandwich, to whom he
had the honour to be related, and whose heroic virtues he was
ambitious to imitate.
27. The monument of Sir John Chardin, who distinguished himself by his
travels into the east, is adorned with a globe, which exhibits a view
of the different countries he visited, and around it are represented a
number of geographical instruments.
28. The monument of Sidney Earl of Godolphin is adorned with a bust
richly dressed, and has an inscription which mentions the employments
and honours through which he passed. He died on September 15, 1712,
aged sixty-seven.
29. The next is a double monument erected to the memory of Sir Charles
Harbord, and Clement Cottrel, Esq; On the base is represented in
relievo a dreadful sea-fight, and on the top in a wreath of laurel is
this inscription, “To preserve and unite the memory of two faithful
friends, who lost their lives at sea together, May 28, 1672.” These
two young gentlemen both perished in the Royal James, with the Earl of
Sandwich, who commanded in that ship as Vice-Admiral against the Dutch
in that memorable fight off the coast of Sussex in the reign of King
Charles II. The Royal James being set on fire, Sir Charles Harbord,
first Lieutenant, though he might have saved himself by swimming as
many others did, yet out of pure affection to his worthy Commander,
chose to die with him. Young Cottrel was a volunteer, and after being
the first man who had boarded a Dutch ship of 70 guns, and pulled down
her ensign with his own hands, returned to the Royal James unwounded,
and also perished with his friends. This gentleman understood seven
languages, tho’ but twenty-two years of age. This moving story is
recited at large on the monument.
30. A tomb erected to the memory of Anne Fielding, the first wife of
Sir Samuel Morland, Knt. and Bart. chiefly remarkable for having two
very learned inscriptions: the first, in Hebrew, is to this effect:
O thou fairest among women! O virtuous woman! The hand of the
Lord hath done this.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the
name of the Lord.
Under this is an Ethiopic inscription, which has been thus translated:
Come let us lament over this monument, raised for thee by a
beloved husband; but in certain hope that thou art united with
Christ.
This Lady was truly religious, virtuous, faithful, and, as a
dove, mild and chaste; while she continued in life, she was
honoured, and, through mercy, is happy in death.
Under the Ethiopic is this inscription in English:
Anne, daughter to George Fielding, Esq; and of Mary his wife,
the truly loving (and as truly beloved) wife of Samuel
Morland, Knt. and Bart. died Feb. 20, Ann. Dom. 1679–80.
31. Near this last is a tomb much in the same taste, erected to the
memory of Carola Harsnet, the second wife of the same Baronet, who
died in child-bed of her second son, Oct. 10, 1674, in the 23d year of
her age. Here are two inscriptions, the first in Hebrew, and the other
in Greek, which have been thus translated:
Blessed be the Lord, my wife was precious: blessed be thy
remembrance, O virtuous woman.
When I think of thy mildness, patience, charity, modesty, and
piety, I lament thee, O most excellent creature, and grieve
exceedingly: but not like such as have no faith; for I believe
and expect the resurrection of those who sleep in Christ.
32. Between the two former is a beautiful monument to the memory of
John Smith, Esq; a fine bust in relievo of that gentleman, is
supported by a weeping figure representing his daughter, both which
are designed and executed with great judgment and spirit. The Lady
sits upon an urn, which, with its base and a pyramid behind, unite the
whole in a most harmonious and agreeable stile. On the base is a Latin
inscription, setting forth his descent and issue.
33. Over the door that opens into the cloisters is a noble and elegant
monument erected for General Wade. In the center is a beautiful marble
pillar, enriched with military trophies most exquisitely wrought. The
principal figures, are Fame pushing back Time, who is eagerly
approaching to demolish the pillar, with all the ensigns of honour,
with which it is adorned; the General’s head is in a medalion, and the
whole is executed with great beauty and elegance. The inscription
underneath runs thus:
To the memory of George Wade, Field-Marshal of his Majesty’s
forces, Lieutenant-General of the ordnance, Colonel of his
Majesty’s third Regiment of Dragoon guards, Governor of
Fort-William, Fort-Augustus, and Fort-George, and one of his
Majesty’s most honourable Privy Council. He died March 14,
1748, aged seventy-five.
34. A plain neat monument erected to the memory of Robert Cannon, D.
D. Dean of Lincoln, and Prebendary of this church, who died on the
28th of March 1722, aged fifty-nine.
35. An elegant monument of Mrs. Katharine Bovey. Faith is here
represented with her book closed, and Wisdom lamenting the death of
her Patroness, between which is the Lady’s head in relief enclosed in
an annulet of black marble curiously veined. The inscription, which is
in English, gives an excellent character of the deceased, who died on
the 21st of January 1726, in the seventy-second year of her age; and
informs us that Mrs. Mary Pope, who lived with her near forty years,
in perfect friendship, erected this monument to her memory.
36. A small table monument to the memory of Mr. Henry Wharton, which
is only remarkable an account of the distinguished character of the
person whose name is inscribed upon it. Mr. Wharton was Rector of
Chartham in Kent, Vicar of the church of Minster in the Isle of
Thanet, Chaplain to Archbishop Sancroft, and one of the most
voluminous writers of his years. He died on the 3d of March 1694, aged
only thirty-one, and was so universally respected by the Bishops and
Clergy, that Archbishop Tillotson, and several other prelates, with a
vast body of the clergy, the choir and King’s scholars, all in solemn
procession attended his funeral, and joined in an anthem composed on
this occasion by the great Purcell.
37. A plain neat monument erected to the memory of Dr. Thomas Spratt,
Bishop of Rochester, who died in 1713, aged seventy seven, and of his
son Mr. Thomas Spratt, Archdeacon of Rochester, and Prebendary of the
churches of Rochester, Winchester, and Westminster, whose remains lie
near those of his father. This monument was erected by John Friend, M.
D. as a testimony of his respect for those two worthy personages.
38. A monument for Sir Lumley Robinson, Bart. of Kentwell-Hall in
Suffolk, who by an untimely death ended his life Aug. 6, 1684, aged
thirty-six. It is adorned with columns supported by death’s heads, and
the arms upon the base by a cherub. The sides of the pediment have
enrichments of laurel branches, &c. and on the top is a vase.
39. The monument of John Friend, M. D. has an admirable bust of that
gentleman, standing on a pedestal of fine white veined marble, and
under it is a long inscription in Latin, setting forth the
distinguished acquirements, and great abilities of that eminent
physician.
40. Mr. Congreve’s monument has an half length marble portrait of that
gentleman, placed on a pedestal of fine Egyptian marble, and enriched
with emblematical devices relating to the drama. Underneath is this
inscription in English:
Mr. William Congreve died January 19, 1728, aged fifty-six,
and was buried near this place. To whose most valuable memory
this monument is set up by Henrietta Duchess of Marlborough,
as a mark how dearly she remembers the happiness she enjoyed
in the sincere friendship of so worthy and honest a man; whose
virtue, candour and wit, gained him the love and esteem of the
present age; and whose writings will be the admiration of the
future.
41. The monument of the Right Hon. James Craggs, Esq; his statue is
represented leaning on an urn, and was one of the first in the Abbey
represented standing. The inscription, which is in golden characters,
shews that he was Principal Secretary of state, and a man universally
beloved, which is there particularly remarked, because as he was only
a shoe-maker’s son, it is the more surprizing that in the high station
to which he was raised by his merit, he should escape envy, and
acquire the general esteem. He died on the 16th of February 1720. Upon
the base of this monument are the following lines, written by Mr.
Pope:
Statesman, yet friend to truth, of soul sincere,
In action faithful, and in honour clear!
Who broke no promise, serv’d no private end;
Who gain’d no title, and who lost no friend;
Ennobled by himself, by all approved;
Prais’d, wept, and honour’d by the Muse he lov’d.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin_ _C. Grignion sc._ _Cap^t. Cornwall’s
Monument_]
42. On the south side of the great west entrance is a noble monument
erected to the memory of the brave Captain Cornwall, who after
distinguishing himself by his heroism, was unhappily slain in the
battle between the English fleet, commanded by the Admirals Matthews
and Lestock, and the French. This monument was erected to his honour
by order of Parliament, and is a noble testimony of the public
gratitude for his distinguished merit. On the back is a lofty pyramid
of Egyptian marble beautifully variegated, and finely polished,
standing on a base of the same marble. Upon this base is a rock of
white marble, along the different parts of which run sea weeds. Near
the top stands a fine figure of Fame, placing a medalion of the
Captain on the summit of the rock, underneath which is a naval crown,
a globe, the trumpet of Fame, and other ornaments, and behind rises to
the top of the pediment a palm, entwined with a laurel. On the other
side of the medalion stands a beautiful figure of Britannia, with the
British Lion couchant at her feet. Beneath, in an opening of the rock,
is a Latin inscription on a fine piece of polished porphyry,
mentioning his descent, and the manner of his death, which happened
while fighting for his country, on the 3d of February 1743, in the
45th year of his age, and that the Senate of Britain consecrated this
monument to his memory. In another opening of the rock, a little
lower, is represented in bass relief a view of the engagement in which
this great man perished, and at the bottom of the rock on the sides
lie cannons, flags, anchors, &c. all of white marble.
43. The next is an elegant monument for Sir Thomas Hardy, Knt. On the
back is a lofty pyramid of a bluish coloured marble, at the foot of
which the statue of the deceased is placed, reclining upon a tomb of
elegant workmanship, with a naked boy on his left side weeping over an
urn: the enrichments round the pedestal on which he stands are just
and proper; and the inscription contains the following short history
of his life:
Sir THOMAS HARDY, to whose memory this monument is erected,
was bred in the royal navy from his youth, and was made a
Captain in 1693.
In the expedition to Cadiz, under Sir George Rooke, he
commanded the Pembroke; and when the fleet left the coast of
Spain, to return to England, he was ordered to Lagos Bay,
where he got intelligence of the Spanish galleons being
arrived in the harbour of Vigo, under convoy of seventeen
French men of war: by his great diligence and judgment he
joined the English fleet, and gave the Admiral that
intelligence which engaged him to make the best of his way to
Vigo, where all the aforementioned galleons and men of war
were either taken or destroyed.
After the success of that action, the Admiral sent him with an
account of it to the Queen, who ordered him a considerable
present, and knighted him.
Some years afterwards he was made a Rear-Admiral, and received
several other marks of favour and esteem from her Majesty, and
from her Royal Consort Prince George of Denmark, Lord High
Admiral of England.
44. The monument of John Conduit, Esq; is allowed, in point of design,
to be not inferior to that last mentioned, and there is something in
the manner which shews them both to be the workmanship of the same
hand. In the middle of the pyramid is a large medalion of brass, round
which is a Latin inscription, thus english’d, JOHN CONDUIT, MASTER OF
THE MINT; this medalion is suspended by a cherub above, and rests on
another below. This gentleman succeeded his relation the great Sir
Isaac Newton in that office, and desired to be interred near him, as
appears from a long Latin inscription on the base. He died May 23d,
1727, aged forty-nine. Catharine his wife died Jan. 20, 1739, and lies
interred under the same tomb.
45. The monument of William Horneck, Esq; is enriched with books,
plans, and instruments of fortification, alluding to the employments
of the deceased; who was chief engineer to the royal train of
artillery, and, as his inscription informs us, learned the art of war
under the great Duke of Marlborough. He died May 10, 1743.
46. The monument of Sir Godfrey Kneller, Knt. has a bust of Sir
Godfrey under a canopy of state, the curtains of which are gilt and
tied with golden strings, and on each side the bust is a weeping
Cupid, one resting on a framed picture, the other holding a painter’s
pallat and pencils. This monument is not however much esteemed.
On the pedestal is a Latin inscription, signifying that Sir Godfrey
Kneller, Knt. who lies interred here, was painter to King Charles II.
King James II. King William III. Queen Anne, and King George I.
Underneath is his epitaph written by Mr. Pope, which has been also
much censured:
Kneller! by Heav’n, and not a master taught!
Whose art was nature, and whose pictures thought;
Now for two ages having snatch’d from fate
Whate’er was beauteous, or whate’er was great,
Rests crown’d with Princes’ honours, Poets’ lays,
Due to his merit, and brave thirst of praise.
Living, great Nature fear’d he might outvie
Her works; and dying, fears herself may die.
47. We come now to the monument of Anna Countess Dowager of
Clanrikard, which is adorned with excellent carving, and a fine statue
of that Lady resting upon a tomb. The inscription gives an account of
her descent, marriages, and issue, and informs us, that she died on
the 14th of January 1732, in the 49th year of her age.
48. The monument of John Woodward, M. D. is a very beautiful one, and
the figures most admirably finished. The head of the deceased is
represented in profile, in a very masterly manner, and the Lady who
holds it is inimitably performed. The inscription contains a panegyric
on the parts and learning of the deceas’d.
49. A neat plain monument erected to the memory of Heneage Twisden, a
young hero, who fell in the battle of Blairgnies in Hainault, while he
was Aid de Camp to John Duke of Argyle, who commanded the right wing
of the Confederate army. He was the seventh son of Sir William
Twisden, Bart. and a youth of the greatest expectations; but the
fortune of war put a stop to his rising merit, in 1709, and in the
29th year of his age.
Near this monument are two small ones to the memory of two of his
brothers, Josiah and John; Josiah was a Captain at the siege of
Agremont, near Lisle in Flanders, and was slain by a cannon shot in
1708, at twenty-three years of age. John was a Lieutenant in the
Admiral’s ship, under Sir Cloudesly Shovel, and perished with him in
1707, aged twenty-three.
50. A monument erected in honour of Col. James Bringfield, ornamented
with military trophies, cherubs, &c. and surrounded by a mantling
enclosing a tablet, on which is inscribed the military preferments of
the deceased, the manner of his death and burial, and the praises of
his piety and virtue. He was born at Abingdon in Berks, was Equerry to
Prince George of Denmark, and Aid de Camp to the Great Duke of
Marlborough; but was killed by a cannon ball, as he was remounting his
General on a fresh horse, at the battle of Ramelies, May 12, 1706, and
was interred at Barechem in Brabant, in the 50th year of his age.
51. The monument of Mr. Killegrew has been reckoned one of the best
pieces of sculpture in the whole church, and what is remarkable, is
cut out of one stone. The embellishments are distinct and very
picturesque, and the inscription, short, modest, and soldier-like. It
is as follows:
Robert Killegrew, of Arwenack in Cornwall, Esq; son of Thomas
and Charlotte, Page of honour to King Charles II. Brigadier
General of her Majesty’s forces, killed in Spain in the battle
of Almanza, April 14, 1707. Ætatis fuæ 47. MILITAVI ANNIS 24.
52. The next is a monument erected to the memory of Mrs. Mary Beaufoy,
who is represented in a devout posture, with cherubs crowning her: on
each side are Cupids lamenting the early decay of a virgin beauty, and
underneath the arms of her family quarterly upheld by cherubs. On the
base is the following inscription:
Reader! whoever thou art, let the sight of this tomb imprint
in thy mind, that the young and old without distinction, leave
this world; and therefore fail not to secure the next. This
Lady was only daughter and heiress to Sir Henry Beaufoy, of
Guyscliffe, near Warwick, by the Hon. Charlotte Lane, eldest
daughter of George Lord Viscount Lansborough. She died July
12, 1705.
53. After passing by a few monuments unworthy of notice, we come to
that of Admiral Baker, adorned with a rostral column of curiously
veined marble, decorated with the prows of galleys, a Medusa’s head,
and other naval and military trophies, with this short inscription
underneath:
To the memory of John Baker, Esq; Vice-Admiral of the White
Squadron of the British Fleet; who, when he commanded in the
Mediterranean, died at Port Mahon, Nov. 10, 1736, aged
fifty-six. He was a brave, judicious and experienced officer;
a sincere friend, and a true lover of his country.
_Manet post Funera Virtus._
54. Next to this is Mr. Priestman’s monument, to which is suspended by
a knot of ribbons, fastened to a column of variegated marble, a fine
medalion, with the words HENRY PRIESTMAN, Esq; round the head.
Underneath are naval trophies and sea instruments; and upon the base
is an inscription, shewing that the person to whom this monument is
erected, was Commander in chief of a squadron of ships of war in the
reign of King Charles II. a Commissioner of the Navy, and one of the
Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of England
in the reign of King William III. He died Aug. 20, 1712, aged 65.
55. The monument of Philip Carteret, son to Lord George Carteret, who
died a King’s scholar at Westminster, ripe for the university, on the
19th of March 1710, aged nineteen. On the upper part is an admirable
bust of this noble youth, and underneath a very fine figure of Time
standing on an altar, and holding a scroll in his hand, whereon is
written in Sapphic verses, lines to the following import, which he is
supposed to be repeating:
Why flows the mournful Muse’s tear,
For thee! cut down in life’s full prime?
Why sighs, for thee, the parent dear!
Cropt by the scythe of hoary Time?
Lo! this, my Boy’s the common lot!
To me thy memory entrust;
When all that’s dear shall be forgot,
I’ll guard thy venerable dust.
From age to age, as I proclaim
Thy learning, piety, and truth;
Thy great example shall enflame;
And emulation raise in youth.
56. A neat monument erected for Edward de Carteret, the son of Sir
Edward de Carteret, Gentleman Usher to King Charles II. who died on
the 30th of October 1677, in the eighth year of his age. It is
ornamented with cherubs and with festoons of leaves and fruit.
57. The monument of Thomas Levingston, Viscount Teviot, is decorated
with the arms, supporters, and crest of that nobleman, and with
military trophies, alluding to his profession of a soldier. On the
face of the monument is a long inscription in Latin, shewing that he
was born in Holland, but descended from the Levingstons in Scotland;
that from his childhood he was trained to arms; and having attended
the Prince of Orange into Britain, as a Colonel of foot, rose to the
rank of a Lieutenant-General in the army, and General of the Scotch
forces, was made Master of the ordnance, and a Privy Counsellor; that
he secured Scotland to the King by one decisive action on the Spey,
for which he was advanced to the dignity of a Viscount, and that he
died on the 14th of Jan. 1710, aged sixty.
58. A handsome monument erected for the Lord Constable, ornamented
with a cherub below, and the family arms above. It has this short
inscription:
Near this lies the Right Hon. Robert Lord Constable, Viscount
Dunbar, who departed this life Nov. 23, 1714, in the
sixty-fourth year of his age.
59. A plain neat monument for Peter Heylin, D.D. and Prebendary of
this church, who died on the 8th of May 1662. It is adorned with a
pediment, and the arms of the deceased, and contains a long
inscription in Latin, mentioning the most remarkable incidents in his
life.
60. The tomb of Charles Williams, Esq; adorned with very remarkable
scroll-work, and scollopping; what is very singular is, its being
supported by a death’s head on the wings of Time. This gentleman died
on the 29th of August 1720, aged eighty-seven.
61. A small but elegant monument erected to the memory of the
celebrated Henry Purcell, Esq; well known by his admirable musical
compositions. The inscription consists of this short and comprehensive
sentence:
Here lies Henry Purcell, who left this life,
and is gone to that blessed place, where
only his harmony can be exceeded. He
died Nov. 21, 1697, in his 37th year.
62. The next is the monument of William Croft, Doctor in music. On the
pedestal is an organ in bas relief, and on the top, a bust of the
deceased,
63. The tomb of John Blow, Doctor in music, is adorned with cherubs,
flowers, and a canon in four parts set to music. In the center is an
English inscription, by which it appears he was organist, composer,
and master to the children in the chapel royal thirty-five years, and
organist to this Abbey fifteen years; that he was scholar to Dr.
Christopher Gibbons; and master to the famous Mr. Purcell, and to most
of the eminent masters of his time. He died Oct. 1. 1708, in his
sixtieth year; and his epitaph observes, that his own musical
compositions, especially his church music, are a far nobler monument
to his memory than any other that can be raised to him.
64. We come now to the neat and elegant monument erected to the memory
of Dr. Boulter, Archbishop of Armagh in Ireland. It is of the finest
marble beautified with an admirable new invented polish. The bust of
this worthy Archbishop is finely executed; his long flowing hair has
all the gracefulness of nature, without the smallest degree of that
stiffness which belongs to stone; and his venerable countenance
strikes the beholder with reverence. The ensigns of his dignity
wherewith the monument is adorned, are most exquisitely fine, and
every part about it discovers a masterly genius in the sculptor. The
inscription is inclosed in a beautiful border of porphyry, and is as
follows:
Dr. Hugh Boulter, late Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of all
Ireland, a Prelate so eminent for the accomplishments of his
mind, the purity of his heart, and the excellence of his life,
that it may be thought superfluous to specify his titles,
recount his virtues, or even erect a monument to his fame. His
titles he not only deserved, but adorned; his virtues are
manifest in his good works, which had never dazzled the public
eye, if they had not been too bright to be concealed; and as
to his fame, whosoever has any sense of merit, any reverence
for piety, any passion for his country, or any charity for
mankind, will assist in preserving it fair and spotless, that
when brass and marble shall mix with the dust they cover,
every succeeding age may have the benefit of his illustrious
example. He was born Jan. 4, 1671, was consecrated Bishop of
Bristol, 1718, translated to the Archbishopric of Armagh,
1723, and from thence to Heaven, Sept. 27, 1742.
65. A plain table monument erected to the memory of Dr. Samuel
Bradford, Bishop of Rochester, who died on the 14th of May 1731, in
the seventy-ninth year of his age. It contains a long Latin
inscription scarce legible, surrounded with the arms, and proper
ensigns of his several dignities.
66. The next is a monument erected to the memory of Richard Kane, Esq;
Governor of Minorca, adorned with a curious bust of that gentleman in
white marble, placed upon a handsome pedestal, whereon are inscribed
the most remarkable passages of his life. He was born at Down in
Ireland, Dec. 20, 1661. In 1689 he first appeared in a military
capacity at the memorable siege of Derry; and after the reduction of
Ireland, followed King William into Flanders, where he distinguished
himself, particularly by his intrepid behaviour at the siege of Namur,
where he was grievously wounded. In 1702, he bore a commission in the
service of Queen Anne, and assisted in the expedition to Canada; from
whence he again returned into Flanders, and fought under the Duke of
Argyle and Greenwich, and afterwards under Lord Carpenter. In 1712, he
was made Sub-Governor of Minorca, through which island he caused a
road to be made, which had been thought impracticable. In 1720 he was
ordered by King George I. to the defence of Gibraltar, where he
sustained an eight months siege against the Spaniards, when all hope
of relief was extinguished. For which gallant service he was
afterwards, by King George II. rewarded with the government of
Minorca, where he died Dec. 19, 1736, and was buried in the castle of
St. Philip.
67. The monument of Percy Kirk, Esq; is adorned with a fine bust of
that gentleman, on each side of which is a winged seraph, one with a
dagger in his right hand inverted, and in his left a helmet; the other
resting on a ball, and holding in his left hand a torch reversed. The
inscription lets us know, that he was Lieutenant-General of his
Majesty’s armies; that he was son to Percy Kirk, Lieutenant-General in
the reign of King James II. by the Lady Mary, daughter to George
Howard Earl of Suffolk, and that he died Jan. 1, 1741, aged
fifty-seven.
68. We come now to the monument erected to the memory of that brave
commander the Lord Aubrey Beauclerk, ornamented with arms, trophies,
and naval ensigns, and in an oval nich on a beautiful pyramid of
dove-coloured marble, is a fine bust of that young Hero. On this
pyramid is the following historical inscription:
The Lord Aubrey Beauclerk was the youngest son of Charles Duke
of St. Albans, by Diana, daughter of Aubrey de Vere Earl of
Oxford. He went early to sea, and was made a commander in
1731. In 1740, he was sent upon that memorable expedition to
Carthagena, under the command of Admiral Vernon, in his
Majesty’s ship the Prince Frederic, which, with three others,
was ordered to cannonade the castle of Boccachica. One of
these being obliged to quit her station, the Prince Frederic
was exposed, not only to the fire from the castle, but to that
of Fort St. Joseph, and to two ships that guarded the mouth of
the harbour, which he sustained for many hours that day, and
part of the next, with uncommon intrepidity. As he was giving
his commands upon deck, both his legs were shot off; but such
was his magnanimity, that he would not suffer his wounds to be
drest, till he communicated his orders to his first
Lieutenant, which were, _To fight his ship to the last
extremity_. Soon after this he gave some directions about his
private affairs, and then resigned his soul with the dignity
of a Hero and a Christian. Thus was he taken off in the
thirty-first year of his age, an illustrious commander of
superior fortitude and clemency, amiable in his person, steady
in his affections, and equalled by few in the social and
domestic virtues of politeness, modesty, candour, and
benevolence. He married the widow of Col. Francis Alexander, a
daughter of Sir Henry Newton, Knt. Envoy Extraordinary to the
Court of Florence and the Republic of Genoa, and Judge of the
high court of Admiralty.
Over his inscription is the following epitaph:
Whilst Britain boasts her Empire o’er the deep,
This marble shall compel the brave to weep;
As men, as Britons, and as soldiers mourn:
’Tis dauntless, loyal, virtuous Beauclerk’s urn.
Sweet were his manners, as his soul was great,
And ripe his worth, tho’ immature his fate;
Each tender grace that joy and love inspires,
Living, he mingled with his martial fires;
Dying, he bid Britannia’s thunder roar,
And Spain still felt him, when he breath’d no more.
69. A beautiful monument erected to the memory of Admiral Balchen, on
which is his bust well executed in the finest white marble. The
enrichments, arms and trophies, are admirably wrought, but in
fastening the cable to the anchor this excellent artist has shewn that
he is no mariner. In the front is a fine representation of a ship in a
storm. The inscription is as follows:
To the memory of Sir John Balchen, Knt. Admiral of the White
Squadron of his Majesty’s fleet in 1744, being sent out
Commander in chief of the combined fleets of England and
Holland, to cruize on the enemy, was on his return home in his
Majesty’s ship the Victory, lost in the Channel by a violent
storm; from which sad circumstance of his death we may learn,
that neither the greatest skill, judgment, or experience,
joined to the most firm unshaken resolution, can resist the
fury of the winds and waves; and we are taught from the
passages of his life, which were filled with great and gallant
actions, but ever accompanied with adverse gales of fortune,
that the brave, the worthy and the good man, meets not always
his reward in this world. Fifty-eight years of faithful and
painful services he had passed, when being just retired to the
government of Greenwich Hospital to wear out the remainder of
his days, he was once more, and for the last time, called out
by his King and Country, whose interest he ever preferred to
his own, and his unwearied zeal for their service ended only
in his death; which weighty misfortune to his afflicted family
became heightened by many aggravating circumstances attending
it; yet amidst their grief had they the mournful consolation
to find his gracious and royal Master mixing his concern with
the general lamentations of the public, for the calamitous
fate of so zealous, so valiant, and so able a Commander; and
as a lasting memorial of the sincere love and esteem borne by
his widow, to a most affectionate and worthy husband, this
honorary monument was erected by her. He was born Feb. 2,
1669, married Susannah, daughter of Col. Apreece of Washingly
in the County of Huntingdon. Died Oct. 7, 1744, leaving one
son and one daughter, the former of whom, George Balchen,
survived him but a short time; for being sent to the West
Indies in 1745, Commander of his Majesty’s ship the Pembroke,
he died in Barbadoes in December the same year, aged 28,
having walked in the steps, and imitated the virtue and
bravery of his good, but unfortunate father.
70. A noble and elegant monument erected in honour of General Guest.
It is adorned with a pyramid and base of the most beautiful Egyptian
porphyry, ornamented with the finest enrichments, and on the latter is
an admirable bust of the General of white marble. The whole is
executed in the most delicate and masterly manner. It has this short,
but apposite inscription:
Sacred to those virtues that adorn a Christian and a Soldier,
this marble perpetuates the memory of Lieut. Gen. Joshua
Guest, who closed a service of sixty years by faithfully
defending Edinburgh castle against the Rebels, 1745.
71. The next worthy of notice is the elegant monument of Sir Charles
Wager. The principal figure here is that of Fame holding a portrait of
Sir Charles in relief, which is also supported by an infant Hercules.
The enrichments are naval trophies, instruments of war and navigation,
&c. on the base is represented in relief the destroying and taking of
the Spanish galleons in 1708, The inscription is as follows:
To the memory of Sir CHARLES WAGER, Knt.
Admiral of the White, first Commissioner of the Admiralty,
And Privy Counsellor;
A man of great natural talents,
Who bore the highest commands,
And pass’d through the greatest employments,
With credit to himself, and honour to his country.
He was in private life
Humane, temperate, just, and bountiful:
In public station,
Valiant, prudent, wise, and honest:
Easy of access to all;
Plain and unaffected in his manners,
Steady and resolute in his conduct:
So remarkably happy in his presence of mind,
That no danger ever discompos’d him;
Esteemed and favoured by his King;
Beloved and honoured by his Country.
He died 24 May 1743. Aged 77.
72. The next tomb in the Abbey that demands our attention, is that
erected to the memory of John Hollis Duke of Newcastle, by his
daughter the Countess of Oxford. This is perhaps the loftiest and most
costly of any in the Abbey. A pediment is supported by beautiful
columns of variegated marble. The Duke is represented resting upon a
sepulchral monument, holding in his right hand a General’s staff, and
in his left a ducal coronet. On one side the base stands a statue of
Wisdom, on the other, of Sincerity. On the angles of the upper
compartment sit angels, and on the ascending sides of the pediment sit
two cherubs, one with an hour-glass, alluding to the admeasurement of
man’s life by grains of sand; the other pointing upwards, where life
shall no longer be measured by hours and minutes. On the base is an
inscription enumerating his Grace’s titles, and several employments;
his marriage and issue; and informing us that he was born Jan. 9,
1661–2, and died July 15, 1711.
73. The monument of William Cavendish Duke of Newcastle is also very
pompous, but is in the old taste. Under a rich canopy of state lie, as
the inscription expresses it, “The loyal Duke of Newcastle, and his
Duchess, his second wife, by whom he had no issue: her name was
Margaret Lucas, youngest sister to Lord Lucas of Colchester, a noble
family; for all the brothers were valiant, and all the sisters
virtuous. The Duchess was a wise, witty, and learned Lady, which her
many books do well testify: She was a most virtuous, and a loving and
careful wife, and was with her Lord all the time of his banishment and
miseries; and when he came home, never parted from him in his solitary
retirements.” This is the English inscription. The Latin gives his
titles and employments; and observes, that for his fidelity to King
Charles I. he was made Captain-General of the forces raised for his
service in the North, fought many battles, and generally came off
victorious; but that when the rebels prevailed (being one of the first
designed a sacrifice) he left his estate, and endured a long exile. It
then gives his issue by his first wife, and concludes with observing,
that he died Dec. 27, 1676, in his eighty-fourth year.
74. On the adjoining pillar is a neat tablet, on which is this
inscription:
Grace, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas Mauleverer of Allerton
Mauleverer in Yorkshire, Bart. born 1622, married unto Col.
Scott, a member of the Hon. House of Commons 1644, and died
Feb. 24, 1645.
He that will give my GRACE but what is hers,
Must say her death has not
Made only her dear SCOTT,
But Virtue, Worth, and Sweetness, widowers.
75. The monument of Dame Mary James is neatly ornamented with an urn,
wreathed and crowned with a Viscount’s coronet, on a handsome pedestal
The inscription observes that this Lady was wife to Sir John James, of
the ancient family of the Lords of Hostrick in Holland, and that she
died Nov. 6, 1667.
76. A magnificent and elegant monument of white marble to the memory
of Sir Peter Warren, done by Roubiliac. Close to the wall is a large
flag hanging to the flag-staff, and spreading in very natural folds
behind the whole monument. Before it is a fine figure of Hercules
placing Sir Peter’s bust on its pedestal; and on the other side,
Victory, with a laurel wreath in her hand, is seated gazing on the
bust with a look of melancholy mixed with admiration. Behind her a
Cornucopia pours out fruit, corn, the fleece, &c. and by it is a
cannon, an anchor, and other decorations. The inscription is as
follows:
Sacred to the memory
Of Sir PETER WARREN,
Knight of the Bath,
Vice-Admiral of the Red Squadron
Of the British Fleet,
And Member of Parliament
For the City and Liberty of Westminster.
And a little lower:
He derived his descent from an ancient Family of IRELAND,
His fame and honours from his virtues and abilities.
How eminently these were displayed,
With what vigilance and spirit they were exerted,
In the various services wherein he had the honour to command,
And the happiness to conquer,
Will be more properly recorded in the annals of
GREAT BRITAIN.
On this tablet, affection with truth may say,
That deservedly esteemed in private life,
And universally renowned for his public conduct,
The judicious and gallant officer
Possessed all the amiable qualities of the Friend,
The Gentleman, and the Christian.
But the ALMIGHTY,
Whom alone he feared,
And whose gracious protection he had often experienced,
Was pleased to remove him from a life of honour
To an eternity of happiness,
On the 29th day of July 1752, in the 49th year of his age.
On the bottom of the base:
Susannah, his afflicted wife, caused this monument
to be erected.
77. The monument inscribed to the memory of Sir Gilbert Lort, of
Stackpole in Pembrokeshire, who died Sept. 19, 1698, was erected to
his memory by his sister Dame Elizabeth Campbell of Calder in
Scotland. The author of _The Review of the public buildings_, &c.
observes, that the two boys here placed on each side a little tomb,
are in a very pretty taste, and a perfect contrast to each other; one
representing passionate, exclamatory grief, and the other still and
silent; and adds, “’Tis pity they are divided by so bad an ornament in
the middle: had they leaned on a single urn, which, in the antique
taste, might have been supposed to hold his ashes, they would have had
a fine effect, and challenged more admiration than many a more pompous
and expensive pile.”
78. The monument erected to Hugh Chamberlayne, M.D. was some years ago
esteemed one of the best pieces in the Abbey; but some of the later
monuments greatly exceed it. The principal figure lies, as it were, at
ease, upon a tomb stone, leaning upon his right arm, with his hand
upon his night cap, and his head uncovered. In his left hand, he holds
a book, to shew his intense application to study. On each side are the
emblems of Physic and Longevity; and over his head, is Fame descending
with a trumpet in one hand, and a wreath in the other. On the top are
weeping cherubs, and on the pedestal a long Latin inscription, which
mentions his great knowledge and industry in his profession, his
humanity in relieving the sick, and his affinities and connections in
social and private life. He died June 17, 1728, aged sixty-four.
