Chapter L: D’Honat’s Eden (5)

The inside of the area is surrounded with piazzas like those of the south and north fronts; forming ambulatories for the merchants to shelter themselves from the weather. Above the arches of these piazzas is an entablature with curious enrichments; and on the cornice a range of pilasters with an entablature extending round, and a compass pediment in the middle of the cornice of each of the four sides. Under that on the north are the King’s arms; on the south those of the city; on the east those of Sir Thomas Gresham; and under the pediment on the west side the arms of the company of Mercers, with their respective enrichments.

In these intercolumns are twenty-four niches, nineteen of which are filled with the statues of the Kings and Queens of England, standing erect, drafted in their robes and with their regalia, except the statues of Charles II. and George II. which are dressed like the Cæsars.

These statues are, on the south side; Edward I. Edward III. Henry V. Henry VI. On the west side, Edward IV. Edward V. with the crown hanging over his head; Henry VII. and Henry VIII. On the north side, Edward VI. Mary, Elizabeth, James I. Charles I. Charles II. and James II. And on the east side are William and Mary in one niche, Queen Anne, George I. and George II. All these statues were painted and gilt, by a voluntary subscription, in the year 1754.

The four niches that are vacant, are those where Edward II. Richard II. Henry IV. and Richard III. should have been: upon which Maitland says, that hence it seems that the city had no mind to shew any respect to the said Kings, two of whom took away their charters, and the other two were usurpers. But why Henry IV. should be excluded as an usurper, and his brave son Henry V. and Henry VI. be placed there, who only enjoyed the crown in consequence of his usurpation, is not easily accounted for. Richard III. was indeed a monster of cruelty: but Mary was no less cruel, and yet a statue is here erected to her honour. Though Edward II. and Richard II. took away the charter of the city, King Charles II. did so too, and yet has three statues at the Royal Exchange; and his brother James II. who has also a statue, followed his brother’s steps, and not only humbled the city, but caused an Alderman to be hanged at his own door, without being allowed on his trial the time necessary to send for his witnesses.

Under the piazzas within the Exchange are twenty-eight niches, all vacant except two; one in the north west angle, where is the statue of Sir Thomas Gresham, and another at the south west, of Sir John Barnard, who is perhaps the only citizen of London, that has had the honour of having his statue erected in his life-time merely on account of his merit.

In short, in the center of the area is erected, on a marble pedestal about eight feet high, another statue of King Charles II. in a Roman habit, executed by Mr. Gibbon, and encompassed with iron rails. On the south side of the pedestal, under an imperial crown, a scepter, sword, palm branches, and other decorations, is the following inscription:

Carolo II. Cæsari Britannico,
Patriæ Patri,
Regum Optimo, Clementissimo, Augustissimo,
Generis Humani Deliciis,
Utriusque Fortunæ Victori,
Pacis Europæ Arbitro,
Marium Domino ac Vindici,
Societas Mercatorum Adventur. Angliæ,
Quæ per CCCC jam prope Annos
Regia benignitate floret,
Fidei intemeratæ & Gratitudinis æternæ,
Hoc Testimonium
Venerabunda posuit,
Anno Salutis Humanæ M. DC. LXXXIV.

On the west side of this pedestal, is cut in relievo, a Cupid resting his right hand on a shield, containing the arms of France and England quartered, and holding in his left a rose.

On the north side are the arms of Ireland on a shield, supported by a Cupid.

On the south side is the following inscription on the base of the pedestal:

‘This statue was repaired and beautified by the company of Merchant
Adventurers of England, _anno_ 1730; John Hanbury, Esq; Governor.’

On the east side are the arms of Scotland, with a Cupid holding a thistle. All done in relievo.

In the area on the inside of the Royal Exchange, merchants meet every day at twelve at noon, and a prodigious concourse of those of all nations continue there till two, in order to transact business; but soon after that hour the gates are shut up, and not opened again till four. For the readier dispatch of business, and that every particular merchant may be easily found, they are disposed in separated classes, each of which have their particular station, called their walk, as may be seen at one view by the following plan, by attending to which any merchant may easily be found.

NORTH.
Threadneedle Street.

_East Country Walk_

_Hamburgh Walk_

_Irish Walk_

_Scotch Walk_

_Dutch & Jewellers_

_Silkmans Walk_

_Norway Walk_

_Clothiers Walk_

_Salters Walk_

_Walk_

_Grocers & Druggists Walk_

_Turkey Walk_

_Brokers of Stock & Walk_

WEST. Castle Alley.

_Italian Walk_

EAST.
Sweetings Alley.

_Canary Walk_

_East Indies Walk_

_Barbadoes Walk_

_French Walk_

_Portugal_

_Jamaica Walk_

_Armenian_

_Virginia Walk_

_Spanish Walk_

_Jews Walk_

Cornhill.
SOUTH.
]

_Front of the Royal Exchange._
_S. Wale delin._ _J. Green sc. Oxon._
]

The Royal Exchange, without critical examination, has something grand in it, and the entrance would certainly appear to more advantage if it were not incumbered with a parcel of little shops. The arcade or walks within the quadrangle have something noble, but the upper part is in a very bad taste. The statue of King Charles II. in the middle of the area is a good one. 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.

ROYAL EXCHANGE ASSURANCE OFFICE, for assuring houses and other buildings, goods, wares and merchandize from fire. This corporation was established by act of Parliament, at the same time with that of the London Assurance, when it was enacted, that such as should be admitted members of these corporations, should be each a distinct and separate body politic, for the assurance of goods, ships and merchandize at sea, or for lending money upon bottomry.

That no other society should insure ships, or lend money on bottomry for the future; though any private person might do it as usual.

And that each of these corporations, in consideration of the many benefits that might accrue to them by their charters, should pay the sum of 300,000_l._ into his Majesty’s Exchequer, for discharging the debts of the civil list.

