Chapter VI: Social and Political Summary

“The more carefully we examine the history of the past, the more
reason shall we find to dissent from those who imagine that our age
has been fruitful of new social evils. The truth is that the evils
are, with scarcely an exception, old. That which is new is the
intelligence which discerns, and the humanity which remedies
them.”—MACAULAY.

HAVING with the previous chapter brought my account of Knightsbridge to a close, I cannot more appropriately conclude than by a few remarks on subjects coming within the scope of the heading of this chapter. But here again my notes must necessarily be meagre and brief, for Knightsbridge never having been of itself parochial, books, such as generally form the staple of such chapters as this, have never been kept to show, with the accuracy parish books do, the rise and progress of the place.

The population of the parish of St. George, Hanover Square, was, according to the census of 1851, 73,230 persons, of whom 40,034 were within the two wards of Knightsbridge and Pimlico; and of this number, about 14,000 are resident in the district of St. Paul’s. The population of All Saints’ district cannot with accuracy be tested, a large part of it lying beyond our bounds; and building having made very extensive progress even since 1851, its population has increased in proportion.

In 1578, Mr. Walcot states only six persons were rated by the St. Margaret’s overseers in Knightsbridge and Kensington; and in 1687 only five people are rated in St. Martin’s books for the whole of Pimlico.

The progress of building appears to have taken place not so much progressively as in two distinct movements. The first was from 1770 to 1780, and the other from 1825 to our own time; on examination, it will be found that few of our streets were built at other periods. A letter before me of a skilled carpenter, written in 1783, tells his friends in the country he gets 2s. 8d. per day for his labour, and that he is allowed to make seven days per week, “and if the peace continueth” he shall be able to realise 20s. or a guinea per week; for his lodging he paid 2s. per week. If this was a fair sample of the rate of wages then, the mechanic’s financial condition must have improved to an extent little credited perhaps by themselves.

The air of Knightsbridge has always been considered pure and salubrious. Swift brought Harrison to the place for the benefit of pure air; and fifty years since it still maintained the character, for Lady Hester Stanhope sent a faithful footman here for the same relief. Constitution Hill and Montpelier Square derived their names from this fact. The main street of Knightsbridge, from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington, stands on a peculiar but well-defined terrace of the London clay, which separates the gravels of Hyde Park from those more southward, {269} and is rather more than thirty feet deep. The yellow gravel of Hyde Park, says Sir Charles Lyell, is, comparatively speaking, of modern date, consisting of slightly rolled angular fragments, in which portions of the white opaque coating of the original chalk-flint remain uncovered. Southward of the clayey line just mentioned the surface soil is a “made” one. Underneath the native earth are thick layers of sand, beneath which is a blue clayey earth, and then a sediment, consisting chiefly of cockle and oyster shells, which beautifully retain their appearance. Thus the soil of our locality is a porous one, and rapidly absorbs the surface water; an advantage greatly tending to the health of the inhabitants, for parts of Pimlico are but slightly above high-water mark, and the air would consequently be very moist and relaxing.

In a sanitary point of view all is not fair, even in Belgravia; behind its imposing mansions many a foul spot is hypocritically hidden; and although much has been done by the medical officer, there yet remains plenty of work on hand for him: too many spots yet requiring thorough transformation, and a vigilant watch to be kept, that selfishness be not permitted to triumph over public good. {270}

The local government of part of Knightsbridge and Belgravia was formerly undertaken by a Board of Trustees chosen by authority of an Act of Parliament passed in 1829. This was one of the local measures swept away by the general Act of Sir B. Hall; and now the Knightsbridge ward (extending to Ebury Street) returns twenty-seven members to the vestry of St. George, as constituted by his bill. The other parts of the hamlet were under control from various bodies deriving authority under several Acts of Parliament, but now belong to wards of the parishes in which they are situated. The bill passed by Sir B. Hall, though perhaps not all that could be desired, is yet calculated to effect an immense improvement over the old system, which in this locality, conflicting with other interests and regulations, worked but poorly. Many of the improvements and alterations, appearing in themselves to be but trifling, yet, when looked at in the aggregate, are of great benefit and importance, were effected by the energy of individuals instead of the action of the local board. One instance will suffice. The footway between the Spring Gate and Hyde Park Corner remained a gravel walk, which in winter time became mere slush, until some of the inhabitants at length caused the Government to pave it in 1854; and even the “crossing” from the Spring Gate to St. George’s Place was paid for by Mr. Westerton and one or two other inhabitants.

In politics, in the days of Burdett, the Knightsbridgites were generally Radicals of the first water. Burdett was in every respect their man. He and Hobhouse once started on their “chairing” from the house at the corner of Sloane Street.

The right of voting for representatives is not the only privilege the inhabitants of the hamlet enjoy. Those who are in the All Saints District are qualified for all the numerous hospitals and charities in the parish of St. Margaret’s, which are among the best and most liberal in the metropolis.

The Government having decided on erecting at the “Gore” museums and galleries for our National Collections, it is only reasonable to believe that such will result in a thorough revolution in the locality. Such has already taken place at the Gore and Brompton, and it behoves those who have the local management in their hands to render the neighbourhood a fit one for such establishments. The improvement of its approaches should, above all things, be considered; and in the main street of our hamlet there is yet, unluckily, too much room for improvement. It would be a worthy entrance to the capital of the kingdom, if the many abominations now offending the eye could be removed; and it is doubtful if there is any valid reason for not setting to at the work right earnestly. If the Park could be thrown open all the way from Apsley House to the Chapel (for it is hopeless to expect the removal of the vulgar monsters at Albert Gate), and again continued to include the Barracks, such would render the roadway the most beautiful and fine in every way; would add to its healthiness by allowing the free air to circulate, and ultimately prove to be of the most lasting benefit to the community. But if in course of time the present buildings are but to make way for others, it will not only perpetuate a nuisance, but a disgrace. {273}

I believe I have now noticed all that (in accordance with my plan) requires illustration from me. I therefore close the subject, and trust the reader will say “Farewell” to it with a spirit of satisfaction; that at least in some respect amusement has been afforded and instruction gained; and that the time spent in perusing these pages will not, in the end, have been considered unprofitably employed. Good reader, farewell!

APPENDICES.

APPENDIX I. KNIGHTSBRIDGE A FAMILY NAME.

IN the Issue Roll of the Exchequer, edited by Frederick Devon, are several payments in the 43rd Henry III. to Henry de Knythebrig, Nicholas de Eye, and others, carpenters employed at the King’s Palace. A Richard Knightsbridge was rector of Sheatham in 1640; and the name, though rarely, may still occasionally be met with.