Chapter M: DCC LXI (3)

SUN TAVERN _fields_, Shadwell.*

SUN TAVERN _fields lane_, Ratcliff.*

SUN _yard_, 1. Bishopsgate street within.* 2. Blackman street, Southwark.* 3. Bread street, London wall.* 4. Brown street, Bunhill fields.* 5. Ivy lane, Newgate street.* 6. Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.* 7. Stepney rents, Shoreditch.* 8. Swan alley Golden lane.*

SUPERSEDEAS OFFICE, in the Poultry Compter. See the article COMPTER.

SURGEONS, a company incorporated with the barbers by Edward IV. in the year 1461, by the name of _Barbers_, who were then the only surgeons; but afterwards others practising surgery, who were not barbers, soon erected themselves into a separate company commonly called the surgeons of London; but were not incorporated, which the parliament taking into consideration, united them, with the barbers in the thirty-second year of the reign of Henry VIII. exempting those practising surgery from bearing arms, or serving ward and parish offices: by the same act those who practised shaving were enjoined not to meddle with the art of surgery, except drawing of teeth; and those who practised surgery forbid to shave.

In the fifth year of the reign of King Charles I. the surgeons were by letters patent authorised to elect ten of the freemen of that society to be examiners of the surgeons of London during life; and it was ordered, that no person whether a freeman of London, or a foreigner, should practise surgery within the cities of London and Westminster, or within the distance of seven miles of the city of London, without being first examined by two or more of the above examiners, and having authority from the company of barber surgeons to practise the art of surgery: allowing all who were thus approved, to practise surgery in any part of England. It was likewise ordained that no one whether a freeman of the barber surgeons company, or a foreigner, a native, or alien, should undertake the office of surgeon of any ship, whether in the service of the crown, or of any merchant or others, unless they, and their medicines, instruments and chests, were first examined, inspected and allowed by two such masters or governors of this company.

The surgeons continued thus incorporated with the barbers, under the denomination of barber surgeons, till the year 1745; having the same hall, a very noble structure erected by Inigo Jones, in which is a theatre, wherein dissections were performed and lectures read. At that period the surgeons applying to parliament, observed, that since the two companies had been united, those who had practised surgery have from their constant application to the study of that science, rendered it of great benefit to the nation; while the barbers have been long, and still are employed in a business foreign to, and independent of the practice of surgery, and therefore finding their union with the barbers in many respects inconvenient, and that their separation would greatly contribute to the improvement of surgery, desired that they might be made distinct and separate companies; upon which an act was passed accordingly, and the surgeons incorporated by the name of _the master, governors and commonalty of the art and science of surgery_ of London.

By the above act they were confirmed in the possession of all their former privileges, impowered to chuse a principal, master, or governor, two other governors, or wardens, ten examiners of surgeons, and to have a court of assistants consisting of twenty-one persons. See the article BARBERS.

But their fine hall was however by the same act given to the barbers, on which they erected a theatre in the Old Bailey, which is an elegant, though not an expensive structure. It has a basement story, with square windows. The principal floor is however raised considerably above the level of the street, and there is an ascent to it by a double flight of steps, under which is a door, level with the ground, for the convenience of bringing in dead bodies executed at Tyburn, for dissection. The face of this part is Rustic work. At the height of the steps is a range of Ionic pilasters, within the height of which there are two series of windows, a row of large ones, with square ones above. The entablature of the Ionic pilasters supports a plain Attic course, crowned with vases.

SURRY _street_, in the strand.

SUTTON’S _court_, 1. Bishopsgate street within.† 2. Bishopsgate street without.† 3. Holbourn hill.† 4. Lincoln’s Inn Fields.†

SUTTON’S _rents_, Chequer Alley.†

SUTTON’S _street_, Hog lane, Soho.†

SWALE _court_, Play House yard.

SWALLOW _street_, Lower Brook street.

SWALLOW’S _gardens_, Rosemary lane.

SWAN _alley_, 1. Barnaby street.* 2. Birchin lane, Cornhill.* 3. Brown’s lane, Spitalfields.* 4. near White’s alley, Coleman street.* 5. East Smithfield.* 6. Golden lane, Redcross street.* 7. Golden lane, Redcross street.* 7. Goswell street, Aldersgate street.* 8. in the Minories.* 9. Puddle Dock hill.* 10. near Ratcliff Cross.* Rotherhith Wall.* 12. Wardour street.

SWAN AND TWO NECKS, _stable yard_, Tothill street.*

SWAN _court_, 1. Bartholomew lane, Threadneedle street.* 2. Butcher Row, Temple Bar.* 3. East Smithfield.* 4. Foster lane, Cheapside.* 5. Grub street, Fore street.* 6. King street, Oxford street.* 7. Mansel street, Goodman’s Fields.* 9. Narrow Wall, Lambeth.* 10. Petticoat lane, Whitechapel.*

SWAN _fields_, Shoreditch.†

SWAN _inn yard_, Holbourn Bridge.*

SWAN _street_, Swan Fields.*

SWAN _yard_, 1. Blackman street, Southwark.* 2. Church street, Lambeth.* 3. Holiwell street, Shoreditch.* 4. Newgate street.* Nightingale lane.* 6. Old Soho.* 7. Ratcliff Cross.* 8. in the Strand.† 9. Townsend lane.*

SWAN’S _rents_, Turnmill street.*

SWEDELAND _court_, 1. Bishopsgate street within: 2. Little Tower Hill.

SWEDE’S _church_, Princes square, Ratcliff Highway. See PRINCE’S SQUARE.

SWEDE’S _court_, 1. Great Trinity lane, from the Swedish church there. 2. New Bond street.

SWEETAPPLE _court_, Bishopsgate street. So called from Sir John Sweetapple, the owner.

