The cover has been created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain.

LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED.
VOL. VI.

LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED.
CONTAINING

An Account of whatever is most remarkable
for GRANDEUR, ELEGANCE, CURIOSITY
or USE,
In the CITY and in the COUNTRY
Twenty Miles round it.
COMPREHENDING ALSO
Whatever is most material in the History and Antiquities
of this great Metropolis.
Decorated and illustrated with a great Number of
Views in Perspective, engraved from original
Drawings, taken on purpose for this Work.
Together with a Plan of LONDON,
A Map of the ENVIRONS, and several other
useful CUTS.
VOL. VI.
LONDON:
Printed for R. and J. DODSLEY in Pall-Mall.

M DCC LXI.

LONDON
AND ITS
ENVIRONS
DESCRIBED, &c.

SIO

† Those with this mark generally derived their name from the ground landlord, who built the street, lane, or alley, &c.
* From signs.
☐ From neighbouring places, as churches, &c.
‡ From trees formerly growing there.
|| From ridicule.
§ From their situation, as backwards, forwards, with respect to other streets.

Sion College, adjoining to St. Alphage’s church, London Wall, was founded for the improvement of the London clergy, and situated upon the ruins of Elsing Spital, which consisted of a college for a warden, four priests and two clerks, and an hospital for an hundred old, blind and poor persons of both sexes.

This college owes its foundation to Dr. Thomas White, Vicar of St. Dunstan’s in the West, who, among other charities, left 3000l. to purchase and build a college for the use of the London clergy, with almshouses for twenty poor people, ten men and ten women. He also gave 160l. a year for ever to the college and almshouses, 120l. for the support of the alms-people, and 40l. per annum, for the expences of the foundation.

The ground was purchased in 1627; but the library was not appointed by the founder; for a clergyman observing to Mr. Simson one of Dr. White’s executors, that a convenient library might be erected over the almshouse, which was then building, Mr. Simson took the hint, and erected it at his own expence.

The work being finished, in prosecution of the will, a charter was procured under the great seal of England in the sixth year of King Charles I. for incorporating the clergy of London, by which all the rectors, vicars, lecturers and curates, are constituted fellows of the college, and out of the incumbents, are annually to be elected on Tuesday three weeks after Easter, as governors, a president, two deans, and four assistants, who are to meet quarterly, to hear a Latin sermon, and afterwards to be entertained at dinner in the college hall, at the charge of the foundation. And in 1632 the governors and clergy being summoned, agreed upon a common seal, which had the good Samaritan, with the inscription Vade & fac similiter, and round it Sigillum Collegii de Sion Londini.

The books were given by many benefactors, whose names were preserved in a large vellum book, and the library much augmented by that of the old cathedral of St. Paul’s, which was brought to the college in the year 1647.

However the dreadful fire of London, which consumed so many other public structures, also destroyed this, and burnt a third part of the books, with the almshouses, several convenient chambers for students, besides those reserved for the meeting of the governors and fellows, and for the clerk and the library-keeper, to dwell in. The whole edifice was however afterwards rebuilt, except the chambers for the students; that part of the ground, being let out on building leases: the expence of erecting the library and almshouse amounted to above 1300l. and the hall with the other buildings to 2000l. more.

The edifice is extremely plain, and consists of brick buildings surrounding a square court.

Since the fire the library has been enriched by many benefactions; particularly by a part of the books of the jesuits seized in the year 1679, and by the Lord Berkley’s giving half his uncle Cooke’s books to the library: One gentleman gave the interest of 100l. to be annually laid out in books, and another 20l. per annum for the same use, payable by the leatherseller’s company: there are also a great number of other benefactors to the library, whose names are set down in a book kept for that purpose.

In order to augment the library it has been also proposed, that every author be desired to give one copy of every book he publishes; and also every minister at his admission into a living, that every governor at his admission give one of at least 10s. value; and that the booksellers give one copy of every book they cause to be printed.

The library is surveyed twice a year: and had at first a librarian, an under librarian, and an ostiary: but now one serves for all.

The almshouse consists of twenty rooms, for ten men within the college, and ten women without it. Four of whom are nominated by the city of Bristol, where Mr. White was born; eight by the merchant taylor’s company, six by the parish of St. Dunstan, where he was minister forty-nine years; and two by St. Gregory’s parish, where he had lived about twenty years: except any of the kindred of either of his wives appeared, who were first to be considered; but these were not to exceed four at a time. The alms-people formerly received 6l. a year; but the lowering of rents has caused their allowance to be somewhat lessened.

Sion court, Philip lane, London wall.

Sion House, one of the seats of the right Honourable the Earl and Countess of Northumberland, stands upon the banks of the Thames, between Brentford and Isleworth in Middlesex, and opposite to the King’s Garden at Richmond. It is called Sion from a monastery of the same name, which was founded by Henry the Vth. in 1414, very near the place where the house now stands, and was endowed with 1000 marks a year, for the maintenance of sixty Nuns (including the Abbess and twenty-five men), and was dedicated to St. Saviour and St. Bridget; from the latter of whom the Nuns, &c. were called Bridgettines, and were of the order of Augustines, as reformed by some new regulations made by the aforesaid Bridget.

Sion was almost one of the first of the monasteries that was suppressed by Henry the VIIIth, perhaps not on account of any greater irregularities of behaviour, which had been discovered in it by the visitors, but because the members of that society had been remarkably favourable to the King’s declared enemies, and particularly to the maid of Kent; for she met with a very friendly reception amongst them, and so far excited the curiosity of the neighbourhood, as to induce the famous Sir Thomas More to have two private conferences with her at this very place. When the monastery was suppressed, its revenues according to Speed, amounted to 1944l. 11s. 11d. ¾, and on account of its fine situation, it was not sold or given immediately to any court-favourite, but appropriated to the King’s own use. And accordingly we find, that when the corpse of Henry the VIIIth. was to be removed from Westminster to Windsor to be interred, it laid the first night, not at Richmond as is commonly supposed, but at Sion; which by this means became the scene in which a prophecy was supposed to be fulfilled. For Father Peto, preaching before the King at Greenwich in 1534, told him that the dogs would lick his blood as they had done Ahab’s. Now as the King died of a dropsical disorder, and had been dead a fortnight before he was removed to Sion, it so happened that some corrupted matter of a bloody colour ran through the coffin at that place. Whereupon the incident, though only a natural consequence of the aforesaid circumstances, was misconstrued into a completion of Peto’s pretended prophecy, and considered as a piece of divine justice, inflicted upon the King for having forced the Bridgettines from their religious sanctuary.