79. The tomb of Almericus de Courcy, Baron of Kinsale, in Ireland, is
ornamented with the figure of his Lordship in armour, reposing himself
after the fatigues of an active life, under a gilded canopy. The
inscription shews, that he was descended from the famous John de
Courcy, Earl of Ulster, who in the reign of King John, in
consideration of his great valour, obtained the extraordinary
privilege for him and his heirs, of being covered in the King’s
presence. Almericus de Courcy died Feb. 9, 1719, aged fifty-seven.
80. The monument of Sir Thomas Duppa is adorned with flowers and
foliage, and on the top with an urn wreathed. The inscription shews,
that Sir Thomas in his youth waited upon King Charles II. when Prince
of Wales, and at length became Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, in
which office he died April 25, 1694, aged 75.
81. We come now to a monument that has been much admired, and as much
censured, that of Dame Elizabeth Carteret, who died on the 26th of
March, 1717, aged fifty-two. This Lady is represented springing
upwards, with only one foot fixed to the earth, and a little winged
seraph descending to receive her; but the disproportions are so great
between them, that one cannot help thinking, that it is much more
likely she should pull the aerial messenger down, than he raise her
one inch from the ground; but what is still worse, her attitude is
such, that it is impossible she should know that he is coming to give
her a lift. Below her hovering on the base, is another of these
heavenly spirits unfolding a very indifferent epitaph.
82. We come now to the grand and magnificent monument of the great Sir
Isaac Newton, whose statue is formed recumbent, leaning his right arm
on four folios, thus titled DIVINITY, CHRONOLOGY, OPTICS, and PHIL:
PRIN: MATH: and pointing to a scroll supported by cherubs. Over him is
a large globe projecting from a pyramid behind, whereon is delineated
the course of the comet in 1680, with the signs, constellations and
planets. On this globe sits the figure of Astronomy, with her book
closed, in a very thoughtful composed and pensive mood. Beneath the
principal figure is a very fine bas relief, representing the various
labours in which Sir Isaac chiefly employed his time: such as
discovering the cause of gravitation, settling the principles of light
and colours, and reducing the coinage to a determined standard. The
inscription on the pedestal is in Latin, short, but full of meaning,
intimating, that by a spirit nearly divine, he solved on principles of
his own, the motion and figure of the planets, the paths of the
comets, and the ebbing and flowing of the sea; that he discovered the
dissimularity of the rays of light, and the properties of colours from
thence arising, which none but himself had ever dreamt of; that he was
a diligent, wise and faithful interpreter of nature, antiquity, and
the holy scriptures; that by his philosophy he maintained the dignity
of the Supreme Being; and by the purity of his life, the simplicity of
the gospel; and it concludes with a just exclamation, What reason have
mortals to pride themselves in the existence of so great an ornament
to the human race! He was born Dec. 25, 1642, and died in 1726.
So noble a monument erected to real merit, is a greater honour to the
nation than to the great genius for whom it was raised; in this light
it is viewed by all Europe.
83. On the other side of the entrance into the choir is another lofty
and pompous monument. This last was erected to the memory of Earl
Stanhope, who is also represented leaning upon his arm in a recumbent
posture, holding in his right hand a General’s staff, and in his left
a parchment scroll. Before him stands a cupid resting upon a shield.
Over a martial tent sits Minerva, holding in her right hand a javelin,
and in the other a scroll. Behind is a slender pyramid. On the middle
of the pedestal are two medalions, and on each side the pilasters one.
In short, under the principal figure is a Latin inscription,
displaying the merits of this great man, as a soldier, a statesman,
and a senator: observing, that in 1707, he concluded an advantageous
peace with Spain; and the same year was sent Embassador to Charles
III. In 1708, he took Port Mahon: In 1710, he forced his way to the
gates of Madrid, and took possession of that capital: In 1715, being
of the Secret Committee, he impeached the Duke of Ormond. In 1717 he
was made first Commissioner of the treasury, and Chancellor of the
exchequer; and in July following was created a Peer. He died in 1721,
in the forty-seventh year of his age.
84. Mr. Thynne’s monument has always been esteemed a very fine one.
That gentleman is represented dying, and at his feet is a boy weeping.
Underneath on a table of black marble in white letters is this short
inscription:
Thomas Thynne of Longleate in Com. Wilts, Esq; who was
barbarously murdered on Sunday the 12th of February, 1682.
And upon the pedestal the story of his murder is finely represented in
relief.
This last observation makes it necessary to give the particulars of
this murder, which we shall do from a very accurate, tho’ small work,
from which we have obtained considerable assistance in the description
of many things relating to the Abbey. The above murder was conspired
by Count Koningsmark, and executed by three assassins hired for that
purpose, who shot this unhappy gentleman in Pall-Mall, in his own
coach. The motive was, to obtain the rich heiress of Northumberland in
marriage, who in her infancy had been betrothed to the Earl of Ogle,
but left a widow before consummation; and afterwards married to Mr.
Thynne; but being scarce fifteen, and her mother extremely tender of
her, and at the same time desirous of her having issue, prevailed upon
her husband to travel another year before he bedded her, in which time
she became acquainted with Koningsmark at the Court of Hanover.
Whether she had ever given him any countenance is uncertain; but
having no grounds to hope to obtain her while her husband lived, he in
this villainous manner accomplished his death: the Lady, however,
detested this base and inhuman conduct, and soon after married the
great Duke of Somerset.—At the time this happened, a report was spread
that Mr. Thynne had formerly debauched a woman of family and
character, on honourable pretences; but upon his uncle’s leaving him
10,000_l._ a year; he basely deserted her; whence arose the saying,
that _he had escaped his misfortune, if he had either married the Lady
he had lain with, or lain with the Lady he had married_. But we do not
pretend to insinuate that there was any truth in this story. It may
probably be only a cruel piece of defamation. _Historical Description
of Westminster Abbey._
85. The monument of Dame Grace Gethin, is ornamented with a figure of
a Lady devoutly kneeling, with a book in her right hand, and her left
on her breast; on each side is an angel, one holding over her head a
crown, and the other a chaplet; and on the ascending sides of the
pediment are two female figures in a mournful posture. It is adorned
with three different coats of family arms, and on the base is an
English inscription, which also lets us know that she was married to
Sir Richard Gethin of Gethin Grott in Ireland; was famed for her
exemplary piety, and wrote a book of devotions, which Mr. Congreve has
complimented with a poem. She died Oct. 11, 1697, aged twenty-one.
86. A monument erected to the memory of two sisters, the daughters of
Ralph Freke of Hannington in Wilts, Esq; whose busts in relief
ornament the sides. The inscription observes, that the eldest, named
Elizabeth, was married to Percey Freke of West Bilney in Norfolk, and
died on the 7th of April 1714; that Judith the youngest married Robert
Austin of Tenterden in Kent, and died May 19, 1716: and that they were
both the best of daughters, the best of wives, and the best of
mothers.
87. A large monument of black marble erected to the memory of Sir
Thomas Richardson, Lord Chief Justice of England in the reign of King
Charles I. He died in 1634, and his tomb is adorned with his effigy in
brass, lying in his robes, and his collar of S S.
88. An ancient monument raised to the memory of William Thynne of
Botterville, Esq.; it is of marble and alabaster gilt, and is adorned
with the statue of that gentleman lying at full length. The
inscription informs us, that he was a polite gentleman, a great
traveller, and a brave soldier, and that he died on the 14th of March
1584.
89. A very handsome monument erected for that learned grammarian Dr.
Busby, master of Westminster school; who is represented in his gown,
looking earnestly at the inscription; holding in his right hand a pen,
and in his left a book open. Upon the pedestal underneath are a
variety of books, and at the top is his family arms. The inscription
is a very elegant one, and intimates whatsoever fame the school of
Westminster boasts, and whatever advantages mankind shall reap from
thence in future times, are all principally owing to the wise
institutions of this gentleman, who was born at Lutton in
Lincolnshire, Sept. 22, 1606, and after being made Master of
Westminster college was elected Prebendary of Westminster, and
Treasurer of Wells. He died April 5, 1695.
90. The next monument, is that erected to the memory of Robert South,
D.D. who is represented in a recumbent posture in his canonical habit,
with his arm resting on a cushion, and his right hand on a death’s
head. In his left he holds a book with his finger between the leaves,
as if just closed from reading, and over his head is a group of
cherubs issuing from a mantling. This monument is however very badly
executed, and the statue is clumsy and unmeaning. It has a long Latin
inscription, shewing that this celebrated divine was scholar to Dr.
Busby, and student at Christ Church, Oxford; that by the patronage of
the Lord Clarendon he was made Prebendary both of Westminster and
Christ Church, and afterwards rector of Islip, where he rebuilt the
parsonage house, and founded and endowed a school for the education of
poor children. He died on the 8th of July 1718, aged eighty-two.
_The Monuments in the Cloisters._ The most ancient of these are
towards the east end of the south walk, where lie the remains of four
Abbots marked in the pavement by four stones.
The first of these covers the Abbot Vitales, who died in 1082, and was
formerly covered with brass plates.
The second is of grey marble, to the memory of Gislebertus Crispinus,
who died in 1114, and whose effigies may still be traced on the stone.
Under the third, which is a raised stone of Sussex marble, lies the
Abbot Laurentius, who died in 1176, and is said to be the first who
obtained from Pope Alexander III. the privilege of using the mitre,
ring and globe.
The last is of black marble, and covers the ashes of Gervasius de
Blois, who was natural son to King Stephen, and died in 1166. This is
called Long Meg, from its extraordinary length, it being eleven feet
eight inches. All these seem to have had their names and dates cut
afresh.
In the east walk is a handsome monument erected to the memory of
Daniel Pulteney, Esq; facing those of the above Abbots; the
inscription on which is much admired for the purity of the diction,
and its propriety and elegance, and is as follows:
Reader,
If thou art a BRITON,
Behold this tomb with reverence and regret.
Here lieth the remains of
DANIEL PULTENEY,
The kindest relation, the truest friend,
The warmest patriot, the worthiest man;
He exercised virtues in this age,
Sufficient to have distinguished him even in the best.
Sagacious by nature,
Industrious by habit,
Inquisitive with art,
He gain’d a compleat knowledge of the state of Britain,
Foreign and domestic.
In most the backward fruit of tedious experience,
In him the early acquisition of undissipated youth.
He served the court several years:
Abroad in the auspicious reign of Queen Anne,
At home, in the reign of that excellent Prince K. George the First.
He served his country always,
At court independent,
In the senate unbiass’d,
At every age, and in every station:
This was the bent of his generous soul,
This was the business of his laborious life.
Public men, and public things,
He judged by one constant standard,
_The true interest of Britain_;
He made no other distinction of party,
He abhorred all other:
Gentle, humane, disinterested, beneficent,
He created no enemies on his own account:
Firm, determined, inflexible,
He feared none he could create in the cause of Britain.
Reader,
In this misfortune of thy country, lament thy own:
For know
The loss of so much private virtue
Is a public calamity.
Almost at the end of the north east walk is a monument against the
Abbey wall to the memory of the Rev. Mr. William Laurence, the
inscription on which is remarkable for its quaintness, and is as
follows:
With diligence and trust exemplary,
Did William Laurence serve a Prebendary;
And for his pains, now past, before not lost,
Gain’d this remembrance at his master’s cost.
O! read these lines again, you seldom find
A servant faithful, and his master kind.
Short-hand he wrote, his flower in prime did fade,
And hasty death short hand of him hath made.
Well couth he numbers, and well measur’d land,
Thus doth he now that ground whereon we stand,
Whereon he lies so geometrical,
Art maketh some, but thus will Nature all.
Ob. Dec. 28. 1621. Ætat. 29.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _E. Rooker sc._ _Henry the Seventh’s
Chapel._]
_Henry the Seventh’s Chapel._ As this is a separate building from
Westminster Abbey, we did not think proper to confound it with the
other chapels; and as it is joined to the Abbey, we did not chuse to
render it so distinct an article as it would have been, had we given
it the place it would have demanded in the order of the alphabet. It
is to be examined at the same time with that edifice, and we have
followed the example of the architect in uniting them.
This chapel, which was founded by Henry VII. in the year 1502, and the
succeeding years, is styled by Leland the wonder of the world. It is
situated to the east of the Abbey, to which it is so neatly joined,
that on a superficial view it appears to be one and the same building.
It is supported by fourteen Gothic buttresses, all beautifully
ornamented, and projecting from the building in different angles, and
is enlightened by a double range of windows that throw the light into
such a happy disposition as at once to please the eye, and afford a
kind of solemn gloom. These buttresses extend up to the roof, and are
made to strengthen it by their being crowned with Gothic arches. In
these buttresses are niches, in which formerly stood a number of
statues; but these being greatly decayed, have been long taken down.
This chapel is one of the most expensive remains of the ancient
English taste and magnificence; there is no looking upon it without
admiration: yet, perhaps, its beauty consists much more eminently in
the workmanship than the contrivance. The plate shews the outside,
where it joins to the Abbey, and gives some idea of the fine taste of
Gothic architecture in that age, which seems to have been its
meridian; but it soon fell into the bad taste practised in the time of
Queen Elizabeth, as may be seen in the tomb of this Queen and her
predecessor in the side aisles of this chapel.
This may be sufficient for the outside of this edifice, the entrance
to which is from the east end of the Abbey, by a flight of steps of
black marble, under a very noble arch, that leads to the gates opening
to the body or nave of the chapel: for, like a cathedral it is divided
into a nave and side isles, to which you may enter by a door on each
hand. The gates at the entrance of the nave are of brass curiously
wrought in the manner of frame work, and have in every other open
pannel a rose and portcullis alternately.
Being entered, the eye is naturally directed to the lofty ceiling, in
the most admirable manner wrought with such an astonishing variety of
figures as is impossible to be described. The stalls on each side are
of oak, with Gothic canopies, most beautifully carved, as are also the
seats; and the pavement is of black and white marble, laid at the
charge of Dr. Killigrew, once Prebendary of this Abbey. The east view
from the entrance presents you with the brass chapel and tomb of the
founder, which will be hereafter described, and round it where the
east end forms a semicircle, are the chapels of the Dukes of
Buckingham and Richmond. At that end the side isles open to the nave.
It must not be omitted, that the walls both of the nave and the side
isles are adorned with the most curious imagery imaginable, and
contain an hundred and twenty statues of patriarchs, saints, martyrs
and confessors, under which are angels supporting imperial crowns,
besides innumerable small ones, all of them esteemed so curious, that
the best masters are said to have travelled from abroad to copy them.
The roof of the side isles is flattish, and supported on arches
between the nave and side isles turning upon twelve stately Gothic
pillars, curiously adorned with figures, fruitage and foliage. The
windows, besides a spacious one at the east end, are thirteen on each
side above and as many below, and were formerly painted, having in
each pane a white rose, the badge of the house of Lancaster, a B the
initial letter of the founder’s name, or portcullises crowned, the
badge of the Beaufort’s family, of which there are some now remaining.
This chapel was originally designed as a sepulchre appropriated solely
to the use of those of royal blood; and so far has the will of the
founder been observed, that none have been yet interred there, but
those of high quality, whose descent may generally be traced from some
of our ancient Kings: I shall therefore mention each of these tombs,
beginning with that which is the most ancient, as well as the most
astonishing.
It has been already observed, that in the middle of the east end of
the nave is situated the magnificent tomb of Henry VII. this is
enclosed with a screen of cast brass, most admirably designed, and
executed; this screen is nineteen feet in length, eleven in breadth,
and the same in height. It is ornamented with statues, of which those
only of St. James, St. Bartholomew, St. George, and St. Edward, are
now remaining; and also adorned with other devices alluding to King
Henry the Seventh’s family; as portcullises, signifying his relation
to the Beaufort’s by his mother’s side; roses twisted and crowned, in
memory of the union of the two houses of Lancaster and York, by his
marriage; and at each end a crown in a bush, alluding to the crown of
Richard III. found in a hawthorn bush, near Bosworth field, where the
famous battle was fought in which Richard lost his life. Within the
rails are the effigies of the royal pair, in their robes of state, on
a tomb of black marble, the head whereof is supported by a red dragon
the ensign of Cadwalladar, from whom King Henry VII. was fond of
tracing his descent, and the foot by an angel.
At the head of this tomb lie the remains of Edward VI. grandson to
Henry VII. who died in the sixteenth year of his age, and the seventh
of his reign. A fine monument was erected to his memory by Queen Mary,
his sister and successor; it was adorned with curious sculpture
representing the passion and resurrection of our Saviour; with two
angels on the top kneeling; and the whole elegantly finished; but it
was afterwards demolished as a relict of Popish superstition.
On one side of Henry the Seventh’s tomb in a small chapel, in which is
the monument of Lewis Stuart Duke of Richmond, and Frances his wife;
whose statues in cast brass are represented lying on a marble table
under a canopy of brass curiously wrought, and supported by the
figures of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Prudence; and on the top is a
figure of Fame taking her flight, and resting only on her toe.
On the north side of Henry the Seventh’s tomb is a monument decorated
with several emblematical figures in brass gilt; the principal is
Neptune in a pensive posture with his trident reversed, and Mars with
his head crushed; these support the tomb on which lie the effigies of
George Villars Duke of Buckingham, the great favourite of King James
I. and King Charles I. who fell a sacrifice to the national resentment
by the hand of Felton. His Grace married Catharine, daughter to the
Earl of Rutland, who erected this monument to his memory, and lies in
effigy on the same tomb by his side. The Latin inscription, after
recounting his noble qualities, and high titles, alludes to the story
of his death.
Of a later date, and superior in point of design and workmanship, is a
noble monument erected to the memory of John Sheffield Duke of
Buckingham, where his Grace’s statue in a Roman habit, is laid in a
half raised posture on an altar of fine marble: his Duchess is
represented standing at his feet weeping. On each side are military
trophies; and over all an admirable figure of Time holding several
medallions representing the heads of their Graces children. This
monument is very justly admired. It has been observed, that the Duke
himself appears the principal figure in the group, and though he lies
in a recumbent posture, and his Lady is in the most beautiful manner
placed at his feet, yet her figure is so characterized, as to be only
a guide to his, and both reflect back a beauty on each other. The
decorations are allowed to be extremely picturesque and elegant; the
trophies at his head, the figure of Time above, with the medallions of
his children, fill up all the spaces with such propriety, that little
could be added, and nothing appears superfluous. The inscription sets
forth the Duke of Buckingham’s posts, and his qualifications as a good
poet, and a fine writer; and over his statue is inscribed in Latin
sentences to the following purpose:
I lived doubtful, not dissolute.
I die unresolved, not unresigned.
Ignorance and error are incident to human nature.
I trust in an Almighty and All-good God.
Thou King of Kings have mercy upon me.
And underneath:
For my King often, for my Country always.
His Grace died in the 57th year of his age, Feb. 24, 1720,
leaving the publication of his works to the care of Mr. Pope.
He had three wives; the first, Ursula, Countess of Coventry;
the second, Catharine, Countess of Gainsborough; the third,
Catharine, Countess of Anglesey.
In this isle there is a lofty pyramid supported by two griffins of
gilt brass, on a pedestal of the most curious marble, erected to the
memory of Charles Montague, Marquis of Halifax, son to George Montague
of Horton. He was placed at the head of the treasury in the reign of
King Charles I. and undertaking the reformation of the coin, which was
then most infamously clipped, he restored it to its proper value. For
this, and other public services, he was first created Baron, and then
Marquis of Halifax.
Against the east wall at the end of the north isle is a monument in
the form of a beautiful altar, raised by King Charles II. to the
memory of Edward V. and his brother Richard, on which is an
inscription in Latin, to the following purport:
Here lie the reliques of Edward V. King of England, and
Richard Duke of York, who, being confined in the Tower, and
there stifled with pillows, were privately and meanly buried,
by order of their perfidious uncle Richard the Usurper. Their
bones, long enquired after and wished for, after lying two
hundred and one years in the rubbish of the stairs, lately
leading to the chapel of the White Tower, were on the 17th of
July 1674, by undoubted proofs discovered; being buried deep
in that place. Charles II. pitying their unhappy fate, ordered
these unfortunate Princes to be laid amongst the reliques of
their predecessors, in the year 1678, and the 20th of his
reign.
At the east end of the same isle is a vault in which are deposited the
bodies of King James I. and Anne his Queen, daughter to Frederic II.
King of Denmark.
Over this vault is a small tomb adorned with the figure of a child,
erected to the memory of Mary the third daughter of James I. who was
born at Greenwich in 1605, and died at two years old.
There is also another monument on which is the representation of a
child in a cradle, erected to the memory of Sophia, the fourth
daughter of the same King, who was born at Greenwich in 1606, and died
three days after.
In the same isle is a lofty monument erected to the memory of Queen
Elizabeth by King James I. her successor. The inscription represents
her character, high descent, and the memorable acts of her glorious
reign, “That she was the mother of her country, and the patroness of
religion and learning; was herself skilled in many languages, adorned
with every excellence of mind and person, and endowed with princely
virtues beyond her sex: that in her reign religion was refined to its
original purity; peace was established; money restored to its just
value; domestic insurrections quelled; France delivered from intestine
troubles; the Netherlands supported; the Spanish Armada defeated;
Ireland, almost lost by the secret contrivances of Spain, recovered;
the revenues of both universities improved by a law of provisions;
and, in short, all England enriched. That she was a most prudent
Governess, forty-five years a virtuous and triumphant Queen; truly
religious, and blest in all her great affairs; and that after a calm
and resigned death in the 70th year of her age, she left her mortal
part to be deposited in this church, which she established upon a new
footing, till by the word of Christ she is called to immortality.” She
died March 24, 1602.
In the south isle is a lofty and pompous tomb erected to the memory of
Mary Queen of Scots, the mother of King James I. who flying into
England from her rebellious subjects, was taken prisoner, tried and
condemned for conspiring the death of Queen Elizabeth, and on the 8th
of February 1587, beheaded on a scaffold erected in the hall of
Fotheringhay Castle, in Northamptonshire. She was afterwards pompously
interred by order of Queen Elizabeth, in the cathedral church of
Peterborough; but upon the accession of her son to the throne of
England, he ordered her remains to be removed from thence, and placed
near this monument.
Near the last monument is a tomb enclosed with iron rails, on which
lies a Lady also finely robed, the effigies of Margaret Douglas,
daughter of Margaret Queen of Scots by the Earl of Angus. Her son the
Lord Darnely, father to King James I. is represented foremost on the
tomb kneeling, with the crown over his head, and there are seven other
of her children represented round the tomb. This great Lady, though
she herself never sat on the throne, had, according to the English
inscription, King Edward IV. to her great grandfather; Henry VII. to
her grandfather; Henry VIII. to her uncle; Edward VI. to her cousin
german; James V. of Scotland to her brother; Henry I. of Scotland to
her son; James VI. to her brother. Having to her great grandmother and
grandmother two Queens, both named Elizabeth; to her mother, Margaret
Queen of Scots; to her aunt, Mary the French Queen; to her cousins
german, Mary and Elizabeth Queens of England; and to her niece and
daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of Scots. This great Lady died March 10,
1577.
In the south side is likewise the monument of Margaret Countess of
Richmond, mother to Henry VII. by her first husband Henry Tudor. She
was afterwards married to Humphry Stafford, a younger son to Humphry
Duke of Buckingham, and at last to Thomas Lord Stanley, Earl of Derby;
but by the two last had no children. The inscription mentions the
charities of this humane and generous Princess, particularly her
founding two colleges at Oxford, Christ Church and St. John’s; and a
grammar school at Winbourne. She died in July 1509, in the reign of
her grandson Henry VIII.
At the east end of this isle is the royal vault of King Charles II.,
King William III., Queen Mary his Consort, Queen Anne, and Prince
George.
Over these royal Personages are their effigies (except that of Prince
George) in wainscot presses; they are of wax work resembling life, and
dressed in their coronation robes.
Another wainscot press is placed at the corner of the great east
window, in which is the effigy of the Lady Mary Duchess of Richmond,
daughter to James Duke of Richmond and Lenox, dressed in the very
robes her Grace wore at the coronation of Queen Anne.
On leaving this isle you will be shewn in another wainscot press the
effigies of General Monk, who had a great share in the restoration of
King Charles II. to the throne of England, and was interred in a vault
appropriated to him and his family. He is represented in armour, and
his ducal cap is generally made use of by those who shew this chapel,
to receive the bounty of those who visit it; these persons having no
share of the money paid for seeing it.
Thus have we given a description of every thing remarkable in the
Abbey, and that venerable pile adjoining to it, called Henry the
Seventh’s chapel; we have mentioned and described the monuments in
both that are worthy of notice, and we shall conclude this article
with the following reflections, extracted from an ingenious writer, on
this subject.
“However amiable fame may be to the living, ’tis certain no
advantage to the dead, whatever dangers they have dared,
whatever toils they have undergone, whatever difficulties they
have surmounted; the grave is deaf to the voice of applause,
and the dust of the noble and vulgar sleep in the same
obscurity together. ’Tis possible the conscious spirit may
have an idea of the honour that is paid to his ashes; but ’tis
much more probable, that the prospect of this imaginary glory,
while he lived among us, was all the pleasure it ever could
afford him. I make this observation, because most monuments
are said to be erected as an honour to the dead, and the
living are supposed to be the least concerned in them: but one
man’s fame is made the foundation of another’s, in the same
manner with the gentleman’s, who ordered this sentence to be
made his epitaph; HERE LIES SIR PHILIP SIDNEY’S FRIEND. Some
there are that mention only the names of the persons whose
dust they cover, and preserve a noble silence with regard to
the hand that raised them; but even here, the dead can receive
no benefit from such disinterested affection; but the living
may profit much by so noble an example. Another thing that
displeases me is the manner of the inscriptions, which
frequently mistake the very design of engraving them, and as
frequently give the lie to themselves. To pore one’s self
blind in guessing out _Æternæ Memoriæ Sacrum_, is a jest, that
would make Heraclitus laugh; and yet most of them begin in
that pompous taste, without the least reflection that brass
and marble can’t preserve them from the tooth of Time; and if
men’s actions have not guarded their reputations, the proudest
monument would flatter in vain. Sepulchral monuments should be
always considered as the last public tribute paid to virtue;
as a proof of our regard for noble characters, and most
particularly as an excitement to others to emulate the great
example.
“It is certain there is not a nobler amusement, than a walk
in Westminster Abbey, among the tombs of heroes, patriots,
poets, and philosophers; you are surrounded with the shades
of your great forefathers; you feel the influence of their
venerable society, and grow fond of fame and virtue in the
contemplation: ’tis the finest school of morality, and the
most beautiful flatterer of imagination in nature. I appeal
to any man’s mind that has any taste for what is sublime and
noble, for a witness to the pleasure he experiences on this
occasion; and I dare believe he will acknowledge, that there
is no entertainment so various, or so instructive. For my
own part, I have spent many an hour of pleasing melancholy
in its venerable walks; and have been more delighted with
the solemn conversation of the dead, than the most sprightly
sallies of the living. I have examined the characters that
were inscribed before me, and distinguished every particular
virtue. The monuments of real fame, I have viewed with real
respect; but the piles that wanted a character to excuse
them, I considered as the monuments of folly. I have
wandered with pleasure into the most gloomy recesses of this
last resort of grandeur, to contemplate human life, and
trace mankind thro’ all the wilderness of their frailties
and misfortunes, from their cradles to their grave. I have
reflected on the shortness of our duration here, and that I
was but one of the millions who had been employed in the
same manner, in ruminating on the trophies of mortality
before me; that I must moulder to dust in the same manner,
and quit the scene to a new generation, without leaving the
shadow of my existence behind me; that this huge fabric,
this sacred repository of fame and grandeur, would only be
the stage for the same performances; would receive new
accessions of noble dust; would be adorned with other
sepulchres of cost and magnificence; would be crouded with
successive admirers; and at last, by the unavoidable decays
of time, bury the whole collection of antiquities in general
obscurity, and be the monument of its own ruin.”
ABBOTS LANGLEY, a village in Hertfordshire, situated to the east of
Kings Langley, and three or four miles to the S. W. of St. Alban’s, to
whose abbey it once belonged. It is famous for being the birth place
of Nicholas Breakspeare, who was made Pope by the title of Adrian IV.
and had his stirrup held by the Emperor Frederic while he dismounted:
but notwithstanding his pride, it is a still more indelible stain to
his memory, that when Sovereign Pontiff, he suffer’d his mother to be
maintained by the alms of the church of Canterbury. This place gives
the title of Baron to the Lord Raymond, who has a seat in this
neighbourhood.
ABBS COURT, in the parish of Walton upon Thames in Surrey. The Lord of
this Manor, which is also called APS, used formerly upon All-Saints
Day to give a barrel of beer, and a quarter of corn baked into loaves,
to as many poor as came. This charity was begun in the days of Popery,
in order, as ’tis supposed, to encourage the prayers for deliverance
of souls out of purgatory.
ABCHURCH _lane_, 1. Gracechurch street.☐ 2.Lombard street.☐ See _St._
Mary Abchurch.
ABEL _court_, Rosemary lane.
ABEL’S _buildings_, Rosemary lane.†
ABINGDON _buildings_, Old Palace yard.
ABINGDON _street_, near Old Palace yard.
ACADEMY _court_, Chancery lane.
Acorn _alley_, Bishopsgate street, without.*
ACORN _court_, Bishopsgate street, without.*
ACTON (EAST) a village six miles from London, a little to the north of
the Oxford Road, noted for the medicinal wells near it, which are
frequented in the summer months.
ACTON (WEST) a village in the road to Oxford, situated seven miles from
London.
ADAM-A-DIGGING _yard_, Peter street, Westminster.*
ADAM AND EVE _alley_, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. by West Smithfield.*
ADAM AND EVE _court_, 1. Oxford street.* 2. Tottenham court road.* 3.
West Smithfield.* 4. Hatchet alley, Whitechapel. 5. Petticoat lane.*
ADAM AND EVE _yard_, 1. Homerton.* 2. Ratcliff highway.*
ADAM’S _court_, 1. Little Broad street.† 2. Pig street.† 3. Sharp’s
buildings, Duke’s place.† 4. Near Swan’s close.†
ADAM’S _mews_, 1. Audley street.† 2. Charles street near Mount street.†
ADAM’S _yard_, Hockley in the Hole. †
ADDINGTON, a village in Surrey, three miles from Croydon, situated at
the descent of a high spacious common to which it gives name. Its
church, though said to be above 300 years old, is still very firm. But
what is most remarkable, is, that the Lord of the Manor held it in the
reign of Henry III. by the service of making his Majesty a mess of
pottage in an earthen pot in the King’s kitchen at his coronation; and
so late as the coronation of King Charles II. Thomas Leigh, Esq; then
Lord of the Manor, made a mess according to his tenure, and brought it
to his Majesty’s table, when that King accepted of his service, though
he did not taste what he had prepared.
ADDISON’S _yard_, Peter street, Westminster. †
ADDLE _hill_, Great Carter lane, Thames street.
ADDLE _street_, Wood street, Cheapside.
ADMIRALTY _court_. This court, which is held in Doctors Commons, was
formerly under the direction of the Lord High Admiral, as it is now
under the Lords of the Admiralty, who here take cognisance of all
causes relating to merchants and mariners. The proceedings are in the
Civil Law. The plaintiff gives security to prosecute, and if cast, to
pay what shall be adjudged, and likewise to stand to all his proctor
shall transact in his name. But in criminal cases, as the trial of
pirates, and crimes committed at sea, the process, by a special
commission, is by a judge, jury and witnesses, a Judge of the Common
Law assisting: on which occasion the court is commonly held at the
Session-house in the Old Bailey. The officers of this court are the
Judge of the Admiralty, who must be a Civilian, an Advocate and
Proctor, a Register, and a Marshal, who carries a silver oar before
the Judge.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._ _Admiralty_]
ADMIRALTY _office_, an edifice built with brick and stone, on the west
side of the street, opposite to Scotland yard. The east front, which
is that represented in the print, has two deep wings, and is entered
by a very lofty portico supported by four very large stone columns of
the Ionic Order, to which there is an ascent by a few steps.
The importance of this building is what recommends it to notice. The
portico, which was intended as an ornament, rather disgusts than
pleases, by the immoderate height and ill shape of the columns.
In this office are transacted all martime affairs belonging to the
jurisdiction of the Admiralty, who here regulate the affairs of the
navy; nominate Admirals, Captains, and other officers to serve on
board his Majesty’s ships of war, and give orders for the trial of
those who have failed in their duty, or been guilty of other
irregularities.
ADMIRALTY _office yard_, Whitehall.☐
ADSCOMB, in Surrey near Croydon, is the seat of William Draper, Esq; the
paintings and furniture of which are fine.
ADVOCATES _of Doctors Commons_. See DOCTORS COMMONS.
AFFIDAVIT _office_, in Symond’s inn. This office belongs to the Masters
in Chancery, where one or more of them constantly attend to take
affidavits, and there all affidavits belonging to the Court of
Chancery are filed.
AFRICAN COMPANY. The English first sent ships to Africa on account of
commerce about the year 1553, from which time the trade to that
country was carried on by private hands till 1588, when Queen
Elizabeth, by her letters patent, erected a company, for the more
effectual promoting of that trade, which then was only for gold,
elephants teeth, and Guinea pepper; for the use of negroes was not yet
introduced into America.
This company was greatly encouraged during the reigns of James I. and
Charles I. but the Dutch taking several forts on the coast of Africa
from the Portuguese, committed great depredations on the English, upon
which Charles II. the better to enable his subjects to carry on that
trade, incorporated a body of merchants, in the year 1662, by the
title of _The Company of Royal Adventurers of England to Africa_: but
the subscriptions for carrying on this precarious commerce not
answering the expectation of the incorporated merchants, they were
soon involved in debt, and reduced to such difficulties as rendered
them unable to continue their trade to advantage; wherefore they
agreed for a certain sum, to surrender their charter to the crown, and
to assign all their estates and effects both at home and abroad to
certain merchants, who intended to erect a new company, for the more
effectual carrying on a trade to Africa: these merchants the King
incorporated in the year 1672, and these were the Royal African
company, who had a power to trade from the port of Sallee, to the Cape
of Good Hope, exclusive of all the King’s other subjects, during the
term of a thousand years.
By virtue of this royal grant, the company made a considerable
progress in erecting forts, and settling factors: but their trade
being laid open by parliament in the year 1697, they were rendered
unable to support their forts, it was therefore enacted, that all
private traders to Africa should pay ten _per cent._ to the company
for that purpose.
