Chamberlayne, was the son of a merchant of London. He was born in 1699.
With him it was a subject of frequent exultation, in after-life, that
Providence had thrown him into a country, and produced him at a period so
fertile in genius and literary accomplishments. “It was truly the golden
age of learning,” says Mr. Faulkner, “and to converse with those heroes
who adorn it was deemed no mean privilege, or glory, by one who well knew
how to value mental wealth.” He was sent by his father to a private
school (his mother died when he was scarcely a twelvemonth old), and here
by his own industry rather than by any advantage of instruction, he made
a tolerable proficiency in school learning, but was taken away from his
beloved books to engage in the business of a counting house. Most youths
of his age, in such an occupation, would have found their minds
sufficiently employed, but he, insatiate of knowledge, after the labours
of the day, dedicated most of those hours which are usually given to
bodily rest to the improvement of his understanding.
* * * * *
Mr. Martyn’s propensity to the science of botany was first excited by an
acquaintance with Mr. Wilmer, an apothecary, who afterwards became the
reader in the Botanic Garden at Chelsea, and by an intimacy contracted
with Dr. Blair and Dr. Sherard. In the year 1732, he published a
translation of “Tournefort’s History of Plants about Paris,” and in the
same year a “Catalogue of the Plants about London,” but he did not
complete it. From a strong conviction that observations made upon plants
in their natural places of growth were the least liable to error, he
about the same time began his botanical excursions, which were mostly
performed on foot, and were continued for a long period with unwearied
diligence. His “Hortus Siccus,” containing 1,400 specimens, is a
sufficient testimony of his industry. Nor did he confine himself wholly
to the contemplation of vegetables, and their hidden virtues; the
numerous insect tribe began to attract no small share of his attention.
In 1721, he principally instituted the Botanical Society, in London. Dr.
Dillenius was president, and Mr. Martyn was secretary. This society kept
together till 1726. About this time he became a member of the Royal
Society, and now began to apply himself most seduously to the practice of
physic. For this purpose he was admitted of Emmanuel College, Cambridge,
and kept five terms, with an intention to have proceeded regularly with
his degrees, but from peculiar circumstances he was prevented from
finishing his design. He had now lived and practised physic in Great St.
Helen’s, Bishopsgate Street, during three years; but, finding the air of
London disagree with his constitution, he embraced a favourable
opportunity which offered of removing to Chelsea, where he practised
physic with success and great reputation for above twenty years.
In 1733, he was chosen Professor of Botany in the University of
Cambridge, where he had given several courses of lectures, and had
greatly restored the study of that science.
Mr. Martyn, in 1723 (as is stated in a preceding page), married Eulalia,
youngest daughter of the Rev. Dr. John King, Rector of Chelsea, by whom
he had three sons and five daughters, all of whom were born in Church
Street, Chelsea, in the same house wherein their mother was born and
died, and in which her father, Dr. King, lived and died. Mrs. Martyn
died in 1749, from a cancer in her breast, occasioned by a violent blow
given her as she was walking in London.
* * * * *
In 1750, Mr. Martyn married, secondly, a daughter of Claude Fonnereau,
Esq., merchant of London, who bore him one son and survived him. Soon
after this he retired to Streatham, Surrey. In 1761 he resigned his
professorship of botany; and some time after presented to the University
his library of botanical books, amounting to above 200 volumes.
* * * * *
Chelsea, notwithstanding the happiness he enjoyed at Streatham, seems
after all to have been his favourite place of abode, as he removed back
again to his former residence in Church Street, and at last, by the most
gradual and gentle decay, died there in 1768.
* * * * *
Mr. Martyn’s benevolence was that of a Christian, diffusive and
unconfined; he was considered as the father of the poor in the parish,
and gave constant attention to the sick, both in and out of the
workhouse. He was the author of many works, two of which we shall
notice:—
“An Account of an Aurora Australis, seen at Chelsea, March 18, 1738–9.”
This was the first account which had ever been given of that
phenomenon.
“An Account of an Earthquake felt in London, February 8, 1749–50.”
The following extract from the latter account will no doubt interest the
reader: “At 40 minutes after noon, all the houses were violently shaken,
especially those nearest the river. A maid servant, passing from one
under office to another, felt the ground, which was six feet below the
surface, shake. Of those who were in the street, or on the river, some
felt, others not. It was felt at Fulham, but not at Hounslow, Brentford,
nor Richmond, nor farther westward than Kensington Turnpike; it seemed to
terminate in the west, about two miles beyond Chelsea.”
