river Wey, thirty miles from London, and governed by a Mayor,
Recorder, and Aldermen. Here the assizes are sometimes held, and
always elections for members of parliament, the town itself returning
two. Not far from the town are the ruinous wails of an old castle,
this having been in the Saxon times a royal villa, where many of our
Kings long after kept their festivals. Here were formerly two or three
convents, one of which was not long ago the seat of Daniel Coswall,
Esq; and had a delightful park adjoining to it. There were also three
churches in the town; but one of them fell down in the year 1740. Here
is a charity school founded by King Edward VI. and an almshouse
founded by George Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury, who endowed it with
lands worth 300_l._ a year, 100_l._ of which he ordered to be employed
in setting the poor at work, and the other 200_l._ he allotted for the
maintenance of a master, twelve brethren, and eight sisters, who are
to have 2_s._ 6_d._ a week: the Archbishop’s birth day is annually
commemorated in it; and the Archbishop of Canterbury is its visitor.
There are here likewise two charity schools for thirty boys, and
twenty girls; and a fine circular course for horse races, which begin
when the Newmarket races are ended. Guilford had formerly a
considerable manufacture of cloth, of which there are still some
remains. The great road from Chichester and Portsmouth lies through
the town, which has been always famous for good inns, the cleanest of
linen, and other excellent accommodations; and as the river Wey is
made navigable to this town, a great quantity of timber is carried
down it to London, not only from this neighbourhood, but from the
Sussex and Hampshire woods, above thirty miles off, from whence it is
brought to Guilford in the summer by land carriage.
The road from hence to Farnham is very remarkable, for it runs along
the ridge of a high chalky hill, no wider than the road itself, and
the declivity begins on either hand, at the edge that bounds the
highway, and is very steep and high. From this hill is a surprizing
prospect; to the north and north west over Bagshot Heath; to the south
east into Sussex, almost to the South Downs; and to the west it is so
unbounded that the view is only terminated by the horizon. On this
hill, which is called St. Catharine’s, stands the gallows in such a
position, that the town’s people of Guilford may, from the High
street, sit at their shop doors and see the criminals executed.
GUILLAM’S _wharf_, St. Catharine’s.†
GULLYHOLE _alley_, Wheeler street.
GULSTON’S _square_, Gulston’s street.†
GULSTON’S _street_, Whitechapel.†
GUM _alley_, Barnaby street.
GUMMERY’S _alley_, Dorset street.†
GUN _alley_, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Little Moorfields.* 3. St. John’s
street, West Smithfield.* 4. Wapping.* 5. Well street.*
GUN _dock_, Wapping.
GUN-HOUSE _stairs_, near Vauxhall.
GUN _lane_, Three Colts street.*
GUNPOWDER _alley_, 1. Poor Jury lane. 2. Shoe lane.
[Illustration:
_Gunnersbury._
_S. Wale delin._ _B. Green sculp._
]
GUNNERSBURY HOUSE, near Ealing, a noble and elegant structure, built by
Inigo Jones, or, as some say, by Mr. Web, who was son-in-law to Inigo
Jones. Indeed the architecture shews that if the plan was not drawn by
that celebrated architect himself, it was designed by some of his
scholars, for the building has that majestic boldness and simplicity
which grace all the works of that excellent artist. It is situated on
a rising ground; the approach to it from the garden is remarkably
fine. The loggia has a beautiful appearance at a distance, and
commands a fine prospect of the county of Surry, the river of Thames,
and of all the meadows on its banks for some miles, and in clear
weather of even the city of London.
The apartments are extremely convenient and well contrived. The hall,
which is large and spacious, is on each side supported by rows of
columns, and from thence you ascend by a noble flight of stairs to a
saloon, which is a double cube of twenty-five feet high, and most
elegantly furnished. This fine room has an entrance into the portico
on the back front, which is supported by columns, and from the finest
of the prospect over the Thames, is a delightful place to sit in,
during the afternoon in the summer season; for it being contrived to
face the south east, the sun never shines on it after two o’clock; but
extending its beams over the country, enlivens the beautiful landscape
that lies before this part of the edifice. On entering the garden from
the house, you ascend a noble terrace, which affords a delightful view
of the neighbouring country; and from this terrace, which extends the
whole breadth of the garden, you descend by a beautiful flight of
steps, with a grand balustrade on each side. But the gardens are laid
out too plain, having the walls in view on every side. This was the
house of the late Henry Furnesse, Esq; who had a fine collection of
pictures in it.
