Title: London and Its Environs Described, vol. 3 (of 6)
Author: Anonymous
Release date: July 30, 2019 [eBook #60016]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images
generously made available by The Internet Archive)
The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.
An Account of whatever is most remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use,
Decorated and illustrated with a great Number of Views in Perspective, engraved from original Drawings, taken on purpose for this Work.
St. Gabriel’s, a church which stood opposite to Cullum street, the middle of Fenchurch street, in Langbourn ward; but being destroyed by the fire of London and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of St. Margaret Pattens.
Gainsford street, Horselydown lane.†
Gallard’s Almshouse, in Golden lane, was founded by Richard Gallard of Islington, Esq; for thirteen poor men and women, who were to receive only two pence a week each, and a load of charcoal yearly amongst them all. By this small allowance, it appears that this house must be of a very ancient foundation. Maitland.
Gap yard, Stepney Causeway.
2Gardens court, 1. Baldwin’s gardens.☐ 2. St. Botolph Bishopsgate church yard.☐ 3. Clement’s Inn.☐ 4. Clifford’s Inn.☐ 5. Furnival’s Inn.☐ 6. Lincoln’s Inn.☐ 7. Middle Temple.☐ 8. Petticoat lane.☐ 9. Serjeants Inn.☐ 10. Sion College.☐ 11. Staple’s Inn.☐ 12. Star street, Wapping Wall.☐ 13. Thavie’s Inn.☐
Garden row, 1. Inner Temple.☐ 2. Lower street, Islington.☐ 3. Unicorn alley, Shoreditch.☐
Gardeners, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1616. They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and eighteen Assistants; but have neither hall nor livery.
Gardiner’s court, Gardiner’s lane, King street, Westminster.†
Gardiner’s ground, Collingwood street.
Gardiner’s lane, 1. High Timber street. 2. King street, Westminster. 3. Maiden lane. 4. Neathouse lane. 5. Petty France, Westminster. 6. Willow street.
Gardiner’s row, Chelsea.
Garland alley, Bishopsgate street.
Garland court, 1. Ocean street, Stepney. 2. Trinity lane.
Garlic hill, Thames street; so called from the garlick market formerly held thereabout. Stow.
3Garrat street, Cock lane, Shoreditch.†
Garret’s Almshouse, in Porter’s fields, and in the liberty of Norton Falgate, was founded in the year 1729, by Nicholas Garret, Esq; citizen and weaver, for the accommodation of six poor members of his company, each of whom has also an annual allowance of 8l., a chaldron of coals, and dozen and a half of candles. Maitland.
Garret’s rents, Coleman street.†
Garter court, Barbican.*
Garter yard, Ratcliff Highway.
Gasson, a village in the parish of Blechingley, in Surry, at the source of the river Medway.
Gatehouse, Tothill street, Westminster, is so called from two gates, erected there in the reign of Edward III. Here is a prison for debtors and criminals.
Gate street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.
Gatton, a very small borough in Surry, eighteen miles from London, under the side of a hill in the road to Ryegate. This is a very ancient town; and from the Roman coins and other antiquities found there, is supposed to have been well known to the Romans; but though it is a borough by prescription, and has sent members to parliament ever since the 29th of Henry VI. and though it was formerly a large and populous place, it now 4resembles a very mean village; it having only a small church, and neither a fair nor market. The members are returned by its constable, who is annually chosen at the Lord of the manor’s court. This parish is famous for a quarry of white stone, which, though very soft, will endure the fire admirably well; but neither the sun nor the air; on which account it is much used for glass houses, and by chemists and bakers.
Gaunt’s key. Thames street.†
Geneva row, Tyburn road.†
Gentee’s passage, Nibb’s Pound.†
George alley, 1. Aldgate street, within.* 2. Bishopsgate street.* 3. In the Borough.* 4. Coleman street.* 5. Field lane, at the bottom of Holborn hill.* 6. George street, York buildings.* 7. Holles street, Clare market.* 8. King Tudor’s street.* 9. Lombard street, Gracechurch street.* 10. Lower Shadwell. 11. St. Margaret’s hill.* 12. New George street, Spitalfields.* 13. Rotherhith.* 14. Saffron hill.* 15. Shoe lane, Fleet street.* 16. Stony street.* 17. In the Strand.* 18. Thames street.* 19. Turnmill street.* 20. York buildings.*
George and Vulture alley, Cornhill.*
S. Wale delin. Elliot sculp.
Bloomsbury Church.
George court, 1. Bennet’s hill.* 2. Coleman street.* 3. East Smithfield.* 4. George street, Conduit street.* 5. George 5street in the Mint.* 6. Gravel lane.* 7. Hatton Wall.* 8. St. John’s lane.* 9. Little St. Thomas Apostles.* 10. Near Newington Turnpike.* 11. Prince’s street, Spitalfields.* 12. Seacole lane, Snow hill.*
George Inn yard, in the Borough.*
George lane, St. Botolph lane.*
George’s buildings, 1. Catharine Wheel alley, Whitechapel.† 2. Near Rosemary lane.† 3. Jermain street.†
St. George’s Bloomsbury, is one of the fifty new churches appointed to be built by act of parliament within the bills of mortality. The name of St. George was given to it in honour of his present Majesty; and it received the additional epithet of Bloomsbury, from its situation, to distinguish it from others of the same name.
The portico through which you enter the church stands on the south side, as is represented in the print. It is of the Corinthian order, and makes a very good figure in the street, but has no affinity to the church, which is very heavy, and would be better suited with a Tuscan portico. The tower and steeple at the west, is a very extraordinary structure. On the top standing on a round pedestal or altar, is a colossal statue of the late 6King, supported by a pyramid. At the corners near the base are alternately placed the lion and unicorn the British supporters, with festoons between: these animals being very large, are injudiciously placed over columns very small, which makes them appear monsters. The under part is heavy enough, but not connected with the church. The introduction of figures and other pieces of sculpture into steeples, which are so much the work of fancy, and where the artist is not so much confined as in the other parts of the building, if managed with taste and propriety might be made elegant ornaments, and would make a fine variety with the architectonic ones with which the city already abounds.
This church was erected at the public expence, and consecrated in January 1731. A district for its parish was by authority of parliament taken out of that of St. Giles’s, and the sum of 3000l. was given towards the support of its Rector, to which being added 1250l. by the inhabitants of St. Giles’s parish, both sums were ordered to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tenements, &c. in fee simple, as a perpetual fund for the maintenance of the Rector and his successors; but the poor of this parish and 7that of St. Giles’s in the Fields, are to be maintained by the joint assessment of both parishes, in the same manner as before their being divided.
St. George’s Botolph lane, is like all the other churches of this name, dedicated to St. George of Cappadocia, the martyr and tutelar saint of the English nation, and is situated on the west side of Botolph lane, Thames street. The old church was destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and the present edifice built in its stead. It is enlightened with a single series of tall windows, and the steeple consists of a plain tower ornamented with vases at the four corners.
This is a rectory in the gift of the Crown; and to this parish that of St. Botolph’s Billingsgate is united by act of parliament.
St. George’s fields, a large space between Lambeth and Southwark, where have been found many Roman coins, chequered pavements, and bricks, it being the center of three Roman ways. Since the building of Westminster bridge, a new road has been made across these fields, which leading into the Borough forms a communication between the two bridges.
St. George’s Hanover square, is situated on the east side of George street, near the 8square, whence it had its additional epithet. This is one of the churches that were found necessary, upon the great increase of public buildings in this part of the town; for the church of St Martin’s in the Fields being at too great a distance from the new streets, and too small for the inhabitants, the Commissioners for the fifty new churches gave orders for erecting one in the skirts of the parish, on which this august pile arose, and was consecrated in 1724.
This church, considering the extent of the parish, is too small. It has a plain body with an elegant portico: the columns, which are Corinthian, are of a large diameter, and the pediment has its acroteria, but without farther ornament. It has a tower, which, above the clock, is elegantly adorned at the corners with coupled Corinthian columns that are very lofty. These are crowned with their entablature, which at each corner supports two vases, and over these the tower still rises till it is terminated by a dome crowned with a turret which supports a ball, over which rises the weather-cock.
This church is a rectory; the parish at first consisted of the two out wards of that of St. Martin’s in the Fields; but 9it has now four wards, named Conduit street, Grosvenor street, Dover street, and the out ward. The advowson is settled upon the Bishop of London and his successors. The profits arising to the Rector, are said to amount to about 600l. per annum. Lieutenant General Stewart gave the ground on which this church was erected, and some time after bequeathed to this parish the sum of 4000l. towards erecting and endowing a charity school in it.
St. George’s Middlesex, situated on the north side of Ratcliff Highway, is another of the churches occasioned by the increase of buildings in a part of the town opposite to the former. The Commissioners for erecting fifty new churches caused the foundation to be laid in the year 1715, and the structure was finished in 1729.
This is a massy structure, erected in a very singular taste. The floor is raised a considerable height above the level of the ground; and to the principal door, which is in the west front of the tower, is an ascent by a double flight of steps, cut with a sweep, and defended by a low wall of the same form; but what is most singular in this structure, is, there are two turrets over the body of the church, and one on the tower, which last is in the 10manner of a fortification, with a staff on the top for an occasional flag. The author of The Review of the Public Buildings calls this edifice a mere Gothic heap of stone, without form or order.
The parish is taken out of that of Stepney; and by act of parliament the hamlet of Wapping Stepney is appropriated to that purpose, and in all respects rendered independent of Stepney parish. Towards the maintenance of the Rector and his successors, the parliament gave the sum of 3000l. to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tenements, &c. in fee simple; and as a farther provision, the churchwardens are annually to pay him the sum of 100l. to be raised by burial fees. The advowson of this rectory, like that of Stepney, is in the Principal and Scholars of King’s hall, and Brazen nose college, Oxford.
St. George’s Queen square, also arose from the increase of buildings. Several gentlemen at the extremity of the parish of St. Andrew’s Holborn, having proposed the erecting of a chapel for religious worship, Sir Streynsham Master, and fourteen of the other neighbouring gentlemen, were appointed trustees for the management of this affair. These gentlemen in the year 1705, agreed with Mr. Tooley to give him 3500l. for erecting a chapel and 11two houses, intending to reimburse themselves by the sale of pews; and this edifice being finished the next year, they settled annual stipends for the maintenance of a chaplain, an afternoon preacher who was also reader, and a clerk, giving to the first and second a salary of 100l. each, and to the last 50l. But the Commissioners for erecting fifty new churches resolving to make this one of them, purchased it, caused a certain district to be appointed for its parish, and had it consecrated in the year 1723, when it was dedicated to St. George in compliment to Sir Streynsham Master, who had been Governor of Fort St. George in the East Indies. Maitland.
This church is a plain common building void of all elegance; it is however convenient and well enlightened. The rectory, like that of St. Andrew’s, is in the Duke of Montague’s gift.
St. George’s Southwark, is situated at the south east corner of St. Margaret’s hill. There was a church in this place before the year 1122, which in 1629, was repaired and beautified within. This edifice was preserved by its situation, from the dreadful conflagration in 1666; but the decays of age rendered it necessary to take 12it down in 1734, when the present church was begun, and finished in 1736.
To this church there is an ascent by a flight of steps, defended by plain iron rails. The door case, which is Ionic, has a circular pediment, ornamented with the heads of Cherubims in clouds; and on each side of this pediment, which reaches to the height of the roof, the front is adorned with a ballustrade and vases. From this part the tower rises plain, strengthened with rustic quoins, as is the body of the building, and on the corners of the tower are again placed vases. From this part the diminution is too great; and from hence are raised a series of Ionic columns supporting the base of the spire, which has ribs on the angles, and openings in all the faces. The top is crowned with a ball from which rises the vane.
This church is a rectory in the gift of the Crown; the profits of which to the Incumbent amount to about 220l. a year. English Architect. Maitland.
St. George’s Hospital, near Hyde Park Corner. This undertaking was set on foot soon after Michaelmas 1733, by some gentlemen who were before concerned in a charity of the like kind in the lower 13part of Westminster. This house they judged convenient for their purpose, on account of its air, situation, and nearness to town; they therefore procured a lease of it, and opened a subscription for carrying on the charity here, which increased so fast, that on the 19th of October they were formed into a regular society, and actually began to receive patients on the first of January following.
Here are admitted the poor, sick, and lame, who are supplied with advice, medicine, diet, washing, lodging, and some of the miserable with cloaths also. The Physicians visit their patients on Mondays and Fridays, and on all intermediate days whenever occasion requires; but the Surgeon attends every day; and on every Friday morning there is a general consultation of all the Physicians and Surgeons. No security for the burial of the patients is required, nor any money, gift, or reward taken of them or their friends, on any account whatsoever. Those who die, if their friends are unable to bury them, are interred at the charge of the society. And the money collected in the poor box at the door, is kept as a separate fund for furnishing those with some little sum of money, whose distance from their habitations, 14or other particular necessities, require it.
The apothecaries, who are Governors, are appointed to attend by rotation as visitors, to see that the apothecary of the house takes due care of the medicines and patients. Two visitors are chosen weekly out of the subscribers, to attend daily, and take care, by examining the provision and patients, that the orders of the society are punctually observed, that the patients are treated in every respect with order and tenderness, and to make a report in writing of their observations.
Prayers are read daily to the patients; a sermon is preached every Sunday, the communion is administered every month, and the chaplain attends at other times to catechize and perform other religious offices, as often as their cases require; and when the patients are discharged, religious tracts are given to each of them, for their farther edification.
A board of Governors meet every Wednesday morning, to do the current business of the hospital, to receive and examine the reports of the visitors, to discharge and admit patients, to receive the complaints and proposals of all persons, and to prepare such matters as are proper 15for the consideration of general boards. A general board of the Governors meet regularly five times a year.
The Governors are in number upwards of three hundred. No person receiving salary, fee, or reward from the hospital, is capable of being a Governor; but every other gentleman subscribing 5l. a year, or upwards, or giving one benefaction of 50l. although he be not an annual subscriber, is thereupon put in nomination to be a Governor, and at the first general court, which is held one month afterwards, is accordingly ballotted for by the Governors. The subscriptions are received by the Treasurers, at the weekly board, held every Wednesday morning in the hospital.
The other rules and regulations of this excellent hospital, are as follow:
I. No person is to be admitted a patient, except in cases of accidents, without a note from a Governor or contributor, specifying the name and place of abode of such patient, and that he or she is a proper object of this charity.
II. All recommendations are to be delivered every Wednesday morning, by nine of the clock.
III. In case any out-patients neglect coming two weeks successively on the day 16and hour they are ordered to attend, such out-patients shall be discharged for irregularity, except they have had leave from their Physician.
IV. No person discharged for irregularity is to be ever again admitted into the hospital, upon any recommendation whatsoever.
V. No patient is to be suffered to go out of the hospital without leave in writing; and to avoid giving offence, no leave is to be given to any patient to go into St. James’s Park, or the Green Park, called Constitution hill, upon any pretence whatsoever.
VI. No Governor, officer, or servant, must at any time presume, on pain of expulsion, to take of any tradesman, patient, or other person, any fee, reward, or gratification of any kind, directly, or indirectly, for any service done, or to be done, on account of this hospital.
VII. No person subscribing less than two guineas a year, can recommend more than two in-patients in the year.
VIII. When there is not room for all the patients recommended at one time to be received into the hospital, those are taken in whose admission the board are of opinion, will most effectually answer the end of the charity; and the rest, if proper 17objects, are admitted out-patients, till there is room for them in the hospital. Most consumptive and asthmatic cases are more capable of relief as out-patients, than as in-patients.
By this noble foundation, there have been discharged from the hospital, since its first receiving of patients on the first of January 1733, to the 27th of December 1752, 60,188. Those in the house on the 27th of December 1752, amounted to 273. The out-patients in the books at the same time were 645, which in all made 61,106. From the account published by the General Board.
This hospital enjoys a fine situation, and has all the benefit of a clear and pure air: it has the advantage of being a very neat, though not an expensive building; and though it is extremely plain, it is not void of ornament. It has two small wings, and a large front, with only one door, which is in the middle, and to which there is an ascent by a few steps. On the top of this part of the building is a pediment raised above the rest of the edifice, and under this ornament is a stone with an inscription, expressing the noble use to which this structure is applied.
St. George’s court, Newington causeway.
18George stairs, 1. Deptford.* 2. Shad Thames.*
George street, 1. Cambridge Heath.* 2. Foster lane, Cheapside.* 3. Hanover square. 4. Little Chapel street. 5. In the Mint.* 6. Near Tothill side. 7. Pall Mall. 8. Ratcliff highway. 9. Tyburn road. 10. White row, Spitalfields.* 11. Windsor street. 12. York buildings. See Great George street.
Some of the new streets of this name, were thus denominated in honour of King George I. and II.
A list of the pictures belonging to General Guise, at his house in George street, Hanover square.
A piece of architecture, rather large, adorned with many small figures very graceful. The architecture, by Viviani. The figures, in his best manner, by Sebastiano Ricci.
Two heads in one picture, a little smaller than life. They exhibit two caricaturas, by Spagnoletto.
A portrait of some Spanish nobleman, half length, after the life, nobly painted and well preserved, by Moriglio.
A head with part of the shoulders, and it seems to be the portrait of some great man. In his first manner, by Titiano.
19A picture, with many figures two feet high, representing Solomon’s judgment. The invention, disposition, and colouring are equally wonderful, by Pasqualini Romano, disciple of Andrea Sacchi.
A representation of our Saviour on his doleful way to Calvary. The figures almost as big as the life, by Andrea Mantegna.
Mantegna was Correggio’s master, and this picture was in the collection of King Charles the First.
The rape of the Sabines. A picture of great merit both for invention and colouring, the author unknown.
A figure as big as the life, of particular beauty, exhibiting St. Jerome fervently praying, by Domenichino.
A head with part of the shoulders, as big as the life. It is the portrait, painted by himself, of Francesco Mola.
A small sketch representing a sacrifice, with the temple of Diana. The figures are many and wonderfully well disposed, by Pietro da Cortona.
It goes about in print.
A small sketch in light and shadow, with many figures representing a Saint, ready to suffer martyrdom, drawn with great liveliness and taste, by Ant. Vandyke.
20A small octagonal picture on a black stone, representing our Saviour carried to the sepulchre, by Annibal Caracci.
A picture containing several figures about three feet high, exhibiting St. Laurence’s martyrdom, by Tintoretto.
A landscape with figures one foot high, representing the martyrdom of St. Peter Martir. The figures, by Agostino Caracci. The landscape, by Gobbo de Caracci.
A sketch representing a victorious Prince carried in triumph. The figures are many, a foot and a half high, and many of them allegorical, by Giordano d’Anversa.
A large piece of architecture with figures. In his first manner, by Nicol. Poussin.
A picture, containing some half lengths a little bigger than the life, exhibiting Faith that gives her sword to a General, by Pietro della Vecchia.
The portrait of a General, half length, a little bigger than the life. It is believ’d to be a copy from Titian, by Luca Giordano.
A figure very artfully foreshorten’d, representing our Saviour dead, as big as the life, by Lodovico Caracci.
A picture exhibiting a battle, full of figures about one foot high; and one 21of the noblest performances of Bourgognone.
Apollo and Marsyas. The figures about three feet high, by Sebastiano Ricci.
A large picture containing some half lengths as big as the life, and representing the taking our Saviour in the garden, by Giacomo da Bassano.
A piece containing many half length figures as big as the life, representing the prodigal son received by his father. A famous performance of Guercino da Cento.
Sophonisba dying with grief in the arms of her damsel on receiving doleful news. The figures are half lengths as big as the life. A celebrated piece, by Domenichino.
Our Saviour known by the two disciples in the breaking of the bread. The figures bigger than the life, by Lodovico Caracci.
The flight into Egypt. The figures as big as the life. A noble work, by Guido Reni.
The heads of St. Andrew and St. Paul, bigger than the life. A valuable performance, by Andrea Sacchi.
St. Elizabeth with St. John when a babe, 22musing on a cross made of reeds. The figures smaller than the life. A renowned piece, by Leonardo da Vinci.
Judith holding Holofernes’s head. A half length, very beautiful, by Francesco Salviati.
Our Saviour’s nativity. The figures a little more than one foot high, finished with extreme diligence. A rare work, by Baldassare Peruzzi.
Our Lady contemplating her babe. The figures about two feet and a half, wonderfully well done after Correggio’s manner, by Francesco Mazzuoli, commonly called Parmigianino.
A half length, as big as the life, representing a naked woman, by Titiano.
It is thought that this is the portrait of the woman that was Titian’s model, when he drew the famous Venus now existing in the room called La Tribuna, in the Medicean gallery at Florence.
Our Saviour taken down from the cross. The figures a little more than one foot high, by Daniele da Volterra.
This appears to be the sketch from which Daniel made the large famous picture, that is now in one of the chapels of the church called La Trinità de Monit, at Rome.
An oval picture representing Medusa’s 23head, bigger than the life, painted with astonishing expression, by Rubens.
A holy family. The figures one foot high, compleatly finished, by Annib. Caracci.
Our Saviour crowned with thorns. The figures a foot and a half high. One of the best works in his first manner, by Correggio.
Our Lady with the two babes Jesus and John laying hold of a lamb, and two angels devoutly looking on them, by Fran. Mazzuoli, called Parmigianino.
It was formerly in Charles the First’s collection.
Socrates and Alcibiades. Half lengths of about a foot and a half, by Giorgione da Castelfranco, who was Titiano’s master.
A small picture representing our Lady’s assumption, and the apostles, by Francesco Naldini.
This was the sketch of a celebrated picture now in Florence.
Our Saviour’s circumcision. An original sketch, by Polidoro da Caravaggio.
A picture in light and shadow, representing Diana and her nymphs in the bath, changing Acteon into a stag. An original beautiful sketch. The figures one foot high, by Nicolo dell’ Abate.
24A small sketch for a ceiling in light and shadow, by Correggio.
Our Saviour’s supper, a small and most beautiful performance, by Innocenzo da Imola.
Innocenzo was one of Raphael’s best disciples.
A Venetian history, by Paolo Veronese.
This is an original sketch of one of the large pictures painted by Paolo in the Sala del Consiglio, at Venice.
A boy’s head, as big as the life, by Annibal Caracci.
Diana’s head, as big as the life, by Camillo Procaccini.
St. Catharine, a foot and a half high. A celebrated and well preserved performance, by Benvenuto da Garofolo.
A landscape exhibiting the hunting of the hare, a beautiful work, by Gobbo de Caracci.
Adam and Eve driven out of paradise by the angel. The figures one foot high. A famous and well preserved work, by the Cavaliere Giuseppe d’ Arpino.
The head of a woman smiling, smaller than the life, by Leonardo da Vinci.
A child’s head, smaller than the life, by Fra. Bartolomeo di San Marco.
The pale of an altar with figures bigger than the life, representing St. Lucy,
25St. John the Evangelist, St. Humphrey, and St. Francis. A famous performance, by Correggio: except St. Humphrey’s figure, which having been left unfinish’d by Correggio, was afterwards finished by Spagnoletto.
The family of the Caracci’s, represented in a butcher’s shop, and those celebrated painters in butchers dresses. Annibal is weighing some meat to a Swiss of the Cardinal of Bologna’s guard. Agostino is shaking a nail and trying if it holds fast, that he may hang on it a leg of mutton which he holds in his left hand. The Gobbo is lifting up half a calf to hang it on a beam, and Lodovico stoops down killing a sheep. The mother of them is represented as a servant-maid that comes to buy some meat. The likenesses are traditionally said to be wonderful; and the whole of this no less odd than beautiful picture was the most celebrated performance of Annibal Caracci.
Three half figures as big as the life, representing three ladies diverting themselves with music, and a gentleman listening to them. In all probability they were portraits, by Titiano.
A sketch of one of the most capital pictures in Venice, and preserved there in 26a church. It represents our blessed Lady with St. Peter and St. Francis, and a Venetian General of the Capello’s family come back victorious from a battle against the Turks, who offers the standard and the trophies of his victory to the altar of our Lady. The whole Capello family is exhibited in this picture. A celebrated work, by Titiano.
A landscape with figures. It represents part of the country near Bologna, by Domenichino.
A woman representing Simplicity, with a dove in her hand. A half length as big as the life, by Francesco Furino.
The good Samaritan. The figures are two feet high. A valuable picture, by Sisto Badalocchi.
Our Lady with her babe, about two feet high, painted much after Correggio’s manner, by Sebastian Ricci.
The head of a youth, a little smaller than the life, by Raphael.
Two small pictures, exhibiting two different martyrdoms of two saints, by Giacomo del Po.
A small sketch, by Ciro Ferri, a disciple of Pietro da Cortona.
A picture exhibiting our Saviour’s nativity. The devotion and maternal affection 27of our blessed Lady looking on her babe, is prodigiously well expressed. St. Joseph stands admiring the compunction of two shepherds contrasted by another that takes care of the ass. Of two other shepherds, placed at some distance, one holds a light in his hand and shows the other the manger, expressing a pious wonder. Further off there is a most beautiful angel in the clouds proclaiming the birth of our Saviour to the other shepherds. No picture ever surpassed this most elaborate performance of Titiano.
It was one of King Charles the First’s collection; and there are two prints of it, an ancient one in wood, the other in copper-plate.
Another nativity, painted likewise with his usual delicacy and noble expression, by the same Titiano.
Our Lady with her babe in her arms, near as big as the life, standing on the clouds, supported and attended by cherubs and angels. Under it there is a sight of the town of Bologna, and adjacent villages, all painted in his best manner, by Annibal Caracci.
Susan tempted by the two old men, boldly and vigorously painted as big as the life, by Agostino Caracci.
28The slaughter of the innocents, containing nineteen figures as big as the life. A master-piece both for composition and colouring, by Valerio Castelli.
Two children bigger than the life, representing holy Love the conqueror of profane Love; one of the best performances in his first manner, by Guido Reni.
A lively figure of an Italian buffoon, drinking merrily, an half figure, as big as the life, by Annibal Caracci.
The portrait of some Nobleman, a little more than a half length, by Francesco Torbido, commonly called, il Moro Veronese.
This painter was much admired by Titian himself.
A nativity of our Saviour. The figures about one foot high. The effect of the light that shines out of the babe, and irradiates the whole picture, is astonishing. This is a celebrated piece, by Cavalier Cavedone.
A head as big as the life, representing our Saviour, painted in a bold manner, by Agostino Caracci.
Apollo in the attitude of slaying Marsyas. The figures about two feet high, by Andrea Sacchi.
Two small pictures, the one representing a mountebank drawing a tooth to a 29clown, surrounded by many spectators; the other exhibiting many people playing at balls upon the ground. Tho’ both these pictures are copious in figures, yet there is none of them but has some posture or meaning most lively and naturally expressed, by Michelangelo delle Battaglie.
A small picture, containing our Lady and her babe, St. Joseph, and St. Catharine, half figures, finely painted, by Bartolomeo Schidone.
A small picture, representing an angel that contemplates with a most afflicted look one of the nails with which our Saviour was crucified, holding it up in his hand, by Correggio.
A most beautiful sketch, representing our Saviour laid in the sepulchre, with the Virgin who has swooned and is supported by the three Marys, by Giacomo da Bassano.
Four small pictures, containing some figures two feet high, most masterly painted, by Francesco Mazzuoli, called il Parmigianino.
A small picture with many figures, representing our Saviour shewn to the people by Pilate. A noble performance, by Federigo Barocci.
A small picture, representing our Saviour appearing to Mary Magdalen in the 30gardener’s form, by Raphael’s master Pietro Perugino.
The infant Jesus and St. John embracing. An excellent performance and well preserved, by Raphael. Three heads in water colours, bigger than the life, by Raphael.
A head of Joseph of Arimathea, as big as the life, by Federigo Barocci.
A half length, a little smaller than the life, representing St. Catharine. A rare ancient picture, by Vettori Carpacio.
Our Lady with her babe and St. John. The proportion of the figures two feet high. An incomparable performance of Andrea del Sarto.
A small picture representing a father with his two children praying, by Giovanni Holbens.
A Nativity of our Saviour, containing eighteen figures two feet high. The posture of our Lady that offers her breast to her babe, and that of the babe itself, are most graceful; St. Joseph with them completes one of the best groups that the art of painting ever produced; and equally graceful is another group of three angels playing upon musical instruments. Two other angels descend from heaven in an attitude of 31adoration. Many more beautiful attitudes of devotion are those of the shepherds, that fill up the left side of this astonishing performance of the immortal Raphael.
There are two fine prints of this picture.
Our Lady with her babe, St. Catharine and St. Francis. The proportion of the figures two feet. An excellent and well preserved performance of Paolo Veronese.
The view of a noble temple, our Saviour coming out of it, meets with Magdalen, who is by him converted in the presence of some other women. An excellent and well preserved performance, done in his first manner, by Andrea del Sarto.
Two half lengths as big as the life of two women, one the mistress, the other her maid. The mistress was probably a portrait. She holds the looking glass with one hand, and with the other adjusts her head, listening to the maid that speaks to her. This is one of the best works of Domenichino.
Our Lady with her babe, the Magdalen, St. John, and St. Jerome. The figures are about three feet high, painted with the greatest gracefulness, by Francesco Mauzzoli, called il Parmigianino.
32A Cupid drawn by two doves in a golden carr, and two other Cupids playing about him encircled by a flower garland. A picture extremely well preserved, as well as masterly done by Domenichino.
A copy of the famous nativity known under the name of Correggio’s night; the figures two feet high, by Carlo Cignani.
Diana in the bath converting Acteon into a stag, with her nymphs about her. An elegant composition nobly coloured, the figures a foot and a half, by Tintoretto.
The communion of the Apostles, the figures a little above two feet. There is a kindled lamp in this picture, which has a striking effect, and the whole is painted with great vigour, by Tintoretto.
St. John preaching in the desart, beautified with many well-disposed figures, by Gobbo de Caracci.
The fable of Erictonius delivered to the nymphs to be educated. Their fear and wonder in spying the boy’s serpentine feet, and their different attitudes, are most beautifully expressed. Each figure is about half the bigness of nature, 33and painted with great spirit, by Salvator Rosa.
A landscape, exhibiting Moses delivering from the snares of the shepherds, the daughters of Reuel the Priest of Midian, that came, to give drink to their cattle, by Domenichino.
Another small landscape, exhibiting some fishermen, and women washing linen, by the same Domenichino.
A youth little less than the life, that plays upon the guitar, with a boy behind that listens with pleasure to him. By the celebrated Spanish disciple of Titian, Fernandos.
A half length, representing our Lord tempted in the desart, by Titiano.
Two most beautiful Cherubs heads as big as the life, by Domenichino.
A St. John’s head with a lamb, as big as the life, in his best manner, by Guercino da Cento.
Marsyas and Apollo, with Mydas that sits as their judge. The figures about a foot high. A fine performance both for invention and colouring, by Andrea Schiavone.
A copy of the famous Correggio’s Cupid as big as the life, by Annibal Caracci.
An Ecce Homo, as big as the life, 34painted with great force of expression by Lodovico Caracci.
Our Lord laid in the sepulchre, the figures a little more than a foot, another noble work of Lodovico Caracci.
St. Francis in a vision supported by Angels. The proportion of the figures about two feet high, admirably well painted, by Annibal Caracci.
A little landscape, adorned with some pretty little figures, and it looks as if painted after nature, by Gobbo de’ Caracci.
A Venus and Cupid as big as the life. An astonishing performance, by Titiano.
A copy of one of the celebrated pictures of Raphael in the Roman Vatican. This represents an achievement of the Emperor Constantine. This copy appears to be the work of some great painter of the Florentine school, being done in the most masterly manner.
A choir of Angels playing on several musical instruments, their proportion about a foot and a half. God the Father supported by three Cherubs, by Guido Reni.
This is thought to be the original sketch of a picture done in fresco by Guido, in St. Gregory’s church at Rome.
35The martyrdom of St. Erasmus, the figures about two feet high. This is the original sketch of the famous picture preserved in St. Peter’s at Rome, by Nicolo Poussin.
Two pictures adorned with many beautiful figures, whose proportion is about two feet. One represents the age of iron, the other the age of copper; and they are the original models of the two pictures in fresco, that are in the palace of Pitti at Florence, by Pietro da Cortona.
The original sketch of one of the ceilings painted in the Barberini’s palace at Rome, by Pietro da Cortona.
It represents many allegorical figures.
A half length portrait as big as nature. The figure has a letter in one hand, by Lodovico Caracci.
The portrait of Maria Robusti; a half length as big as nature, by Paris Bourdon.
The picture of a woman as big as life, half length, by Giorgione da Castelfranco.
A head with part of the shoulders, representing a Greek merchant, as big as the life, by Michael Angelo da Caravaggio.
Our Lady with her babe, and St. John; 36the figures near as big as the life. An excellent performance, by Titiano.
A half length with the hands, representing Diogenes the Cynic; masterly done by Spagnoletto.
A half length portrait of himself, by Tintoretto.
A portrait down to the knee, of the celebrated Naugerius, as big as the life, by Tintoretto.
The nativity of our Saviour, enriched with many beautiful figures about one foot high, by Francesco Zuccarelli.
A carton in water colours representing the holy family. The figures near as big as the life, by Andrea del Sarto.
An Emperor on horseback, the horse white, the proportion about two feet; a bold and noble work of Giulio Romano.
It was once in King Charles the First’s collection.
A finished sketch of King Charles the First’s white horse, its proportion about two feet, by Vandyke.
The slaughter of the Innocents, and Herod on a throne commanding it, by Bourgognone.
Ariadne abandoned by Theseus, a naked figure as big as the life, by Francesco Furino.
37George yard, 1. Beer lane, Tower street.* 2. Bow lane.* 3. Bishopsgate street.* 4. Cable street.* 5. Dean street, Soho.* 6. Dorset garden, Fleet street.* 7. Duke street, Grosvenor square.* 8. Fore street, Lambeth.* 9. Golden lane.* 10. High Holborn.* 11. Hog lane, St. Giles’s pound.* 12. Islington.* 13. Kent street, Southwark.* 14. Little Britain.* 15. Little Tower hill.* 16. Gracechurch street, Lombard street.* 17. Long Acre.* 18. Old street.* 19. Plough yard, Broadway.* 20. Redcross street, Southwark.* 21. Saffron hill.* 22. Seacoal lane, Snow hill.* 23. Thames str.* 24. Tower hill.* 25. Turnmill street.* 26. Whitechapel.*
Georgia Office, lately under the government of the Trustees for settling the colony of Georgia, is now united to the Office of Trade and Plantations, and kept in the Treasury.
Gerrard’s Hall, on the south side of Basing lane, a large and very old house built upon stone arches, supported by sixteen pillars, called Gerard’s Hall from a giant of that name, which it is ridiculously supposed lived there. In the high roofed hall stood for some time a large fir pole, which it is pretended Gerard the giant used to run with in the wars, and a ladder of the same length, said to be made in order to 38ascend to the top of the staff. Stow justly supposes that these circumstances are fabulous, and observes that John Gisors, Mayor of London, was the owner of this edifice in the year 1245, and that it was a long time possessed by others of the same name and family; whence he with great probability concludes, that Gisor’s Hall was by corruption called Gerard’s Hall. Maitl.
German’s yard, Stepney rents, Shoreditch.
Gerrard’s court, Little Bell alley.†
Gerrard street, Prince’s street, Soho.†
Gerrard’s Cross, a village in Buckinghamshire, situated about 28 miles from London, between Uxbridge and Beconsfield. Here is a charity school built and endowed by the late Duke of Portland, for 20 boys and 15 girls, who are taught and cloathed, and two of the children put out apprentices every year. Near this place is also a fine seat of the Duke of Portland.
Gibralter, Shoreditch.
Gibson’s Almshouse and School, at Ratcliff, were founded by Nicholas Gibson, Esq; in the year 1537, for fourteen poor widows, seven of whom to be of Stepney parish, and the other seven of the Coopers company. The pensioners to have 1l. 6s. 8d. a year each; the school-master a salary of 10l. and an usher 6l. 13s. 4d. a year. But the estate with 39which this foundation is endowed being vastly improved, the Coopers company, who are his trustees, have lately increased the pensions to 5l. and 30 bushels of coals per annum, with a bounty of 10s. to each at Christmas; and the schoolmaster’s salary is also advanced to 23l. 6s. 8d. and the usher’s to 9l. 13s. 4d. Maitland.
Gibson’s court, 1. Marybon street.† 2. Narrow wall.†
Giddy Hall, at the farther end of Rumford in Essex, a very fine mansion house erected by the late Sir John Eyles, Lord Mayor of London.
Gilbert’s court, Monkwell street.†
Gilbert’s passage, Clare market.†
Gilbert’s street, Bloomsbury.†
St. Giles’s Cripplegate, at the east end of Redcross street, without the walls of London, is so denominated from its dedication to St. Giles, a Grecian and citizen of Athens, in the year 700, and from the neighbouring gate. A church was built in this place in the year 1030, which was destroyed by the fire of London in the year 1545; but the edifice erected in its room escaping the dreadful conflagration in 1666, is still standing, and is likely to continue so a long time.
This Gothic structure is 114 feet in length, 63 in breadth, 32 in height, and 40the tower with its turret 122 feet high. This tower is not gross in proportion to its height; and the turret on the top is light and open.
This church is a vicarage, the patronage of which is in the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, and it is constituted a prebend of that cathedral by the name of Mora. The Vicar receives about 360l. a year by tithes.
In this church are many tombs, and here lies the body of the incomparable John Milton, the author of Paradise Lost.
St. Giles’s in the Fields, on the south side of St. Giles’s street, is so named to distinguish it from St. Giles’s Cripplegate. The place in which it stands was formerly a village of the same name as the church, which was standing so early as the year 1222, tho’ it was not made parochial till 1547. The little edifice for divine worship being taken down in the year 1623, a church of brick was erected in its room; but the ground in its neighbourhood being gradually raised to the height of eight feet higher than the floor, it became very damp and unwholesome. Upon this the inhabitants, by consent of parliament, had it rebuilt, the sum of 8000l. being granted for that purpose. The present structure is built in a very substantial 41manner, as indeed all churches should for the sake of duration. The old fabric was taken down in 1730, and the new one erected in two years and a half.
The church and steeple are built with Portland stone. The area of the church within the walls is sixty feet wide, and seventy-five feet in length, exclusive of the recess for the altar. The roof is supported with Ionic pillars of Portland stone, on stone piers, and is vaulted underneath. The outside of the church has a rustic basement, and the windows of the galleries have semicircular heads, over which is a modillion cornice. The steeple is 165 feet high, and consists of a rustic pedestal, supporting a Doric order of pilasters, and over the clock is an octangular tower with three quarter Ionic columns supporting a balustrade with vases, on which stands the spire, which is also octangular and belted.
In 1758 the organ was repaired; and in 1759, two magnificent chandeliers were hung up, each containing thirty-six lights.
“The new church of St. Giles’s, says the author of The Review of the Public Buildings, is one of the most simple and elegant of the modern structures: it is 42raised at a very little expence, has very few ornaments, and little beside the propriety of its parts, and the harmony of the whole, to excite attention, and challenge applause: yet still it pleases, and justly too; the east end is both plain and majestic, and there is nothing in the west to object to, but the smallness of the doors, and the poverty of appearance that must necessarily follow. The steeple is light, airy, and genteel, argues a good deal of genius in the architect, and looks very well both in comparison with the body of the church, and when ’tis considered as a building by itself, in a distant prospect. Yet after all I have confessed in favour of this edifice, I can’t help arraigning the superstition of situating churches due east and west; for in complaisance to this custom, the building before us has lost a great advantage it might have otherwise enjoyed; I mean, the making the east end the front, and placing it in such a manner as to have ended the vista of what is called Broad St. Giles’s; whereas now it is no where to be seen with ease to the eye, or so as justly to comprehend the symmetry and connection of the whole.”
