Chapter VIII: Part 8

Ground landlord, The Crown; lessees, William Harris, Esq. (No. 6), Walter F. Trow, Esq. (No. 6A).

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

This house was not in existence on 20th November, 1777, as the lease of No. 7, Bedford Square, granted on that date,[716] mentions as the southern boundary “ground contracted to be built upon.” It first appears in the parish ratebooks in 1781.

IRON STAIR BALUSTERS
]

The house is centrally placed on the east side, and is the largest in the square (Plate 69). It is now in two occupations, each being given a separate entrance. The hall has been divided and a few of the earlier openings closed, but otherwise the premises are, on the whole, as originally erected.

An important feature is the hall containing a staircase to the first floor, constructed of stone, with a balustrade of wrought iron formed with pairs of simple bars alternating with an ornamental baluster. There is an enriched cornice and ceiling below the first floor landing and this level is marked on the wall of the hall by a beautiful band of ornament (illustrated on the next page). The side walls above this level are enriched with plaster mouldings. The end walls are semi-circular in plan. The ceiling at the second floor level is an exceptionally good example of design in plaster (Plate 70), composed of two decorated and fluted semi-domes over the end walls, supporting pendentives which carry a circular cornice, from which springs a domical lantern. The front room on the ground floor has a white marble inlay chimneypiece. The front room on the first floor to the south has a much damaged painted ceiling, and a fine marble chimneypiece (Plate 71) with Ionic columns and sculptured panel in the frieze.

The long room to the front on the same floor in No. 6A has a segmental ceiling similar to that in No. 10 (Plate 74), but is not decorated. There are two ornamental plaques in the frieze of the end walls, and the eastern back room on the second floor contains a white marble chimneypiece with sculptured figure and festoons.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The ratebooks show that the first occupant of the house was Lord
Loughborough, whose residence here began in 1781 and lasted until
1798. Particulars of the life of Alexander Wedderburn, Baron
Loughborough, afterwards Earl of Rosslyn, have already been given
in the previous volume dealing with the Parish of St.
Giles-in-the-Fields.[717]

In 1798 Loughborough was succeeded in the occupation of the house
by Lord Eldon.

John Scott, first Earl of Eldon, was born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne
in 1751. The son of a coal-factor, he was at first intended for
that business, but through the influence of his brother William
(afterwards Lord Stowell), he went to Oxford in 1766, with a view
to taking orders. After his marriage in 1772, he gave up the
church and turned to the law. He became a student at Middle Temple
in January, 1773, and was called to the Bar in 1776. In 1783 he
became King’s counsel and was returned to Parliament as member for
the close borough of Weobley, Herefordshire. In Parliament he gave
general support to Pitt and in 1788 was appointed
solicitor-general, and was knighted. He succeeded in 1793 to the
attorney-generalship, in which he conducted the vigorous
prosecutions against British sympathisers with French
Republicanism, and became for the time the best hated man in
England. In 1799 he became Lord Chief Justice of the Court of
Common Pleas, and on the formation of Addington’s ministry in
1801, he was appointed Lord Chancellor. Lord Eldon continued in
office as Chancellor under Pitt (1804–1806), and on the formation
of the Portland administration in 1807, resumed the Great Seal,
which he retained for twenty years. His influence in the Cabinet
was supreme, and he was, in all but name, prime minister of
England. His one aim in politics was to keep in office and
maintain things as he found them. In 1821, Lord Eldon was created
Viscount Encombe and Earl of Eldon. He died in London on 13th
January, 1838.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[718]Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

Staircase in No. 6 (photograph).

[718]Stair balusters (measured drawing).

Ornamental ceiling of landing and lantern light over staircase
(photograph).

[718]Lantern over staircase (photograph).

Panel on wall of staircase (photograph).

[718]Detail of plaster decoration of staircase (photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

General view of rear room on ground floor (photograph).

[718]Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in rear room on second floor (photograph).

General view of front room on first floor (No. 6A)
(photograph).

No. 8, Bedford Square—

Inner doorway and fanlight (photograph).

Lantern over staircase (photograph).

LXXI.—NO. 9, BEDFORD SQUARE.[719]

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, The Crown; lessees, executors to the late Mrs. Edward Clarke.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[720] was granted, as from Michaelmas, 1775, of “all that parcel of ground, with the messuage thereon erected on the east side of Bedford Square ... being the second house southward from the opening opposite Bedford Street [Bayley Street].” The house was obviously No. 9, which first appears in the parish ratebooks for the year 1779.

The ground floor front room has a white marble chimneypiece inlaid with coloured marble, over which, on the chimney breast, is an oval plaque with a figure subject (Plate 72) and ornamental plaster decorations.

There are two other plaques (Plate 72) of the same shape, one over the door of this room and the other on the chimney breast in the rear room.

Another piece of figure work is placed over the door to the front room on the first floor, representing Anacreon and Eros.

The two rooms on the first floor have finely ornamented ceilings, that in the front room being illustrated in Plate 73. The chimneypieces are chiefly of white marble, the one in the front room having Ionic capitals and coloured marble shafts, while that in the rear room is inlaid with coloured marble, and has a sculptured panel in the frieze.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The ratebooks show that Jas. Langston lived at No. 9 from 1779 to
1797, and Mrs. Langston is shown in occupation of the house during
the remainder of the century.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[721]Chimneypiece in front room on ground floor (plaque and frieze
reproduced) (photograph).

