foundations that do honour to the present age, it being proposed and
carried into execution in the year 1758, there is reason to believe that
it will not be the least useful. It is obvious that there cannot be
greater objects of compassion than poor, young, thoughtless females,
plunged into ruin by those temptations to which their youth and personal
advantages expose them, no less than those passions implanted by nature
for wise, good, and great ends; surrounded by snares the most artfully
and industriously laid; snares laid by those endowed with superior
faculties, and all the advantages of education and fortune; who offer
too commonly to transport the thoughtless girls from want, confinement,
and restraint of passions, to luxury, liberty, gaiety and joy: but when
once seduced, how soon do their golden dreams vanish! abandoned by the
seducer, deserted by their friends, contemned by the world, they are not
only deprived of their innocence, and every pleasing hope of domestic
happiness, but are left to struggle with want, despair and scorn, and
even, in their own defence, to plunge deeper and deeper in sin, till
disease and death conclude a miserable being. It is too well known that
this is, sooner or later, the case with most of the prostitutes, in
their several degrees, from those pampered in private stews, to the
common dregs infesting our streets: and that far the greatest part of
those, who having taken to this dreadful life, are thus seeking disease,
death, and eternal destruction, not through choice, but necessity. The
seeds of virtue would frequently have exerted themselves; but alas!
before this foundation was formed, the possibility was removed; and the
same necessity obliging them to prey on the unwary, to diffuse
contagion, to propagate profligacy, and to spread ruin, disease, and
death, through a great part of the human species.
This godlike proposal of giving an opportunity of repentance to guilt
and shame met with a suitable encouragement, and many were willing to
afford them the means of recovering themselves from their otherwise lost
state; and instead of being pests, becoming useful members of society.
Influenced by such noble motives, a set of gentlemen, distinguished by
their humanity and generosity, entered into a private subscription,
making themselves at the same time accountable for such benefactions as
should flow in from the public. Numbers liberally contributed, and in
about three or four months time, the sums advanced by the subscribers
amounted to 3593 l. 19 s. while a great number of these unhappy guilty
objects of commiseration solicited for admission.
At a general meeting of the subscribers, a committee was appointed, and
it was determined to take the house in Prescot street which had been
lately the London infirmary; which being done, it was fitted up in the
manner above mentioned; and at another general meeting on the 28th of
June 1758, the several officers of the house were chosen, and the rules,
of which the following are an abstract, were ordered to be published.
_Rules and regulations of the Governors and Officers._
I. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and committee of
twenty-one, be annually chosen the last Wednesday in June, and that
seven of the committee go out yearly.
II. The general courts shall consist of at least ten Governors, the
President, or Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These general courts
shall be held quarterly, viz. on the last Wednesday in March, June,
September, and December. The annual general court, in which is to be
examined all the transactions of the year, and the general state of the
hospital, and at which time the officers shall be chosen, is to be held
on the last Wednesday in June.
III. The general committee is to consist of twenty-one, five of whom
shall constitute a quorum, and the President, Vice-President, and
Treasurer shall be always of this general committee, one of whom shall
be Chairman, when present; but if none of them be present, then the said
committee may chuse their Chairman. They are to meet once a week, or
oftener, as they shall think proper: when they shall have power to
receive the persons petitioning for admittance, and to dismiss those
already admitted: to give orders in relation to the manner in which the
persons admitted shall be employed: to inspect the cloathing, furniture,
and provisions: to examine into the conduct of all the officers and
servants: and every week a sub-committee of three are jointly to visit
the wards, and make their report.
IV. A subscription of twenty guineas shall be a qualification for a
Governor for life: and an annual subscription of five guineas shall be a
qualification for a Governor for that year; this subscription, when it
shall amount to twenty-five guineas, shall be a qualification for a
Governor for life, and every such subscriber be intitled to one vote
only: but if any annual subscriber shall be more than two years in
arrear, his power as Governor shall cease till such arrears be paid. And
every lady subscribing as above, shall be intitled to vote personally,
or by proxy, provided that proxy be brought by a Governor: but no
Governor to be possessed of more than one proxy. Any five Governors
shall have power to require a general meeting, provided they address
themselves to the Treasurer by letter, expressing the business for which
that meeting is required, and signed by them respectively. All elections
to be by holding up of hands, except a ballot be required, and if there
shall be an equality of votes, the Chairman is to have the casting vote.