There is a marble monument on the 43outside of the north isle to the memory of Hugh Merchant, Gent. who died on the 17th of January, 1714, with this inscription:
The expence of erecting this church amounted to 10,026l. 15s. 9d. It is a rectory in the gift of the Crown.
Gilham’s court, Rotherhith Wall.†
Gilham’s rents, the Folly, Dock head.†
Giltspur street, without Newgate.*
Gingerbread alley, 1. Holiwell lane. 2. Old Change, Cheapside.
Gingerbread court, 1. Lamb alley, Bishopsgate street. 2. Old Change.
Girdlers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Henry VI. in the year 1449, and confirmed by Queen Elizabeth in 1568, when the Pinners and Wiredrawers were incorporated with them.
This fraternity consists of a Master, three Wardens, twenty-four Assistants, and seventy-seven Liverymen, who upon their 44admission pay a fine of 10l. They have a convenient hall in Basinghall street.
Glassenbury court, Rose street, Covent Garden.
Glasshouse alley, White Friars.☐
Glasshouse fields, Cock hill, Ratcliff.☐
Glasshouse hill, Well street.☐
Glasshouse Liberty, a part of the parish of St. Botolph Aldersgate street, situated in Goswell and Pickax streets, thus named from a glasshouse which anciently stood there. There was formerly but one government in the parish; but the poor of this liberty increasing considerably, the city liberty ungenerously separated from them, and obliged those in this district to maintain their own poor.
Glasshouse street, Swallow street.☐
Glasshouse yard, 1. Black Friars.† 2. Goodman’s fields.☐ 3. Old Barge stairs.☐ 4. Old Bethlem.☐ 5. Pickax street.☐ 6. Red Maid lane.☐ 7. Upper Ground.☐ 8. Well street.☐ 9. White Friars.☐ 10. White’s yard.☐ 11. Willow street.☐
Glass Sellers, a company that were incorporated with the Looking-glass makers by letters patent granted by King Charles II. in the year 1664, by the title of The Master, Wardens, Assistants and Commonalty of Glass sellers of the city of London.
45This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, twenty-four Assistants, and forty-four Liverymen, who on their admission pay a fine of 5l. But they have no hall. Maitland.
Glass yard, Cut-throat lane.
Glaziers, a company incorporated with that of the glass painters, by a charter granted by Charles I. in the year 1637.
They consist of a Master, two Wardens, twenty-one Assistants, and ninety-one Liverymen, whose fine is 3l. Their hall being consumed in the fire of London, has never yet been rebuilt. Maitland.
Glazier’s rents, Fore street, Limehouse.
Glean alley, Tooley street.
Globe alley, 1. Deadman’s Place.* 2. Fish street hill.* 3. Narrow street, Limehouse.* 4. Quaker street.* 5. In the Strand.* 6. Wapping.*
Globe court, 1. Seven Stars alley.* 2. Sheer lane.* 3. Shoe lane.*
Globe island, Rotherhith.
Globe lane, Mile-end road.*
Globe stairs, Rotherhith.*
Globe stairs alley, 1. Jamaica street.* 2. Rotherhith.*
Globe yard, 1. New Fish street hill.* 2. Old Bethlem.* 3. Schoolhouse lane, Ratcliff.* 4. Wapping.*
Gloucester court, 1. Beer lane. 2. Black 46Friars. 3. St. James’s street. 4. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.
Gloucester street, 1. Liquorpond street. 2. Queen’s square, Bloomsbury.
Glovers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1638.
This company is governed by a Master, four Wardens, thirty Assistants, and a livery of 130 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 5l. 13s. 4d. They have a hall in Beech lane.
Glovers court, Beech lane.☐
Glovers yard, Beech lane.☐
Goat alley, 1. St. Catharine’s lane.* 2. Ludgate hill.* 3. Upper Ground, Southwark.* 4. Whitecross str. Cripplegate.*
Goat Inn yard, St. Margaret’s hill.*
Goat’s Head alley, Skinners street.*
Goat stairs, Bank side.*
Goat yard, 1. Free school street, Horselydown.* 2. In the Maze, Tooley street.* 3. Whitecross street, by Old street.*
Goat yard passage, Horselydown.*
Goatham alley, Shoreditch.‖
Gobb’s alley, Grey Eagle street.†
Gobions. See Gubbins.
Goddard’s rents, 1. Holiwell street.† 2. Wheeler street.†
Godliman’s street, 1. Little Carter lane.† St. Paul’s Chain.†
47Godfrey’s court, Milk street, Cheapside.†
Godwel stairs, near Limehouse.†
Gold and Silver Wiredrawers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by K. James I. in the year 1623.
This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and eighteen Assistants, but has neither livery nor hall.
Goldby’s rents, Golden lane.†
Golden Anchor alley, Old street.*
Golden Ball court, Great Wild street.*
Golden Cross court, Cateaton street.*
Golden Fleece yard, Tothill street.*
Golden Key court, 1. Basinghall Postern.* 2. Fore street.*
Golden lane, Barbican.
Golden Leg court, Cheapside.*
Golden Lion alley, Long ditch, Westminster.*
Golden Lion court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. By St. George’s church, Southwark.*
Golden square, near Great Windmill street, a very neat but small square, containing about two acres. A large space on the inside adorned with grass plats and gravel walks, was till lately surrounded with wooden rails; but these have been removed, and handsome iron ones placed in their room.
Gold’s hill, Dean street.
48Goldsmiths, one of the twelve principal companies, is of great antiquity; for in the reign of Henry II. in the year 1180, it was among other guilds, fined for being adulterine, that is, setting up without the King’s special licence. But at length, in 1327, Edward III. in consideration of the sum of ten marks, incorporated this company by letters patent, and granted the Goldsmiths the privilege of purchasing an estate of 20l. per annum in mortmain, for the support of their valetudinary members, which in the year 1394, was confirmed by Richard II. for the sum of twenty marks. These grants were afterwards confirmed by Edward IV. in the year 1462, who also constituted this society a body politic and corporate, to have perpetual succession, and a common seal. They had now likewise the privilege of inspecting, trying, and regulating all gold and silver wares, not only in this city, but in all other parts of the kingdom; with the power of punishing all offenders concerned in working adulterated gold and silver, and the power of making by-laws for their better government.
This fraternity is governed by a Prime, three other Wardens, and ninety-eight Assistants; with a livery of 198 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 20l.
49Goldsmiths Hall, a spacious building in Foster lane, Cheapside, was originally built by Drew Barentin, about the year 1407, but was destroyed by the fire in 1666, and the present edifice arose in its place. It is an irregular structure built with brick, and the corners wrought in rustic of stone. The door is large, arched, and decorated with Doric columns, which support a pediment of the arched kind, but open for a shield, in which are the arms of the company. The hall room is spacious, and both that and the other rooms well enlightened.
In this hall are, among others, the pictures of Sir Martin Bowers, and Sir Hugh Middleton, both of this company, and great benefactors to it. They both enjoyed the office of Lord Mayor of London. The latter is worthy of immortal honour, for bringing the New River water to the city: out of the rents of which he gave 30l. a year to this company, which is now worth near the annual revenue of 300l. They have also a very great estate, and apply above 1000l. a year to charitable uses.
By an act passed in the 12th year of the reign of his present Majesty George II. it is ordered that no goldsmith, silversmith, or other person dealing in gold or silver 50wares, shall make any gold vessel, plate, or manufacture, of less fineness than 22 carats of fine gold in every pound troy weight; nor any of silver, of less fineness than 11 ounces, two pennyweights, of fine silver in every pound troy. And that no goldsmith, silversmith, or other dealer in gold or silver wares, shall sell, exchange, or expose to sale, any gold or silver plate, or export the same, without its being marked with the first letters of the christian and surname of the maker, and, if in London, with the marks of the Goldsmiths company, namely, the leopard’s head, the lion passant, and a distinct variable mark, denoting the year in which such plate was made; or with the mark of the worker, and the marks appointed to be used by the assayers of York, Exeter, Bristol, Chester, Norwich, or Newcastle upon Tyne; on the penalty of forfeiting 10l. for every omission. The forging of the company’s marks, exposes the maker to the penalty of 100l. or two years imprisonment. However, such pieces of gold or silver, as are either too small or too thin to receive the marks, and do not weigh ten pennyweights of gold or silver each, are not to be stamped. The price of assaying is fixed by the Wardens of the company.
Goldsmith’s alley, 1. Jewin street.† 2. Lukener’s lane, Drury lane.†
51Goldsmith’s court, 1. Goldsmith’s alley, Jewin street.† 2. New street.†
Goldsmith’s rents, East Smithfield.†
Goldsmith’s street, 1. Crucifix lane, Barnaby street, Southwark.† 2. Wood street, Cheapside.
Gold’s square, Golston street, Whitechapel.† See Gould’s square.
Gold street, 1. Near New Gravel lane. 2. Wood street, Cheapside.
Golston’s court, Drury lane.†
Gonson’s rents, Bluegate fields, Upper Shadwell.†
Goodchild’s alley, Market street, Westminster.
Goodman’s fields, a considerable piece of ground lying behind the houses on the south side of Whitechapel, the east side of the Minories, and the north side of Rosemary lane. Mr. Stow observes, that in his time, this was a large field and farm kept by one Goodman, whose son afterwards let it out, and lived like a gentleman upon the rent it produced: and it still retains the same name, though it has now no appearance of a field. It principally consists of four handsome streets, inhabited by merchants, and other persons in affluent circumstances: these streets are on the four sides, and in the center is a tenter ground, which 52being surrounded by the houses, is excluded from public view. About fifteen years ago there was a very neat but small play house in one of these streets, and in this theatre Mr. Garrick first distinguished himself as an actor.
Goodman’s wharf, St. Catharine’s.†
Goodman’s yard, In the Minories, leading into Goodman’s fields.†
Good’s rents, In the Minories.†
Goodwin’s court, 1. Oxford street.† 2. St. Martin’s lane, Chancery lane.† 3. Noble street.†
Goodyear’s rents, Wapping.†
Goose alley, 1. Bow Church yard, Cheapside.* 2. Fleet Ditch.*
Goosetree’s yard, Peter street, Westminster.†
Gorhambury, a little to the west of St. Alban’s, was formerly the paternal estate of the great Francis Bacon, Lord Verulam, and Viscount of St. Alban’s, and is now the seat of the Lord Viscount Grimston.
Gosling’s rents, Swordbearer’s alley, Chiswell street.†
Gossips rents, Tooley street.‖
Gossips row, Glean alley, Tooley street.‖
Goswell street, extends in a line from the corner of Barbican, where Aldersgate street ends, to Mount Mill.
53Gough’s square, near Fleet street; a very small oblong square, with a row on each side of handsome buildings.†
Gough’s yard, Back street, Lambeth.†
Gould’s court, Woodrofe lane.†
Gould’s square, Woodrofe lane.†
Goulston’s square, Whitechapel.†
Gracechurch street, Cornhill, was originally called Grass church street, from a grass or herb market, near Allhallows Lombard street, which from that market was called Grass church. Stow.
Grace court, Fenchurch street.
Grace’s alley, Well street, Wellclose square.
Grafton buildings, Long lane.
Grafton street, Soho.
Graham’s Almshouse, in Hog lane, Soho, was founded in the year 1686, by Mrs. Graham, for four decayed Clergymen’s widows, their maiden daughters, or other gentlewomen, each of whom has a handsome apartment, and 10l. per annum; and for fuel and a servant to attend them all, the additional sum of 10l. a year.
Grange, Near the King’s road.
Grange court, Carey street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.
Grange lane, Bermondsey.
Grange road, Bermondsey.
Grange street, Chapel street, in Red Lion street, Holborn.
54Grange walk, King John’s court, Bermondsey.
Grange yard, Bermondsey fields.
Granger’s rents, Near Barbican.†
Grape street, By Little Moorfields.
Grasschurch street, Cornhill; now generally called and spelt Gracechurch street.
Grasshopper alley, 1. Fore street.* 2. Whitecross street.*
Grasshopper court, Charterhouse street.*
Gravel court, Old Gravel lane.*
Gravel lane, 1. Near the Falcon stairs. 2. Houndsditch.
Gravel street, Brook street, Holborn.
Gravel walk, 1. Blue Anchor alley. 2. Collingwood street.
Grave’s dock, Fore street, Limehouse.†
Grave’s wharf, near Fishmongers hall, Thames street.†
Gravesend, a town in Kent, twenty-two miles from London, situated on the Thames, opposite to Tilbury Fort, about six miles east from Dartford, and about the same distance from Rochester. In the reign of Richard II. the French and Spaniards sailed up the Thames to this town, and having plundered and burnt it, carried away most of the inhabitants. To enable the town to recover this loss, the Abbot of St. Mary le Grace on Tower hill, to whom King Richard II. had 55granted a manor belonging to Gravesend, obtained that the inhabitants of Gravesend and Milton should have the sole privilege of carrying passengers by water from hence to London, at 2d. a head, or 4s. the whole fare; but the fare is now raised to 9d. a head in the tilt boat, and 1s. in the wherry. The former must not take in above forty passengers, and the latter no more than ten. The Watermens company are by act of parliament obliged to provide officers at Billingsgate and at Gravesend, who at every time of high water by night and day, are at their respective places to ring publicly a bell set up for that purpose, for fifteen minutes, to give notice to the tilt boats and wherries to put off; and coaches ply at Gravesend at the landing of people from London to carry them to Rochester. King Henry VIII. raised a platform here and at Milton, and these towns were incorporated by Queen Elizabeth, by the name of the Portreve (which has been changed to that of Mayor) the jurats and inhabitants of Gravesend and Milton. The whole town being burnt down in 1727 the parliament in the year 1731 granted 5000l. for rebuilding its church. Here is a very handsome charitable foundation, Mr. Henry Pinnock having in 1624, given twenty-one dwelling houses 56and a house for a master weaver to employ the poor: and a good estate is also settled for the repairs.
Within a few years past, great improvements have been made in the lands near this town, by turning them into kitchen gardens, with the produce of which Gravesend not only supplies the neighbouring places for several miles round, but also sends great quantities to the London markets, particularly of asparagus, that of Gravesend being preferred to that of Battersea. As all outward bound ships are obliged to anchor in this road till they have been visited by the custom house officers, and as they generally stay here to take in provisions, the town is full of seamen, and in a constant hurry.
Gray Friars. See Grey Friars.
Gray’s court, Duke street, Piccadilly.†
Gray’s Inn.
S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
Gray’s Inn, on the north side of Holborn, near the Bars, is so called from its being formerly the residence of the ancient and noble family of Gray of Wilton, who in the reign of Edward III. demised it to several students of the law. It is one of the four Inns of Court, and is inhabited by Barristers and Students of the law, and also by such gentlemen of independent fortune, as chuse this place, for the sake of 57an agreeable retirement, or the pleasure of the walks.
The members of the house are to be in commons a fortnight every term, for which they pay 16s.
The officers and servants belonging to the Inn, are, a Treasurer, a Steward, a chief and three under butlers, an upper and under cook, a pannier man, a gardener, the steward, the chief butler’s men, and two porters.
This Inn has its chief entrance out of Holborn through a large gate, though it is seated far backwards, and though with its gardens it takes up almost all the west side of Gray’s Inn lane. It consists of several well-built courts, particularly Holborn court, Coney court, and another at the entrance into the garden. The hall where the gentlemen of the society dine and sup is large and commodious; but the chapel is too small; it is a Gothic structure, and has marks of much greater antiquity than any other part of the building.
The chief ornament belonging to this Inn, is its spacious garden, the benefit of which is enjoyed by the public, every body decently dressed being allowed the recreation of walking in it every day. This garden consists of gravel walks, 58between vistas of very lofty trees, of grass plats, agreeable slopes, and a long terras with a portico at each end; this terras is ascended by a handsome flight of steps. Till lately there was a summer-house erected by the great Sir Francis Bacon, upon a small mount: it was open on all sides, and the roof supported by slender pillars. A few years ago the uninterrupted prospect of the neighbouring fields, as far as the hills of Highgate and Hampstead, was obstructed by a handsome row of houses on the north; since which the above summer-house has been levelled, and many of the trees cut down to lay the garden more open. The part represented in the print is the lower side of Coney court, containing the chapel, hall, &c. and is the principal square of this Inn (which is a very considerable one) belonging to the gentlemen of the long robe.
Gray’s Inn lane, Holborn Bars.
Gray’s Inn Library, which is kept in Coney court, Gray’s Inn, consists of a considerable number of books in several languages, and on different branches of learning; but more particularly on law, for the use of the gentlemen of the Inn.
Gray’s Inn passage, 1. Field court, Gray’s Inn. 2. Red Lion street, Holborn.
59Grays Thurrock, a town in Essex, nineteen miles from London, so called from its ancient Lords the Grays of Codnor. It has a very good market for corn and cattle.
Great Almonry, Tothill street, Westminster. See Almonry.
Great Arthur street, Goswell street.†
Great Ashentree court, White Friars.‡
Great Bacon yard, Goswell street.
Great Bear key, Thames street. See Bear Key.
Great Black Horse court, Aldersgate street.*
Great Carter lane, St. Paul’s church yard.†
Great Chapel street, Oxford street.
Great Cock alley, 1. Fore street, Cripplegate.* 2. Redcross street.*
Great Cow alley, Whitecross street, Old street.*
Great Dean’s yard, Westminster.
Great Dice key, Thames street.
Great Distaff lane, Old Change.*
Great Earl street, Seven Dials.†
Great Eastcheap, Canon street, Fish street hill. See Eastcheap.
Great Elbow lane, College hill.
Great Friars Gate, Fleet street: so called from its leading into White Friars.
Great Garden, St. Catharine’s lane.
60Great George street, 1. A fine new built street, that extends from the end of Bridge street into St. James’s Park. The great uniformity observed in the buildings, their grandeur, and the length and straightness of this street, form a noble vista, terminated at the end next the park by very handsome iron gates supported on stone piers, and by the tall trees of the park, which at a distance resemble a thick grove. 2. A very noble street which extends from Hanover square into Conduit street; this is also broad and well paved, and has several very fine houses built and inhabited by noblemen and people of the first rank. See Hanover Square.
The other streets of this name, are, 3. By Great New George street, Spitalfields: and 4. by King street, Westminster. These streets were thus named in honour of his present Majesty and his royal father.
Great Hart street, James’s street, Long Acre.
Great Hermitage street, in the Hermitage.
Great Jermain street, Near Piccadilly.†
Great Kirby street, Hatton Garden.†
Great Knightrider’s street, by Addle hill.
Great Lamb alley, Blackman street.
Great Maddox street, Hanover square.
61Great Marlborough street, Poland street.
Great Montague court, Little Britain.
Great Montague street, near Brick lane, Spitalfields.
Great Moor yard, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.
Great New street, Fetter lane.
Great Newport street, near Long Acre.
Great Nottingham street, Plumtree street.
Great Old Bailey, Ludgate hill.
Great Ormond street, Red Lion street, Holborn.
Great Ormond yard, Ormond street.
Great Pearl street, Grey Eagle street, Spitalfields.
Great Peter street, by Great Poulteney street.
Great Poulteney street, near Brewer’s street, Soho.
Great Queen street, 1. Lincoln’s Inn fields. 2. Westminster.
Great Rider street, St. James’s street.
Great Russel street, 1. Bloomsbury, from the Duke of Bedford’s house near it. 2. Covent garden, from its being built upon the same Duke’s estate.
Great St. Andrew’s street, Seven Dials.
Great St. Ann’s lane, by Orchard street, Westminster.
62Great St. Helen’s court, Bishopsgate street within. See St. Helen’s.
Great St. Thomas Apostle’s lane, by Queen street, Cheapside. See St. Thomas Apostles.
Great Stone stairs, Ratcliff.
Great Suffolk street, Cockspur street.
Great Swallow street, Piccadilly.
Great Swordbearers alley, Chiswell street.
Great Tower hill, by Great Tower street.
Great Tower street, the broad part on the east end.
Great Trinity lane, Bow lane.
Great Turnstile, Holborn.
Great Turnstile alley, High Holborn.
Great Wardour street, Oxford street.
Great Warner street, Cold Bath street.
Great White Lion street, Seven Dials.
Great Wild street, Great Queen street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.
Great Winchester street, Broad street, London Wall.
Great Windmill street, Piccadilly.
Great yard, Parish street, Horselydown.
Great York street, Cock lane, Shoreditch.
Greave’s court, George yard, Whitechapel.†
Green alley, 1. Broad Sanctuary. 2. Coleman street, Wapping. 3. St. Saviour’s Dock. 4. Tooley street.
63Green Arbour court, 1. French alley. 2. Lambeth hill, Thames street. 3. Little Moorfields. 4. Little Old Bailey.
Green Bank, 1. Horselydown. 2. Coleman street, Wapping. 3. St. Olave street. 4. Wapping.
Board of Green Cloth, a court of justice continually sitting in the King’s house. This court is under the Lord Steward of the King’s houshold, and is composed of the Treasurer of the houshold, the Comptroller, Cofferer, Master of the houshold, two clerks of the Green Cloth, and two clerks comptrollers; and receives its name from a green cloth spread over the table, at which they sit.
In the absence of the Lord Steward, the Treasurer of the King’s house, in conjunction with the Comptroller, and other officers of the board, together with the Steward of the Marshalsea, have power to determine treasons, felonies and other crimes committed within the verge. By the direction and allowance of this board, the Cofferer pays the wages of the King’s servants above and below stairs, and the bills for provisions. Also before this board the Averner to the Master of the horse lays the accompts of the stables for horse meat, livery wages, and board wages, in order to be passed and allowed. See the article 64Lord Steward of the King’s Houshold.
Green Coat Hospital, Tothill fields. Several of the inhabitants of Westminster having resolved to settle an hospital like that of Christ Church in the city of London, where poor orphans might not only be furnished with all the necessaries of life, but instructed in manual arts, in the year 1633 obtained a charter from King Charles I. by which they were constituted a body politic and corporate, by the appellation of The Governors of the hospital of St. Margaret’s Westminster, of the foundation of King Charles; to consist of twenty Governors, inhabitants of Westminster, with the right of purchasing lands, tenements, &c. in mortmain, to the value of 500l. per annum. But the civil war soon after breaking out, in a manner quashed this noble design. However, by the charitable benefactions of King Charles II. and others, the estate amounts to above 300l. a year, and there are at present twenty boys maintained upon this foundation. Maitland.
Green court, 1. Green Bank, Wapping. 2. Knaves Acre. 3. Little Minories. 4. Marshal street, Shoreditch.
Mr. Spencer’s.
S. Wale del. B. Green sculp.
Green Dragon alley, 1. Narrow street, 65Limehouse.* 2. Surry street, in the Strand.* 3. By Wapping Wall.*
Green Dragon court, 1. Broadway, Westminster.* 2. Cow lane.* 3. Foul lane.* 4. New Crane, Wapping.* 5. Old Change.*
Green Dragon yard, 1. Long lane, West Smithfield.* 2. Whitechapel.*
Green Elm court, in the Savoy.
Greenford, in the vale, a village two miles south of Harrow on the Hill.
Greenhill’s rents, Smithfield bars.†
Greenland stairs. Deptford.
Green lane, 1. Lambeth. 2. Tottenham Court fields.
Green Lettice court, Fore street, Cripplegate.*
Green Lettice lane, Canon street.*
Green market, Leadenhall street.
Green Park, between St. James’s Park and Hyde Park. This Park adds greatly to the pleasantness of the houses which are situated so as to overlook it, among which the most conspicuous by far is that lately built by Mr. Spencer. Altogether it appears very noble, but considering it as a front, we are disappointed in not seeing any entrance, which surely should have been made conspicuous. The pediment being extended over so many columns is too large and heavy, and the 66bow window has no relation at all to the building, and offends every eye; but the figures and vases on the top have indeed a fine effect. The irregularity of the other side or principal front (which is in St. James’s Place) is excusable, as the adjoining houses can’t yet be purchased, but the flatness of it, having no columns or great projections, will always make it subordinate to the side that fronts the Park, which is that we have given a view of in the print.
Green’s court, Lothbury.†
Green’s rents, Bride lane, Fleet street.†
Green School court, London Wall.
Green street, 1. Near Grosvenor square. 2. Leicester fields. 3. Theobald’s row.
Green walk, 1. Broad Wall. 2. Gravel lane.
Greenwich, a very pleasant town in Kent, situated six miles from London, has been the birth place of several of our Monarchs, particularly Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth: and here King Edward VI. died. Their palace was first erected by Humphry Duke of Gloucester, who named it Placentia. This palace was enlarged by Henry VII. and completed by Henry VIII. but being afterwards suffered to run to ruin, was pulled down by King Charles II. who began another, a most magnificent 67edifice, and lived to see the first wing finished. See Greenwich Hospital.
King Charles II. also enlarged the park, walled it round, planted it, and caused a royal observatory to be erected on the top of the steep of the hill. This edifice his Majesty erected for the use of the celebrated Mr. Flamstead, and it still retains the name of that great astronomer: his Majesty likewise furnished it with mathematical instruments for astronomical observations, and a deep dry well for observing the stars in the day time.
That which is properly the palace here, is an edifice of no great extent, and it is now converted into apartments for the Governor of the Royal Hospital, and the Ranger of the park. This park is well stocked with deer, and affords a noble and delightful view of the fine hospital, the river Thames, and the city of London.
Greenwich is said to contain 1350 houses. Its parish church, which has been lately rebuilt by the Commissioners for erecting the fifty new churches, is a very handsome structure, dedicated to St. Alphage, Archbishop of Canterbury, who is said to have been slain by the Danes in the year 1012, on the spot where the church now stands. There is a college at the end of the town, fronting 68the Thames, for the maintenance of 20 decayed old housekeepers, twelve out of Greenwich, and eight who are to be alternately chosen from Snottisham and Castle-Rising in Norfolk. This is called the Duke of Norfolk’s College, though it was founded and endowed, in 1613, by Henry Earl of Northampton, the Duke of Norfolk’s brother, and by him committed to the care of the Mercers company. To this college belongs a chapel, in which the Earl’s body is laid, which, as well as his monument, was removed hither a few years ago, from the chapel of Dover Castle. The pensioners, besides meat, drink, and lodging, are allowed 1s. 6d. a week, with a gown every year, linen once in two years, and hats once in four years.
In the year 1560 Mr. Lambard, author of the Perambulation of Kent, also built and founded an hospital called Queen Elizabeth’s College, said to be the first erected by an English protestant. There are likewise two charity schools in this parish, one founded by Sir William Boreman, Knt. for twenty boys, who are cloathed, boarded, and taught; they wear green coats and caps: and the other by Mr. John Roan, who left his estate for teaching also twenty boys reading, writing, and arithmetic, and allowing 2l. per annum 69for each boy’s cloaths. These wear grey coats.
The river Thames is here very broad, and the channel deep; and at some very high tides the water is salt, though it is usually sweet and fresh.
S. Wale del. B. Green sculp.
Greenwich Hospital.
Greenwich Hospital, stands on the spot, where stood the palace of several of our Kings. The first wing of this noble and superb edifice, erected by K. Charles II. was designed to be applied to the same use. Indeed from the magnificence of the structure, it can scarcely be taken for any thing less than the palace of a great monarch. However King William III. being very desirous of promoting the trade, navigation, and naval strength of this kingdom, by inviting great numbers of his subjects to betake themselves to the sea, gave this noble palace, and several other edifices, with a considerable spot of ground, for the use of those English seamen and their children, who by age, wounds, or other accidents, should be disabled from farther service at sea, and for the widows and children of such as were slain in fighting at sea, against the enemies of their country. King William also by his letters patent, in 1694, appointed commissioners for the better carrying on his pious intentions, and therein 70desired the assistance of his good subjects, as the necessity of his affairs did not permit him to advance so considerable a sum towards this work, as he desired. In conformity to this request, many benefactions were made both in that and the succeeding reigns, to this noble charity, which, according to the tables hung up at the entrance of the hall, amount to 58,209l. and afterwards the estate of the Earl of Derwentwater, who bore a principal part in the rebellion in 1715, amounting to 6000l. per annum, was given by parliament to this hospital. The first range had cost King Charles II. 36,000l. and another was ordered to be built on the same model: this has been completed with equal magnificence, and the whole structure entirely finished.
The front to the Thames consists of these two ranges of stone buildings, with the Governor’s house at the back part in the center, behind which the park, well planted with trees, rises with a noble ascent. These buildings, between which is a large area, perfectly correspond with each other, and each range is terminated by a very noble dome.
In each front to the Thames, two ranges of coupled Corinthian columns finely wrought, support their pediments, 71and the same order is continued in pilasters along the building. The projection of the entablatures gives an agreeable diversity of light and shade. In the center of each part, between these ranges of Corinthian columns, is the door, which is of the Doric order, and adorned above with a tablet and pediment. Within the height of these lofty columns are two series of windows, enlightening two floors. The undermost, which are the smallest, have rustic cases crowned with pediments; while the upper series, which are larger, and more lofty, are adorned with the orders, and with upright pointed pediments. Over these is an Attic story; the entablature of the Corinthian columns and pilasters supports a regular Attic course: the pilasters of this order rising over every column, and pilaster of the Corinthian below, between which the windows are regularly disposed, and the top is crowned with a handsome balustrade.
The buildings, which are continued from these, and face the area, correspond with them, though in a finer, and more elegant manner. In the center of both is a range of columns supporting a pediment, and at each corner a range of Corinthian pilasters. The front is rusticated, and there are two series of windows. The domes at the end, which are 120 feet high, 72are supported on coupled columns, as are the porticos below; and under one of these is the chapel, which is adorned on the inside with the greatest elegance and beauty.
On the sides of the gate which opens to these buildings from the park, are placed a large celestial and terrestrial globe, in which the stars are gilt; and in the center of the area, is fixed on a pedestal, a statue of his Majesty King George II.
The hall of this hospital is finely painted by Sir James Thornhill, particularly the ceiling and upper end; on the latter are represented in an alcove, the late Princess Sophia, King George I. King George II. Queen Caroline, the Queen Dowager of Prussia, Frederic Prince of Wales, the Duke of Cumberland, and the five Princesses, the daughters of his present Majesty. On the ceiling over the alcove are her late Majesty Queen Anne and Prince George of Denmark: and on the ceiling of the hall are King William and Queen Mary, with several fine emblematical figures. All strangers who see this hall pay two pence each, and this income is applied to the support of the mathematical school, for the sons of sailors.
For the better support of this hospital every seaman in the royal navy and in the service of the merchants pays 6d. a month. This is stopped out of the pay of all sailors, 73and delivered in at the Six penny Receiver’s office on Tower hill. And therefore a seaman who can produce an authentic certificate of his being disabled, and rendered unfit for the sea service, by defending any ship belonging to his Majesty’s British subjects, or in taking any ship from the enemy, may be admitted into this hospital, and receive the same benefit from it, as if he had been in his Majesty’s immediate service.
There are at present near 2000 old or disabled seamen, and an hundred boys, the sons of seamen, instructed in navigation, and bred up for the service of the royal navy: but there are no out-pensioners, as at Chelsea. Each of the mariners has a weekly allowance of seven loaves, weighing sixteen ounces each; three pounds of beef; two of mutton; a pint of pease; a pound and a quarter of cheese; two ounces of butter; fourteen quarts of beer, and 1s. a week tobacco money: the tobacco money of the boatswains is 2s. 6d. a week each; that of their mates 1s. 6d. and that of the other officers in proportion to their rank. Besides which, each common pensioner receives once in two years, a suit of blue cloaths, a hat, three pair of stockings, two pair of shoes, five neck cloths, three shirts, and two night caps.
This hospital has about 100 Governors, 74composed of the nobility, great officers of state, and persons in high posts under the King. The principal officers of the house, with their annual salaries, are:
The Governor | £1000 |
Lieutenant Governor | 300 |
Treasurer | 200 |
Three Captains, each | 200 |
Six Lieutenants, each | 100 |
Two Chaplains, each | 100 |
A Physician and Surgeon, each | 200 |
A Clerk of the cheque | 100 |
Auditor | 100 |
Greenwich alley, Brickhill lane.
Greenwich street, Dowgate wharf.
Greenwood’s court, Nightingale lane.†
Green yard, 1. Basinghall Postern. 2. East Smithfield. 3. Fore street, Cripplegate. 4. Goswell street. 5. Green Bank, Wapping. 6. Horselydown. 7. Milk yard, New Gravel lane. 8. Pepper alley. 9. Tooley street. 10. Upper Ground street. 11. White’s yard, Rosemary lane.
Gregory’s court, High Holborn.
St. Gregory’s, so called from its being dedicated to Pope Gregory the Great, who sent Austin the Monk to convert the English, stood at the south west corner of St. Paul’s cathedral; but being burnt by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was by act of parliament annexed 75to the church of St. Mary Magdalen in Old Fish street.
Greg’s court, Goodman’s yard.†
Grenadier’s mews, Portland street.†
Gresham’s Almshouse in Broad street, on the west side of Gresham College, was founded by Sir Thomas Gresham in the year 1575, for eight poor men; the trust of which he committed to the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of London, who annually pay these Almsmen 6l. 13s. 4d. each, and a gown every other year.
S. Wale delin. J. Taylor sc.
Gresham College.
Gresham College, situated within the walls between Bishopsgate street and Broad street, and was formerly the dwelling of the founder Sir Thomas Gresham, Knt. a merchant of London, and one of the company of Mercers, who after he had built the Royal Exchange, bequeathed half the revenue thereof to the Mayor and Commonalty of London, and their successors, and the other moiety to the company of Mercers, in trust that the Mayor and Commonalty should find in all times to come four able persons to read in his dwelling house in Bishopsgate street, lectures on divinity, astronomy, geometry, and Music, and allow each of them besides handsome lodgings in that house, the sum of 50l. a year: and that the company of Mercers should find three other able men to read lectures in the civil law, rhetoric, 76and physic, pay them the same salary, and allow them the same accommodations. These salaries and other bequests of Sir Thomas Gresham, amounting in the whole to 603l. are payable out of the rents of the Royal Exchange, and there is a grand committee for the management of the affairs of this college and the Exchange, which consists of four Aldermen, whereof the Lord Mayor is always one; twelve of the company of Mercers, and eight of the Common Council, for the city. These lectures were first read in Trinity term, 1597, and with some interruptions have been continued to the present time.
The order of reading every term time is, Monday, divinity; Tuesday, civil law; Wednesday, astronomy; Thursday, geometry; Friday, rhetoric; Saturday, anatomy in the morning, and music in the afternoon. Stow, last edit. But since the institution of the Royal Society, these lectures are in a manner deserted, the professors having seldom above three or four auditors, and those of the most ordinary people. The print represents the inside of the quadrangle in its present state.
Gresham College court, Bishopsgate street.†
Grevil street, Leather lane.†
Grey-coat Hospital, Tothill fields, 77Westminster. In the year 1698 this charity school was erected in St. Margaret’s parish, for the education of poor children, and named The Grey-coat School, from the colour of the children’s cloaths; but the trustees being at length greatly encouraged by charitable contributions, in the year 1701, not only increased the number of children, but supplied them with all the necessaries of life, in a large and commodious building near Tothill fields: and for the encouragement of so laudable an undertaking Queen Anne, in 1706, by her letters patent, constituted the trustees of this school a body politic and corporate, by the name of The Governors of the Grey-coat hospital in Tothill fields, of the royal foundation of Queen Anne, with the power of purchasing lands, tenements, &c. in mortmain, to the yearly amount of 2000l. These children, besides being taught the usual learning, are employed in spinning, knitting, sewing, &c. to inure them early to industry; and having attained the necessary qualifications at school, they are put out apprentices.
This hospital, in the year 1727, was in so flourishing a condition that it contained eighty boys, and fifty girls, in which year the charge of all its disbursements amounted to 1457l. 7s. 6d. At Michaelmas 1739, a mathematical school 78was erected, and a proper master employed to instruct the boys in the art of navigation, to fit them for the service of their country, several of whom since the erection of this school have been put apprentice to captains in the King’s service.
The expence of each child is about 8l. a year, besides the salaries of the masters and mistresses, the wages of servants, and other charges attending the hospital.
Grey Eagle street, Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
Grey Friars, a court in Newgate street, near the gate, adjoining on one side to Christ’s hospital. Here, in the reign of King Henry III. was erected a convent of Franciscans or Grey Friars, and some time after a spacious church, which was not compleatly finished till the year 1380, tho’ it was consecrated in 1325. This church, which was 300 feet in length, eighty-nine in breadth, and sixty-four feet two inches in height from the ground to the roof, was built at different times, at the expence of different persons, and among its benefactors were several Queens of England. In the year 1429, Richard Whittington here founded a library, 129 feet in length and thirty-one in breadth, which was finished the following year, and within three years after furnished with books. However, at the general suppression of monasteries, the friery, 79with all the edifices belonging to it, was surrendered to Henry VIII. and the ornaments and utensils taken away, and applied to the King’s use: after which the church was shut up for some time, and used as a storehouse for goods taken as prizes from the French; but in January 1546, this church, with the friery, library, chapter house, cloisters and gardens, were given by King Henry to the Mayor and Commonalty of London, with the hospital of St. Bartholomew in West Smithfield, the parishes of St. Nicholas and St. Ewin, and so much of St. Sepulchre’s parish as is within Newgate, to be made one parish belonging to the church in the Grey Friars, which was from thenceforward to be called Christ Church. In short, in the year 1552, the house of the Grey Friars began to be repaired for the reception of poor fatherless children, and in November following near four hundred were taken in. Stow. See Christ’s Hospital.
Greyhound alley, 1. St. Mary Ax.* 2. Newgate street.*
Greyhound court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. St. Catharine’s lane.* 3. Chick lane.* 4. Lamb street.* 5. Milford lane.* 6. Moor’s street, Soho.*
Greyhound Inn yard, St. Margaret’s hill.*
Greyhound lane, Three Colts street.*
80Greyhound street, Whitechapel.*
Greyhound yard, 1. Portpool lane.* 2. Upper Ground street.*
Grey Pea alley, Red Maid lane.
Grey’s yard, Duke street, Piccadilly.†
Gridiron alley, Whitechapel.*
Gridiron court, High Holborn.*
Griffin alley, Blackman street.*
Griffin street, Shadwell Dock.*
Griffin yard, Long lane, West Smithfield.*
Griffis’s rents, Barnaby street.†
Grigg’s court, Goodman’s yard.†
Gripey alley, Artichoke lane.
Grocers, the second of the twelve principal companies, was anciently denominated Pepperers; but having changed their name to that of Grocers, were under that denomination incorporated by letters patent granted by King Edward III. in the year 1345, which were confirmed by Henry VI. in 1429. These grants were afterwards confirmed by a new charter of Charles I. in the year 1640, with an additional power of searching and inspecting the goods and weights of all Grocers within the city and suburbs of London, and three miles round. They had anciently the management of the King’s beam in this city, with the right of appointing a master-weigher, and four porters to attend it.
81This corporation consists of a Prime and three other Wardens, fifty-two Assistants, and one hundred and twenty-seven Liverymen, whose fine upon admission is 20l. They have a great estate, out of which they annually pay to the poor about 700l. Maitland.
Grocers alley, 1. In the Poultry.☐ 2. Shoreditch.