This duty did not however answer the end for which it was granted, and
the company was obliged to apply to parliament in the year 1730 for
relief, when they obtained a certain sum for that purpose, and it was
enacted that all his Majesty’s subjects treading to and from Africa,
between Cape Blanco and the Cape of Good Hope, should hereafter be
deemed a body corporate, and that all the countries, islands, rivers
and places, together with the forts, should be in the possession of
this new company; the members of which should not trade to or from
Africa in their joint capacity, have any joint or transferable stock,
or borrow money on their common seal. That the persons trading or
intending to trade to Africa, should pay to the Chamberlain of London,
the Clerk of the Merchants-hall in Bristol, or the Town Clerk of
Liverpool, 40_s._ each for the freedom of the new company. That the
management of the affairs of this new company, should be under the
direction of a committee of nine persons, to be chosen annually, three
out of the members in the city of London, three out of those of
Bristol, and three out of those of Liverpool. That this committee
should have power to make orders for the government and improvement of
the forts and factories; to appoint governors, and other officers
civil and military; to receive annually the sum of 40_s._ and to take
a list of the names of all the persons making payment.
It is also enacted, that the committee shall once a year give an
account of all their transactions to the Commissioners for trade and
plantations, and likewise lay before the Cursitor Baron of the
Exchequer, an account, upon oath, of all the money they have received
within the preceding year, and the application thereof; and the Lords
of the Admiralty are to give instructions to the Captains of such of
his Majesty’s ships of war as shall be stationed or ordered to cruize
within the above limits, to inspect, and make report to them from time
to time of the state of the forts and settlements, copies of which are
to be laid before the parliament every sessions.
This is the state at present of this company, who keep their office in
Cooper’s court, Cornhill.
AGNES _court_, Little George street.
_St._ AGNES LE CLARE _fields_, near Hoxton, so called from a spring of
water dedicated to that Saint, and now converted into a cold bath.
AILSBURY _court_, George street.
AILSBURY _street_, 1. By Jermyn street. 2. St. John’s street,
Clerkenwell green.
AINGER _street_, York street.†
AIR _street_, 1. Piccadilly.† 2. By Mary la bone.† 3. Leather lane.†
AKERSLEY _yard_, Great St. Anne’s street.†
ALAM _yard_, Crutched Friars.
_St._ ALBAN’S, a large and very ancient town in Hertfordshire, 21 miles
from London, was so called from St. Alban, who suffered in the
persecution under Dioclesian, and being afterwards canonized, and
interred on a hill in the neighbourhood of this town, a monastery was
erected and dedicated to him by King Offa. King Edward I. erected a
magnificent cross in memory of Queen Eleanor; and King Edward VI.
incorporated this town by a charter, granting the inhabitants a Mayor,
a Steward, a Chamberlain, and ten Burgesses: but the Mayor and Steward
are here the only Justices of peace. Here are three churches, besides
the ancient cathedral called St. Alban’s, belonging to the monastery,
which is now a parish church.
In this ancient edifice is a funeral monument and effigies of King
Offa, its founder, who is represented seated on his throne; and
underneath is the following inscription:
Fundator Ecclesiæ circa annum 793.
Quem male depictum, et residentem cernitis alte
Sublimem solio, MERCIUS OFFA fuit.
That is,
_The founder of the church, about the year 793.
Whom you behold ill-painted on his throne
Sublime, was once for_ MERCIAN OFFA _known._
On the east side stood the shrine of St. Alban, where the following
short inscription is still to be seen;
S. ALBANUS VEROLAMENSIS, ANGLORUM PROTOMARTYR, 17 Junii 293.
In the south isle near the above shrine is the monument of Humphry,
brother to King Henry V. commonly distinguished by the title of the
Good Duke of Gloucester. It is adorned with a ducal coronet, and the
arms of France and England quartered. In niches on one side are
seventeen Kings; but in the niches on the other side there are no
statues remaining. The inscription, which alludes to the pretended
miraculous cure of a blind man detected by the Duke, is as follows:
Piæ Memoriæ V. Opt. Sacrum.
Hic jacet HUMPHREDUS, Dux ille Glocestrius olim,
HENRICI Sexti protector, fraudis ineptæ
Detector, dum ficta notat miracula cœci.
Lumen erat patriæ, columen venerabile regni,
Pacis amans, Musisque favens melioribus; unde
Gratum opus Oxonio, quæ nunc schola sacra refulget.
Invida sed mulier regno, regi, sibi nequam,
Abstulit hunc, humili vix hoc dignata sepulcro.
Invidia rumpente tamen, post funera vivit.
Which has been thus translated:
_Sacred to the memory of the best of men._
Interr’d within this consecrated ground,
Lies he, whom HENRY his protector found:
Good HUMPHRY, Gloc’ster’s Duke, who well could spy
Fraud couch’d within the blind impostor’s eye.
His country’s light, the state’s rever’d support,
Who peace and rising learning deigned to court;
Whence his rich library at Oxford plac’d,
Her ample schools with sacred influence grac’d:
Yet fell beneath an envious woman’s wile,
Both to herself, her King, and country vile;
Who scarce allowed his bones this spot of land:
Yet spite of envy shall his glory stand.
About 40 years ago in digging a grave, a pair of stairs were
discovered that lead down into a vault where his leaden coffin was
found, in which his body was preserved entire, by a kind of pickle in
which it lay, only the flesh was wasted from the legs, the pickle at
that end being dried up. Many curious medals and coins are to be seen
in the church, that have been dug out of the ruins of Old Verulam that
stood on the other side of the river Ver, or Moore, which runs south
west of the town.
Near St. Alban’s is a fort, at a place called by the common people the
Oyster Hills, which is supposed to have been the camp of Ostorius, the
Roman Proprætor. This town is the largest in the county, and besides
the four churches, has several meeting-houses, two charity schools,
and three fairs, and has on Saturday one of the best markets for wheat
in England. It gives the title of Duke to the noble family of
Beauclerc. The great John Duke of Marlborough erected a seat here,
called Holloway-house, and several neat alms-houses have been built
here by him and his Duchess.
_St._ ALBAN’S, _Wood street_, on the north side of London, and the east
side of Wood street, Cheapside, is dedicated to St. Alban, the British
Proto-Martyr, who suffered under the persecution of Dioclesian. The
first church in this place was erected in the year 930, and dedicated
to the same Saint. After various repairs, the old church was pulled
down in 1634, and another erected, which was destroyed by the fire of
London thirty-two years after, when the present edifice was built from
the same model as the former. It is entirely in the Gothic stile, and
consists of a spacious body, and a handsome tower with pinacles.
This church is a rectory in the patronage of Eton College, and the
parish of St. Olave, Silver street, is united to it. The Rector,
besides other advantages, receives 170_l._ in lieu of tithes.
Munday in his edition of Stow mentions several uncommon epitaphs in
this church, from which we have only selected the following:
Hic jacet Tom Shorthose,
Sine tombe, sine sheet, sine riches,
Qui vixit sine gowne,
Sine cloake, sine shirt, sine breeches.
_St._ ALBAN’S _street_, Pall-mall.
ALBEMARLE _buildings_, Bond street, so called from the Duke of
Albemarle, who bought the Earl of Clarendon’s seat, which stood here,
and afterwards selling the house and gardens, they were laid out into
streets, whence arose this and the two following streets.
ALBEMARLE _mews_, Dover street.
ALBEMARLE _street_. 1. Piccadilly, 2. St. John’s street, West
Smithfield.†
In the possession of Richard Mead, Esq; in Albemarle street, is a book
bought out of the collection of the famous Cardinal Maximi at Rome; it
contain 148 accurate and elegant paintings in water colours, done from
ancient pictures found on the walls, ceilings and floors of the baths
of Titus, and various other buildings in Rome, some of which have been
engraved by Bartoli in his _Sepolchri di Nassoni_, and in other books:
but many of them are to be seen no where else, neither engraved, nor
on the walls from whence they were first copied, where they are much
defaced by the weather, the smoke of torches, and other accidents.
Of these ancient paintings on wall, Mr. Mead has also a very elegant
little specimen representing Augustus restoring a crown to a conquered
Prince in the presence of several of his courtiers, among which the
faces of Mecænas and Horace may be distinguished.—This has been
engraved and explained by Turnbull.
An ancient Greek inscription, being eight lines of Hexameter and
Pentameter verses on a marble brought from Asia, which had been a
pedestal to a statue of Jupiter Urius. This has been engraved and
explained by the learned Mr. Chishul in his _Antiquitates Asiaticæ_.
ALCOCK’S _rents_, Barnaby street.†
ALDERMANBURY, Cateaton street. This street was thus named from the
Guildhall being anciently situated there, till falling to decay, the
present hall was built at the end of King street, about the year 1420.
The old hall must have been very ancient, as this street had the name
of Aldermanbury so early as before the year 1189; and Mr. Maitland
supposes that Edward the Confessor, who began his reign in 1042, had a
considerable share in its first foundation.
ALDERMANBURY _Postern_, London wall.
ALDERMAN PARSONS’S _stairs_, St. Catharine’s.†
ALDERMAN’S _walk_, Bishopsgate street.
ALDERMEN. These are twenty-six in number, and each has his separate
ward, to the government of which he is more immediately to attend.
Those who have served the office of Lord Mayor, are said to be above
the chair, and with three of the eldest that are next it, are justices
of the peace by charter. All the Aldermen keep their wardmote for
chusing ward officers, and settling the affairs of the ward; for
redressing grievances, and presenting all defaults found in the ward.
In the management of these affairs, every Alderman has his deputy,
chosen out of the common council, and in some of the wards, that are
very large, the Alderman has two deputies.
ALDERSGATE, which is situated 1265 feet south west of Cripplegate, is,
in Stow’s opinion, one of the original gates of the city; but this is
disputed by Maitland, who observes, that the epithet of Alder does not
necessarily imply its antiquity, as some derive the name of the gate
from Aldrich, a Saxon; others from the seniors or old men by whom it
was built; and others from the great number of alder trees, which grew
in that neighbourhood; whence he imagines that either of these
opinions is more probable, than that this name was conferred upon it
on account of its age, particularly as it is no where found to be
mentioned before the conquest.
The present gate was built in the year 1616, and being much damaged by
the fire of London, was repaired in 1670. In a large square over the
arch is King James I. on horseback, in the same posture as when he
made his entry through this gate, on his coming to take possession of
the crown. The arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, are quartered
above his head. In a nich on the east side is the prophet Jeremiah,
with the words of the 25th verse of the 17th chapter of his book; and
in a nich on the west side stands the prophet Samuel, with the first
verse of the 12th chap. of 1 Sam. On the south side is King James I.
in his royal robes, sitting in a chair of state, done in relief. By
the sides of the gate there are two posterns for the convenience of
foot passengers: and the apartments above are appropriated to the use
of the common crier of the city.
A late author observes, that this gate is so heavy and Gothic a
structure, that it hardly deserves notice, unless for the sake of the
bass relief of King James, which, though in an aukward and inelegant
taste, is a very tolerable piece of workmanship, and may challenge
some applause.
ALDERSGATE _bars_, in Goswell street, a little beyond the north end of
Aldersgate street, where the liberties of the city end on that side.
ALDERSGATE _street_, extends from the gate to the corner of Barbican.
ALDERSGATE WARD, is of considerable extent both within and without the
gate from which it is named, and extends in length from Blowbladder
street to Aldersgate bars, including part of Noble street, almost all
Foster lane, St. Martin’s le Grand, Bull and Mouth street, Little
Britain, and Aldersgate street. The principal buildings are two
churches, St. Botolph’s and St. Ann’s, Goldsmiths-hall, Cooks-hall,
Coachmakers-hall, Shaftsbury house, a noble building now used for the
London lying-in hospital, and London-house. This ward is governed by
an Alderman, two Deputies, and eight Common Council Men; eight
constables, nine scavengers, nineteen wardmote inquest men and a
beadle. The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest serve in the
several courts in Guildhall in the month of August.
ALDGATE, was one of the four original gates of the city, and that
through which the Roman vicinal way led to the _trajectus_ or ferry at
Old Ford. Stow says, that it received its name from its antiquity,
which Maitland observes is very improbable, though he allows that the
Saxons might give it the epithet of _Eald_ or _Ald_, from the ruinous
condition in which they found it when they first possessed themselves
of this city. However, the first time it is found mentioned, is in a
charter granted by King Edgar about the year 967.
Aldgate being very ruinous, was pulled down in the year 1606, and the
first stone of the present edifice was laid the next year; but this
work was not finished till 1609. It is observable that in digging the
foundation, several Roman coins were discovered, two of which Mr. Bond
the surveyor caused to be cut on stone, and placed on each side of the
east front. On the same side was placed in a large square the statue
of King James I. in gilt armour, with a golden lion and a chained
unicorn couchant at his feet. On the top of the gate was a vane
supported by a gilt sphere, on each side of which stood a soldier
holding a bullet in his hand, on the top of the upper battlements. On
the west side was a figure of Fortune gilt, and standing on a globe,
with a prosperous sail spreading over her head; under which was carved
the King’s arms; some what lower on the south side stood Peace with a
dove perched on her hand, and a gilded wreath in the other; and on the
north side was the emblem of Charity. Over the arch of the gate was
also engraven,
_Senatus Populusque_ Londinensis
_Fecit_ 1609
HUMFREY WELD, Maior.
But all these statues have been removed, and none of these ornaments
remain, except the representation of the two Roman coins, and the
inscription.
The apartments over this gate are appropriated to the use of one of
the Lord Mayor’s carvers.
ALDGATE _high street_, extends from Aldgate to Leadenhall street.
ALDGATE _street_, extends without Aldgate, to the north east corner of
the Minories.
ALDGATE WARD, is bounded on the east by Portsoken ward; on the south by
Tower street ward; and on the west and north, by the wards of
Langbourn, Lime street and Bishopsgate. It extends from Aldgate to
Lime street corner in Leadenhall street, and takes in all the streets
and lanes on the one hand to Bevis Mark and Shoemaker row, and on the
other to Ironmongers hall in Fenchurch street; to the navy office,
only a part of which is in this ward, and to the end of River street
Tower hill; including Poor Jury lane, Crutched Friars, London street,
Woodroff lane, _&c._ The principal buildings are these four parish
churches, St. Catharine Cree church, St. Andrew Undershaft, St. James
Duke’s place, and St. Catharine Coleman; three Jews Synagogues, and
the Ironmongers, Fletchers and Bricklayers halls. It is under the
government of an Alderman and six Common Council men, one of whom is
the Alderman’s deputy, with six constables, nine scavengers, eighteen
wardmote inquest men, and a beadle. The jurymen returned by the
wardmote inquest, serve as jurors in the several courts of Guildhall
in the month of January. _Maitland._
ALEXANDER’S _yard_, Water lane, Fleet street.†
ALIENATION OFFICE in the Inner Temple, is one of the offices under the
Lord Chancellor. Here all writs of covenants and entry upon which
fines are levied, and recoveries suffered, are carried to have fines
for alienation, set and paid thereupon. This office is executed by
three commissioners. _Chamberlain’s Present State._
ALLARD’S _hill_, Rotherhith wall.†
ALLEN’S _street_, Goswell street.†
ALLEN’S _court_, 1. Leadenhall street.† 2. Oxford street.†
ALLEN’S _rents_, Houndsditch, Bishopsgate street without.†
ALLEYN’S COLLEGE at Dulwich. See DULWICH _college_. ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE
in Lamb alley in Bishopsgate street. This charitable foundation, was
erected in Petty France by Edward Alleyn, a comedian, about the year
1614, and from thence removed to the above place upon the rebuilding
of Petty France, now called New Broad street. Ten poor men and women
are, besides their lodging, allowed about 40_s._ _per annum_, and
every other year the men have coats and breeches, and the women gowns
and petticoats. _Maitland._
ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE, in Pesthouse lane near Old street, was founded by
the above Edward Alleyn, about the year 1616, for ten poor men and
women; who receive 6_d._ per week each, and every other year coats and
gowns.
ALLEYN’S ALMSHOUSE in Soap yard, Deadman’s Place in Southwark, was also
founded by the above Edward Alleyn, about the year 1616, for ten poor
men and women, with an allowance of only 6_d._ per week.
ALLHALLOWS _Barking_ church, at the east end of Tower street, is so
denominated from its being dedicated to all the Saints, vulgarly
called Allhallows; and its anciently belonging to the Abbess and
Convent of Barking in Essex. It escaped the fire in 1666, and carries
about it the marks of that period when architecture was not well
understood in England. The church is of considerable extent, and the
steeple is a plain tower with its turret. It is a vicarage in the
patronage of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Vicar, besides other
advantages, receives about 126_l._ a year in tithes.
ALLHALLOWS _Bread street_. The old church was destroyed by the dreadful
conflagration which laid most of the other churches in ruins; and the
present edifice was erected in 1684. It consists of a plain body, and
a square tower divided into four stages with arches near the top. It
is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars in this city belonging
to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The advowson of this church is in the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to
this parish that of St. John the Evangelist is united. The Vicar,
besides glebes, casualties, annual donations, and other advantages,
receives 1401. a year in lieu of tithes. _Maitland._
The following monumental inscripton in this church is worthy of a
place in this work. It is to the memory of Humfrey Levins, a citizen
and grocer of London, who died in 1682, in the fifty-third year of his
age, and his son Humfrey, a youth aged fourteen, who died in 1677, and
lies buried in the same grave.
Which shall we weep? both merit tears; yet sure
Tears are but vain, where bliss is so secure.
Which shall we praise? our eulogy can’t add
Unto the bless’d, who God’s kind euge had.
Our duty’s but to imitate and admire
This happy pair of the celestial choir.
ALLHALLOWS _the Great_, situated on the south side of Thames street, was
anciently denominated _Allhallows the More_, and _Allhallows ad Fœnum_
in the _Ropery_, from its vicinity to a hay-wharf or market, and
situation among ropemakers. The old church with a large cloister on
the south side, were consumed in the general conflagration in 1666,
and the present edifice arose in 1683. It was built on Sir Christopher
Wren’s plan; but in some parts the mason has taken inexcusable
liberties. The church is 87 feet in length, 60 in breadth, and the
height to the roof is 33. It is built of stone, and there runs thro’
the whole, an apparent strength and solidity. The walls are plain and
massy, the ornaments are few and simple, and the apertures, tho’
large, in order to enlighten so considerable a breadth, are not
numerous. The tower is plain, square, and divided into five stages,
but terminates absolutely square and plain, without spire, turret or
pinacles. The cornice is supported by scrolls, and over these rises a
balustrade of solid construction, very proper for the rest of the
building. _Maitland, and English Architecture._
Among the funeral monuments in this church, before its being burnt,
was one in memory of Queen Elizabeth, with the following inscriptions:
If royal virtues ever crown’d a crown;
If ever mildness shin’d in majesty;
If ever honour honour’d true renown;
If ever courage dwelt with clemency;
If ever Princess put all Princes down,
For temperance, prowess, prudence, equity;
This, this was she, that in despight of death
Lives still admir’d, ador’d Elizabeth.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
_In the figure of a book above her picture_;
They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Sion, which shall not
be removed.
_On the right side_;
Spain’s rod, Rome’s ruin, the Netherlands relief,
Heaven’s gem, earth’s joy, world’s wonder, nation’s chief.
_On the left side_;
Britain’s blessing, England’s splendor,
Religion’s nurse, and Faith’s defender.
_And beneath_;
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, &c.
Queen Elizabeth died the 24th of March, 1602.
This church is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars belonging
to the Archbishop of Canterbury; and to this parish that of Allhallows
the Less is annexed, by which the profits of the Rector are greatly
increased. He receives, besides glebes, &c. 200_l._ _per annum_ in
lieu of tithes.
ALLHALLOWS _Honey lane_, a small church, which stood where the east end
of Honey lane market is at present situated; but being destroyed by
the fire of London in 1666, the parish was by act of parliament united
to the church of St. Mary le Bow.
ALLHALLOWS _the Less_, stood on the south side of Thames street, almost
adjoining to that of Allhallows the Great; but having suffered in the
common calamity in 1666, the parish was united to that of Allhallows
the Great.
ALLHALLOWS _Lombard street_, situated in Bell alley, near the north
corner of Lombard street, in Langbourn ward. A church stood here under
the same patronage, before the year 1053; but the present plain,
well-proportioned building, was erected in the room of that destroyed
by the fire of London. The body is enlightened by a single series of
large windows, and the tower is terminated by a plain battlement.
This church is a rectory, and one of the thirteen peculiars in this
city belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Rector, besides
glebes, donations, and casualties, receives 110_l._ a year in lieu of
tithes. _Maitland._
ALLHALLOWS _London wall_, a small mean edifice, a little to the east of
Bethlem Hospital, on the outside of London wall. It escaped the fire
in 1666, and is a rectory, in the King’s gift.
ALLHALLOWS _Staining_, situated near the north end of Mark lane. It is
said to obtain the name of Staining, from the corruption of the word
_stoney_, because built at first of stone, when the other churches
dedicated to all the Saints were of wood. It escaped the fire in 1666.
The body is well illuminated with Gothic windows, and the square tower
is crowned with a small turret.
This church is a curacy, in the gift of the Grocers company. The
curate receives about 100_l._ a year by tithes. _Maitland, and English
Architecture._
ALLHALLOWS STAINING SCHOOL, was founded in the year 1658, by Mr. William
Winter, who endowed it with the sum of 600_l._ the profits arising
from which, amounting to 26_l._ _per annum_, are employed in
instructing six boys in reading, writing, and accounts, and putting
them out apprentice, with each of whom a sum is given not exceeding
10_l._
ALLHALLOWS _Lane_, near the Steelyard, Thames street.☐
ALLHALLOWS _Stairs_, Allhallows lane, Thames street.
_Lord High_ ALMONER, a clergyman of the highest rank, and frequently the
Archbishop of York, who has the office of disposing of the King’s
alms, and for that use receives all deodands, the goods of persons
found guilty of self-murder, and other sums allowed by his Majesty to
be disposed of for that purpose. Besides the sums distributed to the
poor of several parishes, there are many poor pensioners to the King
below stairs, who have a competency duly paid them, either because
they are so old as to be unfit for service, or because they are the
widows of such of his Majesty’s household servants as died poor, and
were unable to provide for their wives and children in their
life-times.
Under the Lord High Almoner, are a Sub-almoner, a Yeoman, and a Groom
of the Almonry.
ALMONRY, vulgarly called the _Ambry_, receives its name from the alms of
the Abbey being distributed there, and was originally a chapel
dedicated to St. Catharine, and not, as Mr. Stow asserts, to St. Anne.
Near this chapel Abbot Islip erected the first printing-house that
ever was in England in the year 1474; when Mr. William Caxton, a
citizen and mercer of London, bringing that invaluable art from
Holland, became the first printer in Britain. _Maitland._
ALMONRY SCHOOL, situated in the Almonry at Westminster, was founded in
the year 1677, by Henry Hill, Esq; who also endowed it with 7_l._ a
year for the education of poor children.
ALMSHOUSES. See a particular account of each under the names of their
respective founders. The number of persons contained in the several
Alms-houses and hospitals within the bills of mortality, with the
children put forth apprentice by the money collected at the feast, &c.
of the Sons of the Clergy, and the several poor families that
participate of the king’s annual charity, amount in the whole to about
8000 persons, and the sum employed for their relief to 80,000_l._
_Maitland._
ALMSHOUSE _yard_. 1. Little Almonry, Westminster. 2. Dormer’s Hill. 3.
Little Chapel street. 4. Coleman street. 5. Snow Hill, in which
Hammond’s almshouse is situated.
_St._ ALPHAGE, in Aldermanbury near London wall, owes its name to its
dedication to St. Alphage, or Elphege, a noble Saxon Saint, and
Archbishop of Canterbury, who was murdered at Greenwich by the pagan
Danes, in the year 1013. This church escaped the flames in 1666, and
is still standing; tho’ it is as mean a structure as can well be
conceived.
The living is a rectory in the patronage of the Bishop of London, and
the Rector receives about 75_l._ a year in tithes.
AMBLE _court_, near Wellclose square.
AMEN _corner_, at the end of Pater-noster-row, near St. Paul’s. See
PATER-NOSTER-ROW.
AMERSHAM, or AGMONDESHAM, a small but very ancient borough, in
Buckinghamshire, situated in a vale between woody hills, 29 miles from
London. This town does not come within the compass which we have
prescribed round London, but our map of the environs not being a
circle, the angles of it take in some few places at a greater distance
than 20 miles; and these being inserted in our map, we thought we
could not dispense with taking notice of them, as well as of those
within the prescribed limits. The town consists of a long street,
divided about the middle by a shorter cross street; in the
intersection of which stands the church, said to be the best rectory
in the county; it being well endowed by Geoffery de Mandeville, Earl
of Essex, in the reign of King Stephen. There is here a handsome
market-house, built with brick on arched pillars, about 80 years ago,
by Sir William Drake, Knt. It has a free school founded in the reign
of Queen Elizabeth; and here is also a fine seat called Shardelowes,
the manor of which formerly belonged to the noble family of the
Russels; but about the time of the restoration it was sold, with the
borough, to Sir William Drake, Bart. in whose family it still remains.
AMICABLE SOCIETY, in Serjeants-inn Fleet street, was incorporated by a
charter granted by Queen Anne, in the year 1706, for a perpetual
Assurance-office for the purpose of making a provision for their
wives, children, and other relations, after an easy, certain and
advantageous manner, with power to purchase lands, &c. and to have a
seal, which is a dove standing upon a serpent, and above in a scroll
the motto PRUDENS SIMPLICITAS. The number of persons to be
incorporated was not to exceed 2000. After paying the charges of the
policy, and 10_s._ entrance-money, each person was to pay 6_l._ 4_s._
_per annum_, which annual payments have since, by the increase of the
Society’s stock, been reduced to 5_l._ a year, payable quarterly, and
from these payments the dividends to claimants are to arise.
That this Society has been greatly beneficial to the public, evidently
appears from a state of their yearly dividends from Lady-day 1710, to
Lady 1757, during which each claim amounted upon an average to 106_l._
1_s._ 4_d._ but taking the computation only for these twenty-three
years last past, _viz._ from the year 1734, (when by an order of the
general court, a part of their yearly income was appropriated for
augmenting their claims whenever they should happen to be under
100_l._) the quantum of such claims from the year 1734 to 1757, have
amounted upon an average to 120_l._ 9_s._ 1_d._ and so considerable
has been the increase of the dividends for these nine years last past,
that each claim, during that period, has been advanced upon an average
to 142_l._ 6_s._ 5_d._
However, at a general court held May 12, 1757, an order was made for
farther augmenting the dividends on claims, so as that for the future
they will not be less than 125_l._ each claim, but yet may happen to
be considerably more, which has been the case of several former years.
The advantages from becoming members of this society are such as
follow:
To clergymen, physicians, surgeons, lawyers, tradesmen, and
particularly persons possessed of places or employments for life: to
such parents, husbands, or wives, and other relations, whose income is
subject to be determined or diminished at their respective deaths, who
by insuring their lives by means of this Society, may now in all
events leave to their families a claim, or right, to receive a sum not
less than 125_l._ for every five pounds annually paid in, and very
probably a larger sum, as appears by the above account.
To married persons, more especially where a jointure, pension, or
annuity depends on both or either of their lives, by insuring the life
of the persons intitled to such annuity, pension or jointure.
To dependents upon any other person intitled to a salary, benefaction,
or other means of subsistence, during the life of such person, whose
life being insured in this society, either by themselves, or by the
person upon whom they are dependent, will intitle them to receive upon
the death of such person, a sum not less than 125_l._ for each number
so insured.
To persons wanting to borrow money, who by insuring their lives, are
enabled to give a collateral security for the money borrowed.
To creditors intitled to demands larger than their debtors are able to
discharge, such debtors may, by a like insurance, secure to their
creditors their principal sums at their deaths.
The abovementioned advantages are chiefly with respect to perpetual
insurances for life; but temporary insurers may find no less advantage
from this Society, as may plainly appear from the following instance,
_viz._ _A. B._ has agreed for the purchase of an office or employment,
but wants 300_l._ or 400_l._ to make up the purchase-money: he is
willing to assign a share of the profits or income of his office, as a
security or pledge for the repayment of the principal with interest,
but cannot obtain a loan of that sum without insuring his life till
the whole be cleared, which he is enabled to do by the help of this
Society. For example; He purchases three numbers, on each of which he
insures his life, and thereby his assigns become intitled to three
several claims at his death; which claims, by the abovementioned
provision, will not be less than 125_l._ each, and may probably amount
to more: he assigns and deposits his policy with the lender: he pays
to the Society for the yearly contributions on the three numbers no
more than 5_l._ each, which is considerably less than 5_l._ _per
cent._ under which rate no other office will insure, and that for one
year only; at the end of which such offices are at liberty to refuse
any further insurance: whereas in this Society the insurance continues
during the life of the insured, unless excluded by the non-payment of
the quarterly contributions. And every insurer, or their
representatives, at the end of their insurance may in a great measure
(if not entirely) reimburse themselves their purchase-money
(originally paid by them for their numbers) by disposing of them at a
market price, which they may do without any farther trouble than
applying to the Society’s office.
The regulations of the Society are as follow:
All persons at the time of their admission are to be between the ages
of twelve and forty-five, and must then appear to be in a good state
of health.
Persons living in the country may be admitted by certificates and
affidavit, forms of which may be had at the office.
Every claimant is impowered to put in a new life in the room of the
deceased within twelve calendar months next after the end of the
current year, for which his or her claim shall be allowed as often as
the same shall happen, upon payment of 10_s._ entrance.
Any person may have two or three several insurances, or numbers, on
one and the same life, whereby such persons will be intitled to a
claim on each number so insured.
The affairs of the corporation are managed by a court of twelve
directors annually chosen within forty days after every 25th of March;
and the majority of the members assembled at a general court, which is
never to consist of less than twenty, are impowered to make laws and
ordinances for the good government of the corporation. The charter
directs one of the members of the Society to be elected their
Register, who being also their receiver and accomptant, is therefore
required by the by-laws to give good security in the sum of 2000_l._
at least.
Five members of the Society are annually elected auditors, who are by
their office to inspect every transaction of the Society, to examine
all vouchers for receipts and payments, and upon oath to lay before
the quarterly and annual general courts, the quarterly and annual
accounts of the Society: and on the day before the holding each court
of directors, the auditors are to state and enter in the directors
minute book a balance of the cash of the Society.
Attendance is daily given at the Society’s office from nine in the
morning, till two in the afternoon, holidays excepted. _From the
proposals printed by the Society._
AMSTERDAM _court_, Upper Shadwell.
AMYAS’S ALMSHOUSE was erected in George yard, Old street, in the year
1655, by Mrs. Susanna Amyas, for eight poor single men or women, who
have an allowance of 4_l._ _per annum_ each; besides 6_l._ to furnish
them all with coals, 1_l._ for water, and 1_l._ for one of the eight
to read prayers daily.
ANABAPTISTS, or, as they chuse to call themselves, Baptists. See an
account of their several places of worship, under the article BAPTIST.
ANCHOR _alley_. 1. Mint street,Southwark.* 2. Worcester place, Thames
street.*
ANCHOR AND HOPE _alley_, Green bank, near Wapping.*
ANCHOR _court_, Anchor street, Spitalfields.*
ANCHOR _lane_, Thames street.*
ANCHOR _street_. 1. By Webb’s square, Spitalfields.* 2. Thames street.*
ANCHOR _yard_, Barnaby street, Southwark.*
ANDERSON’S _yard_, Oxford street.†
ST. ANDREW’S _Holborn_, a plain but not inelegant church, situated on
the south side of Holborn, and at the corner of Shoe lane. It is
dedicated to St. Andrew the Apostle, who was distinguished by being
the first person Christ called for a disciple; and his suffering
martyrdom in Achaia. There was a church in this place called by the
name of the same Apostle, so early as the year 1297. The old church
escaped the flames in the dreadful fire of London, that proved fatal
to so many others; but ten years after being found too ruinous for
repair, was taken down in 1687, and the present structure erected in
its place, except the tower, which was not finished till the year
1704.
This church has a considerable space before it, which is entered by a
handsome pair of iron gates. It is a neat edifice, with two series of
windows, and a handsome balustrade round the top. The tower, which
rises square, consists only of two stages, and round the top is a
balustrade with a pinacle at each corner; on the crown of each is
placed a pine apple, from which rises the fanes. On the inside, the
church is extremely neat and well finished.
The living is a rectory, said to be worth 600_l._ a year, in the
patronage of the Duke of Montague. _Stow, Maitland, English
architecture._
_St._ ANDREW’S _court_, Holborn hill, so called from the above church.
_St._ ANDREW _Hubbard_, a church which stood between St. Botolph’s lane,
and Love lane, in Little Eastcheap, where the King’s weigh-house now
stands; but being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt,
the parish was united to that of St. Mary at Hill.
_St._ ANDREW _Undershaft_, at the corner of St. Mary Ax in Leadenhall
street, and in Aldgate ward. There stood in this place a church
dedicated to the same Saint so early as in 1362, which was pulled down
in the year 1532, and the present structure erected in its room. It
obtained the name of _Undershaft_ from a may-pole, which was anciently
called a shaft, being annually raised in the street near it on
May-day, and was taller than the steeple.
This church is a plain gothic structure, with a well enlightened body,
and a square tower terminated by battlements, with pinacles at the
corners, within which rises a turret that contains the bell. It is a
rectory, in the patronage of the Bishop of London. The Incumbent
receives 120_l._ a year by tithes.
_St._ ANDREW _Wardrobe_, on the east side of Puddledock hill, in Castle
Baynard ward, took its name from a great royal wardrobe erected there
in the reign of King Edward III. There was a church on the same spot
dedicated to St. Andrew in the year 1322: but the present structure
was not built till the year 1670, when it was erected in the place of
one burnt by the fire of London. The body is enlightened by two rows
of windows, and the tower has neither turret, pinacles nor spire.
This church is a rectory, in the gift of the Crown, and to this parish
that of St. Ann’s Black Friars is annexed. The Rector receives by act
of parliament 140_l._ a year in lieu of tithes. _Newc. Repert.
Eccles._
ANGEL _alley_. 1. Fore street, Lambeth.* 2. King’s street, St. James’s
square.* 3. Shoe lane.* 4. Gray’s Inn lane.* 5. Long acre.* 6.
