Chapter V: VALIANT SOLDIER alley, Barnaby street (3)

XX. All questions at every board and committee are decided by the votes of the majority of the trustees present, and of the proxies for the ladies who are trustees, such proxy being given in writing to some person who is a trustee, and being entered in a book to be kept for that purpose by the secretary. And the minutes of each board and committee are to be signed by the respective chairmen.

XXI. It having been resolved that all subscriptions to this hospital are payable in advance, upon the respective quarter days for the year then to come; letters, signed by the chairman of every quarterly general board, are to be sent to each subscriber whose subscription shall then appear to have been three months due, according to the foregoing resolution, to remind him of such arrear, and to request the payment of it. _From the orders published by the general board._

WESTMINSTER _market_, a very convenient and handsome market in King street.

WESTMINSTER _school_, or Queen’s college, Westminster, was founded by Queen Elizabeth, in the year 1590, for the education of forty boys, who are taught classical learning, and in the best manner prepared for the university. Besides whom, a great number of the sons of the nobility and gentry are educated there, which has rendered it one of the greatest schools in the kingdom. Instead of one master, and an usher, as at first; there are now an upper and under master, and five ushers, who have about 400 young gentlemen under their tuition. _Maitland._

WESTMORELAND _court_, 1. Bartholomew close, so called from the mansion of the Earls of Westmoreland, formerly situated there: 2. Noble street, Foster lane.

WESTON’S _rents_, Houndsditch.†

WEST’S _gardens_, New Gravel lane.†

WEST SIDE _alley_, near Tooley street, Southwark.

WEST SMITHFIELD. See the article SMITHFIELD. The epithet West is never used but to distinguish it from East Smithfield.

WEST _street_, 1. Soho: 2. Spitalfields market.

WEYBRIDGE, a village in Surry, four miles south-west of Hampton Court, took its name from a bridge formerly erected here over the river Wey. About this village are several fine seats, particularly those of the Earls of Portmore and Lincoln. The former was beautified by the Countess of Dorchester, in the reign of King James II. and has a fine walk of acacia trees, which when first planted were esteemed great curiosities. Among the advantages of the other, is a noble terrace walk, raised so high above the neighbouring ground, as to afford a fine prospect of the country and the river. For some farther account of both these seats. See OATLANDS and HAM FARM.

WHALEBONE _court_, 1. Bow lane, Cheapside: 2. Little Old Bailey: 3. Lothbury: 4. Throgmorton street.

WHARTON’S _court_, 1. Church-yard alley.† 2. Holbourn.† 3. Lambeth or Lambert hill, Thames street.†

WHARTON’S _rents_, New Gravel lane.†

WHEATSHEAF _alley_, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Lambeth.* 3. Michael’s lane, Thames street.*

WHEEL _yard_, Stony lane.

WHEELBARROW _alley_, Rosemary lane.

WHEELER _street_, Lamb street, Spitalfields.

WHEELER’S _alley_, Old street.†

WHEELER’S _lane_, St. Olave street, Southwark.†

WHEELER’S _yard_, Redcross street, Barbican.† 2. Wheeler’s lane, Southwark.†

WHEELWRIGHTS, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Charles II. in the year 1670, and governed by a master, two wardens, and twenty-two assistants; but they have neither hall nor livery.

WHEELWRIGHT _yard_, Nightingale lane.†

WHETSTER’S _ground_, 1. Millbank, Westminster.† 2. Peter street.†

WHETSTON’S _park_, Lincoln’s Inn fields.†

WHISTLER’S _court_, Salter’s Hall court, St. Swithin’s lane.†

WHITCHER’S _almshouse_, situated at Tothill side, Westminster, was founded by Mr. George Whitcher, in the year 1683, for six poor old people, each of whom are allowed the annual sum of 5_l._ and a gown. _Maitland._

WHITCOMB’S _alley_, Great Queen street.†

WHITCOMB’S _court_, Hedge lane, Charing Cross.†

WHITCOMB’S _street_, Hedge lane.†

WHITE BALL _court_, Castle street.*

WHITE BEAR _alley_, 1. Kent street, Southwark.* 2. Addle hill.* 3. Redcross street.* 4. Rosemary lane, Little Tower Hill.* 5. Whitechapel.*

WHITE BEAR _court_, Addle hill.*

WHITE BEAR _yard_, Holiwell street.*

WHITECHAPEL, a long and broad street which extends from the north-east corner of the Minories, to near Mile-end. It derived its name from St. Mary’s church, which was originally a chapel of ease to St. Dunstan’s Stepney, and from its whiteness called the White chapel.

WHITECHAPEL _bars_, a little to the west of Whitechapel church, placed where the liberties of the city end.

WHITECHAPEL _common_, Mile-end.

WHITECHAPEL _court_, is a court of record belonging to Stepney manor; wherein the steward of the manor tries actions for any sum, as well as of damage, trespass, _&c._

WHITECHAPEL _field gate_, Whitechapel.

WHITECHAPEL _market_, a considerable flesh market consisting only of a range of butchers shops on the south side of the street, near the west end.

WHITECHAPEL _school_, was founded by Mr. Ralph Davenant, rector of the parish of St. Mary Whitechapel, by Mary, his wife, and Sarah, her sister, in the year 1680: and this foundation being greatly augmented by the charitable benefaction of 1000_l._ given in the year 1721, by a person unknown, a master receives a salary of 30_l._ _per annum_ for teaching of sixty boys, as does a mistress 20_l._ for instructing forty girls. _Maitland._

WHITE COCK _alley_, Thames street.*

WHITE _court_, Peter lane.

WHITECROSS _alley_, Moorfields.

WHITECROSS _street_, Fore street, Cripplegate, so named from a white cross which anciently stood at the upper end of it: 2. Queen street, Southwark: 3. Spitalfields, these last had probably their name from the same original.

WHITE FRIARS, a number of lanes, alleys, and passages extending from the west side of Water lane to the Temple; and from Fleet street to the Thames. It took its name from the White Friars, or Carmelites, who had their house in this place next to Fleet street, and their garden probably extended from thence to the water side. They were cloathed in white, and having made a vow of poverty lived by begging. Their convent was founded by Sir Richard Gray, Knt. ancestor to the Lord Gray of Codnor in Derbyshire in the year 1241, and was afterwards rebuilt by Hugh Courtney, Earl of Devonshire, about the year 1350. In the conventual church were interred many persons of distinction.