Grocers Hall, on the north side of the Poultry, and at the farther end of Grocers alley, is situated on a spot of ground purchased by the Grocers company in the year 1411, of Robert Lord Fitzwalter, for three hundred and twenty marks. The building is well designed for the purpose of a common hall; and is not only a stately edifice, but is so capacious, that for many years it served for the uses of the Bank of England, which was kept in this hall, till the edifice in Thread-needle street was erected for that purpose. The ancient stone and brick building at the north west corner of the garden, inhabited by the beadle of the company, is probably part of the ancient city mansion of the noble family of Fitzwalter, and consequently the oldest building within the city walls. Maitland.
Grocers Hall yard, Grocers alley.
Grocers rents, East Smithfield.
82Groom Porter, an officer of the King’s palace under the Lord Chamberlain. It is his duty to see that his Majesty’s lodgings are furnished with tables, chairs, stools and firing; to provide cards, dice, &c. Chamberlain’s Present State.
Groom of the Stole, the first Lord of the Bedchamber, who is groom of the long robe or vestment worn by the King on solemn occasions, and called the stole. It is his office to present or put on his Majesty’s shirt every morning, and to order the things of the bedchamber. His salary is 2000l. a year.
Grosvenor’s gate, Grosvenor street.†
Grosvenor’s mews, a street of stables near Grosvenor square.†
Grosvenor’s passage, Grosvenor street.†
Grosvenor square, is bounded on the north by Oxford road; on the east by Hanover buildings; on the south by Mayfair; and on the west by Hyde Park, It is however entirely surrounded with buildings, which are very magnificent, though the fronts are far from being uniform, some of them being entirely of stone, others of brick and stone, and others of rubbed brick, with only their quoins, facios, windows and door cases of stone. Some of them are adorned with stone columns of the several orders, while others have only 83plain fronts. Indeed here is the greatest variety of fine buildings that are any where to be met with in so small a compass, and they are so far uniform, as to be all sashed and to be pretty near of an equal height. The area of this square contains about five acres, and in the middle is a large garden surrounded with palisado pales placed upon a circular dwarf wall. This garden is laid out into walks, and adorned with an equestrian statue of King George I. gilt, which stands upon a pedestal in the center.
This square and the adjacent places are thus named from Sir Thomas Grosvenor.
Grosvenor street, 1. Horse ferry, Westminster.† 2. New Bond street.†
A list of Pictures that are at present hung up in the two first floors of the house of Paul Methuen, Esq; in Grosvenor street.
N. B. In this list, after the description of the pictures, the names of those by whom they are thought to be painted are added, for the information of such as may be great admirers of the art of painting, and lovers of pictures, and yet may not have knowledge or experience enough in that art to distinguish the several hands by which they are done.
But as it is very possible, and even probable, 84that the owner of them may, for want of sufficient skill, have been mistaken in the naming of the authors of some of them; tho’ at the same time he begs it may be believed, that he has done nothing of that kind, without such reasons for it, as appeared very good to him; nor has been guided in it by partiality to the pictures, or any other consideration, but regard to truth, which he always thought should take place of every thing: so those who are better judges, are at liberty to name the pictures as they please, and restore them to the authors to which they may think they really belong.
A naked boy blowing bubbles and treading on a death’s head, representing Vanity, by Elizabetha Sirani.
A large picture of dogs and foxes, by Peter Sneyders.
A man’s head, by Giuseppe de Ribera, commonly call’d Il Spagnoletto.
A large picture of David and Abigail, by Sir Peter Paul Rubens.
The adventure of Don Quixote and the barber, by a Spanish painter.
The portrait of the Duchess of Mantua, grand daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth, with her son in her lap, who was the last Duke of Mantua, with some allegorical figures, armour, &c. by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione.
A landscape, and a musical conversation, painted by Sir Peter Lely; being the portraits of himself and his whole family, drawn by the life.
The judgment of Paris, by Gerard Lairest.
The judgment of Midas, by the same hand.
A young lad blowing bubbles, said to be painted by Hannibal Caracci.
A Dutch kermis or country fair, painted by Old Pieter Bruegel.
Next the window, the portrait of a Turk, by Rembrandt van Rijn.
David with the head of Goliath and his sling, by Leonello Spada.
A man’s head, said to be that of Massaniello the fisherman who caused the great revolution of Naples, by Salvator Rosa.
The portrait of Francisco de Taxis, the first inventor of the posts in Europe, for which reason the direction of them has always remained in one of his family in all the dominions that belongs to the house of Austria, by a hand not certainly known.
The folly of spending our lives in the pursuit of love, wine, music and play, an emblematical picture, by Johannes Schorel.
The Virgin, our Saviour, St. Mary Magdalen, St. Peter, St. John the Baptist, and St. Jerome; by Jacobo Palma, senior, commonly called Old Palma.
The birth of our Saviour, and the adoration of the shepherds, by Giac. Bassan.
St. John the Baptist asleep in the desert, by Andrea del Sarto.
Two small sea pieces, a port in the Mediterranean, and a fight with the Turks, by William Vanderveld, junior.
An emblematical picture, representing a guardian angel pointing out the way to heaven to a soul, under the figure of a young girl, by Carlino Dolce.
Two very highly finished landscapes on copper, by Salvator Rosa.
The portrait of the Duke of Richmond and Lenox, of the Stuart family, at whole length, with a dog, by Sir Anthony Vandyck.
Vulcan at his forge, with the Cyclops, by Jacob Jordaans of Antwerp.
The head of our Saviour crown’d with thorns, by Ludovico Caracci.
Two fruit pieces, by Michael Angelo Pase, called Michael Angelo del Campidoglio.
A Bacchanal in two colours, by Rubens.
A landscape with a robbery, and a battle, both painted by Giacomo Cortese, commonly called Il Bourgognone.
A pretty large landscape and figures of Dutch boors, by Adrian Van Ostade.
A stag hunting, and another of hern hawking, by Philip Woverman.
Two conversations of boors within doors, by Adrian Van Ostade.
Lot and his two daughters, with the city of Sodom on fire, by Lorenzo Lotti, a great imitator of Giorgione and Titian.
The great amphitheatre at Rome, and other buildings, by Viviano Cadahorra.
A sea port with buildings and ruins, by Salviouch, and the figures by John Miele.
Omphale the mistress of Hercules, with the lion’s skin and his club by her, by Augustin Caracci.
Two battles in the stile of Bourgognone, but the hands not certainly known.
A philosopher with a book in his hand, by Pier Francesco Mola.
89Mary Magdalen, by Giacinto Brandi.
Our Saviour meditating on the sins of the world, by Giovanni Antonio Regillio, a competitor of Titian’s, and commonly called Il Pordenone.
The portrait of a young man on wood, by Andrea del Sarto.
The head of St. James the apostle.
The head of St. John the evangelist.
A Bacchanal painted on copper, by Cornelius Polembergh.
A pretty large picture of our Saviour and the Samaritan woman, by Giovanni Francesco Barbiori da Cento, commonly called Il Guercino.
The Virgin and Child, by Il Cavalier Giovanni Lanfranchio.
Venus dressing, and Cupid holding her looking-glass, by Paolo Veronese.
The Virgin and Child, by Raphael de Urbino.
The Virgin and Child in the clouds, and several angels, by Bartolomeo Murillo.
The Virgin and our Saviour, by Carlo Cignani.
The annunciation of the Virgin Mary, by Paolo Veronese.
The birth of our Saviour, &c. by Jacapo Robusti, commonly called Tintoretto.
Tobit and the angel, by Michael Angelo Amerighi, commonly called Michael Angelo Caravaggio.
The portrait of a man, by Antonio Allegri, commonly called Il Correggio.
The head of some Spanish general, by Giovanni Giachinette, commonly called Il Bourgognone delle Teste.
The portrait of the famous Hernando Cortes, conqueror of Mexico, by Titiano Vecelli, called Il Titiano.
A large battle in an oval, painted by Luca Jordano.
St. Sebastian, by Guido Reni.
The portrait of Sir Anthony Vandyck, painted by himself.
The portrait of a young girl, with a little dog asleep in her hands, by Rembrandt van Rijn.
A large oval battle, painted by Luca Jordano.
The portrait of a man with a book in his hand, said to be the famous satirist Berni, by Giorgio Barbarelli, called Il Giorgione.
A she saint, with angels, by Pietro Berettini, called Pietro Cortona.
A small battle, by Bourgognone.
Two small pictures, done from the gallery of Archduke Leopold, the one from Paris Bourdon, and the other from young Palma, by David Teniers.
A large picture, representing our Saviour at the Pharisee’s house, and Mary Magdalen 92anointing his feet, with the portrait of the person for whom it was painted, as a servant waiting at table, by Carlo Dolce.
N.B. This picture is out of the stile of Carlo Dolce’s paintings, who never before attempted so great a subject and composition; and was done by him, after the drawing of Ludovico Cigoli.
The portraits of three of Henry the Seventh’s children, viz. Prince Arthur, Henry the VIII. and Princess Mary, who was afterwards Queen of France, and Duchess of Brandon, by a hand not certainly known.
Two pieces of the history of Judith, the one where she is presented to Holofernes, and the other where she is entertained by him at a feast, by Paolo Veronese.
A fortune teller, with several figures consulting him, by Giorgio Barbarelli, called Il Giorgione.
The history of Tancred and Erminia, out 93of Tasso, by Pietro Berettini, called Pietro de Cortona.
A large picture, representing the baptism of our Saviour by St. John in the river Jordan, with angels, by Guido Reni.
A Bacchanal, with Silenus and satyrs, by Jacob Jordaans of Antwerp.
A large landscape, by Claude Gille, commonly called Claude de Lorraine.
The Virgin and our Saviour, St. John the Baptist and his lamb, St. Peter, and the three cardinal virtues, Faith, Charity, and Hope, by Titiano Vecelli, called Il Titiano.
N.B. This is an emblematical picture, by which the painter meant to represent the several virtues that are necessary to form the character of a good Christian.
The holy family, by Paolo Veronese; the saint which is represented in armour, being the portrait of Paolo himself.
A landscape and naked figures, by Cornelius Polembergh.
The flight into Egypt, by Filippo Lauri.
Scipio and the fair captive at Carthagena, by Pietro de Cortona.
A battle, by Giacomo Cortese, called Il Bourgognone.
The dead body of our Saviour, with the Virgin Mary, and St. John, by Hannibal Caracci.
A landscape, representing a temple of Bacchus, and the sun setting, by Claude Gille, commonly called Claude de Lorraine.
The ordination of St. Dennis, patron of France, by Eustache le Sueur.
Women at work by candle light, by Giacomo Bassan.
The annunciation of the blessed Virgin, with God the Father, and several angels in the clouds, by Francesco Albani.
N.B. This picture belonged to Pope Innocent X. as may be seen by his 95arms on the back side of it; and the frame, which is of silver, was made by the famous statuary Alessandro Algardi.
St. Augustine in an ecstasy, contemplating the mystery of the holy Trinity, and the incarnation of our Saviour; a very high finished sketch by Vandyck, of the finest picture he ever painted, which is in the church of St. Augustine at Antwerp.
A man and a woman smoaking, and a man and woman drinking, by David Teniers.
Cephalus and Procris, by Adam Elsheimer.
The will of Eudadimus the Corinthian, a sketch, by Nicholas Poussin.
The flight into Egypt, by Il Cavalier Giovanni Lanfrancho.
The portrait of Antonio Caracci, son of Augustino, by Annibal Caracci.
A garland of flowers, painted on looking glass, by Old Baptiste.
A satyr squeezing grapes, with a tyger and leopard, by Rubens.
Cupid shaving his bow, and two other little Cupids, by Parmegiano.
Dutch boors in a fury against the Spaniards, by Pieter Bruegel, and a barber surgeon’s shop, with a cat and monkies, by David Teniers.
St. Francis Xavier dying in an island on the coast of China, by Carlo Maratti.
Two sea pieces, by William Vanderveld, jun.
The Virgin and Child, St. Joseph, St. Anne, and St. Catherine, by John Abeyk, commonly called John of Bruges.
Four pieces of the history of Judith and Holofernes, by Paolo Veronese.
The martyrdom of the Innocents on copper, by Alessandro Turchi.
A small battle piece, by Bourgognone.
A march of soldiers, by the same.
The portrait of Cosmus the 3d. Duke of Florence, when a child, by Giustus Subtermans.
Our Saviour breaking the bread, and blessing the cup, and St. Bruno founder of the order of Carthusians, both of them by Carlo Dolce.
The marriage of Jacob, by Ciro Ferri.
The Virgin and our Saviour in the clouds, and the several saints, patrons of the city of Bologna, by Guido Reni.
The nativity of our Saviour, by young Palma.
A large landscape, with the baptism of Queen Candace’s eunuch by St. Philip, by John Both.
The inside of a church, by Henry Stenwix, and the figures by Velvet Brughell.
Two little round pictures, one of them 98being the head of Mary Magdalen, and the other that of our Saviour crown’d with thorns; both of them by Francesco Albani.
The shipwreck of St. Paul on the island of Malta, by Adam Elsheimer.
Two small landscapes on copper, by John Brughell, commonly call’d the Velvet Brughell.
The martyrdom of St. Laurence, by Titiano Vecelli, commonly called Il Titiano; and St. Sebastian, and other saints, by Filippo Lauri.
The education of Bacchus, by Simon Vouet.
The Virgin and our Saviour, and several saints, by Ludovico Caracci.
The judgment of Paris, by Giovanni Rottenhammer, the landscape by Paul Brill.
A portrait of a Dominican friar, by Giovanni Lanfrancho.
The portrait of Don Antonio de Leyva, General to Charles the Fifth, who 99took Francis the First prisoner at the battle of Pavia. By Il Dosso di Ferrara.
The portrait of Charles Lewis, the eldest Prince Palatine, by Vandyke.
The portrait of the Lady Anne Carre, Countess of Bedford, by the same.
Our Saviour carried before Pontius Pilate, in water colours, by Lucas of Leyden.
The portrait of a man in a ruff, by Rubens.
A large picture of a curtain, carpet, fruit, &c. by the Maltese, and Mich. Angelo del Campidoglio.
A copy of Raphael’s picture of the Madonna della Seggiola in the palace of Pitti, at Florence.
A small flower piece on copper, by Velvet Brughell.
The portrait of Sir Paul Methuen when a boy.
The picture of a woman, &c. by Albert Durer.
A man’s head, by Tintoretto, said to be that of the famous Andrea Vesalio.
Grove street, Hackney.
Grub street, 1. Fore street, Cripplegate. 2. Market street, Westminster.
Grub’s rents, Whitechapel.†
Gubbins, or Gobions, near North Mims in Hertfordshire, had its name from its ancient Lord Sir Richard Gobion. In the reign of Henry VII. it belonged to the family of the Mores, when it was called More Hall; but on the attainder of the great Sir Thomas More, Lord High Chancellor of England, it was forfeited to the Crown, and settled on the Princess, afterwards Queen Elizabeth, who held it till her death. It afterwards came into the possession of several families, and was at length purchased by the late Sir Jeremy Sambroke. The manor house and gardens are very beautiful.
Guild Hall.
S. Wale delin. B. Green sc. Oxon.
Guildhall, at the north end of King street, Cheapside, is the hall for holding the courts, and transacting the business of the city. The old hall in Aldermanbury being fallen to decay, the present structure was begun in the year 1411, upon a larger and more noble plan, and ten years were employed in compleating it. The executors of the famous Richard 101Whittington, long celebrated in song, gave a Purbeck pavement to the hall, and glazed some of the windows, on every one of which Whittington’s arms are placed; others of the Aldermen glazed different windows, and had also their arms painted on the glass.
The hall being however much damaged by the fire of London in 1666, was repaired and beautified two years after, at the expence of 2500l. in so effectual a manner, that it has stood till this time.
The entrance has a stately Gothic frontispiece, with the King’s arms under a cornice, pediment and vase; under which are niches; and in the middle of the front are the following words done in gold:
Reparata & ornate Thoma Rawlinson, Milit. Majore, An. Dom. MDCCVI.
Repaired and adorned in the year 1706, during the Mayoralty of Thomas Rawlinson.
Over the gate is a balcony, above which are placed in niches on each side, the figures of Moses and Aaron; and in niches on each side of the gate below, the four cardinal virtues; also under the balcony are depicted the arms of twenty-four companies.
On entering this Gothic arch, you 102come into the hall, which is one hundred and fifty-three feet long, forty-eight feet broad, and fifty-five feet high. The roof is flat, and divided into panels; the walls on the north and south sides are adorned with four Gothic demi-pillars, painted white with blue veins, and gilt capitals, upon which are the royal arms, and those of Edward the Confessor.
Nearly fronting the gate, are nine or ten steps, leading to the Lord Mayor’s court, over which is a balcony supported at each end by four iron pillars in the form of palm trees; by these is a small enclosure on each side on the top of the steps, used on some occasions as offices for clerks to write in, each being just sufficient to hold one person. Under these are two prisons called Little Ease, from the lowness of the ceiling, by which prisoners were obliged to sit on the floor; these prisons are intended for city apprentices, who upon complaint and a strict examination into the offence, were sometimes committed thither by the Chamberlain, whose office is at the right hand at the head of the steps. In the front of this balcony is a clock, on the frame of which is carved the four cardinal virtues, with the figure of Time, on the top, and a cock on each side of him. But the most extraordinary 103figures are yet behind; these are two monstrous giants which stand on the outside of the balcony close to the wall, one on each side: they have black and bushy beards; one holds an halbert, and the other a ball set round with spikes, hanging by a chain to a long staff. These absurd ornaments, which Mr. Strype supposes were designed to represent an ancient Briton and a Saxon, are painted, as if to give them the greater appearance of life, and render them more formidable to children.
Round the hall are hung up, the standards and colours taken from the French, at the battle of Ramilies. At the east end are the King’s arms between the pictures of his present Majesty King George II. and Queen Caroline; close by the first is Queen Anne, and by the last his late Majesty King George I. and at the same end of the hall, but on the north and south sides, are the pictures of King William III. and Queen Mary fronting each other. The hall is likewise adorned with the portraits of eighteen Judges, put up by the city as a testimony of public gratitude for their signal services, in determining the differences which arose between landlords and tenants, without the expence of law suits, on rebuilding 104the city after the fire. These Judges are all painted at full length in their scarlet gowns; and in the Lord Mayor’s court there are the portraits of five other Judges painted in the same manner.
On the east end of the hall is held the court of Hustings weekly, and occasionally that of the Exchequer; and before the Hustings is held the court of Conscience. At the west end is held alternately the Sheriff’s court for the Poultry and Wood street counters. Opposite to the Chamberlain’s office, already mentioned, as situated up the steps underneath the giants, is the office of Auditors of the city accounts, within which is the Lord Mayor’s court office, where the Lord Chief Justice occasionally sits in trials by nisi prius. On the west side of the Mayor’s court office is the court of Orphans, where the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas occasionally sits. Adjoining to this court on the north, is the old council chamber, now used by the Commissioners of bankrupts. Contiguous to it is the new council chamber. Beneath the Mayor’s court is the Town Clerk’s office, where are deposited the city archives. To the east and north are the residences of the Chamberlain and Town 105Clerk; near which are two rooms wherein the business of bankrupts are dispatched. Contiguous to the north west is the kitchen; in the porch is the Comptroller’s office, and over it the Irish chamber. Over the piazzas on the west, are the common Serjeant’s, Remembrancer’s, and city Solicitor’s offices. See an account of each of these courts under the articles, Court of Common Council. Lord Mayor’s Court. Court of Hustings, &c.
Guildhall is at the end of a tolerable vista, which shews the building to some advantage, though the Gothic front has nothing very extraordinary in it. The hall within is a fine one, but the entrance would have been better at the lower end than in the middle, for by this means all the beauty of the perspective is lost. The ascent of steps across the hall not being opposite the gate, as it ought to have been, is another material defect. A noble front in the situation of Guildhall, would have had an advantage hardly to be met with elsewhere, and give an architect a fine opportunity of displaying his genius. But the present front is full of little parts which have no effect at a distance.
Guildhall alley, Basinghall street, leading to Guildhall.
Guildhall Chapel, situated between 106Blackwell hall, and Guildhall, was founded in the year 1299, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen and All Saints, and called London College. A chantry was founded in this chapel for four chaplains, and lands and tenements left for their support. It was rebuilt in the reign of Henry VI. and received new endowments: but at the suppression of religious houses it reverted to the Crown, and was bought of King Edward VI. with other lands and tenements, for the sum of 456l. 13s. 4d. and the city holds it in soccage of the manor of Greenwich. It was defaced, but not burnt down by the fire of London in 1666, and has been since repaired.
This edifice is perfectly in the Gothic taste. In several niches are set the figures in stone of King Edward VI. of Queen Elizabeth, with a phœnix under her; and of King Charles I. treading on a globe. The windows are extremely large, and on the inside the walls are hung with tapestry. Over the Aldermen’s seats there is a wainscot covering, and a particular seat for the Lord Mayor, adorned with cartouches. There is a gallery at the west end, a handsome wainscot pulpit and desk, and a neat altar piece inclosed with rails and banisters.
On the south side of this chapel was 107formerly a library belonging to Guildhall and the College. But it is said that in the reign of King Edward VI. Edward Duke of Somerset, then Lord Protector, sent for the books with a promise of returning them shortly; upon which three carriages were loaded with them; but they being never returned, the room has been long made a storehouse for cloths.
Guildhall yard, 1. King street, Cheapside.☐ 2. King street, Westminster.
Guilford, or Guildford, a considerable borough in Surry, situated on the river Wey, thirty miles from London, and governed by a Mayor, Recorder, and Aldermen. Here the assizes are sometimes held, and always elections for members of parliament, the town itself returning two. Not far from the town are the ruinous wails of an old castle, this having been in the Saxon times a royal villa, where many of our Kings long after kept their festivals. Here were formerly two or three convents, one of which was not long ago the seat of Daniel Coswall, Esq; and had a delightful park adjoining to it. There were also three churches in the town; but one of them fell down in the year 1740. Here is a charity school founded by King Edward VI. and an almshouse 108founded by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, who endowed it with lands worth 300l. a year, 100l. of which he ordered to be employed in setting the poor at work, and the other 200l. he allotted for the maintenance of a master, twelve brethren, and eight sisters, who are to have 2s. 6d. a week: the Archbishop’s birth day is annually commemorated in it; and the Archbishop of Canterbury is its visitor. There are here likewise two charity schools for thirty boys, and twenty girls; and a fine circular course for horse races, which begin when the Newmarket races are ended. Guilford had formerly a considerable manufacture of cloth, of which there are still some remains. The great road from Chichester and Portsmouth lies through the town, which has been always famous for good inns, the cleanest of linen, and other excellent accommodations; and as the river Wey is made navigable to this town, a great quantity of timber is carried down it to London, not only from this neighbourhood, but from the Sussex and Hampshire woods, above thirty miles off, from whence it is brought to Guilford in the summer by land carriage.
The road from hence to Farnham is very remarkable, for it runs along the 109ridge of a high chalky hill, no wider than the road itself, and the declivity begins on either hand, at the edge that bounds the highway, and is very steep and high. From this hill is a surprizing prospect; to the north and north west over Bagshot Heath; to the south east into Sussex, almost to the South Downs; and to the west it is so unbounded that the view is only terminated by the horizon. On this hill, which is called St. Catharine’s, stands the gallows in such a position, that the town’s people of Guilford may, from the High street, sit at their shop doors and see the criminals executed.
Guillam’s wharf, St. Catharine’s.†
Gullyhole alley, Wheeler street.
Gulston’s square, Gulston’s street.†
Gulston’s street, Whitechapel.†
Gum alley, Barnaby street.
Gummery’s alley, Dorset street.†
Gun alley, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Little Moorfields.* 3. St. John’s street, West Smithfield.* 4. Wapping.* 5. Well street.*
Gun dock, Wapping.
Gun-house stairs, near Vauxhall.
Gun lane, Three Colts street.*
Gunpowder alley, 1. Poor Jury lane. 2. Shoe lane.
Gunnersbury.
S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
Gunnersbury House, near Ealing, a noble and elegant structure, built by Inigo Jones, or, as some say, by Mr. Web, who was son-in-law to Inigo Jones. Indeed the architecture shews that if the plan was not drawn by that celebrated architect himself, it was designed by some of his scholars, for the building has that majestic boldness and simplicity which grace all the works of that excellent artist. It is situated on a rising ground; the approach to it from the garden is remarkably fine. The loggia has a beautiful appearance at a distance, and commands a fine prospect of the county of Surry, the river of Thames, and of all the meadows on its banks for some miles, and in clear weather of even the city of London.
The apartments are extremely convenient and well contrived. The hall, which is large and spacious, is on each side supported by rows of columns, and from thence you ascend by a noble flight of stairs to a saloon, which is a double cube of twenty-five feet high, and most elegantly furnished. This fine room has an entrance into the portico on the back front, which is supported by columns, and from the finest of the prospect over the Thames, is a delightful place to sit in, during the 111afternoon in the summer season; for it being contrived to face the south east, the sun never shines on it after two o’clock; but extending its beams over the country, enlivens the beautiful landscape that lies before this part of the edifice. On entering the garden from the house, you ascend a noble terrace, which affords a delightful view of the neighbouring country; and from this terrace, which extends the whole breadth of the garden, you descend by a beautiful flight of steps, with a grand balustrade on each side. But the gardens are laid out too plain, having the walls in view on every side. This was the house of the late Henry Furnesse, Esq; who had a fine collection of pictures in it.
Gunsmiths, a company incorporated by letters patent, granted by King Charles I. in the year 1638. This fraternity consists of a Master, two Wardens, and eighteen Assistants; but has neither livery nor hall. Maitland.
Gun street, Artillery lane, Spitalfields.*
Gun wharf, 1. Near Battle bridge.* 2. Wapping Dock.*
Gun yard, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. Houndsditch.* 3. Maiden lane, Southwark.* 4. Pepper alley.* 5. Petticoat lane.* 6. Rosemary lane.* 7. Sugar Loaf alley, Moor lane.* 8. Tower ditch.*
112Gutter lane, Cheapside, originally called Guthurn lane, from Guthurn, the owner thereof. Maitland.
Guttige’s rents, Whitechapel.†
Guy of Warwick’s court, 1. Duke street.* 2. Upper Ground.*
Guy’s court, Playhouse passage, Drury lane.†
Guy’s Hospital.
S. Wale delin. B. Green sc. Oxon.
Guy’s Hospital, in Southwark, for the cure of sick and lame persons, was founded by Mr. Thomas Guy, a citizen and bookseller of London, who from a small beginning amassed an immense fortune, by his industry and frugality; and more particularly by purchasing seamen’s tickets in the reign of Queen Anne; and by his success in buying and selling South Sea stock in the year 1720. He was never married, and had no near relations; and therefore towards the close of his life, considering how he should dispose of his wealth, after many ruminations, resolved to be the founder of the most extensive charity ever established by one man. He was seventy-six years of age when he took this resolution, and having no time to lose, immediately took of the President and Governors of St. Thomas’s hospital in Southwark, a lease of a piece of ground opposite to that hospital, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, for a ground rent of 30l. a year; 113and as this was covered with small houses that were old and ill tenanted, he immediately gave the inhabitants notice of his intention, and when they had removed their effects, pulled down the buildings in the year 1721, and proceeding with all the expedition of a youth of fortune erecting a house for his own residence; he caused the foundation of the intended hospital to be laid the following spring, and this vast fabric was roofed before the death of the founder, which happened on the 27th of December 1724.
The only motive that induced Mr. Guy to erect this hospital in so low and close a situation, was his design of putting it under the management and direction of the Governors of that of St. Thomas. But by the advice of his friends he altered his resolution; it was then however too late to think of chusing another situation, for the building was raised to the second story, but he rendered the place as agreeable as possible by its elevation above the neighbouring streets.
The expence of erecting and furnishing this hospital amounted to the sum of 18,793l. 16s. great part of which he expended in his life time; and the sum he left to endow it, amounted to 219,499l. both together amounting to 238,292l. 16s. 114a much larger sum than was ever before left in this kingdom by one single person to charitable uses.
The edifice is situated at a small distance from the foot of London bridge, and consists of two quadrangles, besides what the print exhibits, which is intended when the old buildings are removed to be made regular. At your approach, which is a very narrow street, you first see the side of the square, which is very elegant, and a noble iron gate, with very handsome piers, but are much disappointed when you come nearer, to find the most contemptible front you can imagine. The whole side could not be represented in the print, as there was not distance in the street to bring it into the visual angle. The iron gates open into a square, in the middle of which is a brazen statue of the founder, by Mr. Scheemakers, dress’d in his livery gown, very well executed.
In the front of the pedestal is this inscription:
Thomas Guy sole founder of this hospital in his life time. A.D. MDCCXXI.
On the west side of the pedestal is represented in basso relievo, the parable of the good Samaritan; on the south side is 115Mr. Guy’s arms; and on that side of the pedestal facing the east, is our Saviour healing the impotent man.
The superstructure of this hospital has three floors besides the garrets, and the same construction runs through the whole building, which is so extensive as to contain twelve wards, in which are four hundred and thirty-five beds; and in short the whole has a plainness that becomes the nature of the institution, and at the same time a regularity that does some honour to the builder, the whole being disposed for the mutual accommodation of the sick, and of those who attend them.
Soon after Mr. Guy’s decease, his executors, pursuant to his last will, applied to parliament to get themselves, and fifty-one other gentlemen nominated by the founder, to be incorporated Governors of the intended hospital; upon which all these gentlemen were constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name of the President and Governors of this hospital: they were to have perpetual succession and a common seal, with the power of possessing the real and personal estates of the late Thomas Guy, Esq; for the purposes of the will, and to purchase in perpetuity, or for any term of years, any other 116estate whatsoever, not exceeding 12,000l. a year.
This corporation was no sooner established by parliament, than the President and Governors set heartily about the work, by finishing and furnishing the hospital, chusing their officers and servants, and taking in patients, whose number at first amounted to 402. For the more effectual preventing inferior servants preying upon poor patients, or their friends, they resolved to give them handsome salaries, and the following were appointed and are still given.
The Treasurer | 00 0 0 |
His Clerk | 40 0 0 |
Steward | 80 0 0 |
Chaplain | 80 0 0 |
Two Physicians, 40l. each | 80 0 0 |
Apothecary | 80 0 0 |
Apothecary’s two servants | 78 0 0 |
Surgeryman | 30 0 0 |
Butler, with his horse | 67 2 8 |
Cook and her servant | 32 0 0 |
Porter | 35 0 0 |
Beadle | 30 0 0 |
Matron | 50 0 0 |
Eleven sisters, 25l. each | 275 0 0 |
Eight nurses, 16l. each | 128 0 0 |
Twelve watch-women, 10l. 8s. each | 124 16 0 |
117One brother belonging to the lunatics | 35 0 0 |
One sister belonging to the lunatics | 25 0 0 |
Sum total, | 1349 18 8 |
These officers and servants are chosen by the sixty Governors, who have carried on this noble charity in such a manner as to restore ease and health to many thousands of their fellow subjects.
Besides which the out-patients who receive medicines gratis, frequently amount to about 1600 in a year.
Before we conclude this article, it may be proper to mention some other particulars relating to Mr. Guy, in order to do justice to the character of that great benefactor to the public, by which the reader will see the little foundation there is for the general opinion of his being remarkable for nothing more than his parsimony and avarice. He was a patron of liberty and of the rights of his fellow subjects, which, to his great honour, he strenuously asserted in several parliaments, whereof he was a member for the borough of Tamworth in Staffordshire, the place of his birth. To this town he was a general benefactor; and early in his life he 118not only contributed towards the relief of private families in distress, but erected an almshouse, with a library, in that borough, for the reception of fourteen poor men and women, to whom he allowed a certain pension during his life, and at his death he bequeathed the annual sum of 125l. towards their future support, and for putting out children apprentices, &c.
In the year 1701 Mr. Guy built and furnished at his own expence, three wards on the north side of the outer court of St. Thomas’s hospital, and gave to those wards 100l. a year, for eleven years immediately preceding the foundation of his hospital. Some time before his death, he removed the frontispiece of St. Thomas’s hospital, which stood over the gateway in the Borough, and erected it in the place where it now stands, fronting the street: he also enlarged the gateway; rebuilt the two large houses on its sides, and erected the fine iron gate between them, all at the expence of 3000l. To many of his relations he gave while living, a settled allowance of 10 or 20l. a year; and to others money to advance them in the world. At his death, he left to his poor aged relations the sum of 870l. a year during their life; and among his 119younger relations, who were very numerous, and his executors, he left the sum of 75,589l. He left the Governors of Christ’s hospital a perpetual annuity of 400l. for taking in four children annually, at the nomination of the Governors; and bequeathed 1000l. for discharging poor prisoners within the city of London, and the counties of Middlesex and Surry, who could be released for the sum of 5l. by which sum, and the good management of his executors, there were above 600 poor persons set at liberty, from the several prisons within the bills of mortality. Maitland.
Guy’s yard. Vinegar yard, Drury lane.†
Haberdasher square, Grub street, Fore street.
Haberdashers, one of the twelve principal companies, was indifferently called Hurrers and Milliners; the latter from the merchandize in which they chiefly dealt, which came from the city of Milan in Italy: but they were incorporated by letters patent granted by King Henry VI. in the year 1407, by the style of The 120fraternity of St. Catharine the Virgin, of the Haberdashers of the city of London. But at present they are denominated The Master and four Wardens of the fraternity of the art or mystery of Haberdashers.
This company is governed by a Master, four Wardens, and ninety-three Assistants, with a livery of 342 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 5l. Maitland.
Haberdashers Almshouse at Hoxton. See Aske’s Almshouse.
Haberdashers Hall, situated on the north side of Maiden lane, is a good brick building, and the room called the hall is very neat and lofty. It is paved with marble and Purbeck stone, wainscoted about twelve feet high; and the screen at the west end, where are two arched apertures, is adorned with pilasters of the Corinthian order.
Hacket court, Coleman street.†
Hackney, a village in Middlesex, on the north east side of London, is a very large and populous village, inhabited by such numbers of merchants and wealthy persons, that it is said there are near an hundred gentlemen’s coaches kept. The parish has several hamlets belonging to it, among which are Clapton on 121the north, Dorleston and Shacklewell on the west, and Hummerton, which leads to Hackney Marsh, on the east. In this village are two meeting houses, viz. a new Presbyterian meeting near the church, and an Independent meeting in Mare street: besides a Presbyterian meeting house at Clapton, There are also here six boarding schools, a free school, a charity school, and several almshouses.
Hackney church was a distinct rectory and vicarage in the year 1292, and dedicated to St. Augustine; but the Knights Templars having obtained a mill and other possessions in the parish, they were, upon the suppression of their order, granted to the Knights Templars of St. John of Jerusalem, from whom the church is supposed to have received the present appellation of St. John: however, it was not presented to by that name till after the year 1660. It is in the gift of Mr. Tyson, Lord of the manor, but in ecclesiastical affairs is subject to the Bishop of London. Maitland.
At the bottom of Hackney Marsh there have been discovered within these few years, the remains of a great stone causeway, which by the Roman coins found there, appears to have been one of the 122famous highways made by the Romans. English Gazetteer.
Hackney Coaches. The village of Hackney being anciently celebrated for the numerous seats of the nobility and gentry it contained, this occasioned a great resort thither of persons of all ranks from the city of London, whereby so great a number of horses were daily hired in the city on that account, that at length all horses to be lett received the common appellation of Hackney horses; which denomination has since been communicated to public coaches and chairs.
’Tis observable that so lately as the year 1625, there were not above twenty hackney coaches in the city of London and the adjacent parts; and that these did not ply in the streets as at present; but those who had occasion for them sent for them from the stables where they stood: but in 1635, the number of these coaches being greatly increased, they plied in the streets, which being then much narrower in many parts of London than at present, the common passages were obstructed and rendered dangerous; and it was alledged, that by this great increase, the price of hay and other provender was much enhanced. Upon this a proclamation 123was published by his Majesty King Charles I. on the 19th of January, strictly commanding, that after the 24th of June following, no hackney coach should be used within the city and suburbs of London, except for carrying of people to and from their habitations in the country: and that no person whatsoever should be allowed to keep a coach in this city, except such persons as were capable of keeping four able horses fit for his Majesty’s service, which were at all times to be ready when called for, under a severe penalty. However in 1654, Cromwell published an ordinance, by which he ordered that the hackney coaches, which he limited to two hundred, should be under the care and government of the court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. And in 1662 it was enabled by parliament, that all the hackney coaches, which then amounted to four hundred, should annually pay the sum of 5l. each towards the charge of paving and cleaning the streets of London and Westminster. Since which time the number of hackney coaches has been augmented to eight hundred, and both they and the hackney, chairs put under the government of the Hackney coach office. Maitland.
124Hackney Coach Office, in Surry street in the Strand, was erected according to an act of parliament passed in the year 1696, for licensing hackney coaches and chairs, and to put them under the government of five Commissioners, who have a salary of 150l. a year each. The number of coaches is limited to eight hundred; out of which two hundred are to ply every Sunday in their turn, on the forfeiture of 5l. for every coachman who plies out of his turn.
For the better government of these coaches and chairs, and preventing the drivers and owners imposing on those who employ them, each coach has its respective number on a tin plate fixed on each side. The price of each licence is 50l. no person is allowed to have more than two licences, and every proprietor pays 5s. a week by monthly payments, to the receiver of the office. A hackney coachman plying without a licence, using another’s figure, or defacing his own, forfeits 5l. And no horse, mare, or gelding, under fourteen hands high, is to be used in drawing hackney coaches.
If any coachman abuses a passenger; exacts more for his fare than he ought to receive; or refuses to go at the following 125rates, whether by day or night, foul or fair weather; upon complaint belong made to the Commissioners, and the number of the coach delivered in, such coachman will be summoned to appear, and fined for each offence twenty or forty shillings, according to the nature of his crime.
For the better ascertaining the fares between the most remarkable places of this city and suburbs, the Commissioners of the Hackney Coach office have caused the distance between the following parts to be measured, and the several rates fixed accordingly.
Rates for Hackney Coaches, one shilling.
From any of the Inns to Court to any part of St. James’s or Westminster, except beyond Tothill street.
From any of the Inns of Court, or thereabouts, to the Royal Exchange.
From Westminster Hall to Marlborough street, Albemarle street, Bolton street, 126Bloomsbury square, Soho square, or Little Queen street, Holborn.
From St. James’s gate to Queen Anne’s square, Westminster; or the nearest corner of Red Lion square.
From Golden square to Red Lion square.
From the Haymarket play house to Red Lion square, Queen’s square Westminster, Thavies Inn, or Bloomsbury square.
From Guildhall to Red Lion square.
From the upper end of Fetter lane, Holborn, to Aldgate.
From the Royal Exchange to Hoxton square.
From Newgate to the middle of Greek street near Soho square.
From the Bridge foot, Southwark, to Sir William Walworth’s Head at Walworth.
From Gray’s Inn gate to Sadler’s Wells near Islington.
From Covent garden to Clerkenwell church.
From Temple Bar to Billingsgate.
From Aldgate to Shadwell church.
Rates for Hackney Coaches, eighteen pence.
From Drury lane play house to Queen square, Westminster.
From Westminster Hall to St. Paul’s.
From Westminster Hall to Queen square, Red Lion fields.
127From St. James’s gate to Hatton garden.
From the New Exchange in the Strand to the Royal Exchange.
From the Haymarket play house to Hatton garden.
From Red Lion square to Westminster hall.
From any of the Inns of Court to the Tower, Aldgate, Bishopsgate street, or thereabouts.
