52. St. Mary le Strand Churchyard.—At the west end of the church, about 200 square yards in size, closed and not well kept.
53. Additional ground, Russell Court, Catherine Street.—430 square yards. It is probable that few grounds in London were more overcrowded with bodies than this one, which was entirely surrounded by the backs of small houses. When closed in 1853 it was in a very disgusting and unwholesome condition, and it continued to be most wretched until the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association asphalted it in 1886. It is maintained as a children’s playground by the London County Council. This is the scene of “Tom all alone’s” in “Bleak House.” There are 6 gravestones against the wall.
54. St. Clement Danes Churchyard.—This is now ¼ acre in extent, having been curtailed when the Strand was altered. It is closed.
55. Additional ground, Portugal Street.—This was called the “Green-ground,” and was crowded with bodies. A corner of King’s College Hospital was built upon the ground. The remaining piece is nearly ½ acre in size, between the hospital and Portugal Street. It is now the entrance drive and a grass plot. It is neatly kept, with some trees and seats in it, and is used solely by the hospital.
56. St. Paul’s Churchyard, Covent Garden.—¾ acre. Given by the Earl of Bedford in 1631. It is closed and very neat, the tombstones forming a flat paved yard round the church, while the rest of the ground is turfed.
57. St. Ann’s Churchyard, Soho.—½ acre. It is estimated that in this small ground and the vaults under the church 110,240 bodies were interred during 160 years. It was laid out by the Metropolitan Public Gardens Association in 1892, and is maintained as a recreation ground in very good order by the Strand District Board of Works.
58. The Churchyard of the Chapel Royal (St. Mary’s), Savoy.—¼ acre. This ground was much used for the internment of soldiers. It belongs to Her Majesty the Queen, as Duchess of Lancaster, and was laid out as a public garden at the cost of the Queen, the Earl of Meath, and others. It is well maintained by the parish.
ST. GILES IN THE FIELDS.
59. St. Giles’ Churchyard.—Nearly an acre. This ground being originally consecrated by a Roman Catholic, was much used by the poor Irish. It was enlarged in 1628, and at various subsequent dates, and was very much overcrowded, and it occupies the site of an ancient graveyard attached to a leper hospital. It has been laid out as a public garden, and is maintained by the St. Giles’ District Board of Works. The brightest part of the ground is north of the church, and this is only opened at the discretion of the caretaker.
HOLBORN.