SWEETING’S _alley_, generally called _Swithin’s alley_, the passage by the east end of the Royal Exchange, from Cornhill into Threadneedle street. Before the fire of London this whole alley contained but one house, a very spacious building which belonged to Mr. Swithin or Sweeting a merchant.

SWEETING’S _passage_, Moor lane, Cripplegate.†

SWEETING’S _rents_, Threadneedle street.†

SWITCH’S _yard_, Upper Ground, Southwark.

SWITHIN’S _alley_, and Swithin’s rents. See SWEETING’S _alley_, and SWEETING’S _rents_.

_St._ SWITHIN’S, in Canon street, at the west corner of St. Swithin’s lane in Walbrook ward, is thus denominated from its dedication to St. Swithin chancellor to King Egbert and Bishop of Winchester, who died in 806. We read of a church in the same place dedicated to St. Swithin before the year 1331, but how long it was standing before that time is uncertain: however the old church was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present structure arose in its place.

This edifice is sixty-one feet long, and forty-two broad; the roof is forty feet, and the steeple an hundred and fifty feet in height. The body is well enlightened, and the windows are arched and well proportioned. The tower is plain, solid, and cut off at the top, to give the easier diminution between that part and the base of the spire, which is surrounded by a balustrade, and has a good diminution.

This church appears to have been anciently under the patronage of the prior and convent of Tortington in the diocese of Chester, in whom it continued till the dissolution of that monastery, when Henry VIII. granted it to the Earl of Oxford, who soon after disposed of it, and it was at length purchased by the Salters company, in whom it still continues. On its being rebuilt the Parish of St. Mary Bothaw was united to it. The rector, besides his other profits, receives 140_l._ a year in lieu of tithes. _Newc. Repert. Eccles._

SWITHIN’S _lane_, extends from Lombard street, by St. Swithin’s church into Cannon street.

SWORD AND BUCKLER _court_, Ludgate hill.*

SYCAMORE _yard_, Kent street.‡

SYMOND’S _inn_, on the east side of Chancery lane, is neither an inn of court nor chancery: but contains several public offices, among which is the register office. It has been lately rebuilt, and serves to accommodate several masters in chancery, sollicitors and attornies.

SYTH _lane_, commonly called _Size lane_, near Queen street, Cheapside.

T.

TABERNACLE _yard_, 1. Petticoat lane: 2. Wheeler street, Spitalfields.

TACKLE BLOCK _court_, at the Hermitage, Wapping.

TACKLE PORTERS. See the article PORTERS.

TALBOT _court_, 1. Fleet street.* 2. Gracechurch street.* 3. Little Eastcheap.* 4. Portpool lane, Leather lane.*

TALBOT _inn yard_, St. Margaret’s hill.*

TALLOW CHANDLERS, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Edward IV. in the year 1463.

This society anciently dealt not only in candles; but in oil, vinegar, butter, hops and sope; when great frauds being committed by adulterating oil, they were impowered by Act of Parliament to search for, and destroy, all that should be found bad; but no reward being allowed to the searchers, it was soon neglected.

This company has a master, four wardens, and thirty-eight assistants; with a livery of one hundred and seventy members, who when admitted pay a fine of 15_l._ each.

They have a handsome hall on the west side of Dowgate hill; it is a large building with piazzas formed by arches and columns of the Tuscan order.

TALLY COURT in the Exchequer. See the article EXCHEQUER.

TAN _alley_, 1. Godder’s rents, Wheeler street, Spitalfields: 2. Long lane, Southwark.

TAN _yard_, Whitecross street.

TANFIELD _court_, inner Temple.†

TANNER’S _row_, Montague street.†

TANNER’S _yard_, 1. Five Feet lane, Barnaby street: 2. Marsham street.†

TARPLET’S _yard_, Narrow street, Limehouse.†

TARRE’S _wharf_, Durham yard, in the Strand.†

TART’S _court_, Smithfield.†

TASH _court_, Tash street.†

TASH _street_, Grays Inn lane.†

TATTLE _street_, Little Grays Inn lane.║

TAVISTOCK _court_, near Covent Garden.

TAVISTOCK _street_, Covent Garden. The above court and this street were built upon the ground where the Dukes of Bedford had their house and gardens, till the year 1704, and took this name from his title of Marquis of Tavistock. _Maitland._

TAXTER’S _rents_, Rotherhith Wall.†

TAX OFFICE, in New Palace yard, is under the direction of six commissioners, each of whom has 500_l._ _per annum_: under whom is a comptroller of duties on houses who has 200_l._ a year, and his clerk 50_l._ ten general surveyors who have 100_l._ _per annum_ each; 163 surveyors of counties who have 50_l._ a year in England, and 40 _l._ a year in Wales; a secretary, who has 90_l._ a year; an assistant secretary, who has 60_l._ a year; a sollicitor, who has 100_l._ a year; and two clerks, one of 60_l._ _per annum_, and the other of 50_l._

TAYLOR’S _court_, Bow lane, Cheapside.†

TAYLOR’S _yard_, St. Giles’s street.†

TEED’S _yard_, Worcester street.†

TEEM’S _rents_, Cowcross.†

TEMPLE, two of the inns of court, thus denominated from the edifice being founded by the knights Templars in England, who had first a house in Holborn, and afterwards settled here in the reign of Henry II. when it was dedicated to God and the Blessed Virgin in the year 1185, by Honorius, patriarch of the church of the holy Resurrection in Jerusalem.

These Templars took their rise in the following manner, several of the crusaders settled at Jerusalem, about the year 1118, formed themselves into an uniform militia, under the name of Templars, or knights of the Temple, a name they assumed from their being quartered near a church built on the spot where Solomon’s temple had stood.