From St. James’s to Marybone church.
From the Royal Exchange to Bloomsbury square.
From the Royal Exchange to the watch house at Mile-end.
From the outside of Aldgate to Stepney church.
From Bedford street, Covent garden, to Coleman street.
From Bread street to Hoxton square.
From the middle of Broad street to Hart street, Bloomsbury.
From St. Martin’s lane in the Strand to Gold street, by Wood street.
From the middle of Gracechurch street to Somerset house.
From Guildhall to Brownlow street, Drury lane.
From the Royal Exchange to Newington church, Surry.
From Covent garden to the Royal Exchange.
128From Stocks market to Charing Cross.
From Aldgate to Ratcliff Cross.
Hackney Chairmen, are subject to the same regulations as the Hackney Coachmen; and if they behave ill, any person may have them fined or punished by producing the number of the chair, and making complaint at the Hackney Coach office in Surry street. The only difference between them and the Hackney Coachmen is, that they are obliged to go the same distance for eighteen pence, which the coachmen perform for a shilling; they are to take no more than one shilling for any distance not exceeding a mile; and no more than eighteen pence for any distance not exceeding a mile and a half.
Rates for Hackney Chairmen, one shilling.
From Westminster to Covent garden, or Exeter Exchange.
From St. James’s gate through the Park to Westminster Hall.
From the Haymarket play house to the entrance of Lincoln’s Inn fields.
From the Haymarket play house to Bolton street.
From St. James’s gate to Somerset house.
From Somerset house to the upper end of Hatton garden.
From the Haymarket play house to Soho square.
129From the nearest corner of Golden square to Drury lane play house.
Rates for Hackney Chairmen, eighteen pence.
From Westminster Hall to Marlborough street, Soho square, Bolton street, or Temple Bar.
From St. James’s gate to Queen Anne’s square, Westminster.
From Golden square to Red Lion square.
From Red Lion square to the Haymarket play house.
From Queen’s square to the Haymarket play house.
From the Haymarket play house to Bloomsbury square.
From the Haymarket play house to Gray’s Inn.
Hackney road, near Shoreditch.☐
Hagle’s court, Silver street, Tooley street.†
Hains’s court; Swallow street.†
Hairbrain’d court, 1. Blue Anchor yard, Rosemary lane.‖ 2. Scotland yard.‖
Halbourn yard, Mews, Duke street, Piccadilly.†
Halfmoon alley, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. By the Halfmoon tavern, Cheapside.* 3. Green Bank, Wapping.* 4. Grub street, Fore street.* 5. Jewin street, Aldersgate street.* 6. Little Bartholomew close, leading to the Halfmoon tavern. 7. Little Moorfields.* 8. Saltpetre Bank.* 1309. Seven Stars alley, Golden lane.* 10. Whitechapel.* 11. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
Halfmoon court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Bow lane.* 3. Hermitage, Wapping.* 4. Long alley, Moorfields.* 5. Ludgate hill.* 6. Portpool lane.* 7. Saltpetre Bank.* 8. Wiltshire lane.* 9. East Smithfield.*
Halfmoon and Seven Stars court, Old street.*
Halfmoon passage, Foster lane, Cheapside.*
Halfmoon street, 1. Hyde Park road.* 2. In the Strand.* 3. West street, Soho.*
Half Nicol street, New Turnmill street, Shoreditch fields.
Half-paved court, Dorset street, Fleet str.
Halfpenny alley. 1. Jacob street. 2. Sharp’s alley, Cow Cross. 3. Halfway house lane, Stepney fields.
Hallam street, Gray’s Inn lane. †
Hall’s court, 1. Compton street.† 2. Deadman’s place.†
Hall’s rents, Helmet court, St. Catharine’s.†
Hall’s stairs, Narrow street, Ratcliff.†
Hallmote, a court so denominated from the place in which it is kept, belongs to the several companies of citizens, by whom it is occasionally held in their respective halls, wherein the affairs of each 131of the companies are respectively transacted.
Halsey’s court, Blackman street.†
Halsted, a village in Essex, between Cray and Sevenoak, near which is the seat of the Duke of Richmond, called Halsted Place.
Ham (East) a village in Essex, south east of Plaistow, and six miles from London.
Ham (West) a village in Essex, between Stratford and Little Ilford.
Hamburgh Merchants, a company incorporated by Edward I. in the year 1269, by the name of Merchant Adventurers. This being the first company of merchants incorporated in this kingdom, they soon obtained ample privileges of John Duke of Brabant, for establishing a factory at Antwerp.
As these merchants proved of great advantage to the nation, their privileges were confirmed and enlarged by several succeeding Princes, particularly by Queen Elizabeth, who impowered the members of this company to extend their commerce to all parts of Germany. This was no sooner known, than very great privileges were offered them by the merchants of Hamburgh, as an encouragement to settle in their city, which being accepted, the factory repaired thither, where they 132still continue, and are at present known by the appellation of the Hamburgh Company, the ancient name being now never used but in deeds, and other writings.
This society, since the diminishing of their privileges, and laying open their trade in the reign of King William III. is greatly reduced. Strype’s edit. of Stow.
Cascade at Ham Farm.
S. Wale delin. F. Vivares sculp.
Ham Farm, is the seat of the Earl of Portmore at Weybridge in Surry. It is situated between the Earl of Lincoln’s and the late Mr. Southcote’s. The house is a large handsome structure built regularly of brick, with a fine lawn before the garden front. The grounds about it consist of about 500 acres, 130 of which are laid out for pleasure, besides a paddock of about 60 acres. Here is a fine command of water, there being two navigable rivers, the Thames, which comes with a fine bending course by the side of the terrace, and the Wye, which runs direct]y through the grounds, and joins the Thames at the terrace. There is a swing bridge over the Wye, which may be turned aside at pleasure to let boats and other vessels pass. The Wye is navigable up to Guildford and other places. What is called the Virginia Water, runs from Windsor great park, and flows through Mr. Southcote’s grounds hither. The terrace next the 133Thames is beautiful; and though it lies upon a flat, there are some good views from it, and from other parts of the gardens. This place was first beautified by the Countess of Dorchester, in the reign of James II.
Ham House. See Petersham.
Hamilton street, Hyde Park road.†
Hamilton’s yard, Upper Shadwell.†
Hammer and Crown court, Broad street, Ratcliff.*
Hammer court, In the Minories.*
Hammersmith, a village in Middlesex, four miles west from London. There are a number of pretty seats about it, especially towards the Thames, among which the most remarkable is Mr. Doddington’s. It has a church, a Presbyterian meeting house, two charity schools, a work house, and a kind of nunnery.
Hammond’s Almshouse, in Almshouse yard, Snow hill, consists of six neat rooms, and was founded by Edmund Hammond, Esq; in the year 1651, for as many poor batchelors or widowers, with an allowance 10l. a year each: but the estate appropriated for its support being reduced by the fire of London, the Haberdashers company, to which the care of this charitable foundation was intrusted, at present only pay the pensioners the annual sum of 7l. 10s. each.
134Hammond’s court, Haymarket.†
Hammond’s key, Thames street.†
Hammond’s lane, Thames street.†
Hampshire court, Whitechapel.
Hampshire Hog yard, Broad St. Giles’s.*
Hampshire yard, Whitechapel.
Hampstead, a pleasant village in Middlesex, situated near the top of a hill about four miles on the north west side of London. On the summit of this hill is a heath, which is adorned with many gentlemen’s houses, and extends about a mile every way, affording a most extensive and delightful prospect over the city as far as Shooter’s Hill, and into the counties all around it. This village used to be formerly resorted to for its mineral waters; and there is here a fine assembly room for dancing. Its old ruinous church, which was a chapel belonging to the Lord of the manor, has been lately pulled down, and a new one is just erected in its room. There is besides a handsome chapel near the wells, built by the contribution of the inhabitants, who are chiefly citizens and merchants of London; and also a meeting house.
Hampstead Water Office, in Denmark street, St. Giles’s. To this office belong two main pipes of a seven inch bore, which bring water from the ponds 135at Highgate and Hampstead to supply that neighbourhood.
Hampstead yard, Gray’s Inn lane.
Ham’s corner, Old street.†
Ham’s rents, Ratcliff highway.†
Ham’s yard, 1. Brook street.† 2. Great Windmill street.†
Hampton Court from the Garden.
S. Wale delin. J. Green sc Oxon.
Hampton Court, is delightfully situated on the north bank of the river Thames, about two miles from Kingston, and at a small distance from a village called Hampton. This palace was magnificently built with brick by Cardinal Wolsey, who here set up two hundred and eighty silk beds for strangers only, and richly stored it with gold and silver plate; but it raised so much envy against him, that to screen himself from its effects, he gave it to King Henry VIII. who, in return, suffered him to live in his palace of Richmond. King Henry greatly enlarged it, and it had then five spacious courts adorned with buildings, which in that age were so greatly admired by all foreigners as well as the natives, that the learned Grotius says of this place:
If e’er a Briton what is wealth don’t know; let him repair to Hampton Court, and then view all the palaces of the earth, when he will say, Those are the residence of Kings, but this of the Gods.
In order to give a more perfect idea of this grandeur, we shall give a description of the ornaments of this palace, as they appeared in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, from an author who describes what he himself saw.
“The chief area, says he, is paved with square stone; in its center is a fountain that throws up water, covered with a gilt crown, on the top of which is a statue of Justice, supported by columns of black and white marble. The chapel of this palace is most splendid, in which the Queen’s closet is quite transparent, having its windows of crystal. We were led into two chambers called the presence, or chambers of audience, which shone with tapestry of gold and silver, and silk of different colours: under the canopy of state are these words embroidered in pearl, Vivat Henricus Octavus. Here is besides a small chapel richly hung with tapestry, where the Queen performs her devotions. In her bedchamber the 137bed was covered with very costly coverlids of silk. At no great distance from this room we were shewn a bed, the teaster of which was worked by Anne Boleyn, and presented by her to her husband Henry VIII. All the other rooms being very numerous, are adorned with tapestry of gold, silver, and velvet, in some of which were woven history pieces, in others Turkish and American dresses, all extremely natural.
“In the hall are these curiosities: a very clear looking glass, ornamented with columns and little images of alabaster; a portrait of Edward VI. brother to Queen Elizabeth; the true portrait of Lucretia; a picture of the battle of Pavia; the history of Christ’s passion, carved in mother of pearl; the portrait of Mary Queen of Scots; the picture of Ferdinand Prince of Spain, and of Philip his son; that of Henry VIII. under which was placed the Bible curiously written upon parchment; an artificial sphere; several musical instruments: in the tapestry are represented negroes riding upon elephants; the bed in which Edward VI. is said to have been born, and where his mother Jane 138Seymour died in childbed. In one chamber were several excessively rich tapestries, which are hung up when the Queen gives audience to foreign ambassadors; there were numbers of cushions ornamented with gold and silver; many counterpanes and coverlids of beds lined with ermine. In short, all the walls of the palace shine with gold and silver. Here is besides a certain cabinet called Paradise, where besides that every thing glitters so with silver, gold, and jewels, as to dazzle one’s eyes, there is a musical instrument made all of glass, except the strings. Afterwards we were led into the gardens, which are most pleasant.”
Hentzner’s Journey into England.
This palace, which was afterwards the prison of King Charles I. is, with the parks, encompassed in a semicircle by the Thames. King William and Queen Mary were so greatly pleased with its situation, which rendered it capable of great improvements, and of being made one of the noblest palaces in Europe, that while the former was causing the old apartments to be pulled down, and rebuilt in the more beautiful manner in which they now appear, her Majesty impatient 139to enjoy so agreeable a retreat, fixed upon a building near the river, called the Water Gallery, and suiting it to her convenience, adorned it with the utmost elegance, though its situation would not allow it to stand after the principal building was completed.
Since the pulling down of the Water Gallery, which stood before the fine stone front that faces the river, the ground to the south west received considerable improvements. This spot is laid out in small inclosures, surrounded with tall hedges, in order to break the violence of the winds, and render them proper for the reception of such exotic plants as were moved thither in summer out of the conservatories. Here are two basons constantly supplied with water, for the support of these plants in dry weather; and as these are situated near the great apartments, most of the plants may be viewed from the window.
At a small distance to the west, stood a large hot house, for preserving such tender exotic plants as require a greater share of warmth than is generally felt in this climate. Of this part of gardening Queen Mary was so fond, that she allowed a handsome salary to Dr. Plukenet, a very learned botanist, for overlooking and registering 140the curious collection of plants she caused to be brought into the garden; but since her Majesty’s death they have been much neglected, and very few of the most curious plants are now to be found there.
The park and gardens, with the ground on which the palace now stands, are about three miles in circumference. On a pediment at the front of the palace on this side, is a bas-relief of the triumphs of Hercules over Envy; and facing it a large oval bason, answering to the form of this part of the garden, which is a large oval divided into gravel walks and parterres, laid out in an elegant manner, by those two eminent gardeners, London and Wise.
At the entrance of the grand walk, are two large marble vases, of exquisite workmanship, one said to be performed by Mr. Cibber, the father of the poet laureat, and the other by a foreigner; these pieces are reported to be done as a trial of skill; but it is difficult to determine which is the finest performance. They are beautifully adorned with bas-relief; that on the right hand, representing the triumphs of Bacchus, and the other on the left, Amphitrite and the Nereides. At the bottom of this walk, facing a large canal which 141runs into the park, are two other large vases, the bas-relief on one representing the judgment of Paris; and that of the other, Meleager hunting the wild boar.
In four of the parterres are four fine brass statues. The first is a gladiator, which formerly stood in the parade of St. James’s Park, at the foot of the canal, and was removed thither in the reign of Queen Anne. The original was performed by Agasias Desitheus of Ephesus, and is in the Borghesian palace at Rome. The second is a young Apollo; the third a Diana; and the fourth, Saturn going to devour one of his children: all after fine originals.
On the south side of the palace is the privy garden, which was sunk ten feet, to open a view from the apartments to the river Thames; in this garden is a fine fountain, and two grand terrace walks.
On the north side of the palace is a tennis court; and beyond that a gate which leads into the wilderness: farther on is the great gate of the gardens, on the sides of which are large stone piers, with the lion and unicorn couchant, in stone.
We shall now, leaving the gardens, take a view of the palace, and several 142apartments, with their noble furniture and fine paintings, performed by the most eminent masters.
To begin with the first entrance into the palace, at the gates of which are four large brick piers, adorned with the lion and unicorn, each of them holding a shield, whereon are the arms of Great Britain, with several trophies of war well carved on stone.
Passing through a long court yard, on each side of which are stabling for the officers of his Majesty’s houshold, we come next to the first portal, which is strongly built of brick, and decorated by Wolfey with the heads of four of the Cæsars, Trajan and Adrian on one side, and on the other Tiberius and Vitellius.
Thro’ this portal we pass into a large quadrangle, remarkable for nothing extraordinary, but its spaciousness and uniformity. This leads to a second quadrangle, where over the portal is a beautiful astronomical clock, made by the celebrated Tompion, on which are curiously represented the twelve signs of the zodiac, with the rising and setting of the sun, the various phases of the moon, and other ornaments, and indications of time.
On the left hand of this quadrangle is the great old hall, in which, by her late 143Majesty’s command, was erected a theatre, wherein it was intended that two plays should have been acted every week, during the time of the court’s continuance there; but Mr. Colley Cibber observes, that only seven plays were performed in it, by the players from Drury lane, the summer when it was raised, and one afterwards for the entertainment of the Duke of Lorrain, afterwards Emperor of Germany. In the front is a portal of brick decorated with four Cæsars heads without names.
On the opposite side of this quadrangle is a stone colonade of fourteen columns, and two pilasters of the Ionic order, with an entablature and balustrade at the top, adorned in the middle with two large vases.
This leads to the great stair case, adorned with iron balusters curiously wrought and gilt, the whole erected on porphyry. From the ceiling hangs by a strong brass chain gilt, a large glass lanthorn which holds sixteen candles, and has an imperial crown at the top. This staircase, with the ceiling, were painted by Signor Verrio, an Italian, by order of King William III.
At the top, on the left side, are Apollo and the nine Muses, at whose feet sits the God Pan with his unequal reeds, and a 144little below them the Goddess Ceres, holding in one hand a wheat sheaf, and with the other pointing to loaves of bread; at her feet is Flora, surrounded by her attendants, and holding in her right hand a chaplet of flowers; near her are the two river Gods Thame and Isis with their urns; and a large table in the middle, upon which is a quantity of rich plate, decorated with flowers.
On the ceiling are Jupiter and Juno, with Ganymede riding on Jupiter’s eagle, and offering the cup. Juno’s peacock is in the front: one of the Parcæ, with her scissors in her hand, seems to wait for Jove’s orders to cut the thread of life. These figures are covered with a fine canopy surrounded with the signs of the zodiac, and by several zephyrs, with flowers in their hands; and on one side of them is Fame with her two trumpets.
Beneath is a beautiful figure of Venus riding on a swan, Mars addressing himself to her as a lover, and Cupid riding on another swan.
On the right hand are Pluto and Proserpine, Cœlus and Terra, Cybele crowned with a tower, and others. Neptune and Amphitrite are in the front, and two attendants are serving them with nectar and fruit. Bacchus is leaning on a rich 145ewer, and, being accompanied by his attendants, places his left hand on the head of Silenus, who sits on an ass that is fallen down, he seeming to catch at a table, to which Diana above is pointing. The table is supported by eagles; on one side of it sits Romulus, the founder of Rome, with a wolf; and on the other side of it is Hercules leaning on his club. Peace in her right hand holds a laurel, and in her left a palm over the head of Æneas, who seems inviting the twelve Cæsars, among whom is Spurina the soothsayer, to a celestial banquet. Over their heads hovers the genius of Rome with a flaming sword, the emblem of destruction, and a bridle, the emblem of government, both in her right hand.
The next is the Emperor Julian writing at a table, while Mercury dictates to him.
Over the door at the head of the stairs is a funeral pile, done in stone colour; and under the above paintings are thirty-six panels, representing trophies of war, and other decorations in the same colour.
From the stair case we pass into the guard chamber, which is very large and spacious, it being upwards of sixty feet long, and forty feet wide. This room contains arms for 5000 men, curiously 146placed in various forms. There are here pilasters of pikes and bayonet on each side sixteen panels that go round the room; with variety of other ornaments, as muskets in chequer work, stars made of bayonets, swords, &c.
The next is the King’s first presence chamber, which is hung with rich old tapestry. The ceiling is vaulted, and from the center hangs a fine lustre of nineteen branches. Fronting the door are the canopy and chair of state, which, as well as the stools, are of crimson damask; on the back part of the canopy are the King’s arms, and round the vallance, a crown and cypher embroidered in gold.
On the left hand of the entrance, behind the door is a fine picture about eighteen feet by fifteen, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. King William III. is in armour on a stately grey horse, trampling on trophies of war, by which lies a flaming torch. At the top in the clouds Mercury and Peace support his helmet, decorated with laurel, and a Cupid holds a scroll. On the bottom part of the picture appear Neptune and his attendants by the side of a rock, welcoming the hero on shore; and at a distance is seen a fleet of ships, their sails swelled with the east wind. In the front ground Plenty with her cornucopia offers 147him an olive branch, and Flora presents flowers.
Over the chimney is a whole length of the Marquis of Hamilton, Lord Steward of the houshold to King Charles I. by Van Somer; and over the doors are two pieces of architecture, finely executed by Rosso.
The next room, which is called the second presence chamber, is spacious, and has a vaulted ceiling, from the centre of which hangs a gilt chandelier of twelve branches. The tapestry is ancient but very rich, the lights being all gold, and the shadows silk; the subjects are, Hercules and the Hydra, and Midas with his ass’s ears. The chair of state and stools are of crimson damask fringed with the same colour. Over the chimney is a whole length of Christiern IV. King of Denmark, by Van Somer. This picture, as most of the large ones are, is decorated round the frame on the outside with festoons of fruit and flowers, finely carved in high-relief. Over the three doors are pieces of ruins and landscapes, by Rosso. In this room are also two fine marble tables, with two pier glasses, and two pair of gilt stands.
The fourth room is very lofty; in the middle hangs a beautiful chased silver 148chandelier of sixteen branches. Here is a fine canopy of state, with the window curtains, chair and stools, of rich crimson damask laced and fringed with gold. The tapestry, which represents part of the story of Abraham, is fine; over the chimney is a whole length picture of Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia, the daughter of King James I. and over each of the two doors is a Madona, by Domenico Fetti.
In the fifth room is also a chair of state, and stools; the window curtains are tissue with a silver ground; there are silver sconces fastened to the tapestry, which is richly woven with gold, but is very ancient; the subject is Abraham sending his servants to get a wife for Isaac. Over the chimney piece is an admirable whole length picture of King Charles I. by Van Dyck; and over the doors are two capital pictures, the first is David with Goliath’s head, by Fetti; the other the holy family, by Correggio.
In the King’s state bed chamber is a crimson velvet bed, laced with gold, having plumes of white feathers on the top. This room, which is very spacious, is hung round with tapestry representing the history of Joshua, about which are eight silver sconces chased with the Judgment of Solomon. The ceiling, which 149was painted by Verrio, represents Endymion lying with his head in the lap of Morpheus, and Diana admiring him as he sleeps. On another part of the ceiling is a fine figure of Somnus, or Sleep, with his attendants, and in the border are four landscapes, and four boys with baskets of flowers intermixed with poppies. Over the doors are two flower pieces, finely painted by Baptist; and over the chimney is a whole length of the Dutchess of York, by Van Somer.
In the King’s private bed chamber, the bed is of crimson damask, and the room hung with fine tapestry, the subject of which is Solbay fight.
The King’s dressing room, which is about twelve feet long, and six feet wide, has the ceiling painted by Verrio. Mars is sleeping in Venus’s lap, while several Cupids steal away his armour, sword and spear, and others are binding his legs and arms with fetters of roses. The borders are decorated with jessamin, orange trees in pots, and several sorts of birds. Over the doors are fine flower pieces, by Baptist. The room is hung with straw-coloured India damask, and the chair, stools and screen, are covered with the same.
The King’s writing closet is of a triangular 150form, and has two windows. The hangings and stools are of a pea-green India damask. A glass is here so placed, as to shew all the rooms on that side of the building in one view. Over each door is a flower piece by Baptist, and over the chimney a fine picture of a great variety of birds, by Bougdane. There is here a fine collection of china.
Queen Mary’s closet is hung with needle work, said to be wrought with her own hand; there are also an easy chair, four others, and a screen, all said to be the work of that excellent Queen. The work is extremely neat; the figures are well shadowed, perhaps equal to the best tapestry, and shew great judgment in drawing. Over the chimney piece is an old painting, said to be Raphael’s, representing Jupiter’s throne, by which is the thunder, and his eagle in the clouds.
The Queen’s gallery, which is about seventy feet long, and twenty-five feet wide, is hung with seven beautiful pieces of tapestry, representing the history of Alexander the Great, and done after the famous paintings of Le Brun; they are however not placed according to chronology, for some of the last actions of Alexander’s life are placed before those which preceded them. Under that part of the 151tapestry which represents the story of Alexander and Diogenes, and which is placed over the chimney piece, is a very neat bust of a Venus in alabaster standing upon an oval looking-glass, under which are two doves billing in basso relievo. Among the other furniture in this gallery, are two very fine tables of Egyptian marble.
The ceiling of the Queen’s state bed chamber is finely painted by Sir J. Thorn-hill, who has represented Aurora rising out of the ocean in her golden chariot, drawn by four white horses. The bed is of crimson damask; and besides other furniture, the room is adorned with a glass lustre with silver sockets. Over a large marble chimney piece is a whole length of King James I. by Van Somer. At his right hand, over one of the doors, is Queen Anne his consort; on his left, their daughter the Princess Elizabeth, afterwards Queen of Bohemia; both by Van Somer. Over the other door is a beautiful whole length of Henry Prince of Wales, their eldest son, by Van Dyck. In the cornice are four other portraits, one on each side, viz. his late Majesty K. George I. his present Majesty King George II. the late Queen Caroline, and the late Prince of Wales.
The Queen’s drawing room has the 152ceiling painted by Signor Verrio; in the middle of which is the late Queen Anne, under the character of Justice, holding the scales in one hand, and the sword in the other: she is dressed in a purple robe lined with ermine; and Neptune and Britannia are holding a crown over her head. The room is hung with green damask, upon which are placed nine pictures, three on each side of the room, and three at the end. These were formerly all in one piece of a great length, as may be very plainly seen from some of the figures being cut asunder, and placed in different pieces. The whole is the triumph of Julius Cæsar, and was a long procession of soldiers, priests, officers of state, &c. at the end of which that Emperor appears in his triumphal chariot, with Victory holding a laurel crown over his head. It is painted in water colours upon canvas, by Andrea Mantegna.
The Queen’s state audience room is hung with rich tapestry, representing the children of Israel carrying the twelve stones to the river Jordan, as mentioned in Joshua iv. Here is a fine canopy of state, and five pictures at full length, the Duke, Dutchess, and Marchioness of Brunswick their daughter; the Dutchess of Lenox, and Margaret Queen of Scots, all by Holbein.
153The Prince of Wales’s presence chamber is hung with tapestry wrought with the story of Tobit and Tobias. Here is a canopy of state of green damask: over one of the doors is Guzman, and over another Gundamor, two Spanish ambassadors: over the third is Madam Chatillon, the French Admiral’s lady; and over the chimney, Lewis XIII. of France, with a walking stick in his hand, and a dog by his side, all by Holbein.
The Prince of Wales’s drawing room is hung with tapestry, representing Elymas the sorcerer struck with blindness; this is taken from one of the cartons. Over the chimney piece is the Duke of Wirtemburg: over one of the doors is a whole length of the wife of Philip II. King of Spain; and over the other, a whole length of Count Mansfield, General of the Spaniards in the Low Countries, all by Holbein.
The Prince of Wales’s bed chamber has a bed of green damask, and four pictures also done by Holbein, viz. over the chimney piece is a whole length of the Duke of Lunenbourg, great grandfather to his present Majesty; over one of the doors Philip II. King of Spain; over another, the consort of Christiern IV. King of Denmark; and over the third, a whole 154length of the Prince of Parma, Governor of the Netherlands.
In the private dining room are four pictures of the defeat of the Spanish Armada, by Vande Velde; and over the chimney a very fine one, by Van Dyck, of the Lord Effingham Howard, Lord High Admiral of England.
In the Admiral’s gallery are the pictures of the following celebrated Admirals, Sir George Rooke, Sir Cloudsley Shovel, Sir John Leake, the Lord Torrington, Admiral Churchill, Sir Stafford Fairborne, Sir John Jennings, Sir Thomas Hopson, Admiral Beaumont, Sir Thomas Dilks, Admiral Bembo, Admiral Whetstone, Admiral Wishart, Admiral Graydon, Admiral Munden; all painted by Dahl, and Sir Godfrey Kneller.
In the room of Beauties, nine ladies are placed in the following order: the Lady Peterborough, the Lady Ranelagh, the Lady Middleton, Miss Pitt, the Duchess of St. Alban’s, Lady Essex, Lady Dorset, Queen Mary, and the Duchess of Grafton. Q. Mary was painted by Wissing, and all the rest by Sir Godfrey Kneller.
In the Carton gallery are the celebrated cartons of Raphael Urbino, so called from their being painted on paper. These are seven pieces of sacred history, 155taken from the New Testament, and were at first designed only as patterns for tapestry. For these admirable pieces Lewis XIV. is said to have offered 100,000 louis d’ors.
These pictures, which may be properly termed coloured drawings on paper, as big as the life, are painted with great delicacy and beauty in water colours. The first is the miraculous draught of fishes, in which Christ appears in the boat with an air of divine gentleness. A very ingenious modern author, whose words we shall chiefly follow in the description of these admirable pieces, observes, that the exotic birds, the magnificent large fowl placed on the shore in the fore ground, have a sea wildness in them; and, as their food was fish, contribute to express the business in hand, which is fishing; and being thus placed on the shore, prevents the heaviness which that part would otherwise have had, by breaking the parallel lines that would have been made by the boat, and the base of the picture.
However in this carton Raphael has made a boat too little to hold the figures he has placed in it; but had he made it large enough for those figures, the picture would have been all boat; and to have made his figures small enough for a vessel of that size, would have rendered them 156unsuitable to the rest of the set, and less considerable: there would have been too much boat, and too little figure.
The second, which is the delivery of the keys, has received some injury, and is not now what Raphael made it. As this is the appearance of our Saviour after the resurrection, present authority, late suffering, humility and majesty, despotic command, and divine love, are at once visible in his celestial aspect. He is wrapt only in one large piece of white drapery, his left arm and breast are bare, and part of his legs naked, which was undoubtedly done to denote his appearing in his resurrection body, and not as before his crucifixion, when this dress would have been altogether improper. The figures of the eleven apostles all express the same passion of admiration, but discover it differently according to their characters. Peter receives his master’s orders on his knees, with an admiration mixed with a more particular attention; the words used on that occasion are expressed by our Saviour’s pointing to a flock of sheep, and St. Peter’s having just received two keys. The two next express a more open ecstasy, though still constrained by their awe of the divine presence. The beloved disciple has in his countenance wonder drowned in love; and the last personage, whose 157back is towards the presence, one would fancy to be St. Thomas, whose perplexed concern could not be better drawn, than by this acknowledgment of the difficulty to describe it. The apostle who stands in profile immediately behind St. John, has a yellow garment with red sleeves, which connects the figure with St. Peter and St. John, whose draperies are of the same species of colours; next is a loose changeable drapery, then another different yellow with shadows bearing on the purple, all which produce wonderful harmony.
The third is the miracle of healing the cripple at the Beautiful Gate of the temple. All the figures are admirably performed; the boys are done with great judgment, and by being naked make a fine contrast. The figures are placed at one end near the corner, which varies the side of the picture, and gives an opportunity to enlarge the building with a fine portico, the like of which you must imagine must be on the other side of the main structure, all which together make a noble piece of architecture.
The fourth is the history of the death of Ananias. Here is the greatest dignity in the apostles; they are however only a subordinate group, because the principal action relates to the criminal; thither the eye is directed by almost all the figures in 158the picture; what a horror and reverence is visible in the whole assembly on this mercenary man’s falling down dead!
The fifth is Elymas the sorcerer struck with blindness. His whole body from head to foot expresses his being blind. How admirably are terror and astonishment expressed in the people present? and how variously according to their several characters? the Proconsul has these sentiments but as a Roman and a gentleman, the rest in several degrees and manners. The same sentiments appear in Ananias’s death, together with those of joy and triumph, which naturally arise in good minds upon the fight of the divine justice and the victory of truth.
What grace and majesty is seen in the great apostle of the gentiles, in all his actions, preaching, rending his garments, denouncing vengeance on the sorcerer! The Proconsul Sergius Paulus has a greatness and grace superior to his character; and equal to what one can suppose in Cæsar, Augustus, or Trajan.
The sixth is the sacrifice to Paul and Barnabas by the people of Lycaonia. The occasion of this is finely told; the man healed of his lameness, to express his sense of the divine power which appeared in these apostles, and to shew it to be 159him, not only a crutch is under his feet on the ground, but an old man takes up the lappet of his garment, and looks upon the limb he remembers to have been crippled, expressing great devotion and amazement; which are sentiments seen in the other, with a mixture of joy.
The group of the ox and popa are taken from a bass relievo in the Villa de Medici.
The seventh is St. Paul preaching to the Athenians. The divine orator is the chief figure; but with what wonderful art are almost all the different tempers of mankind represented in that elegant audience! one is eminently distinguished as a believer, holding out his hands in rapture, and has the second place in the picture; another is wrapped up in deep suspense; another saying there is some reason in what he says; another angry and malicious at his destroying some favourite opinion; others attentive and reasoning on the matter within themselves, or with one another; while the generality attend, and wait for the opinion of those who are leading characters in the assembly. Some are placed before the apostle, some behind, not only as caring less for the preacher or the doctrine, but to raise the apostolic character, which would lose 160something of its dignity, if his maligners were supposed to be able to look him in the face.
This picture is conducted with the greatest judgment. The attitude of St. Paul is as fine as possible, pointing out his hands to the statue of Mercury, alluding to their idolatry; for the men of Lystra would call him by that name, and worship him as a God presiding over eloquence. Thus the picture shews the subject of his preaching. The little drapery thrown over the apostle’s shoulder, and hanging down to his waist, poises the figure, which otherwise would seem ready to tumble forwards. The drapery is red and green, the back ground is expressive of the superstition St. Paul was preaching against, as above-mentioned. No historian, orator or poet, can possibly give so great an idea of the eloquent and zealous apostle as this figure does: for there we see a person, whose face and action no words can sufficiently describe; but which assure us as much as those can, that that divine man must speak with good sense and to the purpose.
There were in all twelve of these pieces, two of which are in the possession of the French King: the King of Sardinia has two of the others, and one belonged 161to a gentleman in England, who pledged it for a sum of money: but when the person who had taken this valuable deposit found it was to be redeemed, being very unwilling to part with it, he greatly damaged the drawing; for which the gentleman brought his action, and it was tried in Westminster hall, where the picture was produced. The subject was Herod’s cruelty, and indeed, the cruel malice of the person sued, seemed to flow from a principle perhaps equally diabolical and inexcusable.
Over the chimney piece in this gallery is a fine bas-relief in white marble of Venus drawn in her chariot, and attended by several Cupids.
We come next to the Queen’s staircase, where the ceiling is painted by Vick. Here is King Charles II. and Catharine his Queen, with the Duke of Buckingham representing Science in the habit of Mercury, while Envy is struck down by naked boys. There are also other ornaments done by Mr. Kent.
From the Queen’s stair case, we descend into a new quadrangle, in the middle of which is a round bason, and four large lamps on pedestals of iron work; and on the right hand over the windows, 162are the twelve labours of Hercules done in fresco.
We shall conclude our account with observing, that the whole palace consists of three quadrangles. The first and second are Gothic, but in the latter is a most beautiful colonade of the Ionic order, the columns in couplets, built by Sir Christopher Wren. Through this, as was before observed, you pass into the third court or quadrangle, in which are the royal apartments, which are magnificently built of brick and stone by King William III. The print shews two sides of these new buildings. The gardens are not in the present natural stile, but in that which prevailed some years ago, when mathematical figures were preferred to natural forms.
Hanaper Office, an office in Chancery under the direction of the Master of the Hanaper, his deputy, the clerk, sometimes called the Warden of the Hanaper, and the six clerks in Chancery for the time being, who are comptrollers of the Hanaper. The clerk of the Hanaper receives all money due for charters, patents, commissions, and writs; attends the Lord Keeper daily in term time, and at all times of sealing, with leather bags, in 163which are put all sealed charters, patents, and the like; and delivered to the comptroller of the Hanaper. Mr. Chamberlain supposes, that instead of leather bags the clerk of the Hanaper formerly carried a hamper, and that from thence he was called the clerk of the Hamper or Hanaper.
Hand alley, 1. High Holborn.* 2. Long alley, Moorfields.* 3. Norfolk street.* 4. Petticoat lane and Bishopsgate street.* 5. Snow hill.* 6. Wormwood street.*
Hand and Crown alley, Cow Cross.*
Hand and Pen alley, Tower hill.*
Hand court, 1. Petticoat lane.* 2. Philip lane, London Wall.* 3. Near the Steel yard, Thames street.*
Hand and Crown court, 1. Chiswell street.* 2. Gravel lane.* 3. Orchard street.*
Hand and Holybush court, St. Clement’s.*
Hand and Pen court, 1. Barbican.* 2. Great Tower hill.* 3. Leadenhall street.*
Handcock’s yard, Brown’s lane, Spitalfields.*
Hand in Hand alley, St. Olave’s street.*
Hand in Hand Fire Office, in Angel court, Snow hill, opposite St. Sepulchre’s church, for insuring only houses, was erected in the year 1696, by about one hundred persons, who entering into 164a mutual agreement to insure each other from losses by having their houses consumed by fire, formed a deed of settlement for that purpose, which was inrolled in Chancery on the 24th of January 1698, and this deed being signed by every person desirous of becoming a member, he or she is by this means admitted into the joint copartnership, and becomes an equal sharer in the profit and loss, in proportion to his or her respective insurance.
The conditions of insurance are, two shillings per cent. premium, and ten shillings per cent. deposit on brick houses, and double those sums on timber houses in the cities of London and Westminster, and within five computed miles from the same, to be paid on insuring for a term not exceeding seven years.
Houses in the country, beyond five, and so far as twenty computed miles from the said cities are to pay an additional premium of one shilling per cent. on brick, and double on timber; and beyond twenty so far as thirty computed miles from the said cities, being the limits of insurance by this office, an additional premium of two shillings per cent. on brick, and double on timber, the deposit being the same in all places. Houses with party-walls 165of brick or stone are to be accounted brick, and those which have not such party-walls to be accounted timber houses. Thatched are not to be insured.
Any number of contiguous houses, not exceeding the value of three hundred pounds, may be insured in one policy.
No more than two thousand pounds can be insured on one house in a policy: but halls, hospitals, and other large buildings, divided by brick or stone partitions, may each be insured in several policies.
At the expiration of policies, or whatever time the property in their houses ceases, all persons may on application to the office, receive the deposit, together with the dividends of profit made every year from the premium and interest of money, after the charges of the office are paid, deducting their proportion of contributions towards losses, during the time they have been insured.
Hence it plainly appears, that the whole money paid on insuring, both premium and deposit, is in effect only deposited, to make good losses by fire and the charges of the office; it being all returned, except what is applied to those purposes.
Contributions are laid when fires happen, 166and dividends made every year by the Directors, which are registered in tables hung up in the office, to be perused by the members.
All the members or persons insured, have the liberty of examining all the books and papers of the office, at seasonable hours, gratis.
No person insured is obliged to pay above ten shillings per cent. Contribution for brick, and double for timber houses, more than the money first deposited. This being now upwards of 80,000l. valuing the public securities at Par, must all be exhausted by losses happening almost together, before any call can be made from the members.
The affairs of the office are managed by twenty-four Directors, without any salary or reward, who are chosen by balloting for three years, from amongst, and by the persons insured, in the way of an annual rotation, eight new ones every year, on the three days immediately preceding the general meeting in November. They meet at the office in Angel court on Snow hill, to transact business, every Tuesday at three in the afternoon.
Every house before it can be insured, must be surveyed by a person employed by the office, and in case of a loss or 167damage, is to be put into the condition it was in before the fire, allowing not more than three shillings a yard for painting, nor above thirty pounds for any chimney piece; or else the whole sum insured is to be paid to the sufferer without any deduction.
Nothing is more evident than that the profits of insurance, which in the offices insuring for gain are divided on their capital stock, are here, together with the salaries of the Directors, applied to the benefit of the insured. The consequence of which is, that this office having paid above two hundred and fifty thousand pounds for losses; the charge to the injured from its beginning in the year 1696, has been at a medium under nine-pence a year for one hundred pounds insured on brick houses.
The surveyors are to survey houses with all convenient expedition after directions are left, without any fee or reward.
The clerks give constant attendance at the office, from eight in the morning to six in the evening. The proposals delivered by the Office, October 10, 1758.
This company keep in their service thirty firemen, who are annually clothed, and have each a badge, on which are two hands joined and a crown over them.
168Hand in Hand yard, Old Horselydown lane.*
Hand yard, Thames street.*
Hanging Lion yard, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.*
Hanging Sword alley, 1. Quaker street.* 2. Water lane, Fleet street.*
Hanging Sword court, Water lane, Fleet street.*
Hangman’s acre, King David’s fort, near Bluegate fields.