This convent and its church were surrendered to Henry VIII. in the thirtieth year of his reign, when they were valued at no more than 26 _l._ 7_s._ 3_d._ and being soon after pulled down, other houses were built in their room. _Maitland._

In the year 1608, the inhabitants obtained several liberties, privileges and exemptions by a charter granted them by King James I. and this rendered the place an asylum for insolvent debtors, cheats, and gamesters, who gave to this district the name of Alsatia: but the inconveniences the city suffered from this place of refuge, and the riotous proceedings carried on there, at length induced the legislature to interpose; and to deprive them of privileges so pernicious to the community.

WHITE FRIARS _dock_, White Friars.

WHITE FRIARS _stairs_, White Friars.

WHITEHALL, a palace originally built by Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, who in the year 1243, bequeathed it to the Black Friars in Chancery lane, Holbourn, in whose church he was interred. But in 1248, these friars having disposed of it to Walter de Grey, Archbishop of York, he left it to his successors, the Archbishops of that see, for their city mansion, and hence it obtained the name of York place. However, the royal palace at Westminster suffering greatly by fire in the reign of Henry VIII. and that Prince having a great inclination for York place, purchased it of Cardinal Wolsey, in the year 1530.

Henry had no sooner obtained the possession of this palace than he enclosed the park for the accommodation of both palaces, and built the beautiful gate opposite the banqueting house (which has been lately pulled down) to which he added a magnificent gallery, for the accommodation of the Royal Family, the nobility and great officers of state; for there they sat to see the tournaments performed in the tiltyard; and soon after the King, who had a greater taste for pleasure, than for elegance of building, ordered a tennis-court, a cock-pit, and bowling greens to be formed, with other places for different kinds of diversion.

From this time Whitehall continued the royal residence of the Sovereigns of England; and Hentzner in his _Itinerarium_ says it was a structure truly royal: and it was furnished in a peculiar manner.

“Near this palace, says he, are seen an immense number of swans, who wander up and down the river for some miles, in great security; no body daring to molest, much less to kill any of them, under the penalty of a considerable fine.

In the palace is a library, well stored with Greek, Latin, Italian and French books; and among the rest, a small one in French, upon parchment, in the hand writing of the present Queen Elizabeth thus inscribed:

_A tres haut & tres puissant & redoubtè
Prince Henry_ VIII. _de ce nom, Roy
d’Angleterre, de France, & d’Irelande,
defenseur de la foy_:

_Elisabeth sa tres humble fille rend
salut & obedience._

In English thus:

To the most high, puissant, and redoubted
Prince, Henry VIII. of the
name, King of England, France and
Ireland, defender of the faith:

Elizabeth, his most humble daughter,
health and obedience.

All these books are bound in velvet of
different colours, though chiefly red,
with clasps of gold and silver; some
have pearls, and precious stones, set in
their bindings.

II. Two little silver cabinets of exquisite
work, in which the Queen keeps
her paper, and which she uses for
writing boxes.

III. The Queen’s bed; ingeniously
composed of woods of different colours,
with quilts of silk, velvet, gold, silver,
and embroidery.

IV. A little chest ornamented all
over with pearls, in which the Queen
keeps her bracelets, ear-rings, and
other things of extraordinary value.

V. Christ’s passion in painted glass.

VI. Portraits: among which are
Queen Elizabeth at sixteen years of age.
Henry, Richard, Edward, Kings of
England; Rosamond, Lucrece, a Grecian
bride, in her nuptial habit; the
genealogy of the Kings of England;
a picture of King Edward VI. representing
at first sight something quite deformed,
till by looking through a small
hole in the cover, which is put over
it, you see it in its true proportions;
the Emperor Charles V. Charles Emanuel
Duke of Savoy, and Catharine of
Spain, his wife; Ferdinand Duke of
Florence, with his daughters; one of
Philip King of Spain, when he came
into England, and married Mary;
Henry VII. Henry VIII. and his mother;
besides many more of illustrious
men and women; and a picture of the
siege of Malta.

VII. A small hermitage, half hid
in a rock, finely carved in wood.

VIII. Variety of emblems, on paper,
cut in the shape of shields, with mottoes
used by the nobility at tilts and
tournaments, hung up here for a memorial.

IX. Different instruments of music,
upon one of which two persons may
perform at the same time.

X. A piece of clock-work, an Æthiop
riding upon a rhinoceros, with
four attendants, who all make their
obeisance, when it strikes the hour;
these are all put into motion by winding
up the machine.”

In short, at the entrance into the park, from Whitehall, was this romantic inscription, which the honourable Horatio Walpole supposes might allude to Philip II. who wooed the Queen after her sister’s death, and to the destruction of his armada.

_Ictus piscator tandem sapit,_
_Sed infelix Actæon semper præceps._
_Casta virgo facilè miseretur;_
_Sed potens Dea scelus ulciscitur._
_Præda canibus, exemplum juvenibus,_
_Suis dedecus, pereat Actæon._
_Cura cœlitibus, chara mortatibus, suis securitas,_
_Vivat Diana._

Thus englished:

The fisherman who has been wounded, learns,
though late, to beware;
But the unfortunate Actæon always presses on.
The chaste virgin naturally pitied;
But the powerful goddess revenged the wrong.
Let Actæon fall a prey to his dogs,
An example to youth,
A disgrace to those that belong to him!
May Diana live the care of heaven;
The delight of mortals;
The security of those that belong to her!

_Hentzner’s journey into England._

But to proceed, in the reign of King James I. the old banquetting house, which was then used for public entertainments, being much decayed, that Prince formed the design of pulling down the whole palace of Whitehall, and erecting in its room an edifice worthy the Kings of England: a most noble plan was actually drawn for that purpose, by the celebrated Inigo Jones, and this plan being finished, the old banquetting house was demolished, and the present elegant structure erected in its room. This was to have been but a small part of the intended work; but it was all that was performed; and the old palace continued still the residence of our Kings, till it was destroyed by fire in 1697: and has never yet been rebuilt. See the article BANQUETTING HOUSE.

