this bridge, which has been stiled _The wonder of the world_, _The
bridge of the world_, and _The bridge of wonders_, the following
faithful description of it, we apprehend, will not be improper. And
indeed this is the more necessary, as no accurate description of this
bridge has ever yet been published. The Thames in this part is 915 feet
broad, and that is the length of the bridge, which was forty-three feet
seven inches in height. The street, which before the houses fell to
decay, consisted of handsome lofty edifices, pretty regularly built; it
was twenty feet broad, and the houses on each side generally 26½ feet
deep. Across the middle of the street ran several lofty arches extending
from side to side, the bottom part of each arch terminating at the first
story, and the upper part reaching near the top of the buildings, the
work over the arches extending in a strait line from side to side. These
arches were designed to prevent the houses giving way. They were
therefore formed of strong timbers bolted into the timbers of the houses
on each side, and being covered with laths and plaister, appeared as if
built with stone; and in some of them a closet, or little room, was
formed in the cavities next the houses, with a window to the north, and
another to the south.
It has been already observed, that this street had three openings on
each side, adorned with iron rails, to afford the passengers a view of
the river, and placed over three of the widest arches, called navigable
locks; because vessels of considerable burthen have been used to pass
thro’ them. That arch next the gate has obtained the name of the rock
lock, from the cause already mentioned: that under the drawbridge was
called the drawbridge lock; and the third, near the chapel (which could
not easily be distinguished from the rest of the houses) was called St.
Mary’s lock: and there was a fourth between St. Magnus’s church at the
foot of the bridge, and the first vacancy northward, called the King’s
lock; from its being customary for the King to go thro’ it in his
passage through the bridge.
Thus the street on the bridge had nothing to distinguish it from a
common handsome narrow street; but the high arches towards the middle,
and the three openings on each side, which afforded an agreeable view of
the river. But on the outside the view from the water, and from the
keys, was as disagreeable as possible. Nineteen unequilateral arches,
with sterlings increased to a monstrous size by frequent repairs,
supported the street above. These arches were of very different sizes,
and several that were low and narrow, were placed between others that
were broad and lofty. The back part of the houses next the Thames had
neither uniformity nor any degree of beauty; the line was broken by a
great number of closets projecting from the buildings, and by mean
necessary houses hanging over the sterlings. This deformity was
increased by the houses extending a considerable distance over the sides
of the bridge, and by some of them projecting farther over it than
others: by which means the tops of almost all the arches, except those
that were nearest, were concealed from the view of the passengers on the
keys, and gave the bridge the appearance of a multitude of rude piers,
with only an arch or two at the end, and the rest consisting of beams
extending from the tops of flat piers, without any other arches, quite
across the river.
But most of these deformities will be soon removed. Instead of a narrow
street of twenty feet wide, there will be a passage of thirty-one feet
broad for carriages; with a handsome raised pavement of stone on each
side, seven feet broad, for the use of foot passengers; and, instead of
houses projecting over the river, the sides will be secured and adorned
by an elegant balustrade. Like Westminster bridge, it will be handsomely
enlightened with lamps from sun-setting to sun-rising, and guarded in
the night by a number of watchmen; the expences of both which are to be
defrayed out of the bridge-house estate.
LONDON BRIDGE WATER WORKS. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth were erected
in the arches at the south end of this bridge, mills for grinding corn,
in order that the city might supply the poor with meal, at a reasonable
rate, in a time of scarcity, or when the price was unjustly raised by
avaricious badgers and mealmen. Afterwards, in the year 1582, Peter
Morice, a Dutchman, contrived a water engine to supply the citizens with
Thames water: this was, about fifty years ago, improved by Mr. Sorocold;
and, since that time, by that great master of hydraulics, Mr. Hadley,
who rendered it far superior to the so much famed water-engine at Marli
in France; which is so ill contrived in its cranks, that it is said to
cost 25,000l. sterling _per annum_ to keep it in repair.
