S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
The Mansion House.
It is, however, very obvious, that the principal figures in this pediment are too large, which obliges London to stand, and Plenty to kneel, in a less graceful manner than they might otherwise do; and, besides their extraordinary size, renders them too crouded.
Beneath this portico are two series of windows, which extend along the whole front, and above these is an Attic story with square windows crowned with a balustrade.
The building is an oblong, and its depth is the long side; it has an area in the middle, and the farthest end is an Egyptian hall, which is the length of the front, very high and designed for public entertainments. To make it regular in flank, the architect has raised a similar building on the front, which is the upper part of a dancing gallery. This rather hurts than adorns the face of the building.
Near the ends at each side is a window of extraordinary height, placed between coupled Corinthian pilasters, and extending to the top of the Attic story.
The apartments are extremely noble; but this edifice has the misfortune to be so crouded with houses, especially on the sides, that the rooms are dark, and even in the front there is not a sufficient area to enlighten the building; nor can it ever be viewed to advantage, unless in some future time the heavy load at the top should be taken off, and a broad street, as wide as the edifice itself, opened before it into Lothbury.
Mare street, Hackney.
Margaret’s alley, Margaret street.
St. Margaret’s Hill, extends from the court of justice, which faces the street thus named, to the farther corner of St. George’s church. Where this court is now kept, was anciently a church named St. Margaret’s on the hill, which gave its name to the street. The court-house has a small colonade that leads to a tavern, over which is the court-room, where the Lord Mayor of London tries causes. On the front of this edifice is the statue of King Charles II. under which is the following inscription:
Combustum anno 1670, re-ædificatum annis 1685 & 1686. Jacobo Smyth, Mil. & Roberto Geffery, Mil. Prætoribus. Impensis S. P. Q. L.