V. The Chaplain is to read prayers morning and evening; to pray and
preach twice every Sunday, and to administer the sacrament every month;
to attend the sick and ignorant, and to instruct them in the principles
and duties of the protestant religion. He is to attend all committees,
and make reports of what he thinks necessary for the good conduct and
benefit of the undertaking.
VI. There are two Physicians, two Surgeons, and three Apothecaries, who
are required to behave with the utmost humanity and prudence. One of
each is to attend the committee, and make weekly reports. They are all
to attend in their own persons, and no pupil, apprentice, or servant,
shall at any time be admitted into the wards; and even when the
Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries visit the wards, they shall be
attended by the matron.
VII. The Matron is to direct the œconomy of the house, and constantly to
reside in it. She is to see that all the women are neat and decent in
their cloaths and persons, and properly employed; that they discharge
their duty, and constantly attend divine service: she is to receive from
the steward the materials for their work, and deliver it back to him.
She is to take care of the houshold linen, and what belongs to the
cloathing: to require from the steward such provisions as are necessary
for the house, and to see that they are not given away or wasted. She is
to keep the keys of the outward doors, which are to be delivered into
her hands after the doors are locked, at seven in the winter, and nine
in the summer; and she is to take care that the rules of the house be
strictly observed, with regard to the time of rest, diet, hours of
devotion, and every thing that relates to good order.
VIII. The Secretary is to keep the books, take minutes at all meetings,
to collect the annual subscriptions, and to give notice to such
subscribers as are more than one year in arrears, &c.
IX. The Steward is to reside constantly in the house, and to follow no
other employment than what relates to this charity. He is to receive the
respective provisions and materials for the employment of the women,
ordered by the committee, and inspect the weight, measures and quality
thereof, and to make regular entries of them; to keep an exact account
of all the work done by every respective woman, as the matron shall
deliver it to him.
X. The Porter is not to receive any letter, message, or other thing into
the house, or send out any thing without the knowledge or inspection of
the matron: he is to reside in the house, and strictly to observe the
instructions that shall be given him, in regard to visitors, letters,
&c.
XI. The Messenger is also to dwell in the house, and to be employed in
errands, and out-door business: but he is not to bring any letter,
verbal message, or other thing into the house, or to carry out any
message or other thing, without the knowledge or inspection of the
matron.
Neither the steward, porter, or messenger, shall have any communication
with the wards.
No officer, or servant of the house shall receive any money, fee,
gratuity, or reward, besides their wages.
_Rules and regulations relating to the Penitents._
I. That the method of admission be by petition to the committee, the
printed form of which, with proper blanks to be filled up, may be had
_gratis_ by application at the house. That every petitioner be examined
as to her health, by the Physician, Surgeon, and Matron. When any
petition is approved, it shall be wrote upon, _Found proper_, and signed
by the Chairman. Every person upon admission shall subscribe to the
rules of the house, and also enter into an agreement to pay the sum of
10l. _per annum_ for her board, lodgings, and necessaries, which is to
be void, provided such person continues in the house three years, or
less time, at the option of the committee. No person admitted shall be
allowed to go out of the house without special leave in writing, signed
by the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee.
II. One or more wards are to be allotted for persons newly admitted,
where they are to remain some time for a trial of their behaviour. There
shall be superiority of wards, according to the education or behaviour
of the persons admitted; and the inferior wards shall consist of meaner
persons, and of those degraded for misbehaviour. In each ward they shall
be classed, and one appointed to preside and be accountable for the
conduct and behaviour of the rest; and they shall by rotation do the
necessary offices in their respective wards, excepting the person
appointed to preside. They are also to perform the necessary offices of
the house, as they shall be directed by the matron; and an allowance
shall be made to such as perform these offices, out of the general
produce of the work done in the house, according to the proportion of
the value of their duty and labour.