This machine was at first made to force the water no higher than
Gracechurch street. The first engineer obtained from the city a lease
for 500 years, at the annual rent of 10s. for the use of the Thames, and
one arch, with a place for fixing his mill upon. The citizens soon
experienced the benefit of this invention, and granted him a like lease,
two years after, for another arch: by which means he grew very wealthy;
and it continued in his family, under various improvements, till the
year 1701; when the property was sold to one Richard Soams, a citizen
and goldsmith. Morice having first, at the purchaser’s request, obtained
another lease of the fourth arch, for the further improvement of the
said works, after selling the whole property thereof for 36,000l. Mr.
Soams, to prevent all disputes with the citizens, then applied to the
city for a confirmation of his bargain with Mr. Morice, and obtained a
fresh lease from them for the term unexpired of that gentleman’s lease,
at the yearly rent of 20s. and 300l. fine. After which he divided the
whole property into three hundred shares, at 500l. each share, and made
it a Company.
The wheels placed under the arches are moved by the common stream of the
tidewater of the river Thames. The axle-tree of the water wheel is
nineteen feet long, and three feet diameter; in which are four sets of
arms, eight in each place, whereon are fixed four rings on sets of
felloes, twenty feet in diameter, and twenty-six floats, fourteen inches
long, and eighteen inches deep.
The wheel lies, with its two gudgeons or center pins, upon two brasses,
fixed on two great levers, whose _fulcrum_ or top, is an arched piece of
timber, the levers being made circular on their lower sides to an arch,
and kept in their places by two arching studs, fixed with a sock through
two mortises in the lever.
By these levers the wheel is thus made to rise and fall with the tide:
the levers are sixteen feet long, that is, from the fulcrum to the
gudgeon of the water wheel six feet, and thence to the arch ten feet. To
the bottom of this arch is fixed a strong triple chain, made like a
watch chain, but the links are arched to a circle of one foot diameter,
having notches or teeth to take hold of the leaves of a pinion of cast
iron, ten inches diameter, with eight teeth in it, moving on an axis.
The other loose end of this chain has a large weight hanging at it, to
help to counterpoise the wheel, and to preserve the chain from sliding
on the pinion. On the same axis is fixed a cog-wheel, six feet in
diameter, with forty-eight cogs; to this is applied a trundle or pinion
of six rounds or teeth; and upon the same axis is fixed another
cog-wheel of fifty-one cogs, into which a trundle of six rounds works,
on whose axis is a winch or windlass, by which one man with the two
windlasses raises or lets down the wheel, as there is occasion.
By means of this machine, the strength of an ordinary man will raise
about fifty tons weight. But, besides these levers and wheels, there is
a cog-wheel eight feet diameter, fixed near the end of the great axis,
and working into a trundle of four feet and a half diameter, and twenty
rounds; whose axis or spindle is of cast iron, four inches diameter, and
lying in brass at each end: a quadruple crank of cast iron, six inches
square, each of the necks being turned one foot from the center, which
is fixed in brass at each end, in two head-stocks fastened down by caps.
The end of one of these cranks is placed close abutting to the end of
the axle-tree last mentioned, and fixed thereunto by an iron wedge drove
through a slit in them both for that purpose. The four necks of the
crank have each an iron spear or rod fixed at their upper ends to the
respective lever, within three feet of the end; which levers are
twenty-four feet long, moving on centers in a frame, at the end of which
are jointed four rods, with their forcing-plugs, working into four iron
cylinders, cast four feet three quarters long, seven inches bore above,
and nine below, where the valves lie, fastened by screwed flanches over
the four holes of a hollow trunk of cast iron, having four valves in it,
just at the joining-on at the bottom of the barrels or cylinders, and at
one end a sucking pipe or grate, going into the water, which supplies
all the four cylinders alternately.
From the lower part of these cylinders come out necks, turning upwards
archwise, whose upper parts are cast with flanches to screw up to a
trunk; which necks have bores of seven inches diameter, and holes in the
trunk above, communicating with each of them; at which joining are
placed four valves. This trunk is cast with four bosses, or
protuberances, standing out against the valves, to give room for their
opening and shutting; and on the upper side are four holes stopped with
plugs, which take out, on occasion, to cleanse the valves. One end of
the trunk is stopped by a plug; and iron pipes are joined by flanches to
the other end, thro’ which the water is forced up to any height or place
required.