As this was esteemed the principal palace, and that of St. James’s only an additional, though there have been long no remains of it left, and there are several houses of the nobility and other buildings scattered about the place where it stood, it is still considered in the same light; the great offices are kept in some of these detached edifices, and all public business is still dated from Whitehall.

WHITEHALL _gate_. The gate here represented and the house adjoining have since the engraving this print been pulled down to render the street more spacious and convenient. It belonged, as was observed in the preceding article, to the old palace of Whitehall, and was built by Henry VIII. from a design of Hans Holbein the celebrated painter. Here were on each side four bustos in front with ornamented mouldings round them of baked clay in proper colours, and glazed in the manner of delf ware, which has preserved them intire to this time, whereas the festoons of stone in the banquetting house, which was built much later, are so corroded as to be scarce intelligible.

WHITEHALL _stairs_, Whitehall.

WHITE HART _alley_, Leadenhall street.*

WHITE HART _buildings_, the corner of Drury lane.*

WHITE HART _court_, 1. Barnaby street*: 2. Bishopsgate street without.* 3. Broad street.* 4. Castle street, Leicester Fields.* 5. Cat alley, Long lane, Smithfield.* 6. Leadenhall street.* 7. Old street.* 8. Whitechapel.*

WHITE HART _inn yard_, in the Borough.*

WHITE HART _lane_, Broadway, Westminster.*

WHITE HART _row_, 1. Baker’s row.* 2. Bell lane.* 3. Hackney road.*

WHITE HART _stairs_, Lambeth.*

WHITE HART _street_, 1. Kent street, Southwark.* 2. Warwick lane, Newgate street.*

WHITE HART _yard_, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Broad way, Westminster.* 3. Charterhouse lane, by Hicks’s hall.* 4. Drury lane.* 5. Fore street.* 6. Gracechurch street.* 7. Islington.* 8. Long Acre.* 9. Lower East Smithfield.* 10. Newington Butts.* 11. Whitecross street.*

WHITE HIND _court_, 1. Bishopsgate street, without.* 2. Coleman street.*

WHITE HIND _yard_, Hoxton.*

WHITE HORN _court_, near new Gravel lane.*

WHITE HORSE _alley_, 1. Arundel street in the Strand.* 2. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 3. Chick lane, Smithfield.* 4. Cowcross, near Smithfield.* 5. Fenchurch street.* 6. Fleet market.* 7. Great Eastcheap.* 8. near Guy of Warwick court, Upper ground, Southwark.* 9. St. John’s street, Smithfield.* 10. Kent street, Southwark.* 11. Turnmill street.*

WHITE HORSE _court_, 1. Addle Hill.* 2. Barnaby street.* 3. Borough.* 4. Fore street.* 5. Kent street. 6. King street, Westminster.* 7. Rosemary lane.* 8. Whitecross street.*

WHITE HORSE _inn meal market_, near Holbourn.*

WHITE HORSE _inn yard_, St. Margaret’s hill, Southwark.*

WHITE HORSE _lane_, 1. Mile-End Old Town.* 2. White horse street, Ratcliff.*

WHITE HORSE _passage_, Great Swallow street.*

WHITE HORSE _street_, 1. Hide Park road.* 2. Queen street.* 3. Ratcliff.*

WHITE HORSE _yard_, 1. Aldersgate.* 2. Blackman street, Southwark.* 3. Berry street.* 4. Chiswell street.* 5. Coleman street.* 6. Drury lane.* 7. Duke’s street, Lincoln’s Inn fields.* 8. East Smithfield.* 9. Fan’s alley, Goswell street.* 10. Fetter lane, Fleet street.* 11. Islington road, St. John’s street.* 12. Kent street, Southwark.* 13. King street, Oxford street.* 14. London wall.* 15. Love lane.* 16. Lower East Smithfield.* 17. Pear Tree street, Brick lane, Old street.* 18. Piccadilly.* 19. Pickax street.* 20. Ratcliff Highway.* 21. Rosemary lane, Little Tower Hill.* 22. Seething lane, Tower street.* 23. Upper Ground street, Southwark.*

WHITEHOUSE’S _court_, St. Thomas’s street, Southwark.†

WHITE LION _alley_, Birching lane, Cornhill.*

WHITE LION _court_, 1. Addle hill, Thames street.* 2. Barbican, Aldersgate street.* 3. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 4. Birching lane.* 5. Blossom’s street, Norton Falgate.* 6. Broad street by the east end of Throgmorton street.* 7. Carpenter’s yard, London wall.* 8. Charterhouse lane, near Smithfield.* 9. Corn hill.* 10. Fleet street.* 11. New street: 12. Newtoners lane: 13. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.* 14. in the Savoy.* 15. Throgmorton street, Lothbury.* 16. Tower street.*

WHITE LION _street_, 1. Norton Falgate, by Shoreditch.* 2. St. George’s Fields.* 3. Rag Fair.*

WHITE LION _wharf_, Thames street.*

WHITE LION _yard_, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark.* 2. Narrow street, Limehouse.* 3. Norton Falgate.* 4. Upper Shadwell.*

WHITE ROSE _alley_, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*

WHITE ROSE _court_, Coleman street.*

WHITE _row_, Bell lane, Spitalfields.

WHITENING _ground_, near Maiden lane: 2. Morgan’s lane, Southwark.

