Out of the High Row runs Mills’ Buildings, so called from a builder of that name who erected them in 1777. At the top, abutting on the Park, is Park Row: at No. 5, Mr. Thomas Cooper for several years resided; and Mr. F. Matthews once lived in this row.
The spot of ground now occupied by the Duke of Wellington’s stables, just erected from designs by Hardwick, was purchased by the Duke from a Mr. Williams, whose freehold property it was. Several houses in Park Place, the “Nag’s Head,” [118] and five other houses, were removed for these stables. Two of them touched on the Park, and were called Williams’ Cottages.
At the west end of High Row is the barrack for the Horse-Guards, an extensive range of brick buildings, built in 1795, and capable of accommodating 600 men and 500 horses. In the centre of the chief building is an oblong parade, around which are the apartments for the men, and the chief stabling for the horses. A mansion for the officers, riding school, &c., stand at the western end.
Hyde Park.—Of the glories of Hyde Park it is almost superfluous to speak; it has been a place of great popular resort since the days of Charles II. It was then visited, not as now, for air and exercise only, but was much used by the citizens for their sports. May 1st, 1654, a great hurling match was played before the Lord Protector. We read that on that day also “great resort came to Hyde Park, many hundreds of rich coaches, and gallants in attire; but most shameful powdered-hair men and painted and spotted women.” Horse and footraces were also held here. “Shall we make a fling to London, and see how the spring appears there in Spring Garden, and in Hyde Park to see the races, horse and foot?”—(“Merry Beggars, or Jovial Crew,” 1641.)
Many and famous have been the reviews here, some of them of deep historical interest. In October, 1803, as before-mentioned, George III. reviewed the different Volunteer Corps raised by the metropolis, when the total number inspected amounted to 27,077 men, of whom our local contingent mustered in force of 124. The enthusiasm created by the appearance of the Guards on their return from the Crimea, and the first distribution of the Victoria Cross by her Majesty in person, are fresh in the public memory.
It is well diversified with wood and water; the Serpentine in its space amply supplying the latter.
“Well may the coyest of the Nine
Be proud to sing the Serpentine;
For never breeze has swept, nor beam
Shed light upon a luckier stream.
’Tis but a brook, whose scanty source,
Hard by, just struggles in its course,
But scarce has reached, slow trickling thence,
The bounds of royal influence,
When, such the favour and protection
That flows from interest and connection,
’Tis bidden a nobler form to take,
And spreads and widens to a lake.” [120a]
Would that its waters were kept sweet and pure; how much more enjoyable would its ride and walks be. Life at the Serpentine in the height of the London season, and after a few days’ sharp frost, presents characteristics that can be seen in the metropolis only.
The Hyde Park river, which no river is,
The Serpentine—which is not serpentine,
When frozen, every skater claims as his,
In right of common, there to entertwine
With countless crowds, and glide upon the ice.
Lining the banks, the timid and unwilling
Stand and look on, while some the fair entice
By telling, yonder skaters are quadrilling;
And here the skateless hire the “best skates” for a shilling. [120b]
As the Serpentine is at these two seasons productive of so much enjoyment, so it is also at the same time the source of much danger. The skater, the bather, and he who is sick of life’s miseries, too often afford employment for the staff at the Receiving House of the Royal Humane Society.