[721]Plaque over door and frieze in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

[721]Plaque on chimney-breast and frieze in rear room on ground
floor (photograph).

Alto relievo over entrance to drawing room (photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in rear room on first floor (photograph).

[721]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXII.—NO. 10, BEDFORD SQUARE.[722]

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, The Crown; lessees, The Virol Research Laboratories, Ltd.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE:—

No. 10 was not built by 20th November, 1777, for a lease[723] of No. 9, granted on that date, refers to the northern boundary as “ground contracted to be built upon.” It does not find a place in the parish ratebooks until 1781.

This house is the northernmost of the eastern block. The plan has been considerably altered, especially on the ground floor.

The alterations made on that floor include the removal of the partition at the rear of the front room, the formation of a passage to the modern premises at the rear, the closing of the windows in the rear wall, the shifting of the fireplace from the flank to the rear wall, and the construction of a large bay window in its place. On the first floor a portion of the external wall has been removed, and a small addition constructed for use as offices.

Fortunately the beautiful ceilings on this floor have been preserved. That to the front room is segmental in shape and ornamented with plaster decorations and three painted circular panels (Plate 74). The frieze and ceiling of the rear room are similar to those of No. 1, Bedford Square,[724] even to the painted panels. The paintings are well preserved. The central panel, reproduced below, should be compared with that illustrated in Plate 68.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The names of the occupants of the house during the latter part of
the 18th century are given by the ratebooks as follows:—

1781–83. —— Lande.
1783–89. —— Lyde.
1789–90. Chas. Shaw Lefevre.
1790–97. John Lefevre.
1797–98. Chas. Lefevre.
1798– Henry Davison.

The “Chas. Shaw Lefevre” and “Chas. Lefevre” shown in the parish
ratebooks as occupying the house in 1789–90 and 1797–98[725]
respectively was Charles Shaw, a barrister, who, on his marriage
with Helena, only daughter of John Lefevre (possibly the occupier
in 1790–96), assumed the additional name of Lefevre. His eldest
son, Charles, afterwards Viscount Eversley, was born in 1794, and,
therefore, while the family was not resident here; but the birth
of his second son, John George (afterwards Sir John George
Shaw-Lefevre) took place at this house on 24th January, 1797.[726]
John George had a distinguished career as a public official. He
had a passion for acquiring languages, and mastered fourteen. He
died in 1879.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[727]Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

[727]General view of front room on first floor showing paintings
on ceiling (photograph).

[726]Ornamental plaster ceiling with painted panels in rear room
on first floor (central panel reproduced) (photograph).

LXXIII.—NO. 11, BEDFORD SQUARE.[728]

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, The Crown; lessee, George Frederick Hatfield, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

This house (Plate 76) is situated at the south-eastern end of Gower Street, with its entrance in Montague Place. It has no connection with the Bedford Square blocks. The boundary between the parishes of St. Giles-in-the-Fields and St. George, Bloomsbury, passes through the house, and is indicated by two tablets fixed to the flank wall.

The house has an interesting plan (Plate 75). The small hall is entered through a semi-octagonal bay, and beyond is the staircase lighted by a lantern. To the left is the original dining room with a cleverly screened serving door at the head of the basement stairs. The white marble and inlay chimneypiece in this room is a fine specimen of carving (Plate 77).

The room to the right is now used as the dining room. It has been considerably altered in appearance by a modern partition, but its original form can be seen by the plan. The eastern side is circular, and has a casement window affording access to a verandah, which is screened by the two small rooms on either side. A curious feature to note is that the northern room impinges upon the first house in Gower Street.

The drawing room on the first floor has a sculptured white marble chimneypiece, and an enriched frieze and cornice (illustrated below).

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The ratebooks show that the occupants of this house before 1800
were as follows:—

1782–84. Dr. Tye.
1784–86. Hon. John Cavendish.
1786– Hon. Henry Cavendish.

Henry Cavendish was the elder son of Lord Charles Cavendish,
brother of the third Duke of Devonshire, and was born in 1731. His
only interest in life seems to have been in natural philosophy,
and his manners were characterised by extraordinary reticence and
timidity. His scientific discoveries were remarkable, and his work
was not only exceedingly wide in scope, but marked by extreme
accuracy. In 1766 he began a brilliant series of communications to
the Royal Society on the chemistry of gases, containing amongst
others his discoveries of the compound nature of water and the
composition of nitric acid. He apparently anticipated Black in the
discovery of latent heat and specific heat; and he will ever be
known to fame as the first man to determine accurately the density
of the earth. He died on 10th March, 1810. Most of his time seems
to have been spent at his residence near Clapham Common, No. 11,
Bedford Square serving as a town house. In 1904, the Duke of
Bedford affixed on the latter house a bronze tablet commemorative
of Cavendish’s residence.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[729]Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

[729]Exterior (photograph).

General view of staircase from entrance hall (photograph).

[729]Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

Rear room on ground floor (photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in drawing room on first floor (photograph).

[729]Detail of frieze and cornice in drawing room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXIV.—NO. 13, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Halsey Ricardo, Esq., F.R.I.B.A.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

Thomas Leverton, the architect, took the building lease of these premises in 1775,[730] and subsequently resided here. The house, however, is not mentioned in the parish ratebooks until 1781. It has been much altered by the original staircase having been removed, and a wooden one substituted, enabling some small rooms to be formed at the front and rear.