S. Wale delin. Elliot sculp.
Sion House, view’d from Richmond Gardens.

In the next reign the monastery was given by the King to his uncle the Duke of Somerset the Protector, who in 1547 (as is generally supposed) began to build Sion House, and finished the shell of it, as it now remains, excepting a few alterations, which will be mentioned in their proper places. The house is built on the very spot where the church belonging to the monastery formerly stood, and is a very large, venerable, and majestic structure, built of white stone, in the form of a hollow square, so that it has four external, and as many internal fronts; the latter of which surround a square court in the middle. The roof is flat, covered with lead, and surrounded with indented battlements, like the walls of a fortified city. Upon every one of the four outward angles of the roof, there is a square turret, flat-roofed, and embattled like the other parts of the building. The house is three stories high, and the east-front, which faces the Thames, is supported by arches, forming a fine piazza, as it appears in the print. The gardens formed two square areas, enclosed with high walls before the east and west fronts, and were laid out and finished in a very grand manner, but being made at a time when extensive views were judged to be inconsistent with that solemn reserve and stately privacy affected by the great, they were so situated as to deprive the house of every beautiful prospect which the neighbourhood afforded. None of them at least could be seen from the lower apartments. To remedy in some measure that inconvenience, the Protector built a very high triangular terrace in the angle between the walls of the two gardens; and this it was that his enemies afterwards did not scruple to call a fortification, and to insinuate that it was one proof, amongst many others, which they alledged of his having formed a design very dangerous to the liberties of the King and people. Such was the State of the gardens as finished by the Protector. After his attainder and execution on Jan. 22, 1552, Sion was confiscated to the crown. Whereupon the furniture of the apartments, in which the Duke had lived (and they were probably a part of the old monastery) were given to Sir John Wroth the Keeper, and the new house, that is, the present house at Sion, to the Duke of Northumberland, which then became the residence of his son the Lord Guilford and his daughter-in-law the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey. The Duke being beheaded August 22, 1553, Sion house once more reverted to the crown. Three years after this, Queen Mary restored it to the Bridgettines; and it remained in their possession until the society was expelled by Queen Elizabeth in the first year of her reign. Such of the Nuns as persisted in their errors carried away their portable treasure, and settled successively at Zurickzee in Zealand, at Mechlin, Roan, and lastly at Lisbon, where the society still subsists. Some years after this second dissolution, which Sion had undergone as a monastery, it was granted by a lease of a long term to Henry Earl of Northumberland, who, in consideration of his eminent services to the government, was permitted to enjoy it by paying a very small rent as an acknowledgement, and even that, when offered, was generally remitted.

King James the First considered his lordship no longer as a tenant, but gave Sion to him and his heirs for ever. Many improvements were made in his time; for it appears from one of his lordship’s letters to the King in 1613, that he had laid out 9000l. in the house and gardens; which sum was probably expended in finishing them according to the Protector’s plan. His son Algernon, afterwards appointed Lord high Admiral of England, succeeded to the estate in November 1632. He employed Inigo Jones to new face the inner court, to make many alterations in the apartments, and to finish the great hall in the manner in which it at present appears.

It must not be omitted in the history of this place, that the Dukes of York, and Gloucester, and the Princess Elizabeth were sent hither by an order of the parliament agreed upon August 27, 1646, and according to Lord Clarendon were treated by the Earl and Countess of Northumberland in all respects as was most suitable to their birth. The unhappy King frequently visited them at Sion in 1647, and thought it a very great alleviation of his misfortunes to find his children so happy in their confinement. The Duke of Gloucester and the Princess Elizabeth continued at Sion till 1649, at which time the Earl resigned them to the care of his sister the Countess of Leicester.

May 30th 1682, Charles Duke of Somerset married the Lady Elizabeth Percy, the only daughter and heiress of Josceline Earl of Northumberland, by which means Sion and the immense estate of the Percies became his Grace’s property. The Duke and Duchess lent this house at Sion to the Princess of Denmark, who honoured it with her residence during the time of a misunderstanding which arose between her royal highness and her sister Queen Mary.

Upon the death of Charles Duke of Somerset, December 2, 1748. Algernon Earl of Hertford, his only surviving son succeeded to the title and a vast estate, and soon after gave Sion to his daughter and son-in-law, the present Countess and Earl of Northumberland, to whose fine taste and liberality are owing the many and great improvements which have made the gardens at Sion so universally admired.

The old Gardens, as we have already observed, were indeed very grand and magnificent according to the fashion of the age in which they were made, but, in consequence of the taste that then prevailed, they deprived the lower apartments of almost every advantage of prospect, which the fine situation of Sion house naturally affords. To make the necessary alterations required nothing less than his Lordship’s generosity. Accordingly the high triangular terrace, which the Protector had raised at a great expence, was removed, the walls of the old gardens were taken down, and the ground before the house levelled, and it now forms a fine lawn extending from Isleworth to Brentford. By these means also a beautiful prospect is opened into the King’s gardens at Richmond, as well as up and down the Thames. Towards the Thames the lawn is bounded by an ha-ha, and a meadow; which his lordship ordered to be cut down into a gentle slope, so that the surface of the water may now be seen even from the lowest apartments and the gardens. In consequence of these improvements, the most beautiful piece of scenery imaginable is formed before two of the principal fronts, for even the Thames itself seems to belong to the gardens, and the different sorts of vessels, which successively sail as it were through them, appear to be the property of their noble proprietor.

The house stands nearly in the middle point of that side of the lawn, which is the farthest from the Thames, and communicates with Isleworth and Brentford, either by means of the lawn or a fine gravel walk, which in some places runs along the side, and in others through the middle of a beautiful shrubbery; so that even in the most retired parts of this charming maze, where the prospect is most confined, almost the whole vegetable world rises up as it were in miniature around you, and presents you with every foreign shrub, plant, and flower, which can be adopted by the soil of this climate. His Lordship has not only thus improved the ground where the old gardens stood, but has also made a very large addition to it, and separated the two parts by making a new serpentine river. It communicates with the Thames, is well stored with all sorts of river fish, and can be emptied and filled by means of a sluice, which is so contrived as to admit the fish into the new river, but to prevent their returning back again into the Thames. His Lordship has also built two bridges, which form a communication between the two gardens, and has erected in that, which lies near Brentford, a stately doric column; upon the top of which is a fine proportioned statue of Flora, so judiciously placed as to command as it were a distinct view of the situation over which she is supposed to preside.

S. Wale delin. E. Rooker sculp.
Sion House, view’d from opposite Isleworth Church.

The kitchen gardens are very large, lie at a very proper distance from the house, and contain every thing, as an hot-house, fire-walls, &c. The greenhouse is a very neat building with a gothic front, designed by his Lordship in so light a style as to be greatly admired. The back and end walls of it are the only remains of the old monastery. This building stands near a circular bason of water, well stored with gold and silver fish; and in the middle of the bason is a spouting fountain, which is well supplied and plays without intermission.

What has hitherto been said is only an imperfect account of the several steps pursued in the planning and finishing of the gardens; to which we must add, that his lordship has also made many considerable alterations in the apartments of the east-front over the long gallery, and, as we are informed, intends to make many more in the other parts of the house, as he has lately done in the approach to it.

To conduct (as it were) the reader through the rooms would be a task too difficult to be executed in an intelligible manner; however we cannot help taking notice of the great gallery, which extends the whole length of the east-front over the arcades, and of that immense quantity of old china vases, of different forms and sizes, which are crowded together in almost every apartment.

We must also inform the reader that many fine prospects may be seen from the leads on the top of the house; for they command a view of the country to the distance of twelve or fourteen miles, and consequently the greatest part of London may be seen from them. To these observations we must add, that the gardens, when viewed from the top of the house, form a finer landskip than can easily be conceived.

In the history of Sion we should be guilty of an unpardonable omission, did we not mention the pedigree picture, which is perhaps one of the greatest curiosities of its kind in England, and exhibits the noble and royal connections of the Percies; all which are now united in the present Countess of Northumberland, whose many virtues are an ornament to that high station of life, which has been for many centuries enjoyed by her illustrious progenitors.

Sir William Warren’s square, Wapping dock.†

Six Bells alley, Foster lane, Cheapside.*

Six Bells court, Six Bells alley.*

Six Clerks Office, in Chancery lane. This is an office in chancery, and these six clerks are next in degree to the twelve masters of that court. They inroll commissions, pardons, patents, warrants, &c. that have passed the seal.

