The four Censors have, by charter, authority to survey, correct and govern all Physicians, or others, that shall practise within their jurisdiction, and to fine and imprison for offences as they shall see cause. They may convene any Physician or practitioner before them, and examine him concerning his skill in physic, and if he does not appear to their summons, or upon his appearance refuses to answer, he may be fined for every default, any sum not exceeding forty shillings; or if any administer unwholsome and noxious medicines, he may be fined according to discretion, net exceeding 10l. or imprisoned, not exceeding fourteen days, unless for nonpayment of the fine, when it shall be lawful to detain him in prison until it be paid.
College of Physicians. This society had their first college in Knightrider street, which was the gift of Dr. Linacre, Physician to King Henry VIII. from whence they afterwards removed to Amen Corner, where they had purchased an house. Here the great Dr. Harvey, who immortalized his name by discovering the circulation of the blood, built them a library and public hall in the year 1652, which he granted for ever to the college, with his library, and endowed it with his estate, which he resigned to them while living, assigning a part of it for an anniversary oration, in commemoration of their benefactors, and to promote a spirit of emulation in succeeding generations. However, this edifice being consumed by the fire of London, and the ground being only upon lease, the Fellows erected the present structure.
College of Physicians.
S. Wale delin. J. Taylor sc.
The College of Physicians is a very noble edifice, situated near the north west corner of Warwick lane. It is built with brick and stone.
The entrance, which is grand, is under an octangular theatre, finishing in a dome, with a cone on the top, making a lantern to it. The inside is elegant, finely enlightened and very capacious. This was built by Sir Christopher Wren. The arches represented in the print are under the theatre thro’ which you enter the area. The central building, which is well worthy of observation, is the design of Inigo Jones, and contains the library and other rooms of state and convenience. The ascent to the door is by a flight of steps, and in the under part is a basement story. The whole front is decorated with pilasters of the Ionic and Corinthian orders; and on one side over the door case, is the statue of King Charles II. placed in a niche, and in the other side that of Sir John Cutler. The buildings at the two sides of the court are uniform, and have the window cases handsomely ornamented. The orders are well executed, and the whole edifice both beautiful and commodious.
The College of Physicians is a building of great delicacy, and eminently deserves to be considered among the noblest ornaments of this city, is yet so unlucky in its situation, in a narrow and dirty part of the lane, that it can never be seen to advantage.
There is here a hall, in which the Physicians sit to give advice to the poor gratis; a committee room; a library, furnished with books by Sir Theodore Mayerne and the Marquis of Dorchester, who was one of the Fellows; a great hall for the quarterly meetings of the Doctors, adorned with pictures and sculpture; a theatre for anatomical dissection; a preparing room, where there are thirteen tables, containing all the muscles in the human body; and over all garrets to dry the herbs for the use of the dispensatory.
Piccadilly, Haymarket. There were formerly no houses in this street, and only one shop for Spanish ruffs, which was called the Piccadilly or Ruff shop. At present there are several noble houses in it. See Devonshire House, Burlington House. The last house built in Piccadilly is the Earl of Egremont’s. It is of stone, and tho’ not much adorned, is elegant and well situated for a town house, having a fine view over the Green Park, which would be still more extended if the houses on each side were set farther back.
Pickax street, Aldersgate street.