Transcriber’s Note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_.
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.
† _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._
SIO
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 3000_l._ 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
160_l._ a year for ever to the college and almshouses, 120_l._ for the
support of the alms-people, and 40_l._ _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
1300_l._ and the hall with the other buildings to 2000_l._ 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 100_l._ to be annually
laid out in books, and another 20_l._ _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 10_s._ 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 6_l._ 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 1944_l._ 11_s._ 11_d._ 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.
[Illustration:
_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 9000_l._ 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.
[Illustration:
_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 300_l._ a year; an accomptant who has 200_l._ a year;
and a comptroller who has also 200_l._ 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 15_l._
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 700_l._ 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 18,926_l._ 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 1 _l._ 9_s._ 4_d._ and also from the
company of embroiderers the annual 1_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._ 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 2000_l._ _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.