Aldersgate street.* 7. Redcross street.* 8. Whitecross street,
Cripplegate.* 9. Charterhouse lane.* 10. Coleman street.* 11.
Fenchurch street.* 12. Leadenhall street.* 13. Houndsditch.* 14.
Little Moorfields.* 15. Bishopsgate street.* 16. Golden lane, Old
street.* 17. Stony lane, Petticoat lane. 18. Whitechapel.* 19. Brick
lane, Spitalfields.* 20. Ratcliff highway.* 21. Nightingale lane, East
Smithfield.* 22. Pepper Alley, Southwark.* 23. Coal Harbour, Thames
street.*
ANGEL _court_. 1. King’s street, St. James’s square.* 2. Drury lane.* 3.
Charing Cross.* 4. Charterhouse lane alley.* 5. Aldersgate street.* 6.
Friday street.* 7. Grub street.* 8. Camomile street.* 9. Bishopsgate
street without.* 10. Lamb alley, Bishopsgate street.* 11. Angel alley,
Aldersgate street.* 12. Foul lane, in the Borough.* 13. Great Windmill
street.* 14. King’s Bench alley, Southwark.* 15. Redcross street in
the Park, Southwark.* 16. Leadenhall street.* 17. Little Elbow lane.*
18. New Gravel lane.* 19. Redcross street, Cripplegate.* 20. Little
Old Bailey.* 21. Snowhill.* 22. Long acre.* 23. Long ditch,
Westminster.* 24. Near St. James’s square.* 25. St. Martin’s lane,
Charing cross.* 26. Near Surrey street in the Strand.* 27. Throgmorton
street.* 28. White’s alley, Rosemary lane.* 29. Stony lane, Petticoat
lane.* 30. Shoe lane.*
ANGEL _hill_, Oxford street.*
ANGEL _street_. 1. St. Martin’s le grand.* 2. Little Moorfields.* 3. St.
George’s fields, Southwark.*
ANGEL AND SUGARLOAF _yard_, in the Minories.*
_St._ ANN’S _alley_, Noble street, Foster lane.
ANN’S _alley_, East Smithfield.
_St._ ANN’S _Aldersgate_, on the north side of St. Ann’s lane, in the
ward of Aldersgate within, is dedicated to St. Ann the mother of the
Virgin Mary. The old church in this place perished in the fire 1666,
and the present was raised in its place about three years after. It is
a very plain edifice: the body is enlightened by a few large windows,
cased with rustic. The tower, which is very plain, is also
strengthened at the corners with rustic, and from its top rises a
turret and spire.
The church is a rectory in the patronage of the Bishop of London, and
the parish of St. John Zachary is annexed to it. The Rector receives
140_l._ _per annum_, in lieu of tithes.
_St._ ANN’S _Black Friars_, stood on the east side of Churchyard alley,
in the precinct of Black Friars, and the ward of Faringdon without;
but having suffered in the fatal calamity of 1666, and not being
rebuilt, the parish was annexed to that St. Andrew Wardrobe.
_St._ ANN’S _Limehouse_, arose from the great increase of houses and
inhabitants, by which the village of Limehouse, a hamlet of Stepney,
became joined to the metropolis, and it was resolved that here should
be one of the fifty new churches appointed by act of parliament to be
built within the bills of mortality. The foundation was laid in the
year 1712, and the present structure finished in 1729; but the
inhabitants of this hamlet not applying to parliament to have it
erected into a parish till the year 1729, it was not consecrated till
1730. This hamlet and part of that of Ratcliff, having been
constituted a distinct parish from that of Stepney, the sum of
3500_l._ was given by parliament to be laid out in fee simple towards
the support of the Rector; besides which the church wardens were to
pay him annually the sum of 60_l._ to be raised by burial fees.
This church is of a very singular construction, the body is not one
plain building, but is continued under separate portions. The door
under the tower has a portico, covered with a dome supported by
pilasters, and to this door there is an ascent by a flight of plain
steps. Its square tower has a large Corinthian window adorned with
columns and pilasters. The corners of the tower are also strengthened
by pilasters, which on their tops support vases. The upper stage of
the tower is plain, and extremely heavy, and from this part rises a
turret at each corner, and a more lofty one in the middle.
The advowson of this rectory, which is not to be held in commendam, is
in the Principal and Scholars of King’s hall, and Brazen-nose College,
Oxford. _Maitland._
_St._ ANN’S _Soho_, owes its foundation to the same cause as the former,
the increase of public buildings; the inhabitants of the parish of St.
Martin’s in the Fields became much too numerous to be contained in the
church, and therefore applying to parliament, this was erected in the
year 1686, in a spot of ground then called Kemp’s Field, and the
parish to which it belongs was separated from St. Martin’s in 1678.
The walls of this church are of brick with rustic quoins. The tower,
which is square, is strengthened with a kind of buttresses, and at the
springing of the dome, which supports the lanthorn, there are urns on
the corners with flames. The lanthorn, which is formed of arches, is
surrounded with a balustrade at the bottom, and a turret over it is
well shaped, and crowned with a globe and fane.
The advowson of this church is settled upon the Bishop of London, and
the Rector; instead of tithes, receives from the parishioners 100_l._
a year, which, together with the glebe, surplice fees, and Easter
book, amount to about 300_l._ _per annum_. _Maitland._
_St._ ANN’S _court_, Dean street, Soho.☐
ANN’S _court_, East Smithfield.
ANONYMOUS _New street_, Coverlead’s fields.
ANSON’S _alley_, Broad St. Giles’s.†
_St._ ANTHOLIN’S _Church yard_, Budge row.
_St._ ANTHONY, vulgarly called _St._ ANTHOLIN’S, Budge row, a plain but
well-proportioned church, with a neat spire. The former church in this
place was destroyed by fire in 1666, and the present edifice finished
in 1682. It is built of stone, and is of the Tuscan order, firm and
massy. The length of the church is 66 feet, and the breadth 54. The
roof is a cupola of an elliptic form, enlightened by four port hole
windows, and supported by composite columns. The steeple consists of a
tower, and a neat spire.
The living is a rectory, with the parish of St. John Baptist annexed
to it, and the advowson is in the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s. The
Rector receives 120_l._ a year in lieu of tithes.
_St._ ANTHONY’S HOSPITAL and SCHOOL, an ancient foundation in
Threadneedle street. See the FRENCH EPISCOPAL CHURCH _in Threadneedle
street_.
ANTILOPE _alley_, King’s street Westminster.*
ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. A society of Antiquaries was formed in this city
about the year 1580, by some of the most learned men in the kingdom:
but having been frequently interrupted and discontinued, very little
can be said concerning the same till the year 1717, when it was again
revived by a number of gentlemen studious of antiquity in general, but
more particularly desirous to obtain all possible knowledge of the
antiquities of their own country. With this view they agreed to meet
one evening in every week under certain regulations; they encouraged
correspondencies with all parts of the kingdom; they subscribed an
annual sum to defray the expence of engraving on copper-plates, what
should be thought deserving to be so preserved, and limited their
number to 100. And in this manner they continued their weekly meeting
with great reputation, till his Majesty King George II. was graciously
pleased to grant them a royal charter of incorporation, dated Nov. 2,
1751; and to declare himself their founder and patron.
Under this charter they became a body corporate, by the name of the
Society of Antiquaries of London, with a power to have and use a
common seal, to sue and be sued, and to take, hold, and enjoy by
purchase, gift, or otherwise, any lands, tenements or hereditaments,
not exceeding in the whole 1000_l._ _per annum_. And it is therein
directed, that the Council of the said Society shall at all times
consist of 21 persons, the President for the time being always to be
one; and the said charter appoints Martin Folkes, Esq; to be the first
President, and also 20 other persons therein named to be the first
Council, empowering them within two months from the date thereof, to
nominate, chuse and admit, as Fellows of the said Society, such
persons as shall excel in the knowledge of the antiquities and history
of this and other nations, and be eminent for piety, virtue, integrity
and loyalty. This first President and Council are to continue till the
23d day of April next ensuing, on which day, in every year thereafter,
the Council and Fellows are to assemble to nominate and elect a
President, and Council for the ensuing year; and it is particularly
directed that eleven of the former Council shall be continued, and ten
other persons chosen out of the members of the Society: ten and no
more of the Council being to be changed annually. The President is
empowered to nominate four persons of the Council to be his Deputies,
and supply his place in case of sickness or absence, and the
President, Council, Fellows, or any twenty-one or more, are empowered
to make statutes, rules, orders and by-laws, for the government and
direction of the said Society, their estates, goods, &c. and for the
admission and amoval of all and every the members and officers
thereof. And the President, Council and Fellows, may appoint
treasurers, secretaries and clerks, may have and employ one serjeant
at mace, and such other servants as they think necessary. And lastly,
if any abuses or differences shall arise, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Lord Chancellor or Keeper of the Great Seal, the Lord
Privy Seal, and the two Secretaries of State for the time being, are
appointed Visitors, with full power for any three of them to compose
and redress such differences and abuses: provision is also made to
fill up any vacancies that may happen by the death of the President or
any of the Council.
On the receipt of this charter, the first President and Council
nominated and admitted, by a writing dated the 14th of November 1751,
all the former members, together with some others, in the whole 121,
to be Fellows of the said Society of Antiquaries of London, and soon
after drew up a body of statutes for the good government thereof,
which, was unanimously agreed to and confirmed in the month of July
1752.
It was herein enacted, that the number of members should not exceed
150, but that number being very soon filled up, and several men of
quality and fortune, as well as persons of great learning and
eminence, being continually applying to become members, which they
could not be till vacancies should happen by death, the Society
thought proper in the year 1755, to enlarge their number to 180, (to
which they are limited at present) exclusive of Peers, Privy
Councillors and Judges, that should be chosen after that time. A
little before this the Society gave up the management of their estate
and revenues, the payment of monies, and the publication of their
papers and drawings, (which before were in the body in general, and
thereby attended with many inconveniences,) entirely to the care of
their Council, which are now a standing committee for that purpose;
and thereby the government of this Society is become nearly the same
as that of the Royal Society, which was doubtless a proper pattern to
copy after.
On the 23d of April, being St. George’s day, the Society annually
elect their Council and officers, _viz._ a President, a Treasurer, two
Secretaries, and a Director, who has the care of all their
publications. Then the President appoints four of the Council to be
his Deputies or Vice-presidents: and after the election is over, the
Society dine together at their own expence. Martin Folkes, Esq; was
annually elected President till his death in 1754, since which time
the Rt. Hon. Lord Willoughby of Parham has been every year chosen.
Every person desirous to be elected a Fellow of this Society, except
Peers, Privy Counsellors, or Judges of Great Britain or Ireland, must
be recommended by three or more of the members, in a paper signed by
themselves, specifying the name, addition, profession, and chief
qualification of the candidate, and also the place of his abode. When
this has been read at one of the Society’s meetings, and then hung up
in their public room during the time of four other meetings, the
election is determined by ballot. Peers, Privy Counsellors, and judges
of Great Britain or Ireland, if proposed by any single member, must be
balloted for immediately. Every new member must pay an admission fee
of five guineas, and sign the obligation, whereby he promises, that he
will to the utmost of his power promote the honour and interest of the
Society, and observe the statutes and orders thereof. Which being done
he is led up to the chair, when the President or Vice-President
rising, takes him by the hand and says these words, _viz._ I do, by
the authority and in the name of the Society of Antiquaries of London,
admit you a Fellow thereof.
Every member must further pay one guinea annually for the use of the
Society, or ten guineas at once in lieu of all contributions.
The meetings of this Society are on Thursday evenings weekly, from
about six till nine o’clock, at their house in Chancery lane: their
business is to receive, read and consider all informations from their
own members, or others, concerning the Antiquities of all nations,
(for which purpose they admit eminent foreigners to be correspondent
members) but they more particularly attend to the study of the ancient
history, customs, manners, grants, charters, coins, medals, camps,
churches, cities, and all monuments whatever, ecclesiastical,
military, or civil, which are found in or relate to Great Britain and
Ireland. And the communications they have received concerning these
matters must be very valuable, as may be judged by the many curious
remains of antiquity they have caused to be engraven on copper-plates,
and permitted lately to be sold; tho’ as yet they have not thought fit
to publish any of their dissertations. They have a small but choice
library, which is increasing daily, also a fine collection of prints
and drawings.
_A_ TABLE _of the_ ANTIQUITIES _engraved and published by the_ SOCIETY
_of_ ANTIQUARIES _of_ LONDON.
Num. VOLUME _the_ FIRST. │ Price.
│ _l. s.
│ d._
The general title and catalogue in │ 0 1 0
Latin. │
1. A brass lamp, found at St. │ 0 1 0
Leonard’s hill near Windsor, │
presented by Sir Hans Sloane, │
Bart. │
2. Ulphus’s horn, a piece of great │ 0 1 0
antiquity, preserved in the │
cathedral at York. │
3. The font in St. James’s church at │ 0 1 0
Westminster. │
4. The portrait of King Richard II. │ 0 2 0
from an ancient picture in the │
choir of Westminster abbey. │
5. Three ancient seals, with their │ 0 1 0
reverses; the first of Cottingham│
abbey in Yorkshire, the second │
of Clare-hall in Cambridge, and │
the third the chapter seal of │
the church of St. Etheldred at │
Ely. │
6. The ruins of Walsingham priory in │ 0 0 9
Norfolk. │
7. Waltham cross in Middlesex. │ 0 1 0
8. A plan of the remaining walls and │ 0 1 0
city of Verulam. │
9–12. Four views of the ruins of Fountain│ 0 3 0
abbey in Yorkshire. │
13, 14. Three views of the gate of St. │ 0 2 6
Bennet’s abbey in Norfolk. │
15. The tomb of Robart Colles and │ 0 0 6
Cecili his wife at Foulsham in │
Norfolk. │
16. The shrine of King Edward the │ 0 2 0
Confessor in Westminster abbey. │
17. The north front of the gate at │ 0 1 0
Whitehall. │
18. The north front of King’s street │ 0 1 0
gate in Westminster. │
19. Plans of the two preceding gates. │ 0 0 6
20. Coins of King Henry VIII, Edward │ 0 1 0
VI, Q. Elizabeth, and K. James │
I. Also a portrait of Q. Eliz. │
from a painting in enamel. │
21–26. The tournament of K. Henry VIII, │ 0 6 0
Feb. 12, 1510; from an ancient │
roll in the Heralds office. │
27. The ruins of Furness abbey in │ 0 1 6
Lancashire. │
28–33. The Barons letter in the reign of │ 0 6 0
King Edward I, Feb. 12, 1300, to│
Pope Boniface VIII; with the │
seals appendent thereto. │
34. An antique brass head, dug up at │ 0 1 0
Bath in 1727. │
35, 36. Three views of Colchester castle in│ 0 2 0
Essex, with a ground plot │
thereof. │
37, 38. Tables of English gold and silver │ 0 3 0
coins, shewing the several │
species coined in each reign. │
39. Tutbury castle in Staffordshire. │ 0 1 0
40. Melbourn castle in Derbyshire. │ 0 1 0
41. Lancaster castle. │ 0 1 0
42. Pontefract castle in Yorkshire. │ 0 1 0
43. A gold seal of Pope Alexander IV; │ 0 1 0
with gold and silver coins, │
struck in France and Flanders, │
relating to the history of │
England. │
44. Knaresborough castle in Yorkshire. │ 0 1 0
45. A portrait of Dr. Tanner, Bishop │ 0 1 0
of St. Asaph. │
46. Tickhill castle in Yorkshire. │ 0 1 0
47. A plan of the Roman roads in │ 0 1 0
Yorkshire. │
48. A Roman tessellated pavement, found│ 0 1 6
near Cotterstock in │
Northamptonshire in 1736. │
49. A ancient chapel, adjoining to the │ 0 1 0
Bishop’s palace at Hereford. │
50–52. Three Roman tessellated pavements, │ 0 5 0
found at Wellow near Bath in │
1737. │
53, 54. Ancient seals and their reverses, │ 0 2 6
from the Dutchy office of │
Lancaster. │
55. Gold and silver medals of Mary │ 0 1 3
Queen of Scots, and Lord Darnley;│
with others of Queen Anne, Prince│
Henry, and K. Charles I. │
56. Gold and silver coins of several │ 0 1 3
English Kings, Prince Edward, and│
Q. Elizabeth. │
57. A Roman sudatory, lately found at │ 0 1 0
Lincoln. │
58–60. Ancient seals, from the Dutchy │ 0 4 6
office at Lancaster. │
61. Winchester cross. │ 0 1 0
62. The decree of the university of │ 0 2 6
Oxford in 1534, against the │
jurisdiction of the Pope in │
England. │
63. A plan of the Tower liberties, from│ 0 2 0
a survey in 1597. │
64. Chichester cross. │ 0 1 0
65. Three views of the Roman │ 0 1 0
_Retiarii_. │
66–68. The portrait of Sir Robert Cotton, │ 0 5 0
Bart. with two plates of │
fragments of an ancient copy of │
the book of Genesis, illuminated│
with elegant figures; and an │
historical dissertation on the │
said book. │
69. The standard of ancient weights and│ 0 2 6
measures, from a table in the│
Exchequer. │
70. A view of the court of wards and │ 0 5 0
liveries, as fitting; with a │
brief historical account of that │
court. │
│ ——
Total│ 4 7 9
N. B. This FIRST VOLUME may be had together for _four pounds_.
Num. VOLUME _the_ SECOND. │ Price.
│ _l. s.
│ d._
1, 2. Plans for rebuilding the city of │ 0 2 0
London after the great fire. │
3. A portrait of Mr. Holmes, keeper of│ 0 1 0
the records in the Tower. │
4. Ancient deeds and seals. │ 0 1 0
5. A view of the Savoy from the river │ 0 1 0
Thames. │
6. The warrant for beheading K. │ 0 1 6
Charles. │
7. An ancient wooden church at │ 0 1 0
Greensted in Essex, the shrine of│
St. Edmund the King and Martyr, │
and the seal of the abbot of St. │
Edmund’s Bury in Suffolk. │
8. Gloucester cross. │ 0 1 0
9. Three tessellated Roman pavements, │ 0 2 0
found at Winterton in │
Lincolnshire, in 1747; with one │
at Roxby, a town in that │
neighbourhood. │
10. Doncaster cross. │ 0 1 0
11. Sandal castle in Yorkshire. │ 0 1 0
12. The Savoy hospital in the Strand, │ 0 1 0
with the chapel. │
13. Clithero castle in Lancashire. │ 0 1 0
14. A plan of the ground and buildings │ 0 1 0
of the Savoy. │
15, 16. A view of the cathedral church and │ 0 3 0
priory of Benedictines at │
Canterbury, with the effigies of │
Eadwin a monk of that convent, │
between the years 1130 and 1174, │
both drawn by himself; with a │
printed account of the said │
drawings. │
17. An ancient lamp in two views, a │ 0 1 0
vase, and two bells, all of │
brass. │
│ ———
Total│ 0 19 6
N. B. All these numbers of the SECOND VOLUME may be had together for
_seventeen shillings_.
Complete sets, or any single numbers, of these prints may be had at Mr.
_Tovey’s_ in _Westminster-hall_, and Mr. _Boydell’s_ the corner of
_Queen street, Cheapside_; and at the Society’s house in _Chancery
lane_.
APOLLO _court_, Fleet street.
APOTHECARIES COMPANY. This company was incorporated with that of the
Grocers by King James I. in the year 1606; but they were soon
separated, and in 1617 incorporated by the name of the Master, Wardens
and Society of the art and mystery of Apothecaries of the city of
London, at which time there were only 104 Apothecaries shops within
the city and suburbs.
This company is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-one
Assistants, to whom belong a livery of 144 members, whose fine is
16_l._ The Apothecaries have the privilege of being exempt from parish
and ward offices.
APOTHECARIES HALL. This edifice is situated in Blackfriars, and has a
pair of gates leading into an open court handsomely paved with broad
stones, at the upper end of which is the hall built with brick and
stone, and adorned with columns of the Tuscan order. The ceiling of
the court room and hall is ornamented with fret work, and the latter
wainscotted fourteen feet high. In the hall room is the portraiture of
King James I. and also the bust of Dr. Gideon Delaun, that King’s
apothecary, who was a considerable benefactor to the company. In this
building are two large laboratories, one chemical, and the other for
galenical preparations, where vast quantities of the best medicines
are prepared, for the use of apothecaries and others, and particularly
of the Surgeons of the royal navy, who here make up their chests.
The Apothecaries company have a spacious and beautiful physic garden
at Chelsea, which contains almost four acres, and is enriched with a
vast variety of plants both domestic and exotic. This was given by Sir
Hans Sloane, Bart. on condition of their paying a quit rent of 5_l._
_per annum_, and annually delivering to the President and Fellows of
the Royal Society, at one of their public meetings, fifty specimens of
different sorts of plants, well cured, and of the growth of this
garden, till the number of specimens amounts to 2000.
APPLEBY’S _court_, Barnaby street.†
APPLEBEE’S SCHOOL is kept in St. Saviour’s churchyard in Southwark, and
was founded in 1681 by Mrs. Dorothy Applebee, who endowed it with
20_l._ _per annum_, for instructing thirty poor boys in reading,
writing and arithmetic.
APPLETREE _yard_, York street, St. James’s square.‡
ARCH _row_, the west side of Lincoln’s inn fields.
ARCHBISHOP’S _wall_, near Lambeth.
ARCH _yard_, Harrison’s court, near Brook street.
ARCHDEACON. As the bishopric of London includes the ancient kingdom of
the East Saxons, which contained the counties of Middlesex, Essex, and
part of Hertfordshire, it has five archdeaconries, _viz._ those of
London, Essex, Middlesex, Colchester, and St. Alban’s. It is the
office of these Archdeacons to visit annually the several cures in
their respective archdeaconries, in order to enquire into the
deportment of the several incumbents, as well as parish officers; to
advise them gravely to reform what is amiss, and in case of contumacy
to inflict pains and penalties, for which they receive procuration
from every parish priest within their jurisdiction.
ARCHES, an ecclesiastical court in Doctors Commons, formerly kept in Bow
church Cheapside, where the church and tower being arched, the court
was from thence called _The Arches_, and still retains the name. As
this is the highest court belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury,
hither all appeals in ecclesiastical matters within that province are
directed. The judge of this court is stiled the _Dean of the Arches_,
from his having a jurisdiction over a Deanry in London, consisting of
13 parishes or peculiars exempt from the Bishop of London’s
jurisdiction. The other officers are a register, or examiner, an
actuary, a beadle or crier, and an apparitor; besides advocates,
procurators, or proctors. See DOCTORS COMMONS.
ARCHER’S _alley_, Peter street, near Bishopsgate street.†
ARCHER _street_, Great Windmill street.†
ARGYLE _buildings_, a new and very handsome street, regularly built,
between Oxford road and Marlborough street; near the center is the
Duke of Argyle’s house, a very plain edifice, with a small area, and a
wall before it.
ARGYLE _street_, great Marlborough street.†
ARLINGTON _street_, runs parallel to the upper end of St. James’s
street, it having Park Place on the south, and Portugal street on the
north. It is magnificently built.
ARMOURERS, a company incorporated by King Henry VI. about the year 1423,
by the title of _The Master and Wardens, Brothers and Sisters of the
fraternity of or guild of St. George, of the men of the mysteries of
the Armourers of the city of London_. The same Prince also honour’d
the company by becoming one of their members. To this company, which
formerly made coats of mail, is united that of the brasiers, who are
jointly governed by a Master, two Wardens, and 21 Assistants. Their
livery consists of eighty members, whose fine is 25_l._
The armourers and brasiers hall is an old plain brick building near
the north east corner of Coleman street.
ARNOLD’S _court_. 1. Barbican. 2. New lane, Shad Thames.†
ARNOLD’S _yard_, Barbican, Aldersgate street.†
ARTICHOKE _alley_. 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Holiwell street, Shoreditch.*
ARTICHOKE _court_. 1. Cannon street, Walbrook.* 2. Whitecross street.*
ARTICHOKE _hill_, Ratcliff Highway.*
ARTICHOKE _lane_. 1. Virginia street.* 2. Near the Hermitage, Wapping.*
3. Newington Causeway, Southwark.*
ARTICHOKE HEAD _lane_, near the Hermitage.*
ARTICHOKE _yard_. 1. Shoreditch.* 2. Newington Causeway, Southwark.*
ARTILLERY GROUND. The Old Artillery Ground was a little north east of
what is now Devonshire square in Bishopsgate street. This was
originally a spacious field called Tassel Close, from its being
planted with tassels for the use of the clothworkers. It was
afterwards let to the cross-bow makers, who used to shoot there; but
being at length inclosed with a brick wall, served as an artillery
ground, to which the gunners of the Tower repaired every Thursday,
when they levelled brass pieces of large artillery against a butt of
earth raised for that purpose. The last Prior of St. Mary Spital
granted to the gunners of the Tower this artillery ground for thrice
ninety nine years, for the use and practice of great and small
artillery; and King Henry VIII. gave the company a charter. Hence this
artillery ground became subject to the Tower; the streets, &c. compose
one of the Tower hamlets, and the inhabitants are still summoned on
juries belonging to the courts held on Tower hill.
In the year 1585, the city being put to great trouble and expence by
the continual musters and training of soldiers, some brave and active
citizens, who had obtained experience both at home and abroad,
voluntarily exercised themselves, and trained up others in the use of
arms, so that within two years there were almost three hundred
merchants, and other persons of distinction, qualified to teach the
common soldiers the management of their guns, pikes, and halberts, as
well as to march and countermarch. These met every Thursday, each
person by turns bearing office from the corporal to the captain, and
some of these gentlemen had the honour of having a body of forces
under their command at the great camp of Tilbury, in the year 1588,
when the Spaniards sent against us their pretended invincible Armada,
and these commanders were generally called Captains of the Artillery
Garden.
This noble exercise became afterwards discontinued for a long time,
but was renewed in the year 1610, when several gentlemen having
obtained the permission of King James I. undertook at their private
expence a weekly exercise in the same artillery ground, and in the
year 1662, erected an armoury, in which they placed 500 sets of arms,
of extraordinary beauty and workmanship. The Artillery company now
greatly increased, and the people resorted to the artillery ground to
learn to defend themselves and their country; and even many gentlemen
from every county went thither to learn martial exercises, in order to
teach them to the militia, in the distant parts of the kingdom.
At length this company being so much increased that this artillery
ground was scarcely able to contain them, for they amounted to about
6000: they removed to the New Artillery Ground near the upper end of
Moorfields, where they still continue to assemble.
King Charles II. when Prince of Wales enlisted himself into this
company, as did his brother James Duke of York, at the same time; who
after the restoration took upon himself the command, and named it his
own company.
The Artillery company consists of about 300 men. It is governed by a
President, Vice-president, Treasurer and Court of Assistants. The Lord
Mayor, Aldermen and Sheriffs for the time being, &c. with the Field
Officers of the militia or trained bands, are of the honorary court,
these with 24 gentlemen annually elected, compose the court of
Assistants. His Majesty is Captain-General, and all the other officers
are elected annually, and serve by rotation.
The New Artillery Ground is a spacious square walled round. In the
center of the north side is the Armoury, a neat building of brick and
stone strengthened with rustic quoins at the corners; before it is a
flight of steps, and there are a few others at the door, which is in
the center, and is large, lofty, and adorned with a porch formed by
two Tuscan columns and two pilasters supporting a balcony. The front
is ornamented with a pediment supported at the corners by quoins. On
the top are placed several large balls, and on the apex of the
pediment is a lofty flag staff. On each side the main building, stands
at some distance backwards a small edifice, where the provisions are
dress’d at the company’s feasts. The hall of the armoury is hung round
with breast-plates, helmets and drums; and fronting the entrance is a
handsome pair of iron gates which lead to a spacious staircase,
painted with military ornaments, and adorned with the statue of a man
dressed in a compleat suit of armour. This staircase leads into a very
spacious room, which has the King’s arms over one fire place, and
those of the company over the other. It has two chandeliers, and is
adorned with very fine guns, swords and bayonets, presented by the
officers of the company, and handsomely disposed on the walls. There
are here also tables hung up, containing the names of the subscribers
to the iron gates and other ornaments, among whom is King George I.
who gave 500_l._ Besides the rooms already mentioned, there are two
others above, and two below.
ARTILLERY _court_, Prince’s row, Finsbury, so called from the artillery
ground near it.
ARTILLERY _lane_. 1. Bishopsgate street without, thus named from its
being built on the Old Artillery ground. 2. Fair street, Horsley down.
ARTILLERY _street_, near Bishopsgate without, Spitalfields. It had also
its name from its being built on the old artillery ground there.
_Society for the encouragement of_ ARTS, MANUFACTURES _and_ COMMERCE.
The public spirit of this age is perhaps in no instance more
remarkably shewn than in the flourishing condition of this valuable
Society, whose sole object is the improvement of the polite and
commercial arts in all their various branches, by exciting industry
and emulation amongst all who can be moved either by honorary or
pecuniary rewards. It was set on foot by Lord Folkstone, Lord Romney,
Dr. Hales, and seven or eight private gentlemen, who were brought
together by the unwearied pains of Mr. William Shipley, a person
little known, who had long laboured to reduce into practice a scheme
he had projected for this purpose. Their first meeting was at
Rathmill’s coffee-house, March 22d 1754, when those noble Lords
approved and patronized the undertaking. At their next meeting they
determined to make a beginning, by proposing rewards for the discovery
of cobalt, for the encouragement of boys and girls in the art of
drawing, (thereby to improve manufactures in taste and elegance,) and
for the planting of madder in this kingdom. And now money being
wanted, a voluntary subscription was begun, to which the two noblemen
before named, did not only generously contribute much more than they
would let appear, but engaged moreover to make good the deficiencies
at the end of the year: a promise they most honourably fulfilled. Soon
after this, a plan was drawn up by one of the members (Mr. Baker) for
forming, regulating and governing the Society, which being printed and
dispersed, the great utility of such a society became so well
understood, that immediately several noblemen and gentlemen offered
themselves as members, and ever since that time its increase has been
so extraordinary, that it consists at present of above 1000 members,
many of whom are of the greatest quality and fortune: and it can now
afford to offer premiums to the amount of near 2000_l._ _per annum_.
The officers of this Society are a President, eight Vice-presidents, a
Register, and a Secretary; and these are to be chosen by ballot
annually on the first Tuesday in March. Every person desiring to be a
member of this Society, must be proposed by some member of the same at
one of their meetings, by delivering in the name, addition, and place
of abode of such person, signed by himself; which must be read by the
Secretary, and balloted for at the next meeting, and if two thirds of
the members then present are for admitting such person, he shall be
deemed a perpetual member on payment of twenty guineas, or a
subscribing member on payment of any sum not less than two guineas,
and continuing such payment annually: but tho’ two guineas a year is
the most common subscription, all the members that are noblemen, and
even some gentlemen, subscribe five guineas, and several others four
or three. There are also ladies that are subscribers; eminent
foreigners are likewise admitted to be honorary members. At first they
had a Treasurer, but now their money is placed in the Bank of England,
in the names of the President and Vice-presidents, three whereof are
impowered to draw any sum the Society shall order to be paid. And the
accounts of the receipts and payments are constantly examined and
balanced on the last day of every month, by a committee appointed for
that purpose. Their proceedings are regulated by a body of rules and
orders established by the whole Society, and printed for the use of
the members. All questions and debates are determined by holding up of
hands, or by ballot if required, and no matter can be confirmed
without the assent of a majority at two meetings. They invite all the
world to propose subjects for encouragement, and whatever is deemed
deserving attention is referred to the consideration of a committee,
which after due enquiry and deliberation make their report to the
whole Society, where it is approved, rejected or altered. A list is
printed and published every year, of the matters for which they
propose to give premiums, which premiums are either sums of money, and
those sometimes very considerable ones, or the Society’s medal in gold
or silver[1], which they consider as the greatest honour they can
bestow. All possible care is taken to prevent partiality in the
distribution of their premiums, by desiring the claimants names may be
concealed, and by appointing committees, (who when they find occasion
call to their assistance the most skilful artists) for the strict
examination of the real merit of all matters and things brought before
them, in consequence of their premiums.
Footnote 1:
The weight of the Society’s medal in gold is about six guineas, and
proportionably in silver. On one side Minerva, as Goddess of Wisdom,
is represented introducing Mercury with a purse in his hand, as the
God of commercial arts, to Britannia sitting on a globe: the
inscription in the Circle, ARTS. AND. COMMERCE. PROMOTED. at the
Bottom, SOCIETY. INST. LONDON. MDCCLIIII. on the reverse is only a
wreath of laurel, the rest being left blank, that the name of the
person to whom, and the occasion for which each medal is given, may
be engraved thereon. The dye was made by Mr. Pingo, and is thought
to be well done.
The Society’s office is opposite to Beaufort Buildings in the Strand:
their meetings are every Wednesday evening at six o’clock, from the
second Wednesday in November to the last Wednesday in May, and at
other times on the first and third Wednesday of every month. They are
exceedingly well attended, and ’tis pleasing to behold with how
laudable a zeal every one endeavours to promote the public good, by
encouraging whatever may improve the arts and manufactures, or
increase the commerce of this kingdom and its colonies. They are not
incorporated, nor seem much to want a charter, as their business can
be carried on very well without one, and the expence would be too
considerable; but it is hoped their generous disinterested intentions,
and their extensive views to promote the trade, the riches and honour
of their country, will in time recommend them to partake the royal
bounty, and that they will long continue to prove themselves to be,
what they are at present, as respectable and useful a society as ever
was established in any nation.
ARUNDEL _stairs_, Arundel street.†
ARUNDEL _street_, Strand, so called from Lord Arundel’s house there.
ARUNDELIAN LIBRARY. See ROYAL SOCIETY.
ASHENTREE _court_. 1. White Friars. 2. Shoreditch.
ASHFORD, a village near Stains in Middlesex, adorned with the seats of
the Earl of Kinoul, and the Duke of Argyle.
ASHTED, a village in Surrey, near Epsom Wells, in one of the finest
situations in England, was lately in the possession of Sir Robert
Howard, brother to the Earl of Berkshire, who erected a noble edifice
in this place, which he enclosed with a park. This afterwards became
the estate and seat of Mr. Fielding, uncle to the late Earl of
Denbigh. The church, which stands on the side of the park, has several
fine monuments.