WHITE SWAN _coach yard_, Blackman street.*

WHITE SWAN _court_, Newgate street.*

WHITE SWAN _stairs_, near Thames street.*

WHITE SWAN _yard_, Shoreditch.*

WHITE’S _alley_, 1. Bond’s stables, by Fetter lane.† 2. St. Catharine’s court, St. Catharine’s.† 3. Chancery lane.† 4. Between Swan alley, and Great Bell alley, Coleman street.† 5. Holbourn.† 6. Little Moor fields.† 7. Long ditch, Westminster.† 8. Middle Moor fields.†

WHITE’S _court_, Vine yard, St. Olave’s street.†

WHITE’S _ground_, Crucifix lane, Barnaby street, Southwark.†

WHITE’S _rents_, Fore street, Limehouse.†

WHITE’S _row_, Baker’s row.†

WHITE’S _street_, 1. Blackman street.† 2. Houndsditch.† 3. Rotherhith.† 4. Horselydown.† 5. Pelham street, Spitalfields.†

WHITE’S _yard_, 1. East Smithfield.† 2. Green walk, Southwark.† 3. Lamb alley.† 4. Rosemary lane.† 5. Whitecross street.†

WHITING’S _alley_, 1. Morgan’s lane.† 2. near Tooley street, Southwark.†

WHITTAL’S _rents_, Long lane.†

WHITTINGTON’S ALMSHOUSE, Sir Richard Whittington several times Mayor of this city, about the year 1413, founded a college on the north side of the church of St. Michael Pater Noster, for a master, four fellows, clerks, choristers, _&c._ together with an almshouse for thirteen poor men; one of whom to be tutor, with a salary of 1_s._ 4_d._ per week, and the twelve others 1_s._ 2_d._ each, with necessary provisions. The college was dissolved by act of parliament in the reign of Edward VI. but the almshouse situated upon College hill still remains under the direction of the mercers company; who, besides a handsome room for the use of each of the pensioners, allow them 3_s._ 10_d._ per week, and the men every third year coats and breeches, and the women, who are now also admitted, have gowns and petticoats. _Stow’s Survey._

WHORE’S NEST, Harrow corner.║

WICKHAM’S _court_, Great Wild street.†

WIDEGATE _alley_, Bishopsgate street without.

WIGAN’S _court_, Church lane, Limehouse.†

WIGAN’S _key_, Thames street.†

WIGHTMAN’S _alley_, St. John’s street, Smithfield.†

WIGMORE _row_, Marybone fields.

WIGMORE _street_, Wellbeck street, near Marybone fields.

WILDAY’S _wharf_, Cock hill, Ratcliff.†

WILD _court_, Great Wild street.†

WILDERNESS _lane_, Salisbury court, Fleet street.

WILDERNESS _row_, Chelsea.

WILD-GOOSE _alley_, Thames street.*

WILD’S _passage_, Drury lane.†

WILD’S _rents_. Long lane Southwark.†

WILLIAMS’S _court_, New Gravel lane.†

_Dr._ WILLIAMS’S LIBRARY, in Redcross street, Cripplegate, for the use of the dissenting ministers, of the presbyterian, independant and baptist persuasions, was founded by Daniel Williams, D. D. a presbyterian divine, who in 1711, among other considerable legacies, bequeathed his valuable collection of books and manuscripts for the above purpose, with a handsome salary for a librarian and a housekeeper, in pursuance of his will a neat building was erected in Redcross street, with a genteel apartment for the librarian, _&c._ and a spacious room capable of containing 40,000 volumes. The original library has been augmented by many thousand volumes presented to it.

This library is under the direction of twenty-three trustees, fourteen of whom are ministers, and nine of them lay gentlemen; but all of the presbyterian denomination: with a secretary and a steward.

In this library is a register, wherein parents may enter the birth of their children. This is of the greater use to the dissenters, as few or none of the dissenting meeting houses have any register of christenings, and as a great body of them do not allow of the baptising of infants. Here also are some curiosities, as an Egyptian mummy, and a glass bason, which held the water wherewith Queen Elizabeth was baptized. This last is kept in a bag, whereon is fixed a paper that shews how this bason came into the possession of the managers of the library.

WILLIAMS’S _rents_, Millbank, Westminster Horseferry.†

WILLIFRID’S _rents_, Shad Thames, Horselydown.†

WILLOW _street_, Bank-side, Southwark.‡

WILLOW-TREE _alley_, 1. Nightingale lane.‡ 2. Wapping dock.‡

WILLOW-TREE _court_, 1. Charter House lane.‡ 2. Lower Shadwell.‡

WILLOW-TREE _yard_, Maudlin’s rents.‡

WILSON’S _alley_, Fore street, Lambeth.†

WILSON’S _court_, Rosemary lane, Little Tower Hill.†

WILTSHIRE _lane_, East Smithfield.

WIMBLETON, a village in Surrey, three miles south of Putney church, where Ethelbert King of Kent was defeated in a battle by Ceaulin the West Saxon, in the year 568. Wimbleton house stands about half a mile south from the road on Wimbleton common; it was built by Sir Thomas Cecil, son of the Lord Treasurer Burleigh, in the year 1588, and was afterwards General Lambert’s, who had here the finest flower garden in England. The manor of Wimbleton was purchased by Sarah Churchill, Duchess Dowager of Marlborough, who left it to the late John Spencer, Esq; brother to the late Duke of Marlborough, together with a fine seat she built here, which is adorned with a grand terrace walk, that extends from the house to the seat of Sir Abraham Janssen, Bart. and has a fine prospect to the south. Wimbleton common or heath which is supposed to be as high as Hampstead heath, is about a mile each way, and is adorned on the sides with several handsome seats.

WIMPLE _mews_, Wimple street.

WIMPLE _street_, Henrietta street.

WINCHESTER _court_, Monkwell street, near Cripplegate.

WINCHESTER _street_, 1. by Broad street, so called from the Mansion house of the Earls of Winchester there, built by Sir William Pawlet Knt. created Earl of Wilts, and Marquis of Winchester, Lord High Treasurer of England in the reign of Edward VI. _Maitland._ 2. St. Mary Overies, from the palace of the Bishops of Winchester.

In its neighbourhood were the licensed stews under the jurisdiction of the Bishop, whence the common prostitutes were called Winchester geese. _Maitland._ The name of stews was given to lewd houses from the fishponds near this place.

WINCHESTER _yard_, Winchester street, St. Mary Overies.

WINCLE _court_, Pallmall.

WINDELOW’S _court_, Black Friars.†

WINDMILL _alley_, 1. St. Margaret’s hill.* 2. Whitechapel.☐

WINDMILL _bank_, Isle of Dogs, so called from windmills there.