These first guarded the roads, in order to render them safe for the pilgrims who came to visit the Holy Sepulchre, and sometime after they had a rule appointed them by Pope Honorius II. who ordered them to wear a white habit; and soon after they were farther distinguished by having crosses made of red cloth on their upper garments. In a short time many noblemen in all parts of Christendom became brethren of this order, and built themselves temples in many cities and great towns in Europe, and particularly in England, where this in Fleet street was their chief house.

In the thirteenth century the Templars in Fleet street, were in so flourishing a situation that they frequently entertained the nobility, the Pope’s nuncio, foreign embassadors, and even the King himself; and many parliaments and great councils have been held there.

However in the year 1308 all the Templars both in England, and the other parts of Christendom, were apprehended and committed to prison, and five years after Edward II. gave Aimer de la Valence, Earl of Pembroke, this house of the Templars, with all their possessions within the city of London. At his death it reverted to the crown, and in 1324, was given to the knights Hospitallers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem, who had driven the Turks out of the isle of Rhodes, and had their chief house where St. John’s square is now situated. These knights soon after let this edifice to the students of the common law, in whose possession it has remained ever since.

The Temple which contained all that space of ground from the White Friars westward to Essex house, is divided into two inns of court, the Inner Temple, and the Middle Temple. These inns have separate halls, but both houses resort to the Temple church: And yet the buildings which have been erected at very different times, with very little order or regularity are perfectly united, and it is impossible for a stranger to know where the Inner Temple ends and the Middle Temple begins, except at the entrances, which are the only visible fronts to the street. Backwards there are many courts of handsome new built houses, and behind them, the buildings of the Temple have gardens and walks fronting the Thames. That side lies open and airy, and enjoys a delightful prospect into Surry.

The Middle Temple gate, next Fleet street is built in the stile of Inigo Jones, It was erected in 1684, and there is here a graceful front; but it is extremely narrow, and cannot be called the front of so vast a building, or rather number of separate buildings, as the Temple. It is of brick-work, with four large stone pilasters of the Ionic order, and a handsome pediment with a round in the middle in which is inscribed in large capitals SURREXIT IMPENSIS SOCIETAT. MED. TEMPLI, MDCLXXXIV. and beneath, just over the arch, the figure of a holy lamb.

In the treasury chamber of the Middle Temple is preserved a great quantity of armour, which belonged to the knights Templars, consisting of helmets, breast and back pieces, together with several pikes, a halbard, and two very beautiful shields, with iron spikes in their centers, of the length of six inches in diameter, and each of about twenty pounds weight. They are curiously engraved, and one of them richly inlaid with gold: the insides are lined with leather stuffed, and the edges adorned with silk fringe; and broad leathern belts are fixed to them, for the bearers to sling them upon their shoulders.

In garden court in the Middle Temple is a library founded by the will of Robert Ashley, Esq; in the year 1641, who bequeathed his own library for that purpose, and 300_l._ to be laid out in a purchase, for the maintenance of a librarian, who must be a student of the society, and be elected into that office by the benchers. Mr. Ashley also bequeathed all his furniture to be disposed of for the benefit of his library.

The number of volumes in the year 1738 amounted to 3982, in most branches of literature; but more especially in law and parliamentary affairs; and as it is continually encreasing, by the benefactions of authors and others, it will probably become a numerous, and very valuable collection.

This library is duly kept open (except in the dead time of the long vacation) from ten in the morning till one in the afternoon, and from two in the afternoon till six in summer, and four in winter.

The Inner Temple is situated to the east of Middle Temple gate, and has a cloister, a larger garden, and more spacious walks than the other. This society consists of benchers, barristers and students; the former of whom, as governors at commons have their table at the upper end of the hall, and the barristers and students in the middle. Anciently at these entertainments their bread served instead of plates, and they had no other drinking vessels than wooden cups; but at present they are allowed trenchers for their meat, and coarse green earthen pots for their liquor. However, though the antient custom of using mean vessels still prevails, yet there are few who fare better.

All the members of the society who have chambers, are obliged to be in commons a fortnight every term, for which they pay about 10_s._ a week. Sixteen of these terms, with a regular course of study, qualifies a student for the bar.

Upon the admission of a member, the fees of the house are 3_l._ 6_s._ 8_d._ which, with other disbursements, amount to 4_l._ 2_d._

The parliament, wherein the affairs of the society are treated is commonly held twice every term.

The officers and servants of the house are, a treasurer, a sub-treasurer, a steward, a chief and three under butlers, an upper and under cook, a pannierman, a gardener, two porters, and two wash pots.

The Middle Temple, which joins to the Inner Temple on the west, is thus denominated from its having been the middle or central part of the antient Temple or Priory of knights Templars. The chief officer of this house, like that of its neighbour, is a treasurer, who is annually elected from among the benchers, and whose office is to admit students; to assign them their chambers, and to receive and pay all the cash belonging to the society.

The officers and governors of this inn, are in all respects like that of the Inner Temple, except the charge of admission, which is 5_l._ and the time to qualify a student for the bar, instead of sixteen terms in that, is twenty-eight in this.

The print exhibits the entrance of the Middle Temple, which is elegant, together with the east side of Temple Bar, as it appears from the end of Chancery lane in Fleet street, the situation of the Temple along the side of the river is very fine, yet nothing can be more void of harmony or decoration than the buildings of which it is composed, owing chiefly to the division and subdivision of property, which renders regularity next to impossible. The thing most worthy of notice in the Temple is the old church which belonged to the knights Templars of Jerusalem. You enter it through a circular tower of Saxon architecture in which are buried some Knights Templars, whose figures lying on the ground are preserved by iron rails. The church is purely Gothic, and it is great pity that the altar, pulpit, organ, gallery, &c. had not been kept in the same stile of architecture. This would have made it as regular though not so rich, as the chapel of Henry the seventh.