ASKE’S HOSPITAL, a handsome edifice at Hoxton, erected by the
Haberdasher’s company in the year 1692, pursuant to the will of Robert
Aske, Esq; who left 30,000_l._ for building and endowing it, in order
to afford lodging and board for twenty poor men of that company, and
for as many boys to be instructed in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
Each of the pensioners hath an apartment consisting of three neat
rooms, with proper diet at a common table, and firing; the annual sum
of 3_l._ and a gown every second year: which, together with the
salaries of the chaplain, clerk, butler, porter, and other domestics,
amount to about 800_l._ _per annum_.
A plan of the building was drawn by Dr. Hook, a learned mathematician
of Gresham College, and upon his model it was erected in an
advantageous situation, fronting the east, with grass plats before it,
adorned with rows of lime trees, and inclosed with a handsome wall and
iron gates. On the piers of the great gates at the south end, are two
stone statues, representing two of Aske’s Hospital men, in full
proportion. The principal part of the building is only one story high
with garrets; where a portico with twenty-one stone pillars extends on
a line on each side of the chapel, which is placed in the middle, and
on each side above these pillars is a range of twenty-two very small
windows. The pillars of the chapel extend to the top of the first
story, and that edifice rising considerably above the rest of the
building, is terminated by a handsome pediment; with a clock, under
which is the effigies of the founder in stone, cloathed in his gown,
and holding in his hand a roll of parchment, which seems to be his
last will. Under him is the following inscription:
ROBERTO ASKE _Armigero, hujus Hospitii
Fundatori, Socie. Haberda. B. M. P. C._
And on one side of him is this inscription:
_Anno Christi_ MDCLXXXII. _Societas
Haberdasheorum_ de London _hoc Hospitium
condiderunt, ex Legato & Testamento_
ROBERTI ASKE _Armigeri, ejusdem Societatis;
ad viginti Senum Alimenta, &
totidem Puerorum Educationem._
On the other side this inscription:
_The worshipful Company of Haberdashers
built this Hospital, pursuant to the gift
and trust of_ R. ASKE, _Esq; a late
worthy Member of it, for the relief of
twenty poor Members, and for the Education
of twenty Boys, sons of decayed Freemen
of that company._
Fronting the entrance of the chapel is a large pair of very handsome
iron gates, and at each end of the hospital is an edifice of the same
height as the chapel.
ASS _park_, Wheeler street, Spitalfields.
ASSURANCE OFFICE, for granting annuities to be paid to the heirs of a
person after his death. See AMICABLE SOCIETY. For the offices of
Assurance from fire, &c. see the names by which they are
distinguished, as HAND IN HAND, LONDON, UNION, SUN FIRE OFFICE, &c.
ASYLUM, or House of Refuge for Orphans and other deserted girls of the
poor, within the bills of mortality, situated near Westminster-bridge,
on the Surrey side. Underneath the article MAGDALEN HOSPITAL, the
reader will find a noble foundation formed for the reception of those
unhappy women, who have been abandoned to vice; but wisely repenting
of their folly, resolve to reform. This charitable foundation of which
we are now going to give a description, was founded at the same time,
in order to preserve poor friendless and deserted girls, from the
miseries and dangers to which they would be exposed, and from the
guilt of prostitution.
The evils this charity is intended to prevent, are not chimerical, but
founded on facts. It too often happens, that by the death of the
father, a mother intitled to no relief from any parish, is left with
several helpless children, to be supplied from her industry; her
resource for subsistence is usually to some low occupation, scarcely
sufficient to afford bread and cloathing, and rarely the means of
instruction. What then must become of the daughters of such parents,
poor and illiterate as they are, and thereby exposed to every
temptation? Necessity may make them prostitutes, even before their
passions can have any share in their guilt. Among these unhappy
objects, very agreeable features are frequently seen disguised amidst
dirt and rags, and this still exposes them to greater hazards; for
these are the girls which the vile procuress seeks after; she trepans
them to her brothel, even while they are yet children, and she cleans
and dresses them up for prostitution. But what is still more dreadful,
maternal duty and affection have been so thoroughly obliterated, that
even mothers themselves have been the seducers: they have insnared
their children to the house of the procuress, and shared with her the
infamous gain of initiating their daughters in lewdness: or if this
has not been the case, they have too often been prevailed on, for a
trifling consideration, to conceal and forgive the crime of the
infamous bawd.
These and other considerations induced a number of Noblemen and
Gentlemen, who had approved of a proposal from John Fielding, Esq; one
of the Justices for the Liberties of Westminster, to hold their first
meeting on the 10th of May 1758, for carrying into execution a plan of
this Asylum. Several other meetings were soon after held, in which the
rules and orders for the reception and management of the children were
established, and the lease of a house, lately the Hercules Inn near
Westminster-bridge, agreed for. This house was soon fitted up, and
furnished, and the first children admitted on the 5th of July
following.
The rules and orders established are as follows:
I. The qualification of a perpetual Guardian is a benefaction of
thirty guineas or upwards, at one payment.
II. That of an annual Guardian is a subscription of three guineas or
upwards per annum.
III. Ladies subscribing the said sums, will be considered as Guardians
of this charity, and have a right of voting at all general elections,
by proxy, such proxy being a Guardian, or they may send a letter to
the board, naming therein the person they vote for, which shall be
considered as their vote. It is esteemed by the Guardians a benefit to
the charity, for the Ladies occasionally to visit the house, and
inspect the management of the children; the matron being ordered to
attend such Ladies, and to give them all necessary information: and,
whatever observations they may then make, or whatever hints, at other
times, may occur to them, for the good of the charity, if they will be
pleased to transmit them by letter to the Secretary, or to the
Committee, who meet every Wednesday in the forenoon at the Asylum,
they will be immediately taken into consideration, and have all
respectful regard shewn to them.
IV. Those Gentlemen and Ladies, who have already subscribed lesser
sums than thirty guineas, by making up their subscriptions to that
sum, within a year, will be entered in the subscription book as
perpetual Guardians.
V. There is to be an annual general meeting of the Guardians on the
second Wednesday in March.
VI. A general quarterly meeting is to be held on the second Wednesday
in July, the second Wednesday in January, the second Wednesday in
April, and the second Wednesday in October, for auditing the accounts,
and making laws and rules for the government of the charity, and for
other business.
VII. A Committee is appointed, to consist of thirty Guardians, who are
to meet every Wednesday at eleven o’clock in the forenoon at the
Asylum, to transact the business of the charity; and they are, from
time to time, to report their proceedings to the following general
court, and any three of the said gentlemen constitute a quorum. In
these Committees are a President, Vice-president, and a Treasurer.
VIII. The officers and servants of the house, are a Physician, two
Surgeons, an Apothecary and a Chaplain.
A Secretary, who keeps the accounts of the hospital, and does all such
other business as is commonly done by Secretaries, Clerks, and
Registers, at other charities.
A Matron, who superintends the affairs of the house, takes care of the
provisions and furniture, delivers an account of the current expences
weekly to the Secretary, to be laid before the Committee. She is to
see that the children are properly employed, that they are attentive
to their learning, and that they behave with decency; that the
teachers do their duty, and that they treat the children with
humanity. The servants under her, are teachers of reading, knitting,
sewing, &c. a cook, a house-maid, and a servant man.
IX. The objects to be admitted are Orphans, the daughters of
necessitous parents, residing in parishes where they have no relief,
and deserted girls within the bills of mortality, from eight to twelve
years of age; but infirm children are not admitted, as the objects of
this charity are to be constantly employed in every branch of good
housewifry.
X. Each object applying for admission, must produce such certificate
of her age and necessity, as shall be satisfactory to the Guardians
then present; and in all cases, wherein, during the infancy of this
Asylum, more objects shall apply for admission than the Asylum can at
once receive, the names of the objects not admitted are entered in a
book kept for that purpose, and a notice is sent to the persons,
signifying the certificate of each child, of the first opportunity of
taking in such children that shall happen afterwards; in filling up
all which, the children, before refused, have the preference as they
stand upon the entry: each of the above certificates must be signed by
two substantial housekeepers, of the parish where the object resides.
XI. The children are regularly and alternately employed in reading,
knitting, sewing, and in the business of the kitchen, to which latter
employment four are appointed weekly, to be with the cook, to assist
her, and to receive from her the necessary instructions in plain
cookery, curing provisions, and other employments of the kitchen. They
likewise make the beds, clean the rooms, assist in washing, and
ironing the linen, and in other household business, according to their
respective ages and abilities, at the discretion of the matron.
XII. The Chaplain on Sundays preaches, and performs the other parts of
divine service, and catechises the children. Prayers also are read on
the other days of the week, by the matron or teacher; and some portion
of scripture is read by those of the children who are best able. They
have also, each of them, a common prayer book, and the new testament;
and other good books are likewise provided for them.
The number of children in the house in April 1759, were forty-two, and
the sums raised for the support of this charitable foundation, at the
same time, amounted to 2032_l._ 4_s._ 9_d._
AUDLEY’S _rents_, Whitecross street.†
AUDLEY _street_, Grosvenor square.†
AVE-MARY _lane_, Ludgate street. See PATER-NOSTER ROW.
AVERY _farm_, Chelsea.
AVERY _row_, by May-fair.
AUGMENTATION OFFICE in Dean’s yard, Westminster. This office belongs to
a corporation, established by an act passed in the second and third
years of the reign of Queen Anne, for the better maintenance of the
poor Clergy, by the augmentation of small livings. This body corporate
consists of the Lords of the Privy Council, the Lords Lieutenants and
Custos Rotulorum, the Archbishops, Bishops, and Deans of cathedrals,
the Judges, the King’s Serjeants at law, the Attorney, Sollicitor, and
Advocate General, the Chancellors and Vice-Chancellors of the
Universities, the Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London, and the Mayors of
all other cities within the kingdom; seven of whom may compose a
court, provided three of that number be a Privy Counsellor, a Bishop,
a Judge, or one of the King’s Council, and this court may appoint
committees of Governors, and invest them with such powers as they
think proper.
The business of the Governors is to find out the value of every
benefice under 80_l._ a Year, with the distance of each from London,
&c. and to lay the state thereof before his Majesty, with the value of
the tenths, first-fruits, &c. in order that the royal bounty may be
applied to support those of the clergy, who are in the greatest
distress: and this corporation has actually augmented a great number
of small livings.
AUSTIN FRIARS, near Broad street, was a priory founded for the Friars
Eremites, of the order of St. Augustine, in the year 1253, by Humphrey
Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, The Friars of this priory were
Mendicants, and continued in the possession of this place till its
dissolution by King Henry VIII. since which time the greatest part has
been pulled down, and many handsome houses built; but a part of the
old church belonging to the priory is still standing. King Edward VI.
granted all the church, except the choir, to a congregation of
Germans, and other strangers, who fled hither for the sake of
religion, ordering it to be called _the Temple of the Lord Jesus_, and
several successive Princes have confirmed it to the Dutch, by whom it
is still used as a place of divine worship. It is a large and spacious
Gothic edifice, supported by two rows of stone pillars. At the east
end are several steps, which lead to a large platform, on which is
placed a long table with seats against the wall, and forms round, for
the use of the Holy Communion, and the windows on one side have
painted on them in several places, the words JESUS TEMPLE. On the west
end over the screen is a library, thus inscribed, _Ecclesiæ
Londino-Belgicæ Bibliotheca, extructa sumptibus_ Mariæ Dubois 1659. It
contains several valuable manuscripts, among which are the letters of
Calvin, Peter Martyr, and other foreign reformers.
_St._ AUSTIN’S _Church_, at the north west corner of Watling street, in
the ward of Faringdon within, was dedicated to St. Austin the monk,
the English Apostle. The old church having suffered in the dreadful
conflagration in 1666, has been rebuilt, and the parish of St. Faith
united to it. It is a rectory, and the advowson is in the Dean and
Chapter of St. Paul’s. The Rector receives 172_l._ _per annum_ in lieu
of tithes.
AUSTIN _street_, in Castle street, near Shoreditch.
AX _alley_, Leadenhall street.*
AX _yard_. 1. King’s street, Westminster.* 2. Norfolk street in the
Strand.* 3. Little Britain.* 4. Blackman street.* 5. King’s street,
Blackman street.*
AX AND BOTTLE _yard_, St. Margaret’s hill.*
AYLOFFE _street_, Goodman’s Fields.†
AYRE’S ALMSHOUSE, in White’s alley, Coleman street, was founded by Mr.
Christopher Ayre, Merchant, for six poor men and their wives, who
committed it to the care of the Leather-sellers company, who annually
pay each couple 4_l._
[Illustration: Decoration]
B.
BAB’S _alley_, Mint street, Southwark.†
BAB’S _mays_, or _mews_, Jermain street.†
BACK _alley_. 1. Back hill, Hatton wall.§ 2. Back hill, Southwark.§ 3.
Bear alley, Fleet ditch.§ 4. Bowling alley, Westminster.§ 5. Bridge
yard, Tooley street.§ 6. St. Catharine’s lane.§ 7. Church lane, Tooley
street.§ 8. Church lane, Whitechapel.§ 9. Churchyard alley, Tooley
street.§ 10. Cloth fair, West Smithfield.§ 11. Crown court, King’s
street, Tooley street.§ 12. East lane, Rotherhith.§ 13. Great garden,
St. Catharine’s lane.§ 14. Green bank, Wapping.§ 15. March street,
Wapping.§ 16. St. Martin’s le Grand.§ 17. Mill street.§ 18. Playhouse
yard, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.§ 19. Three Foxes court, Long
lane, West Smithfield.§
BACK _court_, Symond’s Inn, Chancery lane.
BACK _hill_. 1. Hatton wall.§ 2. Southwark.§
BACK _lane_. 1. Bethnal green.§ 2. Elephant lane, Rotherhith.§ 3.
Hackney.§ 4. Islington.§ 5. Lambeth Butts.* 6. Lambeth marsh.§ 7. Near
Rag fair, Rosemary lane.§ 8. Near Sun Tavern fields.§ 9. Three Hammer
alley, Tooley street.§
BACK _Round court_ in the Strand.§
BACK _side_. 1. St. Clement’s in the Strand.§ 2. Middle Shadwell.§
BACK _street_. 1. Cloth fair.§ 2. Horsley down.§ 3. Lambeth.§ 4. St.
Clement’s Danes.§ 5. Old street square.§
BACK STREET SCHOOL, at Lambeth, was founded by Archbishop Tenison, about
the year 1704, for the education of poor girls, who are cloathed and
taught: they are at present twenty; but their number is to be
increased according to the improvement of the estate. _Maitland._
BACK _way_, near Shepherd’s Market, Curzon street.§
BACK _yard_. 1. Angel alley, Little Moorfields.§ 2. Bell alley, Coleman
street, Lothbury.§ 3. Brick lane, Old street.§ 4. Bullhead court,
Jewin street.§ 5. Great Garden, St. Catharine’s.§ 6. Little
Bartholomew close.§ 7. Marigold lane.§ 8. Newcastle street.§ 9.
Nightingale lane.§ 10. Old Gravel lane.§ 11. Pelican court, Little
Britain.§ 12. Peter lane, St. John’s street.§ 13. Pickleherring
street. 14. Redcross alley, Jewin street.§ 15. Richmond street.§ 16.
Ropemaker’s fields, Limehouse.§ 17. Rotherhith wall.§ 18. Rupert
street.§ 19. Saltpetre bank. 20. Shakespear’s walk.§ 21. Shipwright
street, Rotherhith.§ 22. Short’s street.§ 23. Silver street, Tooley
street.§ 24. St. Margaret’s hill.§ 25. St. Saviour’s Dock head.§ 26.
Stamford buildings.§ 27. Star street, Wapping wall.§ 28. Sun alley,
Golden lane.§ 29. Swan alley, Golden lane. 30. Three Colt street.§ 31.
Tooley street.§ 32. Turnmill street, Cowcross.§ 33. Vineyard.§ 34.
Upper Ground street.§ 35. Upper Well alley, Wapping.§ 36. Wentworth
street.§ 37. White’s yard, Rosemary lane.§ 38. Woolpack alley,
Houndsditch.§
BACK CLOISTER _yard_, Westminster.§
BACK _Brook street_, David street, by Grosvenor square.
BACON _alley_, Woolpack alley, Shoreditch.
BACON _street_. 1. Brick lane, Spitalfields.* 2. Club row, Spitalfields.
BADGER’S _alley_, Shoreditch.†
BADGER’S _Almshouse_, at Hoxton, was founded by Mrs. Allen Badger, in
the year 1698, for six poor men and their wives, who are only allowed
twenty shillings a year each couple.
BADGER’S _rents_, St. John’s passage, St. John’s street.†
BAG AND BOTTLE _alley_, Old street.*
BAG AND BOTTLE _yard_, Old street.*
BAGNEL’S _rents_, Denmark street.†
BAGNIO _court_, Newgate street, thus named from the Bagnio there.
BAGNIO _lane_, leading into Bagnio court, Newgate street.
BAGSHAW’S _rents_, Portpool lane, Leather lane.†
BAILEY’S _alley_, in the Strand.†
BAILEY’S _court_, 1. Bell yard, Fleet street.† 2. Cock hill.† 3. Fashion
street.† 4. Sheer lane.† 5. In the Strand.†
BAILEY’S _place_, Little Tower hill.†
BAILEY’S _yard_, Broadway, Westminster.†
BAINHAM’S _street_, Southwark.†
BAIN’S _hill_, Upper Shadwell.†
BAKEHOUSE _court_, Godalmin street.
BAKERS, this company is very ancient, though it does not appear to have
been incorporated till about the year 1307. It is governed by a
Master, four Wardens, thirty Assistants, and 195 Livery men, whose
fine is 10_l._
BAKERS HALL, a plain edifice in Hart lane, Tower street, and formerly
the dwelling house of John Chicheley, Chamberlain of London.
BAKER’S _alley_. 1. Church lane, Whitechapel.† 2. Farmer’s street,
Shadwell.† 3. Goswell street.† 4. Hart street.† 5. King’s street,
Westminster.† 6. Monkwell street.† 7. St. John’s street.† 8. In the
Strand. 9. Stony lane.† 10. Swallow street.†
BAKER’S ARMS _alley_, Rosemary lane.*
BAKER’S _buildings_, Old Bethlem.†
BAKER’S _court_, Halfmoon alley, Bishopsgate street.†
BAKER’S _passage_, Jermain street.†
BAKER’S _row_. 1. Cold Bath fields.† 2. Whitechapel.†
BAKER’S _yard_. 1. Tower hill. 2. Milford lane.
BALAAM’S _court_, King David’s Fort.
BALDWIN’S _court_. 1. Baldwin’s gardens.† 2. White street.* 3. Cloak
lane, Dowgate hill.†
BALDWIN’S _gardens_, Leather lane.†
BALDWIN’S _square_, Baldwin’s gardens.†
BALDWIN’S _street_, Old street.†
BALDWIN’S _yard_. 1. Baldwin’s gardens. 2. Narrow alley, Stone lane.†
BALE’S _court_, Cow cross, Smithfield.†
BALL _alley_. 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Cannon street.* 3. Kingsland
road.* 4. Lime street, Leadenhall street.* 5. Lombard street.* 6.
London Wall.* 7. Long alley, Moorfields.* 8. St. Catharine’s lane.* 9.
Wheeler street, Spitalfields.*
BALL _court_. 1. Giltspur street, without Newgate.* 2. Mincing lane,
Fenchurch street.* 3. Old Bailey.* 4. Poor Jury lane, within Aldgate.*
BALL _yard_. 1. Beech lane.* 2. Giltspur street.* 3. Golden lane.*
BALLAST _wharf_. 1. Cock hill, Ratcliff. 2. Lower Shadwell.
BALSOVER _street_, Oxford street.†
BAMBURY _court_, Long Acre.
BANCROFT’S beautiful Almshouse, School and Chapel at Mile End, were
erected by the Drapers company in the year 1735, pursuant to the will
of Mr. Francis Bancroft, who bequeathed to that company the sum of
28,000_l._ and upwards, in real and personal estates, for purchasing a
site, and building upon it an almshouse, with convenient apartments
for twenty-four almsmen, a chapel, and school room for 100 poor boys,
and two dwelling-houses for the schoolmasters, and endowing the same.
He also ordered that each of the almsmen should have 8_l._ and half a
chaldron of coals yearly, and a gown of baize every third year; that
the school boys should be cloathed and taught reading, writing and
arithmetic; that each of the masters, besides their houses, should
have a salary of 30_l._ _per annum_, and the yearly sum of 20_l._ for
coals and candles, for their use, and that of the school; with a
sufficient allowance for books, paper, pens and ink; that the
committee of the court of assistants should have 5_l._ for a dinner,
at their annual visitation of the almshouse and school; and that 3_l._
10_s._ should be given for two half yearly sermons to be preached in
the parish churches of St. Helen and St. Michael Cornhill, or
elsewhere, in commemoration of this foundation, at which the almsmen
and boys were to be present. To each of these boys, when put out
apprentices, he gave 4_l._ but if they were put to service they were
to have no more than 2_l._ 10_s._ to buy them cloaths.
The edifice is not only neat but extremely elegant, consisting of two
wings and a center detached from both of them. In the middle of the
front is the chapel, before which is a noble portico, with Ionic
columns, and coupled pilasters at the corners, supporting a pediment,
in the plane of which is the dial. There is an ascent to the portico
by a flight of steps, and over the chapel is a handsome turret. On
each side of the portico, are two houses like those in the wings. The
construction of the wings is uniform, lofty and convenient: twelve
doors in each open in a regular series, and the windows are of a
moderate size, numerous, and proportioned to the apartments they are
to enlighten. The square is surrounded with gravel walks. with a large
grass plat in the middle, and next the road the wall is adorned with
handsome iron rails and gates. In short, the ends of the wings next
the road being placed at a considerable distance from it, the whole is
seen in a proper point of view, and appears to the greatest advantage.
It is worthy of remark, that this Bancroft, who left so large a sum
for erecting and endowing this fine hospital, and even ordered two
sermons to be annually preached in commemoration of his charity, was,
according to the last edition of _Stow’s Survey_, one of the Lord
Mayor’s officers, and by informations and summoning the citizens
before the Lord Mayor, upon the most trifling occasions, and other
things not belonging to his office, not only pillaged the poor but
also many of the rich, who rather than lose time in appearing before
that Magistrate, gave money to get rid of this common pest of the
citizens, which, together with his numerous quarterages from the
brokers, &c. enabled him to amass annually a considerable sum of
money. But by these and other mercenary practices, he so incurred the
hatred and ill-will of the citizens of all ranks and denominations,
that the persons who attended his funeral obsequies, with great
difficulty saved his corpse from being jostled off the bearers
shoulders in the church, by the enraged populace, who seizing the
bells, rang them for joy at his unlamented death.
BANDYLEG _alley_, Fleet ditch.║
BANDYLEG _walk_. 1. Maiden lane, near Deadman’s place.║ 2. Queen street,
in the Park, Southwark.║
BANE _court_, Cold Bath square.
BANGOR _court_. 1. Shoe lane. 2. White street.
[Illustration: _S. Wale_ _J. Green sc. Oxon._ _The Bank._]
BANK OF ENGLAND. This is a noble edifice, situated at the east of St.
Christopher’s church, near the west end of Threadneedle street. The
front next the street is about 80 feet in length, and is of the Ionic
order raised on a rustic basement, as is represented in the print, and
is in a good style. Through this you pass into the court yard, in
which is the hall. This is of the Corinthian order, and in the middle
is a pediment. The top of the building is adorned with a balustrade
and handsome vases, and in the face of the above pediment is engraved,
in relievo, the Company’s seal, Britannia sitting with her shield and
spear, and at her feet a Cornucopia, pouring out fruit. The hall,
which is in this last building, is 79 feet in length, and 40 in
breadth; it is wainscoted about eight feet high; has a fine fretwork
ceiling, and is adorned with the statue of King William III. which
stands in a nich at the upper end; on the pedestal of which is the
following inscription:
Ob
Legibus vim,
Judiciis Auctoritatem,
Senatui Dignitatem,
Civibus universis Jura sua,
Tam Sacra, quam Civilia Restituta,
Et illustrissimæ Domus Hannoverianæ
In Imperium Britannicum Successione
Posteris confirmata,
Optimo Principi,
GULIELMO TERTIO,
Conditiori suo,
Grato Animo posuit, dicavitque
Hujus Ærarii Societas,
A. C. MDCCXXXIV. harumque Ædium. I.
_In English thus_:
For restoring efficacy to the Laws,
Authority to the Courts of Justice,
Dignity to the Parliament,
To all his Subjects their Religion and Liberties,
And confirming these to Posterity,
By the succession of the illustrious House of Hanover
To the British Throne,
To the best of Princes, WILLIAM THE THIRD,
Founder of the Bank,
This Corporation, from a Sense of Gratitude,
Has erected this Statue,
And dedicated it to his Memory,
In the Year of our Lord MDCCXXXIV.
And the first Year of this Building.
Farther backward is another quadrangle, with an arcade on the east and
west sides of it; and on the north side is the accomptant’s office,
which is 60 feet long, and 28 feet broad. Over this, and the other
sides of the quadrangle, are handsome apartments, with a fine
staircase adorned with fretwork, and under it are large vaults, that
have strong walls and iron gates, for the preservation of the cash.
The back entrance from Bartholomew lane is by a grand gateway, which
opens into a commodious and spacious court yard for coaches, or
waggons, that frequently come loaded with gold and silver bullion; and
in the room fronting the gate the transfer office is kept.
The Bank was established by act of Parliament in the year 1693, under
the title of _The Governor and Company of the Bank of England_, in
consideration of a loan of 1,200,000_l._ granted to the government,
for which the subscribers received eight _per cent._ By this charter,
the Company are not to borrow under their common seal, unless by act
of parliament; they are not to trade, or suffer any person in trust
for them to trade in goods or merchandize; but may deal in bills of
exchange, in buying or selling bullion, and foreign gold, or silver
coin, &c.
By an act passed in the 8th and 9th years of the reign of King William
III. they were empowered to enlarge their capital to 2,201,171_l._
10_s._ It was then also enacted, that bank stock should be a personal
and not a real estate; that no contract, either in word or writing,
for buying or selling bank stock, should be good in law, unless
registered in the books of the bank within seven days, and the stock
transferred within fourteen days; and that it should be felony,
without benefit of clergy, to counterfeit the common seal of the Bank,
any sealed bank bill, any bank note, or to alter or erase such bills
or notes.
In the 7th of Queen Anne, the Company were, by another act, impowered
to increase their capital to 4,402,343_l._ and at the same time they
advanced 400,000_l._ more to the government; and in 1714, they
advanced the sum of 1,500,000_l._
In the third year of the reign of King George I. the interest of their
capital was reduced to 5_l._ _per cent._ when the Bank agreed to
deliver up as many Exchequer bills as amounted to two millions, and to
accept of an annuity of 100,000_l._ _per annum_. It was also declared
lawful for the Bank to call for from their members, in proportion to
their interests in the capital stock, such sums, as in a general court
should be found necessary; but if any member should neglect to pay his
share of the money so called for, at the time appointed, by notice in
the London Gazette and fixed up in the Royal Exchange, it should be
lawful for the Bank, not only to stop the dividend of such member, and
to apply it towards the payment of the money so called for, but also
to stop the transfers of such defaulter, and to charge him with an
interest of 5_l._ _per cent._ _per annum_, for the money so omitted to
be paid; and if the principal and interest should be three months
unpaid, the Bank should have power to sell so much of the stock
belonging to the defaulter as would satisfy the same. This stock is
now called Bank Circulation, every proprietor of which receives 5_l._
_per cent._ _per annum_, but is obliged to advance, if called for,
1000_l._ for every 100_l._ so paid in.
The Bank afterwards consented to have the interest of two millions
still due from the government, reduced from 5 to 4 _per cent._ The
Company also purchased several other annuities, that were afterwards
redeemed by the government, and the national debt due to the Bank was
reduced to 1,600,000.
At length in 1742, the Company agreed to supply the government with
1,600,000_l._ at 3_l._ _per cent._, by which means the government
became indebted to the Company 3,200,000_l._ the one half carrying 4,
and the other 3 _per cent._
In 1746, the Company consented that the sum of 986,800_l._ due to them
in Exchequer bills unsatisfied, on the duties for licences to sell
spirituous liquors by retail, should be cancelled, and in lieu thereof
to accept of an annuity of 39,442_l._ the interest of that sum at
4_l._ _per cent._ The Company also agreed to advance the farther sum
of 1,000,000_l._ upon the credit of the duties arising by the malt and
land tax, at 4_l._ _per cent._ for Exchequer bills to be issued for
that purpose, in consideration of which the Company were enabled to
augment their capital with 986,800_l._ the interest of which, as well
as that of the other annuities, was reduced to 3_l._ 10_s._ _per
cent._ till the 25th of December 1757, and from that time they carry
only 3_l._ _per cent._
In short, several other sums have since been raised by the Bank for
the service of the government: but the above is sufficient to give a
full idea of the nature of the several species of annuities; only it
may be proper to add, that what is called Bank Stock is entirely
distinct from these, and may not improperly be termed, the trading
stock of the Company, since with this they discount bills, and deal
very largely in foreign gold, &c. which they only buy by weight, which
trade is so very considerable, as to render a share in this stock very
valuable, tho’ it is not equal in value to the East India stock. The
Company make dividends of the profits half yearly. _Pocket Library._
* * * * *
The transfer days at the Bank altered in 1758, are now as follows:
Bank stock, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Reduced annuities, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Three _per cent._ 1726, }
Consolidated annuities, } ditto.
Three _per cent._ 1757, }
Three ½ _per cent._ 1756, }
Three ½ _per cent._ 1758, } Tu. and T
The hour of transfer is from eleven to twelve o’clock, and the hours of
payment of dividends from nine to eleven, and from twelve to one; except
on the following Holidays.
Holidays at the Bank.
January│
1│Circumcision
6│Epiphany
25│St. Paul.
30│K. Charles I. Mart.
──────────┼────────────────────
Feb.│
2│Purific. V. Mary
24│St. Matthias
──────────┼────────────────────
Mar.│
25│Lady Day
──────────┼────────────────────
April│
23│St. George
25│St. Mark
26│D. of Cumb. born
──────────┼────────────────────
May│
1│St. Philip & Jac.
29│K. Ch. II. restor.
──────────┼────────────────────
June│
4│Pr. Wales born
11│St. Barnabas
21│Midsummer Day
22│Inaug. K. Geo. II.
24│St. John Baptist
26│K. Geo. II. pro.
29│St. Peter & Paul
──────────┼────────────────────
July│
25│St. James
──────────┼────────────────────
Aug.│
1│Lammas Day
24│St. Bartholomew
──────────┼────────────────────
Sept.│
2│London burnt
21│St. Matthew
29│St. Michael
──────────┼────────────────────
Oct.│
18│St. Luke
22│K. Geo. II. crown.
28│St. Simon & Jude
──────────┼────────────────────
November│
1│All Saints
2│All Souls
4│K. William born
5│Powder Plot
9│Ld. Mayor’s Day
10│K. Geo. II. born
28│Q. Elizabeth’s Ac.
30│Pr. Wales born
──────────┼────────────────────
December│
21│St. Thomas
25│Christmas Day
26│St. Stephen
27│St. John
28│Innocents
Moveable Holidays.
Shrove Tuesday.
Ash Wednesday.
Good Friday.
Easter Monday.
Easter Tuesday.
Easter Wednesday.
Ascension Day.
Whitsun Monday.
Whitsun Tuesday.
Whitsun Wednesday.
This Company is under the direction of a Governor, Deputy Governor and
twenty-four Directors, who are annually elected at a general court, in
the same manner as the Governor and the Directors of the East India
company. Thirteen are sufficient to compose a court of Directors, for
managing the affairs of the Company; but if both the Governor and
Deputy Governor should be absent two hours after the usual time of
proceeding to business, the Directors may chuse a chairman by
majority, all their acts being equally valid, as if the Governor or
Deputy Governor were present.
BANK END _stairs_, Bank side.
BANK SIDE _row_. 1. Millbank. 2. Vine street, Southwark.
BANK’S _court_. Knave’s acre.†
BANK’S _yard_, Bunhill row.†
BANNER’S _rents_, Portpool lane.†
BANNISTER’S _yard_, Water lane, Black Friars.†
BANNISTER’S _alley_. 1. Broad St. Giles’s.† 2. Nightingale lane, East
Smithfield.†
[Illustration: _S. Wales delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._ _Banqueting
House._]
BANQUETING HOUSE, Whitehall, so called from there being originally in
this place an edifice in which our Kings had public entertainments.
This was a small part of the ancient palace of Whitehall, which was
destroyed by fire in 1697, and only the Banqueting House, and one
court left standing. See the article WHITEHALL.
In the reign of King James I. the Banqueting House being in a ruinous
condition, that Monarch formed the design of erecting a palace on the
spot, worthy the residence of the Kings of England. The celebrated
Inigo Jones was employed to draw the plan of a noble edifice; this was
done, and the present structure erected, as a small part of the great
intended work, for the reception of ambassadors, and other audiences
of state. The engraved view of it, which is here given, will best
illustrate what follows.
This is a regular and august building which has three stories. The
lowest has a rustic wall, with small square windows, and by its
strength happily serves for a basis for the orders. Upon this is
raised the Ionic, with columns and pilasters, and between the columns
are well-proportioned windows, with arched and pointed pediments. Over
these is placed the proper entablature, and on this is raised a second
series of the Corinthian order, consisting of columns and pilasters
like the other; column being placed over column, and pilaster over
pilaster. From the capitals are carried festoons, which meet with
masks and other ornaments in the middle. This series is also crowned
with its proper entablature, on which is raised the balustrade with
Attic pedestals between, which crown the work. Every thing in this
building is finely proportioned, and as happily executed. The
projection of the columns from the wall has a fine effect in the
entablatures, which being brought forward in the same proportion,
gives that happy diversity of light and shade so essential to fine
architecture. _English Architecture._
To render this edifice as perfect as possible, the ceiling is finely
painted by the celebrated Sir Peter Paul Rubens, who was ambassador
here in the time of Charles I. The subject is the entrance,
inauguration, and coronation of King James I. represented by Pagan
emblems. It is esteemed one of his most capital performances, and may
be justly esteemed one of the finest ceilings in the world. This great
apartment is at present converted into a chapel, for the service of
which certain select preachers were appointed out of each university,
by King George I. to preach here every Sunday; for this each are
allowed a stipend of 30_l._ a year.