GUNSMITHS, a company incorporated by letters patent, granted by King
Charles I. in the year 1638. This fraternity consists of a Master, two
Wardens, and eighteen Assistants; but has neither livery nor hall.
_Maitland._
GUN _street_, Artillery lane, Spitalfields.*
GUN _wharf_, 1. Near Battle bridge.* 2. Wapping Dock.*
GUN _yard_, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. Houndsditch.* 3. Maiden
lane, Southwark.* 4. Pepper alley.* 5. Petticoat lane.* 6. Rosemary
lane.* 7. Sugar Loaf alley, Moor lane.* 8. Tower ditch.*
GUTTER _lane_, Cheapside, originally called Guthurn lane, from Guthurn,
the owner thereof. _Maitland._
GUTTIGE’S _rents_, Whitechapel.†
GUY OF WARWICK’S _court_, 1. Duke street.* 2. Upper Ground.*
GUY’S _court_, Playhouse passage, Drury lane.†
[Illustration:
_Guy’s Hospital._
_S. Wale delin._ _B. Green sc. Oxon._
]
GUY’S HOSPITAL, in Southwark, for the cure of sick and lame persons, was
founded by Mr. Thomas Guy, a citizen and bookseller of London, who
from a small beginning amassed an immense fortune, by his industry and
frugality; and more particularly by purchasing seamen’s tickets in the
reign of Queen Anne; and by his success in buying and selling South
Sea stock in the year 1720. He was never married, and had no near
relations; and therefore towards the close of his life, considering
how he should dispose of his wealth, after many ruminations, resolved
to be the founder of the most extensive charity ever established by
one man. He was seventy-six years of age when he took this resolution,
and having no time to lose, immediately took of the President and
Governors of St. Thomas’s hospital in Southwark, a lease of a piece of
ground opposite to that hospital, for the term of nine hundred and
ninety-nine years, for a ground rent of 30_l._ a year; and as this was
covered with small houses that were old and ill tenanted, he
immediately gave the inhabitants notice of his intention, and when
they had removed their effects, pulled down the buildings in the year
1721, and proceeding with all the expedition of a youth of fortune
erecting a house for his own residence; he caused the foundation of
the intended hospital to be laid the following spring, and this vast
fabric was roofed before the death of the founder, which happened on
the 27th of December 1724.
The only motive that induced Mr. Guy to erect this hospital in so low
and close a situation, was his design of putting it under the
management and direction of the Governors of that of St. Thomas. But
by the advice of his friends he altered his resolution; it was then
however too late to think of chusing another situation, for the
building was raised to the second story, but he rendered the place as
agreeable as possible by its elevation above the neighbouring streets.
The expence of erecting and furnishing this hospital amounted to the
sum of 18,793_l._ 16_s._ great part of which he expended in his life
time; and the sum he left to endow it, amounted to 219,499_l._ both
together amounting to 238,292_l._ 16_s._ a much larger sum than was
ever before left in this kingdom by one single person to charitable
uses.
The edifice is situated at a small distance from the foot of London
bridge, and consists of two quadrangles, besides what the print
exhibits, which is intended when the old buildings are removed to be
made regular. At your approach, which is a very narrow street, you
first see the side of the square, which is very elegant, and a noble
iron gate, with very handsome piers, but are much disappointed when
you come nearer, to find the most contemptible front you can imagine.
The whole side could not be represented in the print, as there was not
distance in the street to bring it into the visual angle. The iron
gates open into a square, in the middle of which is a brazen statue of
the founder, by Mr. Scheemakers, dress’d in his livery gown, very well
executed.
In the front of the pedestal is this inscription:
THOMAS GUY SOLE FOUNDER OF THIS HOSPITAL IN HIS LIFE TIME. A.D.
MDCCXXI.
On the west side of the pedestal is represented in basso relievo, the
parable of the good Samaritan; on the south side is Mr. Guy’s arms;
and on that side of the pedestal facing the east, is our Saviour
healing the impotent man.
The superstructure of this hospital has three floors besides the
garrets, and the same construction runs through the whole building,
which is so extensive as to contain twelve wards, in which are four
hundred and thirty-five beds; and in short the whole has a plainness
that becomes the nature of the institution, and at the same time a
regularity that does some honour to the builder, the whole being
disposed for the mutual accommodation of the sick, and of those who
attend them.
Soon after Mr. Guy’s decease, his executors, pursuant to his last
will, applied to parliament to get themselves, and fifty-one other
gentlemen nominated by the founder, to be incorporated Governors of
the intended hospital; upon which all these gentlemen were constituted
a body politic and corporate, by the name of the President and
Governors of this hospital: they were to have perpetual succession and
a common seal, with the power of possessing the real and personal
estates of the late Thomas Guy, Esq; for the purposes of the will, and
to purchase in perpetuity, or for any term of years, any other estate
whatsoever, not exceeding 12,000_l._ a year.