Under these six clerks are sixty other clerks, ten to each of the six; who with their under clerks dispatch the business of this office; there are also attornies for plaintiffs and defendants in causes depending in this court. Chamberlain’s present State.

Six Garden’s court, Paul’s alley Barbican.

Six Penny Receiver’s Office, on Tower Hill. Here six pence a month is paid by all seamen, both in the royal navy and merchants service, for the benefit of Greenwich hospital. The principal officers here are, a receiver who has 300l. a year; an accomptant who has 200l. a year; and a comptroller who has also 200l. a year.

Size yard, Whitechapel.

Skin Market, 1. Bank-side, Southwark: 2. in a square behind Wood’s close, where great quantities of sheep-skins are sold.

Skin Market yard, Bank-side Southwark.

Skinner street, Bishopsgate Street, without.

Skinner Street passage, leading to the above street.

Skinners, a society incorporated by letters patent granted by Edward III. in the year 1327, by the following singular title, The Master and Wardens of the guild or fraternity of the Body of Christ of the Skinners of London: which was confirmed by Henry VI. in the year 1438, whereby every person admitted to the freedom of this company is to be presented to the Lord Mayor: and by these grants the corporation was restrained from making by-laws.

The government of this company is vested in a matter, four wardens and sixty assistants, with a livery of one hundred and thirty-seven members, who on their admission, pay a fine of 15l.

The members of this company pay no quarterage, which is owing to the great estates they are possessed of; out of which, according to the wills of the respective donors, they annually pay about 700l. to charitable uses.

They have a very handsome hall on Dowgate hill; the hall-room is neatly wainscotted with oak, and the parlour with cedar.

Skinners rents, 1. Old Market lane, Ratcliff: 2. Perewinkle street, Ratcliff cross.

Sky yard, Swan yard.

Slaughterhouse alley, Spitalfields Market.

Slaughterhouse yard, Fashion street, Spitalfields.

Slaughter’s court, Blue Anchor alley, Rosemary lane.†

Sleep’s alley, Islington Road, St. John’s street.†

Slipper court, Hand alley, Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.

Sloane’s Museum and Library. See the article British Museum.

Slop alley, Gray’s Inn lane.

Sluce street, Rotherhith.

Smallcoal alley, 1. Brick lane, Spitalfields: 2. Fashion street, Artillery lane, Spitalfields: 3. Rupert street: 4. St. John’s street Smithfield.

Small Pox Hospital, in Cold Bath Fields, is a very plain neat structure. The centre which projects a little from the rest of the building, is terminated on the top by an angular pediment, on the apex of which is placed a vase upon a small pediment.

This excellent charity was instituted in the year 1746, supported by a subscription then made by several noblemen, gentlemen and ladies, who were desirous that a charity useful in itself, and so beneficial to the public, might be begun near this great metropolis, there not being any hospital of this kind in Europe.

The relief of the necessitous under that severe, nauseous, and frequent distemper, the small-pox, is a work of charity so evidently attended with many beneficial circumstances, as well to the public as to the unhappy objects, that it is in reality not a little strange, that the establishing a fund for such a charity should be a design of no longer standing.

It is universally agreed, that amongst all distempers, to which Providence has made the human body liable, there is none so afflicting, so alarming, or which demands such careful, speedy, and continual assistance, as the small-pox; to which the inferior sort of people are at least equally liable with those in a higher sphere of life, though utterly unable to support themselves under so dreadful a malady, or to procure the necessary means for their recovery.

As this disease is so frightful, even in its first appearance, and at the same time contagious, and almost inevitable, families of all degrees are thrown into the utmost confusion, when it invades any person amongst them, let his or her station be what it will. To keep a servant in such a condition is, generally speaking, exceedingly inconvenient: to thrust them out of doors under such circumstances, always inhuman, commonly fatal. How agreeable, therefore, must the information prove to all considerate and charitable persons, that for removing of these difficulties, for securing private families, and for the preservation of the wretched individuals labouring under this disease, there is established, an hospital for the small-pox, where persons of both sexes, and of all ages, may be carefully provided for, both as to physic and diet, and properly attended in that calamitous condition; and this at a very easy expence to the governors, who by their charitable contributions support the fund for so glorious, and so compassionate an undertaking, which, only to mention, is to recommend. A needless pomp of words would rather obscure, than illustrate this design; the utility and humanity of which, all, who have the smallest attention or tenderness, cannot fail to comprehend.

As what has been said sufficiently shews, how well adapted a charity this is, in respect to such as are afflicted with this disease in the natural way; so the other part of the scheme, which has a tendency to preserve our species from the ravages of this infectious malady, by rendering it less malignant and less destructive, in the way of inoculation, deserves likewise public approbation and effectual encouragement.

The objections that have been made against this practice, are founded rather in an aversion to novelty, however useful, than in an adherence to reason and experience. The strange imputation that a well established method of preserving many lives, is an attempt upon the prerogative of the Almighty, will make no impression upon any, who consider that the same thing may be urged against exhibiting medicines at all, either sanative or preventive, and the extraordinary methods that are often necessary to be made use of, to stop the progress of any particular disease.

The benefits of inoculation appear every year, by fresh trials, greater and more certain. This dreadful, this destructive distemper is thereby rendered mild and manageable, and becomes rather a purgation of the body from the latent seeds of an expected disease, than creating a disease itself. It delivers people from those apprehensions, with which, till they have had the small-pox, they are always haunted. It frees them from the objections, that are continually made to their being received into any family, while they remain exposed to that disease in the natural way. It gives them courage to enter into the service of their country, either by land or sea; and protects them, while in that service, from the risque of being carried off, for want of those accommodations, which camps and ships rarely supply.

To all these, if we add the general and great consideration of preserving so many lives, which may evidently arise from these different ways of having the disease, (for upon a general calculation, twenty-five or thirty die out of one hundred and fifty patients, having the distemper in the natural way, and one only out of this number, when inoculated,) it will appear, that this is a thing of very high importance; and that it is not easy to name an undertaking more laudable in itself, or more beneficial in its consequences, than the making a provision, that those, who really stand in the greatest need of this preservative, and yet from their low, though useful stations in life, are precluded from it, should be rescued from a condition, equally injurious to them and to society.

But as the world will be often divided in sentiments, in matters of such a nature; so, by the constitution of this charity, due care is taken, that the intentions of such well disposed persons, as shall contribute to any branch of it, shall be punctually answered. For they may direct their benefactions to be bestowed upon such persons only, as are infected with the natural small-pox; or, if they judge the promoting inoculation the more beneficial, they may confine their gifts thereto; or, if given without any distinction, it will be applied to the general fund, both for natural small-pox and for inoculation.

To these considerations, it is proper to add one circumstance, which, duly considered, cannot but have great weight with all, who have any feeling for their fellow-creatures in distress; which is, that it is an hospital, in aid of all other hospitals, being calculated, by its very constitution, to receive those miserable creatures, whom the rules of all other charities expresly and prudentially exclude.

As this useful and necessary charity loudly calls for further assistance, may it not be justly hoped, that many pious and compassionate hands will bountifully contribute to the support, continuance, and enlargement of a design, which reason, good policy, humanity, and religion so powerfully recommend?

This hospital consists of two houses, at a due distance from each other in airy situations.

That for preparing the patients for inoculation is in the Lower street, Islington; and that for receiving them, when the disease appears, and for the reception of patients in the natural way, is in Cold Bath fields.

Stated general courts are held half yearly, to wit, in April and October, or within ten days before or after each of those months; notice of which is sent to each governor, as well as publicly advertised.

