Anonymous

“ The business of the society in their ordinary meetings, is, to order, take account, consider and discourse of philosophical experiments and observations; to read, hear, and discourse upon letters, reports, and other papers, containing philosophical matters; as also to view and discourse upon the rarities of nature and art, and to consider what may be deduced from them, and how far they may be improved for use or discovery.
No experiment can be made at the charge of the society, but by order of the society or council. ”

“ It was necessary to give a greater height than the cupola would gracefully allow within, tho’ it is considerably above the roof of the church; yet the old church having before had a very lofty spire of timber and lead, the world expected that the new work should not, in this respect, fall short of the old; the architect was therefore obliged to comply with the humour of the age, and to raise another structure over the first cupola; and this was a cone of brick, so built as to support a stone lanthorn of an elegant figure, and ending in ornaments of copper gilt. ”

“ The original building stood till the fire of London in 1666, when it perished amidst the general havoc: but it soon arose with greater splendor than before. The model of the present structure was first shewn to King Charles II. who was well pleased with it, it was however debated whether they should build after that model or not; for fear of launching out into too great an expence: but the majority desiring to have it a magnificent structure, and imagining, that the shops above and below stairs would in time reimburse them, had the present edifice erected at the expence of 80,000l. ”

“ The other statues in the several niches have been lately new painted and gilt in parts. The painting is no doubt very necessary for their preservation, but it were to be wished the gilding of them had been omitted, as it must give foreigners of judgment (and such sometimes frequent this place) a contemptible opinion of our taste. The two statues, one on each side the gate, of King Charles I. and II. are particularly good. The clock tower or steeple with Gothic windows is unpardonable, and the cornices at their angles are so broke, as to appear very disgustful to an architect. ”

“ The west side of the pedestal is adorned with curious emblems, by the masterly hand of Mr. Cibber, father to the late Poet Laureat, in which the eleven principal figures are done in alto, and the rest in basso relievo. The principal figure, to which the eye is particularly directed, is a female, representing the city of London, sitting in a languishing posture on a heap of ruins: her head droops, her hair is dishevelled, and her hand, with an air of languor, lies carelessly on her sword. ”

“ It is of stone of the Corinthian order; and, if not in the highest stile of architecture, is yet very noble. The south, or principal front, has a portico and pediment of four columns. The offices are joined to the house by a beautiful circular colonade of the Ionic order, which terminates very elegantly with domes on each side their entrance. One cannot help wishing the house on the top of the hill, or that part of the hill were removed, for you can’t now see the principal front till you are upon it. Even in the view given in the print, part of one of the wings is hid by the rising ground. ”

“ They also enabled, that every house should be built with party walls, and all in front raised of equal height; that those walls should be of square stone or brick; and that no man should delay building beyond the space of seven years. Moreover, care was taken by law to prevent all suits about their bounds. Anniversary prayers were also enjoined; and to perpetuate the memory thereof to posterity, they caused this column to be erected. The work was carried on with diligence, and London is restored; but whether with greater speed or beauty, may be made a question. ”

“ The inside of the gate is also adorned with a range of pilasters, with their entablatures, and in three niches are the figures of Justice, Mercy and Truth.
The author of The Review observes,
“That Newgate considered as a prison, is a structure of more cost and beauty than was necessary, because the sumptuousness of the outside but aggravates the misery of the wretches within: but as a gate to such a city as London, it might have received considerable additions both of design and execution, and abundantly answered the cost in the reputation of building. ”

“ Munday, in his edition of Stow’s Survey, 332mentions the following monumental inscription in this church.
Qualis vita, finis ita.
Here under lyes the wonder of her kinde,
The quintessence of nature and of grace,
Wit, beauty, bounty, and (in noble race
The rarest jewel) a right humble minde,
Here lyes her body, but her soule refin’d
Above th’empyreall, hath imperial place,
In bliss so boundlesse, as no words embrace,
Nor art can feigne, nor mortal heart can finde.
Her fame remaines a monument of honour,
Built by her virtue, gilt with purest gold,
With lilly flowers and roses strewed upon her. ”