WINDMILL _court_, 1. Coleman street.* 2. Pie corner, near Smithfield.* 3. Snow hill.*

WINDMILL _hill_, 1. Hatton wall: 2. Leather lane, Holbourn: 3. near Upper Moorfields. This last hill was raised by above a thousand cart loads of human bones, brought from St. Paul’s Charnel house and laid there in the year 1549, which being soon after covered with street dirt from the city, the place was converted into a lay stall, whereby the ground was so raised, that three windmills were erected upon it, whence it obtained its present name. _Maitland._

WINDMILL HILL _row_, Upper Moorfields.☐

WINDMILL _lane_, Whitechapel.☐

WINDMILL _street_, 1. Haymarket*: 2. Tottenham Court road.

WINDMILL _yard_, Coleman street.*

WINDSOR, so called from its winding shore, is a pleasant, and well inhabited borough, twenty-three miles from London, agreeably situated on the south bank of the Thames, in the midst of delightful vallies. Its church is a spacious ancient building situated in the High street of the town, in which is also the town house, a neat regular edifice built in 1686, and supported with columns and arches of Portland stone; at the north end is placed in a niche the statue of Queen Anne, in her royal robes, with the globe and other _regalia_; and underneath, in the freeze of the entablature of the lesser columns and arches, is the following inscription in gold letters:

Anno Regni VIº.
Dom. 1707.

_Arte tua, sculptor, non est imitabilis_ ANNA;
ANNÆ _vis similem sculpere? sculpe Deam_
S. Chapman, _Prætore_.

And in another niche on the south side is the statue of Prince George of Denmark, her Majesty’s royal consort, in a Roman military habit, and underneath is the following inscription:

_Serenissimo Principi_
GEORGIA _Principi_ Daniæ,
Heroi omni sæculo venerando,
Christophorus Wren, _Arm._
Posuit. MDCCXIII.

In the area, underneath the town hall the market is kept every Saturday and is plentifully supplied with corn, meat, fish, and all other provisions.

Besides the castle, the chief ornament of the place; many gentlemen of fortune and family constantly reside in the town and its neighbourhood. The Duke of St. Albans has a handsome large house on the east part of the town, with pleasant gardens that extend to the park: and at the south side of the town is Sir Edward Walpole’s house, a neat regular edifice with large gardens beautifully laid out and designed; where Marshal Bellisle resided for some time while a prisoner in England, during the last war.

WINDSOR CASTLE, the most delightful palace of our Sovereigns, was first built by William the Conqueror soon after his being established on the throne of this kingdom, on account of its pleasant and healthful situation, and as a place of security; it was greatly improved by Henry I. who added many additional buildings, and surrounded the whole with a strong wall. Our succeeding Monarchs resided in the same castle, till King Edward III. caused the ancient building to be taken down; erected the present stately castle, and St. George’s chapel; inclosed the whole with a strong wall or rampart of stone, and instituted the most noble order of the garter.

It may be proper to observe, that William of Wickham, afterwards Bishop of Winchester, was principally employed by Edward III. in building this castle, and when he had finished it, he caused this doubtful sentence to be cut on one of the towers:

THIS MADE WICKHAM.

which being reported to the King, as if that prelate had assumed to himself the honour of building this castle, that Bishop would probably have fallen under his Majesty’s displeasure, had he not readily assured his royal master, that he meant it only as an acknowledgment, that this building had _made him great_ in the favour of his Prince; and had occasioned his being raised to his present high station.

Great additions were in succeeding times made to the castle, by several of our Monarchs, particularly by Edward IV. Henry VII. Henry VIII. Elizabeth, and Charles II. This last Prince soon after the restoration, entirely repaired the castle, and though it had suffered greatly by plunder and rapine, in the preceding times of national disorder, he restored it to its ancient splendor. As that Prince usually kept his court there during the summer season, he spared no expence in rendering it worthy the royal residence; he entirely changed the face of the upper court; he enlarged the windows and made them regular, richly furnished the royal apartments, and had them decorated with large and beautiful paintings, and erected a large magazine of arms.

In short, King Charles II. left little to be done to the castle except some additional paintings in the apartments, which were added by his successors James II. and William III. in whose reign the whole was completed.

This stately and venerable castle is divided into two courts or wards, with a large round tower between them called the middle ward, it being formerly separated from the lower ward by a strong wall and drawbridge. The whole contains above twelve acres of land, and has many towers and batteries for its defence: but length of time have abated their strength, and the happy union that subsists between the Prince and people, has made it unnecessary to keep these fortifications in perfect repair.

The castle is situated upon a high hill, which rises by a gentle ascent, and enjoys a most delightful prospect around it, in the front is a wide and extensive vale, adorned with corn fields and meadows, with groves on either side, and the calm smooth water of the Thames running through it, and behind it are every where hills covered with woods, as if dedicated by nature, for game and hunting.

On the declivity of the hill is a fine terrace faced with a rampart of free stone, 1870 feet in length. This may justly be said to be one of the noblest walks in Europe, both with respect to the strength and grandeur of the building, and the fine and extensive prospect over the Thames of the adjacent country on every side, where from the variety of fine villas scattered about, nature and art seem to vie with each other in beauty.

From this terrace you enter a beautiful park, which surrounds the palace, and is called the little or house park, to distinguish it from another adjoining, which is of a much larger extent. This little park is four miles in circumference, and surrounded by a brick wall. The turf is of the most beautiful green, and it is adorned with many shady walks; especially that called Queen Elizabeth’s, which, on the summer evenings is frequented by the best company. A fine plain on the top of the hill was made level for bowling in the reign of King Charles II. and from hence is the like extended prospect over the Thames, and the same beautiful and well cultivated country. The park is well stocked with deer and other game, and the keeper’s lodge at the farther end is a delightful habitation.

But to return to the castle. In the upper court is a spacious and regular square, containing on the north side the royal apartments, and St. George’s chapel and hall, on the south and the east sides are the royal apartments, those of the Prince of Wales, and the great officers of state, and in the centre of the area is an equestrian statue in copper of King Charles II. in the habit of one of the Cæsars, standing on a marble pedestal, adorned with various kinds of fruit, fish, shipping and other ornaments. On the east side is the following inscription on a shield:

CAROLO SECUNDO.
_Regum Optimo,_
_Domino suo clementissimo._
Tobias Rustat
_Hanc Effigiem humilime_
_Dedit et Dedicavit_,
Anno Domini MDCLXXX.