Two presidents, four vice-presidents, and a treasurer, are annually elected out of the governors.

A house-committee of thirteen governors is chosen half yearly, who meet the first Thursday in the month at ten in the forenoon at the hospital in Cold Bath fields, and the other Thursdays at Child’s coffee-house in St. Paul’s church-yard, at five in the afternoon, to transact the business of the hospital; at which meetings all governors present have a vote, and their attendance will be esteemed a favour.

A Physician and Surgeon attend the hospital without fee or reward.

There are a Secretary, two Apothecaries, a Messenger, Matrons, proper Nurses, &c.——No fee, reward, or gratuity, to be taken from any patients, tradesmen, or other persons, on account of the hospital, on pain of expulsion.

Thirty guineas constitutes a governor for life; five guineas per annum, a governor during such subscription, or after two such annual subscriptions any person, by paying not less than twenty guineas, on or before the fourteenth of October, 1760, becomes a governor for life. Smaller benefactions are accepted with gratitude.

Every governor has a vote at all general courts and committees, and is entitled to have one patient in each house at a time. Ladies have the same privilege, and may vote, by proxies, at all elections.

Every annual subscriber is entitled to have one patient in the hospital for the natural way at a time, provided there are three beds for men, and two for women patients, in reserve, for governors recommendations.

A committee of accompts of seven governors is annually held between Lady day and Michaelmas, who meet at least once a quarter to examine and audit all tradesmens bills, which are afterwards ordered by the house-committee for payment.

The accounts are regularly kept, and open at all times for the inspection of the governors.

Two governors are appointed visitors, by the house-committee, for six months, who frequently attend the hospital for inoculation; and also the hospital for the natural way, alternately; to inspect into the conduct and management of the officers, servants, and others therein.

Every person destitute of friends, or money, and labouring under this melancholy disease, or desirous of being inoculated, is a proper object of this charity.

Patients in the natural way are received every day; but enquiry must first be made if there is room to prevent the danger and expence of a disappointment.

Patients for inoculation are received about eight times in the year, of which timely notice is given in the Public Advertiser, men and boys at one time, and women and girls at another, alternately; and the governors are desired to be careful in recommending none but those who are really necessitous, as a want of that care will be an injury to proper objects. Governors are desired to send their recommendations as soon as signed to the apothecary at the house of preparation, in Islington, which will be by him immediately entered on the books, and when the turn of such person, so recommended, comes for admittance, a letter will be sent for his or her attendance, which, if punctually observed, they will be admitted.

If any persons omit to attend according to their turn on the admission days, they will be excluded, and cannot have the benefit of this charity, without first obtaining a new recommendation.

There is no charge attending the admission of patients for inoculation, but patients in the natural way, a deposit of one pound and six pence, to answer the expences of burial in case of death, or to be returned to the person who paid the same, when discharged the hospital.

For the sake of the patients, and for fear of spreading this dangerous infection, it is necessary to forbid strangers to visit them; and therefore, it is hoped that the affection or curiosity of particular persons will not be offended at this unavoidable precaution.

Proper dresses are provided for the patients, and worn by them in the hospital, while their own cloaths are fumigated with brimstone, which is always done before their discharge.

The sums received for the support of this hospital since its foundation in 1746, amount to 18,926l. And there have been received into the house for the natural way from the 26th of September 1746, to the 25th of March 1759, 3946 patients, of which 2916 have been cured; A very great number considering the fatality of this distemper, and that most of them were adults, often admitted after great irregularities, and some when past cure.

But what appears much more extraordinary, out of 131 who were inoculated before the 31st of December 1751, only two died, one by worms, who did not appear to have them before the inoculation, and the other apprehended to have first caught the distemper in the natural way. From that period till the 25th of March 1759, the number of inoculated amounts to 1567, out of which only four have died. An astonishing proof of the advantages of inoculation! From the account published by the governors.

Small’s rents, Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.†

Smart’s key, Billingsgate.†

Smart’s rents, Lamb alley, St. Giles’s.†

Smithfield, or West Smithfield, though the epithet West is never used but to distinguish it from East Smithfield near Little Tower Hill. This is the greatest market for black cattle, sheep and horses, in Europe; and also a considerable market for hay and straw; for the sale of which it was famous five hundred years ago. Maitland derives its name from its being originally a smooth or level field; and observes that it was anciently much larger than at present, it being greatly diminished by the buildings with which it is inclosed, the whole west side extended as far as the sheep market does at present, and was called the Elms, from the many elm-trees growing there; this was the place of execution for offenders in the year 1219, and it seems long before.

King Henry II. granted to the priory of St. Bartholomew the privilege of a fair to be kept annually at Bartholomew tide, on the eve, the day, and the morrow, to which the clothiers of England, and the drapers of London repaired, and had their booths and standings in the church-yard within the priory, which was separated from Smithfield only by walls and gates, that were locked every night and watched, for the safety of the goods deposited there; and the narrow street or lane afterwards built where the cloth was sold, still retains the name of cloth fair.

This fair, which was appointed to be kept three days, was at length prolonged to a fortnight, and became of little other use but for idle youth, and loose people to resort to it, upon which it was again reduced to the original standard; and the booths, for drolls and plays in the middle of Smithfield, by the falling of which many persons had lost their lives, were ordered to be no longer permitted.

Smithfield was also used in very early times for jousts and tournaments, to which the King and nobility resorted, of which we find upon record several instances in the reigns of Edward III. Richard II. Henry IV. Henry V. Henry VI. and Edward IV.

In short, in the middle part of Smithfield, and in the centre of the space now enclosed with rails, many martyrs were burnt at the stake, for steadily adhering to the dictates of their own consciences, and in defence of the doctrines of the reformation, during the cruel reign of Mary.

Smithfield is surrounded by many good houses; but they are far from being regular and uniform. The author of the Review of the public Buildings, observes, that this vast area, is capable of great beauty; but is at present destitute of all; and a scene of filth and nastiness.

“’Tis true, the use which is made of it as a market, he adds, is something of an excuse for it, and in some degree attones for the want of that decency that would improve it so much: yet ’tis my opinion, that ways and means might be found to make it tolerable at least, and an obelisk, pyramid or statue in the centre, defended with handsome and substantial rails, would go a great way in so desirable a project.”

Indeed something of this kind has been frequently proposed, and it has been often represented to the public, that it would be proper to raise a monument on the spot where the stake was fixed for the martyrs, representing the cruelty of popish persecution, adorned with proper relivoes and inscriptions.

East Smithfield. See the article East.

Smithfield bars, at the north end of Smithfield, by St. John’s street.

Smith’s Almshouse, on St. Peter’s hill near Thames street was founded by Mr. David Smith embroiderer to Queen Elizabeth, in the year 1584, and consists of six rooms for the habitation of so many poor widows turned of fifty-six: but the old structure being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, it was rebuilt by Sir Thomas Fitch, and the charge of maintaining it committed to Christ’s hospital, from which each of the alms-women annually receive 1l. 9s. 4d. and also from the company of embroiderers the annual 1l. 14s. 6d. each, left by the founder’s daughter, as an addition to the foundation. Maitland.