But the temple church requires a more particular description. We shall therefore trace it from its origin, and describe its several parts.

The first church here was founded in the year 1185, by the knights Templars; it was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, but was more generally called by the name of the founders, than the protectress. In 1240, the old structure was taken down, and another erected after the same model. The present edifice was one of those that escaped the fire of London in 1666; but in 1695 the south-west part was new built, and in 1706 the whole was thoroughly repaired.

The whole edifice is stone firmly put together and enriched with ornaments. It consists of a long body with a turret, and a round tower at the west end, that has much the air of a piece of fortification. The length of the church from the altar to the screen is eighty-three feet, its breadth sixty feet; and the height of the roof thirty-four. The round tower is forty-eight feet high; its diameter at the floor, fifty-one feet, and its circumference 160 feet.

The windows which enlighten the body of the church are large and well proportioned. They are composed of three Gothic arches, a principal, and a lower on either side. These windows stand so close that there are but very slender piers left between them to support a very heavy roof; they are therefore strengthened with buttresses; but these buttresses, as in most other Gothic structures, exclude more light than the piers would have done, had they been larger, and the windows considerably smaller.

The tower which is very massy, has few windows, and those small, yet there are buttresses carried up between them; the top is crowned with plain square battlements, and from the center rises a fane.

The turret upon the body of the church is small and plain, and serves to receive a bell. In short, what can be seen of the outside has a venerable aspect, but nothing either grand or elegant: the principal beauties are to be seen within.

On entering the round tower, you find it supported with six pillars, wainscotted with oak six feet high, and adorned all round, except the east part, which opens into the church, with an upper and lower range of small arches, and black apertures; but what is most remarkable in this part, is, that there are here the tombs of eleven of the knights Templars who lie interred here; eight of which, are covered with the figures of armed knights; of these five, to shew the veneration they had for the cross of Christ, lie cross legged; and these had made a vow, to go to the Holy Land, in order to make war on the infidels. Three of these are the tombs of the Earls of Pembroke, William Marshal the elder, who died in 1219; his son, who died in 1231, and Gilbert Marshal, his brother, who was slain in a tournament at Hertford in 1241, The other effegies lie strait legged; and the rest of the tombs are only coped stone; but both the effegies and these stones are all gray marble.

This tower is divided from the body of the church by a very handsome screen in the modern taste; which will be described hereafter. On passing this screen we find the church has three roofs supported by tall and slender pillars of Sussex marble. The windows are also adorned with small neat pillars of the same stone, and the floor paved with black and white marble. The isles are five in number; three, as usual, running east and west, and two cross isles.

The walls are neatly wainscotted with oak above eight feet high, and the alterpiece, which is of the same wood, is much higher, finely carved, and adorned with four pilasters and two columns of the Corinthian order: it is also ornamented with cherubims, a shield, festoons, fruit and leaves. The pulpit, which is placed near the east end of the middle isle, is finely carved and veniered; the sounding board is pendant from the roof, and enriched with several carved arches, a crown, festoons, cherubims and vases.

The screen at the west end of the isles is like the alterpiece, of wainscot, and adorned with ten pilasters of the Corinthian order, with three portals and pediments. The organ gallery, over the middle gallery is supported by two fluted Corinthian columns, and ornamented with an entablature and a compass pediment, with the King’s arms well carved. Near the pediment on the south side is an enrichment of cherubims and a carved figure of a Pegasus, the badge of the society of the Inner Temple, and in the pediment on the north side an enrichment of cherubims, and the figure of a Holy Lamb, the badge of the society of the Middle Temple: for though these two houses have one church, they seldom sit promiscuously there; but the gentlemen of the Inner Temple on the south, and those of the Middle Temple northward from the middle isle.

In the church are the tombs of many judges, masters in chancery, and eminent lawyers.

Since the reign of Henry VIII. there has been a divine belonging to this church named a master, or _custos_, who is constituted by his Majesty’s letters patent, without institution or induction. Besides the master, there is a reader, who reads divine service twice a day, at eight o’clock in the morning, and at four in the afternoon. Formerly they had a fixed lecturer for Sundays in the afternoon; who had 80_l._ a year from each house, convenient lodging, and his diet at the benchers table; but of late the lecture is carried on by various preachers appointed and paid by the treasurers of the two houses.

TEMPLE BAR, at the end of Fleet street, and at the extremity of the liberties of the city, is a very handsome gate, where anciently were only posts, rails, and a chain, such as are now at Holbourn, Smithfield, and Whitechapel-bars. Afterwards a house of timber was erected across the street, with a narrow gateway, and an entry through the south side of it. But since the fire of London, the present structure was erected, and is the only gate at the extremity of the city liberties.

This gate is a very noble one, and has two posterns, one on each side, for the advantage of foot passengers. It is built entirely of Portland stone, of Rustic work below, and of the Corinthian order. Over the gateway on the east side, in two niches are stone statues of Queen Elizabeth and King James I. with the King’s arms over the keystone, and on the west side, are the statues of King Charles I. and King Charles II. in Roman habits.

Since the erection of this gate it has been particularly distinguished by having the heads of such as have been executed for high treason placed upon it.

TEMPLE _key_, Thames street.☐

TEMPLE _lane_, White Friars.☐

TEMPLE _mews_, Fleet street.☐

TEMPLE _stairs_, Temple lane.☐

TEMPLE _street_, White Friars.☐

TEN BELL _court_, Snow hill.*

TENCH _street_, Bird street, Wapping.†

TENDERDOWN _street_, Hanover square.

TEN FEET _way_, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.

TENNIS _court_, 1. Church entry, Black Friars: 2. High Holbourn: 3. Middle row, Holborn.