This corporation was no sooner established by parliament, than the
President and Governors set heartily about the work, by finishing and
furnishing the hospital, chusing their officers and servants, and
taking in patients, whose number at first amounted to 402. For the
more effectual preventing inferior servants preying upon poor
patients, or their friends, they resolved to give them handsome
salaries, and the following were appointed and are still given.
The Treasurer 00 0 0
His Clerk 40 0 0
Steward 80 0 0
Chaplain 80 0 0
Two Physicians, 40_l._ each 80 0 0
Apothecary 80 0 0
Apothecary’s two servants 78 0 0
Surgeryman 30 0 0
Butler, with his horse 67 2 8
Cook and her servant 32 0 0
Porter 35 0 0
Beadle 30 0 0
Matron 50 0 0
Eleven sisters, 25_l._ each 275 0
0
Eight nurses, 16_l._ each 128 0
0
Twelve watch-women, 10_l._ 8_s._ 124 16
each 0
One brother belonging to the 35 0 0
lunatics
One sister belonging to the 25 0 0
lunatics
────────────────────────────────────────────
Sum total, 1349 18
8
These officers and servants are chosen by the sixty Governors, who
have carried on this noble charity in such a manner as to restore ease
and health to many thousands of their fellow subjects.
Besides which the out-patients who receive medicines gratis,
frequently amount to about 1600 in a year.
Before we conclude this article, it may be proper to mention some
other particulars relating to Mr. Guy, in order to do justice to the
character of that great benefactor to the public, by which the reader
will see the little foundation there is for the general opinion of his
being remarkable for nothing more than his parsimony and avarice. He
was a patron of liberty and of the rights of his fellow subjects,
which, to his great honour, he strenuously asserted in several
parliaments, whereof he was a member for the borough of Tamworth in
Staffordshire, the place of his birth. To this town he was a general
benefactor; and early in his life he not only contributed towards the
relief of private families in distress, but erected an almshouse, with
a library, in that borough, for the reception of fourteen poor men and
women, to whom he allowed a certain pension during his life, and at
his death he bequeathed the annual sum of 125_l._ towards their future
support, and for putting out children apprentices, &c.
In the year 1701 Mr. Guy built and furnished at his own expence, three
wards on the north side of the outer court of St. Thomas’s hospital,
and gave to those wards 100_l._ a year, for eleven years immediately
preceding the foundation of his hospital. Some time before his death,
he removed the frontispiece of St. Thomas’s hospital, which stood over
the gateway in the Borough, and erected it in the place where it now
stands, fronting the street: he also enlarged the gateway; rebuilt the
two large houses on its sides, and erected the fine iron gate between
them, all at the expence of 3000_l._ To many of his relations he gave
while living, a settled allowance of 10 or 20_l._ a year; and to
others money to advance them in the world. At his death, he left to
his poor aged relations the sum of 870_l._ a year during their life;
and among his younger relations, who were very numerous, and his
executors, he left the sum of 75,589_l._ He left the Governors of
Christ’s hospital a perpetual annuity of 400_l._ for taking in four
children annually, at the nomination of the Governors; and bequeathed
1000_l._ for discharging poor prisoners within the city of London, and
the counties of Middlesex and Surry, who could be released for the sum
of 5_l._ by which sum, and the good management of his executors, there
were above 600 poor persons set at liberty, from the several prisons
within the bills of mortality. _Maitland._
GUY’S _yard_. Vinegar yard, Drury lane.†
[Illustration]
H.
HABERDASHER _square_, Grub street, Fore street.
HABERDASHERS, one of the twelve principal companies, was indifferently
called Hurrers and Milliners; the latter from the merchandize in which
they chiefly dealt, which came from the city of Milan in Italy: but
they were incorporated by letters patent granted by King Henry VI. in
the year 1407, by the style of _The_ _fraternity of St. Catharine the
Virgin, of the Haberdashers of the city of London_. But at present
they are denominated _The Master and four Wardens of the fraternity of
the art or mystery of Haberdashers_.
This company is governed by a Master, four Wardens, and ninety-three
Assistants, with a livery of 342 members, who upon their admission pay
a fine of 5_l._ _Maitland._
HABERDASHERS _Almshouse_ at Hoxton. See ASKE’S _Almshouse_.