These corporations however met with so little encouragement at first, that Maitland says, the crown was obliged to remit most part of the money.

By a second charter granted to this corporation, they are impowered not only to insure ships, but houses, goods and lives. _Maitland._

This society therefore, by this last mentioned charter, assure all buildings, household furniture, wearing apparel by special agreement, and goods, wares, and merchandize, the property of the assured, 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, from loss or damage by fire, upon the following conditions.

I. All manner of stone and brick buildings, covered with slate, tile, or lead, wherein no hazardous trades are carried on, nor any hazardous goods deposited, are considered as Common Assurances, and are assured upon these terms: any sum above 100_l._ and not exceeding 1000_l._ at 2_s._ _per cent. per annum_; any sum above 1000_l._ and not exceeding 3000_l._ at 2_s._ 6_d._ _per cent. per annum_.

II. To accommodate those who are desirous of being assured for a term of years, this corporation will assure on such buildings or goods, any sum not exceeding 1000_l._ at the rate of 12_s._ _per cent._ for seven years, and as far as 2000_l._ at the rate of 14_s._ _per cent._ 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. Plaister or timber buildings covered with lead, tile, or slate, 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 insured upon the following terms: any sum above 100_l._ and not exceeding 1000_l._ at 3_s._ _per cent. per annum_: any sum above 1000_l._ and not exceeding 2000_l._ at 4_s._ _per cent. per annum_: and any sum above 2000_l._ and not exceeding 3000_l._ at 5_s._ _per cent. per annum_.

V. Hazardous trades, such as apothecaries, colourmen, bread and bisket bakers, 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, or china ware in trade, and thatched buildings, or goods therein, are termed Doubly Hazardous Assurances, and may be assured on the following premiums: any sum above 100_l._ and not exceeding 1000_l._ at 5_s._ _per cent. per annum_: and any sum above 1000_l._ and not exceeding 3000_l._ at 7_s._ 6_d._ _per cent. per annum_.

VII. Assurances of mills, wearing apparel, and assurances to chemists, distillers, and sugar-bakers, 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 100_l._ 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 by 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. Every person upon application to be assured with this company, is to deposite 8_s._ 6_d._ for the policy and mark, which 8_s._ 6_d._ is to be returned, if the assurance proposed is not agreed to. No policy is to be of any force, till the premium for one year is paid. And for all subsequent annual payments made at the office, 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 respective 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.

XIII. All persons assured by this corporation, are, upon any loss or damage by fire, forthwith to give notice thereof by letter or otherwise, to the Directors or Secretary, at their office in the Royal Exchange, London; and within fifteen days after such fire, deliver in as particular an account of their loss or damage, as the nature of the case will admit of, and make proof of the same, by the oath or affirmation of themselves, and their domestics, or servants, and by their books of accompts, or other proper vouchers, as shall be required; and also to procure a certificate under the hands of the Minister and Church-wardens, together with some other reputable inhabitants of the parish, not concerned in such loss, importing, that they are well acquainted with the character and circumstances of the sufferer or sufferers; and do know, or verily believe, that he, she, or they, have really and by misfortune, sustained by such fire, the loss and damage therein mentioned. And in case any difference shall arise between the corporation and the assured, touching any loss or damage, such difference shall be submitted to the judgment and determination of arbitrators indifferently chosen, whose award in writing shall be conclusive and binding to all parties. And when any loss or damage is settled and adjusted, the sufferer or sufferers are to receive immediate satisfaction for the same.

In adjusting losses on houses, no wainscot, painting, sculpture, or carved work, is to be valued at more than three shillings _per_ yard.

Any larger sum, and some of the goods excepted in the preamble, may be assured by special agreement.

For the timely assistance of such as are assured, this corporation has several engines and men, with proper instruments to extinguish fires, and also porters for removing goods, each of whom has a badge, upon which is the figure of the Royal Exchange, and the badges are all numbered; of which all persons are desired to take notice who intrust them with goods, or have any complaint to make. The same figure is fixed on buildings assured by this corporation.

The Royal Exchange Assurance office is under the management of a Governor, Sub-Governor, Deputy-Governor, and twenty-four Directors; besides whom there are a Treasurer, a Secretary, an Accomptant, and several Clerks.

ROYAL MEWS. See the article MEWS.

ROYAL OAK _alley_, 1. Barnaby street. 2. Ratcliff.

ROYAL OAK _court_, 1. Kent street, Southwark.* 2. Parker’s lane, Drury lane.* 3. Peak street, Swallow street.*

ROYAL OAK _yard_, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Hockley in the Hole.* 3. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*

ROYAL _row_, 1. Lambeth marsh. 2. Near Windmill hill.

ROYAL’S _court_, Horselydown lane, Southwark.

ROYAL SOCIETY, in Crane court, Fleet street. This society, which took its rise from a private society of learned and ingenious men, was founded for the improvement of natural knowledge. The honourable Robert Boyle, Sir William Petty, Dr. Seth Ward, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Wallis, Dr. Goddard, Dr. Willis, Dr. Bathurst, and Dr. Wren, together with Mr. Matthew Wren and Mr. Rook, frequently met in the apartments of Dr. Wilkins, in Wadham College, at Oxford, to discourse on philosophical subjects; and there the learned productions of these gentlemen, not only eminently distinguished that society at home, but also rendered it highly revered by the _literati_ abroad.

The meetings of these _literati_, which began about the year 1650, continued at Oxford till 1658, when the members being called to different parts of the kingdom, on account of their respective functions; and the majority coming to this city, they constantly attended the astronomical and geometrical lectures at Gresham college, where, being joined by several persons of the greatest learning and distinction, they continued to meet there once or twice a week, till the death of Oliver Cromwell: when anarchy succeeding, they were obliged to quit their place of meeting, on account of its being converted into military quarters for the reception of soldiers.