BANSTED, a village in Surrey, situated between Dorking and Croydon,
famous for producing a great number of walnuts; but much more for its
neighbouring Downs, one of the most delightful spots in England, on
account of the agreeable seats in that neighbourhood; for the
extensive prospect of several counties on both sides the Thames, and
even of the royal palaces of Windsor and Hampton Court; and for the
fineness of the turf, covered with a short grass intermixed with
thyme, and other fragrant herbs, that render the mutton of this tract,
though small, remarkable for its sweetness. In these Downs there is a
four miles course for horse races, which is much frequented.
BAPTISTS, a sect of dissenters, thus denominated from their baptizing by
immersing the body all over, and from their not considering infants as
proper subjects of baptism. They are principally divided into two
classes, termed general and particular. The general Baptists, who with
Arminius maintain the doctrine of universal redemption, consist of
only six congregations, who have their meeting-houses as follows:
1. Fair street, Horsely down. 2. Glasshouse yard, Pickax street, near
Aldersgate bars. 3. Mill yard, Rosemary lane. 4. Pinner’s hall, Broad
street, in the afternoon. 5. Paul’s alley, Redcross street, where are
two different congregations, who maintain their own Minister. 6. Queen
street, in the Park, Southwark.
The particular Baptists, who with Calvin believe that none will be
saved but the elect, and that all the rest of mankind are doomed to
eternal misery, are much more numerous, and have the following
meetings.
1. Angel alley, Whitechapel. 2. Artillery street, Spitalfields. 3.
Brewers hall, Addle street. 4. Cherry Garden lane, Rotherhith. 5.
Church lane, Limehouse. 6. Collier’s rents, White street, Southwark.
7. Curriers court, near Cripplegate. 8. Devonshire square, Bishopsgate
street without. 9. Dipping alley, Horselydown, Southwark. 10. Duke’s
street, near Pepper street. 11. Eagle street, Red lion street,
Holborn. 12. Flower de luce yard, Tooley street. 13. Glasshouse
street, Swallow street. 14. Goat yard passage, Horselydown. 15.
Johnson’s street, Old Gravel lane. 16. Little Wild street, Great Wild
street. 17. Little Wood street, Cripplegate. 18. Maze Pond street,
Southwark. 19. Maidenhead court, Great Eastcheap. 20. New Way, Maze,
Southwark. 21. Pennington’s street, Virginia street. 22. Pepper
street, Southwark. 23. Rose lane, Limehouse. 24. Rosemary branch
alley, Rosemary lane. 25. Rotherhith. 26. St. John’s court, Little
Hart street. 27. Sheer’s alley, White street, Southwark. 28. Snow
fields. 29. Unicorn yard, St. Olave’s. 30. Union yard, Horselydown
lane. 31. Vinegar row, Shoreditch.
BAPTIST _court_, by Boswell court, Carey street.*
BAPTIST’S HEAD _court_, Whitecross street.*
BARBERS. The art of surgery was anciently practised in this city by none
but the Barbers, who were incorporated by letters patent granted by
King Edward IV. in the Year 1461, and in 1512 an act was passed to
prevent any persons besides the Barbers practising surgery within the
city of London, and seven miles round. At length several persons, who
were not Barbers, being examined and admitted as practitioners in the
art of surgery, the parliament united them in the thirty-second year
of the reign of King Henry VIII. by the appellation of _the Masters or
Governors of the mystery or commonalty of Barbers and Surgeons of the
city of London_; and by this act all persons practising the art of
shaving, are strictly enjoined not to intermeddle with that of
surgery, except what belongs to drawing of teeth. Thus this company
obtained the name of Barber-Surgeons, which they continued to enjoy
till the eighteenth year of the reign of his present Majesty King
George II. when the Surgeons applying to Parliament to have this union
dissolved, were formed into a separate company; though the Barbers
were left in possession of the hall and theatre, and were constituted
a body politic, under the name of _the Master, Governors and
Commonalty of the mystery of Barbers of London_.
This company has a Master and three other Governors, a court of
Assistants of twenty-four members, and a very numerous livery.
BARBERS HALL, a fine edifice on the west side of Monkwell street,
consisting of a spacious hall room, a court room, theatre, library,
and other commodious offices. The grand entrance from Monkwell street
is enriched with the company’s arms, large fruit, and other
decorations. The court room has a fretwork ceiling, and is also
adorned with the pictures of King Henry VIII. and the court of
Assistants, in one fine piece; a portrait of King Charles II. and
other paintings. The theatre contains four degrees of cedar seats, one
above another, in an elliptical form, and the roof is an elliptical
cupola; this room is adorned with a bust of King Charles I. the
figures of the seven liberal sciences, and the twelve signs of the
Zodiac; the skins of a man and woman on wooden frames, in imitation of
Adam and Eve; the figure of a man flayed, done after the life, all the
muscles appearing in their due place, and proportion; the skeleton of
an ostrich; an human skeleton, with copper joints, and five other
skeletons of human bodies. But as this furniture was introduced by the
Surgeons, it is now of no use, and the theatre is entirely deserted.
This Hall is one of the works of that great architect Inigo Jones, and
is a masterpiece in its kind, that elegant simplicity which
characterises all his works, giving the spectator the highest
satisfaction.
BARBER’S _alley_, Brown’s lane, Spitalfields.*
BARBER’S POLE _alley_, St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark.*
BARBICAN, Aldersgate street, so called from a high watch tower which
stood there, from which a view might be taken of the whole city.
Barbican, according to Camden, being an Arabic word signifying a watch
tower.
BARE _lane_, Gravel lane.
BAREMERE’S ALMSHOUSE, in Almshouse yard, Hoxton, which was built about
the year 1701, by the Rev. Mr. Baremere, a Presbyterian Minister, for
eight poor women, who have no other allowance but half a chaldron of
coals each _per annum_. _Maitland_.
BARE _yard_, Bucklersbury.
BAREHOUSE _yard_, Silver street, Wood street.
BARKER’S _rents_, Paul’s alley, Red cross street.†
BARKING, a large market town in Essex, situated ten miles from London,
on a creek that leads to the Thames, from whence fish is sent up in
boats to London, the town being chiefly inhabited by fishermen. The
parish has been so much enlarged by lands recovered from the Thames,
and the river Rothing, which runs on the west side of the town, that
it has two chapels of ease, one at Ilford, and another called New
chapel, on the side of Epping forest, and the great and small tithes
are computed at above 600_l._ _per annum_. At a small distance from
the town, in the way to Dagenham, stood a large old house, where the
gunpowder plot is said to have been formed.
BARKING _alley_, Tower street, by Tower hill, so called from the church
of Allhallows, Barking.
BARLAM’S _mews_, New Bond street.†
BARLOW’S _court_, Coal yard, Broad St. Giles’s.
BARNABY _street_, Tooley street, Southwark.
BARNES, a village in Surrey, almost encompassed by the Thames. It lies
between Mortlake and Barn Elms, and is seven miles from London, and
five from Kingston.
BARNET, a market town in Hertfordshire, situated in the road to St.
Alban’s, eleven miles from London, on the top of a hill, whence it is
called High Barnet, and also Chipping, or Cheaping Barnet, from King
Henry the Second’s granting the monks of St. Alban’s the privilege of
holding a market here; the word Cheap, or Chepe, being an ancient word
for a market. As this place is a great thoroughfare, it is well
supplied with inns. The church is a chapel of ease to the village of
East Barnet. Here is a free school founded by Q. Elizabeth, and
endowed partly by that Princess, and partly by Alderman Owen, of
London, whose additional endowment is paid by the Fishmongers company,
who appoint 24 governors, by whom the master and usher are chosen to
teach seven children gratis, and all the other children of the parish
for 5_s_ a quarter. Here is also an almshouse founded and endowed by
James Ravenscroft, Esq; for six widows.
This place is remarkable for the decisive battle fought there between
the houses of York and Lancaster, on Easter day, 1468, in which the
great Earl of Warwick, stiled _the Setter up, and Puller down of
Kings_, was slain, with many others of the principal nobility. The
place supposed to be the field of battle, is a green spot, a little
before the meeting of the St. Alban’s and Hatfield roads: and here, in
the year 1740, a stone column was erected, on which is inscribed a
long account of that battle.
BARNET (EAST) a pleasant village in Hertfordshire, near Whetstone and
Enfield Chace, formerly much frequented on account of its medicinal
spring, which was discovered in a neighbouring common about an hundred
years ago. The church is a mean edifice; but the rectory is very
beneficial.
Here is the fine seat of the Lord Trevor, to which Queen Elizabeth
gave the name of Mount Pleasant.
BARNET’S _yard_, Mill bank.†
BARON’S ALMSHOUSE, in Elbow lane, Shadwell, was founded in the year
1682, by George Baron, for fifteen poor women, who also endowed it
with 5_l._ 4_s._ _per annum_ for bread.
BARRAT’S _rents_, Stepney Causeway.†
BARRET’S _court_, Horselydown, Fair street.†
BARROW’S _rents_, Windmill hill.†
BARTHOLOMEW _close_, near Smithfield, so called from its being situated
near the church of St. Bartholomew the Great.
BARTHOLOMEW _court_. 1. Houndsditch. 2. Throgmorton street.
_St._ BARTHOLOMEW’S _Church_, situated at the south east corner of
Bartholomew lane, behind the Royal Exchange, was one of the churches
consumed in the general conflagration in 1666, and this structure
arose in its place. It consists of a very irregular body, with a tower
suited to it, the top of which, instead of pinnacles, a spire, or
turrets, is crowned with arches, supported by columns of the
Corinthian order. It is a rectory, in the gift of the Crown, and the
Rector receives 100_l._ a year in lieu of tithes.
BARTHOLOMEW _lane_, extends from Threadneedle street to Lothbury, and is
so named from St. Bartholomew’s church at the corner.
_St._ BARTHOLOMEW _the Great_, situated near the east end of Duck lane,
on the north east side of Smithfield, escaped the flames in 1666, and
is a large plain church, with a tower crowned with a turret. It is a
rectory in the patronage of the Earl of Holland, The Rector’s profits,
besides casualties, amount to about 60_l._ _per annum_.
_St._ BARTHOLOMEW _the Less_, is seated on the south east side of
Smithfield, adjoining to St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. It was founded in
the year 1102, and belonged to the neighbouring convent of the same
name; but as it was not destroyed by the fire in 1666, it remains in
the same state it was in before that dreadful calamity. It is a low
building, composed of brick and rough stone plaistered; and consists
of a roofed body with Gothic windows, and a tower with a corner
turret. This church is a vicarage, in the gift of the Lord Mayor,
Aldermen, and Common Council, who upon receiving the grant of the
church and hospital, covenanted to pay the Vicar 13_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._
_per annum_, which, with an allowance from the hospital, and
casualties, amounts to about 120_l._ _per annum_.
_St._ BARTHOLOMEW’S HOSPITAL, on the south east of Smithfield, for the
cure of the poor, sick and lame, formerly belonged to the Priory of
St. Bartholomew in Smithfield; but both the priory and hospital being
dissolved by K. Henry VIII. that Monarch, in the last year of his
reign, founded the hospital anew, and endowed it with the annual
revenue of 500 marks, upon condition that the city should pay the same
sum, which proposal was readily embraced, and the managers of this
foundation were incorporated by the name of _The Hospital of the
Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of London, Governors for the poor,
called Little St. Bartholomew’s, near West Smithfield_. Since that
time the hospital has received prodigious benefactions from great
numbers of charitable persons, by which means not only the poor of
London and Southwark, but the distressed of any other parts of the
King’s dominions, and from foreign countries, are taken in, whether
sick or maimed, and have lodging, food, attendance, and medicines,
with the advice and assistance of some of the best Physicians and
Surgeons in the kingdom, who belong to the hospital, and attend the
patients as occasion requires; they have also matrons and nurses, to
look after and assist them; and at their discharge when cured, some,
who live at a considerable distance, are relieved with money, cloaths,
and other necessaries, to enable them to return to their several
habitations. Pity it is that so noble and humane a foundation should
want any thing to render it perfect, and that every sick person who is
admitted, except such as have suffered by sudden accidents, as the
fracture or dislocation of a bone, should be obliged to deposit or
give security for the payment of a guinea, in case of death, in order
to defray the expence of the funeral; for by this some of the poorest
and most miserable, and consequently the most proper objects, are
unhappily excluded from reaping the benefit they might otherwise
receive from it: but this is also the case of several of the other
hospitals of this city; however many thousands of persons labouring
under the most dreadful diseases and wounds, are annually cured at
this hospital, and in those of Kent street in Southwark, and the Lock
at Kingsland, both of which are dependent on it. Besides all this,
there are great numbers of out-patients, who receive advice and
medicines gratis.
The ancient hospital which escaped the fire of London becoming
ruinous, it was found absolutely necessary in the year 1729 to rebuild
it; a plan for that purpose was formed, and a grand edifice erected,
by subscription, which was designed to be only one out of four noble
detached piles of building, to be afterwards raised, about a court or
area 250 feet in length, and 60 in breadth.
The original design is now nearly compleated, and this hospital
altogether forms a very elegant building, or rather buildings, for the
sides which compose the quadrangle do not join at the angles, as is
usual, but by four walls, each having a large gate which admits you
into the area, as may be seen in the print. Here is a staircase
painted and given by Mr. Hogarth, containing two pictures with figures
large as the life, which for truth of colouring and expression may vie
with any thing of its kind in Europe. The subject of the one is the
Good Samaritan, the other the Pool of Bethesda.
BARTLET’S _buildings_, Holborn.†
BARTLET’S _court_. 1. Bartlet’s street.† 2. Holborn hill.†
BARTLET’S _passage_, Fetter lane.†
BARTLET’S _street_, Red Lion street, Clerkenwell.†
BARTON _street_, Cowley street, Westminster.†
BARTON’S _rents_, Shoreditch.†
BARTRAM’S _yard_, Nightingale lane.†
BASINGHALL, a very ancient building now called Blackwell hall, which
see.
BASINGHALL _court_, Basinghall street.†
[Illustration: _S Wale del._ _B. Green sculp._ _S^t. Bartholomew’s
Hospital._]
BASINGHALL _street_, Cateaton street, extends on the east and north
sides of Blackwell hall, anciently called Basing hall. Tho’ this
street is neither uniform nor regularly built, it has many handsome
houses inhabited by merchants. It received its name from its belonging
to the family of the Basings. _Stow._ See BLACKWELL HALL.
BASING _lane_, Bread street, Cheapside.†
BASKET _alley_, 1. Golden lane. 2. Goswell street.
BASKET-MAKERS, a fraternity by prescription, and not by charter;
however, they have the honour of being reckoned one of the city
companies. This community is governed by two Wardens and forty-eight
Assistants; but has neither livery nor hall.
BASSHAW’S _rents_, Love lane, Bank side, Southwark,
BASSISHAW _ward_, so called from a corruption of Basinghall, once the
principal house in it, is bounded on the north by Cripplegate ward, on
the west by that and Cheap wards, and on the south and east by Coleman
street ward. See the article BLACKWELL HALL.
This ward is very small, it only consisting of Basinghall street. Its
principal buildings are St. Michael’s church, also called Bassishaw
church; Blackwell hall; Coopers hall; Masons hall; and Weavers hall.
It is governed by an Alderman, his Deputy, four Common Council men,
seventeen wardmote inquestmen, two scavengers, two constables, and a
beadle: and the jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest in this ward,
serve in the several courts of Guildhall in the month of March.
BATCH’S _walk_, Ratcliff highway.†
BATEMAN’S BRIDGE _yard_, Upper Ground street, Southwark.†
BATEMAN’S _street_, May fair.†
BATTERSBY _court_, near King street, Westminster.†
BATTERSEY, a village in Surrey, situated on the river Thames, four miles
from London, and at the same distance from Richmond. The gardens about
this place are noted for producing the finest asparagus. It gave the
title of baron to the late Lord Viscount St. John, who had a seat
here, which is a plain old building. Here Sir Walter St. John founded
a free school for twenty boys.
BATES _street_, Ratcliff highway.†
BATH _court_, Queen street.
BATH _street_. 1. Cold Bath fields, thus named from the Cold Bath near
it. 2. Welbeck street, thus named from the Earl of Bath.
BATTLEBRIDGE. 1. Gray’s inn lane, 2. Mill lane, Tooley street,
Southwark; it was so called from Battle’s abbey; it standing over a
water-course, which flows out of the Thames, and formerly belonged to
that abbey. This bridge was therefore built and repaired by the Abbots
of that house. _Stow._
BATTLEBRIDGE _stairs_, near Mill lane, Tooley street.
BATT’S _rents_, Whitechapel Common.†
BAXTER’S _court_, Church street, Hackney.†
BAYNARD’S CASTLE _lane_, Thames street, so called from a castle of that
name built there by William Baynard Lord of Dunmow. _Camden._
BAYNING’S ALMSHOUSE, in Gunpowder alley, Crutched Friars, was erected in
the year 1631, by Paul Viscount Sudbury, for ten poor housekeepers;
but being surrendered to the parish, they have made it their
almshouse.
BEACH _lane_, Whitecross street, Cripplegate‡
BEACONSFIELD, a small town in Buckinghamshire, in the road to Oxford,
about 23 miles from London. It has several good inns, and is
remarkable for being the birth-place of Mr. Waller, the celebrated
poet, who had a great estate, and a handsome seat here, which is still
in the possession of Edmund Waller, Esq; his descendant. There is a
fine monument erected in the church yard, to the memory of Mr. Waller
the poet.
BEADLES _court_, Eagle street, Holborn.
BEAK _street_, Swallow street, Piccadilly, so called from most of the
houses belonging to Col. Beak.
BEAL’S _wharf_, Mill street, Tooley street.†
BEAR _alley_. 1. Addle hill, Thames street.* 2. Fleet ditch.* 3. London
wall.*
BEAR _court_, Butcher row, Ratcliff.*
BEARBINDER _lane_, Swithin’s lane, Cannon street.
BEAR GARDEN, Bank side, Southwark.
BEAR _lane_, Gravel lane, Southwark.†
BEAR KEY, or Bear quay, near the Custom house. There are two streets of
this name, Great and Little Bear Key, which lead from Thames street to
the water side. On the key opposite to them, are landed vast
quantities of corn, and formerly much bear, a small sort of barley,
now little used in England; tho’ a great deal of it is brewed into ale
and beer in Dublin, and from this grain Bear key undoubtedly took its
name.
BEAR _Key stairs_, Bear key.
BEAR’S _court_, Butcher row, Ratcliff cross.
BEAR’S FOOT _alley_, Bank side.
BEAR _street_, Leicester fields.
BEAR _yard_. 1. Fore street, Lambeth.* 2. Long walk, King John’s court.*
3. Silver street.* 4. Vere street, Claremarket.*
BEAR AND HARROW _court_, Butcher row, Temple bar.*
BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF _court_, Drury lane.*
BEAR AND RAGGED STAFF _yard_, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
BEARDLEY’S _yard_, Wapping wall.†
BEAUCHAMP _street_, Leather lane, Holborn.†
BEAUFORT’S _buildings_, in the Strand.†
BECK’S _rents_. 1. Ropemaker’s fields, Limehouse.† 2. Rosemary lane,
Little Tower hill.†
_Lords of the_ BEDCHAMBER, fourteen officers of great distinction,
under the Lord Chamberlain; the first of whom is Groom of the Stole.
They are usually persons of the highest quality, and their office is,
each in his turn, to wait one week in the King’s bedchamber, and there
to lie all night on a pallet bed by the King, and to supply the place
of the Groom of the Stole in his absence. They also wait upon the King
when he eats in private; for the cupbearers, carvers, and sewers do
not then wait. The Groom of the Stole has 2000_l._ a year, and the
rest of the Lords of the Bedchamber 1000_l._ a year each. See GROOM OF
THE STOLE.
_Grooms of the_ BEDCHAMBER, eight officers of considerable rank under
the Lords of the bedchamber, each of whom has a salary of 500_l._ _per
annum_.
BEDDINGTON, in Surrey, the seat and manor of the ancient family of the
Carews, is a noble edifice; but the wings are too deep for the body of
the house; for they should either have been placed at a greater
distance, or not have been so long. The court before them is fine, as
is the canal in the park, which lies before this court, and has a
river running through it. All the flat part of the park is taken up
with very fine gardens, which extend in vistas two or three miles. The
orangery is said to be the only one in England that is planted in the
natural ground, and the trees, which are above an hundred years old,
were brought out of Italy by Sir Francis Carew, Bart. They are,
however, secured in the winter by moveable covers. The pleasure house,
which was also built by Sir Francis, has the famous Spanish Armada
painted on the top of it, and under it is a cold bath. The church is a
beautiful small Gothic pile, built of stone, in the north and south
isles of which are several stalls after the manner of cathedrals: and
here is also two charity schools, one for boys, and the other for
girls.
BEDFORD _buildings_, near Gray’s inn.
BEDFORDBURY, Chandos street.
BEDFORD _court_. 1. Bedford street, Covent Garden. 2. Red Lion street,
Holborn. 3. In the Strand.
BEDFORD HOUSE. See BLOOMSBURY _square_.
BEDFORD _mews_, a street of stables near Grays inn walks.
BEDFORD _passage_, Southampton street.
BEDFORD _row_, near Gray’s inn.
BEDFORD _street_. 1. Covent garden, a handsome broad street. It takes
its name from the Duke of Bedford, who is at least ground landlord. 2.
Red Lion street, Holborn; a very handsome strait and well built
street, inhabited by persons of distinction.
BEDLAM, or BETHLEHEM HOSPITAL. See BETHLEM.
BEDNAL, or BETHNAL GREEN. See BETHNAL GREEN.
BEDNAL, or BETHNAL GREEN road, Mile End.
BEDWARD’S _court_, White street.†
BEEHIVE _alley_, Snow hill.*
BEEHIVE _court_, Little St. Thomas Apostles.*
BEER _lane_, a crooked lane leading from Tower street into Thames
street, opposite the Custom house.
BEGGAR’S ALMS _alley_, Rosemary lane.
BEGGAR’S BUSH _yard_, Gravel lane.
BEGGAR’S _hill_, Maid lane, Southwark.
BELL _alley_. 1. Aldersgate street without.* 2. Austin Friars.* 3. Budge
row.* 4. Canon street, Walbrook.* 5. Coleman street, Lothbury, where
there are two allies of this name.* 6. Dean street, Ratcliff highway.*
7. Dock head.* 8. Fenchurch street.* 9. Golden lane.* 10. Goswell
street.* 11. Great Carter lane.* 12. Great Eastcheap.* 13. Green
alley, Tooley street.* 14. Kingsland road.* 15. King street,
Westminster.* 16. Labour-in-vain hill, Thames street.* 17. Lamb
street.* 18. New stairs, Wapping.* 19. Old Bedlam.* 20. Old street.*
21. Saffron hill.* 22. Snow hill.* 23. Spital yard.* 24. Thieving
lane.* 25. Tooley street, Southwark.* 26. Turnmill street.* 27.
Walbrook.*
BELL _yard_, Bishopsgate street, without.*
BELL AND BEAR _alley_, Great Eastcheap.*
BELL _court_. 1. Gray’s inn lane.* 2. Great Carter lane.* 3. Grub
street.* 4. Moorfields.* 5. St. Martin’s le grand.* 6. Thomas street.
BELL _dock_, Wapping.*
BELL _lane_. 1. Lisham green.* 2. By Crispin street, Spitalfields.*
BELL _wharf_. 1. Tooley street. 2. Lower Shadwell.*
BELL _wharf stairs_. 1. Lower Shadwell.* 2. Thames street.*
BELL _inn yard_. 1. St. Margaret’s hill.* 2. In the Strand.*
BELL SAVAGE _inn yard_, Ludgate hill. This inn was so called from its
being kept by Isabella Savage, who was called in French _Belle
Sauvage_, or lovely Savage. _Fullers Church Hist_.
BELL _yard_. 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Coleman street.* 3. Fleet street.*
4. Fore street, Lambeth.* 5. Gracechurch street.* 6. Great Carter
lane.* 7. King’s street, Westminster.* 8. Little St. Martin’s lane,
Charing cross.* 9. Long alley, Moorfields.* 10. Mincing lane.* 11.
Mount street.* 12. New Fish street hill.* 13. Old Fish street hill.*
14. Rosemary lane.* 15. St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark.* 16. Stony
lane.* 17. Vine street.* 18. Whitechapel.* 19. Whitehorse street,
Ratcliff.*
BELL’S _alley_, St. Catherine’s lane.†
BELL’S _court_, St. Michael’s lane.
BELL’S _rents_. 1. Barnaby street.† 2. Mint street.†
BELL’S _wharf_, Millbank.†
BELLOWS _yard_. 1. In Fore street.* 2. In the Minories.*
BELSYSE, in Middlesex, is situated on the south west side of Hampstead
hill, and was a fine seat belonging to the Lord Wotton, and afterwards
to the late Earl of Chesterfield: but in the year 1720, it was
converted into a place of polite entertainment, particularly for
music, dancing, and play, when it was much frequented on account of
its neighbourhood to London: but since that time it has been suffered
to run to ruin.
[Illustration: _S. Wale del._ _ B. Green sculp._ _Belvedere House._]
BELVEDERE HOUSE, this belongs to Sampson Gideon, Esq; is situated on the
brow of a hill, near Erith in Kent, and commands a vast extent of a
fine country many miles beyond the Thames, which is about a mile and
half distant. This river and navigation add greatly to the beauty of
this scene, which exhibits to the eye of the delighted spectator, as
pleasing a landskip of the kind as imagination can form. The
innumerable ships employed in the immense trade of London, are beheld
continually sailing up and down the river. On the other side are
prospects not less beautiful, tho’ of another kind. This gentleman has
very judiciously laid out his grounds, and made many beautiful vistas.
The house is but small, tho’ an addition has been made of a very noble
room; this and two others are finely furnish’d with pictures, of which
follows a catalogue. The collection, though not numerous, is very
valuable, it containing none but pieces which are originals by the
greatest masters, and some of them very capital.
In the Long Parlour.
│ Height.│ Breadth.│Painted by
│ Feet Inc.│ Feet Inc.│
View of Venice │ │ │
Ditto, with the Doge│ 2.│ 4 6│_Canaletti._
marrying the sea │ │ │
Its companion │ │ │
Time bringing truth │ 2 5│ 3 0│_Rubens._
to light, a sketch│ │ │
The Alchymist │ 3 1│ 4 2│_Teniers._
Portrait of Sir John│ 3 1│ 2 7│_Holbein._
Gage │ │ │
A landskip │ 2 0│ 2 4│_G. Poussin._
Battle of the │ 1 1│ 1 6│_Rottenhammer._
Amazons │ │ │
The unjust Steward │ 2 7│ 4 6│_Quintin Matsys._
In the Lobby.
Noah’s Ark │ 1 9│ 2 10│_Velvet Brughel._
St. Catherine │ 2 6│ 2 0│_Leonardo da Vinci._
Van Trump │ 2 10│ 2 4│_Francis Hals._
Vulcan, or the │ 4 6│ 5 9│_Bassan._
element of Fire │ │ │
A picture of horses,│ 1 8│ 1 4│_Wouverman._
its companion │ │ │
Two insides of │ 0 0│ 0 0│_De Neef._
churches, small │ │ │
A Dutch woman and │ 1 9│ 1 6│_Sir Ant. More._
her three children│ │ │
Rembrant painting an│ 2 10│ 2 0│_by himself._
old woman │ │ │
A courtezan and her │ 2 4│ 2 4│_Giorgione._
gallant │ │ │
The golden age │ 2 0│ 3 2│_Velvet Brughel._
Snyders with his │ 5 4│ 4 0│_Rubens._
wife and child │ │ │
Rebecca bringing │ 4 6│ 3 2│_De la Hyre._
presents to Laban │ │ │
Boors at cards │ 2 0│ 2 0│_Teniers._
The element of Earth│ 4 6│ 5 9│_Jai. Bassan._
Marriage in Cana of │ 4 0│ 5 0│_P. Veronese._
Gallilee │ │ │
Two landskips │ 2 0│ 3 2│_G. Poussin._
The genealogy of │ 3 0│ 2 3│_Albert Durer._
Christ │ │ │
Beggar boys at cards│ 2 0│ 1 4│_Salvator Rosa._
Herod consulting the│ 1 4│ 2 8│_Rembrant._
wisemen │ │ │
Marriage of St. │ 2 8│ 3 2│_Old Palma._
Catherine │ │ │
two fine bas │ │ │_by Soldani_
relievos in brass,│ │ │
one Bacchus and │ │ │
Ariadne, the other│ │ │
Ceres teaching │ │ │
Triptolemus the │ │ │
use of the plough │ │ │
In the Saloon.
The conception, │ 7 8│ 7 8│_Murillo._
painted for an │ │ │
altar piece │ │ │
The flight into │ │ │_Ditto._
Egypt, its │ │ │
companion │ │ │
Vulcan, Venus, │ 5 6│ 8 4│_Tintoret._
Cupid, and sundry │ │ │
figures, an │ │ │
emblematic subject│ │ │
Mars and Venus │ 5 8│ 4 3│_P. Veronese._
Christ among the │ 5 2│ 6 6│_L. Giordano._
Doctors │ │ │
Duke of Buckingham’s│ 5 8│ 5 6│_by himself._
mistress, her │ │ │
three children, and │ │ │
a son of Rubens │ │ │
A landskip │ 4 10│ 6 2│_Claude._
Leopold’s gallery │ │ │_Teniers._
Teniers, own │ 3 2│ 4 2│_Ditto._
gallery, its │ │ │
companion │ │ │
BEMBRIDGE’S _rents_, Moor lane, Moorfields.†
BEMBRIDGE _street_, St Giles’s pound.†
BEN _court_, Grub street.†
BENJAMIN _street_. 1. Cow cross.† 2. Longditch, Westminster.† 3. Red
Lion street, Clerkenwell.† 4. Swallow street.†
_St._ BENNET FINK, was dedicated to St. Benedict, vulgarly called St.
Bennet, an Italian saint, the founder of the order of Benedictine
monks; and received the additional name of _Fink_ from its rebuilder
Robert Fink. It is situated on the south side of Thread-needle-street.
The old church being destroyed in the general conflagration in 1666,
the present edifice was erected in its room. The body is of an
irregular form, enlightened by large arched windows, which reach to
the roof; this is incompassed with a balustrade, and crowned with a
lantern: a dome rises upon the whole extent of the tower, and on its
top rises a turret.
This church is a curacy in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of
Windsor, who generally supply it with one of their own Canons. The
Curate receives 100_l._ a year in lieu of tithes.
_St._ BENNET’S _Gracechurch street_, is situated at the south west
corner of Fenchurch street. The old church being much damaged by the
fire in 1666, was taken down, and the present structure erected in its
place, which is built principally of stone, and is a regular,
convenient, and neat edifice, without the expence of columns and
porticos. It has a handsome balustrade at the top, and a very high
spire of the obelisk kind, the base of which is supported by four
porticos.
This church is a rectory in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of
St. Paul’s; and the parish of St. Leonard Eastcheap is annexed to it.
The Rector receives 140_l._ a year in lieu of tithes.
_St._ BENNET’S _Paul’s Wharf_, is so called from its being consecrated
to St. Benedict, and its vicinity to that wharf. It is situated at the
south west corner of St. Bennet’s hill, and the old church being
destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, this was erected in its
place, from a design of Sir Christopher Wren. It is a neat structure;
the body is well proportioned: the tower has rustic corners, and its
turret and small spire are raised from the crown of a dome.
This church is a rectory, the collation to which is in the Dean and
Chapter of St. Paul’s. The parish of St. Peter Paul’s Wharf is united
to it, and the Rector receives 100_l._ a year in lieu of tithes.
_St_. BENNET’S _Sherehog_, stood opposite to St. Sythe’s lane, in St.
Pancras lane, and in the ward of Cheap. In the year 1323, it went by
the name of St. Osyth, from its being dedicated to a queen and martyr
of that name; but she was divested of the tutelage of this church, by
Benedict Shorne, a fishmonger of London, who was a rebuilder,
repairer, or benefactor to it; and Shorne his surname, being corrupted
into Shrog, was at last converted into Sherehog. This church sharing
the common fate of the general conflagration in 1666, and not being
rebuilt, the parish was annexed to that of St. Stephen’s Walbrook.
_Newc. Rep. Eccl. Paroch._
BENNET _street_, a short street, westward into Arlington street,
Piccadilly.
BENNET’S BRIDGE _lane_, Upper Ground street, Southwark.†
BENNET’S _court_. 1. Beggars hill, Southwark.† 2. Canon row.† 3. Drury
lane.† 4. Limehouse causeway.† 5. Long lane, Southwark.† 6. The
Strand.† 7. White street.†
BENNET’S _hill_, Thames street, thus named from the church of St.
Bennet’s Paul’s Wharf.
BENNET’S _street_. 1. Longditch.† 2. Near the Upper ground, Southwark.†
3. St. James’s street.†
BENNET’S _yard_, near Tufton street.†
BENSON’S _alley_, Shoreditch.†
BENTINCK _street_, Berwick street.
BERKHAMSTED, an ancient town in Hertfordshire, situated 30 miles to the
N. W. of London. It was anciently a Roman town, and here some of the
Saxon kings kept their court. William the Conqueror here swore to the
nobility to preserve the laws made by his predecessors; and here Henry
II. kept his court, and granted the town all the laws and liberties it
had enjoyed under Edward the Confessor. It was a borough in the reign
of Henry III. and James I. to whose children this place was a nursery,
made it a corporation, by the name of the Bailiff and Burgesses of
Berkhamsted St. Peter; the Burgesses to be twelve, to chuse a
Recorder, and Town Clerk, to have a prison, _&c._ but in the next
reign it was so impoverished by the civil wars, that the government
was dropp’d, and has not been since renewed. Its market is also much
decayed. The town, though situated on the south side of a marsh,
extends itself far in a broad street, and handsome buildings, and is
pleasantly surrounded with high and hard ground, full of pastures,
hedgerows, and arable land. What remains of the castle, which is but
one third of it, was not long ago the seat of the Careys, and is now
the seat of the family of the Ropers. Here is a spacious church
dedicated to St. Peter, which has eleven of the Apostles on its
pillars, with a sentence of the creed on each, and on the twelfth
pillar is St. George killing the dragon. The other public buildings
are, a free school, which is a handsome brick structure, well endowed,
the King being patron, and the Warden of All Souls College in Oxford,
Visitor; and a handsome almshouse, built and endowed by Mr. John Sayer
and his wife, who gave 1300_l._ for that purpose.
