Support the stage,
Which so declines that shortly we may see
Players and plays reduced to second infancy!
--What would he sing in these times!
Among the numerous memoranda of the topography of this interesting
district, we find that the well-known iron foundry of Messrs. Bradley, now
occupies the site of a Bear-garden. The Falcon public-house adjoining the
foundry of that name, was once the most considerable inn in the county of
Surrey, the adjoining foundry being anciently a part of it: and it is said
that very near the Falcon was once a mill for the grinding of corn, for
the Priory of St. Mary Overy.
To conclude. The accompanying Cuts are copied from one of a series of
prints illustrative of the antiquities of the metropolis, published by
Messrs. Boydell, in the year 1818.
[1] Hist. and Antiq. St. Saviour, Southwark, 1795.
[2] The first we read of Bear-baiting in England, was in the
reign of King John, at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where "thyss
straynge passtyme was introduced by some Italyans for his
highness' amusement, wherewith he and his court were highly
delighted."
[3] Reliq. Wotton, p. 425. Edit. 1685
[4] Winwood's Memorials, vol. iii. p. 469.
[5] Annals of the Stage. By J.P. Collyer, Esq. F.S.A. Vol. I.
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