However, the storm being soon after allayed by the restoration of King Charles II. the society began to resume their meetings, and for the more effectually carrying them on, entered into an obligation to pay each one shilling a week, towards the defraying of occasional charges.

From these small beginnings, this society soon arose to be one of the most celebrated in all Europe: for their design being favoured by some ingenious men who had followed the King in his exile, his Majesty granted them a charter, dated the 15th of July 1662, and then a second charter, dated the 22d of April 1663, whereby they were denominated, _The Royal Society_, and made a corporation, to consist of a President, Council, and Fellows, for promoting natural knowledge and useful arts, by experiments; in this charter his Majesty declared himself their founder and patron, giving them power to make laws for the government of themselves; to purchase lands and houses; to have a common seal, and a coat of arms.

No sooner was this Royal Society thus incorporated by King Charles II. than that Prince made them a present of a fine silver mace gilt, to be carried before the President; and as a farther mark of favour, their royal patron, by his letters patent of the 8th of April 1667, gave them Chelsea college with its appurtenances, and twenty-six or twenty-seven acres of land surrounding it. But afterwards the society neglecting to convert a part of it into a physic garden, as was intended, and the King being resolved to erect an hospital for old and maimed soldiers, thought no place more proper for such a design than this college; he therefore purchased it again of them for a considerable sum.

A little before the society received these letters patent from his Majesty, the honourable Henry Howard, afterwards Duke of Norfolk, made them a present of a very valuable library, on the 2d of January 1666.

This collection was part of the royal library belonging to the Kings of Hungary, originally kept at the city of Buda. Upon the decease of Matthias Corvinus, the last King of the Hungarian race, it was disposed of, and about two thirds of the books were bought by the Emperor, and are now in the imperial library at Vienna: the remaining part coming to Bilibaldus Perkeymherus of Nuremberg, it was purchased of him by the Earl of Arundel, on his return from his embassy to the imperial court.

This fine collection consists of 3287 printed books in most languages and faculties; chiefly the first editions soon after the invention of printing; and a valuable collection of manuscripts in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Turkish, amounting to 554 volumes, which, together with the former, are thought to be of such value as not to be parallelled, for the smallness of their number.

The noble benefactor, at the time of his donation, desired that the inscription of, _Ex dono Henrici Howard Norfolkciensis_, might be put in each book: and that in case the society should happen to fail, the library should revert to his family. This the society not only readily complied with, but some years after caused the following inscription to be set up in the library:

Bibliotheca Norfolciana.

Excellentissimus Princeps Henricus Howard,
Angliæ, Comes Arundeliæ, Suriæ,
Norfolciæ, & Norwici, &c. Heros,
propter familiæ antiquitatem, animi dotes,
corporis dignitatem, pene incomparabilis,
bibliothecam hanc instructissimam
(quæ hactenus Arundeliana appellabatur)
Regiæ Societati dono dedit,
& perpetuo sacram esse voluit.
Huic,
Pro eximia erga se liberalitate, Societas
Regia tabulam hanc, devotæ
Mentis testem, fixit;
Præside Josepho Williamson,
Equite Aurato.
A. D. M.DC.LXXIX.

Besides this Arundelian or Norfolk library, which takes up a large room, another curious and valuable collection was left the society in the year 1715, by their Secretary Francis Aston, Esq; which together with the numerous benefactions of the works of the learned members, in all faculties, but more especially in natural and experimental philosophy, amount to above 3600, and are placed in glass cases in another room.

The museum belonging to the society, was founded by Daniel Colwall, Esq; in the year 1677, who gave his excellent collection of natural and artificial curiosities, which compose the greatest part of the catalogue published in the year 1681, by Dr. Grew, under the title of _Museum Regalis Societatis_. But these curiosities, by the generous benefactions of other curious persons, are now increased to above six times the number of those mentioned in the catalogue.

Upon the society’s removal from Gresham college to their house in Crane court, Richard Waller, Esq; one of the Secretaries, erected in the year 1711, at his own expence, the repository in the garden for the reception of the above curiosities, which consist of the following species, viz. human, quadrupedes, birds, eggs, nests, fishes, insects, reptiles, woods, stalks and roots; fruits of all sorts; mosses, mushrooms, plants, spunges, &c. animal and vegetable bodies petrified; corals, and other marine productions; fossils, gems, stones, metals, antimony, mercury, and other metallic bodies, salts, sulphurs, oils, and earths; philosophical and mathematical instruments; Indian, American, and other weapons, with a variety of apparel, &c.

In short, by the above Royal and other benefactions, the admission money, and annual contributions of the members, this society was at length in so flourishing a condition, that they applied to his late Majesty King George I. for an additional privilege to purchase in mortmain 1000_l._ instead of 200_l._ _per annum_, which he was pleased to grant by his letters patent, in 1725. Among the Fellows of this society are his Majesty King George II. and many of the greatest Princes in Europe.

This learned body is governed by a President and Council, consisting of twenty-one Fellows, distinguished by their rank and learning.

The officers chosen from among the members, are, the President, who calls and dissolves the meetings, proposes the subjects of consultation, puts questions, calls for experiments, and admits the members that are from time to time received into the society.

The Treasurer, who receives and disburses all the money.

The two Secretaries, who read all letters and informations; reply to all addresses or letters from foreign parts, or at home; register all experiments and conclusions, and publish what is ordered by the society.

The Curators, who have the charge of making experiments, receive the directions of the society, and at another meeting bring all to the test.