“ The orders are well executed, and the whole edifice both beautiful and commodious.
The College of Physicians is a building of great delicacy, and eminently deserves to be considered among the noblest ornaments of this city, is yet so unlucky in its situation, in a narrow and dirty part of the lane, that it can never be seen to advantage. ”

“ After the fire of London, which afforded an opportunity of rendering the new streets more commodious than the old ones had been, it was ordered by act of parliament that Newgate market should be removed from the street, and a square was formed on the south side for that purpose, surrounded by decent houses. This square is 194 feet long from east to west, and 148 feet broad from north to south. In the middle is a market house, under which are vaults or cellars, and the upper part of the building is employed as a kind of warehouse for the fruiterers, and the keepers of green stalls by night. ”

“ Newgate Market, before the dreadful fire of London, was kept in Newgate street, where there was a market house for meal, and a middle row of sheds, which Maitland says, were afterwards converted into houses, inhabited by butchers, tripesellers, &c. while the country people, who brought provisions to the city, were forced to stand with their stalls in the open street, where their persons and goods were exposed to danger by the passage of coaches, carts, and cattle that passed through the streets. ”

“ This is a mixed building, with respect to its materials, as well as its form, part being of square stone, part of irregular stone, and part of brick. The body, which is square, is fifty-four feet in length, and the same in breadth; the height of the roof is thirty feet, and that of the steeple sixty. The windows are large and gothic, and every thing plain except the portico, which is formed of Corinthian pilasters, with an arched pediment. The tower, which consists of a single stage above the roof, is also extremely plain, and the turret wherewith it is crowned is well proportioned. ”

“ And in order to the propounding and making experiments for the society, the importance of such experiment is to be considered with respect to the discovery of any truth, or to the use and benefit of mankind. ”

“ Who for wickedness and sin, After many mercies shewn you, are now appointed to die to-morrow in the forenoon, give ear and understand, that to-morrow morning the greatest bell of St. Sepulchre’s shall toll for you in form and manner of a passing bell, as used to be tolled for those at the point of death: to the end that all godly people hearing that bell, and knowing it is for your going to your deaths, may be stirred up heartily to pray to God to bestow his grace and mercy upon you whilst you live. ”

“ General Post Office, a handsome and commodious building near the south west extremity of Lombard street, facing Pope’s Head alley.
Of what antiquity the post is in this kingdom, is not easy to determine. Anciently the management of the foreign mails was under the direction of a stranger, who by the permission of the government was chosen by the foreigners dwelling in this city, who even pretended to have a right by prescription of chusing their own post master. However, in the year 1568 a difference arising between the Spaniards and Flemings in London, each chose their separate post master ”

“ The palace itself is so encompassed with parks full of deer, delightful gardens, groves ornamented with trellis work, cabinets of verdure, and walks so embrowned by trees, that it seems to be a place pitched upon by Pleasure herself, to dwell in along with Health. ”

“ Paul’s, is much superior to St. Peter’s. The two towers at the west end, though faulty in some respects, are yet elegant, and the portico finely marks the principal entrance. The loggia, crowned with a pediment, with its alto relievo and statues, make in the whole a fine shape, whereas St. Peter’s is a straight line without any break. The dome is extremely magnificent, and by rising higher than that at Rome, is seen to more advantage on a near approach. The inside, though noble, falls short of St. Peter’s. ”

“ The body is plain and unornamented; the windows are very large; and the dial is fixed to a beam that is joined on one end to a kind of turret, and extends like a country sign post, across the street; a very rude and aukward contrivance. The tower, which rises square, without diminution, is strengthened at the corners with rustic; upon this is placed a turret, which consists of strong piers at the corners arched over, and covered with an open dome, whence rises a ball and fane. ”

“ On the ascent of the hill are wells of a purging mineral water, frequented during the summer by a great deal of good company. On the top there is a most extensive and beautiful prospect of the country, interspersed with villages and inclosures; the Thames is seen running beneath, and the landscape is improved by the many 262fine seats that are scattered along its banks.
There is here an almshouse built by Dr. Duppa, Bishop of Winchester in the reign of King Charles II. for the support of ten poor widows, pursuant to a vow made by that Prelate during that Prince’s exile. ”