The front room on the ground floor has a white marble chimneypiece with Ionic columns, having Siena marble shafts. The frieze is omitted in this case with good effect. The cornice of the room is similar to that of the ground floor back room of No. 1, being decorated with diminutive Greek Doric columns, suspended by their capitals, as in No. 1.

The first floor front room has a white marble chimneypiece of 19th-century design, but the ornamental plaster ceiling (Plate 78) is original. It has painted panels after the manner of Antonio Zucchi or Angelica Kauffmann, and is probably by the latter artist.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupants of this house during the end of the 18th century
were, according to the ratebooks, as follows:—

1781. Jas. Richardson.
1782–83. Richard Walker.
1784–91. Marchant Tubb.
1791–95. Mrs. Royal.
1796– Thos. Leverton.

Thomas Leverton, son of Lancelot Leverton, a builder, was born in
1743 at Woodford. He became an architect and gradually acquired an
extensive practice. His share in the design of houses in Bedford
Square has already been noticed.[731]

Before settling at No. 13, Bedford Square, his chief residences
seem to have been in Great Queen Street and Charlotte Street.[732]
He died at the house in Bedford Square in 1824.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor (photograph).

[733]Ornamental plaster ceiling with painted panels in front room
on first floor (photograph).

LXXV.—NO. 14, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Arthur Rhuvon Guest, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

The front room on the first floor has a well designed plaster ceiling (Plate 79), the wall frieze being enriched with griffins, of a slightly different type to those in No. 11. The chimneypiece is of white marble with a central decorative panel.

The rear room on the same floor has also an ornamental plaster ceiling of very simple design, and the white marble chimneypiece is inlaid with Siena marble.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

According to the ratebooks the first occupant of the house was
Thos. Hibbart, who resided there during 1780 and 1781. He was
followed by Jas. Bailey from 1782 to 1793, and from the latter
year, Sir Alexander Monro was in occupation.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE THE FOLLOWING:—

[734]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXVI.—NO. 15, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessees, the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music for Local Examinations in Music.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

The front doorway (Plate 80), with its decorative leadwork fanlight, is a typical example of the majority in the square.

The first floor front room has an ornamental plaster ceiling, somewhat similar to others already noticed. There is an interesting plaster cornice in the rear room of the same floor, and a carved marble chimney piece on the second floor.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupants of this house, according to the ratebooks, were as
follows:—

1780–81. —— Pole.
1784–90. John Cologan.
1790–94. Jno. Stephenson.
1794–95. Mrs. Stephenson.
1795–98. Robt. Tubbs.
1798– Jas. Williams.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[735]Entrance doorway (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in front room on second floor (photograph).

LXXVII.—NO. 18, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Herbert Sefton-Jones, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

This house forms the eastern half of the central feature on the north side of the square. Its interior has been considerably altered, but the original carved white marble chimneypiece shown on Plate 81 still remains.

The motif of the central panel is similar to that at No. 11, but is not quite so gracefully expressed. The shelf appears to be a modern substitute, and out of harmony with the requirements of the design.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The earliest occupier of this house was, according to the
ratebooks, the Rev. Frederick Hamilton, who resided there from
1784 to 1786. In the latter year he was succeeded by Thos. Hankey,
who remained at the house until after the close of the century.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION IS:—

[736]Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

LXXVIII.—NO. 23, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

This house was not in existence on 20th November, 1777,[737] and the first mention of it in the parish ratebooks occurs in 1781. Few of the decorations in the house are original, the two principal exceptions being the plaster ceiling of the front room on the first floor, and a fine doorcase and pair of doors (Plate 82), connecting that room with the one in the rear.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

In 1781 “Jas. Bailey” is shown as the occupier of the house. For
the next few years no name is given, but in 1785 that of Thomas
Burn appears and continues for the remainder of the century.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[738]No. 23, Bedford Square. Doors and doorcase in front room on
ground floor (photograph).

No. 24, Bedford Square. Entrance doorway (photograph).

LXXIX.—NO. 25, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, the Rev. Lewis Gilbertson, M.A., F.S.A.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[739] was granted of a plot of ground with three messuages thereon, on the north side of Bedford Square, being the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth houses eastward from Tottenham Court Road, abutting east upon ground to be built upon, west upon a messuage in Bedford Street (now Bayley Street), and north upon ground belonging to the City of London. The dimensions of the plot are said to be: 99¼ feet on the south, 73 feet on the east, 67½ feet on the west, and 98½ feet on the north, thus corresponding to the sites of Nos. 24 to 27 (_four_ houses) at the present day.

No. 25 is the westernmost house of the northern block included in the design for the square, the two houses adjoining to the west being in harmony with the remaining premises in Bayley Street. The house is of special interest.

The vestibule is divided from the hall by a screen similar in architectural character to the front doorcase, and still retains the original fanlight. The staircase is of stone with a wrought-iron balustrade and mahogany handrail. Beneath the first floor landing is a moulded plaster frieze.

The ground floor front room has a fine carved wooden chimneypiece with jasper lining (Plate 83). On the chimney breast above is a circular plaque enclosing figure ornament and other decorative plaster work. The side of the room facing the window is treated as a segmental alcove, shown on the above plan, with coved ceiling as shown on Plate 83.

The front room on the first floor has carved joinery to the doors and windows, and the white and coloured marble chimneypiece (Plate 84) is a good example of the period. The ceiling of this room has a decorative plaster design with four oval figure plaques.