Every person to be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, must be propounded and recommended at a meeting of the society, by three or more members; who must then deliver to one of the Secretaries a paper signed by themselves with their own names, specifying the name, addition, profession, occupation, and chief qualifications; the inventions, discoveries, works, writings, or other productions of the candidate for election; as also notifying the usual place of his abode, and recommending him on their own personal knowledge. A fair copy of which paper, with the date of the day when delivered, shall be fixed up in the common meeting room of the society, at ten several ordinary meetings, before the said candidate shall be put to the ballot: but it shall be free for every one of his Majesty’s subjects, who is a Peer, or the son of a Peer, of Great Britain or Ireland, and for every one of his Majesty’s Privy Council of either of the said kingdoms, and for every foreign Prince or Ambassador, to be propounded by any single person, and to be put to the ballot for election on the same day, there being present a competent number for making elections. And at every such ballot, unless two thirds at least of the members present give their bills in favour of the candidate, he cannot be elected a Fellow of the Royal Society; nor can any candidate be balloted for, unless twenty-one members at the least be present.

After a candidate has been elected, he may at that, or the next meeting of the society, be introduced, and solemnly admitted by the President, after having previously subscribed the obligation, whereby he promises, “That he will endeavour to promote the good of the Royal Society of London, for the improvement of natural knowledge.”

When any one is admitted, he pays a fee of five guineas, and afterwards 13_s._ a quarter, as long as he continues a member, towards defraying the expences of the society; and for the payment thereof he gives a bond; but most of the members on their first admittance chuse to pay down twenty guineas, which discharges them from any future payments.

Any Fellow may however free himself from these obligations, by only writing to the President, that he desires to withdraw from the society.

When the President takes the chair, the rest of the Fellows take their seats, and those who are not of the society withdraw: except any Baron of England, Scotland, and Ireland, any person of a higher title, or any of his Majesty’s Privy Council of any of his three kingdoms, and any foreigner of eminent repute, may stay, with the allowance of the President, for that time; and upon leave obtained of the President and Fellows present, or the major part of them, any other person may be permitted to stay for that time: but the name of every person thus permitted to stay, that of the person who moved for him, and the allowance, are to be entered in the journal book.

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. 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.

The Philosophical Transactions are printed at the charge of the society, and the Clerk delivers _gratis_ one of the copies to every Fellow of the Society who shall demand it, either in person, or by letter under the hand of such Fellow, within one year after the Clerk has begun to deliver such copies.

If any Fellow of the society shall contemptuously or contumaciously disobey the statutes or orders of the society; or shall by speaking, writing, or printing, publicly defame the society, or maliciously do any thing to the detriment thereof, he shall be ejected.

The meetings of the Royal Society are on Thursdays, at five o’clock in the afternoon.

The members of the Council are elected out of the Fellows, upon the feast of St. Andrew in the morning; when after the election they all dine together.

Eleven of the old council are chosen for the ensuing year; and ten are elected out of the other members. Then the President, Treasurer, and Secretary are elected out of these. But the same persons are usually rechosen into these offices.

ROYAL _vineyard_, St. James’s Park.

RUG _row_, Cloth fair, Smithfield.

RUMFORD, a town in Essex, 12 miles from London, and 5 from Burntwood, is a very great thoroughfare, and is governed by a Bailiff and Wardens, who are by patent impowered to hold a weekly court for the trial of treasons, felonies, debts, &c. and to execute offenders. It has a market on Mondays and Tuesdays for hogs and calves, and on Wednesday for corn, all of which are chiefly bought up for the use of London.

RUMMER _court_, Charing Cross.

RUN-HORSE _yard_, David street, Grosvenor square.*

RUPERT _street_, 1. Coventry street. 2. Goodman’s fields.

RUSSEL _court_, 1. Blue Anchor alley, Rosemary lane.† 2. Cleveland row, St. James’s.† 3. Drury lane.† 4. Ratcliff highway.†

RUSSEL’S MILL _stairs_, Rotherhith.†

RUSSEL _street_, Covent Garden; so called from the Duke of Bedford, upon whose estate it is built.

RUSSIA COMPANY, a body of merchants incorporated by letters patent, granted by Queen Mary on the 6th of February 1555, by which they were not only impowered to carry on an exclusive trade to all parts of the Russian empire, but to all such countries as they should discover in those northern parts. In consequence of this charter, they soon after discovered the Cherry Islands, Greenland, Nova Zembla, Newfoundland, Davis’s Streights, and Hudson’s Bay; and their first Governor was that celebrated mariner Sebastian Cabot.

In consideration of these valuable discoveries, their privileges were confirmed by Parliament; and in the year 1614 enlarged by King James I.

In the year 1742, the Russia company obtained leave of the present Czarina Elizabeth, to trade with Persia thro’ Russia, and between the years 1743 and 1749, Mr. Hanway observes, they imported raw silk to the amount of 93,375_l._ value in Persia: but Mr. Elton, one of the company’s agents, being employed by Kouli Khan, who then sat on the Persian throne, to build some ships of force on the Caspian sea, the Russians apprehended they should be disturbed by the Persians in their navigation over that sea, and therefore put an end to the traffic of the British Russia company through Russia to Persia.

This company exports cloth of all sorts, both dressed and dyed; kersies, baize, cottons, fustians, perpetuanoes, Norwich stuffs, lace, thread, lead, tin, pewter, allum, copper, and most other sorts of English commodities: and we import from thence, cordage, tar, tallow, potashes, cable yarn, bees wax, linen cloth, isinglass, hides of several sorts, both tanned and raw; hogs bristles, linseed, several sorts of rich furrs, train oil, flax, hemp, caviare, stock fish, cod fish, salmon, &c.

This company is under the management of a Governor, four Consuls, and twenty-four Assistants, annually chosen on the 1st of March, who keep their courts monthly, or as occasion requires, in a large room in the Old East India house in Leadenhall street: but considered as a company, their trade at present is not very considerable; it being carried on chiefly by private merchants, who are admitted to reap the profit of trading to Russia, on paying 5_l._ each.