* * * * *
Mr. Martyn was also engaged in a weekly paper, called “The Grub Street
Journal,” which had a large sale, about the year 1736. It was one of the
most curious of the periodical papers of that period. In a fine vein of
irony it attacked the heroes of the Dunciad, and tells some secrets of
their obscure quarrels. {85} The papers he contributed are distinguished
by the signature “B.”
* * * * *
William Petyt, Esq., to whom we have already slightly referred, in the
account of his gift to the parish of the School Room at the Old Church,
resided in Church Street, and died there in 1707, aged 71 years. Of his
progress through life there is no information, except that he enjoyed
considerable reputation as a writer on the laws and constitution of
England, which are preserved in the Inner Temple Library. There is a
long Latin epitaph to his memory in the Temple Church. It was the year
before his death that he built the schoolrooms and vestry.
* * * * *
The White Horse Inn in Church Street, which was burnt down some years
since, and a new one substituted for it, was a very ancient house, built
in the style which prevailed in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Queen
Elizabeth. The disposition of the rooms, the ancient panelling, and the
various grotesque ornaments and carving, especially of human figures in
the form of brackets, were well worthy of inspection, and excited the
attention of most strangers who visited the house.
* * * * *
The old Parochial Guardian Society mostly held their meetings at the old
White Horse Inn. The principal room was large and consequently
well-adapted for such purposes; and when the parishioners met in open
vestry, the house being opposite to the Vestry Room where they assembled,
it was particularly convenient on such occasions for the accommodation of
the ratepayers generally. The above society comprised a great many
members, and acted in conjunction with a large number of the resident
gentry of the parish.
* * * * *
Justice Walk, which extends from Church Street to Lawrence Street, took
its name from a magistrate who lived in it. An avenue of lime trees
formerly adorned it, and, being kept in good order, it was a very
agreeable footway for passengers. There is now in it a commodious
Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1841. The exterior is plain and unpretending.
The interior is neat, comfortable, and well ventilated. Beneath the
chapel is a spacious school room, in which the Sunday School is held.
This school is very well attended. Through the exertions of the members,
and other friends, the interior of the chapel has recently been painted,
and rendered more comfortable in many respects.
* * * * *
The Chelsea China Manufactory was situate at the corner of Justice Walk,
and occupied the houses to the upper end of Lawrence Street. Several of
the large old houses were used as shew-rooms. It has been discontinued
for nearly 90 years.
* * * * *
The manufactory of Chelsea porcelain was set on foot and carried on by a
Mr. Spremont, a foreigner. The establishment employed a great number of
hands; but the original proprietor having acquired a large fortune
retired from the concern, and his successors, wanting his enterprise and
spirit, did not so well succeed, and in a few years finally abandoned it.
Previous to the dissolution, the proprietors presented a memorial
respecting it to the Government, requesting protection and assistance, in
which they stated that “the manufacture in England has been carried on by
great labour and a large expense; it is in many respects to the full as
good as the Dresden; and the late Duke of Orleans told Colonel York that
the metal or earth had been tried in his furnace, and was found to be the
best made in Europe. It is now daily improving, and already employs, at
least, 100 hands, of which is a nursery of thirty lads taken from the
parishes and charity schools, and bred to designing and painting: arts
very much wanted here, and which are of the greatest use in our silk and
printed linen manufactories.”
Specimens of this porcelain have always been much esteemed, and still
retain a great value. At the sale of the effects of Queen Charlotte, the
articles in Chelsea china, of which her Majesty had a large collection,
brought very high prices. Mr. Watkins, in his Life of Queen Charlotte,
says, “I beheld with admiration a complete service of Chelsea china,
porcelain, rich and beautiful in fancy beyond expression. I really never
saw any Dresden porcelain near so fine.”