Hangman’s Gains, St. Catherines. Mr. Strype observes, that the towns of Calais, Hammes, and Guisnes, being lost in the reign of Queen Mary, many of the inhabitants fled to England, and wanting habitations, a part of St. Catharine’s where this lane is now built, was allowed them, which from the countries whence they came was called Hammes and Guisnes, which at length by a vulgar corruption was changed to Hangman’s gains.
Hangman’s Gains alley, St. Catharine’s.
Hannoway street, Tottenham Court road.†
Hanover court, 1. Grub street. 2. Houndsditch. 3. In the Minories.
Hanover square, so called in compliment to the present royal family, has Oxford road on the north; Swallow street in the east; Conduit street on the south; 169and New Bond street on the west. The area of the square contains about two acres of ground, in the middle of which is a garden inclosed with rails; the houses are new built in the modern taste; they make a grand appearance, and are inhabited by noblemen and gentlemen of distinguished rank.
The author of the Review of the public buildings remarks, that the upper end of Great George street towards Hanover square is laid out so considerably wider than at the other end, that it quite reverses the perspective, and shews the end of the vista broader than the beginning; which was calculated to give a noble view of this square from its entrance, and a better prospect down the street from the other side, and both way the effects answer the intention. He adds, that the view down George street, from the upper side of the square, is one of the most entertaining in this whole city: the sides of the square, the area in the middle, the breaks of building that form the entrance of the vista, the vista itself, but above all, the beautiful projection of the portico of St. George’s church, are all circumstances that unite in beauty, and render the scene perfect.
170Hanover street, 1. Hanover square. 2. Long Acre. 3. Rotherhith Wall.
Hanover stairs, Hanover street, Rotherhith.
Hanover yard, St. Giles’s.
Hanson’s alley, St. Giles’s Broad street.†
Harcourt’s buildings, Inner Temple.†
Harding’s alley, Petty France, Westminster.†
Hare alley, Shoreditch.*
Hare court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Hare street, Spitalfields.* 3. Inner Temple.* 4. Little Knightrider’s street.* 5. Petticoat lane.* 6. Upper Ground.*
Hare Court buildings, Inner Temple.*
Harefield, a village in Middlesex, near the river Coln, between Rickmansworth and Uxbridge, about twenty miles from London. Harefield Place is the seat of Sir Roger Newdigate, Bart. Here also George Cooke, Esq; the present member for the county of Middlesex, has a handsome seat and park.
Hare marsh, Hare street.*
Hare street, Brick lane, Spitalfields.*
Hare yard, Hoxton.*
Harley street, as does most of the other streets near it, took its name from the late Earl of Oxford, the ground landlord, who left it to his lady. This is a noble new street, extending northward from Cavendish square 171where Sir Richard Littleton’s house is at the corner.
Harp alley, 1. Grub street.* 2. Little Knightrider’s street.* 3. Saffron hill.* 4. Shoe lane.*
Harp court, Little Knightrider’s street.*
Harp lane, Tower street.*
Harp yard, Black horse yard, Fleet street.*
Harper’s alley, Fore street, Lambeth.†
Harper’s walk, Fore street, Lambeth.†
Harrie’s gun wharf, Millbank.†
Harrison’s court, Brook street.†
Harris’s court, Ratcliff Highway.†
Harris’s rents, Rosemary lane.†
Harrold’s court, Coal yard.†
Harrow alley, 1. St. Catharine’s.* 2. Holborn.* 3. Mint street.* 4. Old Gravel lane.* 5. Old street.* 6. Petticoat lane.* 7. Whitechapel.*
Harrow corner, 1. Bennet’s hill.* 2. Deadman’s place.* 3. Fleet lane.* 4. Long lane.*
Harrow dunghil, Mint street.*
Harrow dunghil yard, Old Horselydown.*
Harrow yard, Ropemakers fields.*
Harrow on the Hill, is situated in Middlesex, fifteen miles N. W. from London, on the highest hill in the county, on the summit of which stands the church, which has a very high spire. This parish is famous for a free school founded by 172Mr. John Lyons in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; and every 4th of August a select number of the scholars, dressed in the habit of archers, come with their bows, and shoot at a mark for a silver arrow.
Hartford, or Hertford, the county town of Hartfordshire, is situated on the river Lea, twenty-three miles from London, and is a place of great antiquity. It is said to have been of some note even in the time of the ancient Britons; here the Saxon Kings frequently kept their courts, and here King Alfred built a castle, by which he destroyed the Danish vessels that passed from the Thames up the river Lea. The town had its first charter granted by Queen Mary, by which it was made a corporation, and King James I. granted it a new one. The town is pleasantly situated in a dry and healthful vale, and built in the form of a Y with a castle in the middle of the two horns. It is governed by a High Steward, who is generally a nobleman, and by a Mayor, nine Aldermen, a Recorder, a Town Clerk, a Chamberlain, ten capital Burgesses, with sixteen Assistants, and two serjeants at mace. Here were five churches, which are reduced to two. In that of St. Andrew’s there is not only a seat for the 173Mayor and Aldermen, but another for the Governors of Christ Church hospital in London, and a gallery, in which 200 of the children of that hospital may be accommodated; for the Governors have erected an handsome house in the town for such children, as either wanted health, or are too young for that hospital. Here is also a handsome free school, and three charity schools; but tho’ the splendor of the town is much diminished, since the north road from London was turned through Ware, yet the county jail is still kept here, and the jail delivery in the castle. This town has the honour of giving the title of Earl to the Duke of Somerset, and of sending two members to parliament. The chief commodities of its market are wool, wheat, and malt, and it is said to send 5000 quarters of malt weekly to London by the river Lea.
Near this town is a seat of the late Governor Harrison, pleasantly situated on a hill that commands a fine prospect of the country all around; and its neighbourhood is a seat of the Clarks, which also enjoys a delightful situation.
Hartingfordbury, a village a little to the west of Hartford, near which the Earl Cowper has a handsome seat, built 174by his father, the Lord Chancellor of that name.
Hart alley, Grub street, Fore street.*
Hart court, Little Knightrider’s street.*
Hart Row street, without Newgate.*
Hart street, 1. Bloomsbury. 2. By Bow street, Covent Garden. 3. Cripplegate. 4. Duke street. 5. Mark lane, Fenchurch street.
Hartshorn court, 1. Golden lane. 2. Moor lane.
Hartshorn lane, in the Strand, lately by Northumberland house, leading down from the Strand to the water side; but it is now demolished, and a handsome street building in its room, which, it is said, will be called Northumberland street, from the present Earl of Northumberland to whom it belongs.
Harvey’s court, in the Strand.†
Harwar’s Almshouse, in Kingsland road, was founded by Mr. Samuel Harwar, citizen and draper, in the year 1713, for twelve single men and women, six of whom are to be put in by the company of Drapers, and the other six by the parish of St. Leonard, Shoreditch: each of whom is allowed six shillings a month, and eighteen bushels of coals a year.
Harwood’s court, 1. Wellclose square. 2. Well street.
Harwood’s yard, Holiwell street.*
175Hass park, Wheeler street.
Hastewood’s court, Blue Anchor alley.†
Hasting’s court, 1. Ratcliff Highway.† 2. Upper Shadwell.†
Hat and Mitre court, St. John’s street.*
Hatbandmakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1638. They have a Master, two Wardens, and twelve Assistants; but have neither livery nor hall.
This fraternity during the wear of rich hatbands, was in a flourishing condition; but this part of dress having been many years out of fashion, the trade of making hatbands is almost dwindled to nothing, so that there are at present but two or three of the company who are really hatbandmakers. Maitland.
Hatchet alley, 1. Church lane, Whitechapel. 2. East Smithfield. 3. Little Britain. 4. Little Tower hill.
Hate street, Greek street, Soho.
Hatfield, a town in Hertfordshire, twenty miles from London, was called Bishops-Hatfield, from its belonging to the Bishops of Ely. Here Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury held a synod, against the Eutychean opinions; and here was once a royal palace, from whence both Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth were conducted to the throne. The rectory, which is in 176the Earl of Salisbury’s gift, is computed at 800l. a year.
The Earl of Salisbury has here a noble seat built by the great Lord Burleigh, called Hatfield House. The park and gardens, in which is a vineyard, is watered by the river Lea.
Hatfield street, Goswell street.
Hatton court, 1. Saffron hill. 2. Thread-needle street.
Hatton garden, Holborn, a broad straight and long street, in which the houses are pretty lofty; but tho’ they are plain and unadorned on the outside, yet there being something like regularity in the buildings, they appear to great advantage; and the street affording a fine vista, may justly be reckoned among the handsomest within the liberties of the city. Mr. Strype observes, that here was anciently situated the mansion house of the Bishop of Ely; adjoining to it was an orchard and pasture of about forty acres inclosed with a wall, which falling to the Crown at the death of Bishop Cox, she granted it to the Lord Chancellor Hatton, and his heirs for ever. Upon which the house was pulled down, and Hatton Garden, and several other streets erected on this estate. Strype’s Stow.
Hatton wall, at the end of Hatton garden; 177probably so called from its being at the extremity of the wall of the garden in which the street called Hatton Garden was built. See the preceding article.
Hatton yard, Hatton Wall.†
Haviland’s rents, St. Catharine’s.†
Haunch of Vension yard, Brook street.*
Hawkers and Pedlers Office, for granting licences to the hawkers and pedlers, is kept in Holborn court, Grays Inn. These belong to this office three commissioners, a comptroller, a cashier, nine riding surveyors, and a supernumerary riding surveyor, each of whom has a salary of 100l. a year. There are besides a few other officers with smaller salaries.
Haws’s Almshouse, in Bow lane, Poplar, was founded in the year 1686, for six poor women, who besides a room have thirty shillings a year each.
Hay court, near Newport market.
Hay hill, Dover street.
Haymarket, Pall Mall, a pretty long and spacious street, in which there is the opera house on one side, and a small theatre on the other. It received its name from there being a market here for hay and straw, every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Hazelwood court, Bunhill row.*
Heathcock court, in the Strand.*
Heath’s Almshouse, in Almshouse row,* 178in the Lower street, Islington, was founded by John Heath, Esq; in the year 1648, for the reception of ten decayed members of the clothworkers company, who annually receive from their corporation, who are trustees for this foundation, the sum 6l. each. Maitland.
Heath’s rents, Church lane, Rag Fair.†
Heddon’s court, Swallow street.†
Heddon’s street, Swallow street.†
Hedge alley, Barnaby street.
Hedge lane, Charing Cross, so called from its being formerly inclosed all along between two hedges. Maitland.
Hedgers court, St. Thomas’s, Southwark.
Hedley, a village in Surry, three miles from Epsom.
St. Helen’s Church, situated in a spacious court, on the east side of Bishopsgate street, called Little St. Helen’s, is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Helena, the mother of Constantine the Great. This church escaped the flames in 1666, and is no ill monument of the taste of the time in which it was erected. It is a Gothic structure of the lighter kind; and consists of a plain body, with large windows not too much encumbered with ornaments. It has a tower wrought with rustic at the corners, and crowned with a turret and dome in which is a bell.
179In this church was formerly a figure of the Trinity, and a high altar of St. Helena, to which much devotion was paid. The church is now a vicarage in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s.
In the north isle is the following inscription, on a large handsome piece of black marble, under which are placed the remains of the wife, son, and daughter of Mr. Thomas Payne, bookseller.
Priory of St. Helen’s, was a convent of Black Nuns, founded in the reign of Henry III. by the above church; but was surrendered to the Crown in the thirteenth year of the reign of Henry VIII. The nuns hall, and other houses belonging to the priory, have been since purchased by the leathersellers company, and is their common hall.
Helmet alley, Fore street, Cripplegate.*
Helmet court, 1. Butcher Row, Temple Bar.* 2. Near Catharine street, in the Strand.* 3. Fore street, Cripplegate.* 4. London Wall.* 5. In the Minories.* 6. 180Thames street.* 7. Wormwood street.*
Helmet row, Old street.*
Hemlock court, Carey street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.
Hemming’s row, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.†
Hemp yard, 1. Creechurch lane. 2. Petticoat lane. 3. Seething lane.
Hempsted, or Hemel-Hempsted, a town in Hertfordshire, situated about eight miles to the west of St. Alban’s, is esteemed one of the greatest markets for wheat in this county, if not in England: it is kept on Thursday, and 20,0001. a week is often returned in it for meal only. Eleven mills stand within four miles of the place, which bring a great trade to it; but by this means the road is so continually torn, that it is one of the worst turnpike ways round London.
Hen court, Golden lane.*
Hen and Chickens court, Fleet street.*
Hennage lane, Duke’s Place.
Henrietta street, 1. Cavendish square. 2. Covent Garden.
Henry street, Old street.
Hepper’s wharf, near Puddle dock, Thames street.†
Hepworth’s alley, Dancing Bridge.†
Heralds Office, or the College of Arms, is situated upon St. Bennet’s hill, near 181Doctors Commons, at the south west end of St. Paul’s cathedral. This office was destroyed by the dreadful conflagration in 1666, and rebuilt about three years after. It is a square, inclosed by regular brick buildings, which are extremely neat without expensive decorations. The floors are raised above the level of the ground, and there is an ascent to them by flights of plain steps. The principal front is in the lower story ornamented with rustic, upon which are placed four Ionic pilasters, that support an angular pediment. The sides which are conformable to this have arched pediments, that are also supported by Ionic pilasters. On the inside is a large room for keeping the court of honour; a library; with houses and apartments for the King’s Heralds and Pursuivants.
This corporation consists of thirteen members, viz. three Kings at arms, six Heralds at arms, and four Pursuivants at arms; who are nominated by the Earl Marshal of England, as ministers subordinate to him in the execution of their offices, and hold their places by patent, during their good behaviour. They are all the King’s servants in ordinary, and therefore in the vacancy of the office of Earl Marshal, have been sworn 182into their offices by the Lord Chamberlain. Their meetings are termed chapters, which they hold the first Thursday in every month, or oftener, if necessary, wherein all matters are determined by a majority of voices of the Kings and Heralds, each King having two voices.
The Kings are Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy. Garter was instituted by King Henry V. in the year 1417, for the service of the most noble order of the Garter: and for the dignity of that order, he was made Sovereign, within the office of arms, over all the other officers subject to the crown of England, by the name of Garter King of Arms of England. By the constitution of his office he must be a native of England, and a gentleman bearing arms. To him belongs the correction of arms, and all ensigns of arms usurped or borne unjustly; and the power of granting arms to deserving persons, and supporters to the nobility and Knights of the Bath. It is likewise his office to go next before the sword in solemn processions, none interposing, except the Marshal; to administer the oath to all the officers of arms; to have a habit like the register of the order; with Baron’s service in the court, and lodgings in Windsor Castle; he bears his white rod with a banner of 183the ensigns of the order thereon before the Sovereign; when any Lord enters the parliament chamber, it is his post to assign him his place, according to his dignity and degree; to carry the ensigns of the order to foreign Princes, and to do, or procure to be done, what the Sovereign shall enjoin relating to the order; for the execution of which he has a salary of 100l. a year payable at the Exchequer, and 100l. more out of the revenue of the order; besides his fees.
The others are called Provincial Kings, and their provinces together, comprise the whole kingdom of England; that of Clarenceux comprehending all to the south of the river Trent; and that of Norroy, all to the north of that river: but tho’ these provincials have existed time immemorial, they were not constituted to these offices by the titles of Clarenceux and Norroy before Edward III.
Clarenceux is thus named from the Duke of Clarence, the third son of King Edward III. It is his duty, according to his commission, to visit his province, to survey the arms of all persons, &c. and to register their descents, marriages, &c. to marshal the funerals of all persons in his province not under the direction of Garter; and in his province to grant arms, 184with the consent of the Earl Marshal. Before the institution of Garter he was the principal officer of arms, and in the vacancy of Garter he executes his office. Besides his fees, he has a salary from the Exchequer of 40l. a year.
The duty and office of Norroy, or North Roy, that is North King, is the same on the north of the Trent, as that of Clarenceux on the south.
The Kings of arms were formerly erected by the Sovereign with great solemnity, upon some high festival; but since the ceremonies used at the creation of Peers have been laid aside, the Kings of arms have been created by the Earl Marshal, by virtue of the Sovereign’s warrant: upon this occasion he takes his oath; wine is poured upon his head out of a gilt cup, with a cover; his title is pronounced; and he invested with a tabart of the royal arms, richly embroidered upon velvet; a collar of SS. with two portcullises of silver gilt; a gold chain, with a badge of his office, and the Earl Marshal places on his head the crown of a King of arms, which formerly resembled a ducal coronet; but since the restoration it has been adorned with leaves resembling those of the oak, and circumscribed, according to ancient custom, with the 185words, Miserere mei Deus secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Garter has also a mantle of crimson sattin, as an officer of the order; with a white rod or scepter with the Sovereign’s arms on the top, which he bears in the presence of the Sovereign; and he is sworn in a chapter of the Garter, the Sovereign investing him with the ensigns of his office.
The Kings of arms are distinguished from each other by their respective badges, which they may wear at all times, either in a gold chain or a ribbon, Garter’s being blue and the Provincials purple.
The six Heralds are Windsor, Chester, Lancaster, York, Richmond, and Somerset, who take place according to seniority in office. They are created with the same ceremonies as the Kings, taking the oath of an Herald, and are inverted with a tabart of the royal arms, embroidered upon sattin, not so rich as the Kings, but better than the Pursuivants, and a silver collar of SS. They are Esquires by creation, and have a salary of 26l. 13s. 4d. per annum, and fees according to their degree.
The Kings and Heralds are sworn upon a sword as well as the book, to shew 186that they are military, as well as civil officers.
The four Pursuivants, who are, Rougecroix, Bluemantle, Rougedragon, and Portcullis, are also created by the Earl Marshal, when they take their oath of a Pursuivant, and are invested with a tabart of the royal arms upon damask. They have a salary of 20l. a year, with fees according to their degree. It is the duty of the Heralds and Pursuivants, to attend in the public office, one of each class together, by a monthly rotation.
Besides these particular duties of the several classes, it is the general duty both of the Kings, Heralds, and Pursuivants, to attend his Majesty at the house of Peers, and, upon certain high festivals, to the chapel royal; to make proclamations; to marshal the proceedings at all public processions; to attend the installation of the Knights of the Garter, &c.
All these officers have apartments in the college, annexed to their respective offices. They have likewise a public hall, in which is a court for the Earl Marshal, where courts of chivalry are occasionally held, and the officers of arms attend in their tabarts, his Lordship being present. Their public library contains a large and valuable collection of original records of the pedigrees and arms of families, funeral 187certificates of the nobility and gentry, public ceremonials, and other branches of heraldry and antiquities; and there have been few works published, relating to the history and antiquities of this kingdom, in which the authors have not received some assistance from this library, where attendance is daily given by two officers for the public emolument. Instructions communicated by Stephen Martin Leake, Esq; Garter King of Arms, to Mr. Maitland.
Herbert’s grounds, Bandyleg Walk.†
Herbert’s passage, Beaufort Buildings.†
Hercules Pillars alley, Fleet street.*
Hercules yard, Turnmill street.*
Hermitage bridge, Hermitage dock.
Hermitage court, Red Maid lane, near the Hermitage.
Hermitage, Dock side. There were formerly several hermitages on the ground on which London now stands.
Hermitage stairs, Wapping.
Hermitage street, Wapping.
Hermitage yard, Parish street.
Heron’s yard, Marsham street.†
Hertford’s court, Fenchurch street.†
Heston, a village in Middlesex, to the north west of Hounslow.
Hewet’s court, in the Strand.†
188Hewey court, near Halfmoon street, in the Strand.†
Heydon court, Heydon square.†
Heydon passage, Heydon square.†
Heydon square, on the east side of the Minories.†
Heydon yard, Heydon square.†
Hickman’s court, Mill street.†
Hick’s court, Shoreditch.†
Hicks’s Hall, in St. John’s street, facing West Smithfield, is the county hall in which the justices of Middlesex hold their sessions. This is a very plain brick edifice with a portico at the entrance. It was built by Sir Baptist Hicks, Viscount Campden, who was for some time a mercer in Cheapside, and died in 1629, and from him it received its name. Stow.
Hicks’s yard, Angel alley, Little Moorfields.†
Hide Park, is in a very fine situation to the west of the new buildings of London, from which it extends to Kensington; it being encompassed by a wall, and well stocked with deer. There is a place in it called the Ring, which used formerly to be frequented by people of fashion in their coaches. Mr. Misson, who published an account of his travels over England, speaking of this Ring, which was then 189in vogue, says, “The coaches drive round and round, and when they have turned for some time round one way, they face about and turn t’other: so rolls the world.” Here is a bason of water, formed to supply the above-mentioned new buildings, and a fine serpentine river. There are several good prospects from it. A magazine for gunpowder has been lately built in this Park near the Ring.
Hide Park corner, Piccadilly, by the corner of Hide Park.
Hide Park street, Hide Park.
Hide street, Bloomsbury.
Hide’s court, 1. King street, Golden square.† 2. Noble street.† 3. Hide’s rents, Chick lane.†
High Holborn, that part of Holborn beyond the bars, and out of the liberties of the city.
High Holborn Liberty, which consists of that part without the bars, is one of the two liberties in the county of Middlesex and hundred of Osulston, belonging to the parish of St. Andrew, Holborn; though by its separate government, (exclusive of that of the church) it acts in all respects as if independent. Maitland.
High street, 1. Aldgate. 2. Coverlead’s fields. 3. St. Giles’s.
High Timber street, Broken Wharf.
190Highgate, a large and populous village in Middlesex, a little above four miles north of London, is so called from its high situation on the top of a hill, and a gate erected there above 400 years ago, to receive toll for the Bishop of London; upon an old miry road from Grays Inn lane to Barnet, being turned through that Bishop’s park. The church, which is a very old edifice, is a chapel of ease to Pancras and Hornsey; and where it stands was formerly an hermitage; near which the Lord Chief Baron Cholmondeley built and endowed a free school in 1562, which was enlarged in the year 1570, by Edwin Sandys, Bishop of London, and a chapel added to it. There are also here several dissenting meeting houses. On the side next London, the fineness of the prospect over the city, as far as Shooter’s hill, and below Greenwich, has occasioned several handsome edifices to be built; particularly a very fine house erected by the late Sir William Ashurst. It is remarkable that most of the public houses in Highgate have a large pair of horns placed over the sign; and that when any of the country people stop for refreshment, a pair of large horns fixed to the end of a staff, is brought to them, and they are earnestly pressed to be sworn. If they consent, a 191kind of burlesque oath is administered; that they will never eat brown bread when they can get white; never kiss the maid when they can kiss the mistress; and abundance of other things of the same kind, which they repeat after the person who brings the horns, with one hand fixed upon them. This ridiculous ceremony is altered according to the sex of the person who is sworn; who is allowed to add to each article, except I like the other better; the whole being over, he or she must kiss the horns, and pay a shilling for the oath, to be spent among the company, to which he or she belongs.
Highgate road, Tottenham court.
Hilliard’s court, Old Gravel lane.†
Hillington, or Hillingdon, the name of two villages in Middlesex, situated near each other, at a small distance from Uxbridge, and distinguished by the epithets Great and Little. The church of Great Hillington is a vicarage, to which the town of Uxbridge is a hamlet, and here Meinhardt, late Duke of Schomberg had a seat; and Mr. Chetwynd has one at Little Hillington.
Hill’s Almshouse, in Rochester row, Tothill fields, was erected in the year 1708, pursuant to the will of Emery Hill, Esq; for the use of six poor men and their wives, 192and six poor widows. The former are allowed 7l. 4s. and a chaldron of coals every year; and the latter 5l. and a chaldron of coals per annum, and a gown every other year.
The same gentleman erected an almshouse in Petty France, Westminster, in the year 1677, for the reception of three men and their wives; but left it to be endowed out of the surplusage of the above almshouse; however it does not appear that there ever was any surplus. Maitland.
Hill’s rents, Helmet court, Butcher Row, near Temple Bar.†
Hill’s wharf, Wapping Wall.†
Hill’s yard, Shoreditch.
Hind court, 1. Coleman street, Lothbury. 2. Drury lane. 3. Fleet street.
Hind’s alley, Maiden lane.†
Hind’s rents, Maze Pond street.†
Hinton’s Almshouse, in Plough alley, Barbican, was erected in the year 1732,pursuant to the will of Alice Hinton, of Hackney, widow, who bequeathed the sum of 2000l. for erecting and endowing an almshouse for twelve poor widows of the parish of St. Giles, Cripplegate; but the building was only erected for six, occasioned, it is said, by the loss of effects at sea, and 700l. by African stock. Each 193widow has, however, two neat rooms, and the house is endowed with 22l. per annum, arising from ground rent. Maitland.
Hitchcock’s yard, Newington Causeway.†
Hoar’s yard, Bishopsgate street.†
Hobbin’s court, Long lane, Southwark.†
Hobb’s rents, Marigold street.†
Hockenhuil’s court, Black Eagle street, Spitalfields.†
Hockley in the Hole, near Clerkenwell.
Hoddesdon, a hamlet situated on the river Lea, in the parish of Amswell and Brocksbourn in Hertfordshire, nineteen miles from London. Queen Elizabeth granted a grammar school to be kept here, and an almshouse was founded in the reign of King Henry VI. by Richard Rich, Sheriff of London. It is a great thoroughfare on the north road, and has a market on Thursday, and fair eleven days after St. Peter’s.
Hodge’s rents, Nightingale lane.†
Hog alley, East Smithfield.*
Hog Island, Liquorpond street.
Hog land, 1. St. Giles’s Pound.* 2. Norton Falgate.*
Hog yard, 1. East Smithfield.* 2. Flemish church yard.* 3. Kent street.* 4. Liquorpond street. 5. Tothill street.* 6. White’s yard, Rosemary lane.*
194Holand’s court, Back alley, Wapping.†
Holand’s Legure, near Green walk.†
Holand’s Legure walk, Green walk.†
Holand street, 1. Black Friars. 2. Great Wardour street.
Holborn, extends from the bottom of Snow hill to Broad St. Giles’s. This street was anciently a village called Oldborne, built on the bank of a brook or borne called Olborne, or Holbourn, that sprung up near Middle row, and flowed down the hill in a clear current, till it fell into the river of Wells at Holborn bridge. Along this rivulet the village gradually extended itself west ward, and communicated its name to this long and spacious street, afterwards built upon the same spot. This brook now runs the same course along the common sewer. Holborn was first paved from the bridge to the bars in the year 1535.
Holborn bars, near the end of Gray’s Inn lane, where the liberties of the city end on that side.
Holborn bridge, a bridge erected over Fleet ditch, at the bottom of Holborn hill, where the river of Wells, also called Turnmill brook, fell into it.
Holborn court, the first court in Gray’s Inn, on passing through the gate out of Holborn.
195Holborn hill, the descent at the east end of Holborn.
Holborn row, Lincoln’s Inn fields.
Holden, or Nonsuch court, Gracechurch street.†
Holding street, Rotherhith.
Hole in the Wall, Little Russel street.*
Hole in the Wall yard, Goddard’s rents.*
Holford alley, Drury lane.†
Holford court, Fenchurch street.†
Holford’s walk, Fore street, Lambeth.†
Holiday’s court, 1. Blue Anchor alley.† 2. Narrow Wall.†
Holiday’s yard, Creed lane.†
Holiwell, a fine spring, now choaked up with soil and a hill of rubbish called Holiwell Mount, near Shoreditch. This spring, in the times of popery, was famed for its miraculous virtues, and thence obtained the name of Holy.
A little to the south of this well, but within its precinct, stood an ancient priory of Benedictine nuns, which after many repairs, was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Lovel, Knight of the Garter, in the reigns of Henry VII. and VIII. who also gave to this priory a considerable benefaction in land, and was here buried in a chapel which he himself had erected. In commemoration of this benefactor, the following 196lines were curiously painted in most of the glass windows:
This priory, at the general suppression of monasteries, was surrendered to Henry VIII. in the year 1539, and its ruins are still to be seen in St. John’s court in Holiwell lane: the populace unjustly consider these as the remains of St. John’s palace, tho’ it does not appear that ever any royal mansion was in this neighbourhood.
Holiwell court, 1. Holiwell lane, Shoreditch. 2. St. Catharine’s.
Holiwell lane, 1. Shoreditch. 2. St. Catharine’s, Tower hill.
Holiwell mount, Holiwell lane, Shoreditch.
Holiwell row, Horseshoe alley, Shoreditch.
Holiwell street, 1. Shoreditch. 2. In the Strand; so called from its neighbourhood to St. Clement’s well.
Holland House, a little beyond Kensington, is a fine old large Gothic structure built of brick, very pleasantly situated on a rising ground, and is at present the seat of the right Hon. Henry Fox. 197The celebrated Mr. Addison, who married the Countess of Warwick, lived in this house.
Holles’s Almshouse, in Great St. Helen’s, near Bishopsgate street, was founded by the Lady Holles, relict of Sir William Holles, Lord Mayor of London, in the year 1539, for six poor men or women, and endowed with 10l. a year, out of which each person was to receive 7d. a week, and the surplus to be laid out in coals for their use.
As an addition to this foundation, Alice Smith of London, widow, devised lands to the value of 15l. a year; which, with the above mentioned, being greatly increased in their revenues, the company of Skinners, who are the trustees, have rebuilt the house in a handsome manner, and augmented the pensions of the poor. Maitland.
Hollis street, 1. Clare market.† 2. Oxford street.†
The Hollow, near Brick lane.
Holloway court, Nevil’s court, Rosemary lane.
Hollybush court, St. Clement’s, Temple Bar.*
Holman’s alley, Bunhill row.†
Holywell. See Holiwell.
198Homerton, a hamlet belonging to Hackney.
Honesty’s square, Chick lane.
Honesty’s yard, St. James’s court, Chick lane.
Honey court yard, Ailesbury street.
Honey lane, Cheapside.
Honey lane market, behind the north side of Cheapside, facing Bow church. After the fire of London, Honey lane, and other buildings, were converted into this market, among which was the parish church of Allhallows Honey lane. It is the smallest market in the city, being but 193 feet in length from east to west, and 97 from north to south. In the middle is a market house, which stands on pillars, has rooms over it, and is crowned with a bell tower. In this market there are 135 standing stalls for butchers covered over, and also several stalls for fruiterers; the passages into it are inhabited by fishmongers, poulterers, &c. It is famous for the goodness of the provisions sold there, with which it is well supplied on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Honeysuckle court, Grub street, Fore street.*
Hooker’s court, St. Nicholas lane.*
Hooke’s Hole yard, Upper Ground street.*
199Hoop alley, 1. Old street.* 2. Portpool lane.*
Hoop yard, 1. Little Swan alley.* 2. New Fish street hill.* 3. In the Strand.*
Hooper’s square, Goodman’s fields.†
Hooper’s yard, 1. Brick lane, Spitalfields.† 2. Tooley street.†
Hop garden, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.
Hopkin’s rents, Crown alley, Tooley street.†
Hopkin’s row, near Petty France, Westminster.†
Hopkin’s street, Broad street, Poland street.†
Hopton’s Almshouse, in the parish of Christ Church, Surry, was founded by Charles Hopton, Esq; for twenty-six poor men, who have been housekeepers and come to decay, each of whom has an upper and lower room, with 10l. a year paid monthly, and a chaldron of coals. The building is handsome, neat, and spacious. The founder died in the year 1730, and the poor men were first admitted two years after by the minister and two churchwardens of that parish, and ten other gentlemen, who are trustees for the management of this charity.
Hopton street, Berwick street.†
Horn alley, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Liquorpond street.* 3. Tower street, Tower hill.*
Horn court, 1. Basing lane.* 2. Beer lane, 200Tower street, near Tower hill.* 3. Peter street, Westminster.*
Horn Tavern court, St. Margaret’s lane.*
Horn yard, Goodman’s fields.*
Hornchurch, a town near Rumford in Essex, was formerly called Horn Monastery from a large pair of leaden horns; which, according to tradition, were placed there by a certain King, who disliking its former name Hore Church, so called from its being built by a whore, in order to attone for her sins, altered its name by setting up the horns.
Horners, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1638. They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and nine Assistants; but have neither livery nor hall.
In the reign of Henry IV. this company was greatly reduced, by the almost general exportation of horns; when applying to parliament in the year 1465, it was enacted, that from thenceforward no other horns should be exported, but such as were refused by the horners of this city and kingdom, on the penalty of forfeiture: and for the more effectual execution of this law, the Wardens of the company of Horners of this city were impowered to search for all such goods and merchandize, both wrought and unwrought, 201not only within this city and 20 miles round, but in the fairs of Sturbridge and Ely, and all such goods as were found bad and unmarketable were to be forfeited. Maitland.
Hornsey, a village in Middlesex, five miles from London. About a mile nearer this, is a coppice of young trees, called Hornsey Wood, at the entrance of which is a genteel public house, to which great numbers of persons resort from the city. This house being situated on the top of a hill, affords a delightful prospect of the neighbouring country.
Horns yard, 1. Cloth fair, East Smithfield.* 2. Kent street.* 3. Peter street, Westster. 4. Stony street.* 5. Whitechapel.*
Master of the Horse. See the article Master of the Horse.
Horse and Groom yard, Wood street, Westminster.*
Horse and Trumpet yard, Poor Jewry lane, Aldgate.
Horse Guards, a noble modern edifice opposite to the Banquetting-house, Whitehall. It consists of a center and two wings, and has an air of solidity perfectly agreeable to the nature of the building. It receives its name from the horse guards, who while the King is at St. James’s 202are here on duty, two at a time being constantly mounted and completely armed, under two handsome slope porches detached from the building, and erected to shelter them from the weather. This structure is equally calculated for the use of the foot as well as the horse on duty.
In the center of this edifice is an arched passage into St. James’s Park, and the building over this has a pediment, in which are the King’s arms in bass relief. But this arch, as it is the passage of his Majesty to and from the house of Peers, should have been more lofty and noble. At each extreme of this center is a pavilion. But the cupola, which is not seen in the view represented in the plate of the Treasury, has but little to recommend it. The middle face of the cupola presents a dial; and the aperture in the lower part of this, and on the several stages of the other, are well calculated to break the plainness, without weakening the building, either in reality or appearance. The wings are plainer than the center. They each consist of a fore front, projecting a little, with ornamented windows in the principal story, and a plain one in the sides. Each has its pediment, with a circular window in the center: and the whole has a proper air of strength and plainness.
203Horse walk, Windmill hill, Moorfields.
Horse and Cart yard, St. John’s street.
Horseferry bank, Millbank, Westminster.
Horseferry lane, Fore street, Lambeth.
Horseferry road, Tothill fields.
Horselydown, Tooley street. All the tract called Horselydown, including the streets, square and lane of the same name, was originally a grazing ground, whence it was denominated Horse Down, which by corruption was changed to Horselydown. Stow, last edit.
Horselydown fair street, near Free school street.
Horselydown Old lane, Horselydown.
Horselydown square, Shad Thames.
Horselydown stairs, Horselydown.
Horselydown street, St. Olave’s, Southwark.
Horsemonger lane, near Blackman street.
Horseshoe alley, 1. Anchor street.* 2. Bank side, Southwark.* 3. Bunhill row.* 4. Fashion street.* 5. Golden lane.* 6. Maiden lane.* 7. Moorfields.* 8. Petticoat lane. 9. Petty France. 10. Thread-needle street.* 11. Whitechapel.*
Horseshoe Alley stairs, Bank side.*
Horseshoe court, 1. Bridge yard, Tooley street.* 2. Clement’s lane, near Temple Bar.* 3. Cock lane, West Smithfield.* 2044. Fashion street.* 5. Giltspur street, without Newgate.* 6. Old street.* 7. Peter street, Hicks’s hall.* 8. Seething lane.*
Horseshoe passage, Blowbladder street.*
Horseshoe yard, 1. Brook street.* 2. Old Gravel lane.*
Hosier lane, West Smithfield; so called from its being formerly inhabited by the hosiers. Stow.
Hoskin’s court, Hartshorn lane, in the Strand.†
Hospital passage, leading from Christ’s hospital into Butcherhall lane.*
Hospital walk, Hoxton.
Houghton street, Clare market.†
Hotwater alley, Paris Garden lane.
Hovel, Hog lane, Norton Falgate.
Houndsditch, extends from Bishopsgate street without to Aldgate street within, and runs along the outside of the city wall. Here was formerly the city moat, which obtained the name of Houndsditch, from the number of dead dogs flung into it; and this ditch being filled up, the street built upon it obtained the same name. Maitland.
Hounslow, a village 12 miles north of London, on the edge of the heath of the same name, which is equally famous for horse-races and robberies. There are here a 205chapel and a charity school. The village belongs to two parishes, the north side of the street to Hefton, and the south to Isleworth. In this place was formerly a convent of mendicant friars, who by their institution were to beg alms for the ransom of captives taken by the infidels. On its dissolution by King Henry VIII. that Prince gave it to the Lord Windsor, and it was afterwards purchased by Mr. Auditor Roan.
Housewife alley, Old Bethlem.
Master of the Houshold. See the article Master of the Houshold.
Howard street, Norfolk street. Lord Arundel’s house stood there, and from thence both Arundel and Norfolk street had their names.
Howard’s alley, 1. Angel alley.† 2. Back street, Lambeth.† 3. Clerkenwell close.†
Howard’s Causeway alley, Narrow Wall.†
Howford’s court, 1. Fenchurch street.† St. Nicholas lane, Lombard street.†
Hoxton, near Shoreditch. This was for many ages a village, and in the Conqueror’s Survey is named Hocheston: but by the increase of buildings it has been for some time past joined to this metropolis.
206Hoxton market, Hoxton.
Hoxton road, Hoxton.
Hoxton square, Hoxton.
Hoyle’s court, Noble street, Foster lane.†
Hubbart’s rents, Houndsditch.†
Hubbart’s yard, Brown’s lane.†
Hucker’s court, St. Nicholas lane.†
Hudson’s Bay Company. Though the extensive countries to which this Company trade, were discovered by Sir Sebastian Cabot, in the year 1497, yet this commerce does not seem to have been fully settled till after the year 1670, at which time King Charles II. by his letters patent incorporated the adventurers by the title of The Governor and Company of the Adventurers of England trading into Hudson’s Bay, and granted them and their successors for ever, all the streights, bays, seas, rivers, lakes, creeks, islands, shores, lands, territories and places whatsoever, within Hudson’s Streights and Hudson’s Bay.
This Company carry on a considerable trade to the above places by a joint stock, and have settled several small factories, to which the natives repair with their rich furs, skins, and other commodities of the country, which they exchange for those of England.
This corporation is under the direction of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and 207seven Assistants, who have a hall which stands backward in the south side of Fenchurch street. This is a very fine brick building, adorned with pilasters, architraves, &c. Maitland.
Hudson’s court, 1. Tower hill.† 2. Vine street, Little Chandos street.†
Huet’s court, in the Strand.†
Huet’s rents, Grub street, Fore street.†
Huggen alley, 1. Wood street, Cheapside. 2. Huggen lane.
Huggen lane, Thames street.
Hugh’s court, Water lane, Black Friars.†
Hulbert’s Almshouse, a very handsome building contiguous to St. Peter’s hospital at Newington Butts. See Fishmongers Almshouse.
Humfrey’s alley, Shoreditch.†
Hungerford market, near the west end of the Strand, and at a small distance from the Thames. In this place was anciently a large house, with a garden, the seat of Sir Edward Hungerford, which he converted into buildings. There is here a good market house, and over it a French church: but the market house turns to little account, notwithstanding its convenient situation for the gardeners to land their greens, &c. at the stairs.