RUTLAND _court_, 1. Charterhouse square. 2. Glasshouse yard, Goswell street. 3. Near Puddle dock, Thames street.

RYCAUT’S _court_, Morgan’s lane.†

S.

SACRIST of St. Paul’s cathedral, an officer who is assistant to the Treasurer. He is to keep every thing in order belonging to the altar, and to open the church doors at the first ringing of the bell for morning and evening prayers. This officer when chosen by the Treasurer, must be presented to the Dean for his approbation, by whom he is admitted upon taking an oath to discharge his office with fidelity.

The Sacrist has three servants under him, called Vergers, who also keep servants for cleaning the church, tolling the bell, blowing the organ bellows, and other servile business. _Newc. Rep._

SADLERS, a very ancient company, though it was not incorporated by letters patent till the reign of Edward I. They are governed by a Prime and three other Wardens, with eighteen Assistants, and have a livery of seventy members, whose fine on their admission is 10_l._ They have a very handsome hall in Cheapside. _Maitland._

SADLERS _alley_, Dorset street.

SADLERS _court_, Milford lane.

SAFFRON _hill_, 1. Field lane, at the bottom of Snow hill. 2. Hockley in the Hole.

SALISBURY _alley_, Chiswell street.

SALISBURY _court_, Dorset street, Fleet street; so called from the Bishop of Salisbury’s city mansion there; afterwards the Earl of Dorset’s.

SALISBURY _lane_, Rotherhith Wall.

SALISBURY _stairs_, Salisbury street, in the Strand.

SALISBURY _street_, 1. Marigold street, Rotherhith Wall. 2. In the Strand; so called from the Earl of Salisbury’s house, which formerly stood there.

SALISBURY _walk_, Chelsea road.

SALMON’S _lane_, Ratcliff.†

SALT OFFICE, in York Buildings, is under the government of five Commissioners, each of whom has a salary of 500_l._ _per annum_. Under these Commissioners are the following officers: a Treasurer, who has 430_l._ a year, for himself and three Clerks; he has also a Deputy: two Billmen: a Comptroller, who has 350_l._ a year, with a Deputy and two Clerks: the Comptroller’s Secretary has 200_l._ a year, and an Assistant: an Accomptant General, who has 200_l._ _per annum_, and his Clerk 40_l._ a year: a Correspondent, who has 100_l._ a year, and his Clerk 60_l._ a Chief Accomptant and Clerk of Securities, who has 180_l._ _per annum_: two Accomptants, who have 70_l._ a year each, a Clerk, who has 60_l._ and another 40_l._ _per annum_: a Storekeeper and Clerk of the charities and diaries, who has 60_l._ a year; a Collector of the port of London, who has 60_l._ an Assistant Searcher 60_l._ and two Surveyors who have 40_l._ a year each.

Besides these, there are in this office an housekeeper who has 100_l._ a year, and several other servants.

SALTERS, one of the twelve principal companies, and the ninth in order of precedency, is of considerable antiquity, since they had the grant of a livery from Richard II. in the year 1394; but it does not appear that they were incorporated before the first year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in 1558.

This company has a Master, two Wardens, twenty-seven Assistants, and a livery of 190 members, who upon their being admitted, pay a fine of 20_l._ They have a very considerable estate, out of which they pay 500_l._ _per annum_ to charitable uses. Their hall, which is a plain brick building, is situated in a neat court in Swithin’s lane.

SALTERS _alley_, 1. Green bank, Wapping. 2. Nightingale lane.

SALTERS _court_, Piccadilly.

SALTERS HALL _court_, in Swithin’s lane, where is Salters hall, in which is a handsome presbyterian meeting-house.

SALTPETRE BANK, 1. East Smithfield, by Little Tower hill. 2. By Rosemary lane.

SALUTATION _court_, St. Giles’s Broadway.*

SAMBROOK’S _court_, Old Broad street.†

SAMBRUGH’S _court_, Basinghall street.†

SAMSON’S _rents_, Green Walk.†

SANDWICH _court_, Houndsditch.†

SANDY’S _rents_, Coverley’s fields.†

SANDY’S _street_, Widegate alley, Bishopsgate street without.†

SARAH’S _street_, New Gravel lane.

SARN _alley_, Rotherhith Wall.†

SATCHELL’S _rents_, 1. Shoreditch.† 2. Whitecross street, Cripplegate.†

SAVAGE _gardens_, Tower hill.†

SAVAGE’S _court_, Widegate alley, Bishopsgate street.†

SAVAGE’S _rents_, Black Friars.†

SAVERY’S _alley_, Farmer’s street, Shadwell.†

SAVILE _row_, near New Bond street.†

_St._ SAVIOUR’S _Bermondsey_, a priory, and afterwards an abbey, founded by Alwin Child, a citizen of London, in the year 1082, in the place now denominated St. John’s court Bermondsey.

This priory was not only confirmed by the charter of William Rufus, together with all the benefactions belonging to it; but that Prince also conferred upon the Prior and Monks the manor of Bermondsey, and erected a handsome and spacious conventual church for their accommodation. This priory, however, being an alien and a cell to one in France, it was among other foreign foundations sequestered by Edward III. in the year 1371, who constituted Richard Denton, an Englishman, Prior thereof.