The rear room on this floor has also good joinery, and a white marble chimneypiece (Plate 84) with painted panels. The decorative plaster ceiling (Plate 85) is ornamented with painted panels which, according to the Rev. Lewis Gilbertson, the occupier, are the work of Angelica Kauffmann.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The first occupant of the house was John Boddington, whose
residence there apparently lasted from 1780 to 1786, when he was
succeeded by Cuthbert Fisher, who stayed until 1799. In the latter
year Mrs. Bootle took the house.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[740]Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

[740]Chimney breast in front room on ground floor (photograph).

[740]Alcove in front room on ground floor (photograph).

General view of front room on first floor (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[740]Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[740]Marble chimneypiece in rear room on first floor (photograph).

Detail of doorcase in rear room on first floor (photograph).

[740]Ornamental plaster ceiling with painted panels in rear room
on first floor (photograph).

LXXX.—NO. 28, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessees, the Society of Architects.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 1st November, 1776, a lease was granted[741] of a messuage at the west end of Bedford Square, “on the south side of a new street called Bedford Street” (now Bayley Street), having a frontage to the square of 28¾ feet, and a depth of about 143 feet. The premises referred to are obviously No. 28, the northernmost house of the west block. The house has been greatly altered, and partly rebuilt. It retains in the ground floor front room the original white marble chimneypiece shown on Plate 86, with a sculptured panel in the frieze, which is also shown to a larger scale.

The front room on the first floor contains a decorative plaster ceiling, and a carved wood and composition chimneypiece, which, though in keeping with the style of the room, is probably not contemporary with the erection of the house.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The house first appears in the ratebook for 1779. Geo. Drake was
then the occupier and he continued to reside there until after
1800.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[742]Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

[742]Detail of central panel of marble chimneypiece in front room
on ground floor (photograph).

Wood chimneypiece in front room on first floor (photograph).

LXXXI.—NO. 30, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, the Russian Consulate-General.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 1st November, 1776, a lease was granted[743] as from Michaelmas, 1775, of “all that parcel of ground, with a messuage thereon, on the west side of Bedford Square, being the third house southward from Bedford Street,” now Bayley Street.

The front room on the ground floor has a chimneypiece of white and coloured marble. The frieze is fluted, and contains sculptured figures.

The front room on the first floor has its walls treated as large panels, and over the two doors are decorative paintings. The chimney piece is of white marble, and the flutings of the pilasters are inlaid with coloured marble. The ornamental plaster ceiling (Plate 87) is of very delicate design. The figures in the oval medallion are modelled on classical lines, and in their delicacy are suggestive of cameos.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupiers of this house, according to the ratebooks, were:—

1778–79. Jas. Lee.
1779–93. Robt. Cooper Lee.
1793– Wm. Tatnell.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor (photograph).

[744]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXXII.—NO. 31, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford; lessee, Mrs. Whitehead.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 1st November, 1776, a lease[745] was also granted of the fourth house from Bedford Street, on the west side of the square. This was evidently No. 31.

The screen between the vestibule and hall has an ornamental fanlight; the stone stairs have wrought-iron scroll balusters and the wood work generally has enriched mouldings.

The front room on the ground floor contains a white marble chimneypiece, with Ionic pilasters, and is inlaid with coloured marble.

The rear room on the same floor has a wood and composition ornamental chimneypiece, with coupled columns at the sides, and a decorative panel in the frieze.

The ceiling of the front room on the first floor is a remarkable example of ornamental plaster work. Another of the same design is in No. 47, and is illustrated on Plate 101.

The rear room on the same floor has a white marble chimneypiece, with green marble inlay, and a well designed plaster ceiling with four square panels containing oval plaques forming part of the design (Plate 88). Another of almost similar pattern is in No. 41, Bedford Square.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The ratebooks give the following names in connection with the
house:—

1778–79. —— Scott.
1779–82. The “Hon. Baron Perryn.”
1783–89. Sir Samuel Hanney.
1789–94. Silvester Douglas.
1794–98. Geo. L. Newnham.
1798– Jno. Godfrey.

Sir Richard Perryn, born in 1723, was the son of a merchant of
Flint. After an education at Ruthin grammar school and Queen’s
College, Oxford, he took up the profession of the law, and was
called to the Bar in 1747. In 1770 he became vice-chamberlain of
Chester, King’s counsel, and a bencher of the Inner Temple. In
1776 he was appointed baron of the exchequer and was knighted. He
retired from the Bench in 1799, and died in 1803. After leaving
Bedford Square he resided at No. 59, Lincoln’s Inn Fields, at
which house he is shown by the ratebooks for the years 1784 to
1791.[746]

Sylvester Douglas, Baron Glenbervie, son of John Douglas of
Fechil, Aberdeenshire, was born in 1743. He was educated at the
Universities of Aberdeen and Leyden, and at first proposed to
adopt a medical career, but subsequently took up the legal
profession, being called to the Bar in 1776. In 1793 he was
appointed King’s counsel, but shortly afterwards relinquished his
legal career and devoted himself to politics, a decision probably
influenced by the fact that he had in 1789 married the daughter of
Lord North, afterwards second Earl of Guildford. In 1794 he became
Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and was elected a
member of the Irish Parliament. In the same year, he was sworn a
member of the English privy council, and in 1795 he relinquished
his secretarial position and was returned to the English
Parliament as member for Fowey. He afterwards represented Midhurst
and Plympton Earls. For some time he had a seat on the board of
control, and was from 1797 to 1800 a lord of the Treasury, a
position which he resigned on being appointed Governor of the Cape
of Good Hope, though he never took up the appointment. In the same
year (1800) he was created Baron Glenbervie of Kincardine in the
peerage of Ireland. In 1801 he became joint paymaster-general and
subsequently held the positions of vice-president of the Board of
Trade, and surveyor-general of woods and forests, with which
latter office, that of surveyor-general of the land revenue was
afterwards united. He died at Cheltenham in 1823.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[747]Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXXIII.—NO. 32, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Henry Alexander McPherson, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 1st November, 1776, a lease[748] was also granted of the fifth house southward from Bedford Street, on the west side of the square, that is No. 32.

