[Illustration: Exeter 'Change, Strand.]
Who has not heard of Exeter 'Change? celebrated all over England for its
menagerie and merchandize--wild beasts and cutlery--kangaroos and fleecy
hosiery--elephants and minikin pins--a strange assemblage of nature and
art--and savage and polished life.
At page 69 of the present volume we have given a brief sketch of the
"Ancient Site of the Exeter 'Change," &c.; showing how the magnificent
house of Burleigh, where Queen Elizabeth deigned to visit her favourite
treasurer--at length became a receptable for uncourtly beasts, birds, and
reptiles, whilst the lower part became a little nation of shopkeepers,
among whom shine conspicuous the parsimony and good fortune of Mr. Clarke,
the cutler, who amassed here a princely fortune. But the march of
improvement having condemned the whole of the building, "Exeter 'Change is
removed to Charing Cross." Mr. Cross's occupation's gone, and the wild
beasts have progressed nearer the Court by removing to the King's Mews.
Surely such a place is worthy of preservation in a graphic sketch for THE
MIRROR. Perhaps its wonders were once the goal of our wishes--to receive a
long bill from the jolly yeoman at the door, to see the living wonders of
the upper story, and be treated with a pocket knife or whistle-whip from
the counters of the lower apartments, have probably at one period or other
been grand treats. Yes, gentle reader, and two doors east of this world of
wonders appeared the early numbers of the present Miscellany.
Among the improvement projects, we hear that a building for the meetings
of public societies is to occupy the above site.
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