Smith’s alley, 1. Joyners street, by Tooley street, Southwark.† 2. King’s street, Westminster.† 3. Ropemaker’s fields, Limehouse.†

Smith’s court, 1. Aldersgate street.† 2. Brackley street, Bridgewater Gardens.† 3. Fashion street, Spitalfields.† 4. Great Windmill street, Picadilly.† 5. Holbourn.†

Smith’s passage, in the Curtain, Nortain Falgate.†

Smith’s rents, 1. Bank-side, Southwark.† 2. Barnaby street, Southwark.† 3. Catharine Wheel alley.† 4. Five Feet lane.† 6. St. John’s street, Smithfield.† 7. Kent street, Southwark.† 8. Petty France, Westminster.†

Smith’s square, Millbank, Westminster.†

Smith’s street, Marsham street, Westminster.†

Smith’s yard, 1. Blue Anchor alley.† 2. Fleet lane, by Fleet Market.† 3. Maiden lane.† 4. Ratcliff Highway.† 5. Ropemaker’s field, Limehouse.†

Smock alley, 1. Hockley in the Hole: 2. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.

Snade’s court, Brick street.†

Snader’s court, Moorfields.†

Snart’s rents, Goswell street, Aldersgate street.†

Snow fields, Barnaby street.

Snow hill, extends from the upper end of the Little Old Bailey to Holbourn bridge.

Snow street, Snow fields.

Snow’s rents, white Lion yard.†

Soapmaker’s. See Sopemakers.

Society, for propagating Christian Knowledge, in Bartlet’s buildings, Holbourn. This society which was founded in the year 1699, consists of several bishops, dignified clergymen, and persons of piety, rank, and fortune, who unite their endeavours, in order to diffuse a spirit of religion among the people; by dispersing little printed books among the poor, among which are small books for the use of seamen and soldiers; books of preparation for receiving the holy sacrament; and others against profaneness and debauchery.

They have bought a great number of useful books for furnishing our plantations with parochial libraries; and used means for providing catechetical libraries in the smaller parishes of this kingdom, to enable the inferior clergy the better to perform their duty of catechizing; and the greater parishes with learned libraries for the use of the poorer clergy. They have particularly applied themselves to the setting up of schools for the education of children, and work-houses for the employment of the poor.

This society in 1710, assisted the Danish missionaries at Tranquebar, and afterwards at Madras in the East Indies, for the conversion of the pagan inhabitants.

In the year 1720, they extended their regard to the Greek church in Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia, Arabia, and Egypt, and having printed an edition in Arabic on a new set of types, caused ten thousand copies of the new testament, six thousand psalters, and five thousand catechetical instructions, with an abridgement of the history of the bible annexed, to be dispersed through those countries, and in Persia.

In the year 1732, the society raised collections for the persecuted protestants of Saltzburgh, made large remittances to Germany; and some time after sent above two hundred protestant emigrants to Georgia, who built and settled at Ebenezar.

In 1743, they undertook a new edition of the bible in Welch, with the common prayer and psalms in metre, and in 1748 finished an impression of fifteen thousand copies; which they speedily dispersed; but that large impression falling far short of the demand for it: the society printed another edition of the bible, consisting of the same number of copies; and also five thousand of the new testament, and as many common prayer books in the same language: by which means the Welch had the blessing of the holy scriptures in their own tongue, wherein alone they could possibly read them, and that at an easier expence than the people of England enjoy it.

This society meets weekly to deliberate upon what appears most expedient for carrying on their pious intentions. Stow’s Survey, last edit.

Society for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, at the chapter house in St. Paul’s church-yard. This society was established by letters patent granted in the 13th year of the reign of King William III. by which the archbishop of Canterbury, and ninety-three of the bishops, clergy, nobility and gentry were incorporated, and impowered to purchase 2000l. per annum inheritance, with goods and chattels of any value: and allowed a common seal, which has the representation of a ship under sail, making towards a foreign coast, where the natives near the shore, stand with their hands stretched out, or lifted up, and some on their knees: A minister in a gown, in the fore part of the ship, is looking towards them, with the gospel open in his right hand; and in a label in the middle of the seal are the words, Transiens adjuva nos. The sun is represented shining; and round the edge are these words, Sigillum Societatis de promovendo Evangelio in partibus Transmarinis.

This society has sent several ministers of the church of England to his Majesty’s colonies in the West Indies, to instruct the English and such Indians as live near them in the principles of the Christian religion; and have dispersed throughout our plantations common prayer books, and other devotional and practical tracts. They have also contributed to the propagation of the gospel in Malabar, in the East Indies, and not only sent thither an impression of the new testament in Portuguese, but a printing press, types, and paper, together with a printer.

By their charter they are annually to meet upon the third Friday in February in order to chuse a president, one or more vice-presidents, a treasurer, or treasurers, two or more auditors, one secretary, and such other officers, ministers, and servants, as should be thought convenient for the ensuing year.

No act of the society is valid, unless the president, or vice president, and seven others of the members be present, and consenting thereto.

The society is every year to give an account in writing to the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the great seal, the Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, or the Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, or any two of them, of the several sums of money by them received and laid out, and of the management and disposition of the revenues and charities of the society.

The members of the society meet once a month or oftner at the late archbishop Tenison’s library in St. Martin’s in the Fields, and several committees are besides appointed to meet at the chapter house at St. Paul’s. But their annual meeting on the third Friday in February is at St. Mary le Bow church in Cheapside, at which time they have there an anniversary sermon.

Society for the Reformation of Manners. This society began in the year 1690, when five or six private gentlemen, members of the church of England, meeting and consulting together of the most advisable methods of putting the penal laws in execution against the profaneness and other public vices, practiced openly in the streets, entered into a fraternity for remedying these evils. This being afterwards made known to the lords spiritual and temporal, and to the judges, a considerable number approved of it under their hands; the society, which was continually encreasing, was also countenanced by most of the bishops in extraordinary circular letters printed in 1699; and one of the chief ministers of state laying the affair before King William, he promised the society his protection.

This design was, however, violently opposed by the champions and advocates for debauchery; yet by the favour of the above Prince, and his royal consort Queen Mary, the patronage of Queen Anne, and the countenance of the clergy of the greatest figure in the church, it soon met with prodigious success, and many virtuous and pious persons of the several denominations readily united their endeavours, and joined in the expences necessarily occasioned by putting the laws in execution against vast numbers of the vicious and profane.

This society appoints and encourages constables and others to go about the streets, markets, and other public places, to take up drunkards, and profane swearers; to suppress lewd and disorderly houses, and to prosecute, all who encourage tippling, or follow their professions on the Lord’s day.

By the endeavours of this society many thousands of lewd and scandalous persons have been brought to legal punishment: great numbers have been convicted in the court of King’s Bench, and at the sessions, for keeping houses of lewdness, and punished by fine and imprisonment, by which means the streets have been much cleared of night-walkers, and other public places of gangs of detestable sodomites. In short some thousands of good books have been dispersed through the kingdom, and put into the hands of the profane, the lewd and the vicious, which in many instances have, by the divine blessing, produced a singular reformation, even among those who seemed the most abandoned.

This society from time to time publish an account of the progress they have made, by which it appears, that they have prosecuted above an hundred thousand persons; and sermons are preached quarterly before the members, by some of the most eminent preachers of this city, at Bow church.

In short, what is most surprizing, the fame of this society, which had so small a beginning, has produced amazing effects; after their example, other societies of the same kind have arisen, not only in the different parts of England and Scotland; but in several of our plantations in America, in Holland, Germany, the several cantons of Swisserland, the Grisons, in Sweden and Denmark: and the book which contains an account of this society, has been translated into Latin, French, High-Dutch, the Danish and Swedish languages.

Soho, St. Giles’s.