III. Each person is to lie in a separate bed, and have a chest for her
cloaths and linen, under lock and key, to be kept by herself; and where
the rooms will admit of it, a small closet or apartment is to be
provided for the retirement of the most serious and best behaved, in the
intervals of their employment, and these also considered as the reward
of good conduct.
IV. Their true names must be registered, but if desirous of concealing
themselves, they may have liberty to assume a feigned name. As no
reproaches must be made for past irregularities, under the severest
injunctions; neither shall there be any inquiries made into names or
families; but all possible discouragement given to every kind of
discovery that the parties themselves do not chuse to make.
V. Upon their admission, if their apparel is in any tolerable condition,
it is to be cleaned, ticketed, and laid by, in order to be returned them
whenever they leave the house: but if such apparel be too fine for their
station, it shall be sold, and the produce brought to their account.
They are to wear an uniform of light grey, and in their whole dress to
be plain and neat.
VI. Each ward is to dine at a separate table. The matron is to dine at
the head of the table of the superior ward; and the head of each ward is
to dine at the upper end of each table, and to say grace.
VII. Each person is to be employed in some work or business according to
her ability, and have such part of the benefit arising from her labour
and ingenuity as the committee shall judge she deserves; which sum may
be increased by the bounty of the house, as favourable opportunities may
offer, for establishing them in the world. The articles proposed for
their employment are, making their own cloaths both linen and woollen;
knitting, spinning, making bone lace, black lace, artificial flowers,
childrens toys, winding silk, drawing patterns, making women and
childrens shoes, mantuas, stays, coats, &c. but no part of their labour
is to be sold in the house, but at some other place appointed by the
committee. In their work, as in every other circumstance, the utmost
care and delicacy, humanity and tenderness will be observed, that this
establishment may not be thought a house of correction, or even of hard
labour, but a safe retreat from their distressful circumstances.
VIII. From Lady-day to Michaelmas they are to rise at six and be in bed
at ten; and from Michaelmas to Lady-day are to rise at seven and be in
bed at nine; and after that time no fire or candle shall be allowed,
except in the sick ward.
IX. They are to breakfast at nine o’clock, and be allowed half an hour;
and are to dine at one o’clock, and be allowed an hour; they may leave
off work at six in the winter, and seven in summer.
X. No Governor, or any other person shall be permitted to visit the
wards, or any of the women, without leave in writing first obtained from
the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee, except in cases
provided for, and in all cases the matron to attend them.
XI. Abusive or reproachful language, insolence or disobedience to the
officers, indecent or profane expressions, and such kind of turbulent
conduct, shall subject them to confinement in a room for six hours for
the first offence. For the second offence they shall be admonished
publicly by the Chaplain and the Matron; and the rest of their own ward
may be also appealed to for their disapprobation of such conduct. The
third offence shall subject them to be confined for twelve hours, and to
have but one spare meal during the whole day; and if found to be
incorrigible, then to forfeit a certain proportion, or the whole of what
hath been acquired by their labour, at the discretion of the committee,
and be subject to the consequences of their agreement; and to be
dismissed the house, and never re-admitted.
XII. After the continuance of any woman in the house for three years,
upon the modest and virtuous demeanor, and industrious conduct of such
woman, or upon application of her parents or friends, or any
house-keeper of sufficient credit, if such friends declare they will
forgive the past offences of such woman, and will provide for her; or,
if such house-keeper will receive such woman as a servant; in either of
these cases the Governors may discharge such woman with her consent.
XIII. Upon the discharge of such woman, her cloaths, or if sold, the
produce of them, shall be returned to her, together with whatever may be
due upon her account, and a certificate given her under the hands of the
Treasurer, or the President, and two or more of the committee, of her
conduct and behaviour during the time of her being in the house.
XIV. Every woman who shall be placed in a service from this house, and
shall continue one whole year in such service to the intire approbation
of such master or mistress, upon its being made appear to the
satisfaction of the committee, they may give that woman a gratuity not
exceeding two guineas, as a reward for her good behaviour.
XV. The committee will, upon the good behaviour of the women, interest
themselves to obtain a reconciliation with their parents and friends,
when their contract will be cancelled.