TENTHS OFFICE, in the Temple. In this office is a receiver of the tenths and his clerk, and a comptroller of the first fruits and tenths.

TENTER _alley_, 1. Little Moorfields.☐ 2. Tooly street, Southwark.☐

TENTER GROUND _alley_, Castle street.☐

TENTER _grounds_, Curtain row, Norton Falgate: 2. Gravel lane: 3. Hog lane, Shoreditch.

_The_ TENTS, near Maze pond, Snow fields.

TERRAS _walk_, York buildings.

TERRITS _court_, Duck lane, Smithfield.† 2. Islington.†

THACKET’S _court_, Bishopsgate street without.†

THACKHAM’S _court_, Vine street, by Chandois street.†

THAMES. As this river is the principal source of the wealth of this metropolis, and as the Lord Mayor’s jurisdiction over it is very extensive, a particular description of it in this place can be neither improper nor unnecessary.

The Thames if considered with respect to its course and navigation, is not to be equalled by any other river in the known world. It rises from a small spring near the village of Hemble, in the parish of Cubberly or Coberley, a little to the south-west of Cirencester in Gloucestershire; and taking its course eastward, becomes navigable at Lechlade for vessels of fifty tons, and there receives the river Colne about 138 miles from London. From Lechlade it continues its course north-east to Oxford, where it receives the Charwel; after which it runs south-east to Abingdon, and from thence to Dorchester, where it receives the Thame, and continues its course south-east by Wallingford to Reading, flowing through Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surry, Middlesex, Essex and Kent, and washing the towns of Henly, Marlow, Maidenhead, Windsor, Eaton, Staines, Chertsey, Weybridge, Shepperton, Walton, Sunbury, Hampton, Thames Ditton, Kingston, Twickenham, Richmond, Shene, Isleworth, Kew, Brentford, Mortlake, Barnes, Chiswick, Hammersmith, Putney, Fulham, Wandsworth, Battersea, Chelsea, and Lambeth, from whence both shores may be termed a continued city, through Westminster, Southwark, and the city of London, Horselydown, Wapping, Rotherhith, Shadwell, Ratcliff, Limehouse, almost to Deptford, and Greenwich; and from thence this river proceeds to Woolwich, Erith, Grays, Gravesend and Milton.

It is impossible to represent the beauties with which the banks of this noble river are embellished from Windsor to London; the numerous villages on both its banks being all along adorned with the magnificent houses and fine gardens of the nobility.

A person unaccustomed to the sight, cannot behold without surprise the vast number of barges and boats, as well of pleasure as of burden, above bridge, continually passing and repassing for the convenience and supply of the towns and counties washed by its gentle stream; and much more observe the vast fleets which constantly appear below bridge, carrying away the manufactures of Britain and bringing back the produce of the whole earth.

We should be inexcusable, if we did not here introduce Sir John Denham’s fine description of this river, in his _Cooper’s Hill_, as it would be difficult to say any thing so just, and impossible to say any thing so well upon the subject.

My eye descending from the hill surveys
Where Thames among the wanton valleys strays.
Thames, the most lov’d of all the Ocean’s sons,
By his old sire to his embraces runs,
Hasting to pay his tribute to the sea,
Like mortal life to meet eternity.
Tho’ with those streams he no resemblance hold,
Whose foam is amber, and their gravel gold;
His genuin and less guilty wealth t’explore,
Search not his bottom, but survey his shoar;
O’er which he kindly spreads his spacious wing,
And hatches plenty for th’ ensuing spring.
Nor then destroys it with too fond a stay,
Like mothers which their infants overlay.
Nor with a sudden and impetuous wave,
Like profuse Kings, resume the wealth he gave.
No unexpected inundations spoil
The mower’s hopes, nor mock the plowman’s toil:
But godlike his unwearied bounty flows;
First loves to do, then loves the good he does.
Nor are his blessings to his banks confin’d,
But free and common as the sea or wind;
When he to boast, or to disperse his stores
Full of the tributes of his greateful shores
Visits the world, and in his flying tow’rs
Brings home to us, and makes both Indies ours;
Finds wealth where ’tis, bestows it where it wants,
Cities in deserts, woods in cities plants.
So that to us nothing, no place is strange,
While his fair bosom is the world’s exchange.
O could I flow like thee, and make thy stream
My great example, as it is my theme!
Tho’ deep yet clear, tho’ gentle, yet not dull,
Strong without rage, without o’erflowing full.
Heav’n her Eridanus no more shall boast,
Whose fame in thine, like lesser currents lost.

The great advantage of this river is the tides flowing above seventy miles up it, twice in every twenty-four hours, and hence arises its great convenience with respect to trade and navigation; and as the tide is influenced by the moon, so each tide is twenty-four minutes later than that before, and therefore wants but twelve minutes of a whole hour in twenty-four: by this rule the return of the tide at any distance from the new or full moon may be easily computed by the following tide table at London Bridge.

+----------+--------------+
| | Time of |
| | high-water |
| | at London. |
+----------+--------------+
| N. Moon. | Hour. Min. |
| F. Moon. | 3 |
+----------+--------------+
| 1 | 3 48 |
| 2 | 4 31 |
| 3 | 5 14 |
| 4 | 6 52 |
| 5 | 6 30 |
| 6 | 7 3 |
| 7 | 7 36 |
| 8 | 8 24 |
| 9 | 9 27 |
| 10 | 10 30 |
| 11 | 11 28 |
| 12 | 12 26 |
| 13 | 1 19 |
| 14 | 2 12 |
+----------+--------------+

Any person who wants to be informed when it will be high-water at London Bridge may by this table be immediately satisfied if he does but know how many days it is since the last new or full moon; for supposing it is the eighth day after, by looking at 8 in the first column he finds the tide on that day is at the 8th hour and 24 minutes, or twenty-four minutes past eight o’clock.