“ It is remarkable that by an act of Common Council in 1658, it was ordered that every needlemaker free of the city, of whatever company they be, should from thenceforward be subject to the search and survey of this company; that no needlemaker of any other company should bind an apprentice to himself, till he had first bound him to the Master or 25one of the Wardens or Assistants of the Needlemakers company, who should turn over such an apprentice to him, before the Chamberlain of London, in order that all such apprentices might be made free of the Needlemakers company ”

“ It is also his peculiar office to see the train of artillery, and all its equipage fitted for motion, when ordered to be drawn into the field. He has a salary of 1100l. per annum; and under him is a clerk in ordinary, who has 150l. a year; an inferior clerk, and a clerk extraordinary, who have each 40l. a year.
The Surveyor inspects the stores and provisions of war in the custody of the Storekeeper, and sees that they are ranged and placed in such order as is most proper for their preservation. He allows all bills of debt, and keeps a check upon all artificers and labourers work ”

“ The place of Master of the Rolls is an office of great dignity, and is in the gift of the King, either for life, or during pleasure. He is always the principal 268Master in Chancery, and has in his gift the offices of the Six Clerks in Chancery; of the Two Examiners of the same court, and of the Clerk of the Chapel of the Rolls, who acts immediately under him in that office. He has several revenues belonging to the office of the Rolls, and by act of Parliament receives a salary of 1200l. per annum out of the hanaper. Stowe. Maitland. ”

“ One is Comptroller of the navy: he attends and comptrols all payments of wages; is obliged to know the market price of all stores belonging to shipping, and to examine and audit all the treasurers, victuallers, and storekeepers accounts. This Commissioner has two clerks who have 100l. a year each: one of 60l. a year, and nine of 50l. each. Besides 22in his office for seamen’s wages he has a chief clerk who has 200l. a year, and also nine others of 50l. each.
Two others are Joint-surveyors of the navy, and besides the salary of 500l. a year each, one of them has 80l. per annum for house rent. ”

“ At the extremity of the garden on the north east, is another house that belonged to her Majesty, and near it the house of his late Royal Highness Frederic Prince of Wales, which is on the inside adorned with stucco. Opposite the Prince’s house is the Princess Amelia’s, built by a Dutch architect, the outside of which is painted.
To the west of the gardens are seen the fine houses of several of the nobility and gentry, particularly the Lady Buckworth’s, and Mr. Geoffrey’s, and extending the view across the Thames, there appears Isleworth.
But to return to the village of Richmond. ”

“ It may not be improper to add, that when a freeman dies and leaves children in their minority, the clerks of the several parishes are according to a law of the city, to give in their names to the common crier, who is immediately to summon the widow, or executor, to appear before the court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen, to bring an inventory of, and security for the testator’s estate ”

“ It consists of a large brick building, with two small wings, strengthened at the corners with stone rustic. The principal entrance, which is in the center, is decorated with Doric columns, festoons, and a pediment on the top, over which rises a turret, with a dial; and from the dome, which is supported by scrolls, rises a ball and fane. To this entrance there is an ascent by a flight of circular steps; and having ascended them, and passed through this part of the building, we enter an inner square, surrounded with piazzas. The chapel is neatly wainscoted, and has a costly altar-piece. ”

“ As Sir Christopher was sensible, that paintings, tho’ ever so excellent, are liable to decay, he intended to have beautified the inside of the cupola with mosaic work, which strikes the eye of the beholder with amazing lustre, and without the least decay of colours, is as durable as the building itself ”

“ Putney, a village in Surry, situated on the Thames, five miles south west of London, famous for being the birth place of Thomas Cromwell Earl of Essex, whose father was a blacksmith here. About this village the citizens of London have many pretty seats; and on Putney Heath is a public house, noted for polite assemblies, and in the summer season for breakfasting and dancing, and for one of the pleasantest bowling greens in England. Here is an old church erected after the same model with that of Fulham, on the opposite shore, and they are both said to have been built by two sisters. ”