Jack Adams’s alley, Saffron hill.

Jack alley, Bow lane.

Jackanapes row, Cheapside.

Jackson’s alley, Bow street, Covent garden.†

Jackson’s Almshouse, in College yard, Deadman’s Place, Southwark, was founded in the year 1685, by Mr. Henry Jackson, for two poor women, who have each an allowance of 1s. 8d. per week.

Jackson’s court, 1. Black Friars.† 2. Gravel lane.† 3. White street.†

Jackson’s yard, Gravel lane.†

Jack Straw’s Castle yard, Saltpetre Bank.

Jacob’s alley, 1. Barnaby street.† 2. Goswell street.† 3. Turnmill street.†

Jacob’s court, 1. Cow Cross.† 2. Peter street, Turnmill street.†

Jacob’s street, Mill street, Rotherhith.†

Jacob’s Well alley, 1. Nightingale lane.* 2. Thames street.*

Jacob’s Well yard, Nightingale lane.*

Jamaica street, Rotherhith.

St. James’s Clerkenwell, situated on the north side of Clerkenwell Green, is a part of the church of the ancient priory; and is thus denominated from its dedication to St. James the Minor, Bishop of Jerusalem. This priory was founded so early as the year 1100, and the church belonging to it not only served the nuns but the neighbouring inhabitants. The priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII. in the year 1539, and the church was immediately made parochial. See Clerkenwell.

The steeple of this edifice being greatly decayed by age, a part of it fell down in the year 1623, upon which the parish contracted with a person to rebuild it; but the builder being desirous of getting as much as possible by the job, raised the new work upon the old foundation, and carried it on with the utmost expedition; but before it was entirely finished, it fell down, and destroyed part of the church, which were both soon after rebuilt, as they are at present.

This church is a very heavy structure, partly Gothic, which was the original form, and partly Tuscan. The body, though it has not the least appearance of elegance, is well enlightened, and the steeple consists of a low heavy tower crowned with a turret.

The church is a curacy in the gift of the parishioners.

St. James’s Duke’s Place, near Aldgate, is a very old church, it having escaped the great conflagration in 1666, that was destructive, to so many others, and still remains in its original form. The body is well enlightened, and the tower, which is composed of four stages, is terminated by a very singular kind of turret in the form of a canopy.

This church is a curacy, the patronage of which being in the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of London, the parish claims a right of exemption from the Bishop of London’s jurisdiction, in matters ecclesiastical. The Incumbent receives about 60l. a year by tithes, and 13l. a year from the Chamber of London. Maitland.

St. James’s Garlickhith, is situated at the east end of Garlic Hill, and is thus denominated from its dedication to St. James one of the apostles, and its vicinity to a garlic market anciently held in this neighbourhood. This church being destroyed by the fire of London, the foundation of the present edifice was laid in the year 1676, and the church was finished in 1682. Stow.

This church, which, as well as both the former, is built of stone, is well enlightened, and is seventy-five feet in length, and forty-five in breadth; the roof is forty feet high, and the steeple ninety-eight feet. The tower is divided into three stages; in the lowest is a very elegant door, with coupled columns of the Corinthian order: in the second stage is a pretty large window, and over it the form of a circular one not opened: over this, in the third story, is another window larger than any of the former, and the cornice above this supports a range of open work in the place of battlements, or a balustrade. From hence rises the turret, which is composed of four stages, and decorated with columns, scrolls, and other ornaments. The parts are all regular, and even elegant, but the whole is too massy. English Architecture.

This church is a rectory, the patronage of which is in the Bishop of London. The Rector receives 100l. per annum, in lieu of tithes.

St. James’s Westminster, by St. James’s square, is one of the churches that owes its rise to the increase of buildings and inhabitants; for the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields being too small for the inhabitants, and too remote from those in this quarter, the Earl of St. Alban’s, with other persons of distinction in that neighbourhood, erected this edifice at the expence of about 7000l. It was built in the reign of King Charles II. and tho’ a large fabric, was considered as a chapel of ease to St. Martin’s; but being consecrated in 1684, it was dedicated to St. James, in compliment to the name of the Duke of York, and the next year, when that Prince had ascended the throne, the district for which it was built, was by act of parliament separated from St. Martin’s, and made a distinct parish.