XVI. Besides the vouchers abovementioned, and the advantages arising
from their labour, a bounty may be given, at the discretion of the
committee, to such as shall be properly discharged. This gift shall be
presented not only to those who marry in a manner satisfactory to the
committee, but also to such as shall set up trades in whatever way they
shall have gained a proficiency; so that nothing shall be omitted which
can promote the great ends of preserving life, of rendering that life
useful, and of recovering those who are now lost to the community.
This plan is to be improved as experience may hereafter dictate.
_St._ MAGNUS’S _Church_, at the north east corner of London bridge, owes
its name to its dedication to St. Magnus, who suffered martyrdom under
the Emperor Aurelian, in the city of Cæsarea, for his steady adherence
to the Christian religion. The Abbots of Westminster and Bermondsey had
alternately the donation of the church, till the suppression of
monasteries; it then devolved to the Crown, and in 1553 was placed under
the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London. The ancient edifice was laid
in ruins by the dreadful conflagration in 1666; and ten years after, the
present structure was erected in its room, though the steeple was not
added till several years after.
It is a spacious and massy stone building; plain, and yet well
ornamented. The corners have rustic quoins, and the body is enlightened
by tall arched windows, over each of which is a cornice supported by
scrolls, and between these is a cherub over the center of each window.
At the west end coupled pilasters rise on each side the door, from a
plain course, and support a pediment. The door on the north side is also
placed under a pediment, but without the particular decorations of the
other. Over each door is an oval window, and this last is decorated with
festoons. The roof is hid by a kind of Attic course, from which the
tower rises square and plain; and from this the dial, which is very
richly ornamented, projects over the street. The course above this is
adorned at the corners with coupled pilasters of the Ionic order,
supporting an open work in the place of a balustrade, with large urns at
the corners, of an uncommon shape. From within this open work rises the
lanthorn, which has also Ionic pilasters, and arched windows in all the
intercolumniations. The dome rests upon these pilasters, and on its
crown is placed a piece of open work like that which surrounds the base
of the lanthorn. On this is raised the turret which supports the fane.
This church is a rectory, and to this parish that of St. Margaret’s, New
Fish street, is united. The Rector, besides glebes, casualties, &c.
receives 170l. a year in lieu of tithes.
MAGNUS _court_, Butcher row.
MAGPYE _alley_. 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Ashentree court.* 3.
Bishopsgate street without.* 4. Crutched-friars.* 5. Fenchurch street.*
6. Fetter lane.* 7. Gray’s Inn lane.* 8. Phœnix street.* 9. Wheeler
street.* 10. White-friars.*
MAGPYE _court_, Great Old Bailey.*
MAID _court_, Maiden lane, Bow lane.
MAID _lane_, Gravel lane.
MAIDEN _lane_, 1. Church street, Lambeth.* 2. Extending from Deadman’s
Place to Gravel lane; a long stragling place with ditches on each side;
the passages to the houses being over little bridges.* 3. Halfmoon
street, Covent Garden.* 4. Long Ditch.* 5. Queen street, Cheapside.* 6.
Wood street, Cheapside.*
MAIDENHEAD _alley_, 1. Ratcliff.* 2. Wapping.*
MAIDENHEAD _court_, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Cartwright street.* 3. St.
Catharine’s.* 4. Chiswell street, Moorfields.* 5. Church lane,
Whitechapel.* 6. St. Ermin’s hill. 7. Great Eastcheap.* 8. Great
Gardens, St. Catharine’s lane.* 9. Grub street, by Fore street,
Cripplegate.* 10. London Wall.* 11. Maiden lane.* 12. Moor lane.* 13.
Saltpetre bank.* 14. St. Thomas Apostle’s.* 15. Wheeler street.* 16.
Wood street, Cheapside.*
MAIDENHEAD _passage_, Berwick street.*
MAIDENHEAD _street_, Dyot street.*
MAIDENHEAD _yard_, Dyot street.*
MAINHARD’S _court_, Anchor and Hope alley, Green Bank, near Wapping.†
MAINHARD’S _street_, Bembridge street, St. Giles’s pound.†
MAIN’S _yard_, Castle lane, Southwark.†
MALAGA _court_, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.