This priory was in 1391 converted into an abbey; and at the general suppression of monasteries in the year 1539 was surrendered to Henry VIII. when being granted to Sir John Pope, he demolished the old abbey, and erected in its room a stately edifice, which some time after came to the Earls of Sussex. _Stow’s Survey._

_St._ SAVIOUR’S _dock_, vulgarly called _Savory dock_, in Rotherhith, took its name from the above abbey, dedicated to the holy Saviour. _Maitland._

_St._ SAVIOUR’S _Mill_, vulgarly called _Savory mill_, also belonged to the above abbey, and was in the year 1536 let by the Abbot and Monks to John Curlew, at the yearly rent of 6_l._ which was then the value of eighteen quarters of good wheat; and he was also bound to grind all the corn used in the abbey.

In the place where this mill stood, is now an engine for raising water to supply the neighbourhood. _Maitland._

_St._ SAVIOUR’S _School_, in St. Saviour’s church yard, Southwark, was founded by the parish, for the education of boys in grammatical learning, and confirmed by letters patent granted by Queen Elizabeth, so early as the year 1562, and the fourth of her reign; by which six of the vestry are for ever appointed Governors.

To this school belong a Master and Usher, the former of whom has a salary of 30_l._ and the latter 20_l._ _per annum_.

_St._ SAVIOUR’S _Southwark_, or _St._ MARY OVERIES, a church of great antiquity, situated to the south west of the bridge foot. In the place where it stands, is said to have been anciently a priory of nuns founded by one Mary a Virgin, the owner of a ferry over the river Thames, before the building of London bridge. Some time after the priory was converted into a college of Priests; but that establishment, as well as the former, proving of no long duration, it was in the year 1106 founded by two Norman Knights, and the Bishop of Winchester, for Canons regular, and from its dedication to the Virgin Mary, and its situation, was called St. Mary Overie, that is, St. Mary over the river.

This edifice was destroyed by fire about the year 1207; but it being soon after rebuilt, Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, added to it a spacious chapel, which he dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen; and this being afterwards appointed for the use of the inhabitants, it at last became their parish church.

The monastery and church were rebuilt in the reigns of Richard II. and Henry IV. but at the general suppression of religious houses were surrendered to Henry VIII. in the year 1539; upon which the parishes of St. Mary Magdalen, and St. Margaret, purchased the conventual church of King Henry; and were the next year united by act of Parliament, and the church being then repaired, was called by the new name of St. Saviour’s. _Stowe._

Both the construction and extent of this Gothic structure resemble a cathedral more than a parish church. The length is 260 feet, and that of the cross isle 109: the breadth of the body is 54 feet, and the height of the tower, including the pinacles, is 150 feet. The construction of the windows, entrances, and every other part, is purely in the Gothic style, except a modern door, which is neither Gothic, nor agreeable to the rules of any other architecture. The tower, which is square, and well proportioned, is supported by massy pillars over the meeting of the middle and cross isles; it is crowned with battlements, and has a pinacle at each corner.

In a chapel at the east end of the church is the monument of Bishop Andrews, who was interred there; and in another part of the church is that of the Bishop of Winchester; but the most singular monument is that of the family of the Austins, erected in the last century, and repaired, new painted, and gilt by the relations in 1706.

The first figure is a rock, upon which is written, _Petra erat_ XTS. that is, The rock was Christ. Down this rock runs a stream of water; and out of it glides a serpent, his old skin being stript off by the rock, which is seen hanging on that part of his back that is not yet got thro’. At the foot of the rock there grows standing corn, on which is a label with these words, _Si non moriatur, non reviviscit_, that is, If it dieth not, it liveth not again. Underneath the corn is this motto, _Nos sevit, fovit, lavit, coget, renovabit_, _i.e._ He hath sown, cherished, washed us, and shall gather us together and renew us.

Upon the top of the rock stands an angel, holding a sickle in his left hand, and with his right pointing to the sun, which shines, and on its lower rays is a label, upon which is, _Sol justitiæ_, _i.e._ The Sun of righteousness.

On the sides of the monument are scythes, flails, shepherds crooks, rakes, ploughs, harrows, and other instruments of husbandry hanging by a ribband out of a Death’s head; and above them, _Vos estis agricultura_, _i.e._ Ye are God’s husbandry.

On the outside of these a harvest man with wings is seated on each side, one with a fork behind him, and the other with a rake. They have straw hats, and lean their heads upon their hands, the elbows resting upon their knees, as if fatigued with labour, and under them are these words, _Messores congregabunt_, _i.e._ The reapers shall gather. Under all is a winnowing fan, upon which is stretched a sheet of parchment bearing a long inscription in Latin.

Though the name of this church has been changed from St. Mary Overies to that of St. Saviour, yet the former still prevails. It is a rectory in the gift of the parish, and the profits arising to the two Chaplains, are said to amount to above 300_l._ _per annum_.

SAVORY _dock_. See _St._ SAVIOUR’S _dock_.

SAVORY MILL. See _St._ SAVIOUR’S _mill_.

SAVORY _mill stairs_, corruptly so called, Rotherhith. See _St._ SAVIOUR’S _mill stairs_.

SAVOY, or _Lancaster Palace_, is situated to the westward of Somerset house, between the Strand and the Thames. This place obtained the name of the Savoy, from Peter Earl of Savoy and Richmond, who built it about the year 1245, and afterwards transferred it to the friars of Montjoy, of whom Queen Eleanor, the wife of King Henry III. purchased it for her son Henry Duke of Lancaster. The Duke afterwards enlarged and beautified it, at the expence of 52,000 marks, at that time an immense sum. Here John King of France resided, when a prisoner in England in the year 1357, and upon his return hither in 1363, when it was esteemed one of the finest palaces in England.

This edifice was burnt in 1381 by the Kentish rebels, on account of some pique they had conceived against John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, who was then the proprietor. But the ground afterwards devolving to the Crown, King Henry VII. began to rebuild it as it at present appears, for an hospital, for the reception of an hundred distressed objects; but that Prince not living to see it compleated, Henry VIII. his son, not only granted his manor of the Savoy to the Bishop of Winchester and others, the executors of his father’s will, towards finishing the hospital; but by his charter of the 5th of July 1513, constituted them a body politic and corporate, to consist of a Master, five secular Chaplains, and four Regulars, in honour of Jesus Christ, his Mother, and St. John Baptist; the foundation to be denominated _The hospital of King Henry VII. late King of England, of the Savoy_.