Besides these four forcers, there are four more placed at the other ends
of the levers, which work in the same manner, with rods and cylinders,
as above. And the same works are repeated at the other end of the
water-wheel, viz. a cog-wheel, a trundle, a spindle, a crank,
sucking-pipes, four levers, eight forcing-rods, eight cylinders, &c.
four trunks, and two forcing-pipes: so that one single wheel works
sixteen pumps.
In the first arch next the city, is one wheel with double work of
sixteen forcers. In the third arch, where the first wheel has double
work at the one end, and single at the other, there are twelve forcers:
the second wheel, placed in the middle, has eight forcers; and the third
wheel sixteen forcers. In all fifty-two forcers.
One turn of the four wheels makes 114 strokes; and when the river is at
best, the wheels go six times round in a minute, and but four and a half
at middle water; so that the number of strokes in a minute are 684; and
as the stroke is two feet and a half in a seven inch bore, which raises
three ale gallons, they raise 2052 gallons in a minute; that is, 123,120
gallons, or 1954 hogsheads in an hour, which is at the rate of 46,896
hogsheads _per_ day, to the height of 120 feet, including the waste,
which may be settled at a fifth part of the whole. _Desaguliers
Mathematics._
LONDON BRIDGE _yard_, Tooley street.
LONDON _court_, 1. London street. 2. Rosemary lane.
LONDON HOUSE, on the west side of Aldersgate street, was anciently
called Dorchester House, and afterwards Petre’s House, from its having
been possessed by the Marquis of Dorchester, and afterwards by the Lord
Petre: but after the restoration being purchased for the residence of
the Bishop of London, it obtained the name of London House. It is a
large commodious brick building, with a neat chapel belonging to it; but
being deserted by the Prelates of this see, is now let out into several
tenements and warehouses.
LONDON HOUSE _yard_, 1. Aldersgate street. 2. St. Paul’s church yard.
LONDON INFIRMARY, on the south side of Whitechapel, is one of the many
foundations that distinguish our country and the present age. It is
supported by charitable and voluntary contributions, for the relief of
all sick and diseased persons; and, in particular, manufacturers, seamen
in the merchants service, and their wives and children.
This charity was instituted on the 2d of November 1740, in a large house
in Prescot street, Goodman’s Fields, which is now the Magdalen hospital;
but that becoming too small for this extensive charity, a new, more
capacious, and more commodious building was erected by the voluntary
contributions of several Governors, in an airy situation, near the Mount
in Whitechapel road.
This is a very neat brick building, contrived to be plain and yet
elegant, without being very expensive; and it consisting of one extended
front, without either wings or inner courts, the whole is seen at one
view. To the middle door is an ascent by a flight of steps, and over
this part extends a very large angular pediment, within which is a dial.
Above the ground floor extend two series, of each twenty-three sash
windows, their number and the length of the building giving it an air of
dignity. The architect has properly considered the use for which it is
designed, and has suited every thing to convenience. It is properly
furnished, and fitted up with about 160 beds for the reception of the
patients.
The society for carrying on this laudable undertaking, consists of a
President, two Vice Presidents, and a Treasurer, annually elected out of
the most considerable benefactors to this charity, and of such persons,
who by giving a benefaction of thirty guineas or more at one time,
become Governors for life; and those who subscribe five guineas or more
a year, are Governors during such subscription.
A general court of Governors is held in the months of March, June,
September, and December, to take the report of the committees, elect a
house committee for the ensuing quarter, inspect accounts, and transact
such other business as may be then laid before them. The anniversary
feast of this charity is held between the first of February and the last
day of April, when a printed account of the general state of the
hospital, the number of patients received and discharged, and an
abstract of the accounts for the year past, is laid before them.