HABERDASHERS HALL, situated on the north side of Maiden lane, is a good
brick building, and the room called the hall is very neat and lofty.
It is paved with marble and Purbeck stone, wainscoted about twelve
feet high; and the screen at the west end, where are two arched
apertures, is adorned with pilasters of the Corinthian order.
HACKET _court_, Coleman street.†
HACKNEY, a village in Middlesex, on the north east side of London, is a
very large and populous village, inhabited by such numbers of
merchants and wealthy persons, that it is said there are near an
hundred gentlemen’s coaches kept. The parish has several hamlets
belonging to it, among which are Clapton on the north, Dorleston and
Shacklewell on the west, and Hummerton, which leads to Hackney Marsh,
on the east. In this village are two meeting houses, viz. a new
Presbyterian meeting near the church, and an Independent meeting in
Mare street: besides a Presbyterian meeting house at Clapton, There
are also here six boarding schools, a free school, a charity school,
and several almshouses.
Hackney church was a distinct rectory and vicarage in the year 1292,
and dedicated to St. Augustine; but the Knights Templars having
obtained a mill and other possessions in the parish, they were, upon
the suppression of their order, granted to the Knights Templars of St.
John of Jerusalem, from whom the church is supposed to have received
the present appellation of St. John: however, it was not presented to
by that name till after the year 1660. It is in the gift of Mr. Tyson,
Lord of the manor, but in ecclesiastical affairs is subject to the
Bishop of London. _Maitland._
At the bottom of Hackney Marsh there have been discovered within these
few years, the remains of a great stone causeway, which by the Roman
coins found there, appears to have been one of the famous highways
made by the Romans. _English Gazetteer._
HACKNEY COACHES. The village of Hackney being anciently celebrated for
the numerous seats of the nobility and gentry it contained, this
occasioned a great resort thither of persons of all ranks from the
city of London, whereby so great a number of horses were daily hired
in the city on that account, that at length all horses to be lett
received the common appellation of Hackney horses; which denomination
has since been communicated to public coaches and chairs.
’Tis observable that so lately as the year 1625, there were not above
twenty hackney coaches in the city of London and the adjacent parts;
and that these did not ply in the streets as at present; but those who
had occasion for them sent for them from the stables where they stood:
but in 1635, the number of these coaches being greatly increased, they
plied in the streets, which being then much narrower in many parts of
London than at present, the common passages were obstructed and
rendered dangerous; and it was alledged, that by this great increase,
the price of hay and other provender was much enhanced. Upon this a
proclamation was published by his Majesty King Charles I. on the 19th
of January, strictly commanding, that after the 24th of June
following, no hackney coach should be used within the city and suburbs
of London, except for carrying of people to and from their habitations
in the country: and that no person whatsoever should be allowed to
keep a coach in this city, except such persons as were capable of
keeping four able horses fit for his Majesty’s service, which were at
all times to be ready when called for, under a severe penalty. However
in 1654, Cromwell published an ordinance, by which he ordered that the
hackney coaches, which he limited to two hundred, should be under the
care and government of the court of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen. And
in 1662 it was enabled by parliament, that all the hackney coaches,
which then amounted to four hundred, should annually pay the sum of
5_l._ each towards the charge of paving and cleaning the streets of
London and Westminster. Since which time the number of hackney coaches
has been augmented to eight hundred, and both they and the hackney,
chairs put under the government of the Hackney coach office.
_Maitland._
HACKNEY COACH _Office_, in Surry street in the Strand, was erected
according to an act of parliament passed in the year 1696, for
licensing hackney coaches and chairs, and to put them under the
government of five Commissioners, who have a salary of 150_l._ a year
each. The number of coaches is limited to eight hundred; out of which
two hundred are to ply every Sunday in their turn, on the forfeiture
of 5_l._ for every coachman who plies out of his turn.
For the better government of these coaches and chairs, and preventing
the drivers and owners imposing on those who employ them, each coach
has its respective number on a tin plate fixed on each side. The price
of each licence is 50_l._ no person is allowed to have more than two
licences, and every proprietor pays 5_s._ a week by monthly payments,
to the receiver of the office. A hackney coachman plying without a
licence, using another’s figure, or defacing his own, forfeits 5_l._
And no horse, mare, or gelding, under fourteen hands high, is to be
used in drawing hackney coaches.
If any coachman abuses a passenger; exacts more for his fare than he
ought to receive; or refuses to go at the following rates, whether by
day or night, foul or fair weather; upon complaint belong made to the
Commissioners, and the number of the coach delivered in, such coachman
will be summoned to appear, and fined for each offence twenty or forty
shillings, according to the nature of his crime.
