All who take any interest in the topographical antiquities of the
ancient city of Westminster will learn—not perhaps without some feeling
akin to regret—that the last of the old original houses of that old
medieval city was taken down during the past summer to make room for
more convenient and spacious premises. The house has been thought
to be over five hundred years old, having been erected in or about
the reign of Edward III. It belonged to the Messrs Dent, well-known
provision-dealers, by whose predecessors the business was founded in
the year 1750. The shop floor was three steps _below_ the level of the
pavement outside, and the ceiling of the shop was so low that a small
man could touch it easily with his hand. The building contained several
large and commodious rooms up-stairs, the first floor projecting, as
usual in such houses, beyond the wall about a foot. The beams used
throughout were heavy, massive, and very hard old English oak; and the
roof was covered with old-fashioned red tiles. The house stood at the
western corner of Tothill Street, where that street joins the Broadway.
A few years ago, several such houses were to be seen on the north side
of Tothill Street, but as nearly the whole of that side was taken by
the new Aquarium, the quaint old houses were of course removed. Now
that the old one above referred to is down, they are all gone, and
nothing is left of old Westminster city but its grand and matchless
Abbey; and long may its majestic beauty continue to adorn a spot
celebrated for so many deeply historical memories.