MALDEN, a village in Surry, about three miles from Kingston, has a
powder mill on a stream that runs from Ewel to Kingston.
MALLET’S _court_, 1. Blackboy alley, Chick lane.† 2. Buckeridge street.†
MALLMILL _court_, Whitecross street.†
MANBY _court_, Montague street.†
MANCHESTER _court_, Canon row, Westminster; so called from the house of
the Earls of Manchester adjoining.
MANCHESTER _stairs_, Canon row, Westminster.
MAN-IN-THE-MOON _yard_, Chiswell street.*
MANLEY’S _wharf_, Mill bank, Westminster.†
MANNACK’S _alley_, Shoreditch.†
MANOR’S _street_, St. Giles’s.†
MANSEL _street_, Goodman’s fields.†
MANSION HOUSE of the Lord Mayor, a very noble edifice erected in the
place where Stocks market was formerly held. As the private houses of
the citizens advanced to the dignity of Lord Mayor, were generally
improper places, as well as too small, for transacting the great
business belonging to this important office, it was customary for the
chief magistrate of the city to hold his mayoralty at one or other of
the halls belonging to the twelve principal companies. This however was
long perceived very inconvenient; and therefore it was at last found
expedient for the honour of the city, and the more regular discharge of
that high office, to erect a house, as the mansion of the Lord Mayor for
the time being.
This being determined by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council,
several places were proposed, as the end of Pater noster row fronting
Cheapside, Moorfields, and Stocks market, and the latter was chosen,
from its being situated nearly in the center of the city; at a small
distance from the Royal Exchange, and in the heart of business: Stocks
market was therefore removed to Fleet ditch, and the earth dug up for
laying the foundation, when the ground was found so full of springs,
that it became necessary to erect this spacious edifice upon piles.
Meanwhile many plans and designs were drawn and examined, and that from
which this edifice was erected, had the preference.
In short, a vast number of strong piles being driven close together, the
first stone of the foundation was laid upon them, by the Right
Honourable Micajah Perry, Esq; Lord Mayor, on the 25th of October 1739,
in the presence of several of the Aldermen and Common Council, and this
great work was finished in 1753, Sir Crisp Gascoigne being the first
Lord Mayor who resided in it.
This edifice is very substantially built of Portland stone, and has a
portico of six lofty fluted columns of the Corinthian order in the
front; the same order being continued in pilasters both under the
pediment, and on each side. The basement story is very massy and built
in rustic. In the center of this story is the door which leads to the
kitchens, cellars, and other offices; and on each side rises a flight of
steps of very considerable extent, leading up to the portico, in the
middle of which is the door which leads to the apartments and offices
where business is transacted. The stone balustrade of the stairs is
continued along the front of the portico, and the columns, which are
wrought in the proportions of Palladio, support a large angular
pediment, adorned with a very noble piece in bas relief, representing
the dignity and opulence of the city of London, by Mr. Taylor.
In the center stands a very graceful woman crowned with turrets,
representing the city, her left foot placed upon the figure of Envy, who
lies on her back, and seems endeavouring to rise. Her left arm rests
upon a large shield, which has the city arms, and in her right hand she
holds a wand. This being the principal figure, is done in alto relievo:
she seems ready to step forwards, her head and right arm, which are
completely finished, project forward from the back ground, and her wand
extends beyond the cornice of the pediment. Near her, on her right side,
stands a Cupid holding the cap of Liberty over his shoulder at the end
of a short staff, in the manner of a mace; and a little farther, a river
God, representing the Thames, lies reclined, pouring a stream of water
from a large vase; and near him an anchor fastened to its cable, with
shells lying on the shore. On the left hand of London is Plenty,
kneeling and holding out her hand in a supplicating posture, as if
beseeching her to accept of the fruits she is pouring from her
cornucopia; and behind her are two naked boys with bales of goods, as
emblems of commerce.
[Illustration:
_S. Wale delin._ _B. Green sculp._
_The Mansion House._
]