BERKLEY SQUARE, near Hyde Park road, contains about three acres, and is
well built on the north, east and west sides.
The following is an account of the choice and valuable collection of
pictures and prints of John Barnard, Esq; at his house in Berkley
square.
A holy family, by Parmegiano, well preserved, and the characters very
fine. It was out of the Count de Platembourg’s collection at
Amsterdam.
A crucifixion, by Paulo Veronese, about three feet high; there is a
fine group of figures at bottom, and the figures on the cross are
remarkably well drawn.
Christ calling to Zaccheus; and the Angel appearing to St. John in the
wilderness; both by Paulo Veronese, in his finest manner and highest
colouring.
A præsepe, or nativity, by Jacomo Bassan; the light comes from the
child, and has a surprizing effect, being in his highest colouring.
These three last are upright narrow pictures, oval at top, and were
originally designed for some elegant little chapel.
Christ led to be crucified, by the same master; the colouring is the
richest; and the expression is much finer than one often sees of
Bassan.
Adam ploughing and Eve spinning, by Domenico Fetti: this picture is
finely coloured, and the character of Eve is prettier than can well be
expressed; it was in the collection of Monsieur Biberon at Paris, and
Monsieur Crozat mentions it in his work, along with two others of the
same subject, one of which belongs to the King of France.
A holy family, with a little St. John presenting a cross, by Guido.
This picture, which is but fifteen inches high, may be truly said to
be in his very finest manner; the characters of the Virgin and St.
Joseph are inexpressibly fine, and it is in the best preservation. It
was in the Duke de Tallard’s collection.
The martyrdom of a female saint, by Correggio. This picture came out
of the same collection as the last, and is much of the same size; it
is in his first manner, but yet visibly of his hand; the colouring and
some of the characters are fine. The Duke of Tallard had it out of the
collection of Monsieur Crozat, where it was always esteemed a true
picture of Correggio.
A holy family, with a little St. John presenting a dish of fruit, by
Simone da Pesaro, commonly called Cantarini, who was the best disciple
of Guido. The figures are half length as big as life. True pictures of
this master are very scarce in England, and this is one of his best,
and in the highest preservation.
The Virgin with the child in her lap, half length, as big as life, by
Vandyck. The character of the Virgin is as sweet, and the colouring as
fine, as any thing of this master’s painting. This was out of the
collection of Monsieur Biberon, and there is an old print of this
picture.
A holy family, by the same master. This is the small picture, but the
characters of the Virgin and child, and the sweetness and mellowness
of the colouring, are at least equal to the large one. There is a
print of this by Bolswert.
A head of St. Peter, with a fish in his hand, by Spagnoletto. The
expression and force in this picture are extremely great. There is a
mezzotinto print engraved after it by Mr. MacArdell.
Pharoah and his host drowned in the Red sea, about five feet wide, by
Valerio Castelli. The character of Moses is very great, and the
colouring throughout is remarkably fine.
The conversion of St. Paul, by Luca Jordano, with many figures and
horsemen, about six feet wide. This is one of his best, in the free
and spirited style, for which he was most famous.
A battle, by the same master, not quite so large. The composition in
this picture is better, and the figures seem more alive and in motion,
than in almost any battle pieces to be met with.
Tobit burying the dead, by Benedetto Castiglione, in the style of
Nicola Poussin, which master (in his latter time) he particularly
studied and imitated; and he succeeded therein so well, in this
picture, both in the composition and drawing, that was not his name
upon it, several of the best judges have declared, they should not
only have taken it for a true picture of that master, but also for a
very fine one of him.
A landskip, by Claude Lorrain, near four feet wide; the subject is a
warm evening; it is in the highest preservation, not in the least
turned black, and in his very finest taste and manner of painting: the
keeping, and that harmony and tenderness of tints, for which that
master was so famous, are remarkably conspicuous in this picture, and
the figures, which are but few, are much better than one generally
sees in his works.
A præsepe, by Pietro da Cortona: the composition and the harmony of
colours in this picture are very fine.
The entombing of Christ, by Federico Barocci: the dead body is rather
disagreeable, but some of the characters are very fine. This was out
of the Duke D’Auvergne’s collection at Paris.
The adoration of the Magi, by Rubens: this is only a sketch for a
large picture, yet it is so finished, that at a proper distance the
characters are as expressive, and the colouring as rich as in a
finish’d picture.
St. Thomas, who disbelieves putting his finger in the wound in
Christ’s side, by Michael Angelo Caravaggio. This is also a sketch,
but the dignity in the characters, and the fine large folds of
drapery, shew it to be the work of a great master. Mr. Barnard has a
print of this picture etch’d by the master himself, which is extremely
scarce.
The stoning of St. Stephen, by Filippo Lauri. Though the figures in
this picture are rather larger than those which are in his very best
manner, yet they are finely drawn, and the gaiety and beauty of the
colouring, together with the fine keeping observed in the distant
figures, make it a very pleasing and fine picture.
Christ’s agony in the garden, by the same master. The figures in this
are smaller than in the preceding; and the fine characters, and
correctness of drawing of the figures, joined to the beautiful
colouring, have always made this picture, though a very small one,
esteemed by the greatest judges as one of his best.
The same subject in a round, about a foot diameter, by Carlo Maratti;
the angels heads are fine, and the colouring pleasing. This picture
belonged to Mr. Jarvis the painter, who had a companion to it by the
same hand, the subject a dead Christ; he valued them very highly.
A holy family, by the same master, about one foot seven inches high;
this is painted in his best time and finest colouring.
A Silence, by Nicolo Poussin: the subject a landskip, the evening, in
which a little boy is running away with a Satyr’s musical instrument
as he lies asleep; other figures are lying and leaning in a reposed
manner. Though this picture is only about seventeen inches wide, and
the figures but small, yet they are as genteel, and as correctly
drawn, as in any of his finest pictures.
The woman taken in adultery, by Sebastian Ricci. The greatness of the
design the dignity and propriety of the characters, particularly the
woman, and the harmony of the colours, shew him to be (tho’ a modern
master) equal to most of the greatest that went before him.
Two misers counting and setting down their money; the same subject,
but with some variation as that at Windsor, by Quintin Matsys of
Antwerp, who repeated this picture several times.
An old man’s head with a ruff, painted by Rembrant. It is thought to
be the portrait of Ephraim Bonus the Physician, as it bears a great
resemblance to the print of him engraved by Rembrant himself, but in
the picture he is much older. The light and shade in this picture is
extremely fine. Mr. Houston, an excellent engraver in mezzotinto, has
engraved a very fine print after this picture.
A fine landskip with Tobit and the Angel, near three feet wide, by the
same master; the effect of colours in this picture is surprising.
A Magdalene’s head, by Guido.
An historical subject, a woman and three children, _&c._ by Solimene.
This is better coloured, and more finished, than one generally sees of
this master.
Angels holding a mitre over St. Ambrose, a finished sketch for a large
picture, by the same master. The character of St. Ambrose is very
fine, and the draperies are in a great style of painting.
Susannah and the Elders, by Le Moine. The colouring of the woman, who
is near naked, is very fine, and the composition and the landskip are
very agreeable.
A little boy and girl naked in a landskip of a garden, by Albano, in
his richest colouring.
A battle, by Bourgognone, about two feet wide; this is clearer and
better coloured than most of his pictures usually are.
Two landskips, by Gaspar Poussin, about two feet two inches wide each.
They are in his finest green manner, and extremely well preserved.
Another landskip, by the same master, a little larger but upright, and
also in his richest and best manner.
A landskip with rocks, and a man lying reading, by Salvator Rosa,
about two feet two inches wide. This is one of those pictures that
were engraved and published by direction of Mr. Pond some years ago:
it belonged then to Mr. Kent.
A landskip, its companion, by Bartolomeo, a disciple of the above
master. The figures and water in this picture are remarkably fine.
A landskip, a warm evening, about the same size, by Jean Asselin,
commonly called Crabacci, with cattle in the water by Berchem in his
finest manner. Mr. Major, an engraver of great merit, has made a very
capital print from this picture.
A landskip with cattle and figures, by Cuyp, its companion. The
sun-shine, for which this master is so famous, is particularly fine in
this picture.
Venus and Adonis with Cupids, by Van Baelen, in a landskip about the
same size as the above, by Velvet Brughell, who has introduced dogs,
_&c._ painted with the utmost life and spirit. This is as fine a
coloured picture as can possibly be met with.
A landskip about the same size, with a flock of sheep, _&c._ by
Francesco Mille. The composition is fine, and this is one of his
richest pictures.
A piece of ruins, by Viviano, about the same size.
A piece of ruins, by Ghisolfi, with a man sitting by the side of the
Tiber.
A sea calm with English yachts, by William Vandevelde. The keeping,
the figures, and the water, are uncommonly fine in this picture.
A canal with boats on it, and a bridge at the end, with buildings on
each side, by Canaletti. This picture, for the fineness of the water,
and the justness of the perspective, is allowed to be one of the very
finest of this master.
A landskip with figures, fishing, &c. by Zuccharelli, about 2 feet 9
inches wide. This picture from the fineness of the figures, and the
uncommon richness of the colouring, has been always deemed at least
equal to any thing this great master ever painted.
A holy family, with a little St. John sitting on a lamb, by
Scarcellini de Ferrara, after a design of Augustine Caracci; it is a
small picture, but the characters and colouring are remarkably sweet
in it.
A very masterly sketch of the miraculous cross of St. Antonio de
Padua, by Seb. Ricci. This at a little distance, has all the effect of
a finish’d picture.
Christ and the two disciples at Emaus, by Elsheimer. The story is
finely told, and there is great expression in the figures: this
picture is a curiosity, not only from the great scarceness of the
works of this master, but there are in it two different candle lights,
and a moon light, which have an uncommon, and yet pleasing effect.
The Virgin supporting a dead Christ, by Lubin Baugin, called in
France, Le Petit Guide, from his happy manner of imitating the stile
of that great master, of which this little picture, among others, is a
proof: this was out of the Duke de Tallard’s collection.
A sea monster swimming away with a woman, by Albert Durer, who has
engraved a print of the same subject: this is extremely well
preserved, and there is a much better keeping observed in it than is
usual in pictures of that age.
A camelion with a thistle and flies, most exquisitely painted after
the life, by Van Aelst.
A group of various flowers with insects in a glass of water, by a
master who has mark’d the picture with [Albrecht Durer’s mark] This in
point of finishing, is perhaps carried as high as art, colours, and
the finest pointed pencils can possibly arrive.
A man sitting smoaking, and other back figures, by David Teniers. This
is in his finest stile, both for colouring and expression.
Two men with a little dog going to enter a cottage; a smaller picture
by the same master. Mr. Major has engraved a print from this, and
call’d it the Friendly Invitation.
There are other smaller pictures, good in their kind, such as the
Virgin and Child, by Rottenhammer, highly finished and coloured.
The same subject, the school of Caracci, if not of him.
The Virgin and Child with a bird, and a little St. John, by Sebastian
Bourdon, richer coloured than common of this master.
A holy family and St. Catherine, by Schidoni.
An angel drawing an arrow from the side of St. Sebastian, finely
coloured by Gerrard Seghers.
Alpheus and Arethusa, Glaucus and Scylla, by Filippo Lauri, in his
best manner.
A ship on fire, by Vandevelde: the effect surprizingly fine.
A landskip, by Wynants, highly finish’d, &c.
The same Gentleman has also a collection of about twelve thousand
prints, engraved and etched by the most celebrated masters of the
three last centuries, much the greatest part of which are not only in
the highest preservation, but also of the finest impressions; and of
many of the matters, there are either all, or very near the whole
work; they are contained in about 50 large volumes, besides above 60
volumes in sculpture and architecture. The principal part of this
collection of prints are engraved and etched by Andrea Mantegna, Marco
Antonio Raimondi, Ugo da Carpi, Silvestra and Marco de Ravenna, Julio
Bonafoni, Augustino Venetiana, Martinus Rota, Adamo of Mantua, Andrea
del Sarto, Parmegiano, Primaticcio, Schidoni, Sisto Badalocchi,
Baroccio, Carnillo Procaccino, Michael Angelo Caravaggio, Guercino,
Spagnoletto, Paulo Veronese, Palma, Giulio Carpioni, Domenico Canuti,
Odoardo Fialetti, Paulo Farinati, Ventura Salembeni, all the
Caracci’s, Battista Franco, Guido Rheni, Simone Cantarini, Elisabetta
Sirani, Claude Lorrain, Gaspar Poussin, Crescentio, Horizonti,
Francesco Bolognese, Paul Brill, Both of Italy, Salvator Rosa, Pietro
Testa, Castiglione, Bourgognone, Carlo Maratti, Luca Jordano, Rubens,
Vandyck, and others, after him the whole work, Jordaens Rombouts,
Cornelius de Wael, Vosterman, Martinus Secu, Albert Durer, Lucas Van
Leiden, Hisbin, Geo. Pens, the Visschers, Rembrant near the whole
work, Ostade, David Teneirs, Both, Bega, Berchem, Paul Potter, Stoop,
Ad. Vandevelde, Bamboccio, Hondius, Fyt, Jean Miele, Molenaer, Hollar,
Bloemart, Sebastian Bourdon, Le Brun, La Hyre, Mignard, Della Bella,
Callot, Mellan, Spierre, Perelle, Coypel, Pittau, Morin, Edelinck,
Masson, Drevet, Nanteuil, and many other excellent masters: also a
very considerable collection of original drawings by most of the
greatest Italian, and some of the best Flemish and Dutch masters.
BERKLEY _street_, Hyde park road; thus called from its being near the
Lord Berkley of Stratton’s mansion house.
BERMEETER’S ALMSHOUSE, in St. John street Bethnal green, was founded by
Mr. Bermeeter, for six poor women, and by him endowed with 30_l._ _per
annum_.
BERMONDSEY SCHOOL, was founded in the year 1718, by Mr. Josiah Bacon,
who bequeatheth the sum of 700_l._ for purchasing land, and erecting a
school upon it, which he endowed with 150_l._ a year, for educating
sixty poor children of the parish of St. Mary Bermondsey street,
called by corruption Barnaby street. See _St._ MARY MAGDALEN’S
BERMONDSEY.
The district of Bermondsey appears in William the Conqueror’s survey
to have been a royal manor, in which were twenty five husbandmen, and
twenty-three cottagers. _Maitland._
BERNARD’S or BARNARD’S INN, situated on the south side of Holborn, near
Fetter lane, was anciently called Mackworth’s Inn, and is one of the
Inns of Chancery. This Society consists of a Principal and twelve
Antients, besides other members, who are obliged to be in commons a
fortnight in two terms, and ten days in each of the other two, on the
penalty of forfeiting five shillings a week.
BERRY _court_. 1. Liquorpond street.†. 2. Love lane, Wood street,
Cheapside.† 3. St. Mary Ax.
BERRY _street_. 1. Piccadilly.† 2. Near St. Mary Ax, Leadenhall street.†
BERWICK _street_, Old Soho.
BETHLEHEM _court_, Old Bethlehem.†
BETHLEM, or BEDLAM HOSPITAL, originally a priory, was founded in the
year 1247, by Simon Fitzroy, of London, or according to Stow, Simon
Fitz Mary, Sheriff of London, on the east side of the place now called
the quarters of Moorfields, and of the burial ground of Old Bethlem.
This priory consisted of brothers and sisters, who wore a star upon
their copes and mantles, probably in commemoration of the star that
guided the wisemen in their visit to our Saviour at his birth; and
these monks were to receive the Bishop and the Canons of Bethlehem,
whenever they should come to England. But King Henry VIII. giving this
house to the city of London, it was converted into an hospital for the
cure of lunatics; but not without a certain weekly expence, paid
either by their relations or the parish.
This hospital being, however, in an incommodious situation, and
becoming both ruinous, and unable to receive and entertain the great
number of distracted persons, whose friends sued for their admission,
the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, granted the Governors a
piece of ground along the south side of the lower quarters of
Moorfields, upon which the foundation of the present hospital was laid
in April 1675, and notwithstanding its being the most magnificent
edifice of its kind in Europe, was only fifteen months in erecting, as
appears by an inscription on its front.
This noble edifice is 540 feet in length, and 40 feet in breadth, and
is finely situated. The middle and ends, which project a little, are
adorned with pilasters, entablatures, foliages, and other ornaments,
and rising above the rest of the building, have each a flat roof with
a handsome balustrade of stone, in the center of which is an elegant
turret. That in the middle is adorned with a clock, and three dials, a
gilt ball, and a vane on the top.
[Illustration: S. Wale del. B. Green sculp. _Bethlem._]
[Illustration: S. Wale del. B. Green sculp. _London Bridge._]
This building upon the whole shews more the good intentions, than the
good taste of the founders of this charity, the style of architecture
being very improper for an hospital for madmen. Simplicity and
regularity was all that should have been aimed at, and if there was a
necessity for pilasters, those of the Tuscan order would have suited
the design much better than Corinthian; but without regarding the
application, the middle pavilion, which is elegant, should have
certainly been larger and more principal. The entrance is grand, and
the figures on the piers, one representing raving, and the other
melancholy madness, are finely expressed, and do honour to their
author Mr. Cibber, father of the late Poet Laureat. Since the first
erecting of this edifice, two wings have been added, in order to
contain a number of incurables. And before this fabric is a handsome
wall 680 feet in length, which, like the structure itself, is built
with brick and stone. It incloses a range of gardens neatly adorned
with walks of broad stone, grass plats and trees, wherein those of the
lunatics who are well enough to be suffered to go about, are allowed
to walk there and enjoy the benefit of the fresh air. In the middle of
this wall is a large pair of fine iron gates, and by them a small
entrance for the admission of those who come out of curiosity to visit
this hospital; on each side towards the top of these gates are placed
the two statues, in the manner represented in the print.
The expence of erecting this edifice, besides that of building the
wings, amounted to near 17,000_l._
The inside chiefly consists of two galleries one over the other, which
cross the wings, and are 193 yards long, thirteen feet high, and
sixteen feet broad; without including the cells for the patients,
which are twelve feet deep. These galleries are divided in the middle
by two iron grates, by which means all the men are placed at one end
of the house, and all the women at the other, and in each gallery
servants lie, to be ready at hand on all occasions. In the middle of
the upper gallery is a large spacious room, where the Governors, and,
in the lower, where the weekly Committee meet, and the Physician
prescribes for the patients; besides, above there are convenient
apartments for the steward of the house, the porter, matron, nurse and
servants; and below stairs all necessary offices for keeping and
dressing the provisions; for washing, and other necessary offices
belonging to so large a family; and also a bathing place for the
patients, so contrived, as to be an hot or cold bath, as occasion
requires.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _C. Grignion sc._ _Figures on Bethlem
Gate_]
There are generally above 200 lunatics maintained in this hospital,
each of whom has a small room or cell to himself, where he is locked
up on nights, and in this room is a place for a bed; but where the
patients are so senseless as not to be fit to make use of one, they
are every day provided with fresh clean straw. Those are judged the
fittest objects that are raving and furious, and yet capable of cure.
As to the method of admitting them, they are brought on Saturday, when
the Committee meets, to be viewed by them and the Physician; and if a
person be judged a fit object, a warrant is drawn up for his admission
by the clerk of the hospital, to be signed by the President, or, in
his absence, by the Treasurer. Those who put in the patient are
obliged to give a bond, signed by two persons, to take him away when
discharged, or if he dies, to be at the expence of burying him. Their
friends, who put them in, are obliged to provide them with cloaths;
but there is a wardrobe from whence they are supplied, when neglected
by those friends: for though, when raving and furious, they suffer but
little from the weather; yet in their intervals, they frequently
contract other distempers, care of which is also taken, as well as of
their lunacy, whether those distempers be external or internal; and
though formerly every patient paid 5_s._ a week, they now not only pay
nothing, but after their recovery and leaving the hospital, are
furnished with medicines to prevent a relapse. When a patient is
cured, he is called before a Committee of the Governors and
Physicians, who examine him, and being found fit to be discharged, the
Physician gives a certificate to that purpose, and then the steward of
the house takes care to have him delivered to his friends.
The hospitals of Bethlem and Bridewell being made one corporation,
they have the same President, Treasurer, Governors, Clerk, Physician,
Surgeon, and Apothecary; yet each hospital has its proper steward and
inferior officers, and a particular committee is chosen out of the
Governors for each. Out of that appointed for Bethlem, there are six
who meet every Saturday, to examine the steward’s account of expences
for the preceding week, and to sign it after it is approved; they also
view the provisions, examine the patients that are to be received or
discharged, and have the direction of other affairs belonging to this
hospital.
BETHNAL GREEN, a village near Mile End, and lately one of the hamlets of
Stepney, from which parish it was separated by an act of parliament in
the 13th year of his present Majesty’s reign. The old Roman way from
London led thro’ this hamlet, and joining the military way from the
west, passed with it to Lea Ferry at Old Ford. Within this hamlet,
Bonner, Bishop of London, had a palace, and the Trinity House have a
hospital for twenty-eight decayed seamen, who have been masters of
ships or pilots, or their widows. See TRINITY HOSPITAL.
The church built pursuant to the above act, is placed at the north
east corner of Hare street, Spitalfields, and is a neat, commodious
edifice, built with brick coped and coined with freestone; and the
tower, which is not high, is of the same materials. It is remarkable,
that though the village of itself is small, yet as part of
Spitalfields anciently belonged to that hamlet, this parish contains
1800 houses, and the parishioners are computed to amount to above
15000.
BETT’S _alley_, Anchor street.†
BETT’S _street_. 1. By Knockfergus.† 2. Ratcliff Highway.†
BEVIS _lane_, Duke’s place.
BEVIS MARKS, St. Mary Ax. Here was once a very large house with several
courts and gardens, which belonging to the Abbot of Bury in Suffolk,
was called Bury’s Marks, corruptly Bevis Marks. This house being
demolished, the ground has many houses built upon it, and among the
rest a synagogue of Jews. _Stow._
BEVIS MARKS SCHOOL, was founded in the in the year 1731, by Isaac de
Costa Villa Real, a Portuguese Jew, who also endowed it with the
annual sum of 80_l._ for cloathing and educating twenty Jew girls of
his nation.
BEWLEY’S _rents_, Holiwell court.†
BIGG’S _alley_, Thrall street, Spitalfields.†
BIGG’S or BETT’S _rents_, Rosemary lane, Tower hill.
BILL _alley_, Billiter lane.
BILLET _yard_, Billiter lane.
BILLINGSGATE, a great fish market in Thames street; which is only a
large water-gate, port, or harbour, for small vessels, laden with
fish, oranges, lemons, Spanish onions, and in summer, with Kentish
cherries; here the Gravesend boats wait to take in their fare; and
here the woodmongers and coalmen meet at about eight or nine o’clock
every morning, this being a kind of exchange for those concerned in
the coal trade.
Billingsgate is however most famous for being the greatest fish market
in England, and the only port for fish in London, which has occasioned
several acts of parliament, to prevent the fishmongers monopolizing
that considerable article of food. By these acts it is made lawful for
any person to buy fish in that market, and to sell it again in any
other market or place in the city of London, or elsewhere, by retail;
but no fishmonger, or other person, is to engross or buy more than
shall be for his own sale or use, on pain of forfeiting 20_l._ for
every such offence, and no fishmonger, or other person, is to expose
to sale any fish at Billingsgate by retail that was before bought in
the same market.
BILLINGSGATE _dock_, Thames street.
BILLINGSGATE _ward_, is situated on the side of the Thames, and is
therefore bounded by that river on the south; as it is on the east by
Tower street ward, on the west by Bridge ward, and on the north by
Langbourn ward. It contains a part of Thames street, and Little
Eastcheap, which lie in the same direction, and those leading from one
of those streets to the other, as St. Mary at hill, Love lane,
Botolph’s lane, Pudding lane, and on the other side of Little
Eastcheap, a considerable part of Rood lane, and Philpot lane. The
most remarkable buildings are the churches of St. Mary at hill, St.
Margaret Pattens, and St. George, Botolph lane; Butchers hall, and the
King’s weigh-house.
This ward is governed by an Alderman, and ten Common Council men, one
of whom is Deputy, eleven constables, six scavengers, fourteen
wardmote inquestmen, and a beadle.
The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest, serve as jurors in the
courts of Guildhall in the month of May.
BILLITER _lane_, Leadenhall street. It was anciently called Belzeter’s
lane, from its first builder and owner, which was at length corrupted
to Billiter lane. _Maitland._
BILLITER _square_, Billiter lane.
BILTON’S _alley_, Freeman’s lane, Horselydown.†
BINGLE’S _lane_, Poplar.†
BINHAM’S _yard_, near St. James’s square.†
BIRCHIN _lane_, Cornhill. Stow observes that it was anciently called
Birchover’s lane, from Birchover, the first builder and owner, and
that this name was corrupted to Birchin lane.
BIRD’S _alley_, Fashion street.†
BIRD’S _court_, Philip lane.†
BIRD’S _street_, 1. Brook’s street.† 2. Green Bank, Wapping.† 3. Orchard
street.†
BIRD’S _wharf_, White Friars stairs.†
BIRD’S _yard_, Chick lane, Smithfield.†
BIRD CAGE _alley_. 1. Anchor street.* 2. In the Borough.* 3. St.
Margaret’s Hill, Southwark.*
BIRDCATCHERS _alley_, Whitechapel.
BIRD IN HAND _alley_, Cheapside.*
BISHOP’S _court_. 1. Ailsbury street. 2. Brook’s street. 3. Chancery
lane, from the Bishop of Chichester’s house near that place. 4.
Coleman street. 5. Durham yard in the Strand. 6. Fore street. 7.
Gray’s Inn lane. 8. Little Old Bailey. 9. Lothbury. 10. Old Soho. 11.
Old street.
BISHOP’S _yard_, Charles street, Grosvenor square.
BISHOPSGATE, is situated 1440 feet north west of Aldgate. Mr. Strype
imagines that it was erected by Erkenwald Bishop of London about the
year 675, a conjecture founded only on the effigies of two Bishops
wherewith this gate was formerly adorned, and from which it might take
its name: but it is probable that it was not erected so early, since
Mr. Stow could not find it mentioned before the year 1210.
In the reign of King Henry III. the Anseatic company residing in this
city, in consideration of several privileges granted them, obliged
themselves and their successors, not only to keep this gate in repair,
but to defend it, whenever it should be attacked by an enemy: and by
this company it was rebuilt in a beautiful manner in the year 1479. On
the south side over the gateway, was placed a stone image of a Bishop
with a mitre on his head; he had a long beard, eyes sunk, and an old
mortified face, and was supposed to present St. Erkenwald. On the
north side was another Bishop with a smooth face, reaching out his
right hand to bestow his benedictions, and holding a crosier in his
left, who is thought to have been the courtly Bishop William the
Norman: this last was accompanied by two other figures in stone,
supposed to be King Alfred, and his son Eldred Earl of Mercia. The
present structure is a plain neat edifice erected in 1735. On the top
over the gateway, which is very lofty, is the city arms supported by
dragons; and on each side of the gate is a postern for the convenience
of foot passengers.
BISHOPSGATE _street_ extends from Cornhill, thro’ the gate, to Norton
Falgate, that part between the gate and Cornhill being called
Bishopsgate street within, and all without the gate, Bishopsgate
street without.
BISHOPSGATE _ward_, which takes its name from the gate, that stands
almost in its center, is bounded on the south by Langbourn ward; on
the west by Broad street ward; and Moorfields on the east by Aldgate
ward, Portsoken ward, and part of the Tower liberty; and on the north
by Shoreditch: thus this ward extends from the bars near Spital
square, on both sides of the way, (including near half of Houndsditch)
as far as the pump at the corner of St. Martin’s Outwich; and winds by
the west corner of Leadenhall, down Gracechurch street, to the south
west corner of Fenchurch street. The principal places in this ward
are, the parish churches of St. Botolph without Bishopsgate, St.
Ethelburga’s, and Great St. Helen’s; Leatherfellers hall, Gresham
college, and the London Workhouse.
This ward is under the government of an Alderman and two Deputies, one
within, and the other without the gate, six Common Council men,
thirteen wardmote inquest men, seven constables, seven scavengers, and
a beadle. The jurymen returned by the inquest men are to serve in the
several courts of Guildhall in the month of December
BISSEL’S _court_, Wapping.†
BIST’S _gardens_, in the Mint, Southwark.†
BITT _alley_, Turnmill street.
BLACK _alley_, Turnmill street.
BLACK AND WHITE _alley_. 1. Old Bailey. 2. Tower hill.
BLACK AND WHITE _court_, Old Bailey.
BLACK BELL _alley_. Petticoat lane.*
BLACK BIRD _alley_. 1. St. John’s street, Spitalfields.* 2. Spicer
street.*
BLACK BOY _alley_. 1. Chick lane.* 2. Barnaby street.* 3. Blackman
street, Southwark.* 4. Fore street, Lambeth.* 5. In the Minories.* 6.
Near Peter’s Hill, Thames street.* 7. Rosemary lane.* 8. Saltpetre
Bank.*
BLACK BOY _court_, Long Acre.*
BLACK BOY _yard_. 1. In the Minories.* 2. Saltpetre Bank.*
BLACK BULL _alley_, Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.*
BLACK BULL _yard_, Whitechapel.*
BLACKBURN’S _alley_, Rotherhith wall.†
BLACKBURN’S _court_, Portpool lane.†
BLACKBURN’S _mews_, Grosvenor street.†
BLACK DOG _alley_. 1. Bowling alley, Dean’s yard, Westminster.* 2. East
Smithfield.*
BLACK DOG _yard_. 1. Near Vauxhall.* 2. Shoreditch.*
BLACK EAGLE _court_, Whitechapel.*
BLACK EAGLE _street_, Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
BLACK EAGLE _yard_, Black Eagle street.*
BLACK FIELDS, Horselydown.
BLACK FRIARS, near Fleet ditch, was a monastery of that order, otherwise
called Preaching Friars. This monastery was erected by Robert Kilwarby
Archbishop of Canterbury, about the year 1276, who also built the
church of Black Friars, to which King Edward I. and Queen Eleanor were
great benefactors, and even the reputed founders. This church was
large and richly furnished with ornaments. In the monastery several
parliaments were held, and the Emperor Charles V. who was also King of
Spain, lodged there in the year 1522. There the ancient Kings had
their records and charters kept, as well as at the Tower: and, tho’
this monastery was dissolved with the rest by King Henry VIII. yet in
the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Black Friars was inhabited by many
noblemen and gentlemen; parliaments still continued to be often held
there, and being a place of refuge, malefactors frequently took
shelter in its liberties, and the inhabitants were free from arrests:
but these pernicious privileges have been many years lost; and as it
has been lately made part of the ward of Faringdon within, the
shopkeepers and tradesmen are obliged to be free of the city; two
Common Council men are annually elected out of it, and added to the
number that used to serve this ward.
BLACK FRIARS _bridge_. The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council of
this city, have been empowered by a late act, to build a bridge cross
the Thames from Black Friars to the opposite side in the county of
Surrey; to fill up the channel of Bridewell dock, or Fleet ditch, and
to purchase and pull down such buildings as shall be thought proper
for forming and widening streets and avenues. This bridge is to have a
free and open passage thro’ the arches of 750 feet at least within the
banks of the river. A sufficient number of glass lamps are to be fixed
on proper parts of it, to burn from sun setting to sun rising; and a
number of watchmen placed for the security of passengers.
For the erecting and support of this work, when finished, they are to
receive as toll, any sum they shall direct, not exceeding the
following rates:
For every coach, chariot, berlin, chaise, chair or calash, drawn by
six horses, 2_s._
Drawn by four horses, 1_s._ 6_d._
Drawn by less than four, 1_s._
For every waggon, wain, cart or car, drawn by four or more horses, or
other beasts, 1_s._
For either of the same carriages drawn by less than four horses, &c.
6_d._
For every horse, mule or ass, laden or unladen, and not drawing, 1_d._
For every foot passenger on Sunday, 1_d._
And every other day ½d.
Upon the credit of these tolls, the Lord Mayor and Common Council are
impowered to raise any sums of money not exceeding 30,000_l._ in one
year, till they have raised 160,000_l._ in the whole, which they are not
to exceed.
BLACK FRIARS _school_, was founded by Peter Joy, Esq; in the year 1716,
who also endowed it with 160_l._ 17_s._ 3_d._ _per annum_, for
cloathing and instructing forty boys and thirty girls, in reading,
writing and accounts. This school he left in trust with the Governors
of Sion College, who allow the master 40_l._ and the mistress 30_l._ a
year.
BLACK FRIARS _stairs_, near Fleet ditch.
BLACKHEATH, a large plain on the south of Greenwich, on which Watt
Tyler, the Kentish rebel, mustered 100,000 men. In this place, which
is admired for the fineness of its situation, and its excellent air,
is a noble house built by Sir Gregory Page, Bart. a view of which we
have here given.
This is a very magnificent edifice, built in the modern taste,
consisting of a basement state and attick story. The wings contain the
offices and stables, which are joined to the body of the house by a
colonade. It stands in the midst of a park with a large piece of water
before it. The back front has an Ionic portico of four columns, but
having no pediment does not make so agreeable a figure as could be
wished.
This is one of the finest seats in England belonging to a private
gentleman; it is adorned with many capital pictures, a list whereof is
here given; and the gardens, park, and country around, render it a
most delightful seat: yet this fine edifice was begun, raised, and
covered, in the space of eleven months. At a small distance is the
College erected by Sir John Morden, Bart. for a particular account of
which see MORDEN COLLEGE.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _B. Green sc. Oxon._ _S^r. Gregory
Pages Seat._]
A Catalogue of the Pictures of Sir GREGORY PAGE, Baronet, at his
House at _Blackheath_.