A house committee of thirteen Governors is appointed at every general
quarterly court, who at their first meeting elect a Chairman to preside
for the first quarter; who meet at the hospital, on Tuesdays weekly, at
eleven in the forenoon, to receive and dismiss patients, to order and
inspect the provisions and furniture sent in, and such necessaries that
may be wanting, and to examine and regulate the conduct of the servants
and patients; and other matters which come before them, according to the
constitution of this charity. All Governors that please to attend, have
a vote at this committee, and their attendance is esteemed a favour.
A committee of accounts, consisting of twelve Governors, is appointed at
the general quarterly court in June, for one year, who meet at the
hospital once a quarter, to examine and audit tradesmens bills, which
are paid by the Treasurer within a fortnight after. The accounts are
open at all times for the inspection of the Governors,
A physical committee, consisting of all such Governors who practise
physic, surgery, or pharmacy, or are conversant in the knowledge of
drugs or medicines (excepting such as shall be directly or indirectly
concerned in serving the hospital with such necessaries) are summoned by
order of the Chairman of the house committee for the time being every
first Thursday in the month, and have power to order and inspect the
necessary drugs and medicines, and report their proceedings to the
general quarterly court by their Chairman.
Two Governors are appointed visitors by the house committee, for one
fortnight, to attend twice a week, or oftener, if they think proper, to
inspect into the management and conduct of the house, during the
interval of the meetings of the house committee.
A Clergyman of the church of England reads prayers every day, and
preaches every Sunday, and reads prayers morning and afternoon;
administers the sacrament regularly every month; and is ready to visit,
pray by, and administer the sacrament at all times when required, to the
patients in the wards.
Three Physicians attend alternately; two of the Surgeons daily, from
eleven o’clock till one, without fee or reward, and give their advice
and assistance to all such objects as come within those hours, whether
recommended or accidental. A Surgeon extraordinary attends in
consultation, in all dangerous cases. The Surgeons in waiting have an
apprentice, or pupil, constantly in the house, to receive, and, if
necessary, to call the Surgeon to such accidents as shall be brought in
at any hour of the day or night.
An apothecary (with an assistant) constantly resides at the hospital,
who compounds and dispenses all medicines used there, and solely attends
the business thereof.
A steward, (for whose fidelity proper security is given) has the charge
of the house and furniture, keeps an account of every thing brought to
or expended in the house, and subjects the same to the examination of
the visitors, and house committee, and has the inspection likewise of
the conduct of all the men-servants. Two matrons have the direction of
the nurses and other women-servants, and see the diet and medicines
administered according to order. Under them, are nurses, and watchers,
in proportion to the number of patients, who are guided by written
orders to prevent any misconduct. Proper diet for the patients has been
settled by the Physicians and Surgeons engaged in this charity, and is
fixed up in the wards for the satisfaction of the patients and their
friends.
No officers or servants are permitted upon pain of expulsion to take of
any tradesmen, patients, or other persons, any fee, reward, or gratuity
of any kind, directly or indirectly, for any service done, or to be
done, on account of this hospital.
Every Governor is intitled to send one in-patient at a time, and
out-patients without limitation. Subscribers of smaller sums may
likewise send what number of out-patients they please. All subscriptions
are during pleasure, and any small sums from well-disposed persons will
be thankfully received; but in order to carry on this undertaking, all
persons are desired to pay their subscription at the time of
subscribing.
The poor objects recommended as in-patients, if there are beds empty,
are received at any hour without difficulty or expence, and are supplied
with advice, medicine, diet, washing, lodging, and every comfortable
assistance during their cure; nor is any security required against
future contingencies, they being, in case of death, buried at the
expence of the charity, if not removed by their friends. All
out-patients have advice and medicines administered from eleven till
one.
All accidents, whether recommended or not, are received at any hour of
the day or night.
