Messenger’s rents, Still alley.†
Metcalf’s court, Jacob’s street, Rotherhith.†
Methodists, a body of Dissenters from the church of England, who have several meeting houses in this metropolis: 1. At the Foundery, Windmill hill. 2. Beech lane. 3. Bull and Mouth street. 4. Marybon fields, which is more properly a chapel of the church of England, the service of the church being performed by one of the principal founders of the sect of Methodists. 5. St. Agnes le Clare. 6. West street, Seven Dials.
Mews, the stables for the King’s horses near Charing Cross, is a place of considerable antiquity, and is thus denominated from Mew, a term used among falconers, signifying to moult or cast feathers; for this place was used for the accommodation of the King’s falconers and hawks, so early as the year 1377; but the King’s stables at Lomesbury, since called Bloomsbury, being destroyed by fire in the year 1537, King Henry VIII. caused the hawks to be removed, and the Mews enlarged and fitted up for the reception of his Majesty’s horses, where they have been kept ever since: the building going to decay, the north side was rebuilt in a magnificent manner by his present Majesty, in the year 1732.
S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
Part of the Meuse and St. Martins Church.
There is something in this part of the intended building of the Mews very noble, particularly the center, which is enriched with columns and a pediment, and the continuity of the architecture preserved. The smaller pediment and rustic arch under the cupolas or lanthorns are properly subordinate, but set so close to the balustrade that its intent, as a gallery, is thereby destroyed. In the view given in the print scarce half the front is seen: and over some old houses you see the beautiful steeple and part of the portico of St. Martin’s church, which has the general fate of our public buildings, to be so incumbered with houses as to have no place to view them to advantage.
Upon viewing this edifice, it is impossible not to be offended at the wretched buildings which form the other sides of the square. It is indeed much to be wished that they were made to correspond with the main building; this, if it were done, and a suitable regular entrance made from Charing Cross, would make the royal stables one of the greatest ornaments of this metropolis. Some of the finest horses in the kingdom, both for the coach and saddle, may here be seen.
Mews, Devonshire square, Bishopsgate street.
St. Michael’s alley, by the side of St. Michael’s church, Cornhill.