This hospital was suppressed in the reign of Edward VI. when the revenues were found to amount to 530_l._ _per annum_, which that Prince gave to the city of London towards making a provision for the hospitals of Bridewell, Christ-church, and St. Thomas: but Queen Mary converted it into an hospital again, and having endowed it anew, her Ladies and Maids of honour completely furnished it, at their own expence, with all necessaries. However the hospital was again suppressed upon the accession of Queen Elizabeth to the throne, and the revenues applied to the uses intended by her brother.

Nothing here is now to be seen, but the ruins of the ancient edifice built with free-stone and flints, among which is still remaining part of a great building, in which detachments of the King’s guards lie, and where they have their Marshalsea prison for the confinement of deserters and other offenders, and to lodge their recruits.

A part of the Savoy was assigned by King William III. for the residence of the French refugees, who have still a chapel here, in which they conform to the church of England. _Stowe._ _Dugdale’s Mon. Ang._

SAW _court_, Fore street, Cripplegate.

SAWYER’S _court_, Houndsditch.†

SAWYER’S _yard_, 1. Hosier lane. 2. Tower street, Soho.

SCALDING _alley_, in the Poultry. In this alley was formerly a large house, known by the name of the Scalding-house; for the street called the Poultry containing a number of Poulterers stalls, the fowls they sold there were first scalded in this house. _Maitland._

SCALLOP _court_, Creed lane, Ludgate street.

SCHOOL _alley_, East Smithfield.☐

SCHOOL _lane_, Jamaica street, Rotherhith.☐

SCHOOL _yard_, Ailesbury street, Clerkenwell.☐

SCHOOLHOUSE _alley_, Swan alley.☐

SCHOOLHOUSE _lane_, 1. Ailesbury street.☐ 2. Brooke street, Ratcliff.☐

SCHOOLHOUSE _yard_, 1. Rose street, Shoreditch.☐ 2. Schoolhouse lane, Ratcliff.☐ 3. Sutton street, St. John’s street, Clerkenwell.☐

SCHOOLS. Of these we have given an account under the names of their particular foundations; the most famous and noble of these, are, the Charterhouse, Mercers school, Merchant Taylors school, St. Paul’s school, and Westminster school; and among those for the instruction of the lower class, is Christ-church school, a noble foundation for the education and support of the children of deceased citizens, and a great number of smaller foundations, as, St. Olave’s school, Ratcliff school, Tothill fields school, and several others; all of which the reader may find under their respective articles.

In these schools, exclusive of Christ-church hospital, are educated 2888 boys, and 285 girls; the charge of whose education, &c. exclusive of those which belong to hospitals and almshouses, amounts, according to Maitland, to the annual sum of 1990_l._

Besides these, which are supported by regular funds, there are a great number denominated CHARITY SCHOOLS, that have no other foundation and support, than generous benefactions, annual subscriptions, and the charitable collections made in the several churches in this city and suburbs. Of these we shall give a list, with the number of the boys and girls in each.

_Schools._ _Boys._ _Girls._
Allhallows, Lombard street 40 00
St. Andrew’s, Holborn 80 70
St. Anne’s, Aldersgate 30 20
St. Anne’s, Westminster 52 52
St. Bartholomew the Great 35 16
Bartholomew Close, _Presbyterian_ 50 25
Bethnal Green 00 30
Bevis Marks, _Portuguese Jews_ 12 00
Billingsgate Ward 40 00
St. Botolph’s, Aldersgate 50 50
St. Botolph’s, Aldgate 50 40
St. Botolph’s, Bishopsgate 30 20
Bridge and Candlewick Wards 60 40
Bridewell Walk, Clerkenwell, _Quakers_ 40 20
St. Bride’s 50 50
Broad street Ward 50 30
Castle Baynard Ward 30 20
St. Catherine Creechurch 40 00
St. Catherine’s, Tower 35 15
Christ-church, Spitalfields 30 30
Christ-church, Surry 30 10
St. Clement’s Danes 85 55
Corbet’s court, Spitalfields, _French_ 50 50
Cordwainer and Bread street Wards 50 30
Cornhill and Lime street Wards 50 30
Cripplegate Ward within 50 20
Dowgate Ward 30 20
St. Dunstan’s in the West 50 20
East Smithfield Liberty 40 30
St. Ethelburg’s 20 00
Faringdon Ward within 60 40
Fry’s court, Tower hill, _Presbyterian_ 30 10
St. George’s, Hanover square 50 40
St. George’s, Queen square 50 50
St. George’s, Ratcliff Highway 50 50
St. George’s, Southwark 50 00
St. Giles’s, Cripplegate 130 00
St. Giles’s in the Fields 101 101
Grey Eagle street, Spitalfields, _French_ 50 50
St. James’s, Clerkenwell 60 40
St. James’s, Westminster 102 80
St. John’s, Hackney 30 20
St. John’s, Wapping 38 23
Keat’s street, Spitalfields, _Independent_ 30 00
King’s head court, Spitalfields, _Independent_ 00 30
Knightsbridge chapel 6 6
St. Laurence, Poultney 16 00
St. Leonard’s, Shoreditch 50 50
St. Luke’s, Old street 40 00
St. Margaret’s, Westminster 52 34
St. Martin’s in the Fields 101 51
St. Mary’s, Islington 26 18
St. Mary’s, Lambeth 28 00
St. Mary la Bonne 12 00
St. Mary le Strand 16 00
St. Mary Magdalen’s, Bermondsey 50 20
St. Mary’s, Newington Butts 32 00
St. Mary’s Rotherhith 45 00
Mile-end, Old Town 22 10
Nortonfalgate 60 00
St. Olave’s, Jewry 30 00
St. Olave’s, Southwark 00 60
St. Paul’s, Covent Garden 30 20
St. Paul’s, Shadwell 50 50
Poplar Hamlet 30 20
Portpool lane, _Welch_ 50 00
Queenhithe Ward 36 24
Ratcliff Hamlet 35 25
Ratcliff Highway, _Presbyterian_ 30 00
St. Saviour’s, Southwark 80 50
St. Sepulchre’s 84 76
Shakespear’s walk, Shadwell, _Presbyterian_ 30 00
St. Stephen’s, Wallbrook 30 00
St. Thomas’s, Southwark 30 00
Tower street Ward 60 60
Vintry Ward 50 00
Unicorn yard, Horselydown, _Independent_ 50 00
Zoar street, Southwark, _Presbyterian_ 137 00