This house, which is in the centre of the west block, has a front (Plate 89) of less width than that of the corresponding house on the opposite side (Nos. 6 and 6A).

The entrance doorway is placed at the side, and enriched with Greek Doric attached columns.

The vestibule is divided from the hall by a screen with a semi-circular fanlight, and beyond this is another separating the staircase (Plate 90). The latter has two detached Ionic columns, each with a block architrave and frieze, and a cornice spanning across to the wall. The semi-circular arch above has the spandrils ornamented on both faces with decorative plaster designs, that facing the entrance being the more interesting.

The staircase is of stone with spandril treads, having moulded soffits. The handrail is of mahogany, and the balustrading of plain wrought iron bars, excepting that at the ends and the middle of each flight are ornamental balusters of scroll design giving interest to the treatment.

WROUGHT IRON STAIR BALUSTERS
]

The front room on the ground floor has an ornamental plaster ceiling of a more severe type than is met with generally in the houses of this square.

The back room on the same floor has also a good decorative plaster ceiling (Plate 92), and a white marble chimney piece with buff mottled marble lining and panelled pilasters (Plate 91).

The front room on the first floor has a chimneypiece of white marble, and the ceiling an ornamental centre and border.

The rear room contains a white marble chimneypiece with a sculptured central panel representing Britannia and Commerce. The ceiling is elaborately treated in ornamental plaster work (Plate 92).

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupants of this house, according to the ratebooks, were:

1780–92. Sir John Skinner.
1792–95. Jas. Jackson.
1796–99. Mrs. Jackson.
1799– Mr. Justice Le Blanc.

Sir Simon Le Blanc was born about 1748, and was called to the Bar
in 1773. In course of time he acquired considerable practice, and
in 1787 was called to the degree of serjeant-at-law. In 1799 he
was appointed puisne judge of the King’s bench, and was knighted.
He had a great reputation as a lawyer, and was regarded as an
exceptionally able judge. He died in his house in Bedford Square
in 1816[749].

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

No. 32, Bedford Square.

[750]Front elevation (measured drawing).

Internal screen in hall (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling over staircase (photograph).

[750]Detail of wrought iron balustrade to staircase (measured
drawing).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

[750]Detail of chimneypiece in rear room on ground floor
(photograph).

[750]Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on ground floor
(photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[750]Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

Detail of frieze and cornice in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

[750]Detail of marble chimneypiece in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

No. 34, Bedford Square.

Plaster panel “Summer and Winter” in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

No. 35, Bedford Square.

Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

No. 38, Bedford Square.

Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

Wood and decorative chimneypiece (photograph).

LXXXIV.—NO. 40, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Mrs. Monico.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[751] was granted of a parcel of ground, and a messuage thereon on the south side of Bedford Square, and the east side of Caroline Street, “being a corner house.” This was obviously No. 40, the house at the western end of the south block.

The front room on the ground floor contains a white marble chimneypiece of simple design, with inlay panels of Siena marble. Above is a fine oval plaque (Plate 93), containing figures. The frieze and cornice to the room appear to be part of the original work.

The front room on the first floor has a plaster ceiling (Plate 94) of simple and delicate design with circular painted panels in the style of Antonio Zucchi, or Angelica Kauffmann.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The earliest occupant of the house seems to have been William
Dickey who, according to the ratebooks, resided there from 1782 to
1791. From 1792 until after the close of the century, Thomas Green
was the occupier.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

[752]Chimney-breast in front room on ground floor (plaster plaque
illustrated) (photograph).

[752]Ornamental plaster ceiling with painted panels in front room
on first floor (photograph).

LXXXV.—NO. 41, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground Landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Anthony Hope Hawkins, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[753] was granted of the thirteenth house from Charlotte Street, on the south side of Bedford Square. This is now No. 41, Bedford Square.

The premises have been considerably modernized, but four chimneypieces remain, that in the front room on the ground floor being Greek in character, with panelled pilasters and acanthus capitals. The one in the rear room on the same floor is treated with three-quarter Ionic columns carrying the cornice directly over, to which a shelf of later date has been added.

On the first floor, the chimneypiece in the front room (Plate 95) has coupled and bracketed pilasters and sculptured frieze. That in the rear room (Plate 95) is inlaid with mottled green marble. It retains the original cast-iron grate. The ornamental plaster ceiling in this room has four oval plaques in square panels. According to Mr. Anthony Hope Hawkins, the present occupier, it is composed partly of old portions of a ceiling formerly in No. 30 or No. 31, Bedford Square, the remaining part being a copy of a ceiling still existing in one of these houses. The ceiling appears to be a replica of that in the rear room of No. 31 (Plate 88), with the exception that it is of less width, and consequently the central design, instead of being circular, is compressed into an oval form.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

According to the ratebooks, Robert Peers took the house in 1782
and remained there until after the close of the century.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

Detail of marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

Detail of marble chimneypiece in rear room on ground floor
(photograph).