The Round tower, which forms the west side of this upper court, contains the Governor’s apartments. It is built on the highest part of the mount, and there is an ascent to it by a large flight of stone steps: these apartments are spacious and noble, and among the rest is a guard-room or magazine of arms. King Charles II. began to face this mount with brick, but only compleated that part next the court.

The Lower court is larger than the other, and is in a manner divided into two parts by St. George’s chapel, which stands in the centre. On the north, or inner side are the several houses and apartments of the Dean and canons of St. George’s chapel, with those of the minor canons, clerks and other officers; and on the south and west sides of the outer part, are the houses of the poor knights of Windsor. In this court are also several towers belonging to the officers of the crown, when the court is at Windsor, and to the officers of the order of the garter.

The royal apartments are on the north side of the Upper court, and are usually termed the Star building, from a star and garter in gold in the middle of the structure, on the out side next the terrace.

The entrance into the apartments is through a handsome vestibule, supported by columns of the Ionic order, with some antique bustos in several niches; from hence you proceed to the great staircase, which is finely painted with several fabulous stories from Ovid’s Metamorphoses: In the dome Phaeton is represented desiring Apollo to grant him leave to drive the chariot of the sun; in large compartments on the staircase, are the transformation of Phaeton’s sisters into poplar trees, with this inscription, _Magnis tamen excidit Ausis_; and Cycnus changed into a swan. In several parts of the ceiling are represented the signs of the Zodiac supported by the winds, with baskets of flowers beautifully disposed: at the corners are the four Elements each express’d by a variety of figures. Aurora is also represented with her nymphs in waiting, giving water to her horses. In several parts of the staircase are the figures of Music, Painting, and the other sciences. The whole is beautifully disposed and heightened with gold, and from this staircase you have a view of the back stairs painted with the story of Meleager and Atalanta.

I. Having ascended the staircase, you enter first into the Queen’s guard chamber, which is compleatly furnished with guns, pistols, bayonets, pikes, swords, _&c._ beautifully ranged and disposed into various forms, as the star and garter, the royal cypher, and other ornaments. On the cieling is Britannia in the person of Queen Catharine of Portugal, consort to King Charles II. seated on a globe, bearing the arms of England and Portugal, with the four grand divisions of the earth Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, attended by deities, making their several offerings. On the outer part of this beautiful group, are the signs of the Zodiac, and in different parts of the cieling are Minerva, Mars, Venus, and other heathen deities, with Zephyrs, Cupids, and other embellishments properly disposed; over the chimney is a portrait of Prince George of Denmark on horseback, by Dahl; with a view of shipping by Vandewell.

II. You next enter the Queen’s presence chamber, where Queen Catharine is represented attended by Religion, Prudence, Fortitude and other Virtues: she is under a curtain spread by Time, and supported by Zephyrs, while Fame sounds the happiness of Britain; below, Justice is driving away Envy, Sedition, and other evil genii. The room is hung with tapestry, containing the history of the beheading of St. Paul, and the persecution of the primitive Christians; and adorned with the pictures of Judith and Holofernes, by Guido Reni; a Magdalen, by Sir Peter Lelly; and a Prometheus by young Palma.

III. On entering the Queen’s audience chamber, you see the cieling painted with Britannia in the person of Queen Catharine, in a carr drawn by swans to the temple of Virtue, attended by Flora, Ceres, Pomona, _&c._ with other decorations heightened with gold. The canopy is of fine English velvet, set up by Queen Anne; and the tapestry was made at Coblentz in Germany, and presented to King Henry VIII. The pictures hung up in this room, are, a Magdalen by moonlight, by Carracci; St. Stephen stoned, by Rotterman; and Judith and Holofernes, by Guido Reni.

IV. On the cieling of the ball room King Charles II. is represented giving freedom to Europe by the figures of Perseus and Andromeda; on the shield of Perseus is inscribed _Perseus Britannicus_, and over the head of Andromeda is wrote _Europa Liberata_, and Mars attended by the celestial deities, offers the olive branch. On the coving of this chamber is the story of Perseus and Andromeda, the four seasons, and the signs of the Zodiac, the whole heightened with gold. The tapestry, which was made at Brussels, and set up by King Charles II. represents the seasons of the year; and the room is adorned with the following pictures, the Roman Charity, after Tintoret; Duns Scotus, by Spagnoletto; a Madona, by Titian; Fame, by Palmegiani, the Arts and Sciences, also by Palmegiani; and Pan and Syrinx by Stanick.

V. The next room you enter is the Queen’s drawing room, where on the cieling is painted the assembly of the gods and goddesses, the whole intermixed with cupids, flowers, _&c._ and heightened with gold. The room is hung with tapestry representing the twelve months of the year, and adorned with the pictures of Lot and his daughters, after Angelo; Lady Digby, wife of Sir Kenelm Digby, by Vandyke; a sleeping Venus, by Poussin; a family in the character of Mark Anthony and Cleopatra, by de Bray; a Spanish family, after Titian; and a flower piece by Varelst.

VI. In the Queen’s bed-chamber, the bed of state is rich flowered velvet made in Spitalfields, by order of Queen Anne, and the tapestry, which represents the harvest season, was also made at London, by Poyntz. The cieling is painted with the story of Diana and Endymion, and the room is adorned with the pictures of the Holy family, by Raphael; Herod’s cruelty by Giulio Romano; and Judith and Holofernes, by Guido.

VII. The next is the room of Beauties, so named from the portraits of the most celebrated beauties in the reign of King Charles II. they are fourteen in number, _viz._ Lady Ossory, the Duchess of Somerset, the Duchess of Cleveland, Lady Gramont, the Countess of Northumberland, the Duchess of Richmond, Lady Birons, Mrs. Middleton, Lady Denham and her sister, Lady Rochester, Lady Sunderland, Mrs. Dawson, and Mrs. Knott. These are all original paintings drawn to great perfection by Sir Peter Lelly.

VIII. In the Queen’s dressing room are the following portraits, Queen Henrietta Maria, wife to King Charles I. Queen Mary, when a child, and Queen Catharine; these three are all done by Vandyke; the Duchess of York, mother to Queen Mary and Queen Anne, by Sir Peter Lelly.

