Letter CL

Summary

From the same.

Describing other remarkable Places in and about London and Westminster, which are generally shewn to Strangers.

Honoured Madam,

I have seen the Custom-house, a Place of Hurry and Business, with a crouded and inconvenient Key, compared to that of Bristol. St. Thomas's and Guy's Hospitals, Southwark, all most noble Charities; St. Bartholomew’s, a still nobler; but which, by its additional Buildings, seems to be in a way to swallow up its own Revenues, by pulling down their Tenants Houses, which contributed Means to support the Charity. Smithfield also, a spacious Market for live Cattle, &c. as, I should have said, I had Leaden-hall Market, a Prodigy of its Kind, and the Admiration of Foreigners. Sadler’s-wells, at Islington, I have been at, and seen there the Diversions of Rope-dancing, Volting, Singing, Musick, &c. which I thought well enough for once. Islington-wells, or the New Tunbridge, I have been at; the Walks and Rooms neat enough, and good Decorum observ’d in both.

The Blue-coat Hospital I have also seen, another noble Charity; and the pretty Sight of the Children at Church, and at Supper of Sunday Night, which much pleased me. The Charter-house too, another noble Charity.

Also the Guildhall of London, a handsome Building, adorn’d with Pictures, and with the Trophies of the Duke of Marlborough's Victory over the French; and the preposterous wooden Figures of the two famous Giants. The Royal Exchange likewise, a very fine Edifice; but they say the Statues of the Kings and Queens there, are ill done, except that of Charles II. in the Middle of the Area, and one or two more.

I have also been carried to Westminster-hall, and the two Houses where the Lords and Commons meet. They are by no means answerable to what I expected, tho’ the House of Commons is the neatest, and very convenient for hearing and seeing too. Westminster-hall, like Guildhall, is adorned with more of the Duke of Marlborough's Trophies, and it has Shops on each Side for Milaners, Booksellers, and such-like Trades. Here the Coronation-Feast is kept; and here are held, as you know, the Courts of Chancery, King’s-bench, Common Pleas, and up Stairs the Court and Offices of the Exchequer.