Hungerford stairs, Hungerford market.†
208Hungerford Stairs passage, Hungerford market.†
Hungerford street, in the Strand, leading to the market.†
Common Hunt. See Common.
Hunt’s court, 1. Castle street, Leicester fields.† 2. Hunt’s street.† 3. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.†
Hunt’s rents, Goswell street.†
Hunt’s street, Spicer’s street.†
Hunt’s wharf, near Thames street.†
Hurst’s gardens, St. George’s fields.†
Husband’s street, 1. Near Berwick street.† 2. By Knave’s acre.†
Hussey’s alley. Wood street.†
Hutchinson’s wharf, Milford lane.†
Hydon square, near the east end of the Minories.†
Hydon square court, Hydon square.†
Hydon yard, leading from the Minories to Hydon square.†
Jack Adams’s alley, Saffron hill.
Jack alley, Bow lane.
Jackanapes row, Cheapside.
Jackson’s alley, Bow street, Covent garden.†
209Jackson’s Almshouse, in College yard, Deadman’s Place, Southwark, was founded in the year 1685, by Mr. Henry Jackson, for two poor women, who have each an allowance of 1s. 8d. per week.
Jackson’s court, 1. Black Friars.† 2. Gravel lane.† 3. White street.†
Jackson’s yard, Gravel lane.†
Jack Straw’s Castle yard, Saltpetre Bank.
Jacob’s alley, 1. Barnaby street.† 2. Goswell street.† 3. Turnmill street.†
Jacob’s court, 1. Cow Cross.† 2. Peter street, Turnmill street.†
Jacob’s street, Mill street, Rotherhith.†
Jacob’s Well alley, 1. Nightingale lane.* 2. Thames street.*
Jacob’s Well yard, Nightingale lane.*
Jamaica street, Rotherhith.
St. James’s Clerkenwell, situated on the north side of Clerkenwell Green, is a part of the church of the ancient priory; and is thus denominated from its dedication to St. James the Minor, Bishop of Jerusalem. This priory was founded so early as the year 1100, and the church belonging to it not only served the nuns but the neighbouring inhabitants. The priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII. in the year 1539, and the church was 210immediately made parochial. See Clerkenwell.
The steeple of this edifice being greatly decayed by age, a part of it fell down in the year 1623, upon which the parish contracted with a person to rebuild it; but the builder being desirous of getting as much as possible by the job, raised the new work upon the old foundation, and carried it on with the utmost expedition; but before it was entirely finished, it fell down, and destroyed part of the church, which were both soon after rebuilt, as they are at present.
This church is a very heavy structure, partly Gothic, which was the original form, and partly Tuscan. The body, though it has not the least appearance of elegance, is well enlightened, and the steeple consists of a low heavy tower crowned with a turret.
The church is a curacy in the gift of the parishioners.
St. James’s Duke’s Place, near Aldgate, is a very old church, it having escaped the great conflagration in 1666, that was destructive, to so many others, and still remains in its original form. The body is well enlightened, and the tower, which is composed of four stages, is terminated 211by a very singular kind of turret in the form of a canopy.
This church is a curacy, the patronage of which being in the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of London, the parish claims a right of exemption from the Bishop of London’s jurisdiction, in matters ecclesiastical. The Incumbent receives about 60l. a year by tithes, and 13l. a year from the Chamber of London. Maitland.
St. James’s Garlickhith, is situated at the east end of Garlic Hill, and is thus denominated from its dedication to St. James one of the apostles, and its vicinity to a garlic market anciently held in this neighbourhood. This church being destroyed by the fire of London, the foundation of the present edifice was laid in the year 1676, and the church was finished in 1682. Stow.
This church, which, as well as both the former, is built of stone, is well enlightened, and is seventy-five feet in length, and forty-five in breadth; the roof is forty feet high, and the steeple ninety-eight feet. The tower is divided into three stages; in the lowest is a very elegant door, with coupled columns of the Corinthian order: in the second stage is a pretty large window, and over it the form of a circular one not opened: over 212this, in the third story, is another window larger than any of the former, and the cornice above this supports a range of open work in the place of battlements, or a balustrade. From hence rises the turret, which is composed of four stages, and decorated with columns, scrolls, and other ornaments. The parts are all regular, and even elegant, but the whole is too massy. English Architecture.
This church is a rectory, the patronage of which is in the Bishop of London. The Rector receives 100l. per annum, in lieu of tithes.
St. James’s Westminster, by St. James’s square, is one of the churches that owes its rise to the increase of buildings and inhabitants; for the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields being too small for the inhabitants, and too remote from those in this quarter, the Earl of St. Alban’s, with other persons of distinction in that neighbourhood, erected this edifice at the expence of about 7000l. It was built in the reign of King Charles II. and tho’ a large fabric, was considered as a chapel of ease to St. Martin’s; but being consecrated in 1684, it was dedicated to St. James, in compliment to the name of the Duke of York, and the next year, when that Prince had ascended the throne, the 213district for which it was built, was by act of parliament separated from St. Martin’s, and made a distinct parish.
The walls are brick, supported by rustic quoins of stone; and the windows, which are large, are also cased with stone. The tower at the east end, rises regularly from the ground to a considerable height, and is crowned with a neat, well constructed spire.
This church is a rectory, in the patronage of the Bishop of London. Maitland. Stow. English Architecture.
James court, 1. Berry street, Piccadilly. 2. James street, Featherstone street. 3. James street, Theobald’s row.
St. James’s Market, by Market street, is a place of considerable extent, with a commodious market house in the middle, filled with butchers shops, &c. The stalls in the market place are for country butchers, higlers, &c.
St. James’s Palace, view’d from Pall Mall.
S. Wale delin. J. Green sc. Oxon.
The Same from the Park.
S. Wale delin. J. Green sc. Oxon.
St. James’s Palace. On the place where this edifice stands, was once an hospital dedicated to St. James, originally founded by the citizens of London for only fourteen maids afflicted with the leprosy, who were to live a chaste and devout life; but afterwards new donations increased the extent of the charity, and eight brethren were added, to minister divine service. 214This hospital, which is mentioned in a manuscript of the Cotton library, so early as in the year 1100, was at length suppressed by King Henry VIII. who allowed the sisters pensions during the term of their lives, and taking down the edifice built a palace in its room, which retained the name of the hospital, and is still standing. In this edifice our Kings have resided ever since Whitehall was consumed by fire in 1697, and his Majesty usually resides here during the winter season: but though it is pleasantly situated on the north side of the Park, and has very convenient, and not inelegant apartments, it is an irregular brick building, without having one single beauty on the outside to recommend it, and is at once the contempt of foreign nations, and the disgrace of our own. In the front next St. James’s street, there appears little more than an old gatehouse; and on passing through the gate we enter a little square court, with a piazza on the west side of it leading to the grand stair case; the buildings are low, plain, and mean; and there are two other courts beyond, which have not much of the air of a palace. The windows however look into a pleasant garden, and command a view of St. James’s Park, which seem to be the only advantage 215this edifice enjoys, above many others devoted to charity. This palace claims a print, as it is the dwelling of a British Monarch, having otherwise not the least beauty to recommend it. The print shews both sides of it.
In other kingdoms the attention of foreigners is first struck with the magnificent residence of the Sovereign, on which all the decorations of architecture are lavished without the least regard to expence. The outside is grand and noble; and the galleries and apartments are adorned with all the boasted pieces of art, the finest efforts of genius, and the most rare and precious productions of nature: for the magnificence of the palace is intended to give an idea of the power and riches of the kingdom: but if the power, wealth and strength of the King of England should be judged from this palace, how great would be the mistake! We are however in no want of a design for an edifice suitable to the dignity of the British Crown; the celebrated Inigo Jones drew a draught of such a structure; but the ideas of that architect were greater than the spirit of the public, and the expence of building it has hitherto prevented its being begun: but as a taste for elegance in building gains ground, and 216new schemes are continually laid for building magnificent bridges, streets and squares, it is to be hoped that the erecting of so necessary a structure will not be much longer neglected: especially if it be considered, that however great the expence may be, it will cost the nation nothing, for on these occasions, what is given by the people is paid to the people.
St. James’s Park, was in the reign of Henry VIII. a wild wet field; but that Prince, on his building St. James’s palace, inclosed it, laid it out in walks, and collecting the waters together, gave to the new inclosed ground, and new raised building, the name of St. James. It was afterwards much enlarged and improved by King Charles II. who added to it several fields, planted it with rows of lime trees, laid out the Mall, which is a vista half a mile in length, and formed the canal, which is an hundred feet broad, and two thousand eight hundred feet long, with a decoy, and other ponds for water fowl. Succeeding Kings allowed the people the privilege of walking in it, and King William III. in 1699 granted the neighbouring inhabitants a passage into it out of Spring Garden.
It is certain that the Park enjoys a fine situation, and is laid out with a very 217agreeable air of negligence. It affords many pleasant walks, diversified by new scenes, varied by different rural prospects, and the view of distant structures on the west side.
St. James’s Place, St. James’s street.
James’s rents, Hermitage dock.†
James’s rope-walk, 1. Red Maid lane.† 2. North of Bedford row.
St. James’s square, is very large and beautiful; the area on the inside is encompassed with iron rails which form an octagon, and in the center is a fine circular bason of water. On the north side of the square is St. James’s church, in a very fine situation with respect to the prospect, and had it been an elegant structure, would have had a very noble effect. An ingenious author observes, that though this square appears extremely grand, yet this grandeur does not arise from the magnificence of the houses; but only from their regularity, the neatness of the pavement, and the beauty of the bason in the middle: and that if the houses were built more in taste, and the four sides exactly correspondent to each other, the effect would be much more surprising, and the pleasure arising from it more just.
St. James’s street, Pall Mall.
James street, 1. Brook’s street, New Bond 218street.† 2. Bunhill fields.† 3. Covent garden.† 4. Golden square.† 5. Hare street.† 6. Hay market.† 7. Hoxton.† 8. Long Acre.† 9, Near Theobald’s row.† 10. Petty France, Westminster.†
Jane alley, Blackman street.
Jane Shore’s alley, Shoreditch. See Shoreditch.
Jane Shore’s yard, Shoreditch.
Jasper street, Aldermanbury.†
Idlestry, a village in Hertfordshire, situated on the very edge of Middlesex, near Brockley hill, by Stanmore, which affords a delightful prospect across Middlesex over the Thames into Surry.
Idol or Idle lane, Tower street.
Jefferies’s Almshouse, a large and handsome building, situated in Kingsland road. It consists of a spacious front, with two wings, and a chapel in the center, which has a plain frontispiece, and is crowned with a well-proportioned turret. It was erected in the year 1713, by the Ironmongers company, pursuant to the will of Mr. Robert Jefferies, some time Lord Mayor of this city, for the reception of as many of his relations as should apply for this charity; and in case there were none of these, for fifty-six poor members of the company, who, besides a convenient room 219and part of a cellar, have each 6l. a year and a gown. Maitland.
Jeffrey’s buildings, Westminster.†
Jeffrey’s square, St. Mary Ax.†
Jenkin’s buildings, Carey street.†
Jenkin’s court, Ropemakers fields.†
Jericho yard, Jerusalem alley.
Jermain court, Jermain street.†
Jermain street, Near Piccadilly. This street and court were thus named from the Lord Jermine, nephew to the Earl of St. Alban’s.
Jerusalem alley, Gracechurch street.
Jerusalem court, 1. St. John’s street, West Smithfield. See St. John’s Square. 2. Shad Thames, Horselydown.
Jerusalem passage, Ailesbury street, St. John’s street.
Jerusalem row, Church street, Hackney.
Jesuits ground, Savoy.
Jewel Office, in the Tower, a dark strong stone room, about twenty yards to the eastward of the grand storehouse or new armoury, in which the Crown jewels are deposited. It is not certain whether they were always kept here, though they have been deposited in the Tower from very ancient times, and we have sufficient proof of their being in that fortress so early as the reign of King Henry III.
220The jewels at this time shewn to all who chuse to give a shilling for seeing them, or eighteen pence for a company, are:
I. The imperial crown, with which it is pretended that all the Kings of England have been crowned since Edward the Confessor, in 1042. It is of gold, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, saphires and pearls: the cap within is of purple velvet, lined with white taffety, turned up with three rows of ermine. They are however mistaken in shewing this as the ancient imperial diadem of St. Edward; for that, with the other most ancient regalia of this kingdom, was kept in the arched room in the cloisters in Westminster Abbey, till the grand rebellion; when in 1642, Harry Martin, by order of the parliament, broke open the iron chest in which it was secured, took it thence, and sold it, together with the robes, sword, and scepter of St. Edward. However after the restoration, King Charles II. had one made in imitation of it, which is that now shewn.
II. The golden orb or globe put into the King’s right hand before he is crowned; and borne in his left with the scepter in his right, upon his return into Westminster Hall, after he is crowned. It is 221about six inches in diameter, edged with pearl, and enriched with precious stones. On the top is an amethyst, of a violet colour, near an inch and a half in height, set with a rich cross of gold, adorned with diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. The whole height of the ball and cup is eleven inches.
III. The golden scepter, with its cross set upon a large amethyst of great value, garnished round with table diamonds. The handle of the scepter is plain; but the pummel is set round with rubies, emeralds, and small diamonds. The top rises into a fleur de lis of six leaves, all enriched with precious stones, from whence issues a mound or ball made of the amethyst already mentioned. The cross is quite covered with precious stones.
IV. The scepter with the dove, the emblem of peace, perched on the top of a small Jerusalem cross, finely ornamented with table diamonds and jewels of great value. This emblem was first used by Edward the Confessor, as appears by his seal; but the ancient scepter and dove was sold with the rest of the regalia, and this now in the Tower was made after the restoration.
V. St. Edward’s staff, four feet seven inches and a half in length, and three 222inches three quarters in circumference, all of beaten gold, which is carried before the King at his coronation.
VI. The rich crown of state worn by his Majesty in parliament; in which is a large emerald seven inches round; a pearl esteemed the finest in the world, and a ruby of inestimable value.
VII. The crown belonging to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
These two last crowns, when his Majesty goes in state to the parliament house, are carried by the keeper of the Jewel Office, attended by the warders, privately in a hackney coach to Whitehall, where they are delivered to the officers appointed to receive them, who with some yeomen of the guard carry them to the robing rooms adjoining to the house of Lords, where his Majesty and the Prince of Wales put on their robes. The King wears this crown on his head while he sits upon the throne; but that of the Prince of Wales is placed before him, to shew that he is not yet come to it. As soon as the King is disrobed, the two crowns are carried back to the Tower by the persons who brought them from thence, and again locked up in the jewel office.
VIII. The late Queen Mary’s crown, globe and scepter, with the diadem she 223wore at her coronation with her consort King William III.
IX. An ivory scepter with a dove on the top, made for the late King James the second’s Queen, whose garniture is gold, and the dove on the top gold, enamelled with white.
X. The curtana, or sword of mercy, which has a blade thirty two inches long, and near two broad, is without a point, and is borne naked before the King at his coronation, between the two swords of justice, spiritual and temporal.
XI. The golden spurs, and the armillas, which are bracelets for the wrists. These, tho’ very antique, are worn at the coronation.
XII. The ampulla or eagle of gold, finely engraved, which holds the holy oil the Kings and Queens of England are anointed with; and the golden spoon that the Bishop pours the oil into. These are two pieces of great antiquity. The golden eagle, including the pedestal, is about nine inches high, and the wings expand about seven inches. The whole weighs about ten ounces. The head of the eagle screws off about the middle of the neck, which is made hollow, for holding the holy oil; and when the King is anointed 224by the Bishop, the oil is poured into the spoon out of the bird’s bill.
The following legend is told of this eagle. Thomas Becket being in disgrace at Sens in France, the holy Virgin appeared to him, and gave him a stone vessel of oil inclosed in a golden eagle, and bid him give it to William a monk, to carry to Pictavia, and there hide it under a great stone, in St. Gregory’s church, where it should be found for the use of pious and prosperous Kings: accordingly Henry III. when Duke of Lancaster, received it from a holy man in France; and Richard II. finding it among other jewels, endeavoured to be anointed with it; but was supplanted by Archibald Arundel, who afterwards anointed Henry IV. Such is the fabulous history of the ampulla.
XIII. A rich salt-seller of state, in form like the square white tower, and so exquisitely wrought that the workmanship of modern times is in no degree equal to it. It is of gold, and used only on the King’s table at the coronation.
XIV. A noble silver font, double gilt, and elegantly wrought, in which the royal family are christened.
XV. A large silver fountain, presented to King Charles II. by the town of Plymouth, 225very curiously wrought; but much inferior in beauty to the above.
Besides these, which are commonly shewn, there are in the jewel office all the crown jewels worn by the Prince and Princesses at coronations, and a vast variety of curious old plate.
This office is governed by a Master, who has 450l. a year patent fees; two yeomen, who have 106l. 15s. per annum each; a groom, who has 105l. 8s. 4d. a year, and a clerk.
Jewin street, Aldersgate street.†
Jews Harp court, Angel alley, Bishopsgate street.*
Jews row, Chelsea.
Jeye’s yard, Three Colts street, Limehouse.†
Independents, a set of dissenters from the church of England, received their name from each congregation being entirely independent with respect to church government. They are Calvinists, and like the Baptists receive the sacrament in the afternoon; none are admitted to communion till after having given in a paper containing an account of their conversion, religious experiences, &c. Their places of worship within the bills of mortality, are, 1. Berry street, St. Mary Ax. 2. Boar’s Head yard, Petticoat lane. 3. Brick Hill lane, Thames street. 4. Broad street, 226near Old Gravel lane. 5. Coachmakers hall, Noble street. Antinomian. 6. Collier’s rents, White street. 7. Court yard, Barnaby street, Southwark. 8. Crispin street, Spitalfields. 9. Deadman’s Place, Southwark. 10. Hare court, Aldersgate street. 11. Jewin street, Aldersgate street. 12. Lower street, Islington, two meeting houses. 13. Mare street, Hackney. 14. New Broad street, Moorfields. 15. New court, Carey street. 16. Old Artillery Ground, Spitalfields. 17. Orchard, Wapping. 18. Paved alley, Lime street. 19. Pavement row, Moorfields. 20. Pinner’s hall, Broad street, in the morning, the only Independent congregation that is not Calvinist. 21. Queen street, Ratcliff. 22. Queen street, Rotherhith. 23. Redcross street, Barbican. 24. Ropemakers alley, Little Moorfields. 25. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street. 26. St. Saviour’s Dockhead, Southwark. 27. Staining lane, Maiden lane. 28. Stepney fields. 29. Turner’s hall, Philpot lane. 30. White Horn yard, Duke’s Place. 31. Zoar street, Southwark.
Ingatstone or Engerstone, a town in Essex, twenty-three miles from London, from which it is a great thoroughfare to Harwich, has many good inns, and a 227considerable market on Wednesdays, for live cattle brought from Suffolk.
Here is the seat of the ancient family of the Petres; to whose ancestor Sir William, this manor was granted by Henry VIII. at the dissolution of Barking Abbey, to which it till then belonged. That gentleman founded eight fellowships at Oxford, called the Petrean fellowships, and erected and endowed an almshouse here for twenty poor people. He lies interred under a stately monument in the church, as do several others of that family.
Ingram’s court, an open well-built place in Fenchurch street, thus named from Sir Thomas Ingram, who built this small square on the ground where his own house before stood.
Inner Scotland yard, Whitehall.
Inner Temple. See the article Temple.
Inner Temple lane, Fleet street.
Innholders, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Henry VIII. in the year 1515. They are governed by a Master, three Wardens, and twenty Assistants, and have a livery of an hundred and thirty-nine members, whose fine upon admission is 10l.
They have a handsome and convenient hall in Elbow lane.
Inns of Chancery. The colleges of the 228professors and students of the municipal and common law, are stiled Inns, an old English word, formerly used for the houses of noblemen, bishops, and persons of distinguished rank, and the eight Inns of chancery were probably thus denominated from there dwelling in them such clerks, as chiefly studied the forming of writs, which regularly belonged to the cursitors, who are officers in chancery. These are Lincoln’s Inn, New Inn, Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Staple’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, Furnival’s Inn, and Barnard’s Inn. These were formerly considered as preparatory colleges for younger students, many of whom were entered here, before they were admitted into the Inns of court; but now they are for the most part taken up by attorneys, sollicitors and clerks, who have separate chambers, and their diet at a very easy rate in an hall together, where they are obliged to appear in grave long robes, and black round knit caps. See the articles Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, &c.
Inns of Court, were so named, either from the students, who live in them, serving the courts of judicature; or, according to Fortescue, from these colleges anciently receiving none but the sons of noblemen, and gentlemen of high rank.
229The Inns of court, are only four, viz. the two Temples, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn. See the articles Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn.
Though these societies are no corporation, and have no judicial power over their members, they have certain orders among themselves, which have by consent the force of laws: for small offences, they are only excommoned, or not allowed to eat at the common table with the rest; and for greater offences they lose their chambers, and are expelled the college, after which they are not to be received by any of the other three Inns of court.
As these societies are not incorporated, they have no lands or revenues, nor any thing for defraying the charges of the house but what is paid at admittance, and other dues for their chambers. The whole company of gentlemen may be divided into four parts, benchers, utter-barristers, inner-barristers and students.
The benchers are the seniors, who have the government of the whole house, and out of these are annually chosen a treasurer, who receives, disburses and accounts for all the money belonging to the house. See Serjeants Inn.
There are at present no mootings, or 230readings in any of the courts of Chancery. Chamberlain’s Present State.
It ought not to be omitted, that gentlemen may take chambers in the Inns of Court or Chancery, without laying themselves under an obligation to study the law.
A description of the structures and gardens belonging to these Inns we have given under their respective heads: but it may not be improper here to add, that strangers are apt to be disgusted at the nastiness of the walls, and the dirt and filth observable on all the stairs and public passages leading to the Inns of Court and Chancery: where every thing seems neglected, and generally out of repair: but on stepping into the chambers, one is surprised to see so remarkable a contrast; to observe the utmost neatness reign there, and the most handsome and commodious rooms, furnished and adorned with great elegance.
Dr. Blackstone in his discourse on the study of the law, gives us the following curious account of the changes and revolutions in this study, and of the origin of the several Inns of Court and Chancery.
That ancient collection of unwritten maxims and customs, says he, which is called the common law, however compounded 231or from whatever fountains derived, had subsisted immemorially in this kingdom: and, though somewhat altered and impaired by the violence of the times, had in a great measure weathered the rude shock of the Norman conquest. This had endeared it to the people in general, as well because its decisions were universally known, as because it was found to be excellently adapted to the genius of the English nation. In the knowledge of this law consisted great part of the learning of those dark ages; it was then taught, says Mr. Selden, in the monasteries, in the universities, and in the families of the principal nobility. The clergy in particular, as they then engrossed almost every other branch of learning, so (like their predecessors the British Druids) they were peculiarly remarkable for their proficiency in the study of the law.
‘But the common law being not committed to writing, but only handed down by tradition, use, and experience, was not so heartily relished by the foreign clergy who came over hither in shoals during the reign of the Conqueror and his two sons, and were utter strangers to our constitution as well as our language. And an accident, which soon after happened, had nearly completed its ruin.’
232A copy of Justinian’s Pandects, being newly discovered at Amalfi, about A.D. 1130, soon brought the civil law into vogue all over the rest of Europe. It became in a particular manner the favourite of the Popish clergy; and Theobald, a Norman Abbot, being elected to the see of Canterbury, A.D. 1138, and extremely addicted to this new study, brought over with him in his retinue many learned proficients therein; and among the rest Roger surnamed Vacarius, whom he placed in the university of Oxford to teach it. The monkish clergy (devoted to the will of a foreign Primate) received it with eagerness and zeal; but the laity, who were more interested to preserve the old constitution, and had already severely felt the effect of many Norman innovations, continued wedded to the use of the common law.
The clergy, finding it impossible to root out the municipal law, withdrew by degrees from the temporal courts; and in 1217, they passed a canon in a national synod, forbidding all ecclesiastics to appear as advocates in foro sæculari[1]; nor 233did they long continue to act as judges there, not caring to take the oath of office which was then found necessary to be administered, that they should in all things determine according to the law and custom of this realm; though they still kept possession of the high office of Chancellor, an office then of little juridical power; and afterwards as its business increased by degrees, they modelled the process of the court at their own discretion.
1. Sir H. Spelman conjectures (Glossar 335.) that coifs were introduced to hide the tonsure of such renegade clerks, as were still tempted to remain in the secular courts in the quality of advocates or judges, notwithstanding their prohibition by canon.
But wherever they retired, and wherever their authority extended, they carried with them the same zeal to introduce the rules of the civil, in exclusion of the municipal law. This appears in a particular manner from the spiritual courts of all denominations, from the Chancellor’s courts in both our universities, and from the high court of Chancery; in all of which the proceedings are to this day in a course much conformed to the civil law. And if it be considered, that our universities began about that period to receive their present form of scholastic discipline; that they were then, and continued to be till the time of the reformation, entirely under the influence of the Popish clergy; this will lead us to perceive the reason, why the study of the Roman laws was in 234those days of bigotry[2] pursued with such alacrity in these seats of learning.
Since the reformation, the principal reason that has hindered the introduction of this branch of learning, is, that the study of the common law, being banished from hence in the times of Popery, has fallen into a quite different channel, and has hitherto been wholly cultivated in another place.
As the common law was no longer taught, as formerly, in any part of the kingdom, it perhaps would have been gradually lost and over-run by the civil, had it not been for the peculiar incident which happened at a very critical time, 235of fixing the court of Common Pleas, the grand tribunal for disputes of property, to be held in one certain spot; that the seat of ordinary justice might be permanent and notorious to all the nation. Formerly that, in conjunction with all the other superior courts, was held before the King’s justiciary of England, in the aula regis, or such of his palaces wherein his royal person resided, and removed with his houshold from one end of the kingdom to the other. This was found to occasion great inconvenience to the suitors; to remedy which it was made an article of the great charter of liberties, both that of King John and King Henry the Third, that, “Common Pleas should no longer follow the King’s court, but be held in some certain place:” in consequence of which they have ever since been held (a few necessary removals in times of the plague excepted) in the palace of Westminster only. This brought together the professors of the municipal law, who before were dispersed about the kingdom, and formed them into an aggregate body; whereby a society was established of persons, who (as Spelman observes) addicted themselves wholly to the study of the laws of the land.
2. There cannot be a stronger instance of the absurd and superstitious veneration that was paid to these laws, than that the most learned writers of the times thought they could not form a perfect character, even of the blessed Virgin, without making her a Civilian and a Canonist. Which Albertus Magnus, the renowned Dominican Doctor of the thirteenth century, thus proves in his Summa de laudibus Christiferæ Virginis (divinum magis quam humanum opus) qu. 23. §. 5. “Item quod jura civilia, & leges, & decreta scivit in summo, probatur hoc modo: sapientia advocati manifestatur in tribus; unum, quod obtineat omnia contra judicem justum & sapientem; secundo, quod contra adversarium astutum & sagacem; tertio, quod in causa desperata: sed beatissima Virgo, contra judicem sapientissimum, Dominum; contra adversarium callidissimum, dyabolum; in causa nostra desperata; sententiam optatam obtinuit.“
They naturally fell into a kind of collegiate 236order; and, being excluded from Oxford and Cambridge, established a new university of their own, by purchasing certain houses (now called the Inns of Court and Chancery) between the city of Westminster, the place of holding the King’s courts, and the city of London; for advantage of ready access to the one, and plenty of provisions in the other.
In this juridical university (for such it is insisted to have been by Fortescue and Sir Edward Coke) there are two sorts of collegiate houses; one called Inns of Chancery, in which the younger students of the law used to be placed, “learning and studying, says Fortescue, the originals, and as it were, the elements of the law; who, profiting therein, as they grow to ripeness so are they admitted into the greater Inns of the same study, called the Inns of Court.” And in these Inns of both kinds, he goes on to tell us, the knights and barons, with other grandees and noblemen of the realm, did use to place their children, though they did not desire to have them thoroughly learned in the law, or to get their living by its practice; and that in his time there were about two thousand students at these several Inns, all of whom 237he informs us were filii nobilium, or gentlemen born.
But in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Edward Coke does not reckon above a thousand students, and the number at present is very considerably less: ‘Which seems principally owing to these reasons; first, because the Inns of Chancery being now almost totally filled by the inferior branch of the profession, they are neither commodious nor proper for the resort of gentlemen of any rank or figure; so that there are now very rarely any young students entered at the Inns of Chancery: secondly, because in the Inns of Court all sorts of regimen and academical superintendance, either with regard to morals or studies, are found impracticable, and therefore entirely neglected: lastly, because persons of birth and fortune, after having finished their usual courses at the universities, have seldom leisure or resolution sufficient to enter upon a new scheme of study at a new place of instruction. Wherefore few gentlemen now resort to the Inns of Court, but such for whom the knowledge of practice is absolutely necessary: such, I mean, as are intended for the profession.’
Inoculation Hospital for the smallpox, 238in the Lower street, Islington, beyond the church; in an old building situated backwards, out of the view of the street. This hospital is under the direction of the Small-pox hospital, in Cold Bath fields. See the article Small-Pox Hospital.
Clerk of the Inrollments of Fines and Recoveries, an officer under the three puisne judges of the court of Common Pleas. The inrollments here filed are by statute valid in law, and are of great use in preventing law-suits. This office is kept in the Inner Temple.
Joan Harding’s, near Oakey street, Thames street.
Jockey Field row, Near Gray’s Inn.
John Dever’s yard, Seething lane.†
John’s alley, Budge row.
St. John’s alley, St. Martin’s le Grand.
St. John the Baptist, a church which stood on the west side of Dowgate; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not since rebuilt, the parish is annexed to the church of St. Antholin.
St. John the Evangelist, a church that was seated in Watling street, at the north east corner of Friday street; but being consumed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish is united to that of Allhallows Bread street.
239St. John the Evangelist, Southwark, like several other churches in the suburbs, owed its rise to the great increase of buildings and inhabitants, and is one of the fifty new churches ordered to be built by act of parliament. It was finished in 1732, and the district of Horselydown, being separated from St. Olave’s, was by act of parliament constituted its parish. The sum of 3500l. was also granted by parliament to be laid out in lands, tenements, &c. in fee simple, and as a farther provision, the church wardens are to pay him the additional sum of 60l. to be raised by fees arising from burials. Maitland.
The body of this church is enlightened by two ranges of windows, with a Venetian in the center; the tower which rises square has a balustrade on the top, and from thence rises the spire, which is very properly diminished and well wrought; but the architect having absurdly resolved to give it some resemblance to a column, has not only fluted it; but placed on the top an Ionic capital, which last gives the whole edifice an aukward whimsical appearance.
This church, which is situated near the lower end of Fair street, is in the gift of 240the Crown, as well as that of St. Olave’s, from whence this parish was taken. Stow.
St. John’s Wapping, situated on the north side of the street near the Thames, was built in the year 1617, when the increase of houses in the parish of St. Mary Whitechapel, rendered such an edifice necessary. It was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and as there were other churches under the patronage of the same saint, it was distinguished, from its situation, by the name of Wapping. Originally it was no more than a chapel of ease to St. Mary’s parish; but in 1694, the hamlet of Wapping was constituted a distinct parish; the inhabitants were impowered to purchase 30l. per annum in mortmain, and as a farther provision for the Rector, he was allowed to receive all ecclesiastical dues, except tithes, instead of which the Rector has 130l. a year raised upon the inhabitants by an equal pound rate. Maitland.
This church, which was built at the expence of 1600l. is a very mean building, it consisting of a plain body, a tower which scarcely deserves the name, and a spire that might be taken for a lengthened chimney. English Architecture.
The advowson of this church is in the principal and scholars of King’s hall and Brazen Nose college, Oxford.
241St. John’s Westminster. The parish of St. Margaret’s Westminster being greatly increased in the number of houses and inhabitants, it was judged necessary to erect one of the fifty new churches within it; this church being finished, was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist; a parish was taken out of St. Margaret’s, and the parliament granted the sum of 2500l. to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tenements, &c. for the maintenance of the Rector: but besides the profits arising from this purchase, it was also enacted that as a farther provision for the Rector, the sum of 125l. should be annually raised by an equal pound rate upon the inhabitants. Maitland.
This church was finished in the year 1728. The chief aim of the architect was to give an uncommon, yet elegant outline, and to shew the orders in their greatest dignity and perfection; and indeed the outline is so variously broken, that there results a diversity of light and shadow, which is very uncommon, and very elegant. The principal objections against the structure are, that it is so much decorated that it appears encumbered with ornament; and that the compass being too small for the design, it appears too heavy. In the front is an 242elegant portico supported by Doric columns, which order is continued in pilasters round the building. Above the portico are two towers crowned with well-proportioned turrets, and adorned with columns of the Corinthian order, which are supported on pedestals, and stand free, with corresponding columns behind. English Architect.
The advowson of this church is in the Dean and Chapter of Westminster: and to prevent this rectory being held in commendam, all licences and dispensations for holding it are by act of parliament declared null and void.
St. John Zachary’s, a church that was situated at the north west corner of Maiden lane, Wood street; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish is annexed to that of St. Anne’s Aldersgate. Maitland.
John’s court, 1. Cable street. 2. Cats hole, Tower ditch. 3. East Smithfield. 4. Hannoway street. 5. John’s street. 6. Nightingale lane.
St. John’s court, 1. Addle hill. 2. Cow lane. 3. Great Hart street. 4. Little Hart street, by Covent garden. 5. St. John’s square. 6. Somerset street, Whitechapel. 7. Stepney.
St. John’s gate, St. John’s lane; the south 243gate of the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.
John’s hill, Ratcliff highway.
St. John’s lane, vulgarly called St. Joans’s lane, from Hicks’s hall to St. John’s gate.
St. John’s passage, St. John’s street, West Smithfield.
St. John’s square, Clerkenwell. Where the present square is situated anciently stood the house of St. John of Jerusalem, founded by Jordan Briset, who for that purpose purchased of the nuns of Clerkenwell ten acres of land, for which he gave twenty acres in his lordship of Willinghale in Kent, and erected that hospital on this spot about the year 1110: but the church belonging to it was not dedicated to St. John the Baptist till 1185. By the profuse liberality of bigots and enthusiasts, these Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem soon attained to that degree of riches and honour, that they not only built a magnificent structure in this spot, that became the chief seat in England of those of their order, but their Prior was esteemed the first Baron in the kingdom, and in state and grandeur vied with the King. The populace however had an extreme antipathy to these imperious Knights; and in 1381, the rebels under Jack Straw and Wat Tyler consumed 244this stately edifice by fire. However it was rebuilt in a still more magnificent manner, and thus continued till the year 1541, when it was suppressed by Henry VIII.
This spacious and stately edifice was soon after converted into a repository for martial stores, and of the royal hunting equipage; and to this use it was applied till the year 1550; when Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset, and protector of the kingdom, caused the church, with its lofty and beautiful steeple, to be demolished, and the stones employed in building his magnificent palace of Somerset House in the Strand. Camden’s Britannia.
This square, which is an oblong, chiefly consists of two rows of good houses, at the east end of which is a chapel of ease to the neighbouring church of St. James Clerkenwell. It is entered by two gates, which bear evident marks of great antiquity; the largest and most remarkable of which is that to the south, called St. John’s Gate.
St. John’s street, 1. Brick lane, Spitalfields. 2. Long ditch. 3. West Smithfield, near St. John’s square.
John’s street, 1. David’s street. 2. Gainsford street. 3. Golden square. 4. By 245Mount street, Westminster. 5. Ratcliff highway. 6. Windmill street.
Johnson’s court, 1. Charing Cross.† 2. Fleet street.†
Johnson’s street, Old Gravel lane.†
Johnson’s yard, Three needle alley, Moorfields.
Joiners, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1565. They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-four Assistants, with a livery of 323 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 8l.
They have a convenient hall in Friars lane, Thames street, remarkable for a curious screen finely carved at the entrance into it. The great parlour is wainscotted with cedar. Maitland.
Joiners court, 1. Houndsditch. 2. Jacob street, Mill street.
Joiners Hall alley, Thames street.
Joiners street, Tooley street.
Jolly court, Durham yard, in the Strand.†
Jones’ court, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.†
Jones’ yard, 1. Stony lane, Petticoat lane. 2. Little Swan alley.
Inigo Jones, the celebrated architect, several of whose best designs are described in different parts of this work, has therefore 246a just claim to our regard in this place. And we are obliged to the ingenious authors of the Biographia Britannica for the following particulars relating to his life and works in general. He was born about the year 1572, in the neighbourhood of St. Paul’s in London, of which city his father, Mr. Ignatius Jones, was a citizen and clothworker. Nothing certain being delivered concerning his education, some very different conjectures have been advanced upon that subject, some having suggested that his education was liberal, and others that he was bound apprentice to a joiner, of which latter opinion was Sir Christopher Wren. But in whatever way he was bred, his natural inclination leading him to the study of the arts of drawing and designing, he distinguished himself early by the extraordinary progress he made in those polite and useful arts, and was particularly taken notice of for his skill in the practice of landscape painting. These admirable talents introduced him to the knowledge of William Earl of Pembroke, who was a great patron of all liberal sciences. His Lordship admiring Mr. Jones’s genius, took him into his patronage, and sent him abroad with a handsome allowance, in order to perfect himself, by 247viewing and studying the works of the best masters ancient and modern, in Italy and the politer parts of Europe. Thus supported, he spent many years in compleating his education; to which end, chusing the city of Venice for the chief place of his residence, he suffered nothing of real value or merit any where to escape his industry; and the improvements he made thereby gave such an eclat to his reputation all over Europe, that Christian IV. King of Denmark sent for him thence, and appointed him his Architect-general. He had enjoyed this post some years, when that Prince, whose sister Anne had married King James I. made a visit to England in 1606. Mr. Jones took this opportunity of returning home; and expressing a desire to continue in his native country, the Queen appointed him her architect; and being not long after taken in the same character into the service of Prince Henry, he discharged his trust with so much fidelity, that the King gave him the reversion of the place of Surveyor-general of his works. After the death of Prince Henry in 1612, our architect made a second tour to Italy, and continued some years there, improving himself still further in his favourite art, till the Surveyor’s place fell to him. 248He then returned to England to enrich his country with the fruits of his studies. Soon after his arrival, the office of works being found several thousand pounds in debt, he voluntarily gave up his own dues, and prevailed with the Comptroller and Paymaster to do the like, whereby the whole arrears were absolutely cleared. In 1620, by the King’s command, he took an accurate survey of the surprizing group of stones upon Salisbury-Plain, commonly called Stone-henge, and drew up an account with his opinion of that famous monument of antiquity, which he presented to his royal master, and it was printed. In this account, after much reasoning and a long series of authorities, he concludes at last that this ancient and stupendous pile must have been originally a Roman temple, inscribed to Cœlus the senior of the heathen gods, and built after the Tuscan order, and that it was erected when the Romans flourished here in peace and prosperity in Britain, and probably betwixt the time of Agricola’s government and the reign of Constantine the Great, about 1650 years ago.