* * * * *
Mr. A. Stephens, whom we have already noticed, was told by the foreman of
the Chelsea China Manufactory (then in the workhouse of St. Luke’s,
Middlesex), that Dr. Johnson had conceived a notion that he was capable
of improving on the manufacture of china. He even applied to the
directors of the Chelsea China Works, and was allowed to _bake_ his
compositions in their ovens in Lawrence Street, Chelsea. He was
accordingly accustomed to go down with his housekeeper, about twice a
week, and stop the whole day, she carrying a basket of provisions with
her. The Doctor, who was not allowed to enter the _mixing_ room, had
access to every other part of the premises, and formed his composition in
a particular apartment, without being overlooked by any one. He had also
free access to the oven, and superintended the whole of the process; but
completely failed, both as to composition and baking, for his materials
always yielded to the intensity of the heat, while those of the Company
came out of the furnace perfect and complete. Dr. Johnson retired in
disgust, but not in despair, for he afterwards gave a dissertation on
this very subject in his works; but the overseer assured Mr. Stephens, in
1814, that he was still ignorant of the nature of the operation. He
seemed to think that the Doctor imagined one single substance was
sufficient, while he, on the other hand, asserted that he always used
sixteen, and he must have had some practice, as he had nearly lost his
eye-sight by firing batches of china, both at Chelsea and Derby, to which
the manufacture was afterwards carried.
* * * * *
Chelsea china, originally patronised by the Duke of Cumberland, and
afterwards by Sir R. Faulkner, was a long time in such repute as to be
sold by auction, and as a set was purchased as soon as baked, dealers
were surrounding the doors for that purpose. {87}
LAWRENCE STREET, &c.
Lawrence Street derives its name, as previously intimated, from its
having been the site of the residence of the Lawrence family for many
years. On this spot stood the first old Manor House, until Lord Sandys
alienated the manor to Henry VIII., when that king sold it to Sir Thomas
Lawrence, and erected another in Cheyne Walk.
* * * * *
The ancient family of Lawrence first came into England with William the
Conqueror, and settled at Ashton Hall, in the county of Lancaster, where
they resided for 300 years, and possessed an immense property, which, in
the year 1591, included 34 manors, the rental of which amounted to £6000
per annum. It is uncertain when this family first came to Chelsea, but
as the Lawrence chapel in the Old Church is built in the style of
architecture which prevailed at the beginning of the fourteenth century,
they were probably settled here about that period, and some time before
they purchased the manor house. Some of the family who were buried in
the chapel have already been mentioned.
* * * * *
The chief branches of this eminent family resided in Chelsea, in London,
and at Iver, Bucks. Sir John Lawrence, knight, was Lord Mayor of London
in 1665.
* * * * *
Some “Pious Contemplations,” on the arms of the Lawrence family, are
written in the margin of their pedigree. They are supposed to have been
affixed to it in 1664, but the author is not known. The following are
the concluding lines:—
“The way to Heaven is not with roses spread,
But throng’d with thorns, as was Thy sacred head;
Our peace is hack’d and hew’d, our life’s a war,
We, for our Cross, must many crosses bear—
Or, a red sea our passage doth withstand,
Or, fiery serpents, or, a barren sand,
Ere we can reach the truly Holy Land.”
“Christ’s Cross the ladder is that leads to bliss,
Blest Jacob’s vision was a type of this;
Who climbs by other steps is at a loss—
To Heaven the only ladder is the Cross.”
Ann, Duchess of Monmouth and Buccleugh, relict of James, Duke of
Monmouth, resided in the “great house” in Lawrence Street about 1714, and
from that time it was called Monmouth House. The following item appears
in the Churchwardens’ accounts for the year 1716: “Paid the ringers, when
the Princess (afterwards Queen Caroline) visited the Duchess of Monmouth,
six shillings.” The Duchess was, it is said, for her agreeable person,
good sense, and irreproachable character, one of the most amiable ladies
about the Court. During the first years of her marriage she seems to
have been as happy, and as much envied as any woman in the kingdom; but
this happiness was of short duration; she was unfortunately supplanted in
the Duke’s affections by Lady Harriet Wentworth, daughter of the Earl of
Cleveland, whose personal charms were superior to her own. Her Grace
died in 1732, aged 90 years.
* * * * *
Mr. Gay was for some time secretary to the Duchess, as stated in
Johnson’s Life of Gay.