[754]Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

[754]Marble chimneypiece in rear room on first floor (photograph).

LXXXVI.—NO. 44, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Philip Morrell, Esq., M.P.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[755] was granted of the tenth house westward from Charlotte Street, on the south side of Bedford Square. This was No. 44, Bedford Square.

The front room on the first floor has a ceiling of good design (Plate 96), and in the room behind the staircase is a small white marble chimneypiece, carved in low relief, and decorated with inlay of Siena marble.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupiers of this house, according to the ratebooks, were as
follows:—

1782–84. Thos. Hibbert.
1784–94. T. S. Jackson.
1794– Henry Gregg.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[756]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXXVII.—NO. 46, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessees, Messrs. Royds, Rawstorne and Co.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

The lease[757] granted on 20th November, 1777, of No. 45, Bedford Square, refers to that house’s eastern boundary as “a messuage lately erected.”

No. 46 forms the western half of the central feature on the southern side of the square. It will be noticed in the photograph (Plate 97) that an unusual expedient has been adopted by introducing a central pilaster.

The staircase is of stone, with wrought-iron balustrade of coupled plain bars, alternating with balusters of scroll work. The handrail is of mahogany, and the lighting is obtained by an oval-shaped lantern.

The principal doors are of mahogany, with finely marked panels, and the metal fittings are silver plated.

There are three carved white marble chimneypieces. In the case of that in the front room on the ground floor (Plate 98), coloured marble is introduced as a Greek fret in the frieze, and as plain strips at the sides, and the central panel is carved to represent a Cupid sleeping. That in the front room on the first floor (Plate 98) has two three-quarter columns with coloured marble shafts supporting Ionic capitals. The frieze is finely carved, the central panel representing three Cupids at play. The chimneypiece in the rear room on the same floor has also good carving in low relief with a central panel.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The following are the names of the occupiers of the house during
the 18th century, according to the ratebooks:—

1782–90. Samuel Castell.
1790–96. Andrew Reid.
1796– Jas. Bailie.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[758]Exterior, with that of No. 47 (photograph).

[758]Marble chimneypiece in front room on ground floor
(photograph).

[758]Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Marble chimneypiece in back room on first floor (photograph).

LXXXVIII.—NO. 47, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, Frederick W. Lanchester, Esq.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 20th November, 1777, a lease[759] was granted of the seventh house westward from Charlotte Street, on the south side of Bedford Square. This was No. 47, Bedford Square.

In plan and arrangement this house is similar to No. 46. The doorway is well shown on Plate 99. A photograph of the ceiling above the staircase is given on Plate 100. The front room on the first floor contains a remarkable ceiling, a portion of which is shown on Plate 101. Another of similar design is in the front room of No. 31. The carved wood chimneypiece (Plate 100) in the same room has a central panel representing a sacrifice (bull before an altar).

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupants of this house are given by the ratebooks as
follows:—

1782–89. John Raymond.
1789–99. John Raymond Barker.
1799– Peter Pole.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[760]Entrance doorway (measured drawing).

[760]Ornamental plaster ceiling and lantern light over staircase
(photograph).

[760]Carved wood chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[760]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

LXXXIX.—NO. 48, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 16th January, 1777, a lease[761] was granted of the sixth house westward from Charlotte Street, on the south side of the square. This was No. 48.

There were formerly four fine marble chimneypieces in this house. Unfortunately burglars have destroyed three of these by breaking away all the sculptured portions, and have mutilated the fourth by the removal of its central panel. This last is situated in the front room on the first floor, and is shown on Plate 102. It is of large size, and has three-quarter attached Ionic columns, mottled buff coloured marble surrounds, and inlaid flutings in the frieze, and when complete it would appear to have been an excellent example of the period.

The ceiling in the same room (Plate 103) is in ornamental plaster work, with small plaques.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupiers of this house, according to the ratebooks, were:—

1782–83. —— Bevan.
1784–89. Samuel Gaussen.
1789– Robt. Parnther.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[762]Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

[762]Marble chimneypiece in front room on first floor
(photograph).

[762]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

XC.—NO. 50, BEDFORD SQUARE.

GROUND LANDLORD.

His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 16th January, 1777, a lease[763] was granted of the fourth house westward from Charlotte Street, on the south side of the square. This was No. 50.

The premises are a good example of the general planning of houses on this side of the square. The fanlight (Plate 104) to the screen between the vestibule and hall is characteristic of others in this district. The staircase is of stone with mahogany handrail and wrought-iron balustrade of coupled bars, alternating with one of scroll design, as has been described in other cases. The end of the staircase is semi-circular in plan. The ceiling is of ornamental plaster work, pierced by a large oval lantern. The front room on the first floor has a good decorative ceiling.

The rear room on the same floor has an ornamental ceiling with designs in the angles of the central portion, representing drama, painting, music, and agriculture.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The first occupier of the house, according to the ratebooks, was
“Mr. Serjt. Glynn,” who was resident here in 1778. John Glynn was
born in Cornwall in 1722. He entered the legal profession and was
called to the Bar in 1748. In 1763 he was created serjeant-at-law,
and the following year Recorder of Exeter. He enjoyed a great
reputation for legal knowledge, which he placed, in many cases
gratuitously, at the disposal of the adherents of Wilkes, in the
legal proceedings connected with the latter’s agitation. In 1768,
and again in 1774, he was elected as one of the representatives of
Middlesex in Parliament. In 1772 he was elected Recorder of the
City of London. He died in 1779.