The Lord Mayor’s jurisdiction over the river Thames extends from Colne ditch, a little to the westward of Staines bridge, to Yendal or Yenleet, to the east, including part of the rivers Medway and Lea, and his Lordship has a deputy or substitute named the water bailiff, whose office is to search for, and punish, all offenders who infringe the laws made for the preservation of the river and its fish. Eight times in the year the Lord Mayor and aldermen sit in person in the four counties of Middlesex, Surry, Kent, and Essex, in order to maintain the rights and privileges of this river, and to charge four juries by oath to make inquisition after all offences committed on the river in order to proceed to judgment against those who are found guilty.

The laws with respect to fishing and preserving the fry and spawn are very numerous, among which are the following:

No fisherman shall use any net under two inches and a half in the mesh above Richmond Crane, nor any net in the work called beating of the bush, flag or reed, of less than three inches in the mesh; nor use any weights or stones to their nets, upon the forfeiture of 2_l._ for each offence.

That no pike net or other net or engine be drawn over the weeds for catching of pikes by any fisherman within the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor, by reason it is destructive to, and occasions the driving of all the other fish out of the western rivers, that would otherwise lie, spawn, and breed in the weeds, upon the same penalty of 2_l._ for every such offence.

That no fisherman shall bend any net by anchors, or otherwise, across the channel, or so as to draw another net into it, whereby the spawn of barbel and other fish may be destroyed, upon the forfeiture of the same sum for each offence.

That no such person shall draw any net for salmon of less than three inches in the mesh, from the 10th of March, till the 14th of September, in any part of the river of Thames, from Kew pile westward, to the city of London mark Stone above Stains bridge, upon forfeiture of 2_l._ for every offence.

That no person shall take or sell any fish contrary to the ancient assize: pike, fourteen inches; barbel, twelve inches; salmon, sixteen inches; trout, eight inches; tench, eight inches; roach, six inches; dace, six inches; and flounders, six inches.

That every fisherman shall have on his boat both his christian and surname, and the name of his parish legibly painted, where any one may see it; on the forfeiture of 1_l._ for every offence.

No person whatsoever shall fish for smelts or shads, or any other fish whatsoever, or lay leaps, or rods, for eels in any place within the Lord Mayor’s jurisdiction, without a licence from the water bailiff, who shall appoint the proper seasons for fishing: And that upon every such occasion all the fishermen shall upon due summons or notice given, repair to the water bailiff at the chapel at Guildhall, to take out their several licences for going to fish, and to hear the ordinances for the preservation of the fisheries publicly read, that they may be the better able to preserve and keep them; and that none go out to fish without such a licence; and that every fisherman offending herein shall pay 5_l._ for every such offence.

For the better preventing the use of unlawful nets or engines it is farther ordained, that any person or persons authorized by the water bailiff may enter any fishermens boats or vessels, to view and search for all unsizeable nets and engines, and for any fish they shall suspect to be taken contrary to the laws of this kingdom; to seize and carry such nets to the water bailiff, with the names of the offenders, that they may be brought to justice; likewise to seize the fish taken contrary to law, and distribute it among the poor; and whosoever shall resist or disturb the water bailiff, or his deputies, in their searching for and seizing unlawful nets, engines, or fish, shall forfeit twenty marks.

Tho’ the Thames is said to be navigable an hundred and thirty eight miles above bridge, yet there are so many flats in that course, that in the summer season the navigation westward would be entirely put a stop to when the springs are low, were it not for a number of locks or machines made of wood, placed quite across the river, and so contrived as to confine the current of water as long as found convenient; that is, till the water rises to such a height as to allow depth enough for the barges to pass over the shallows; which being effected, the confined water is set at liberty, and the loaded vessel proceeds on its voyage, till another shoal requires the same contrivance to carry it forward: but though this is a very great convenience yet it is attended with considerable expence; for a barge passing from Lechlade to London pays for passing through these locks 13_l._ 15_s._ 6_d._ and from Oxford to London 12_l._ 18_s._ This charge is however only in summer when the water is low: and there is no lock on this river from London Bridge to Bolter’s lock, that is for the space of fifty-one miles and an half above bridge.

THAMES _street_, is of a prodigious length, it extending from Black Friars to Tower Dock. It is the first street that lies parallel to the Thames, on its north bank, and is chiefly inhabited by wholesale dealers.

THATCH’D _alley_, Chick lane.

THATCH’D HOUSE _alley_, in the Strand.

THATCH’D HOUSE _court_, St James’s street.

THAVIE’S INN, near the west end of St. Andrew’s church Holbourn, is one of the inns of chancery, and is thus named from its founder John Thavie, who liv’d in the reign of Edward III. It is a member of Lincoln’s inn, and has been lately rebuilt in a very handsome manner.

This house is governed by a principal and eleven ancients, who, with the other members, are to be ten days in commons in issuable terms, and in each of the rest a week.

THAVIE’S INN _court_, Thavie’s inn.

THAVIE’S INN _passage_, Thavie’s inn.

THEATRES, there are only two theatres in this metropolis worthy of notice, and these have no fronts to the street. They are both under his Majesty’s companies of comedians, and no new play can be acted in either without the approbation of the Lord Chamberlain, as well as the managers. Drury Lane house appears to be best calculated for the advantage of speaker and hearer, that of Covent Garden for splendor and magnificence. Besides these there is also a theatre for the exhibition of operas, call’d the Opera house, in the Haymarket.

THEATRE _court_, Vinegar yard, Drury lane.