Rates of Hackney Coachmen.
For a day of twelve hours, 10_s._
For one hour, 1_s._ 6_d._
For every hour after the first, 1_s._
For any distance nor exceeding a mile and a half, 1_s._
For any distance not exceeding two miles, 1_s._ 6_d._
For the better ascertaining the fares between the most remarkable
places of this city and suburbs, the Commissioners of the Hackney
Coach office have caused the distance between the following parts to
be measured, and the several rates fixed accordingly.
Rates for Hackney Coaches, one shilling.
From any of the Inns to Court to any part of St. James’s or
Westminster, except beyond Tothill street.
From any of the Inns of Court, or thereabouts, to the Royal Exchange.
From Westminster Hall to Marlborough street, Albemarle street, Bolton
street, Bloomsbury square, Soho square, or Little Queen street,
Holborn.
From St. James’s gate to Queen Anne’s square, Westminster; or the
nearest corner of Red Lion square.
From Golden square to Red Lion square.
From the Haymarket play house to Red Lion square, Queen’s square
Westminster, Thavies Inn, or Bloomsbury square.
From Guildhall to Red Lion square.
From the upper end of Fetter lane, Holborn, to Aldgate.
From the Royal Exchange to Hoxton square.
From Newgate to the middle of Greek street near Soho square.
From the Bridge foot, Southwark, to Sir William Walworth’s Head at
Walworth.
From Gray’s Inn gate to Sadler’s Wells near Islington.
From Covent garden to Clerkenwell church.
From Temple Bar to Billingsgate.
From Aldgate to Shadwell church.
Rates for Hackney Coaches, eighteen pence.
From Drury lane play house to Queen square, Westminster.
From Westminster Hall to St. Paul’s.
From Westminster Hall to Queen square, Red Lion fields.
From St. James’s gate to Hatton garden.
From the New Exchange in the Strand to the Royal Exchange.
From the Haymarket play house to Hatton garden.
From Red Lion square to Westminster hall.
From any of the Inns of Court to the Tower, Aldgate, Bishopsgate
street, or thereabouts.
From St. James’s to Marybone church.
From the Royal Exchange to Bloomsbury square.
From the Royal Exchange to the watch house at Mile-end.
From the outside of Aldgate to Stepney church.
From Bedford street, Covent garden, to Coleman street.
From Bread street to Hoxton square.
From the middle of Broad street to Hart street, Bloomsbury.
From St. Martin’s lane in the Strand to Gold street, by Wood street.
From the middle of Gracechurch street to Somerset house.
From Guildhall to Brownlow street, Drury lane.
From the Royal Exchange to Newington church, Surry.
From Covent garden to the Royal Exchange.
From Stocks market to Charing Cross.
From Aldgate to Ratcliff Cross.
HACKNEY CHAIRMEN, are subject to the same regulations as the Hackney
Coachmen; and if they behave ill, any person may have them fined or
punished by producing the number of the chair, and making complaint at
the Hackney Coach office in Surry street. The only difference between
them and the Hackney Coachmen is, that they are obliged to go the same
distance for eighteen pence, which the coachmen perform for a
shilling; they are to take no more than one shilling for any distance
not exceeding a mile; and no more than eighteen pence for any distance
not exceeding a mile and a half.
Rates for Hackney Chairmen, one shilling.
From Westminster to Covent garden, or Exeter Exchange.
From St. James’s gate through the Park to Westminster Hall.
From the Haymarket play house to the entrance of Lincoln’s Inn fields.
From the Haymarket play house to Bolton street.
From St. James’s gate to Somerset house.
From Somerset house to the upper end of Hatton garden.
From the Haymarket play house to Soho square.
From the nearest corner of Golden square to Drury lane play house.
Rates for Hackney Chairmen, eighteen pence.
From Westminster Hall to Marlborough street, Soho square, Bolton
street, or Temple Bar.
From St. James’s gate to Queen Anne’s square, Westminster.
From Golden square to Red Lion square.
From Red Lion square to the Haymarket play house.
From Queen’s square to the Haymarket play house.
From the Haymarket play house to Bloomsbury square.
From the Haymarket play house to Gray’s Inn.
HACKNEY _road_, near Shoreditch.☐
HAGLE’S _court_, Silver street, Tooley street.†
HAINS’S _court_; Swallow street.†
HAIRBRAIN’D _court_, 1. Blue Anchor yard, Rosemary lane.‖ 2. Scotland
yard.‖
HALBOURN _yard_, Mews, Duke street, Piccadilly.†