In 1779 William Lushington was at No. 50, Bedford Square, and
remained until 1781, when he was succeeded by John Hunter, whose
tenancy lasted over the end of the century.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

Ground and first floor plans (measured drawing).

[764]Fanlight in entrance hall (photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

Ornamental plaster ceiling in rear room on first floor
(photograph).

XCI.—NO. 51, BEDFORD SQUARE.[765]

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEE.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G.; lessee, the French Consulate-General.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

On 16th January, 1777, a lease[766] was granted of the third house westward from Charlotte Street, thus corresponding to No. 51.

In the vestibule of this house is fitted a small chimneypiece with a sculptured marble panel.

The staircase is similar to that of No. 50, and the friezes beneath the ceilings have moulded plaster designs.

The front room on the ground floor has a white marble chimneypiece with Ionic pilasters, the rear room on the same floor having one of simpler design in the same material. The chimneypiece of the front room on the first floor is also simply treated in white marble, with three-quarter Ionic columns. The ceiling (Plate 105) is decorated in moulded plaster work of good design.

The rear room on the same floor has a white marble and green inlay chimneypiece and a decorative plaster ceiling.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

The premises are in good repair.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

In 1778 John Boldero was in occupation of the premises. His name
appears in the ratebooks until 1791, when it is replaced by that
of Mrs. Boldero.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[767]Sculptured panel of chimneypiece in entrance hall
(photograph).

[767]Ornamental plaster ceiling in front room on first floor
(photograph).

XCII.–XCIII.—NOS. 68 AND 84, GOWER STREET.

GROUND LANDLORD AND LESSEES.

Ground landlord, His Grace the Duke of Bedford, K.G. The lessee of No. 68 is Miss Janet McKerrow.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND DATE OF STRUCTURE.

Gower Street was formed at the same time as Bedford Square, and many of the houses on the west side as well as some on the east still present their original fronts.

No. 68, Gower Street, is provided with a bold and simple wood door case (Plate 106) of excellent proportions, with Roman unfluted Doric columns and ornamental fanlight. It is a very good example of late 18th-century design.

The door case (Plate 106) to No. 84, Gower Street, was of simple and tasteful design, well adapted for its purpose, and typical of many others in the neighbourhood.

CONDITION OF REPAIR.

No. 68, Gower Street, is in good repair.

No. 84 was demolished in 1907.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.

The occupants of these two houses during the 18th century were,
according to the ratebooks:

_No. 68._ _No. 84._ 1787–93. Thos. Gatteker. 1789–1800. Sir John Scott. 1794–97. T. C. Porter. 1797– Mrs. Peters.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

No. 46, Gower Street. Doorcase (photograph).

No. 63, Gower Street. Exterior (photograph).

[768]No. 68, Gower Street. Doorcase (photograph).

[768]No. 84, Gower Street. Doorcase (photograph).

XCIV.—NORTH AND SOUTH CRESCENTS AND ALFRED PLACE (DEMOLISHED).

The sites of North and South Crescents and Alfred Place, together with the corresponding portion of the east side of Tottenham Court Road, belong to the City of London Corporation, and form a part of the property of which some of the proceeds are by the Act 4 and 5 William IV., cap. 35 (private), devoted to the upkeep of the City of London School.

For many years before the passing of the Act an annual sum of £19 10s. had been paid by the Corporation, out of the rents of certain lands usually called the estates of John Carpenter, towards the education and clothing of four boys. These estates were popularly identified with certain properties in Thames Street, Bridge Street, Westcheap and Houndsditch, and the North and South Crescents area in St. Giles-in-the-Fields. Unfortunately, no direct connection can be traced between the last mentioned property and John Carpenter, who died about 1441.

It seems probable, however, that this part of the City estates had a different origin.

In 1567 Lord and Lady Mountjoy sold to Sir Nicholas Bacon the tithes of two closes in Bloomsbury, known as the Great Close of Bloomsbury, containing 45 acres, and Wilkinson’s Close, containing 4 acres, together with a third close, having an area of 5 acres, and being then or lately in the tenure of John Hunt.[769] The tithes are mentioned in the account of the division of the property of St. Giles’s Hospital[770] as falling to the share of Katherine Legh (afterwards Lady Mountjoy), but no reference occurs to the third close, which nevertheless was most probably obtained at the same time. In 1574 an exchange of land was effected between Sir Nicholas Bacon and Sir Rowland Hayward and other City dignitaries, whereby the latter acquired the five-acre close in question.[771] The deed relating to the exchange does not appear to have been enrolled, and consequently no particulars are available as to the property which was transferred to Sir Nicholas Bacon.