On the 16th of November the same year, Mr. Jones was appointed, among others, a Commissioner for repairing the cathedral of St. Paul’s in London. Upon 249the demise of King James, he was continued in his posts by King Charles I. whose consort also entertained him in the like station. And he soon after formed that most stately and elegant pavilion, the Banquetting-house at Whitehall, which was at first designed for the reception of foreign Ambassadors. The ceiling was painted some years after with the Felicities of King James’s reign, by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, and prints from these by Simon Gribelin were published in 1724. The late Lord Burlington about the year 1740 published a north west view of the palace designed for Whitehall, by Inigo Jones, which is what is called a bird’s eye prospect, or as it is seen by a bird in flying over it, by which artifice all the parts are brought distinctly into view; and in this view the pavilion or banquetting-house appears in its proper place as part of that palace. Several other designs of Mr. Jones’s were executed in this reign, such as Surgeon’s hall, the Queen’s chapel at St. James’s palace, and her Majesty’s new building fronting the gardens at Somerset House in the Strand; the church and piazza of Covent Garden; the first of which is universally allowed to be a master-piece of the Tuscan order, the portico at the west end, majestic in its plainness, 250and the roof so happily contrived, by extending itself beyond the wall, as both to cast a shade, which adds to the solemnity of the sacred edifice, and at the same time serves to strengthen the wall, by resting thereon its center of gravity. In the last performance he had in view the piazza of Leghorn, but has vastly surpassed the original in the beauty and largeness of his pillars. Our architect also laid out the ground plot of Lincoln’s Inn fields, and designed the Duke of Ancaster’s house, which stands on the west side of that noble square, and which is no inconsiderable instance of the softness and sweetness of his touches. The royal chapel at Denmark House, the King’s house at Newmarket, and the Queen’s buildings at Greenwich, were also of his design. But it does not come within our plan to describe the number or form a judgment upon the excellence of all his buildings, though views and descriptions of the principal of them we have given, which may be seen under their several names, to which we refer.
In 1633 Mr. Jones began the reparation of St. Paul’s cathedral, the first stone was laid by Dr. Laud then Bishop of London, and the fourth by Mr. Jones; and, in carrying them on, he added a magnificent 251portico at the west end, which excited the envy of all Christendom on his country, for a piece of architecture not to be parallelled in modern times. While he was raising these noble monuments of his extraordinary genius as an architect, he employed his leisure hours in designing decorations for dramatic entertainments; and there appeared a fine intermixture of fancy and judgment in his pompous machinery of masques and interludes, which were the vogue in his time. Several of these representations are still extant in the works of Chapman, D’Avenant, Daniel, and particularly Ben Johnson. The subject was chosen by the Poet, and the speeches and songs were also of his composing; but the invention of the scenes, ornaments, and dresses of the figures, were the contrivance of Mr. Jones. By these means he acquired a handsome fortune. But his loyalty, the effect both of his integrity and gratitude, exposed him to considerable losses; and he bore a part in the ruins of his royal master. Upon the opening of the Long Parliament in November 1640, he was called before the house of Lords, upon a complaint of the parishioners of St. Gregory’s in London against him, for damages done to that church; and afterwards, during the 252usurpation, he was constrained to pay 400l. by way of composition for his estate, as a malignant. After the death of King Charles I. he was continued in his post by King Charles II. But grief, in one of his years, for the fatal calamity of the former, prevented him from doing the latter any actual service, by cutting him off many years before the restoration. He died most probably about Midsummer 1652, and was interred June 26, in the chancel of St. Benet’s church, near St. Paul’s Wharf, London, where there was a monument erected to his memory upon the north wall, at some distance from his grave; but it suffered greatly in the fire of London, Sept. 1666. His age was about seventy-nine years. Mr. Jones left several manuscripts, which have been published since his death. With respect to his character, we are told by Mr. Webb, that his abilities in all human sciences surpassed most of his age. However that be, ’tis certain he was perfectly well skilled in the mathematics, and had some insight into the two learned languages, Greek and Latin, especially the latter, and he had a taste for poetry. However, these accomplishments were no more than the decorations and counterpart of his proper character, which was, indeed, 253that of an architect, the most eminent in his time. Accordingly he was then, and is still, generally stiled the British Vitruvius; and it is observable that the art of design, little known in England before, was brought into use and esteem by him, under the patronage of King Charles I. and Thomas Earl of Arundel. In short, Mr. Jones was generally learned, eminent for architecture, a great geometrician, and, in designing with his pen (as Sir Anthony Vandyke used to say) not to be equalled by whatever great master in his time, for the boldness, softness, sweetness, and sureness of his touches.
Ireland yard, Black Friars.
Irish court, Whitechapel.
Irish Society, meeting in the Irish chamber in Guildhall. In order to convey a clear idea of this society, it is necessary to trace it from its origin. It must therefore be observed, that in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland, had been greatly depopulated by the suppression of several insurrections in that part of the kingdom; and in particular, the city of Derry and town of Colerain were quite ruined.
To prevent such insurrections for the future, it was thought proper to repeople that part of the country with protestant 254families; and soon after the accession of King James I. to the throne of England, that Prince, considering this as an affair worthy of his attention, signified his pleasure to some of the Aldermen and Commoners, by means of several of his Privy Council, upon which a court of Common Council was called, and a deputation sent over to view the place of the intended plantation. These deputies being returned, it was agreed in December 1609, that 15,000l. should be expended on the plantation, and 5000l. in the purchase of private interests.
Soon after articles of agreement were entered into between the Lords of the Privy Council, and a committee chosen by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of the city, and it was agreed for the better managing of the plantation, there should be a company constituted in London, to consist of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and twenty-four Assistants, to direct what ought to be done on the part of the city, relating to the plantation; and in pursuance of this agreement, the King, by his letters patent, changed the name of Derry to that of Londonderry, and incorporated the committee nominated by the city, by the name of The society of the Governor and Assistants in London of the new plantation 255in Ulster within the realm of Ireland, directing that it should consist of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and twenty-four Assistants; whereof the Governor and five of the Assistants were to be Aldermen, the Recorder for the time being to be an Assistant, and the Deputy Governor, with the rest of the Assistants, to be Commoners. By this charter, the King also granted to the society and their successors, the city, fort and town of Londonderry, the whole island of Derry, and all the castles, towns, villages and lands in the county of Londonderry, particularly mentioned in the charter.
The society now immediately set about rebuilding Londonderry and Colerain, and improving and planting the other parts of the county. And, in order to reimburse the twelve principal companies, and other inferior companies that had contributed to the expence of the plantation, the society divided the whole county of Londonderry into thirteen parts; the first consisting of the city of Londonderry and town of Colerain, with some of the adjoining lands, and the fisheries, was retained by the society in their own possession, to defray the charge of the general work of the plantation, and the surplus 256was from time to time divided among the twelve companies by the society.
The rest of the county being divided into twelve parts, as equal in value as possible, the twelve companies drew lots for them, and each company had the part which fell to its share. The society then erected each lot into a manor, and obtained a charter of the Crown to convey to each of the companies the lands fallen to it, to hold the same in perpetuity.
King Charles I. however ordered his Attorney General to prosecute the society in the Star-chamber, under the pretence that the charter had been surreptitiously obtained; upon which it was cancelled by a decree of that court, and the lands seized into the King’s hands: but the society were reinstated in their possessions by Oliver Cromwell, who granted the city a new charter; and Charles II. incorporated the society anew, and the companies have enjoyed their possessions ever since.
The Governor and Deputy Governor of the society are by this, as well as the former charters, chosen annually. Twelve of the Assistants go off every year, and twelve new members are chosen in their stead by the Common Council, out of 257each of the twelve principal companies of the city; who by the appointment of the Governor or Deputy Governor meet as often as required in the Irish chamber at Guildhall, where nine of them, the Governor or Deputy Governor being one, make a court.
They have a Secretary and a messenger of their own appointment to attend them. They have also a Treasurer, who is chosen annually, and gives security to account with the society for what money he receives. All by-laws made by the corporation of Londonderry must be confirmed by the society, before they can be of force. The society has the right of presentation to the churches of Londonderry and Colerain: they likewise appoint a general agent in Ireland to correspond with them, and transact their affairs in that kingdom; and also a receiver to receive their rents. Maitland. In short, the citizens of London have the privilege of being free of the city of Londonderry.
Iron Gate, Tower wharf.
Iron Gate stairs, Iron Gate, Tower wharf.
Ironmonger lane, Cheapside; so called from its being once chiefly inhabited by those of that trade. Stow.
Ironmonger row, Old street; so called from the school belonging to that company.
258Ironmonger Row School, was founded in the year 1727, by Mr. John Fuller, for the education of twenty boys and upwards, for the support of which he bequeathed the sum of 1600l. to be laid out in a purchase. Maitland.
Ironmongers, one of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King Edward IV. in the year 1464. This corporation is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and the whole livery, which consists of eighty-four, who are assistants, and whose fine upon admission is 15l.
This company has a very great estate, out of which is annually paid, according to the direction of the several donors, about 1800l. Besides these charities, Mr. Thomas Betton, a Turkey merchant, left this company, in trust, in the year 1724, about 26,000l. one moiety of the profits thereof to be perpetually employed in the redemption of British captives from Moorish slavery; and the other half to be equally distributed between the poor of the company, and the several charity schools within the bills of mortality. Maitland.
Ironmongers Almshouse, in Kingsland road. See Jefferies’s Almshouse.
Ironmongers Hall, a very noble modern 259building in Fenchurch street. This edifice is entirely fronted with stone, and was erected in the year 1748. The whole lower story is wrought in rustic; the center part of the building projects a little, and in this are a large arched entrance, and two windows, with two others on each side. Over this rustic story rises the superstructure, which has a light rustic at the corners, to keep up a correspondence with the rest of the building; the part which projects is here ornamented with four Ionic pilasters coupled, but with a large inter-columniation. In the middle is a very noble Venetian window, and over it, a circular one. In each space between the pilasters, is a smaller window, with an angular pediment; and over these are also circular ones; but the side parts have arched windows with square ones over them. The central part is crowned with a pediment supported by these pilasters, and in its plain is the arms of the company with handsome decorations in relievo. The rest of the building is terminated by a balustrade crowned with vases.
Isaac’s rents, Shoe lane.
Island Head lane, Wapping.
Isle of Dogs, a part of Poplar marsh. When our Sovereigns had a palace at 260Greenwich, they used it as a hunting seat, and it is said, kept the kennels for their hounds in this marsh, which lies on the other side of the river; these hounds frequently making a great noise, the seamen and others called the place the Isle of Dogs, though it is so far from being an island, that it can scarcely be called a peninsula. Stow.
Isleworth or Thistleworth, a village in Middlesex, pleasantly situated on the Thames opposite to Richmond. Here are two charity schools, and in its neighbourhood are the seats of several persons of distinction.
Islington, a large village in Middlesex, on the north side of London, to which it is almost contiguous. It appears to have been built by the Saxons, and in the time of William the Conqueror was called Isendon or Isledon. By the south west side of this village, is a fine reservoir called New River Head, which consists of a large bason, into which the New River discharges itself; part of the water is from thence conveyed by pipes to London, while another part is thrown by an engine through other pipes up hill to a reservoir, which lies much higher, in order to supply the highest parts of London.
261The church is one of the prebends of St. Paul’s; the old Gothic structure lately taken down was erected in the year 1503, and stood till 1751, when it being in a ruinous condition, the inhabitants applied to parliament for leave to rebuild it, and soon after erected the present structure, which is a very substantial brick edifice, though it does not want an air of lightness. The body is well enlightened, and the angles strengthened and decorated with a plain rustic. The floor is raised considerably above the level of the church yard, and the door in the front is adorned with a portico, which consists of a dome supported by four Doric columns; but both the door and the portico appear too small for the rest of the building. The steeple consists of a tower, which rises square to a considerable height, terminated by a cornice supporting four vases, at the corners. Upon this part is placed an octangular balustrade, from within which rises the base of the dome in the same form, supporting Corinthian columns with their shafts wrought with rustic. Upon these rests the dome, and from its crown rises the spire, which is terminated by a ball and its fane. Though the body of the church is very large, the roof is supported without pillars, and the 262inside is extremely commodious, and adorned with an elegant plainness.
This parish is very extensive, and includes Upper and Lower Holloway, three sides of Newington Green, and part of Kingsland. There are in Islington two Independent meeting houses, and a charity school founded in the year 1613, by Dame Alice Owen, for educating thirty children: this foundation, together with that of a row of almshouses, are under the care of the Brewers company. There is here also a spring of chalybeat water in a very pleasant garden, which for some years was honoured by the constant attendance of the late Princess Amelia and many persons of quality, who drank the waters: to this place, which is called New Tunbridge Wells, many people resort, particularly during the summer, the price of drinking the waters being 3d. for each person. Near this place is a house of entertainment called Sadler’s Wells, where during the summer season people are amused with balance masters, walking on the wire, rope dancing, tumbling, and pantomime entertainments.
Islington road, 1. Goswell street. 2. St. John’s street, West Smithfield.
Julian court, Angel alley.
Clerk of the Juries Office, in Hind court, 263Fleet street. The Clerk of the juries is an officer of the court of Common Pleas, who makes out writs called Habeas Corpora, and Distringas Juratorum, for appearance of the jury, either in that court, or at the assizes in the country. This office is executed by a deputy. Chamb. Pres. State.
Justice Hall, on the north east side of the Old Bailey, stands backwards in a yard to which there is an entrance through a gateway. Had the building therefore been a fine one, it could not have been viewed to advantage; but it is a plain brick edifice, that has nothing to recommend it. A flight of plain steps lead up into the court room, which has a gallery at each end for the accommodation of spectators. The prisoners are brought to this court from Newgate, by a passage backwards which leads to that prison, and there are two places where they are kept till called to their trials, the one for the men and the other for the women. There are also rooms for the grand and petty jury and other accommodations.
An author, whose opinion we have given on other subjects, condemns this, and all the other courts of justice in England, as wanting that grandeur and augustness which might strike offenders and mankind 264in general with an awe for the place; and he recommends the form of a theatre as most proper, the stage for the bench, the pit for the council, prisoners, &c. and the circle round for the spectators. Whether this writer’s idea of the form of a court of judicature is just and well founded, we shall not determine.
It seems however to be wished, that these public edifices had more of the appearance of grandeur and magnificence, especially in the metropolis of the kingdom.
This court is held eight times a year by the King’s commission of oyer and terminer, for the tryal of criminals for crimes committed within the city of London and county of Middlesex. The Judges are, the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen past the chair, and the Recorder, who, on all such occasions, are attended by both the Sheriffs, and by one or more of the national Judges. The offences in the city are tried by a jury of citizens, and those committed in the county by one formed of the housekeepers in the county. The crimes tried in this court are high and petty treason, murder, felony, forgery, petty larceny, burglary, cheating, libelling, the using of false weights and measures, &c. the penalties incurred by which 265are the loss of life, corporal punishment, transportation, amerciaments, &c. Stow, Maitland.
Ivy Bridge, In the Strand.
Ivy Bridge lane, In the Strand.
Ivy Bridge stairs, Near the Strand.
Ivy lane, runs from Pater Noster Row into Newgate street. This lane took its name from the Ivy which grew on the walls of the prebends houses, formerly situated here. Stow.
Ivy street, Dyot street, St. Giles’s.
St. Katharine’s. See St. Catharine’s.
Keat street, Dean and Flown street, Spitalfields.†
Kebb’s yard, In the Minories.†
Kemp’s court, Berwick street.†
Kempton court, Vine street.†
Kennington, a village near Lambeth, in Surry, and one of the eight precincts of that parish. It has the honour of giving the title of Earl to the Duke of Cumberland.
266Kennington Common, a small spot of ground, on the side of the road to Camberwell, and about a mile and a half from London. Upon this spot is the gallows for the county of Surry.
Kennington lane, Newington Butts.
Kensington Palace
S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
Kensington, a large and populous village in Middlesex, about two miles from Hyde Park Corner, part of which, from the palace gate to the Bell, is in the parish of St. Margaret’s, Westminster. The palace, which was the seat of the Lord Chancellor Finch, afterwards Earl of Nottingham, was purchased by King William, who greatly improved it, and caused a royal road to be made to it, through St. James’s and Hyde Parks, with lamp posts erected at equal distances on each side. Queen Mary enlarged the gardens; her sister Queen Anne improved what Mary had begun, and was so pleased with the place, that she frequently supped during the summer in the Green house, which is a very beautiful one: but her late excellent Majesty Queen Caroline completed the design, by extending the gardens from the great road in Kennington to Acton; by bringing what is called the Serpentine river into them, and by taking in some aires out of Hyde Park, on which she caused a mount 267to be raised, with a chair upon it, that could be easily turned round, so as to afford shelter from the wind. This mount is surrounded with a grove of ever-greens, and commands a fine view over the gardens to the south and west. In short these gardens, which are three miles and a half in compass, are kept in great order, and in summer-time, when the court is not there, are resorted to by great numbers of people. The palace indeed has none of that grandeur, which ought to appear in the residence of a British Monarch; its nearness to the town makes it very convenient, but it is very irregular in point of architecture. However the royal apartments are grand, and some of the pictures are good.
On passing the base court, you enter through a large portico into a stone gallery, that leads to the great stair case, which is a very fine one, and consists of several flights of black marble steps, adorned with iron balusters finely wrought. The painting here affords the view of several balconies with groups of figures representing yeomen of the guard, and spectators, among whom are drawn Mr. Ulrick, commonly called the young Turk, in the Polonese dress in which he waited on his late Majesty King George I. Peter, 268the wild youth, &c. The stair case is richly decorated and painted by Mr. Kent.
The first room is hung with very fine tapestry, representing the goddess Diana, hunting and killing the wild boar. Over the chimney is a picture in a grand taste, representing one of the Graces in the character of Painting, receiving instructions from Cupid. This piece is said to be done by Guido Reni. In one corner of the room is a marble statue of Venus, with an apple in her hand; and in another is the statue of Bacchus, whose head is finely executed; but the body, which is inferior to it, seems to be done by another hand.
The second room has its ceiling painted with Minerva, surrounded by the arts and sciences, by Mr. Kent. Over the chimney is a very fine piece representing Cupid admiring Psyche, while she is asleep, by Vandyck. On each side of the room are hung several pictures, as King Henry VIII. and the Comptroller of his houshold, by Holbein: a three quarter picture of King Charles I. and another of his Queen, by Vandyck: the Duke and Duchess of York, by Sir Peter Lely: as also King William and Queen Mary, when Prince and Princess of Orange, over the doors, by the same hand.
269The third room, which was the late Queen’s apartment, is adorned with very beautiful tapestry, representing a Dutch winter piece, and the various diversions peculiar to the natives of Holland, done by Mr. Vanderbank. Over the chimney is an admirable picture of King Charles II. King James II. and their sister the Princess of Orange, when children, by Vandyck.
In the fourth room is the picture of a battle or skirmish between the Germans and Italians, by Holbein. Another of Danae descending in a shower of gold, and another of the widow Eliot finely executed by our countryman Riley.
In the fifth room is a picture of the crucifixion, and another of our Saviour laid on the cross, both by Titian: of our Saviour calling St. Matthew from the receipt of customs, by Annibal Caracci; and of his healing the sick in the temple, by Verrio: a picture of Henry IV. of France, by Titian: two heads of Queen Mary I. and Queen Elizabeth, when children, by Holbein: the late Queen Anne, when an infant, by Sir Peter Lely: and several heads by Raphael.
In the sixth room, or rather gallery, are the pictures of King Henry VIII. and Queen Katharine of Arragon, both by 270Holbein: King Philip of Spain, and Queen Mary, by the same hand: King James I. by Vandyck: King Charles II. the face by Sir Peter Lely: Queen Elizabeth in a Chinese dress, drawn when she was a prisoner at Woodstock: King James II. when Duke of York, and another of his Queen, both by Sir Peter Lely: King William and Queen Mary in their coronation robes, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. Sir Godfrey was knighted on his painting these pictures; King William being doubtless pleased with so fine a picture of his Queen. The next is Queen Anne, after Sir Godfrey Kneller; and a picture of Queen Caroline, which is but poorly executed. In this room is a curious amber cabinet, in a glass case; and at the upper end a beautiful orrery, likewise in a glass case.
The seventh, which is called the Cupola room, has a star in the center, and the ceiling all around is adorned with paintings in mosaic: round the room are placed at proper distances, eight bustos of ancient poets, and six statues of the heathen gods and goddesses at full length, gilt. Over the chimney piece is a curious bas-relief in marble, representing a Roman marriage, with a busto of Cleopatra, by Mr. Rysbrack.
271In the King’s great drawing room, over the chimney, is a very fine picture of St. Francis adoring the infant Jesus, held in the lap of the Virgin Mary, Joseph attending, the whole performed by Sir Peter Paul Rubens. In this room are also the holy family, finely painted by Paul Veronese: three priests, by Tintoret: a noble picture of St. Agnes over one of the doors, by Domenichino: St. John Baptist’s head, Mary Magdalen, and a naked Venus, all by Titian: a Venus in a supine posture, stealing an arrow out of Cupid’s quiver, with beautiful ornaments in the high gusto of the Greek antique, representing Love and the Drama, by Jacobo da Puntormo; upon the original out-lines of the great Michelangelo Buonarroti: a picture of Villars, Duke of Buckingham, and his younger brother, when boys, one of the capital pieces of Vandyck: two large pictures by Guido Reni, one of Venus dressing by the Graces; the other of Andromeda chained to a rock: our Saviour in the manger by Bassan; and a picture of part of the holy family, by Palma the elder.
The ceiling of this room, in which there is such a mixture of sacred and prophane pieces, is painted with the story of Jupiter and Semele.
272In the state chamber, the bed is of crimson damask; and over the chimney is a picture of our Saviour and St. John Baptist, by Raphael.
In the state dressing room the hangings are all of needle work; a present from the Queen of Prussia. Here is a picture of Edward VI. by Holbein; of a young nobleman of Venice, by Tintoret; another young nobleman of the same place, by Tintoret; and Titian’s lady, painted by himself.
The Painted gallery is adorned with many admirable pieces. At one end is King Charles I. on a white horse, with the Duke d’Espernon holding his helmet; the King is an august and noble figure, with some dejection in his countenance; the triumphal arch, curtain, and other parts of the back ground, are finely executed, and so kept, that the King is the principal figure that strikes the eye; at a little distance it has more of the life than a picture, and one is almost ready to get out of the horse’s way, and bow to the King.
Fronting this picture, at the other end of the gallery, is the same King, with his Queen, and two children, King Charles II. when a child, and King James II. an infant in the Queen’s lap. 273The King’s paternal tenderness is finely expressed, his son standing at his knee: the Queen’s countenance is expressive of an affectionate obedience to his Majesty, and a fond care of her child, which she seems to desire the King to look on. The infant is exquisitely performed; the vacancy of thought in the face, and the inactivity of the hands, are equal to life itself at that age. These two admirable pieces were done by Vandyck.
One of the next capital pictures in this gallery is Esther fainting before King Ahasuerus, painted by Tintoret. All the figures are finely drawn and richly dressed in the Venetian manner; for the Venetian school painted all their historical figures in their own habits, thinking them more noble and picturesque than any other.
The next piece is the nine muses in concert, finely drawn by the same master.
Midas preferring Pan to Apollo, is a fine piece, by Andrea Schiavone; but it is a good deal hurt by time; the figures however are well drawn and coloured; and the affectation of judgment in Midas is finely expressed.
The shepherds offering gifts to Christ, St. John in prison, the story of the woman 274of Samaria, and John Baptist’s head, are fine pieces, by Old Palma.
Noah’s flood, by Bassan, is a masterly performance.
Over the chimney is a Madona, by Raphael, which, though a small piece, gives a very high idea of that great master’s abilities. There is also in this gallery a Madona by Vandyck, which is exquisitely performed.
The other pictures here are, the birth of Jupiter, a fine piece, by Giulio Romano; a Cupid whetting his arrow, by Annibal Caracci; and a Venus and Cupid, by Titian.
Kent road, At the upper end of Kent street.
Kent street, extends from the end of Long lane, near St. George’s church, Southwark, to Kent road. It is observable that the principal business of this street is making of birch brooms, in which the masters are such great dealers, that in some of their yards several stacks of brooms may be seen of a considerable extent, and rising as high as the most lofty houses.
Kent’s yard, Angel alley.†
Kettleby’s rents, at Kennington.†
Kettle yard, Redcross street.
Kew, a town in Surry, situated on the Thames, opposite to Old Brentford. Here 275is a chapel of ease, erected at the expence of several of the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood, on a piece of ground that was given for that purpose by the late Queen Anne. Here the late Mr. Molineux, Secretary to his present Majesty when Prince of Wales, had a very fine seat on the Green, the gardens of which are said to produce the best fruit in England. This house belonged to the late Prince of Wales. Her late Majesty Queen Caroline here purchased Lady Eyre’s seat, for the Duke of Cumberland, and Sir Thomas Abney’s for the Princesses Amelia and Caroline.
In the sessions of parliament in 1758, an act passed for building a bridge cross the Thames opposite to Kew Green; and this act is now executed, and a bridge is built of eleven arches. The two piers and their dependent arches on each side next the shore are built of brick and stone, the intermediate arches, which are seven in number, are entirely wood. The center arch is fifty feet wide, and the road over the bridge is thirty feet wide.
Key court, 1. Little St. Thomas Apostles.* 2. St. John street, West Smithfield.*
Kidder’s yard, Petty France, Westminster.†
Kidney stairs, Narrow street.
276Kifford’s Almshouse, at Tothill side, Westminster, was founded by Mrs. Judith Kifford, in the year 1705, for two decayed gentlewomen, each of whom has one room, and 5l. per annum.
Kilborn, a village in Middlesex, in the road from London to Edgworth, and in the parish of Hampstead.
Kilham’s wharf, Millbank.†
Kill court, St. John’s street.
Killigrew court, Scotland yard.†
King and Queen stairs, Rotherhith.*
King David’s court, Whitechapel.*
King David’s Fort, Near Bluegate fields.*
King David’s Fort lane, King David’s lane.*
King David’s lane, Upper Shadwell.*
King Edward’s row, Coverley’s fields.*
King Edward’s stairs, Wapping.*
King Edward’s street, 1. Tudor street.* 2. Wapping.*
King Henry’s yard, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.*
King James’s stairs, Wapping wall.*
King John’s court, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Holiwell lane.* 3. Limehouse Corner. 4. Mile-end Green.* 5. Stepney Green.*
King John’s court passage, Barnaby street.*
King Tudor’s street, Bridewell, Fleet street.
King’s Arms court, 1. Bankside.* 2. Basinghall 277street.* 3. King John’s court, Holiwell street.* 4. Ludgate hill.*
King’s Arms stairs, College street.*
King’s Arms walk, Narrow walk.*
King’s Arms yard, 1. Chick lane.* 2. Coleman street.* 3. Fore street.* 4. Lothbury.* 5. St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.* 6. Marybon street.* 7. Shoreditch.* 8. Whitechapel.* 9. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
King’s Arms inn yard, Holborn Bridge.*
King’s Bench, the highest Court of Common Law in England, is so called, because the King sometimes sat there in person on an high bench, and the Judges, to whom the judicature belongs in his absence, on a low bench at his feet: or because this Court determines pleas between the Crown and the subject of treasons, felonies, and other pleas, which properly belong to the King: and also in whatsoever relates to the loss of life or member of any subject, in which the King is concerned, as he is a sufferer by the loss of the life or limbs of his subjects. Here likewise are tried breaches of peace, oppression, and misgovernment; and this Court corrects the errors of all the Judges and Justices of England, in their judgments and proceedings, not only in pleas of the Crown, but in all pleas, real, personal, 278and mix’d; except only pleas in the Exchequer. This Court is general, and extends to all England; and where-ever it is held the law supposes the Sovereign to be there in person. In this Court there commonly sit four Judges, the first of which is stiled the Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench; and sometimes the Lord Chief Justice of England; whose salary is 4000l. a year, and the puisne Judges 1500l. a year each. Chamberlain’s Present State.
The Court of King’s Bench in Westminster Hall, is in the south east corner.
King’s Bench alley, 1. Dorset street, Spitalfields. 2. St. Margaret’s Hill.
King’s Bench Office, In the Inner Temple, at the lower end of King’s Bench walk, next the Thames. Here the records of that Court are kept to secure them from fire.
King’s Bench Prison, In St. George’s fields, is a place of confinement for debtors; and for those sentenced by the Court of King’s Bench to suffer imprisonment, for libels and other misdemeanors; but those who can purchase the liberties have the benefit of walking through a part of the Borough, and in St. George’s fields.
This prison is situated in a fine air; but all prospect of the fields, even from 279the uppermost windows, is excluded by the height of the walls with which it is surrounded. It has a neat chapel for the performance of divine worship, and only one bed in each room; but these rooms are extremely small; they are all exactly alike, and none above nine feet in length.
King’s Bench walk, Inner Temple, from the King’s Bench office kept there.
King’s College lane, Bristol street.
King’s court, 1. Milk street, Cheapside. 2. Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.
King’s Gate street, High Holborn.
King’s Head alley, 1. Broad street, Ratcliff.* 2. Dorset street, Spitalfields.* 3. In the Maze. 4. Whitechapel.*
King’s Head court, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Beech lane.* 3. In the Borough.* 4. St. Clement’s.* 5. Cock lane, Shoreditch.* 6. Crispin street.* 7. Drury lane.* 8. Fetter lane.* 9. Golden lane.* 10. Goswell street.* 11. Gutter lane.* 12. Hand alley.* 13. Holborn.* 14. Huggen lane, Thames street.* 15. King street, Cheapside.* 16. Little Carter lane.* 17. St. Martin’s le Grand. 18. New Fish street.* 19. New Gravel lane.* 20. Old Gravel lane.* 21. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.* 22. Plumtree street.* 23. Pudding lane, Thames street.* 24. Shoe lane, Fleet street.* 25. Shoreditch.* 26. Southampton 280buildings.* 27. Stanhope street.* 28. In the Strand.* 29. Tenter Ground.* 30. Vine street.* 31. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.* 32. Wood street, Cheapside.*
King’s Head yard, 1. Fore street, Lambeth.* 2. High Holborn.* 3. Holiwell street.* 4. King street, New Gravel lane.* 5. Leather lane, Holborn.* 6. Moorfields.* 7. Shoreditch.* 8. Tooley street.* 9. Wiltshire lane.*
King’s Library, was founded by Henry Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I. The printed books in this Library amount to about 10,200 and the manuscripts to about 1800. They were kept in Cotton house, till that was burnt by the fire in 1731; they however suffered but little by that fire, and were removed with the Cotton library to the Old Dormitory at Westminster; since which both these libraries have been placed with Sir Hans Sloane’s Museum in Montagu house. See the articles Cotton Library, and British Museum.
Clerk of the King’s Silver, an officer of the Court of Common Pleas, to whom every fine or final agreement upon the sale of land is brought, after it has been with the Custos Brevium, who makes an entry of what money is to be paid for the 281King’s use. This office, which is executed by a deputy, is kept in the Inner Temple. Chamberlain’s Present State.
King’s Langley, near Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire, received its name from a royal palace built here by King Henry III. the ruins of which are still to be seen. King Richard II. with his Queen, and many of the nobility kept a Christmas here, and in its monastery he was buried, though afterwards removed to Westminster by King Henry V. Here was also born and buried, Edmund of Langley, Duke of York, the son of Edward III. and many others of that family.
King’s rents, 1. Shad Thames.* 2. Whitecross street.*
King’s Old and New Roads to Kensington, Hyde Park.
King’s road, 1. Barnaby street. 2. Gray’s Inn lane.
King’s row, Shad Thames.†
King’s square. See Soho square.
King’s Square court, Dean street, Soho.
King’s stairs, Rotherhith.†
King street. Many of these streets first received their present name, after the restoration, in honour of King Charles II. or of monarchy in general. 1. Bartholomew hospital. 2. Brick lane, Spitalfields. 3. Opposite to Queen street, and leading 282from Cheapside to Guildhall; so called by the act of parliament, by which it was first ordered to be built after the fire of London. 4. Covent Garden. 5. Duke’s Place. 6. Foul lane, in the Borough. 7. Golden Square. 8. Near Grosvenor square. 9. High Holborn. 10. Hoxton square. 11. St. James’s square. 12. Little Tower hill. 13. Lowman’s street. 14. In the Mint. 15. Near Monmouth street. 16. New Gravel lane. 17. Old Greek street, Soho. 18. Old street square. 19. Oxford street. 20. Piccadilly. 21. Prince’s square. 22. Prince’s street, Soho. 23. Ratcliff Highway. 24. Rosemary lane. 25. Rotherhith wall. 26. Tooley street. 27. Upper Moorfields. 28. Westminster. 29. Wood’s Close, Compton street.
King’s street passage, Little Tower hill.
King’s way, Gray’s Inn lane.
King’s Weigh House. See Weigh House.
King’s yard, 1. Barnaby street. 2. Leather lane, Holborn. 3. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.
Kingsbury, at the west end of St. Alban’s in Hertfordshire, is thus named from the Saxon Kings frequently keeping their court there, till it was purchased by the monks of the neighbouring abbey.
Kingsland, a hamlet of the parish of 283Islington, lying between Hoxton and Clapton. Here was anciently an hospital for lepers, which is now appropriated to the cure of the venereal disease, and is an appendage to St. Bartholomew’s and St. Thomas’s hospitals. The edifice is a plain modern brick building, without ornamental decorations; it is large and proper for the use to which it is applied, and on the end of it is a dial, which has the following suitable motto, Post Voluptatem Misericordia; that is, After pleasure comes pain. This structure joins a little old chapel; but it is wisely contrived that the patients, who are obliged to attend divine service, can neither see nor be seen by the rest of the audience.
This hospital is called The Lock.
Kingston upon Thames, a Town in Surry, received its name from its having been the residence of several of our Saxon Kings, some of whom were crowned on a stage in the market place. It is a populous and well-built place, and in the reigns of Edward the Second and Third sent members to parliament. Here is a spacious church with eight bells, in which are the pictures of the Saxon Kings who were crowned here, and also that of King John, who gave the inhabitants of this town their first charter. Here is also a 284wooden bridge of twenty arches over the Thames; a free school erected and endowed by Queen Elizabeth; an almshouse built in 1670 by Aldermen Clive, for six men, and as many women, and endowed with land to the value of 80l. a year; and a charity school for thirty boys, who are all cloathed. The summer assizes for this county are generally held here, and there is a gallery on the top of a hill that overlooks the town. A house called Hircomb’s Place, in this town, was the seat of the famous Earl of Warwick, stiled The setter up and puller down of Kings. Besides the above bridge, there is another of brick over a stream, that flows from a spring which rises four miles above the town, and within the distance of a bow shot from its source, forms a brook that drives two mills. Here is a good market for corn, and the town carries on a considerable trade.
Kinhavey’s court, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.†
Kinnersley’s yard, Ratcliff highway.†
Kirby’s court, 1. Foul lane, in the Borough.† 2. Chick lane, West Smithfield.†
Kirby’s wharf, Lower Shadwell.†
Kirby’s yard, Curtain row, Hog lane, St. Giles’s.†
Kirk’s yard, East Smithfield.†
285Kitter’s yard, White Hart lane.†
Knave of Clubs yard, Old street.*
Knaves Acre, Wardour street.‖
Knightsbridge, the first village from London in the great western road, is situated in the parishes of St. George’s Hanover square, and St. Margaret’s Westminster, but has a chapel independent of those parishes. Near the entrance of this village in the way from London, is the infirmary for the sick and wounded called St. George’s hospital. See St. George’s Hospital.
Knight’s court, 1. Back side St. Clement’s.† 2. Green walk.†
Knitneedle street, Bloomsbury.
Knockfergus, Near Rosemary lane.
Knolley’s yard, Hog lane.†
Knowles’s court, Little Carter lane.†
Knowl House, near Sevenoak in Kent, is the seat of the Duke of Dorset. It is situated in the middle of a park, and is a handsome large stone fabric. There are some excellent pictures in the apartments.
Korby’s yard, Hand alley, Petticoat lane.†
Kreetch’s wharf, Millbank.†
Labour-in-vain alley, St. Margaret’s hill.*
Labour-in-vain court, Old Fish street hill.*
Labour-in-vain hill, Thames street.*
Labour-in-vain street, Lower Shadwell.*
Labour-in-vain yard, Thames street.*
Lad court, Moses alley, Willow street.
Lad lane, Wood street, Cheapside.
Laddle court, Cut Throat lane, Upper Shadwell.
Lad’s court, Gardiner’s lane.†
Lady alley, 1. Great St. Anne’s lane. 2. King street, Westminster.
Lady Alley Almshouse, in King street, Westminster, consists of four rooms for as many poor women, and is said to have been founded by a King or Queen of England, with an allowance out of the Exchequer of 1l. 6s. 8d. a year each. Maitland.
Lamb alley, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. Blackman street, by St. George’s church, Southwark.* 3. Goodman’s fields. 4. Monkwell street.† 5. In the Old Change.* 6. Saffron hill.* 7. Sherbourn lane, Lombard street.* 8. Whitechapel.* 9. St. Giles’s Broadway.†
Lamb court, 1. Abchurch lane. 2. Clerkenwell. 3. Lamb alley, Southwark.
287Lamb’s buildings, Inner Temple.†
Lamb’s Chapel, situated in a court to which it gives its name, at the north west corner of London wall, was founded in the reign of Edward I. and dedicated to St. James, when it was distinguished from other places of religious worship of the same name by the denomination of St. James’s Chapel, or Hermitage on the wall; from its being erected on or near the city wall in Monkwell street. At the dissolution of religious houses, King Henry VIII. granted this chapel to William Lamb, a rich clothworker, who bequeathed it, with other appurtenances, to the company of which he was a member, and from him it received its present name.
In this chapel the clothworkers company have four sermons preached to them upon four principal festivals in the year, viz. upon the feast of the annunciation of the blessed Virgin, March 25; on the feast of St. John Baptist, June 24; on the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, Sept. 29; and on that of St. Thomas the Apostle, Dec. 21; upon which days the Master, Wardens, and Livery of the company, in conformity to the above Mr. Lamb’s will, go in their gowns to the chapel and hear a sermon; after which they relieve twelve poor men and as many 288women, by giving one shilling to each; and every Michaelmas they give to each a frize gown, a lockram shift, and a good pair of winter shoes.
Lamb’s Chapel court, Monkwell street.
Lamb’s Conduit, was according to Stow formed by the above-mentioned Mr. William Lamb, who having drawn together several springs of water to one head, at a place which is now the end of Red Lion street, in Holborn, erected a conduit there, and conveyed part of the water through leaden pipes the space of two thousand yards to Snow hill, where having rebuilt a ruinous conduit, which had been long disused, he laid the water into it. The whole expense of this work, which was finished March 26, 1577, amounted to 1500l. These conduits were built with stone, with a lamb on the top: the former of these little edifices gave its name to the adjacent fields, on which the Foundling hospital is built; but obstructing the view of that truly noble structure, it was taken down some years ago, and the water being conveyed to the side of the street, a descent is made to the spring head by a flight of stone steps. That on Snow hill has also been taken down, and a pump adorned with lamps placed in its room; the advantage 289the city receives from the New River water, rendering these structures, which were formerly of great advantage, entirely useless.
Lamb’s Conduit Mews, Millman street, Holborn.
Lamb’s Conduit passage, Red Lion street.†
Lamb’s court, Red Lion court.†
Lamb street, 1. Crispin street, Spitalfields.† 2. Turnmill street.†
Lamb’s yard, 1. Bishopsgate without.† 2. Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.
Lambert hill, generally called Lambeth hill, Thames street; was so called from Lambert the owner thereof. Maitland.
Lambert street, Goodman’s fields.†
Lambert’s rents, Petticoat lane.†
Lambeth Palace.