THEOBALDS, a pleasant village in Cheshunt parish in Hertfordshire, situated by the New River. Here the great Lord Burleigh built a magnificent seat, the gallery, says Hentzner in his _Itinerarium_, was painted with the genealogy of the Kings of England, and from thence was a descent into the garden, which was encompassed with a ditch filled with water, and large enough to have the pleasure of rowing in a boat between the shrubs; it was adorned with a great variety of trees and plants, labyrinths made with much labour, a jet d’eau with its bason of white marble, and with columns and pyramids. In the summer house, the lower part of which was built semicircularly, were the twelve Roman Emperors in white marble, and a table of touchstone; the upper part of it was set round with leaden cisterns, into which water was conveyed through pipes. This seat the Lord Burleigh gave to his younger son Sir Robert Cecil, in whose time King James I. staying there for one night’s refreshment, as he was coming to take possession of the crown of England, he was so delighted with the place that he gave him the manor of Hatfield Regis in exchange for it, and afterwards enlarged the park, and encompassed it with a wall ten miles round. This palace he often visited, in order to enjoy the pleasure of hunting in Enfield Chase and Epping Forest, and at last died there. In the civil wars it was however plundered and defaced; it being the place from whence King Charles I. set out to erect his standard at Nottingham: King Charles II. granted the manor to George Monk, Duke of Albemarl; but it reverting again to the crown, for want of heirs male, King William III. gave it to William Bentinck, whom he created Earl of Portland, from whom it descended to the Duke his grandson: the great park, a part of which was in Hertfordshire, and a part in Middlesex, is now converted into farms.

Here are several houses belonging to persons of distinction, and in this neighbourhood Richard Cromwell, who had been protector, but abdicated, passed the last part of his life in a very private manner.

THEOBALD’S _court_, 1. in the Strand: 2. Theobald’s row.†

THEOBALD’S _row_, Red Lion street, Holbourn.†

THIEVING _lane_, King street, Westminster. So called from thieves passing that way to the Gatehouse prison, during the continuance of the sanctuary. _Maitland._

THISTLEWORTH, or ISLEWORTH. See ISLEWORTH. _Maitland._

_St._ THOMAS APOSTLES, a church which stood where the cemetry is now in Queen street, Cheapside, and was of great antiquity, since we have an account of the state thereof so early as the year 1181. It owes its name to its dedication to St. Thomas the Apostle.

This church being destroyed by the dreadful fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was by act of parliament united to the church of St. Mary Aldermary, which is become the place of public worship for both, whereby the incumbent’s profits are considerably increased.

_St._ THOMAS OF ACARS, or ACONS, an hospital formerly situated where Mercers chapel now stands in Cheapside. This hospital was under this name dedicated to St. Thomas a Becket archbishop of Canterbury, probably upon the following occasion: when the city of Acars or Acon in the Holy Land was besieged by the Christians, an Englishman, chaplain to Radulphus de Diceto, dean of London, going to Jerusalem, bound himself by a vow that if he should prosperously enter Acon he would build a chapel to St. Thomas the Martyr at his own charge, and also procure a church-yard to be consecrated there to the honour of that supposed Martyr; this he actually performed, when many resorting to his chapel, he took the character of prior, and employed himself sometimes in fighting as a soldier, and at others, in burying the bodies of such as died either naturally or were slain by the enemy. _Maitland._

Matthew Paris however says that the order of St. Thomas was instituted by Richard surnamed Cœur de Lyon, after the surprisal of Acars, in honour of Thomas a Becket; that they held the rule of St. Augustine, and wore a white habit, and a full red cross, charged in the middle with a white scallop, and that Peter de Rupibus, bishop of Winchester, being in the Holy Land, caused the patriarch of Jerusalem to direct that the brethren of this church should be under the order of the Templars. _M. Paris in vita Hen._ III.

_S. Wale delin._ _Elliot. sculp._
_S^t. Thomas’s Hospital._]

However it is evident, that as the Templars and other orders, formed societies in England in imitation of those founded in Palestine, so this in Cheapside was founded in imitation of that at Acon, and therefore had the same name.

The revenue of this hospital, when it was surrendered to Henry VIII. amounted to 277_l._ 3_s._ 4_d._ _per annum_. The edifice was soon after purchased by the Mercer’s company. The image of Thomas a Becket however stood over the gate, till the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, when somebody threw it down, broke it, and stuck up a writing on the church door, reflecting on those who placed it there. See the article MERCERS.

THOMAS _court_, 1. Benjamin street: 2. Tackle Block court, Wapping.

_St._ THOMAS’S HOSPITAL, on the east side of the street called the Borough in Southwark, is a very noble and extensive charity, for the reception of the necessitous sick and wounded.

As to the origin of this hospital, it is to be observed, that the priory of St. Mary Overies being destroyed by fire in the year 1207, the canons erected at a small distance an occasional edifice to answer the same purpose, till their monastery could be rebuilt; which being accomplished, Peter de Rupibus, Bishop of Winchester, for the greater convenience of air and water, pulled it down in 1215, and erected it in a place where the prior of Bermondsey had two years before built an almonry, or almshouse, for the reception of indigent children, and necessitous proselytes; and having dedicated the new structure to St. Thomas the Apostle, he endowed it with land to the value of 343_l._ a year: from which time it was held of the abbot of Bermondsey, and ever since an hospital has continued in the same place.

In 1428, one of the abbots granted the foundation lands to Nicholas Buckland, the master of the hospital, and in that condition they remained, till at the dissolution of religious houses in the reign of Henry VIII. this fell with the rest.

In the year 1551 the Lord Mayor and Citizens having purchased of King Edward VI. the manor of Southwark, with its appurtenances, for the sum of 647_l._ 2_s._ 1_d._ a part whereof being this hospital, the city immediately repaired and enlarged it at the expence of about 1100_l._ and in November following receiving into it two hundred and sixty poor sick and helpless objects, the hospital still retained its antient name, St. Thomas’s, and in 1553 the King incorporated a society of persons for its government, in common with the two other great charities, Bridewell and Christ’s Hospital.

