and Aldgate, should be the church-yards of the several parishes, while
the houses opposite to them formed a large street for the common inns,
and served as a station for carriers, &c. These being on the north part
of the city, and nearest the confines of the fields and roads, would
least incumber the town; and there would be a far more commodious and
free access to them, by reason of their immediate approaches through the
traverse streets, than if they were scattered up and down without
distinction.
But this scheme, which was designed as an improvement of Sir
Christopher’s, also fell to nothing; and by the obstinacy of the
citizens, the opportunity was lost of rendering this city the admiration
of the world, and thereby of drawing the nobility of all Europe to visit
it, and lay out great sums here.
However, it was ordered by act of Parliament, that many of the streets
and lanes should be widened, and the city was impowered to make a new
street from Cheapside to Guildhall, which obtained the name of King
street, and another from Threadneedle street to Lothbury, called
Prince’s street. And the markets, which till then were held in Newgate
street and Cheapside, were ordered to be removed behind the houses into
commodious market places to be prepared for that purpose. It was also
enacted that all the houses should be built with stone or brick, with
party walls, and the whole finished within three years: that the ground
in several places should be raised, and that a column of brass or stone
should be erected on or near the place where the above dreadful fire
began; whence arose that noble column called the Monument: but had it
been raised near the place where the fire ceased, and in the center of
the fine circular area proposed by Sir Christopher Wren, in Fleet
street, where eight streets would radiate upon it, and where it would be
seen to terminate the view, even from Aldgate and Westminster, it would
have enjoyed a situation vastly more worthy of its beauty, and have
appeared to infinitely greater advantage, than in the corner where it is
now placed. See the article MONUMENT.
The reader has just seen the city under two of the most dreadful
calamities that could fall upon a people, pestilence, and a general
destruction by fire; he will now see the citizens suffering calamities
of a very different kind, and deprived of all their boasted privileges.
This affair it is necessary to trace from its origin.
In the beginning of May 1679, a conspiracy of the papists was
discovered, for destroying the city again by fire, occasioned by the
burning of one Bird’s house in Fetter lane; for Elizabeth Oxley, the
servant, being suspected, was committed to prison; where she not only
confessed the fact, but declared, that she was prevailed upon to fire it
by one Stubbs, a papist, upon the promise of 5l. Stubbs being secured,
confessed that he had been excited to this by Father Gifford, his
confessor, who told him, that instead of its being a sin, it would be a
great service to the church to burn and destroy all the houses of
heretics; and that he had several conferences with Gifford, and two
Irishmen, upon that affair; that an insurrection was to be made in
London, and a powerful army expected from France. Five Jesuits were
executed for this plot, the papists banished from the city, and ten
miles round, and afterwards the Lord Stafford was beheaded for the same
crime.
In revenge, the Romish party trumped up what was called the Meal Tub
plot, to bring an odium upon the presbyterians and the heads of the
country party; but Dangerfield, the chief actor in this farce, being
committed to prison, applied himself to the Lord Mayor, and in an ample
confession laid open the whole scene of iniquity, discovering the
persons who set him to work.
The citizens not only vigorously pressed the prosecution of all the
persons they had reason to think concerned in the popish plot, in
opposition to the court, who endeavoured to skreen them; but the Lord
Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council presented a petition to his Majesty,
desiring, that all the persons who had been impeached by the Commons,
might be brought to their trials; the Duke of York, as being a papist,
excluded from succeeding to the throne; and the Parliament continued, in
order to make the necessary provisions for the preservation of his
Majesty and his protestant subjects; but this petition not only hastened
the dissolution of the Parliament, but was so highly resented by the
King, that it principally occasioned the loss of all the rights and
privileges belonging to the citizens.
The Parliament being soon after dissolved, and writs issued for a new
election, the citizens chose their former members, and gave them
directions in writing to continue their search into the popish plot; to
promote the bill of exclusion, and to grant no supplies of money till
they had effectually secured them against popery and arbitrary power;
which example was followed by most of the electors of the kingdom.