In this room is a closet wherein are several paintings, and in particular a portrait of the Countess of Desmond, who is said to have lived to within a few days of an hundred and fifty years of age; also a portrait of Erasmus and other learned men. In this closet is likewise the banner of France annually delivered on the second of August by the Duke of Marlborough, by which he holds Blenheim house built at Woodstock in Oxfordshire in the reign of Queen Anne, as a national reward to that great General for his many glorious victories over the French.

IX. You are next conducted into Queen Elizabeth’s or the picture gallery, which is richly adorned with the following paintings: King James I. and his Queen, whole lengths, by Vansomer; Rome in flames, by Giulio Romano; a Roman family, by Titian; the Holy family, after Raphael; Judith and Holofernes, by Tintoret; a night piece, by Skalkin; the pool of Bethesda, by Tintoret; a portrait of Charles VI. Emperor of Germany, by Sir Godfrey Kneller; the wise men making their offerings to Christ, by Paulo Veronese; two usurers, an admired piece, by the famous blacksmith of Antwerp; Perseus and Andromeda, by Schiavone; Aretine and Titian, by Titian; the Duke of Gloucester, a whole length by Sir Godfrey Kneller; Prince George of Denmark, a whole length by Dahl; King Henry VIII. by Hans Holbein; Vandanelli, an Italian statuary, by Correggio; the founders of different orders in the Romish church, by Titian and Rembrant; a rural piece in low life, by Bassano; a fowl piece, by Varelst; the battle of Spurs near Terevaen in France, in 1513, by Hans Holbein; two views of Windsor Castle, by Wosterman, and two Italian markets, by Michael Angelo. In this room is also a curious amber cabinet, presented by the King of Prussia to Queen Caroline.

There is here likewise Queen Caroline’s china closet, filled with a great variety of curious china elegantly disposed, and the whole room is finely gilt and ornamented; over the chimney are the pictures of Prince Arthur, and his two sisters, the children of King Henry VII. by Holbein; and in this closet is also a fine amber cabinet, presented to Queen Anne, by Dr. Robinson, Bishop of London, and plenipotentiary at the congress of Utrecht.

X. From this gallery a return is made to the King’s closet, the cieling of which is adorned with the story of Jupiter and Leda. Among the curiosities in this room is a large frame of needle work, said to be wrought by Mary Queen of Scots, while a prisoner in Fotheringhay castle; among other figures, she herself is represented supplicating for justice before the Virgin Mary, with her son, afterwards King James I. standing by her; in a scrawl is worked these words _Sapientiam amavi et exquisivi a juventute mea_. This piece of work, after its having lain a long time in the wardrobe, was set up by order of Queen Anne. The pictures are, a Magdalen, by Carracci; a sleeping cupid, by Correggio; contemplation, by Carracci; Titian’s daughter, by herself; and a German Lady, by Raphael.

XI. You are next conducted into the King’s dressing room, where the cieling is painted with the story of Jupiter and Danae; and adorned with the pictures of the birth of Jupiter, by Giulio Romano; and of a naked Venus asleep, by Sir Peter Lelly.

XII. On leaving the above room, you are conducted into the King’s bed chamber, which is hung with tapestry representing the story of Hero and Leander; the bed of state, which was set up in the reign of King Charles II. is of fine blue cloth, richly embroidered with gold and silver; and on the cieling that Prince is represented in the robes of the garter, under a canopy supported by Time, Jupiter and Neptune, with a wreath of laurel over his head, and he is attended by Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, paying their obedience to him. The paintings are, King Charles II. when a boy, in armour, by Vandyke; and St. Paul stoned at Lystra, by Paulo Veronese.

XIII. The cieling of the King’s drawing room, which is next seen, is finely painted with King Charles II. riding in a triumphal carr, drawn by the horses of the sun, attended by Fame, Peace, and the polite arts; Hercules is driving away Rebellion, Sedition and Ignorance; Britannia and Neptune, properly attended, are paying obedience to the Monarch as he passes; and the whole is a lively representation of the restoration of that Monarch, and the introduction of arts, and sciences in these kingdoms. In the other parts of the cieling are painted the labours of Hercules, with festoons of fruit and flowers, the whole beautifully decorated in gold and stone colour. The pictures hung up in this room are, a converted Chinese, by Sir Godfrey Kneller; the Marquis of Hamilton, after Vandyke, by Hanneman; Herodias’s daughter, by Carlo Dolci; a Magdalen, by Carlo Dolci; and a Venetian Lady, by Titian.

XIV. You next enter the King’s drawing room, where the painted cieling represents the banquet of the gods, with a variety of fish and fowl. The pictures hung up here are, the portraits of his present Majesty, and the late Queen Caroline, whole lengths; Hercules and Omphale, Cephalus and Procris, the birth of Venus, and Venus and Adonis, the four last by Genario; a naval triumph of King Charles II. by Verrio; the marriage of St. Catharine, by Dawkers; nymphs and satyrs, by Rubens and Snyders; hunting the wild boar, by Snyders; a picture of still life, by Girardo; the taking of the bears, by Snyders; a night piece, being a family singing by candle light, by Quistin; a Bohemian family, by de Brie; divine love, by an unknown hand; and Lacy, a famous comedian in King Charles the Second’s time, in three characters, by Wright.

Many of the paintings in this room are best seen at noon by the reflection of the sun; the carving of this chamber is very beautiful, representing a great variety of fowl, fish and fruit, done to the utmost perfection on lime wood, by Mr. Gibbons, a famous statuary and carver in the reign of King Charles II.

XV. In the King’s audience chamber, the canopy, which was set up in the reign of King Charles II. is of green velvet, richly embroidered with gold, and on the cieling is represented the establishment of the church of England at the restoration, in the characters of England, Scotland and Ireland, attended by Faith, Hope, Charity, and the Cardinal Virtues; Religion triumphs over Superstition and Hypocrisy, who are driven by cupids from before the face of the church, all which are represented in their proper attitudes, and highly finished. The pictures hung up in this room are, our Saviour before Pilate, by Michael Angelo; the Apostles at our Saviour’s tomb, by Scavoni; Peter, James and John, by Michael Angelo; and the Duchess of Richmond, by Vandyke.