Though the great fire of London in 1666 spared this hospital, it destroyed a great part of its possessions, and two others which happened a few years after in Southwark added to the distress. By these accidents the hospital of St. Thomas was almost reduced to ruin. The building was old, and wanted great repairs, and the funds that should have supported it were exhausted; but the benevolence of the principal persons in the city interposed for its preservation; the governors in 1699 set on foot a voluntary subscription, which they opened by large donations from themselves and their friends, and the public followed the example. The building was begun upon a larger and more commodious plan, and erected at different times by the assistance of different benefactors, till it became entirely completed, and consists in the whole of three quadrangles or square courts.

Next the street is a handsome pair of large iron gates, with a door of the same work on each side for the convenience of foot passengers. These are fastened on the sides to a stone pier, on each of which is a statue representing one of the patients. These gates open into a very neat square court, encompassed on three sides with a colonade, surrounded with benches next the wall, for people to sit down. On the south under an empty niche is the following inscription,

This building on the south side of this court, containing three wards,
was erected at the charge of THOMAS FREDERICK of London, Esq; a worthy
governor and liberal benefactor to this hospital, _Anno 1708_.

Under the same kind of niche on the opposite side is this inscription,

This building on the north side of this court, containing three wards,
was erected at the charge of THOMAS GUY, Esq; Citizen and Stationer of
London, a worthy governor and bountiful benefactor to this hospital,
_Anno 1707_.

The centre of the principal front, which is on the west side, facing the street, is of stone. On the top is a clock under a small circular pediment, and beneath that a niche with a statue of Edward VI. holding a gilt sceptre in his right hand, and the charter in his left. A little lower in niches on each side is a man with a crutch, and a sick woman: and under them, in other niches, a man with a wooden leg, and a woman with her arm in a sling: over the niches are festoons, and between the last mentioned figures the King’s arms in relievo. Under which is the following inscription,

KING EDWARD the SIXTH, of pious memory, in the year of our Lord 1552
founded and endowed this HOSPITAL of St. THOMAS the Apostle, _together
with the Hospital of Christ and Bridewell in London_.

Underneath is a spacious passage down several steps into the second court, which is by far the most elegant. It has colonades like the former, except at the front of the chapel which is on the north side, and is adorned with lofty pilasters of the Corinthian order, placed on high pedestals which rise from the ground, and on the top is a pediment, as there is also in the centre of the west and east sides: and above the piazzas the fronts of the wards are ornamented with handsome Ionic pilasters.

In the midst of this court is a good brass statue of King Edward VI. by Mr. Scheemakers, and behind him is placed upon a kind of small pedestal his crown laid upon a cushion. This statue is surrounded with iron rails, and stands upon a lofty stone pedestal, upon which is the following inscription in capitals:

This statue
Of King EDWARD the Sixth,
A most excellent Prince,
Of exemplary Piety and Wisdom
above his years;
The glory and ornament of his age,
and most munificent founder
Of this hospital,
Was erected at the expence
Of CHARLES JOYCE, Esquire,
in the year MDCCXXXVII.

On the opposite face of the pedestal is the same inscription in Latin.

In the middle of the east side of this court is a spacious passage into the next, the structure above being supported by rows of columns. The buildings in the third court are older than the others, and are entirely surrounded with a colonade, above which they are adorned with a kind of long slender Ionic pilasters, with very small capitals. In the centre is a stone statue of Robert Clayton, Esq; dressed in his robes as Lord Mayor, surrounded with iron rails, upon the west side of the pedestal is his arms in relievo, and on the south side the following inscription:

To Sir ROBERT CLAYTON, knight, born in Northamptonshire, Citizen and
Lord Mayor of London, president of this hospital, and vice president
of the new work-house, and a bountiful benefactor to it; a just
magistrate, and brave defender of the liberty and religion of his
country. Who (besides many other instances of his charity to the
poor) built the girls ward in Christ’s hospital, gave first toward
the rebuilding of this house 600_l._ and left by his last will 2300_l._
to the poor of it. This statue was erected in his life time by the
governors, _An. Dom._ MDCCI. as a monument of their esteem of so much
worth; and to preserve his memory after death, was by them beautified
_Anno Dom._ MDCCXIV.

By this noble charity many hundred thousand of the poor have since its foundation received relief, and been cured of the various disorders to which human nature is subject; and though the estates at first belonging to this foundation were ruined, yet by the liberal munificence of the citizens since that time, the annual disbursements have of late amounted to near 8000_l._ The house contains nineteen wards, and 474 beds, which are constantly kept filled, and they have always a considerable number of out-patients.

The number of governors in this and the other city hospitals are unlimited, and therefore uncertain. They chuse their own officers and servants, both men and women: these are a president, a treasurer, an hospitaller or chaplain, four physicians, three surgeons, an apothecary, a clerk, a steward, a matron, a brewer and butcher, a cook, assistant and servant, an assistant clerk in the compting house, two porters, four beadles, nineteen sisters, nineteen nurses, nineteen watch-women, a chapel clerk and sexton, and one watchman.

_St._ THOMAS’S _lane_, Drury lane.*

THOMAS’S _rents_, Fore street, Limehouse.

_St._ THOMAS’S _Southwark_, on the north side of St. Thomas’s street was erected for the use of the above hospital, from which it is denominated; but the number of houses and inhabitants having greatly increased in the precinct of that hospital, it was judged necessary to make the church parochial for the use of the inhabitants, and to erect a chapel in the hospital for the use of the patients. This church is therefore neither a rectory, vicarage, nor donative, but a sort of impropriation in the gift of the hospital.