The court now threw the city into confusion, by interfering in the
election of Sheriffs; those the city had chosen, and one of the
Aldermen, were committed to the Tower; while other Sheriffs were elected
by the Lord Mayor, without the consent of the Commons; and soon after a
_quo warranto_ was brought against the city, contrary to justice, the
charters of the city, and the rights of the citizens: the plea and
rejoinder brought by the citizens, were as full and as nervous, as the
arguments brought to support the information were weak and trifling.
However, the ministry having at all events determined to remove the
sacred fence, and destroy the dear bought privileges of the citizens,
removed the Judges who did not approve these proceedings, and chose
others, who would be more obedient, in their room; and on the 12th of
June 1683, the sentence was pronounced, that the city had given just
ground for the forfeiture of their charter.
After this the King granted the office of Lord Mayor to be held during
pleasure, appointed the Sheriffs, the Recorder, and sixteen of his
favourite Aldermen; degraded eight of those that were in the country
interest, and appointed eight others in their room.
The death of King Charles II. was far from putting a stop to the
arbitrary measures of the court: for James II. immediately singled out
as a sacrifice to popery, Mr. Cornish, an Alderman of this city, who,
when Sheriff, had exerted himself in an uncommon manner in the detection
and prosecution of those concerned in the popish plot. This gentleman
was apprehended, and committed to Newgate, without the use of pen, ink,
or paper, till Saturday noon, when he received notice, that he was to be
tried for high treason on the Monday following. In the interim, his
children humbly petitioned the King for time, that their father might
prepare for his defence: but they petitioned in vain, though the most
material evidence in his favour was then 140 miles from London. He was
indicted the next Monday, for conspiring to raise a rebellion, to
destroy the King, and subvert the constitution in the late reign. The
only material evidences were two persons of an infamous and profligate
character; one of them an outlaw, who was pardoned, and his testimony
made legal, for his appearing against Cornish; and though what he
deposed did not affect the prisoner, he was condemned, and on the 23d of
the same month, hanged, drawn, and quartered before his own door, at the
end of King street, Cheapside.
During this short but iniquitous reign, in which the boldest attempts
were made for extirpating the protestant religion, and the religious and
civil liberties of the people, the citizens and the whole nation cast
their eyes on the Prince of Orange as their deliverer. That Prince’s
resolution to grant them his assistance was no sooner known at
Whitehall, than the deluded, weak, and pusillanimous King, prompted by
fear, sent for the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, and with a meanness of
spirit equal to that of enslaving his people, promised to restore their
charter. Accordingly, on the sixth of October 1688, the infamous and
cruel Lord Chancellor Jeffries brought back the charter to the city.
Upon this, a new Lord Mayor was chosen; the Aldermen restored to their
respective wards; and the Liverymen of the several Companies at the time
when judgment was given against the city upon the _quo warranto_, were
also restored.
It may be proper to observe, before we conclude this reign, that about
the beginning of December 1683, was a severe frost, which continued till
the 5th of February; the Thames being froze, a great number of streets
with shops were erected upon it.
In the year 1687, a dreadful persecution raging in France against the
distressed protestants, 13,500 of them came over and settled in this
city, and the parts contiguous, particularly in Spitalfields, by which
they greatly enriched the city and kingdom, by introducing among us new
arts and manufactures.
As the citizens had contributed very much to the revolution, King
William and Queen Mary were conducted by a noble cavalcade to Guildhall,
where their Majesties and a numerous train of the nobility were
entertained at dinner; and soon after the Parliament reversed the
proceedings of the former reigns on the _quo warranto_, declaring them
to be illegal and arbitrary, and confirmed all the rights and privileges
of the city.
After the peace of Ryswick, King William III. at the desire of the Lord
Mayor and citizens, made his public entry into the city, with great
magnificence, the Lord Mayor carrying the city sword before his Majesty.
In the reign of Queen Anne, her Majesty came several times in great
state to St. Paul’s, to return thanks for the glorious victories of the
great Duke of Marlborough; and after the victory of Blenheim, his Grace,
with the Prince of Hesse and many of the nobility, dined with the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen at Goldsmith’s Hall.