This is the plan of this noble charity; and though this work has
subsisted but eighteen years, yet such has been the extraordinary
encouragement given to it, that since the 3d of November 1740, to the
1st of January 1759, the sums generously contributed to its support
amount to 79,153l. a great part of which is laid out in government
securities. But what is still more extraordinary, 137,252 distressed
objects have been relieved at this hospital; and from labouring under
the oppression of some of the most malignant diseases, and unhappy
accidents, have been reinstated in their honest and industrious
capacities of working, and, so far as our observation reaches, their
morals much amended, whereby the public again enjoy the benefit of their
labour, and they, and their poor families, are preserved from perishing,
and prevented from being an incumbrance to the community. And,
notwithstanding the great number of objects relieved by this charity, it
has not lessened the number of patients relieved by other hospitals.
The subscribers are desired to take notice, that if any patients do not
conform to the rules of the house, or are guilty of any misbehaviour,
they will be discharged, and never more relieved by this charity: and
not to send any patient unable to walk, till they are first assured of
room in the house; and when they recommend an in-patient, whose
settlement is in the country, it is further requested, that they will
satisfy the house committee, concerning the removal of such patient,
when cured or judged incurable.
“No persons of known ability to pay for their cure, are allowed to
partake of this charity; nor any with infectious distempers, or deemed
incurable by the Physicians and Surgeons, or any in consumptive or
asthmatic condition, are admitted into the house, being more capable, of
relief as out-patients.”
The patients, being admitted without any expence, are required to be
constant in their attendance on the Physicians, or Surgeons, at the
hospital, before eleven o’clock; and, at nine o’clock, to return thanks
at the chapel, and at the weekly committee next after their cure; and
those only who attend their cure, and return thanks, will receive a
certificate thereof, which will entitle them to future relief. _The
Account published by order of the Governors in 1759._
LONDON LYING IN HOSPITAL, at Shaftesbury house, on the east side of
Aldersgate street; an edifice built with brick and ornamented with
stone, in a most noble and elegant taste. The front to the street is
adorned with Ionic pilasters; the door is arched, and has a balcony
supported by scrolls. This opens into a small area encompassed with
buildings, within which are accommodations for the patients. This house,
which was built by the masterly hand of Inigo Jones, was formerly the
residence of the Earls of Shaftesbury, and deserves a much better
situation. The polite part of the town is now so far removed from hence,
that this edifice is neither known nor admired so much as it deserves.
This structure, having been converted to several mechanic uses, was
going to decay, but has, however, been thoroughly repaired, and happily
applied to this noble charity; and in this house, support and every
necessary accommodation and assistance are furnished for married women
in the last stage of their pregnancy, time of labour, and month of
lying-in.
[Illustration:
_The Centre of the West Side of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, late the Duke of
Ancaster’s, by Inigo Jones._
]
[Illustration:
_Shaftesbury House, now the Lying-in Hospital, by Inigo Jones._
]
This excellent charity was instituted on the 30th of March 1750, by
several generous and humane persons; and has met with suitable
encouragement from many of both sexes, who justly deserve that
character. But so many distressed objects daily present themselves for
the relief of this charity, which has been attended with a more than
ordinary expence, by the reception of the wives of many seamen and
soldiers in the public service, that its income, supported only by
voluntary contributions, is not equal to its wants; and therefore the
Governors find it still necessary to apply for the assistance of the
charitable and humane. The conditions are,
I. Such persons as subscribe thirty guineas are Governors for life, and
may recommend one pregnant woman to be upon the books at a time.
II. Those who subscribe five or three guineas _per annum_, are Governors
so long as they continue their subscriptions, and intitled to recommend
as in the first article.
III. Annual Governors may make up their subscriptions thirty guineas,
within one year from their last payment, and thereupon become Governors
for life.
IV. All ladies are at liberty in all elections of officers, to vote by
proxy signified in writing.
_N. B._ All lesser benefactions are thankfully received. And for the
satisfaction of the public, that the women are well and properly taken
care of, ladies, though not Governesses, are permitted to go into the
wards.
_Rules of the Hospital._
A general court of the Governors is held four times a year; namely, in
the months of March, June, September, and December, to receive the
report of the quarterly committees, elect a new committee, and transact
such other business as may then be laid before them.