The very great improvements already made from Temple Bar towards St. James’s, have cost so considerable a sum of money, that the destruction of this gate, or bar, has been delayed much longer than was expected. The upper part of it was used of late years as an office for publishing the Star newspaper.
Shortly after the rebellion of 1745, the heads of three rebel noblemen were fixed on three poles, on the top of the gate, where they remained till they decayed, or were blown down by a high wind.
50. The Paviors.
When we see a rope, with a wisp of straw tied to it, across the street, no carriage should attempt to pass, for that is the pavior’s signal that the road is stopped, by their being at work on the stones. And hard work it seems to be, to use the heavy rammer.
“Does not each walker know the warning sign,
When wisps of straw depend upon the twine
Cross the close street, that then the pavior’s art
Renews the way, denied to coach or cart?
For thee the sturdy pavior thumps the ground,
Whilst every stroke his labouring lungs resound.”
The stones for paving London are mostly brought from the quarries of Scotland, by ships; and very few towns or cities in Europe are better paved than the City of London. Indeed, every year seems to add improvements, for the health and comfort of the inhabitants.
The country farmer, who has been used to nothing but ploughed fields, and uneven, rutted lanes, or, at best, to the rough gravel of a cross-country road, would be surprised to see the streets of London paved as neatly as Farmer Furrowdale’s kitchen, and the lamps lighted as regularly every evening, as that in the great hall at the ’squires. And now, by the introduction of gas, the principal streets are very brilliantly illuminated, without the aid of tallow, oil, or cotton.
51. Westminster Abbey.