S. Wale delin. J. Fougeron sculp.
Lambeth, a village in Surry, situated on the Thames, between Southwark and Battersea, and near the south end of London bridge; is particularly famous for its containing, for several ages, the palace of the Archbishop of Canterbury. This structure was originally formed by Baldwin, Archbishop of that see, in the year 1188; who first intended to have raised a superb structure at Hackington, near this place; but the Monks, with whom he was at variance, obtained the Pope’s mandate against it; when, taking down what he had erected, he removed the bell of the 290materials to Lambeth, with which he built the palace, a college and church, having before purchased the ground of the Bishop and Convent of Rochester, by a fair exchange.
In the year 1250, Boniface, Archbishop of Canterbury, having, by his arrogance, rendered himself hateful to the citizens of London, retired, for the security of his person, to this palace; and finding it in a ruinous condition, within the space of three years rebuilt the whole north side, the archi-episcopal apartments, the library and cloisters, the guard-chamber, the chapel, and Lollards tower.
From that time this palace became the residence of the greatest persons of the church, and was soon enlarged by many additional buildings: Cardinal Pool built the gate, which, for that time, is a noble structure. The Lollards tower, which is thus named from a room in it prepared for the imprisonment of the followers of Wickliff, the first British reformer, who were called Lollards, was finished by Chichely, and remains a lasting memorial of his cruelty, and antichristian spirit. It is a small room, twelve feet broad and nine long, planked with elm, and there still remain eight rings and staples, to which Christians were chained, for presuming to 291differ in opinion from that prelate. The spacious hall was erected by Juxton, and the brick edifice between the gate and this hall was begun by Archbishop Sancroft, and finished by the immortal Tillotson.
From the present structure being thus erected at different periods, it is not at all surprizing that it has but little appearance of uniformity; but the edifice, tho’ old, is in most parts strong; the corners are faced with rustic, and the top surrounded with battlements; but the principal apartments are well proportioned, and well enlightened: the Gothic work about it is irregularly disposed, and it is in itself irregular. Some of the inner rooms are too close and confined; but there are many others open and pleasant in themselves, with the advantage of being convenient, and of affording very agreeable prospects. For as this palace is situated on the bank of the Thames, it affords a fine view up and down the river, and, from the higher apartments, a prospect of the country each way.
The palace, with the rows of trees before it, and the church of Lambeth adjoining, when viewed from the Thames, make a very pretty picturesque appearance, and this is the view which is here given.
In this palace is a very fine library, 292founded in the year 1610, by Archbishop Sancroft, who left by will all his books, for the use of his successors in the archi-episcopal see of Canterbury. This library has been greatly increased by the benefactions of the Archbishops Abbot, Sheldon, and Tennyson, and consists of 617 volumes in manuscript, and above 14,500 printed books.
The church, which stands by the palace, is a very antique structure, dedicated to St. Mary. It has a square tower, and both that and the body of the church are crowned with battlements. In this parish are eight precincts, denominated the Archbishop’s, the Prince’s, Vauxhall, Kennington, the Marsh, the Wall, Stockwell, and the Dean’s precinct. It is remarkable, that at Lambeth Wall is a spot of ground, containing an acre and nineteen poles, named Pedlar’s acre, which has belonged to the parish from time immemorial, and is said to have been given by a pedlar, upon condition that his picture, with that of his dog, be perpetually preserved in painted glass in one of the windows of the church; which the parishioners carefully performed in the south east window of the middle isle. Maitland.
Lambeth Butts, Lambeth.
293Lambeth Marsh, between Lambeth and Spring Gardens.
Lambeth road, Newington Butts.
Lambeth School, was founded by Richard Laurence, citizen and merchant of London, in the year 1661, for educating twenty poor children of the Marsh and Wall liberties of this parish, for which purpose he endowed it with 35l. per annum.
Lambeth stairs, Lambeth.
Lancaster college, in the parish of St. Gregory near St. Paul’s, was a hall founded by King Henry IV. and the executors of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; containing lodgings and a common hall for charity priests to officiate in a chapel, on the north side of the choir of St. Paul’s cathedral; but it was suppressed, and granted to one Mr. William Gunter, in the second year of Edward VI. Maitland.
Duchy of Lancaster Court, held at Gray’s Inn. This court owes its origin to King Henry IV. after his having deposed Richard II. when, possessing the duchy of Lancaster in right of his mother, he imagined his claim to it better than that to the throne, and therefore separated it from the Crown, and erected this court for its use. Here all matters of law and equity, belonging to the duchy 294or county palatine of Lancaster, are tried and determined by the Chancellor, who is the chief judge, and is assisted by his attorney general, and other officers. Maitland.
Duchy of Lancaster Liberty, begins on the outside of Temple Bar, and extending along the south side of the Strand to the east side of Cecil street, reaches down it to the Thames, and thence to Essex Buildings, taking in all the houses to Temple Bar. On the north side it extends from Temple Bar to where the Maypole stood, and extending down Holiwell street, commonly called the back of St. Clement’s, passes by Butcher row, taking in all that range of buildings. Beyond the place of the Maypole, this liberty begins again by the Fountain tavern in Catharine street, and reaches from thence into the Strand, as far as Exeter exchange; then turning up Burleigh street, it runs up within four houses of the corner of Essex street, and, crossing it, proceeds into Catharine street, by the Fountain tavern. Stow, last edit.
Lancaster court, 1. New Bond street. 2. In the Strand.
Lancaster yard, Holiwell street.
Land of Promise lane, Hoxton.
Landress alley, Five feet lane.
295Lane’s alley, St. Giles’s Broadway.†
Lane’s court, Cold Bath square, by Cold Bath fields.†
Langbourn Rivulet, a brook which formerly took its rise in or near the east end of Fenchurch street, and ran with a swift current due west, to Sherbourn lane, at the west end of St. Mary Woolnoth; then dividing its stream into several rills, ran directly south, and was lost in the Wall Brook, on Dowgate hill. Maitland.
Langbourn Ward, took its name from the Langbourn, or rivulet above-mentioned. It is bounded on the north by Aldgate and Lime street wards; on the west, by Wallbrook ward; on the south, by Candlewick, Bridge, Billingsgate, and Tower street wards; and on the east, by Aldgate ward. Its principal streets are great part of Fenchurch street, and Lombard street, Exchange alley, Birchinlane, &c.
The most remarkable buildings are, the churches of St. Mary Woolnoth, St. Edmund the King, Allhallows Lombard street, and St. Dionis Backchurch; the General Post office, Pewterers hall, and the hall belonging to the Hudson’s Bay company.
This ward is governed by an Alderman, his Deputy, ten Common Council men, seventeen 296wardmote inquest men, nine scavengers, fifteen constables, and a beadle; and the jurors returned by the wardmote inquest serve in the several courts of Guildhall in the month of November.
Langdon’s rents, Bett’s street.
Langley Park, near Langley Green, in Buckinghamshire, belongs to the Duke of Marlborough. The late Duke began to build a new house of stone in this park, but one of the wings is yet wanting to compleat the design, which is more remarkable for its elegance than grandeur.
Langley street, 1. Long Acre.† 2. Whitecross street.†
Lang’s court, St. Martin’s lane.†
Lassingby’s court, Conduit court, Long Acre.†
Last alley, 1. Cow Cross, West Smithfield.* 2. Whitechapel.*
Last and Ball court, London Wall.*
Latimers, a hamlet with a chapel of ease to Chesham in Bucks, received its name from its ancient Lords. In this hamlet lived Sir Edwyn Sands, whose daughter having four sons and nine daughters by her husband Sir Thomas Temple, ancestor of the present Earl Temple, lived to see 700 descended from her, and died in 1656. The Lord James Cavendish has here a seat.
297Lavender street, near Cuckold’s Point.
Laughton’s rents, Cinnamon street.†
St. Lawrence Jewry, on the north side of Cateaton street, in Cheap ward, is thus denominated from its being dedicated to St. Lawrence, a native of Huesca in the kingdom of Arragon in Spain, who, after having suffered the most dreadful torments under the Emperor Valerian, was cruelly broiled alive upon a gridiron, with a slow fire, till he died: and it received the additional epithet of Jewry, from its situation among the Jews, who formerly resided in the streets near that church; to distinguish it from St. Lawrence Poultney, now demolished. Maitland.
This church being burnt, with many others, in the dreadful fire of London in 1666, was rebuilt at the parish expence, with a very considerable benefaction by Sir John Langham.
It is eighty-one feet long, sixty-eight broad, forty feet high to the roof, and the steeple 130 feet high. The body is enlightened by two series of windows, the lower ones large and uniform, and the upper small. At the east end is a pediment with niches supported by Corinthian columns. The tower, which is lofty, is terminated by a balustrade with 298plain pinnacles, and within this balustrade rises a kind of lanthorn, which supports the base of the spire.
This church is a vicarage in the gift of the Master and Scholars of Baliol college in Oxford, and the profits of the Incumbent are much augmented by the parish of St. Mary Magdalen Milk street being annexed to it: he receives 120l. a year from the parish, and 20l. from Baliol college.
Lawrence lane, 1. From Cheapside to Cateaton street, near the above church. 2. High street, St. Giles’s. 3. New street Lambeth.
St. Lawrence Poultney, on the west side of St. Lawrence Poultney’s lane, was so denominated from the above saint, and Mr. John Poultney, who founded a college there; but the church being consumed in the general conflagration in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was united to that of St. Mary Abchurch.
Lawrence Poultney hill, Canon street.†
Lawrence Poultney lane, Canon street.†
Lead Office, in Ingram’s court, Fenchurch street. This office belongs to a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King William and Queen Mary in the year 1692, under the title 299of The Governor and Company for melting down lead with pit and sea coal. By this patent they are empowered to raise a joint stock for the effectual carrying on the business of smelting, or drawing lead from the ore with sea coal instead of wood.
This corporation is under the direction of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and twelve Assistants. Maitland.
Leadenhall, a very large building of great antiquity in Leadenhall street, with flat battlements leaded at the top, and a spacious square in the middle. In this edifice are the warehouse for the selling of leather, the Colchester baize hall, the meal warehouse, and the wool hall.
Leadenhall Market, the largest market in the city of London, and perhaps in Europe, consists of five considerable squares, or courts, the first of which opens by a large Gothic gate into Leadenhall street. This court, which is surrounded by the buildings called Leadenhall, is surrounded with sheds for butchers, tanners, &c. As there is but little meat sold here except beef, this is called the Beef market. This square is on Tuesday a market for leather; on Thursdays the waggons from Colchester, and other parts, come with baize, &c. and the felmongers with wool; on Fridays 300it is a market for raw hides, and on Saturdays for beef.
Behind this market are two others separated by a range of buildings of a considerable length, with shops and rooms on each side. In both these are principally sold small meat, as mutton, veal, lamb, and pork, and some of the shops sell beef. In the easternmost of these markets is a market house supported on pillars, with vaults underneath, and rooms above, with a clock and a bell tower, and underneath are sold various sorts of provision. Beyond these is a very spacious market for fowl. There is another called the Herb-market, which has an entrance into Leadenhall street, but this does not succeed. The passages into the above markets from Lime street and Gracechurch street, are filled with the dealers in provisions of various kinds.
Leadenhall street extends from the end of Cornhill, at the corner of Gracechurch street, to Aldgate street within.
Leather lane, Holborn.
Leatherdressers yard, Paul’s Alley.
Leatherhead, or Letherhead, a small town in Surry, situated about four miles to the S. W. of Epsom. It had formerly a market, which has been discontinued above an hundred years. Here is a bridge over the river Mole, which having 301sunk into the earth near Mickleham, at the foot of Boxhill, rises again near this town, and runs through Cobham, to the Thames at Moulsey. ’Tis pleasantly situated on a rising bank by the side of the river, and in as good a situation for riding or hunting as most within twenty miles of London, it having a fine, open, dry, champaign country almost all round it.
Leathersellers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Henry VI. in the Year 1442. They are governed by a Prime, and three Wardens, with twenty-six Assistants, and an hundred and fifty-six liverymen, who at their admission pay a fine of 20l. each.
By a grant of Henry VII. the Wardens of this corporation, or their deputies, were impowered to have the inspection of sheeps, lambs, and calves leather throughout the kingdom, in order the more effectually to prevent frauds in those commodities.
Leathersellers hall in Little St. Helen’s, was part of the convent of nuns dedicated to St. Helen, and considering the antiquity of its building, has some of the best joiners and plaisterers work in the kingdom. The entrance into the common hall is up a handsome flight of stone steps from the court yard. The screen 302is magnificently adorned with six columns of the Ionic order, enrichments, &c. and the ceiling enriched with fretwork.
Boyle’s Lecture. See the article Boyle’s Lecture.
Lee’s Almshouse, upon the Narrow Wall, Lambeth, was erected by Gerard Van Lee; and Valentine Van Lee, who was probably his son, gave the eight poor inhabitants of this house, the sum of 5l. per annum, for the term of five hundred Years. Maitland.
Lee’s court, 1. St. Catharine’s lane.† 2. Hockley in the Hole.†
Lee’s street, Red Lion square, Holborn.†
Leg alley, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Long Acre.* 3. Shoreditch.* 4. Tooley street.*
Leg court, Peter street, Westminster.*
St. Leger’s wharf, Tooley street.†
Legget’s walk, Upper Ground.†
Leicester fields, a very handsome square, the inner part of which is enclosed with iron rails, and adorned with grass plats and gravel walks, in the center of which is an equestrian statue of his present majesty gilt. The buildings with which this square is surrounded, are very good, especially the north side, where is Leicester house, once the seat of the Earl of Leicester, and now inhabited by her Royal Highness the Princess Dowager of Wales. This is a large brick building, neat and 303commodious, though not magnificent. It has a spacious court before, and a fine garden behind it; there is here a good collection of pictures; and from this house the square is denominated. Next to this edifice is the house of Sir George Savile, Bart. in which his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales resides at present.
Leicester street, 1. By Leicester fields.☐ 2. Liquorpond street. 3. Warwick street, Haymarket.
Leigh’s court, St. Catharine’s lane.†
Leith Hill, near Boxhill in Surry, admired for affording one of the noblest prospects in all Europe, of which Mr. Dennis gives a lively description in his Letters familiar, moral and critical; we shall therefore transcribe his words. “In a late journey,” says he, “which I took into the Wild of Sussex, I passed over an hill which shewed me a more transporting sight than ever the country had shewn me before, either in England or Italy. The prospects which in Italy pleased me most, were that of the Valdarno from the Apennines; that of Rome, and the Mediterranean from the mountains of Viterbo; of Rome at forty, and the Mediterranean at fifty miles distance from it; and that of the Campagne of Rome from Tivoli and Frescati; from which two places you 304see every foot of that famous Campagne, even from the bottom of Tivoli and Frescati to the very foot of the mountain of Viterbo, without any thing to intercept your sight. But from an hill which I passed in my late journey into Sussex, I had a prospect more extensive than any of these, and which surpassed them at once in rural charms, in pomp, and in magnificence. The hill which I speak of, is called Leith Hill, and is about five miles southward from Darking, about six from Box Hill, and near twelve from Epsom. It juts itself out about two miles beyond that range of hills which terminate the north downs to the south. When I saw from one of these hills, at about two miles distance that side of Leith Hill which faces the northern downs, it appeared the beautifullest prospect I had ever seen: but after we had conquered the hill itself, I saw a sight that would transport a stoic; a sight that looked like enchantment and vision. Beneath us lay open to our view all the wilds of Surry and Sussex, and a great part of that of Kent, admirably diversified in every part of them with woods, and fields of corn and pastures, every where adorned with stately rows of trees.
“This beautiful vale is about thirty 305miles in breadth, and about sixty in length, and is terminated to the south by the majestic range of the southern hills, and the sea: and it is no easy matter to decide, whether these hills, which appear at thirty, forty, fifty miles distance, with their tops in the sky, seem more aweful and venerable, or the delicious vale between you and them more inviting. About noon, in a serene day, you may at thirty miles distance, see the very water of the sea through a chasm of the mountains. And that which above all makes it a noble and a wonderful prospect, is, that at the same time that, at thirty miles distance, you behold the very water of the sea; at the same time that you behold to the south, the most delicious rural prospect in the world; at that very time, by a little turn of your head towards the north, you look full over Box Hill, and see the country beyond it, between that and London; and, over the very stomacher of it, see St. Paul’s at twenty-five miles distance, and London beneath it, and Highgate and Hampstead beyond it.”
Lemon street, 1. Goodman’s fields.† 2. Lowman’s Pond row, Southwark.†
Lemontree yard, Bedfordsbury.*
St. Leonard’s Eastcheap, was dedicated to 306Leonard, a French saint, and mighty miracle-monger, and stood on the east side of Fish street hill, near Little Eastcheap; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish is annexed to that of St. Bennet’s Gracechurch street. Maitland.
St. Leonard’s Foster lane, was dedicated to the above-mentioned saint, and stood on the west side of Foster lane, Cheapside; but suffering in the fatal catastrophe of 1666, and not being rebuilt, the parish is annexed to that of Christ’s Church.
St. Leonard’s Shoreditch. There was a church in this place dedicated to the same saint in very early times, and there are records of a dispute concerning itz in the reign of Henry II. The last structure, which was a very mean heavy pile, stood till the year 1735, when the inhabitants having the year before applied to parliament, it was pulled down, and the present light and elegant edifice was soon after erected in its room. Strype’s edit. of Stow.
To this church there is an ascent by a double flight of plain steps, which lead to a portico of the angular kind supported by four Doric columns, and bearing an angular pediment. The body of the edifice is plain, but well enlightened, and the steeple light, elegant and lofty. The tower at a proper height has a series of 307Ionic columns, and on their entablature are scrolls which support as many Corinthian columns placed on pedestals, and supporting a dome, from whose crown rises a series of columns of the Composite order, on whose entablature rests the spire standing upon four balls, which give it an additional air of lightness; and on the top, as usual, is a ball and fane.
This church is both a rectory and a vicarage; but the distinct rights of the Rector and Vicar are said to be not thoroughly ascertained; however the profits of the vicarage amount to about 350l. a year.
Leopard alley, Saffron hill.*
Leopard’s court, Baldwin’s Gardens.
Lester’s yard, Bluegate fields.†
Leveridge’s yard, Nightingale lane.†
Lewisham, a town in Kent, situated on the river Ravensburn, between Blackheath and Surry. Here are two free schools, of which the Leathersellers company in London are Governors.
Lewis’s yard, 1. Greenbank, Wapping.† 2. Saffron hill.†
Leydon street, Shadwell market.†
Lidier’s court, Saltpetre bank.†
Lifeguard yard, Oxford street.
Lilley’s alley, Saffron hill.†
Lillipot lane, Noble street, Foster lane.†
Limehouse, was anciently a village above 308two miles distant from the city of London, though it is now joined by a continued chain of buildings: its original name was Limehurst, which has been corrupted to Limehouse, This, according to Mr. Stow, is a Saxon word signifying a grove of lime trees, and it was given to this village, on account of the number of those trees anciently in that neighbourhood.
Limehouse bridge, Limehouse.
Limehouse causeway, Limehouse.
Limehouse corner, Limehouse.
Limehouse dock, Narrow street, Limehouse.
Limehouse Fore street, at the end of Ratcliff Narrow street.
Limehouse Hole, Limehouse.
Limehouse Hole stairs, Limehouse.
Limehouse Hole street, Limehouse.
Limehouse road, White Horse street.
Limekiln dock, Limehouse.
Limekiln hill, Limehouse.
Limekiln yard, Limehouse.
Lime street, extends from Leadenhall street into Fenchurch street, and is thus called from its being anciently a place where lime was either made or sold. Maitland.
Lime Street square, Lime street.
Lime Street Ward, is very small, and is bounded on the north and east by Aldgate ward; on the south by Langbourn ward; and on the west, by Bishopsgate 309ward. It is observable that there is no church, nor whole street in this ward, though it runs through several parishes. Its principal buildings are the East India House, and Leadenhall.
To this ward belong an Alderman and four Common Council men, including the Deputy, four constables, two scavengers, sixteen wardmote inquest men, and a beadle. The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest serve as jurors in the several courts in Guildhall, in the month of November.
Lime Tree court, Narrow wall, Southwark.‡
Limpsfield, a village near Croydon in Surry, in the Kent road.
Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court, is situated on the west side of Chancery lane, where formerly stood the houses of the Bishop of Chichester and of the Black Friars, the latter erected about the year 1222, and the former about 1226; but both of them coming to Henry Lacey, Earl of Lincoln, he built in their room a stately mansion for his city residence. It however afterwards reverted to the bishopric of Chichester, and was demised by Robert Sherbourn, Bishop of that see, to Mr. William Syliard, a student there, for a term of years; after the expiration of which Dr. Richard 310Sampson, his successor, in the year 1536 passed the inheritance thereof to the said Syliard and Eustace his brother; and the latter, in 1579, in consideration of the sum of 500l. conveyed the house and gardens in fee to Richard Kingsmill and the rest of the benchers.
The charge of admission into this house, including fees, amount to 5l. and every student, after studying there seven years, is admitted to the bar. The members are obliged to be a fortnight in commons every term, on the penalty of paying 18s. in case of absence. Stow. Maitland.
Lincoln’s Inn principally consists of three rows of good buildings, all taken up by gentlemen of the society. These form three sides of the square, and here the buildings are all new and uniform, the north side lying open to the gardens, which are greatly improved with gravel walks, grass plats, rows of trees, and a very long terrace walk, which affords a fine prospect of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. In the middle of the square is a neat fluted Corinthian column in a small bason surrounded with iron bars. This column supports a handsome sun dial, which has four sides, and on the corners of the pedestal are four naked boys spouting water out of Tritons’ shells. This is one of the neatest squares in town, and tho’ it is imperfect on one 311side, that very defect produces a beauty by giving a prospect of the gardens, which are only separated from it by iron rails, and fill the space to abundantly more advantage. No area is kept in better order for cleanliness and beauty by day, or illuminations and decorum by night. The fountain in the middle is a pretty decoration. The print represents as much of the square as could be taken in the visual angle at one view, with the fountain in the middle, as it appears coming into it from Portugal row. This is one of the most considerable Inns of Court possessed by the gentlemen of the law. Here is a good hall and chapel of Gothic architecture. The latter was built by Inigo Jones, who notwithstanding his skill and reputation in architecture, could not persuade them to have it in any other stile.
The above gardens, which are extremely pleasant and commodious, are, like those of Gray’s Inn, laid open for public use; the greatest part of the west side of the square is taken up with the offices belonging to the stamp duty. See Stamp Office.
A little behind the north east side of the square is the above chapel, which was built about the year 1622 or 1623, on pillars, with an ambulatory or walk underneath, paved with broad stones. This walk, 312particularly when illuminated by the lamps, inspires the mind with a kind of melancholy pleasure, that may be better felt than described. The outside of the chapel is a good piece of Gothic architecture, and the windows are painted with the figures at full length of the principal personages mentioned in the sacred Scriptures. On the twelve windows on the north side, are Abraham, Moses, Eli, David, and the prophets Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Zachariah, with John the Baptist, and St. Paul, and on the south side are the rest of the Apostles. Under these figures are the arms of a great number of the gentlemen belonging to this society. The colours in these paintings being extremely bright and beautiful, it is not at all surprizing that these pictures on glass should be much admired, though the designs are in reality but poor, and there is little expression in the faces.
In the old buildings fronting the garden beyond the square, is the library, which consists of a good collection of books in several languages and faculties.
S. Wale delin. J. Fougeron sculp.
Lincoln’s Inn.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, is universally allowed to be the largest, and one of the most beautiful squares in London, if not in Europe. It is encompassed on three sides by houses, and on the east by the wall of the 313terrace of Lincoln’s Inn garden. The north side is called Newman’s row, the west side Arch row, the south side Portugal row, and the east side Lincoln’s Inn wall. This square was originally laid out by the masterly hand of Inigo Jones, and it is said that the sides of it are the exact measure of the great Pyramid of Egypt. It was intended to have been built all in the same stile; but there were not a sufficient number of people of taste, to accomplish so great a work. The house which was late the Duke of Ancaster’s, is built on this model; but elevated and improved so as to make it more suitable to the quality of the owner. It has that simple grandeur which characterises all the designs of the celebrated Inigo Jones. The print here given of it may serve to convey some idea not only of this particular house, but of the noble appearance which the whole square would have made had it been all built after this fine design.
Some of the houses however in this square are grand and noble, but they are far from having that beauty which arises from uniformity. The square is now adorned with a fine bason in the middle, well supplied with water; and with grass plats and gravel walks, encompassed with an iron pallisade fixed upon a stone plinth, at a proper distance from the buildings.
314Lincoln’s Inn gate, on the south side of Lincoln’s Inn square.
Lincoln’s Inn passage, on the west side of Lincoln’s Inn square.
Linton’s court, Near New Gravel lane.†
Linton’s lane, Newington Butts.†
Linton’s yard, Milk yard, Shadwell.†
Lion and Lamb alley, Golden lane.*
Lion’s court, Lutener’s Lane.†
Lion’s Inn, anciently a common Inn, with the sign of the Lion, is one of the Inns in Chancery, and is situated between Holiwell street and Wych street. It is a member of the Inner Temple, and is governed by a Treasurer and twelve Ancients, who with the other members are to be three weeks in commons in Michaelmas term, and a fortnight in each of the rest. Chamberlain’s Present State. Maitland.
Lion’s Inn court, Lion’s Inn.*
Lion’s key, Thames street.†
Lion’s street, Bloomsbury.†
Lion’s yard, Whitecross street.†
Liquorpond street, Leather lane.
Lisle street, Prince’s street, Soho.†
Lissham Green, a pleasant village near Paddington.
Litchfield street, Soho.
Little Almonry, by the Great Almonry, Westminster; so named from the alms given there. See the next article.
315Little Almonry Almshouse, situated in the Little Almonry, was founded by Henry VII. for the accommodation of twelve poor watermen and their wives, who annually receive of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster 7l. 2s. 4d. each couple, with a purple gown every other year; and for the burial of a Duke, Marquis, or their Ladies in the Abbey, 1l. 6s. 6d. and for that of an Earl, Baron, or their Ladies, 10s. 6d.
Little St. Andrew’s street, Seven Dials.
Little St. Ann’s lane, 1. Old Pye street. 2. Peter street, Westminster.
Little Argyle street, Argyle street, Great Marlborough street.†
Little Arthur street, Great Arthur street, Goswell street.†
Little Ashentree court, Water lane.‡
Little Ayliff street, Goodman’s Fields.†
Little Bacon street, Brick lane.†
Little Bailey street, Little Tower hill.†
Little Bandyleg walk, Queen street.
Little Bartholomew Close, Little Britain.
Little Bear key, Thames street. See Bear key.
Little Bell alley, 1. Coleman street.* 2. Grub street.*
Little Bennet’s court, Marygold court.†
Little Black Horse court, Aldersgate street.
316Little Booth street, Coverley’s fields.
Little Boss alley, Thames street.
Little Brick lane, Nicol’s street.
Little Bridges street, Bridges street.†
Little Britain, extends from Aldersgate street to Duck lane. This was anciently called Britain street, from the Duke of Britany’s palace situated in it near St. Botolph’s church.
Little Broad street, Broad street, London wall.
Little Brook’s street, Grosvenor square.†
Little Bush lane, Thames street.
Little Bur street, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.†
Little Cable street, 1. Cable street, Rag Fair.† 2. Wellclose square.†
Little Carter lane, Old Change.†
Little Castle street, Winsley street.*
Little Catharine street, In the Strand.
Little Chandos street, St. Martin’s lane.
Little Chapel street, 1. Great Wardour street. 2. By New Chapel street, Westminster.
Little Cheapside, Three Cranes, Thames street.
Little Cheapside yard, Three Crane alley.
Little Cock alley, 1. Redcross street, Cripplegate.* 2. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
Little Cock hill, Ratcliff.†
317Little court, 1. Duke’s Place, by Aldgate. 2. St. Mary Overies church yard.
Little Crow alley, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
Little Crowder’s Well alley, Jewin street.
Little Crown alley, Long Alley, Moorfields.*
Little Dean’s court, St. Martin’s le Grand.
Little Dean’s yard, Dean’s Yard, Westminster.
Little Dice key, Thames street.
Little Distaff lane, Old Change.
Little Drury lane, in the Strand.
Little Duke’s Place, or court, Leadenhall street.
Little Dunning’s alley, near Bishopsgate street.†
Little Earl street, Seven Dials.†
Little Eastcheap, Gracechurch street.
Little Elbow lane, 1. In Great Elbow lane, Thames street. 2. Ratcliff.
Little Essex street, Essex street, in the Strand.
Little Flower de Luce court, Cowcross.*
Little Friars gate, Fleet street, leading to White Friars.
Little Friday street, Friday street, Cheapside.
Little George street, 1. Great George 318street, Conduit street. 2. Great George street, Spitalfields.
Little Gloucester court, Chequer alley, Whitecross street.
Little Gloucester street, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.
Little Gray’s Inn lane, Gray’s Inn lane, Holborn.
Little Greenwich, Aldersgate street.
Little Greenwich alley, Aldersgate street.
Little Grosvenor street, Grosvenor square.
Little Gun alley, Orchard, Wapping.*
Little Hart street, near Covent Garden.
Little St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate street. See St. Helen’s.
Little St. Helen’s Almshouse, was erected by the Leathersellers company, pursuant to the will of John Hasilwood, of Waltham, Esq; in the year 1544, for the reception of four men and three women, who were allowed by the founder only 8d. per week each; but by other benefactions, and the bounty of the company, they now receive 2s. weekly, and six bushels of coals at Christmas. Maitland.
Little St. Helen’s court, Bishopsgate street within.
Little Hermitage street, Wapping.
Little Hollis’s street, Hanover square.†
319Little Howard’s yard, Angel alley.†
Little Jermain street, St. James’s street.
Little John’s street, Davis’s street.
Little Island, New Gravel lane.
Little Ivy lane, Ivy lane.‡
Little King’s Head court, near Shoe lane, Fleet street.
Little King’s street, St. James’s street.
Little Kirby street, Hatton garden.†
Little Knightrider street, Great Knightrider street, by Addle hill.
Little Lamb alley, Blackman street.*
Little Last alley, East Smithfield.*
Little Lombard street, Lombard street, by the Mansion house.
Little Love lane, Wood street, Cheapside.
Little Maddox street, New Bond street.
Little Marlborough street, Carnaby street.
Little Marsh yard, near Wapping.
Little St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.
Little Match walk, Upper Shadwell.
Little Maypole alley, St. Margaret’s hill.
Little Mazepond street, in the Maze.
Little Minories, that part of the Minories which is railed in, and is out of the city liberties. See the article Minories.
Little Minories court, Little Minories.
Little Mitchell’s street, Old street.†
Little Montague court, Little Britain.
Little Montague street, 1. Crispin street, Spitalfields. 2. Pelham street.
320Little Moorfields, Fore street, Moorgate.
Little Moor yard, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.†
Little Mouse alley, East Smithfield.
Little New court, Lamb alley.
Little Newport street, Great Newport lane.
Little New street, New street, Shoe lane.
Little New Street hill, near Shoe lane.
Little Nightingale lane, Burr street.
Little Northumberland alley, Crutched Friars.
Little Nottingham street, Dyot street.
Little Old Bailey, Great Old Bailey.
Little Ormond street, 1. Southampton row. 2. Red Lion street, Holborn.
Little Ormond yard, Ormond street.
Little Pearl street, Lamb street, Spitalfields.*
Little Peter street, 1. Little Windmill street. 2. Tufton street.
Little Portland street, Portland street.
Little Prescot street, Goodman’s fields.†
Little Prince’s street, 1. Near High Holborn. 2. Old Soho.
Little Queen street, 1. Dean street, Soho. 2. High Holborn. 3. King street, Rotherhith. 4. Queen street, Wapping. 5. Westminster.
Little Rider’s court, Little Newport street.†
321Little Rider street, St. James’s street.†
Little Rope walk, Goswell street.
Little Russel street, 1. Bloomsbury. 2. Drury lane.
Little Rutland court, Addle hill.
Little Sanctuary, King street, Westminster.
Little Scotland yard, Whitehall.
Little Sheer lane, Sheer lane, Temple bar.
Little Smith street, Smith street, Marsham street.†
Little Spring street, Spring street, Shadwell.
Little Star alley, Mark lane.*
Little Stone stairs, Ratcliff.
Little Suffolk street, Haymarket.
Little Swallow street, Swallow street.
Little Swan alley, 1. Coleman street.* 2. Goswell street.* 3. Mount Mill.* 4. St. John’s street, West Smithfield.* 5. Three colts yard, London Wall.*
Little Swordbearers alley, Chiswell street.
Little St. Thomas Apostle’s lane, Queen street, Cheapside.
Little Thompson’s rents, Half Moon alley, Coleman street.†
Little Three Tun alley, Near Whitechapel.*
Little Tower Hill, At the bottom of the Minories.
322Little Tower street, At the west end of Tower street.
Little Trinity lane, In Trinity lane, Bow lane.
Little Turnstile alley, High Holborn.
Little Twyford’s alley, St. Ermin’s hill.†
Little Vine street, Vine street.*
Little Wardour street, Tweed street.
Little Warner street, Cold Bath fields.†
Little Warwick street, Cockspur street.
Little White Bear court, Black Friars.*
Little White Lion street, Seven Dials.*
Little Wild street, Great Wild street.†
Little Winchester street, London Wall.
Little Windmill street, Near Cambridge street.
Little Wood street, Cripplegate.
Little York street, Cock lane, Shoreditch.
Littleton street, Golden lane.†
Litton street, Golden lane.†
Lloyd’s court, 1. Denmark street, Soho.† 2. Hog lane, St. Giles’s.†
Lloyd’s street, Prince’s street, Soho.†
Lloyd’s yard, Skinner’s street.†
Lock Hospital, near Hyde Park Corner, for the cure of the venereal disease. This charitable foundation was established, and is still supported by the voluntary contributions of gentlemen, who have had the humanity to consider, that pain and misery, however produced, entitle frail mortals to relief from their fellow creatures. 323They therefore, in imitation of the munificence of the Almighty, who causes his sun to shine on the evil and the good, afford relief equally to the innocent and the guilty.
Patients were first received into this hospital on the 31st of January 1747, since which time to the 10th of March 1752, there were discharged from it 1432; besides those who received benefit from it, by being out-patients; and the in-patients cured from the 10th of March 1752, to the 10th of March 1753, amounted to 308; besides twenty-one cured as out-patients. In that year four died, and at that last period, there were forty patients in the house, and five out-patients.
Among the above unhappy objects were several married women, children and infants, many of whom were admitted by the weekly committee, even without any other recommendation than their distress, they being almost naked, pennyless and starving. The virtuous, the humane reader will be astonished at reading, that at the end of the above period, among the other miserable objects who found relief, were upwards of sixty children from two to ten or twelve years old, who became infected from ways little suspected by the generality of mankind; from the absurd 324opinion, imbibed by the lower class, both males and females, that by communicating this loathsome disease to one that is sound, they will get rid of it themselves; and from this principle, which is contradicted by daily experience, the most horrid acts of barbarity have been frequently committed on poor little infants; and thus these vile wretches have entailed the most dreadful disease on these innocent infants, without affording the least relief to themselves. This the Governors have thought their duty to publish, in order, as much as possible, to root out from among mankind an opinion at once so base, so false, and productive of such cruelty.
From the above account of the happy success of this charity, its great usefulness must appear extremely obvious to every humane well disposed person: and many such may be induced to contribute to it, when they are informed that any sum not less than a guinea a year, will be acceptable.
Every gentleman subscribing 5l. a year, or upwards, is a Governor of this hospital; and whoever gives a benefaction of 50l. at one time, is a Governor for life: but no Governor above two years in arrear, can have any power or privilege as a Governor, till he has paid his arrears.
A committee of at least five of the Governors 325meet every Saturday morning at ten o’clock, to admit and discharge patients, adjust the weekly accounts, receive the reports of the visitors, and examine the affairs of the house.
Two of the contributors are appointed weekly by the committee to examine every day into the behaviour of the patients and nurses, and make their report, as it shall appear to them, at the next weekly board.
The orders of the house are:
I. That no patient is to be admitted but who brings a recommendation in writing, signed by a Governor, or one of the weekly committee.
II. That all recommendations for the admission of patients are received every Saturday morning till eleven o’clock.
III. Every patient is obliged to submit to the rules and orders of the house, or be discharged for irregularity.
IV. No person discharged for irregularity, can ever be received into the house again, on any recommendation whatsoever.
V. That no Governor have more than one patient in the house at a time; and that a preference be always given to those who subscribe the largest sums, so far as the case of the patient will admit.
VI. That no nurse, or any other person belonging to this hospital, do presume 326to take any reward whatsoever from any patient, either at their admission, continuance in the house, or discharge out of it, on pain of being immediately expelled, by order of the next weekly board.
VII. That no security at the admission of any patient be required for his burial; but when any patient dies in the hospital, he or she shall be buried at the expence of the society, unless it be otherwise desired by the friends of the deceased.
The contributors are desired to send their subscriptions to the Treasurer at the weekly board, held every Saturday morning in the hospital; and in order to supply the current expence of the charity, the subscribers are requested to pay their annual subscriptions in advance.
There is a poor’s box in the public hall, for the reception of small sums, or from such as are not willing to have their names inserted in the list of subscribers.
Lock Hospital, at the south east corner of Kent street, in Southwark, was anciently a house for the reception and cure of lepers: but at present it belongs to St. Bartholomew’s hospital in this city, and with the Lock at Kingsland, is appropriated to the cure of venereal patients.
It is a small neat edifice, and has been lately rebuilt. It has a row of trees before, and a garden behind, with a wall 327next the street. At the south end is the chapel, built about an hundred and twenty years ago.
Lock Hospital, at Kingsland. See Kingsland.
Lockwood’s yard, Saffron hill.†
Lodise’s alley, Saltpetre Bank.†
Lodise’s court, Saltpetre Bank.†
Logsdown yard, Middle row, Holborn.
Lollards Tower, the southernmost of two stone towers which stood at the west of St. Paul’s cathedral before the fire of London; which being used as the Bishop of London’s prison for such as were found guilty of the supposed crime of maintaining opinions contrary to the faith of the church of Rome, and many of the followers of Wickliff, who were called Lollards, being here imprisoned, it obtained the name of the Lollards Tower. Among these persecuted people were Mr. Richard Hunne, a citizen of London, a person well beloved, and of a fair character, who in the year 1515 was imprisoned here, under the pretence of having Wickliff’s bible; tho’ the occasion of his ruin was a dispute he had with a clerk about a mortuary, which was made the cause of the whole clergy. This man however submitted to the Bishop’s correction, upon which he ought to have been enjoined penance and set at liberty; but he was 328found hanging in his chamber, with his neck broken; and the Bishop’s sumner owned that he, with Dr. Horsey the Bishop’s chancellor, and the bell-ringer, had committed the murder. Upon this the coroner’s inquest proceeded to trial; but the Bishop began a new process against the dead body for heresy, and his persecutors not satisfied with having him murdered, caused the corpse to be burnt in Smithfield. Maitland.
Lollards Tower, at Lambeth. See Lambeth.
Lombard court, 1. Seven Dials. 2. West street, Soho.
Lombard street, 1. On the back of Cornhill, extends from the mansion house of the Lord Mayor, to Gracechurch street. Lombard street was anciently, as well as at present, inhabited by bankers, the first of whom were Italians chiefly from Lombardy, whence the word Lombards became anciently applied to all bankers, and this street retained the name of Lombards or Bankers street. Stow. 2. In Coverley’s fields. 3. In White Friars. 4. In the Mint, Southwark.