Soho Square, or King’s Square, is of considerable extent, and has an area surrounded with high palisado pales, enclosing a garden, in which is a statue of King Charles II. standing upon a pedestal placed in the midst of a small bason, at his Majesty’s feet lie the representations of the four principal rivers, the Thames, Trent, Humber and Severn, pouring out their waters. On the south side of this square are Frith street and Greek street, on the east Sutton street, on the north Charles street, and on the west, Denmark street.

There is not much taste or regularity in the Buildings of this square, but the place, if it has nothing to excite our praise does not appear to have any thing to provoke censure. My Lord Bateman’s house on the south side is the most remarkable. It has the appearance of grandeur and magnificence, and though it may have some defects, it has elegance sufficient to make us excuse them.

Somerset House, on the south side of the Strand, near the new church, is esteemed one of the royal palaces. It was built about the year 1549 by the Duke of Somerset, uncle to Edward VI. and protector of England, who demolished the palaces of the bishops of Chester and Worcester, an Inn of Chancery called Strand Inn, with the church of St. Mary le Strand, that stood there, and building this palace with the materials, it from him obtained the name of Somerset House. But the Duke soon after being attainted, it fell to the crown, and has usually been assigned for the residence of the Queen Dowager. In this palace Anne of Denmark, King James the First’s Queen, kept her court, upon which account, it was called Denmark house during that reign; but it soon after recovered the name of its first founder.

The front towards the Strand is adorned with columns and other decorations, which are much defaced by time and the smoke of the city, the principal ornaments having mouldered away. This front together with the quadrangle, seem to have been the first attempts to restore the ancient architecture in England. In the middle of the Strand front is a handsome gate which opens into the quadrangle, adorned with a piazza, perhaps more in taste than any other in the kingdom of the same antiquity, and the whole building on this side, has an air of grandeur. But the most beautiful front is that towards the garden, situated upon an elevation, part of which has been new built, with a fine piazza and lofty apartments over it. This part of the building is however irregular, and left unfinished; some of the old building being still standing on that side. The garden is extremely pleasant, it leading down to the Thames, from which it is separated by a parapet wall, and there is here a handsome landing-place, with stairs, which lead up to the principal walk to the palace.

This garden used to be public, and any person might have the liberty of walking in it; but since the Foot-guards have been quartered in the palace we are informed this privilege is discontinued, the passage to the garden through the palace is extremely disagreeable, the broken staircase, the appearance of the walls, the darkness, and the filth, render it like the descent into a prison; however the pleasantness of the garden, and the fine view it affords of the Thames, give a full recompence for whatever is disagreeable in our way to it. The view we have here given of Somerset house, is the garden front taken from the Thames, and shews the whole extent of the front that way, and consequently the old part of the building as well as the modern. The appearance altogether is picturesque. The new part, which is of stone, contains the royal apartments built by Inigo Jones, and was no doubt only a part of his design, the stairs and gate to the water shewing where he intended the center.

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Somerset House.

Somerset stable yard, a large yard to the west of Somerset house, in which are coach-houses, stables and a guard-room, where a detachment of foot guards do duty daily, as well as at Somerset house, to which it belongs.

Somerset stairs, Strand.†

Somerset Water-Gate stairs, Strand.†

Somerset street, Whitechapel.

Sommer’s key, near Thames street.†

Sommer’s rents, Old Gravel Lane, Ratcliff Highway.†

Sommer’s street, Hockley in the Hole.†

Sope yard, Harrow Corner Deadman’s Place.

Sopemakers, a fraternity incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1638. This company is governed by a master, two wardens, and eighteen assistants; they have however neither livery nor hall, and therefore, manage their affairs in Guildhall.

Soper’s alley, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.†

Soper’s yard, Harrow Corner, Deadman’s Place.†

Southampton buildings, 1. Chancery Lane: 2. in High Holbourn, where the Bishop of Lincoln had his city mansion; but that edifice afterwards coming to the Earls of Southampton, it was taken down, and on the site thereof was erected the above buildings. Stow’s Survey.

Southampton court, 1. Southampton Buildings: 2. Southampton row.

Southampton row, Queen’s square, Bloomsbury.

Southampton street, 1. High Holbourn: 2. in the Strand.

Southampton’s Almshouse, near Monmouth street. The ground upon which this house stands, together with a piece of ground adjoining, were granted by lease to the parish of St. Giles’s in the Fields, by the Earl of Southampton, in the year 1656, for the use of the poor, for the term of five hundred years. And towards the support of twenty poor inhabitants, Henry Carter, in the year 1674, gave the sum of 50l. the profits whereof to be destributed among them, out of which, and the produce of the ground which is now built upon, each of the poor women have an allowance of 2l. 8s. and twelve bushels of coals annually. They also receive out of the Lady Dudly’s gift at Christmas and Whitsuntide 20s. Maitland.

Southmoulton row, David street.

Southmoulton street, Hanover square.

South Sea alley, in the Mint, Southwark.

South Sea Company. This company had the following origin: in the glorious and successful war against France, in the reign of Queen Anne, due care was not taken of the regular payment of seamen employed in the royal navy; for those necessitous and useful men, had tickets granted them instead of pay; which they were frequently obliged to get discounted at 40l. and sometimes 50l. per cent. to avaricious men, who taking advantage of the necessities of those brave fellows, raised great estates upon their ruin.

The debt due from the government upon this and other accounts unprovided for by parliament, amounted to 9,177,967l. 15s. 4d. and these people taking it into their hands, were incorporated by act of parliament in the year 1710; the following year the company, after the discharge of the debt due to them from the government, was made perpetual; and in 1714, lending the government an additional sum of 822,032l. 4s. 8d. the capital of the company was, by act of parliament, enlarged to ten millions; for which the members received six per cent. interest, or 600,000l. per annum.

But in 1720 an act of parliament was passed, by which the company were granted the sole privilege of trading to the South Seas within certain limits, and enabled to increase their capital, by redeeming several of the public debts, but by the arts used on this occasion the capital stock of the company was soon raised to thirty-three millions, five hundred and forty-three thousand, two hundred and sixty-three pounds. It would take up too much room were we to enter here into an account of the measures by which this iniquitous scheme was carried on; many wealthy persons lost their estates, and others acquired immense fortunes; and, in short, a considerable number of the directors, were obliged by parliament to refund their ill-gotten treasures.

By an act passed in the sixth year of the reign of his present Majesty, it was enacted, that after the 24th of June 1733, the capital stock of the company, which then amounted to 14,651,103l. 8s. 1d. and the shares of the respective proprietors, should be divided into four equal parts, three fourths of which should be converted into a joint stock, attended with annuities, after the rate of 4 per cent. till redemption by parliament, and should be called the new South Sea annuities, and the other fourth part should remain in the company as a trading capital stock, attended with the residue of the annuities or funds payable at the Exchequer to the company till redemption, and that the company’s accomptant should twice every year, at Christmas and Midsummer, or within one month after, state an account of the company’s affairs, which should be laid before the next general court, in order to their declaring a dividend, but that such dividend should not exceed 4l. per cent. per annum, till their debts were discharged. That the South Sea company, and their trading stock should, exclusively from the new joint stock of annuities, be liable to all the debts and incumbrances of the company; and that the company should cause to be kept within the city of London, an office, and books, in which all transfers of the new annuities, should be entered and signed by the party making such transfer, or his attorney; and the person to whom such transfer should be made, or his attorney, should underwrite his acceptance, and no other method of transferring annuities should be good in law. The annuities of this company are some of them reduced to 3l. 10s. per cent. and others to 3l.

