_Wood-carving, Snow Hill_ (Vol. ii., p. 134.).--The carving alluded to
by A.C. is, I believe, of artificial stone, and represents Æsop attended
by a child, to whom he appears to be narrating his fables. It is or
rather _was_, a work of some merit, and is, as A.C. observes, "worth
preserving;" but, alas! of this there is but little chance. The house in
question (No. 41. Skinner Street), and also the one adjoining, have been
tenantless for many years; they belong to two old ladies, who also own
the two deserted houses at the corner of Stamford Street, Blackfriars
Road. It is scarcely necessary to speak of the now somewhat picturesque
condition of the houses alluded to in either locality, for the pitiably
dilapidated condition of them all must have been matter of remark for
many years past to any one at all acquainted with London. {221} The
house, 41. Skinner Street, is also worthy of remark from another
circumstance. It was formerly occupied by William Godwin, the well-known
author of _Caleb Williams, Political Justice_, &c. It was here he opened
a bookseller's shop, and published his numerous juvenile works, under
the assumed name of Edward Baldwin.