Thus in these charity schools are educated 3458 boys, and 1901 girls, in all 5359. Mr. Maitland has been at some pains in endeavouring to learn the respective charges of the above schools; but not being able to obtain an account of each, he has endeavoured to settle as near as possible the expence of maintaining the whole, and that by a method equally plain and satisfactory: for having found that the parish school of St. Andrew’s, Holborn, which contains eighty boys, cost in one year 272_l._ 2_s._ 9_d._ and seventy girls in the same school 139_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._ he computed, that as the charge of eighty boys amounts to 272_l._ 2_s._ 9_d._ so that of 3458 boys must amount to 11,763_l._ 2_s._ 10¼_d._ and so, by the same method of calculation, as the expence of seventy girls amounts to 139_l._ 14_s._ 6_d._ that of 1901 girls must amount to 3794_l._ 10_s._ 7½_d. per annum_; whence it appears, that the whole expence of all the said charity children amounts to 15,557_l._ 13_s._ 5¾_d._ _per annum_.

The same author adds, that the annual expence of the above free-schools, exclusive of those belonging to the hospitals and almshouses, amounting to 1990_l._ it appears that the expence of these schools, added to that of the charity schools, amount in all to 17,547_l._ 13_s._ 3¾_d._

As to the number of private schools in this metropolis and its suburbs, for educating youth in all kinds of literature, they are supposed to amount to above three thousand. _Maitland._

SCORE’S _alley_, East Smithfield.†

SCOTLAND _yard_, Whitehall; so named from a palace which formerly stood there for the reception of the Kings of Scotland, when they came to do homage for the county of Cumberland, and other fiefs held by them of the Crown of England. _Stow’s Survey._

SCOTS CORPORATION, for the relief of poor and necessitous people of that country. This corporation owes its origin to James Kinnier, a Scotsman, and merchant of this city; who on his recovery from a long and dangerous illness, resolved to give part of his estate towards the relief of the aged and necessitous of his country, within the cities of London and Westminster: and having prevailed with a society of his countrymen, who composed a box club, to join their stock, applied for a charter, by which he and his co-adjutors were, in the year 1665, constituted a body politic and corporate, with several privileges, which King Charles II. confirmed the following year by letters patent, wherein are recited the privileges granted in the former charter, with the addition of several new ones, viz.

That they might erect an hospital within the city or liberties of London and Westminster, to be called, _The Scots hospital of King Charles II._ to be governed by eight Scotsmen, who were to chuse from among themselves a Master, who, together with these Governors, were declared to be a body politic and corporate, and to have a common seal. They were also impowered to elect thirty-three Assistants, and to purchase in mortmain 400_l._ _per annum_, over and above an annual sum mentioned in the first charter; the profits arising from these purchases to be employed in relieving poor old Scots men and women, and instructing and employing poor Scottish orphans, the descendants of Scotsmen within this city.

This humane foundation had however like to have been crushed in its bud by two very dreadful events, the plague, and the fire of London; which happened in the very years when the charters were granted. However, those who had the direction of the work began in the year 1670 to prosecute it with vigour; and found themselves not only in a condition to provide for their poor, but took a lease of a piece of ground in Black Friars, to build upon, for the term of a thousand years, at a ground-rent of 40_l._ and by charitable contributions were enabled to erect their hall, with two houses at Fleetditch, and four in Black Friars, which were soon after finished at the expence of 4450_l._

All matters relating to the corporation are managed by the Governors without fee or reward; for they not only, upon all such occasions, spend their own money, but contribute quarterly for the support of the society, and the relief of the poor; they provide for the sick; to the reduced and aged they grant pensions; they bury the dead, and give money to such as are disposed to return to Scotland. The sums disbursed by the society amount to about 600_l._ _per annum_.

The officers belonging to this corporation are, a Treasurer, a Register, two Stewards, and a Beadle.

SCOT’S _wharf_, White Friars, Fleet street.†

SCOT’S _yard_, 1. Bush lane.† 2. Mill bank, Westminster.† 3. Montague street, Spitalfields.† 4. Stony lane, Southwark.† 5. Whitecross street.†

SCRIVENERS, a fraternity anciently denominated The Writers of the court letter of the city of London, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1616, by the name of _The Master, Wardens, and Assistants of the Society of Writers of the city of London_.

This company is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-four Assistants, with fifty-three livery-men, who upon their admission pay a fine of 5_l._

The company of Scriveners being reduced to low circumstances, thought proper to sell their hall in Noble street to the Coachmakers company.

SCROOP’S _court_, Holborn. In this court anciently stood one of the Inns of court called Scroop’s Inn.

SCRUB’S _square_, Upper Ground, Southwark.

SEA _alley_, King street, Westminster.