It is necessary to observe with respect to this company, that they have never carried on any considerable trade; however by the assiento contract they had for some years the privilege of furnishing the Spaniards with negroe slaves for their mines and plantations in America, and of sending a large ship annually with European goods, consisting chiefly of our woollen manufactures, to the Spanish West Indies; and for nine years they annually sent a small number of ships to fish for Whales on the coast of Greenland. As they have now no trade, they only receive interest for their capital, which is in the hands of the government, and also 8000l. a year out of the treasury, towards the expence attending the management of their affairs.

The hours of payment of dividends are from nine o’clock till eleven, and the hours of transfer from twelve o’clock till one.

The days of transferring South Sea stock are Monday and Friday.

Old annuities Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

New annuities Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Three per cent. 1751, Tuesday and Thursday. Except on holidays, which are in general the same as at the Bank.

The business of this company is managed by a governor, subgovernor, deputy governor, and twenty-one directors, annually chosen before the 6th of February, by a majority of votes: such members of the company as have 1000l. in the capital stock in their own names, having one vote; such as have 3000l. two votes; such as have 5000l. three votes, and such as have 10,000l. stock or more, four votes, and none above: but no person can be governor, subgovernor, deputy governor, or director, while governor, deputy governor, or director of the bank of England.

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South Sea House.

South Sea House, a very neat brick building at the north-west corner of Threadneedle street, opposite the church of St. Martin’s Outwich. In this building the South Sea company transact their affairs.

The front is very large and plain, and is a modern edifice with stone copings, rustic quoins, and window cases. The entrance has no relation to it, and is much too fine and principal, a fault not often committed, but is only so by being in the extreme; over the entrance is raised a handsome well proportioned window, ornamented with rustic work, in conformity to the angles of the building, and crowned with a pediment: and on the inside of the gate is a handsome square court, surrounded with a piazza formed by columns of the Doric order.

South Sea court, Lumbard street.

South Sea passage, Broad street, leading through the South Sea house into Threadneedle street.

South Sea yard, Threadneedle street.☐

South street, 1. Audley street 2. Spitalfields market.§

South-West yard, Spitalfields market.§

Southwark, a considerable part of this great metropolis on the south side of the Thames, consists of the parishes of St. Olave, St. Saviour, St. George and St. Thomas, and for its extent and number of inhabitants is inferior to few cities in England.

It is mentioned in history in the year 1052, when Earl Godwin arrived there with a powerful fleet, and having cast anchor till the return of the tide, passed London Bridge without opposition, in order to engage the royal navy, which consisted of fifty ships of war, and then lay opposite to Westminster; but matters being accommodated between the King and Earl Godwin, the latter returned, and repassed the bridge, which was then of wood.

Southwark was governed by its own bailiffs till the year 1327. The city however found great inconveniences from its neighbourhood, malifactors escaping thither out of the reach and cognizance of the city magistrates. This made the city long desirous of getting Southwark under her subjection, and a grant was made of that town to the city in the last mentioned period, when the mayor of London was constituted bailiff of Southwark, and impowered to govern it by his deputy.

The inhabitants some time after recovered their former privileges; but in the fourth year of the reign of Edward VI. the crown granted it to the city of London for the sum of 647l. 2s. 1d. and within about a month after the passing of that patent, in consideration of the farther sum of 500 marks, paid to the crown by the city, Southwark was made one of the city wards, named Bridge Ward without, when the number of the aldermen being increased from twenty-five to twenty-six, a new one was chosen to govern that borough: In virtue of the above grant, Southwark has ever since been subject to the Lord Mayor, who has under him a steward and bailiff, the former of whom holds a court of record every Monday at St. Margaret’s hill, for all debts, damages, and trespasses, within his limits, and the Lord Mayor proclaims Southwark fair on the 19th of September.

There are five prisons in Southwark, the King’s Bench, just finished in St. George’s fields; the Marshalsea; the New prison, which is the county jail for felons; the Clinke, and the Compter: and also two hospitals, that of St. Thomas, and Guy’s. All which see under their respective names. And for the most remarkable passages in the history of this borough, see the article London.

Southwick’s rents, Bett’s street.†

Spark’s court, Duke’s place, Aldgate.

Sparrow’s Nest yard, Oxford street.

Spaw field, a field near the New-river-head, Islington road: so called from a famous mineral spring.

Spectaclemakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles I. in the year 1630.

They are governed by a master, two wardens and fifteen assistants; but have neither livery nor hall.

Spectacles alley, Shoe lane, Fleet street.*

Mr. Spencer’s. See Green-park.

Spicer street, Brick lane Spitalfields.†

Spingel’s alley, Cable street, Ragfair.†

Spinners yard, Windmill hill.†

Spit alley, St. Giles’s pound.

Spitalfields, a place of very considerable extent on the east side of Bishopsgate street, formerly fields belonging to St. Mary Spital; but now formed into a great number of streets, lanes, and alleys, wherein the weaving business is carried to the greatest perfection by the descendents of French refugees, especially silks, and the richest brocades.

Spitalfields market, by Spitalfields church, is a very great market chiefly for roots and greens.

Spital square, Bishopsgate street without.

Spital Square passage, Lamb street, Spitalfields.

Spital street, Pelham street, Spitalfields.

Sprat’s Almshouse, in College church-yard, Deadman’s place, Southwark, was founded by Mr. Henry Sprat, in the year 1709, for two poor old men, who have an allowance of 4l. per annum, each.

Spread Eagle alley, 1. Kingsland road.* 2. Whitechapel.*

Spread Eagle court, 1. Bread street, Cheapside.* 2. Church lane, Rotherhith.* 3. Gray’s Inn lane, Holbourn.* 4. Hand alley, Petticoat lane.* 5. Kingsland road.* 6. Threadneedle street.*

Spread Eagle yard, Kingsland road.*

Spring Garden, Charing cross.

Spring Garden mews, Spring Garden.

Spring street, Fox lane, Upper Shadwell: 2. Middle Shadwell.

Spur inn yard, St. Margaret’s Hill.*

Spur street, Leicester Fields.*

Spurstowe’s Almshouse, in Back lane, Hackney, was founded by Mr. William Spurstowe, in the year 1666; but dying before it was endowed, his brother Henry, settled lands upon it, for the payment of 4l. per annum, to each of the six poor widows therein. Maitland.

Squirrel alley, in the Minories.*

Squirries, a fine seat near Westerham. See the article Westerham.

Stable yard, 1. Jockey Fields, near Grays Inn: 2. St. James’s street Pallmall: 3. Northumberland alley, Fenchurch street: 4. near Smith’s street, Marsham street: 5. Warner street, Cold Bath Fields.

Stacey’s street, Monmouth street.†

Stafford’s Almshouse, at the lower end of Gray’s Inn lane, was founded by Alexander Stafford, Esq; in the year 1633, for four poor men and six women, who have an annual allowance of 6l. and half a chaldron of coals each, besides a coat and gown every other year.

Stafford street, Bond street.

Stag’s alley, Bedfordbury.*

Staining lane, 1. Maiden lane: 2. near Wood street, Cheapside.

Stains, or Stanes, a populous town in Middlesex, situated on the Thames, nineteen miles from London, it obtained its name from the Saxon word Stana or stone, because there anciently stood a boundary stone in this place to denote the extent of the city of London’s jurisdiction upon the river. It has a bridge over the Thames, and is governed by two constables, and four headboroughs appointed by his Majesty’s steward, on account of its being a lordship belonging to the crown. The church stands alone, at almost half a mile distance from the town.

Stamford Hill, a hill with a small village on its side between Newington, and Tottenham Highcross.