The earliest record in the possession of the Corporation relating to the estate in St. Giles is contained in a rental of 1667,[772] “The Rentall of the Lands and Tenements, sometimes of Mr. John Carpenter, sometimes Town Clarke of the Citty of London,” and is as follows: “Margaret the Relict and Executrix of Richard Reede, late Margaret Pennell, for a Close with the appurtenances cont. by estimacon five acres, more or lease, and being in the Parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields to him demised for 61 years from Lady-day, 1652, at £4.” Two other properties included in the rental are described as having been taken by the Corporation in exchange from Sir Nicholas Bacon, but it is unfortunate that no such statement is made with regard to the 5–acre close, as such would have prevented any doubt as to its identification. Nevertheless, scarcely any doubt is possible. The rental of 1667 shows that the John Carpenter estate included property acquired by way of exchange from Bacon, and the presumption of the identity of the 5–acre close contained in that exchange with the 5–acre close leased to Richard Reede in 1652 is practically overwhelming. Moreover, it is difficult to see with what other land the close could possibly be identified. It is quite certain that it was not in that part of the parish of St. Giles which lay to the south of Bloomsbury Manor, for there was in that direction no 5–acre field, of which the history, as detailed in this volume, does not preclude the possibility of its being identified with the close in question. It is moreover fairly obvious that the close could not have been actually included in the Manor of Bloomsbury, since it was in the hands of Mountjoy.

We are thus almost bound to identify the latter with the North and South Crescents estate, which, with one exception (Cantelowe Close), is the only St. Giles property in the neighbourhood not in the manor of Bloomsbury.

It may, therefore, be assumed that the connection of the land with the Carpenter Estate only dates from 1574, and that it was obtained by the trustees of that estate in exchange for other property.

The land remained unbuilt on until the estate was laid out early in the 19th century. Although the houses were of no architectural merit, the plan is by no means uninteresting. It consists of Alfred Place running parallel with Tottenham Court Road, with a connecting cross road at either end, crescents being formed in these opposite the north and south ends of Alfred Place.

It is probable that George Dance, the younger, who was City Architect at the time, modified his idea for the improvement of the Port of London in the preparation of this design.[773] The former scheme is embodied in a coloured engraving[774] by William Daniell, published in 1802.[775]

All the houses have recently been demolished.

IN THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION ARE:—

North Crescent—General view (photograph).

South Crescent—General view (photograph).

XCV.—HOUSE IN REAR OF NO. 196, TOTTENHAM COURT ROAD.

The land immediately to the north of the City estate was formerly a field known as Cantelowe Close. In an inquisition held on 20th May, 1639,[776] it was found that John, Earl of Clare,[777] had died in possession of, _inter alia_, a parcel of land in the parish of St. Giles, called “Cantlowe Close,” containing seven acres.[778] The land seems to have continued in the Holles family until the death of John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, in 1711, and then to have passed with most of the latter’s possessions to his nephew, Thomas Pelham-Holles, afterwards (1715) Duke of Newcastle, for the plan of the new road from Paddington to Islington which appeared in the _London Magazine_ for 1756 marked the field to the north of “The City Lands” as the “Duke of Newcastle’s.” In 1772 the Duke of Newcastle sold to the Duchess of Bedford and others, trustees for the late Duke, “all that close or parcell of ground, scituate in the parish of St. Pancras,[779] commonly called ... Cantelowe Close, containing nine acres and a half or thereabouts.”[780]

In 1776 the trustees granted to William Mace, carpenter, a lease for 78 years of a portion of the ground “in consideration of the great expense he hath been at in erecting a farmhouse on part of a field known as Cantelowe Close, and that he, the said William Mace, shall build proper and convenient sheds and other outhouses for the accommodation of 40 cows at the least.”[781] It is therefore clear that the house was built in or shortly before 1776.

It stood about 150 feet east of Tottenham Court Road. The exterior (Plate 107) was of stock brickwork, with red brick window heads. The entrance doorcase was of wood, and above were two tablets showing that formerly the parish boundary between St. Giles and St. Pancras passed through the house.

The interior had a decorated wood and composition chimneypiece (Plate 107) in the north front room on the first floor.

The premises were demolished in 1914.

THE COUNCIL’S COLLECTION CONTAINS:—

[782]East front (photograph).

[782]Chimneypiece in front room on first floor (photograph).

INDEX OF NAMES AND TITLES.

Abercorn, James Hamilton, 2nd Earl of, 102

Adam Brothers, 151

Alan, 107

Aldewych, 23, 107

Aldewych (Oldwych) Close, 34, 35, 37, 42, 43, 93, 94, 100, 125

Aldewych Cross, 23

Alfred Place, 186

Allen, John, 3_n_

Allen, Thomas, 108

Allington, Lady, 102

Allington, Lord, 102_n_

All Saints’ Church, West Street, 115–116

Almshouses in Monmouth Street, 138

Alsopp, Henry, 18

Ampthill, Henry, 109

Ampthill, John, 109_n_

Angel, The, 122, 125

Angell, Robert, 13, 14

Antelope Inn, 3

Apsley, Henry, Lord (afterwards Earl Bathurst), 149

Apsley, John, 6, 8_n_

Apsley, Peter, 6, 7

Archer, J. W., 45, 48, 105

Ardowin, John, 115

Arne, Thomas, 89

Arne, Thomas Augustine, 89

Arthur, John, 92

Arthur Street, 145

Arundell, Thomas Howard, Earl of, 44

Arundell, Thomas, 1st Baron Arundell of Wardour, 50

Ashburnham, Francis, 119_n_

Ashley, Sir Anthony, 7, 9_n_

Ashley, James, 76, 77

Ashley, Mrs. (formerly Worlidge), 77

Ashlin Place (formerly Paviors Alley), 106, 108

Aspin, William, 89

Aston, Coston, 56

Aubigny, Seigneurs d’ (_See_ Stuart.)

Auchinleck, Alexander Boswell, Lord, 57

Aynscombe, Lily, 84

Back garden, Weld Street, 95_n_