On Friday the 26th of November 1703, happened the most dreadful storm of
wind that perhaps was ever known in any age or nation. For, beginning
about eleven at night, and increasing till about seven in the morning,
it committed the most terrible and amazing devastations, by blowing down
houses, trees, brick walls, and stacks of chimneys; by which many of the
citizens were buried in ruins; a considerable number of whom were
killed, others terribly wounded, while others again were amazingly
preserved unhurt among the rubbish. As an instance of which, it may be
proper to mention the following circumstance: two boys lying in a garret
in the Poultry, a huge stack of chimneys fell in, which making its way
through that and all the other stories to the cellar, it was followed by
the bed with the boys asleep in it, who first awaked in that gloomy
place of confusion, without having suffered the least hurt. Incredible
as this story is, it is nevertheless well attested.
By the impetuosity of this storm, many spires and turrets were
destroyed; upon the churches and other public buildings, the lead was
rolled up like scrolls, and blown to a considerable distance. At the
approach of day, the houses appeared like so many skeletons, and being
mostly stripped, the damage done to the roofs was so great, that the
price of tiles rose from 1l. 1s. to 6l. a thousand.
It is not easy to conceive the surprize that appeared in all
countenances in the morning; for the streets were covered with bricks,
broken tiles, signs, and pest-houses; almost all thoughts of trade were
laid aside, and the principal concern was the immediate repair of their
houses, in order to preserve themselves from the inclemency of the
weather in that rigorous season.
The damage at sea, however, far exceeded that by land; for in that
dreadful night twelve men of war were lost, with above 1800 men on
board; besides the prodigious loss of merchant ships, computed at ten
times the value. At that time the roads near our coast were filled with
ships, especially the Downs, where most of them were swallowed up by the
waves; and even in the Thames, only four from London bridge to
Limehouse, rode it out; for the rest being driven to Limehouse, lay
there, beating against each other, by the irresistible fury of the
tempest, by which they suffered inconceivable damage. _Maitland._
The French having unmercifully destroyed the Palatinate, by burning the
cities and towns, near 12,000 Palatines arrived at London, where they
met with the most charitable assistance. Above 3000 of them were sent to
Ireland, and the rest to our plantations, where they have made very
great improvements.
In the latter end of this reign, great disturbances were occasioned by
two sermons preached by Dr. Sacheverel; in which he represented the
church to be in danger from the dissenters; for these inflaming
discourses he was impeached by the Commons, and tried by the Lords, at
which the mob were so exasperated, that they pulled down several meeting
houses, and occasioned great disturbances.
Soon after the death of Queen Anne, King George I. made his public entry
into London, the Lord Mayor carrying the city sword before him, from St.
Margaret’s hill to St. James’s palace.
In 1715 happened a total eclipse; and the same year a severe frost began
in November, and continued with short intermissions till the middle of
February; by which the Thames was frozen over, and a great number of
booths erected upon it.
The next year great disturbances were caused by the enemies of the
government, who, on the King’s birth day, accession to the crown, and
coronation, assembled in the streets in a tumultuous manner, and with
the most amazing assurance, by expressions and representations, in the
grossest manner dishonoured his Majesty. This induced the friends of the
government, under some persons of the highest distinction, to form
themselves into societies, at certain alehouses, which, from the vessels
out of which they drank, were denominated _mughouses_, at each of which
were deposited a great number of cudgels. At this the rabble were so
exasperated, that many thousands of them assembled, and attacking one of
those houses in Salisbury court, Fleet street, the landlord, in
defending his property, killed one of the assailants; but this did not
prevent their rifling the house, before they could be dispersed.
However, several rioters being taken, they were soon after tried, when
five of them were condemned and executed at the end of Salisbury court;
which put an effectual stop to all tumultuous practices for many years.
It is observable, that in 1716, by a long dry season, the river Thames
was reduced so low, that by a violent storm of wind at west south west,
it was blown so dry, during the recess of the tide, that many thousands
of people passed it on foot, both above and below bridge, and walked
thro’ most of the arches.
The year 1720 will be ever famous in this city, for the destructive
South Sea scheme, by which many thousands of the wealthy citizens and
others were impoverished, while others acquired immense riches. See
SOUTH SEA COMPANY.