* * * * *
Dr. Smollett afterwards resided in the same house in Lawrence Street. He
came to Chelsea on account of the bad state of health of his beloved
daughter, who was at that time in a consumption, under which she finally
sank in the year 1763. The house and premises were extensive, and well
suited for the residence of a person of rank. There are few men of real
genius who have written more voluminously than Dr. Smollett. His
entertaining novels are so well known that it seems almost unnecessary to
mention Roderick Random, the Adventures of Peregrine Pickle, Ferdinand
Count Fathom, and Sir Launcelot Greaves, the Expedition of Humphry
Clinker, &c.
* * * * *
He was bred to the medical profession, and in the early part of his life
served as a surgeon in the navy. It is said that before he took a house
at Chelsea he attempted to settle as a practitioner, at Bath, but was
unsuccessful, chiefly because he could not render himself agreeable to
the ladies. This, however, was a little extraordinary, for Smollett was
as graceful and handsome a man as any of the age; besides, there was a
certain dignity in his manner which could not fail to inspire respect
whenever he appeared. Abandoning physic altogether as a profession, he
fixed his residence at Chelsea, and turned his thoughts entirely to
writing.
* * * * *
Dr. Smollett’s History of England has had a most extensive sale. He is
said to have received £2000 for writing it and the continuation. During
the last years of his life he was employed in abridging the Modern
Universal History, great part of which he had originally written himself.
In the year 1755 he set on foot the Critical Review, and continued the
principal manager of it till he went abroad for the first time, in the
year 1763. He had made some very severe remarks on a pamphlet published
by Admiral Knowles, who commenced a prosecution against the printer; and,
just as sentence was going to be pronounced, he came into Court, and
avowed himself the author; upon which he was fined £100, and condemned to
three months’ imprisonment in the King’s Bench. It is there he is said
to have written the Adventures of Sir Launcelot Greaves, in which he has
described some remarkable characters, then his fellow-prisoners. When
Lord Bute was called to the chief administration of affairs, he was
prevailed upon to write in defence of that nobleman’s measures, in a
weekly paper called the Briton. This gave rise to the well-known North
Briton, wherein he was rather baffled.
* * * * *
Smollett’s constitution being at last greatly impaired by a sedentary
life, and assiduous application to study, he went abroad for his health
in 1769. He wrote accounts of his travels, in a series of letters to his
friends, which were afterwards published.
* * * * *
During that time he appears to have been occasionally in a distressed
state of mind. In his first letter he writes:—“In gratifying your
curiosity, I shall find some amusement to beguile the tedious hours;
which, without some such employment, would be rendered insupportable by
distemper and disquiet. You knew and pitied my situation: traduced by
malice, persecuted by faction, abandoned by false patrons, and
overwhelmed by domestic affliction.” He here alludes to the loss of his
only daughter. In another letter, addressed to Mr. Reid, of this parish,
he desires to be remembered to his Chelsea friends, wishing them that
health and happiness to which he himself was a stranger, and adds, “I am
very glad to know your concert was so brilliant, and I hope all your
Chelsea societies will continue to flourish.”
* * * * *
Dr. Smollett returned to England, but afterwards went back to Italy,
where he died in 1771.
* * * * *
The old Chelsea Stage Coaches started from Lawrence Street and Church
Street, between which places there were extensive stabling, and a
residence for the proprietor in the centre of the yard. The fare for
inside passengers was 1_s._ 6_d._, outside 1_s._, and no intermediate
fare at a lower sum was taken. Thanks to the General Omnibus Company, to
the Steamboat, and the Railway Companies, we can now go to almost the
extremity of London for 6_d._ and a shorter distance for 3_d._
* * * * *
Lordship Place takes its name from having been the site of the barns,
&c., of the Lord of the Manor. It is a short street, near the river,
connecting Lawrence Street with Cheyne Row. In the early Parish
Registers occur many lamentable details of poor people being found dead
in these barns, where they had taken refuge from the inclemency of the
weather.
* * * * *
Cheyne Row was built in 1708, and was named after the Lord of the Manor.
* * * * *
John Denver, Esq., resided in Cheyne Row for the last twenty years of his
life. He devoted his time to study, and the forming of a collection of
early printed Bibles, manuscripts, and missals, which was at last one of
the most valuable in England. His daughter, Miss Denyer, was very clever
in painting and illuminating on vellum, &c. Her drawings and miniatures
were equal to the finest specimens of the middle ages. Mr. Denyer died
at the age of 71, and was buried in the Old Church, and his affectionate
daughter was also interred near her father and mother. This family was
distinguished for their benevolence to the poor.