XVI. The King’s presence chamber is hung with tapestry containing the history of Queen Athaliah, and the cieling is finely adorned with painting, Mercury is represented with an original portrait of King Charles II. which he shews to the four quarters of the world introduced by Neptune; Fame declaring the glory of that Prince, and Time driving away Rebellion, Sedition, and their companions. Over the canopy is Justice in stone colour, shewing the arms of Britain to Thames and the river nymphs, with the star of Venus, and this label, _Sydus Carolynum_, at the lower end of the chamber is Venus in a marine carr drawn by tritons and sea-nymphs. The portraits hung up are, Henry Duke of Gloucester, brother to King Charles II. and his governess the Countess of Dorset, both by Vandyke; and father Paul, by Tintoret.

XVII. The King’s guard chamber, which you next enter, is a spacious and noble room, in which is a large magazine of arms, consisting of some thousands of pikes, pistols, guns, coats of mail, swords, halberts, bayonets, and drums, disposed in a most curious manner in colonades, pillars, circles, shields, and other devices by Mr. Harris, late master gunner of this castle; the person who invented this beautiful arrangement of arms, and placed those in the great armoury in the Tower of London. The cieling is finely painted in water-colours: in one circle is Mars and Minerva, and in the other Peace and Plenty. In the dome is also a representation of Mars, and over the chimney piece is a picture of Charles XI. King of Sweden, on horseback, as big as the life, by Wyck.

At an installation, the Knights of the garter dine here in great state in the absence of the Sovereign.

XVIII. You next enter St. George’s chamber, which is particularly set apart to the honour of the most illustrious order of the garter, and is perhaps one of the noblest rooms in Europe, both with regard to the building and the painting, which is here performed in the most grand taste. In a large oval in the centre of the ceiling King Charles II. is represented in the habit of the order, attended by England, Scotland and Ireland; Religion and Plenty hold the crown of these kingdoms over his head; Mars and Mercury, with the emblems of war and peace stand on each side. In the same oval Regal Government is represented upheld by Religion and Eternity, with justice attended by Fortitude, Temperance and Prudence, beating down Rebellion and Faction. Towards the throne is represented in an octogon St. George’s cross incircled with the garter, within a star or glory supported by Cupids, with the motto,

HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.

and besides other embellishments relating to the order, the Muses are represented attending in full consort.

On the back of the state, or Sovereign’s throne, is a large drapery, on which is painted St. George encountering the dragon, as large as the life, and on the lower border of the drapery is inscribed,

VENIENDO RESTITUIT REM,

in allusion to King William III. who is painted in the habit of the order, sitting under a royal canopy, by Sir Godfrey Kneller. To the throne is an ascent by five steps of fine marble, to which the painter has added five more, which are done with such perfection as to deceive the sight, and induce the spectator to think them equally real.

This noble room is an hundred and eight feet in length, and the whole north side is taken up with the triumph of Edward the Black Prince, after the manner of the Romans. At the upper part of the hall is Edward III. that Prince’s father, the conqueror of France and Scotland, and the founder of the order of the garter, seated on a throne, receiving the Kings of France and Scotland prisoners; the Black Prince is seated in the middle of the procession, crowned with laurel; and carried by slaves; preceded by captives, and attended by the emblems of Victory, Liberty, and other _ensignia_ of the Romans, with the banners of France and Scotland displayed. The painter has given a loose to his fancy by closing the procession with the fiction of the Countess of Salisbury, in the person of a fine lady, making garlands for the Prince, and the representation of the merry wives of Windsor.

At the lower end of the hall is a noble music gallery, supported by slaves, larger than the life, in proper attitudes, said to represent a father and his three sons, taken prisoners by the Black Prince in his wars abroad. Over this gallery on the lower compartment of the ceiling is the collar of the order of the garter fully displayed. The painting of this room was done by Verro, and is highly finished and heightened with gold.

XIX. You are next conducted to St. George’s or the King’s chapel, which is no less royally adorned. On the ceiling is finely represented our Lord’s ascension; and the altar-piece is adorned with a noble painting of the last supper. The north side of the chapel is ornamented with the representation of our Saviour’s raising Lazarus from the dead, his curing the sick of the palsy, and other miracles, beautifully painted by Verro; and in a group of spectators the painter has introduced his own effigy, with those of Sir Godfrey Kneller, and Mr. Cooper, who assisted him in these paintings. The east end of this chapel is taken up with the closets belonging to his Majesty and the Royal family. The canopy, curtains, and furniture are of crimson velvet, fringed with gold; and the carved work of this chapel, which is well worthy the attention of the curious, is done by that famous artist Gibbons, in lime-tree, representing a great variety of pelicans, doves, palms, and other allusions to scripture history, with the star and garter, and other ornaments finished to great perfection.

From St. George’s chapel you are conducted to the Queen’s guard chamber, the first room you entered; for this is the last of the state apartments at present shown to the public; the others being only opened when the court resides at Windsor. They consist of many beautiful chambers, adorned with the paintings of the greatest masters.

In passing from hence the stranger usually looks into the inner or horn court, so called from a pair of stag’s horns of a very extraordinary size, taken in the forest and set up in that court, which is painted in bronze and stone colour. On one side is represented a Roman battle, and on the opposite side a sea fight, with the images of Jupiter, Neptune, Mercury and Pallas; and in the gallery is a representation of King David playing before the ark.

From this court a flight of stone steps lead to the King’s guard chamber; and in the cavity under these steps, and fronting this court, is a figure of Hercules also in stone colours. On a dome over the steps, is painted the battle of the Gods, and on the sides of the stair case is a representation of the four ages of the world, and two battles of the Greeks and Romans in fresco.

_St. George’s chapel_, among the buildings of this noble palace we have mentioned the chapel of St. George situated in the middle of the lower court. This antient structure, which is now in the purest style of Gothic architecture, was first erected by King Edward III. in the year 1337, soon after the foundation of the college, for the honour of the order of the garter, and dedicated to St. George, the patron of England; but however noble the first design might be, King Edward IV. not finding it entirely completed, enlarged the structure and designed the present building, together with the houses of the dean and canons, situated on the north and west sides of the chapel; the work was afterwards carried on by Henry VII. who finished the body of the chapel, and Sir Reginald Bray, knight of the garter, and the favourite of that King, assisted in ornamenting the chapel and compleating the roof.