The year 1733 was rendered memorable by the effectual opposition made by
the citizens against a scheme for a general excise.
In 1734, two spacious arches, ten feet high and six wide, were erected
as a common sewer over the Fleet ditch, from Holborn to the end of Fleet
street; and a neat market house being since erected in the same place,
by the name of Fleet market, was opened in the year 1737; and the next
year the buildings and sheds of Stocks market, at the end of the
Poultry, were cleared away, in order to lay the foundation of a mansion
house for the Lord Mayor, which was afterwards erected. See MANSION
HOUSE.
The present reign is indeed rendered remarkable by the multitude of
magnificent buildings, fine streets, and spacious squares, that have
been added, and still are adding to this metropolis. A taste for
elegance in architecture, and a desire to improve and adorn the city,
have produced one of the finest bridges in the world at Westminster;
have caused London bridge to be stripped of its ruinous buildings that
encumbered the passage, and will soon render it as commodious and
beautiful as possible. Another elegant bridge is erecting at Black
Friars, in so grand a taste as to do honour to the city. We are become
sensible of the absurdity of building magnificent structures in holes
and narrow passages, where they cannot be seen to advantage; and now
resolve to make what is beautiful in itself, an ornament to the city.
But this is not all; charity and humanity now triumph over bigotry and
superstition, and the rage of party is on all sides ready to expire;
churchmen and dissenters mingle in the same company without animosity,
and friendships are contracted between those of different sentiments,
both with respect to religion and government; while party zeal is almost
confined to the ignorant and the vulgar.
During this reign the wealthy have shewn their humanity and pity for the
distresses of their fellow creatures, by erecting a great number of
infirmaries and hospitals, for the relief of those afflicted with any of
the diseases to which human nature is subject; while others are
appropriated to the cure of particular distempers. The deserted infant
is received into an hospital founded for its education and support; the
young, innocent, friendless girl finds an asylum; even the repenting
prostitute has an opportunity of returning to virtue. The poor married
woman is relieved and supported in the time of her greatest difficulty,
distress and danger; she who is under the same distress, with the
additional pangs of guilt, has a receptacle in which she also may be
delivered, and supported during her lying-in, without the least expence.
Those under the small-pox, who were formerly sent to pest-houses, and
treated as if they had the plague, are now happily accommodated in
places prepared for their relief; and there is even an hospital for
inoculating the young who never had this formidable disease, in order to
prevent the fatal effects which commonly attend its being caught in a
riper age. In short, the last charitable foundation I shall mention, as
an honour to the present age and nation, is the Marine Society; a
society formed for increasing our mariners, by clearing our streets of
poor vagabond boys, and men destitute of the means of procuring an
honest support; thus those are made to contribute to the glory and
safety of the nation, who would otherwise be brought up to plunder and
rapine, who would live in misery and vice, and probably end their days
with ignominy. See an account of each of these societies under their
several articles, ASYLUM, LYING-IN HOSPITAL, MARINE SOCIETY, &c.
The arms of the City of London are, _Argent_, a cross _Gules_, with a
sword the same. Some say this was the sword of St. Paul; and others,
that it is the sword of William Walworth Lord Mayor of London, who
killed the rebel Wat Tyler, anno 1381, in the presence and defence of
Richard II.
LONDON ASSURANCE, in Birchin lane, Cornhill, for assuring houses and
other buildings, houshold furniture, goods, wares, and merchandize, from
loss or damage by fire: except glass and china ware, not in trade, and
all manner of writings, books of accompts, notes, bills, bonds, tallies,
ready money, jewels, plate, pictures, gunpowder, hay, straw, and corn
unthreshed; and for assurance of lives.
This society was incorporated by letters patent granted by King George
I. for assuring ships and merchandize at sea; and for lending money upon
bottomry; in consideration of which grant the Corporation were to
advance his Majesty 300,000l. without interest, for the term of thirty
years: towards the raising of which, and paying the just demands that
might be made upon their respective policies, the Company were impowered
to raise a sum, not exceeding 1,500,000l. to be called the stock of the
Corporation: by a second charter, granted to this Corporation in the
year 1721, they were impowered not only to insure ships, but houses,
goods, and even lives.