│ Height.│ Breadth.│Painted by
│ Feet Inc.│ Feet Inc.│
Sampson and Dalilah │ 5 6│ 8 3│_Vandyke._
St. Cyprian a ¾ │ 4 3│ 3 1½│_Ditto._
length │ │ │
The three royal │ 2 0│ 3 8│_Ditto._
children ½ │ │ │
lengths │ │ │
Juno and Ixion │ 6 0│ 8 0│_Rubens._
Rubens and his │ 6 8│ 6 3│_Ditto._
mistress │ │ │
Rubens, two figures,│ 5 3│ 8 0│_Ditto and Snyders._
fowls and fruit │ │ │
Figures by Rubens, a│ 2 3│ 3 1│_Ditto and Brughel._
landskip │ │ │
David and Abigail │ 6 2│ 6 9½│_Ditto._
A maid milking a │ 4 10│ 6 7│_Jordans of Antwp._
goat │ │ │
The good Samaritan │ 7 0│ 7 8│_Systi Baldelochi._
The return of the │ 7 0│ 9 0│_Chev. Calabreze._
prodigal son │ │ │
Moses striking the │ 7 0│ 9 0│_Valerio Castello._
rock │ │ │
The woman taken in │ 3 8│ 5 2│_Paul Veronese._
adultery │ │ │
Moses and Pharaoh’s │ 4 4│ 6 0│_Paul Veronese._
daughter │ │ │
A counsellor, his │ 3 10½│ 4 9½│_Titian._
wife and daughter │ │ │
Peter’s denial of │ 4 2│ 4 10│_M. A. daCaravagio._
our Saviour │ │ │
A holy family │ 2 2│ 1 0│_Parmegiano._
Moses striking the │ 3 1│ 4 10½│_Giacomo Bassan._
rock │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 4│ 3 10½│_Ditto._
cattle │ │ │
The angels appearing│ 4 2│ 5 5│_Bassan._
to the shepherds │ │ │
History of Cupid and│ 1 10│ 2 2½│_Luca Giordano._
Psyche, twelve │ │ │
pieces │ │ │
Venus, Cupid and │ 1 1½│ 1 4½│_Philippo Lauro._
Satyrs │ │ │
Venus, Cupid and │ 1 1½│ 1 4½│_Ditto._
Satyrs │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 0│ 1 6│_Salvator Rosa._
figures │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 0│ 1 6│_Francisco Mola._
figures │ │ │
Judith and │ 4 4½│ 3 11│_Manfredo._
Holofernes │ │ │
│ 3 10½│ 3 2½│_Lewis Carrachi._
A sacrifice │ 3 2│ 4 3│_Nich. Poussin._
A Venus, Cupid and │ 2 2│ 1 8│_Ditto._
Satyrs │ │ │
Daphne changed into │ 2 2½│ 1 10│_Nich. Poussin._
a laurel │ │ │
A landskip with │ 3 0│ 4 3│_Gaspar Poussin._
figures │ │ │
Architecture and │ 3 9│ 5 3│_Viviano._
figures │ │ │
Architecture and │ 3 2│ 4 4½│_Ditto._
figures │ │ │
Joseph and his │ 3 0│ 4 2│_Paraccini._
brethren │ │ │
Jacob embracing │ 3 0│ 4 2│_Ditto._
Benjamin │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 0│ 2 9│_Claude Lorrain._
figures │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 6│ 3 11½│_Francisco Mille._
figures │ │ │
A landskip with │ 1 5│ 1 10│_Ditto._
figures │ │ │
Three figures ½ │ 3 10│ 3 1│_after Car.
lengths │ │ │Maratti._
A quarter length │ 2 9│ 2 0│_Albert Durer._
A battle piece │ 2 3│ 3 2│_Bourgognone._
A battle piece │ 2 3│ 3 2│_Ditto._
An holy family │ 3 0│ 3 9│_Solomini._
Paris and Helena │ 2 0│ 3 2½│_L’Araise._
The judgment of │ 3 9│ 4 1½│_Pompeio._
Solomon, gallery │ │ │
chimney piece │ │ │
Hector and │ 3 4│ 3 6│_Imperialis._
Andromache, │ │ │
drawing room │ │ │
chimney piece │ │ │
Coriolanus, saloon │ 3 9│ 3 9│_Imperialis and
chimney piece │ │ │Masucci._
Architecture and │ 4 8│ 4 0½│_Paulo Panini._
figures, dressing │ │ │
room chimney piece│ │ │
Architecture with │ 2 5│ 2 4½│_Ditto._
figures, │ │ │
bedchamber chimney│ │ │
piece │ │ │
Ditto, yellow │ 3 4½│ 3 3│_Ditto._
bedchamber chimney│ │ │
piece │ │ │
Ditto, library │ 4 7½│ 4 0½│_after Panini._
chimney piece │ │ │
Ditto, yellow │ 2 10│ 3 7½│_Harding aft.
dressing room, │ │ │Panini._
ditto │ │ │
Ditto, red dressing │ 3 6│ 3 4½│_Ditto._
over the chimney │ │ │
piece, ditto │ │ │
Ditto, store room │ 2 9½│ 2 8½│_Ditto._
chimney piece, │ │ │
ditto │ │ │
Ditto, over the │ 1 9│ 3 3│_after P. Panini._
doors of the red │ │ │
drawing room │ │ │
Ditto, over the │ 1 9│ 3 3│_Harding aft.
doors of the red │ │ │Panini_
drawing room │ │ │
Ditto, with figures │ 2 4│ 3 8│_Ditto._
over the door in │ │ │
the saloon │ │ │
Ditto, ditto │ 2 4│ 3 8│_Ditto._
A landskip with │ 3 8½│ 3 8½│_Lambert._
figures, dining │ │ │
room chimney piece│ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 10½│ 3 2½│_Ditto._
figures, green │ │ │
dressing room │ │ │
chimney piece │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 4½│ 2 4½│_By_
figures, green │ │ │
bedchamber chimney│ │ │
piece │ │ │
Fruit and flowers, │ 2 5│ 2 5│_By_
breakfast chimney │ │ │
piece │ │ │
Pharaoh’s daughter │ 2 3½│ 1 10½│_Chev. Vanderwerff._
and Moses │ │ │
Message by the │ 2 2│ 1 7½│_Ditto._
angels to the │ │ │
shepherds │ │ │
King Zeleucus giving│ 2 4│ 1 8│_Ditto._
his kingdom to his│ │ │
son │ │ │
Shepherds and │ 1 10│ 1 5½│_Chev. Vanderwerff._
shepherdesses │ │ │
dancing │ │ │
Hercules between │ 1 11│ 1 5│_Ditto._
Virtue and Vice │ │ │
Roman Charity │ 1 11½│ 1 5│_Ditto._
Joseph and │ 1 11│ 1 5½│_Ditto._
Potipher’s wife │ │ │
Mary Magdalen │ 1 11│ 1 6│_Ditto._
reading in a │ │ │
grotto │ │ │
Bathsheba bathing │ 1 10│ 1 3½│_Ditto._
Our Saviour and Mary│ 2 4│ 1 8½│_Ditto._
Magdalen │ │ │
Venus and Cupid │ 1 5½│ 1 0│_Ditto._
Chevalier │ 2 1 0│ 2 2½│_Ditto._
Vanderwerff, his │ │ │
wife and daughter │ │ │
Adam and Eve │ 1 6│ 1 0│_Peter Vanderwerff._
and Stratonica │ 1 6│ 1 0│_Ditto._
A landskip with many│ 2 8│ 3 8│_Sir D. Teniers._
figures, a fair at│ │ │
Ghen │ │ │
Ditto with figures │ 2 8│ 3 9½│_Ditto._
Fruit and flowers │ 2 7│ 2 0│_Van Huysan._
Ditto │ 2 7│ 2 0│_Ditto._
Fruit and flowers │ 2 0│ 1 9│_Van Huysan._
Ditto │ 2 0│ 1 9│_Ditto._
Ditto │ 1 3│ 1 0│_Ditto._
A view of Venice, │ 2 4│ 3 8│_Harding af.
over the saloon │ │ │Canaleti._
door │ │ │
Ditto, ditto │ 2 4│ 3 8│_Ditto._
Architecture, over │ 2 6│ 4 0│_Ditto after
the door in the │ │ │Panini._
gallery │ │ │
Ditto, ditto │ 2 6│ 4 0│_Ditto._
The golden age │ 2 1│ 2 8│_Limburg._
The great church at │ 2 7│ 2 3│_De Witt._
Harlem │ │ │
A landskip with │ 0 7│ 0 10│_Velvet Brughel._
figures │ │ │
Ditto │ 0 4½│ 0 6│_Ditto._
A poulterer’s shop │ 1 5│ 1 3│_Old Meiris._
A fishmonger’s shop │ 1 5│ 1 3│_Ditto._
A water piece │ 0 10│ 1 1│_Zagtleven._
An hunting piece │ 2 2│ 2 8│_Berchem._
An Italian playing │ 1 2│ 1 0│_Brower._
on the guitar │ │ │
A landskip with │ 1 10½│ 2 2½│_Wouvermans._
figures and cattle│ │ │
A landskip with │ 1 6│ 1 10│_Wouvermans._
figures and cattle│ │ │
The holy family │ 2 3│ 1 7│_Scalchen._
Ditto │ 2 3│ 1 7│_Ditto._
A woman with a torch│ 1 0½│ 0 10½│_Ditto._
A schoolmaster │ 1 2│ 0 11│_Gerard Dowe._
The offering of the │ 1 4│ 1 0│_Polenburgh._
kings │ │ │
Two small figures, │ 1 3½│ 1 6½│_Young Meiris._
Venus and Adonis │ │ │
A landskip with │ 1 7½│ 2 7│_Edema._
cattle │ │ │
A landskip with │ 2 0│ 2 5½│_Craddock._
fowls and a dog │ │ │
In the Gallery 52 pictures
Drawing room 13
Saloon 8
Dressing room 32
Bedchamber 1
Library 1
Dining room 2
Attick story 9
——
118 In
all
BLACK HORSE _alley_. 1. Barbican.* 2. Near Snow hill.*
BLACK HORSE _court_. 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. In the Minories. 3. Old
Change.* 4. White street, Southwark.* 5. Windmill street.*
BLACK HORSE _yard_. 1. Green street, Leicester fields.* 2. In the
Curtain, Hog lane, Shoreditch.* 3. Gravel lane, Houndsditch.* 4.
Gray’s Inn lane.* 5. Harrow alley, Petticoat lane.* 6. Nightingale
lane.* 7. Pickax street.* 8. Poor Jewry lane, within Aldgate.* 9.
Tottenham Court road.* 10. Townditch, Little Britain.* 11. Tower
hill.* 12. Whitechapel.* 13. Great Windmill street.*
BLACK JACK _alley_. 1. East Smithfield.* 2. Great Windmill street.* 3.
Old street.*
BLACK LION _alley_, Wentworth street.*
BLACK LION _court_. 1. Bank side.* 2. Foster lane.* 3. Old Change.*
BLACK LION _stairs_, near York Buildings.*
BLACK LION _yard_. 1. Bedfordbury.* 2. Stony lane, Petticoat lane.* 3.
Whitechapel.*
BLACKMAN’S _court_. 1. Great Peter street.* 2. Price’s alley.*
BLACKMAN’S _street_, St. George’s church, Southwark.*
BLACK MARY’S _hole_, a few stragling houses near the Cold Bath fields,
in the road to Hampstead. It took its name from a Blackmoor woman
called Mary, who about thirty years ago lived by the side of the road
near the stile in a small circular hut built with stones.
BLACKMOOR’S HEAD _yard_, near St. James’s square.*
BLACKMOOR _street_, Clare-market.*
BLACKMOOR’S _alley_. 1. Farthing fields.* 2. Green bank, Wapping.* 3.
St. Martin’s lane, Charing cross.*
BLACK RAVEN _alley_. 1. Coleman street.* 2. Leadenhall street.* 3. Near
Fishmongers hall in Thames street.*
BLACK RAVEN _court_. 1. Chiswell street.* 2. Golden lane.* 3. Grub
street. 4. Leadenhall street.* 5. St. Olave’s street.* 6. Seething
lane.*
BLACK RAVEN _passage_, Fetter lane.*
BLACK ROD, an officer of the King’s palace, so called from his carrying
a black staff, is the chief of the four Gentlemen Ushers of the
presence chamber, and attends the House of Lords every day during the
sitting of Parliament, where his seat is within the bar. When the King
sends to order the House of Commons to attend him in that house, he
always sends the Black Rod. This gentleman is also employed in fitting
up the House of Lords before the meeting of the Parliament; he
introduces the Lords into that house, and to his custody delinquents
are committed by the Lords. This gentleman is likewise Usher to the
order of the Garter.
BLACK’S _alley_, East Smithfield.
BLACK’S _fields_, Shad Thames.
BLACKSMITHS, an ancient guild, or fraternity, which was continued by
prescription, till the Blacksmiths were incorporated by letters patent
granted by Queen Elizabeth, and confirmed by King James I.
This company is governed by a Master, three Wardens, and twenty-one
Assistants, and has a livery of 220 members, whose fine is 8_l._ They
have a pleasant hall on Lambeth hill, for the dispatch of their
affairs.
BLACKSMITHS _yard_, Upper Ground, Southwark.
BLACK SPREAD EAGLE _alley_. 1. Blackman street.* 2. Kent street.* 3.
Turnmill street.*
BLACK SPREAD EAGLE _court_. 1. Blackman street.* 2. Finch lane,
Cornhill.*
BLACK SWAN _alley_. 1. Golden lane.* 2. Corbet’s court, Eagle street.*
3. Holiwell street.* 4. Little Carter lane.* 5. Opposite Garlick Hill,
Thames street.* 6. London wall.* 7. St. Margaret’s hill.*
BLACK SWAN _court_. 1. Bartholomew lane.* 2. Canon street.* 3. Golden
lane.* 4. In the Maze.* 5. Market street.* 6. St. Paul’s Church yard.*
7. Shore ditch.* 8. Great Tower street.*
BLACK SWAN _yard_. 1. Brown’s lane.* 2. In the Borough.* 3. Newington
Butts.* 4. Ropemakers fields, Limehouse.*
BLACK SWAN INN _yard_, Holborn.*
BLACKWELL, Poplar.
BLACKWELL _hall_, Basinghall street, a very ancient edifice, employed
for several ages as a market for all kinds of woollen cloth brought to
London. This edifice was originally called Basing’s Haugh or Hall;
probably from the family of the Basings, who first built the house,
and whose arms were placed in many parts of it, painted on the walls,
and cut in the stone-work. From this family, who were owners also of
the adjoining ground. Stow supposes, that “the ward itself took its
name, as Coleman street ward of Coleman, and Faringdon ward, of
William and Nicholas Faringdon.” Of this family the same author
observes, that Solomon Basing was Mayor in the year 1216; and that to
Adam Basing his son, who was also afterwards Mayor, King Henry III.
gave the advowson of the church at Basing Hall, and several liberties
and privileges.
In the 36th year of Edward III. this house was inhabited by Mr. Thomas
Bakewell, whence it obtained the name of Bakewell Hall; a name that
was afterwards corrupted to that of Blackwell Hall. At length it was
purchased, with the garden and appurtenances, of King Richard II. by
the city, for the sum of 50_l._ and from that time has been chiefly
employed as a weekly market for all the broad and narrow woollen
cloths brought out of the country.
This house at length growing ruinous, was rebuilt in the form of a
handsome store house in the year 1558, at the charge of 2500_l._ but
an hundred and eight years after was destroyed by the fire of London,
and again rebuilt in 1672; this last is the present edifice.
It is a square building with a court in the middle surrounded with
warehouses, and has two spacious entrances for carriages, one from
Basinghall street, and the other opposite to it by Guildhall. This
last is the principal front, and has the door-case adorned with two
columns of the Doric order, with their entablature, and a pediment, in
which are the King’s arms, and a little lower the city arms enriched
with Cupids, _&c._
In this edifice are the Devonshire, Gloucester, Worcester, Kentish,
Medley, Spanish, and Blanket Halls, in which each piece of cloth pays
one penny for pitching, and a half-penny per week resting; and the
profits, which are said to amount to about 1100_l._ _per annum_, are
applied towards the support of Christ’s Hospital, the Governors
whereof have the whole management of these warehouses. There are
several statutes relating to the regulation of this market, with
respect to the factors, and others concerned.
BLACKWELL HALL _court_, London Wall, Basinghall street. ☐
BLACKWELL HALL _passage_, Cateaton street. ☐
BLACKWELL HALL _yard_, Basinghall street. ☐
BLAKE’S _alley_, Holiwell lane. †
BLAKE’S _court_, Catharine street, in the Strand. †
BLAKE’S _yard_, Old street. †
BLAND _court_, Narrow street. †
BLAND’S _dock_, Rotherhith. †
BLAND’S _yard_, In the Minories. †
BLANK _yard_, Great Pearl street.
BLECHINGLY, a small parliamentary borough in Surrey, said to have
enjoyed that privilege ever since parliaments had a being, and yet it
has no market. The Bailiff, who returns the members, is annually
chosen at the Lord of the Mannor’s court. The town, which is five
miles from Ryegate, and twenty from London, being situated on a hill,
on the side of Holmsdale, affords a fine prospect, as far as Sussex
and the South Downs, and from some of the ruins of the castle, which
are still visible, tho’ in the midst of a coppice, one may take a view
to the west into Hampshire, and to the east into Kent. Here is a free
school and an almshouse; but the spire of the church was consumed by
lightning and all the bells melted in the year 1606.
BLEEDING HEART _yard_, Cross street, Hatton garden. †
BLENHEIM _street_, Oxford street.
BLEWGATE _fields_, Ratcliff Highway.
BLEWIT’S _buildings_, Fetter lane. †
BLEWIT’S _court_, Fetter lane. †
BLICK’S _row_, Oxford row. †
BLIND BEGGARS _alley_, Cow Cross. †
BLOOD’S _ground_, Mersham street. †
BLOODWORTH’S _dock_, Wapping. †
BLOODWORTH’S _yard_, Wapping wall.
BLOODY BRIDGE, King’s Road, Chelsea.
BLOOMSBURY, the district thus named was anciently a village denominated
Lomsbury, in which were the King’s stables, till they were destroyed
by fire in 1354. _Maitland._
BLOOMSBURY _church_. See ST. GEORGE’S _Bloomsbury_.
BLOOMSBURY _court_, Bloomsbury market.
BLOOMSBURY _market_, by Bloomsbury square.
[Illustration: _S. Wale delin._ _C. Grignion sculp._ _Bedford House._]
BLOOMSBURY _square_, Southampton street, Holborn. This square has been
lately embellished with many goodhouses, and the grass plats in the
middle surrounded with neat iron rails. The north side is entirely
taken up with Bedford House, which is elegant, and was the design of
Inigo Jones. Besides the body of the house, are two wings, and on each
side the proper offices. One of the wings is a magnificent gallery in
which are copies of the Cartoons at Hampton Court, as large as the
originals, by Sir James Thornhill. Behind the house are extensive
gardens, which command a view of the country, and particularly of
Highgate and Hampstead.
BLOSSOM’S INN _entry_, Blossom’s Inn yard, Laurence lane, Cheapside.
BLOSSOM’S INN _yard_, Honey lane market, Cheapside.
BLOSSOM’S _street_. 1. Briant street. 2. White-Lion street, Norton
Falgate.
BLOWBLADDER _street_, from Cheapside to St. Martin’s le Grand. It
obtained its present name from the bladders formerly sold there, when
the shambles were in Newgate street.
BLOW’S _court_, Saffron hill. †
BLUE ANCHOR _alley_. 1. Barnaby street. * 2. Brook’s street, near
Ratcliff Cross. * 3. Bunhill row. * 4. Cable street. * 5. Green Bank.
* 6. Great Minories. * 7. Old street. * 8. Pesthouse row. * 9. Petty
France. * 10. Rosemary lane. * 11. St. Catharine’s. * 12. Tooley
street. * 13. Tower ditch. * 14. Whitecross street, Cripplegate. *
BLUE ANCHOR _court_. 1. Butcher row, without Temple Bar. * 2. Coleman
street. * 3. Salisbury court, Fleet street.
BLUE ANCHOR _road_, West lane, Rotherhith wall. *
BLUE ANCHOR _yard_. 1. Green Bank. * 2. Little Tower hill. * 3. London
wall. * 4. Petty France, Westminster. * 5. St. Catharine’s lane. * 6.
Rosemary lane. *
BLUE BALL _alley_. 1. In the Mint, Southwark. * 2. Saffron hill. *
BLUE BALL _court_. * 1. Artichoke lane. * 2. Canon street. * 3. Drury
lane. * 4. Little Hart street, Covent Garden. * 5. Salisbury court,
Fleet street. *
BLUE BALL _yard_, Fell street, Little Wood street. *
BLUE BELL _yard_. 1. Dirty lane. * 2. Petty France, Westminster. *
BLUE BEAR _alley_. 1. Blackman street. * 2. Field lane. * 3. White
street. *
BLUE BEAR _court_. 1. Canon street. * 2. Chick lane. * 3. Friday street.
* 4. Rosemary lane. *
BLUE BOAR _yard_. 1. Field lane, Holborn. * 2. Great Russel street. *
BLUE BOAR HEAD _yard_, King’s street, Westminster. *
BLUE BOAR INN _yard_, Whitechapel. *
BLUE BOAR’S HEAD _alley_. 1. Barbican. * 2. White street. *
BLUE BOAR’S HEAD INN _yard_, Whitechapel.*
BLUE _court_, Saffron hill.
BLUE CROSS _street_, Hedge lane, Charing cross.
BLUE GATE _alley_, Whitecross street, Southwark.*
BLUE GATE _field_, Upper Shadwell.
BLUE GATE _street_. 1. Dirty lane, Blackman street. 2. Ratcliff Highway.
BLUE GATE _yard_. 1. Carter’s Rents. 2. East Smithfield. 3. Harrow yard,
Whitechapel.
BLUE HART _court_, Little Bell alley.*
BLUE MAID _alley_, St. Margaret’s hill.*
BLUE POST _alley_, Blue Gate field.
BLUE _yard_, Gravel lane.
BLUNDERBUSS _alley_, 1. King’s Gate street.* 2. St. Thomas Apostles.*
BOAR _alley_, Grub street, Fore street.*
BOARDED _alley_, Baldwin’s gardens.
BOARDED _entry_. 1. Crutched Friars. 2. London wall. 3. Surrey street.
BOAR’S HEAD _alley_. 1. Whitechapel.* 2. White street.*
BOAR’S HEAD _court_. 1. In the Borough.* 2. Fleet ditch.* 3. Gracechurch
street.* 4. Grub street.*
BOAR’S HEAD _yard_. 1. Petticoat lane.* 2. West Smithfield. *
BOAR’S HEAD INN _yard_, Compter lane, St. Margaret’s hill.*
BOATBUILDERS _yard_. 1. Bank side. 2. College street.
BOCK’S _alley_, Wapping wall.†
BODD’S _court_, Philip lane, London wall.†
BODDINGTON _court_. Cloak lane, Dowgate hill.*
BODDY’S BRIDGE _yard_, Upper Ground.
BODDY’S _rents_, Gravel lane.†
BOLT AND TUN _alley_. 1. In the Strand.* 2. Whitechapel.*
BOLT AND TUN _court_, Fleet street.*
BOLT _court_, Fleet street.
BOND’S _stables_, by Fetter lane.†
BOND’S _stables yard_, near Fetter lane.†
BOND’S _street_, Piccadilly.†
BOND’S _court_, Walbrook.†
BOND’S _rents_, Marigold street, Rotherhith wall.†
BOND’S _yard_, White Horse street, Ratcliff.†
BOOK’S _alley_, Wapping wall.†
BOOKER’S _gardens_, Leadenhall street.†
BOOT _alley_. 1. Abchurch lane.* 2. Grub street, Fore street,
Cripplegate.* 3. Kent street, Southwark.* 4. St. James’s street,
Westminster.* 5. Upper Ground street, Southwark.*
BOOT _passage_, Piccadilly.*
BOOT _Street_. 1. Hoxton.* 2. Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
BOOTH _street_, Spitalfields.†
BOOTH _yard_, Wapping.†
BOROUGH, a street in the borough of Southwark, extending from London
bridge to St. Margaret’s hill.
BOROUGH COURT. This is a court of record by prescription, and is held
every Monday by the Lord Mayor’s steward, at the hall on St.
Margaret’s hill, Southwark, where are tried actions for any sum of
money, damage, trespasses, &c. To this court belong three attornies,
who are admitted by the steward. _Maitland._ See _St._ MARGARET’S
HILL.
There are also, besides this, three courts leet held in the Borough;
for it contains three liberties or manors, viz. the Great Liberty, the
Guildable, and the King’s manor, in which are chosen constables,
aleconners, &c. and other business is dispatched peculiar to such
courts. In this neighbourhood court leets are also kept at Lambeth,
Bermondsey, and Rotherhith.
BOSS _alley_. 1. Near Trig stairs, Thames street. 2. St. Mary hill. 3.
Shad Thames.
BOSS _court_, Peter’s hill, Thames street.
BOSVILL’S _rents_, George street, Spitalfields.†
BOSVILLE _court_, 1. Devonshire street, Theobald’s row.† 2. Carey
street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.†
BOSTWICK’S _alley_, Whitechapel.†
BOSTWICK’S _street_, Old Gravel lane.†
_St._ BOTOLPH’S _Aldersgate_, so denominated from St. Botolph, a monk
born in Cornwall, is situated at the south east corner of Little
Britain, and tho’ the fire in 1666 did not reach this edifice, it from
that time fell into decay, and was great part of it rebuilt in 1757.
It is a plain brick edifice with a tower supported on a kind of arch
work, and crowned with an open turret, and its fane. It is a curacy in
the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster Abbey; but is
subject to the Bishop and Archdeacon of London, to whom it pays
procuration.
_St._ BOTOLPH’S _Aldgate_, situated on the east side of Houndsditch,
fronting the Minories. The old church escaped the fire in 1666, and
stood till the year 1741, when it was taken down, and the present
edifice finished in 1744. It is built with brick, and is a plain,
massy, and yet elegant structure. It consists of a body of a regular
shape, and a lofty and well-proportioned steeple, formed of a tower
and spire. Its greatest ornament is a bold rustic with which it is
strengthened at the corners. This church is a curacy, and the
impropriation is held in fee of the Crown. The Curate, besides other
considerable advantages, receives 400_l._ a year by tithes. _Newc.
Rep. Eccles._
_St._ BOTOLPH’S _Billingsgate_, a rectory, the church whereof formerly
stood opposite to Botolph lane, in Thames street, in Billingsgate
ward; but being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the
parish was by act of parliament annexed to St. George’s Botolph lane.
_St._ BOTOLPH’S _Bishopsgate_, opposite the north end of Houndsditch.
The old church escaping the general conflagration in 1666, at length
fell into decay, and the present structure was raised by act of
parliament, at the expence of the parish. It is a massy and spacious
edifice. The body is well built with brick, and well enlightened, and
the roof hid by a handsome balustrade. On the inside the roof is
arched, except over the galleries, and two rows of Corinthian columns
support both the galleries and arch which extends over the body of the
church, and is neatly adorned with fret work, from which hang several
handsome gilt branches. The steeple, tho’ heavy, has an air of
magnificence. In the center of the front is a large plain arched
window, decorated at a distance with pilasters of the Doric order.
Over this window is a festoon, and above that an angular pediment; on
each side is a door crowned with windows, and over these others of the
porthole kind; above these last rises a square tower crowned with a
dome, whose base is circular, and surrounded by a balustrade in the
same form; by the side of which, on the corners of the tower, are
placed urns with flames. From this part rises a series of coupled
Corinthian columns, supporting other urns like the former, and over
them rises the orgive dome, crowned with a very large vase with
flames. The Author of _The Critical Review_ says, that he thinks this
steeple more in taste than most about town; and that the parts of
which it is composed are simple, beautiful and harmonious. The author
of _The English Architecture_, however, observes, “That the placing of
a window in the middle of the street, where the principal door should
have been, is an error of the first magnitude. The most unlearned eye
must perceive a strange imperfection in this, though without knowing
what it is; and there is something in the highest degree disgustful,
at being shut out by a dead wall at the proper and natural entrance.”
But in justification of the architect, it may be alledged, that this
being the east end, he might not be allowed to form a door in the
center, where the altar is placed under a noble arch beneath the
steeple; and that much greater improprieties than this are daily seen,
from the idle custom which has generally prevailed of placing the
altar to the east in spight of any inconveniences it may occasion, as
in St. Clement’s in the Strand, St. Dunstan’s in Fleet street, and
many others. This church is a rectory, the patronage of which is in
the Bishop of London. The Rector, besides other considerable
advantages, receives about 200_l._ a year by tithes,
BOTOLPH _lane_, Little Eastcheap.†
BOTOLPH’S _alley_, Botolph lane.†
BOTOLPH’S _court_, Durham yard.
BOTOLPH’S _wharf_, Thames street.†
BOTTLE _alley_, Bishopsgate street without.*
BOTTLE OF HAY _yard_, Islington road.*
BOTTLE _yard_, Bottle alley.*
BOULTON _street_, Hyde Park road.†
BOURNE’S _Almshouse_, in Kingsland Road, was erected in the year 1734,
by the company of Framework-knitters, pursuant to the will of Thomas
Bourne, Esq; who bequeathed to that company 1000_l._ to purchase
ground, and erect a building upon it of twelve rooms, for that number
of poor freemen or their widows, and endowed this almshouse with
2000_l._ to be laid out in a purchase of 80_l._ a year.
BOW, a village in Middlesex, a little to the east of Mile End, also
called Stratford le Bow; is named Bow, from the stone arches of its
bridge built over the river Lea, by Maud the wife of Henry I. Its
church built by Henry II. was a chapel of ease to Stepney; but was
lately made parochial.
This village is inhabited by many whitsters and scarlet dyers, and
here has lately been set up a large manufactury of porcelain, which is
brought to such perfection as to be very little inferior to that of
China.
BOW _church_, in Cheapside. See _St._ MARY LE BOW.
BOW _church yard_, Cheapside.
BOW _lane_. 1. Cheapside, so named from the church of St. Mary le Bow,
near the north west end of it. 2. New Gravel lane. 3. Poplar.
BOW _road_, Mile end, leading to the village of Stratford le Bow.
BOW _street_. 1. A very handsome street by Covent Garden. 2. Long Ditch.
3. St. Giles’s Broad street. 4. Sutton street, Hog lane, Soho.
BOWL _alley_, St. Saviour’s Dock head.
BOWL _court_, Shoreditch.
BOWL _yard_, St. Giles’s Broadway.
BOWLING _alley_. 1. Cow Cross. 2. Dean’s yard, Westminster. 3. Thames
street. 4. Tooley street. 5. Turnmill street. 6. Whitecross street,
Cripplegate.
BOWLING GREEN. 1. Bandy Leg walk. 2. Near Hospital walk.
BOWLING GREEN _alley_, Hoxton.
BOWLING GREEN _passage_, Queen street, Southwark.†
BOWLING GREEN _field_, Blue Maid’s alley.†
BOWLING GREEN _lane_, Bridewell walk, Clerkenwell.
BOWMAN’S _court_. 1. Gardiner’s lane, King’s street, Westminster.† 2.
Salisbury court, Fleet street.†
BOWSON’S _yard_, Quaker’s street.†
BOWYERS, or makers of long and cross bows, a company by prescription,
but in 1620, tho’ the use of bows and arrows were entirely laid aside,
they were incorporated by King James I. by the name of the _Master,
Wardens, and Society of the mystery of Bowyers of the city of London_.
They consist entirely of other trades, and are governed by a Master,
two Wardens, and twelve Assistants, with thirty Liverymen, who at the
time of their admission pay a fine of 8_l._ Tho’ they had formerly a
hall, they have none at present.
BOWYER’S _court_. 1. Fenchurch street.† 2. Monkwell street.†
BOWYER’S _yard_, Wapping.†
BOX’S _alley_, Wapping wall.†
BOXFORD’S _court_, New street, Shoe lane.†
BOXHILL, near Dorking in Surrey, received its name from the box trees
planted on the south side of it, by the Earl of Arundel, in the reign
of King Charles I. but the north part is covered with yews. Upon this
hill, which extends in a continued chain into Kent, there is a large
warren; and as its top affords a most enchanting prospect, it is much
frequented by the gentry from Epsom, who come to divert themselves in
the labyrinths formed in these delightful groves; and for their
accommodation arbours are made, in which refreshments of all sorts are
sold. The river Mole runs under the foot of this hill, for a quarter
of a mile together.
BOXWOOD _court_, New street square.
BOY AND BELL _alley_, Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
BOYLE’S HEAD _court_, in the Strand.*
BOYLE’S LECTURE, was founded by the Hon. Robert Boyle, who by his last
will left an annual salary of 50_l._ for some learned Divine to preach
eight sermons in the year, in proof of the christian religion, against
Atheists, Deists, Pagans, and Mahometans, without descending to any
controversies that subsist among Christians. These Lectures to be in
the first Mondays of the months of January, February, March, April,
May, September, October, and November. In such churches as the
Trustees should from time to time appoint. This Lecture has been
carried on by very learned men, and are now generally preached at Bow
church in Cheapside.
BRABANT _court_, Philpot lane.
BRACKLEY _street_, Litton street, Bridge-water gardens.†
BRACKLEY’S _yard_, Barnaby street.†
BRADLEY’S _alley_, Queen street.†
BRADSHAW’S _rents_, Portpool lane.†
BRAND’S _court_, Ratcliff Narrow street.
BRAND’S _yard_, in the Minories.†
BRANDY _yard_, in the Minories.
BRANK’S _yard_, Nightingale lane.†
BRATT’S _rents,_ Ducking pond row, Whitechapel common.
BRAY’S _rents_, Rag fair.†
BRAZEN _court_, Hartshorn lane, in the Strand.║
BRAZE’S _bridge_, St. Olave street.†
BRAZIL WAREHOUSE _yard_, Trinity lane.
BRAZILE’S _rents_, East Smithfield.†
BREAD _street_, Cheapside, thus named from a bread market kept there
before the fire of London. _Maitland._
BREAD STREET _alley_, Bread street hill.
BREAD STREET _hill_, Thames street.
_End of the_ FIRST VOLUME.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
● Transcriber’s Notes:
○ The tables on page 187 and following pages, were reformated from
multiple, separate tables to one larger table for each volume.
○ Pound, shilling and pence abbreviations (_l. s. d._) were
regularized to be italic.
○ Missing or obscured punctuation was silently corrected.
○ Typographical errors were silently corrected.
○ Inconsistent spelling and hyphenation were made consistent only
when a predominant form was found in this book.
○ The use of a carat (^) before a letter shows it was intended to
be a superscript, as in S^t Bartholomew.
○ Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_).
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "London and its Environs Described, v. 1-6 - Containing an Account of whatever is most remarkable for - Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use In the City and in - the Country Twenty Miles round it." ***
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