In Cheyne Row, within my recollection, many old and influential families
have resided there, who were greatly respected. Amongst them may be
mentioned Edmund Chalmers, Esq., Thomas Chalmers, Esq., John Hulme, Esq.,
Edward Holl, Esq., the benevolent Mrs. Hebert, Richard Draper, Esq.,
George Blyth, Esq., and Isaac Wrentmore, Esq.
Thomas Carlyle, Esq., who is so well-known in literary and other
distinguished circles, and who is certainly one of the most profound
writers of the present age, has resided in Cheyne Row for a great many
years. The University of Edinburgh, last year, conferred on him the
highest honour it could bestow. His habits of life at Chelsea are
naturally secluded, but he is nevertheless greatly respected by those who
have an opportunity of acquiring a knowledge of his social worth. Mr.
Carlyle begins now to bend with age, although apparently in tolerable
health, and, notwithstanding his recent severe bereavement, not a cloud
seems to dim the vigour of his intellectual faculties.
In Upper Cheyne Row there was formerly a manufactory for melting gold and
silver in crucibles, which was said to produce the best articles of the
kind in England.
* * * * *
Cook’s Grounds was formerly a back way to Alston House, Cheyne Walk.
* * * * *
Cook’s Ground Chapel was originally built for the use of the French
Protestants, who had taken refuge in this country after the revocation of
the edict of Nantes, in the year 1685. Several French gardeners settled
upon this spot, and the Rev. Dr. King, the rector, mentions them in terms
of great kindness, and strongly recommends them to the protection of his
successors. The chapel was for many years in the Independent Connexion.
The Rev. Benjamin Fielder, in 1773, succeeded the Rev. Mr. Trail, and
died in 1803. His death was very affecting; he had seated himself in the
pulpit, and, after a hymn had been sung, he was observed with his head
reclining, and without any signs of life. He was immediately removed,
but never spoke afterwards. The Rev. John Bunce, who was well known and
respected in Chelsea, was minister at this chapel for many years, and
subsequently Dr. Tracey, Mr. Webb, and at the present time Mr. Hayward.
Alston House, Cheyne Walk.
Shrewsbury, or Alston House, a capital mansion, built about the latter
end of the reign of Henry VIII., was situated in Cheyne Walk, to the west
of the present “Pier Hotel.” This house was considered for a long time
to have been the residence of Sir Thomas More; but Dr. King has proved,
from the most authentic documents, that it never had any just pretensions
to that honour.
* * * * *
It was an irregular brick building, forming three sides of a quadrangle.
The principal room was one hundred and twenty feet in length, and was
originally wainscotted with carved oak. One of the rooms was painted in
imitation of marble, and appeared to have been originally an oratory.
Certain curious portraits on panel, which had ornamented the large rooms,
were destroyed some few years since; this is to be regretted, as, in all
probability, they represented its former owners, or, at least, some
persons of note.
* * * * *
Leading from the premises, towards the King’s Road, there is a
subterranean passage, which has been explored for a short distance. It
is said, traditionally, to have communicated with a cave or dungeon,
situated at a considerable distance from the house; but for what purpose
made, no one now in its vicinity confidently presumes to guess.
* * * * *
The following information concerning this subterranean passage, is
obtained from a letter of Miss Gulston to Miss Tate, who was the
proprietor of the estate:—
“I have found an old man, now living at Chelsea, who worked at the
paper manufactory when a lad, and who has established the facts. I
have always been laughed at when I have mentioned the story. I have
gotten two drawings of the room and passage.
“The entrance to this passage was from the room used by the paper
stainers as a drying place. It had no fire-place in it; the
dimensions were nearly as follows: 25 feet high, 50 long, 36 wide;
the ceiling was strong with beams, to sustain the upper floors, but
without any plastered ceiling. You descended into it by a wide
winding staircase, through a circular-top door, strongly fortified
with rivets and four large hinges: this door was so contrived, that
it opened far enough back to hide the approach to the hole, and could
there be fastened so as to have the appearance of belonging to the
large room, and the circular steps leading to it caused the more
deception.
“The side walls are all brick. This man never could proceed with his
light more than a distance of thirty yards, when the light invariably
went out. The passage is free from any incumbrance of earth, or from
any part of the side walls having given way; as far as could be
ascertained, its direction was towards the river.