This society is under the direction of a Governor, Sub-governor, and
Deputy Governor, and twenty-four directors.
They assure houses and goods upon the following terms and conditions.
I. All manner of brick and stone buildings covered with slate, tile, or
lead, wherein no hazardous trades are carried on, nor any hazardous
goods deposited, are termed _Common assurances_, and are assured for the
following premiums, viz. any sum not exceeding 200l. at 4s. _per annum_;
any sum above 200l. and not exceeding 1000l. at 2s. _per cent. per
annum_; and any sum above 1000l. and not exceeding 3000l. at 2s. 6d.
_per cent. per annum_; and goods and merchandize not hazardous, in brick
or stone buildings, after the same rates.
II. For the accommodation of such persons as are desirous of being
assured for a term of years, this Corporation will assure (on such
buildings or goods as aforesaid) any sum not exceeding 1000l. at the
rate of 12s. _per cent._ for seven years, and as far as 2000l. at the
rate of 14s. _per cent._ for the like term of seven years, without
subjecting the assured to any calls or contributions to make good
losses.
III. Assurances on buildings and goods, are deemed distinct and separate
adventures; so that the premium on goods is not advanced by reason of
any assurance on the building wherein the goods are kept, nor the
premium on the building by reason of any assurance on the goods.
IV. Timber or plaister buildings covered with slate, tile, or lead,
wherein no hazardous trades are carried on, nor any hazardous goods
deposited: and goods or merchandize not hazardous, in such buildings,
are termed _Hazardous assurances_, and assured as follows; any sum not
exceeding 200l. at 6s. _per annum_: any sum above 200l. and not
exceeding 1000l. at 3s. _per cent. per annum_: any sum above 1000l. and
not exceeding 2000l. at 4s. _per cent. per annum_: and any sum above
2000l. and not exceeding 3000l. at 5s. _per cent. per annum_.
V. Hazardous trades, such as apothecaries, bread and bisket bakers,
colourmen, ship and tallow-chandlers, innholders and stable-keepers,
carried on in brick or stone buildings, covered with slate, tile, or
lead; and hazardous goods, such as hemp, flax, pitch, tar, tallow, and
turpentine, deposited in such buildings, may be assured at the annual
premiums, set down under the head of hazardous assurances, in the above
article.
VI. Any of the above hazardous trades carried on, or hazardous goods
deposited in timber or plaister buildings; earthen, glass, and china
ware, in trade; and thatched buildings, or goods therein, are termed
_Double hazardous assurances_, and may be assured upon the following
conditions: any sum not exceeding 200l. at 10s. _per annum_: any sum
above 200l. and not exceeding 1000l. at 5s. _per cent. per annum_: and
any sum above 1000l. and not exceeding 2000l. at 7s. 6d. _per cent. per
annum_.
VII. Deal yards, also chymists, distillers, sugar-bakers, maltsters, or
any other assurances more than ordinarily hazardous, by reason of the
trade, nature of the goods, narrowness of the place, or other dangerous
circumstances, may be made by special agreement.
VIII. Two dwelling-houses, or any one dwelling-house, and the out-houses
thereunto belonging, or any one dwelling-house and goods therein, may be
included in the sum of 200l. But when several buildings, or buildings
and goods, are assured in the same policy, the sum assured on each is to
be particularly mentioned.
IX. To prevent frauds, if any buildings or goods assured with this
Corporation, are, or shall be assured with any other corporation or
society, the policy granted by this Corporation is to be null and void,
unless such other assurance is allowed by endorsement on the policy.
X. No policy is to be of any force, till the premium for one year is
paid. And for all subsequent annual premiums, the assured are to take
receipts, stamped with the seal of the Corporation, no other being
allowed of.
XI. No policy is to be extended, or construed to extend to the assurance
of any hazardous buildings or goods, unless they are expressly mentioned
in the policy, and the proper premium for such assurances be paid for
the same.
XII. No loss or damage by fire happening by any invasion, foreign enemy,
or any military or usurped power whatsoever, is to be made good.