Stamford’s buildings, Old street.†

Stamp corner, Old street.

Stamp Office, on the west side of Lincoln’s Inn Square, extends from the passage leading to Lincoln’s Inn Fields to near the south-west corner.

This office is under the government of five commissioners who have 400l. a year each. There are besides a receiver general who has 500l. per annum, under whom are four clerks, one who has 100l. a year, and three who have 60l. A secretary, who has 300l. a year, who has four clerks, one of whom has 130l. per annum, another 70l. another 60l. and another 50l. a year. A comptroller, who has 400l. per annum, and has three clerks, one who has 100l. and two others who have 60l. a year each.

The other officers are an accomptant clerk, a sollicitor, a teller of stamps, three inspectors of courts and corporations in the country, and one inspector of courts in town, and also a supervisor of the stamps, each of whom has a salary of 100l. a year. There are likewise a register and comptroller of the apprentice duty, who has 150l. a year; a register of warrants, who has 140l. and a warehouse keeper of stampt goods who has 160l. a year: and besides these there are many inferior officers, who have smaller sallaries.

Stanbury’s court, Picadilly.

Stanes, a town in Middlesex. See Stains.

Stangate stairs, Lambeth.

Stangate street, Lambeth.

Stanhope’s court, Charing Cross.†

Stanhope’s street, Clare Market.†

Stanley’s yard, Stony lane.†

Stanbury’s court, Picadilly.†

Stanton’s rents, Rotherhith Wall.†

Stanton’s Wharf, near Stony lane, Southwark.†

Staples court, Beck street.†

Staples Inn, one of the inns of chancery, is seated on the south side of Holbourn, near the bars, and consists of two large courts surrounded with good buildings.

Staples rents, Love lane.†

Star alley, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. East Smithfield, Tower Hill.* 3. Fenchurch street.* 4. in the Minories.*

Star court, 1. Bread street, Cheapside.* 2. Bread street hill, Thames street.* 3. Butcher Row, Temple Bar.* 4. Castle street.* 5. Chancery lane.* 6. Cheapside.* 7. Compton street.* 8. Cross lane, Parker’s lane.* 9. Great Eastcheap.* 10. Grub street, Fore street.* 11. Little Britain.* 12. London Wall.* 13. in the Minories.* 14. Old Fish street.*

Star street, Wapping Wall.*

Star yard, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Huggen lane, Thames street.* 3. Kingsland road.* 4. Moor lane.*

Starch alley, 1. Greenback, Southwark: 2. Rotten Row, Goswell street.

Starch yard, 1. Back lane, Lambeth: 2. Old Gravel lane.

Starchmakers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1622. They are governed by a master, two wardens, and twenty-four assistants, but have neither livery nor hall.

Starling School, on Little Tower Hill, was founded in the year 1673, by Sir Samuel Starling, knt. and alderman, for forty boys, and thirty girls, of the parish of St. Botolph without Aldgate, who are taught reading, writing and arithmetic, and also instructed in the principles of the Christian religion. Maitland.

Stationers, a company incorporated by letters patent granted in the third and fourth of Philip and Mary, in the year 1557. They are governed by a master, two wardens, and thirty-six assistants, with a livery of 280 members, who upon their admission, pay a fine of 20l.

This company has stock of about 15000l. denominated the English stock, which is employed in printing almanacks, hornbooks, primmers, psaltars, and some school books, the sole printing whereof is confirmed to them by letters patent granted by several kings.

This stock consists of twenty whole shares of 320l. each, which are generally possessed by those who are of the court of assistants: the second are forty half shares, of 160l. each, the third are eighty quarter shares, of 80l. each, and the fourth are one hundred and sixty half quarter shares, of 40l. each; all which are divided among those who have fined for or served the office of renter-warden.

Upon the death of any of the married possessors of this stock, the profits arising from his share devolve to his widow, which she enjoys during her widowhood or life: but at the expiration of either, another person is chosen to enjoy the profits of her share; and he is no sooner elected, than he pays the deposit-money to the late widow, her husband, or executors.

The dividends upon the stock are made at Christmas, and increased or decreased according to the expence of the preceding year; however, it is seldom less than 40l. upon a whole share, or 320l.

The master and wardens of the company are always in the direction of the stock, to whom are joined six other members annually elected; who adjust all accounts relating to it, and at Christmas report the state thereof to the board, who regulate the dividends accordingly.

The stationers company have also a share in the Irish estate, and other considerable estates, out of which they pay about 300l. per annum in pensions, and other charities. Maitland.

Stationers Hall, a spacious brick building near Amen Corner. There is an ascent to it by a flight of steps, and the light is thrown in by two series of windows, the lower large and upright, and the upper of an elliptical form. Underneath it, and at the north end are the warehouses for the company’s stock. This hall has but few ornaments; but it is however extremely convenient.

Stationers court, in which stationers hall is placed, has three passages into it one from Ludgate street; one from Ave Mary lane, and one from Amen Corner. This court, and the passages into it, are inhabited by eminent booksellers.

Staymakers alley, Booth street, Spitalfields.

Stebbing’s rents, Portpool lane, Leather lane, Holbourn.†

Steedwell street, Hog lane, St. Giles’s.†

Steel’s court, Bread street, Cheapside.†

Steel yard, in Thames street above the Bridge. Here was originally the hall of the Anseatic merchants, and the warehouses where they used to stow their steel, flax, hemp, pitch, tar, masts, cables, linen cloth, wheat, rye and other grain. And in this place are still large warehouses for iron, in bars, &c.

Steel yard stairs, by the Steel yard.

Steel yard wharf, at the end of the Steel yard.

Steep’s garden, Kent street, near St. George’s church, Southwark.

St. Stephen’s chapel, at the south-east corner of Westminster hall, was founded by King Stephen, who dedicated it to St. Stephen the Proto martyr. See House of Commons.

St. Stephen’s Coleman street, is situated on the west side of that street, and in the ward of the same name. It is of great antiquity, and was originally a chapel belonging to the dean and chapter of St. Paul’s, who between the years 1171, and 1181, granted the church of St. Olave Jewry, together with this chapel, as an appendage to it, to the prior and abbot of Butley in Suffolk.

This chapel was made parochial in the year 1456, but continued under the patronage of the prior and canons of Butley, till the suppression of that convent, when it came to the crown. However in the year 1577, Queen Elizabeth granted the patronage, together with the church and rectory to Thomas Paskins and others, and in 1590 to William Daniel, serjeant at law, and other parishioners; which rectory impropriate, and right of advowson, have been held by the parish in fee farm of the crown ever since. Newc. Repert. Eccless.

This church sharing the common fate in the dreadful fire of London, the present structure was erected in its stead about four years after. It is a plain and solid building strengthened with rustic at the corners, and enlightened by one series of large windows. The steeple is a square tower crowned with a lanthorn which has four faces.

The rector, besides several annual donations, and other advantages, receives 110l. per annum.

Mr. Munday, in his edition of Stow’s Survey, mentions several monumental inscriptions in this church, among which are the following.

1. Our life is all but death; time that ensueth,

Is but the death of time that went before:

Youth is the death of childhood; age of youth.

Die once to God, and then thou diest no more.

2. Agnes, the wife of Leonard Darr, whose sight,

By sickness much impair’d, in heav’nly light,

Look’d, liv’d and died, as dimness her were giv’n,

That her soul’s eyes might better look to heav’n.

In this church Munday himself lies, and on his monument is the following inscription.

3. To the Memory of that ancient servant to the