The walls are brick, supported by rustic quoins of stone; and the windows, which are large, are also cased with stone. The tower at the east end, rises regularly from the ground to a considerable height, and is crowned with a neat, well constructed spire.

This church is a rectory, in the patronage of the Bishop of London. Maitland. Stow. English Architecture.

James court, 1. Berry street, Piccadilly. 2. James street, Featherstone street. 3. James street, Theobald’s row.

St. James’s Market, by Market street, is a place of considerable extent, with a commodious market house in the middle, filled with butchers shops, &c. The stalls in the market place are for country butchers, higlers, &c.

St. James’s Palace. On the place where this edifice stands, was once an hospital dedicated to St. James, originally founded by the citizens of London for only fourteen maids afflicted with the leprosy, who were to live a chaste and devout life; but afterwards new donations increased the extent of the charity, and eight brethren were added, to minister divine service. This hospital, which is mentioned in a manuscript of the Cotton library, so early as in the year 1100, was at length suppressed by King Henry VIII. who allowed the sisters pensions during the term of their lives, and taking down the edifice built a palace in its room, which retained the name of the hospital, and is still standing. In this edifice our Kings have resided ever since Whitehall was consumed by fire in 1697, and his Majesty usually resides here during the winter season: but though it is pleasantly situated on the north side of the Park, and has very convenient, and not inelegant apartments, it is an irregular brick building, without having one single beauty on the outside to recommend it, and is at once the contempt of foreign nations, and the disgrace of our own. In the front next St. James’s street, there appears little more than an old gatehouse; and on passing through the gate we enter a little square court, with a piazza on the west side of it leading to the grand stair case; the buildings are low, plain, and mean; and there are two other courts beyond, which have not much of the air of a palace. The windows however look into a pleasant garden, and command a view of St. James’s Park, which seem to be the only advantage this edifice enjoys, above many others devoted to charity. This palace claims a print, as it is the dwelling of a British Monarch, having otherwise not the least beauty to recommend it. The print shews both sides of it.

In other kingdoms the attention of foreigners is first struck with the magnificent residence of the Sovereign, on which all the decorations of architecture are lavished without the least regard to expence. The outside is grand and noble; and the galleries and apartments are adorned with all the boasted pieces of art, the finest efforts of genius, and the most rare and precious productions of nature: for the magnificence of the palace is intended to give an idea of the power and riches of the kingdom: but if the power, wealth and strength of the King of England should be judged from this palace, how great would be the mistake! We are however in no want of a design for an edifice suitable to the dignity of the British Crown; the celebrated Inigo Jones drew a draught of such a structure; but the ideas of that architect were greater than the spirit of the public, and the expence of building it has hitherto prevented its being begun: but as a taste for elegance in building gains ground, and new schemes are continually laid for building magnificent bridges, streets and squares, it is to be hoped that the erecting of so necessary a structure will not be much longer neglected: especially if it be considered, that however great the expence may be, it will cost the nation nothing, for on these occasions, what is given by the people is paid to the people.

St. James’s Park, was in the reign of Henry VIII. a wild wet field; but that Prince, on his building St. James’s palace, inclosed it, laid it out in walks, and collecting the waters together, gave to the new inclosed ground, and new raised building, the name of St. James. It was afterwards much enlarged and improved by King Charles II. who added to it several fields, planted it with rows of lime trees, laid out the Mall, which is a vista half a mile in length, and formed the canal, which is an hundred feet broad, and two thousand eight hundred feet long, with a decoy, and other ponds for water fowl. Succeeding Kings allowed the people the privilege of walking in it, and King William III. in 1699 granted the neighbouring inhabitants a passage into it out of Spring Garden.

It is certain that the Park enjoys a fine situation, and is laid out with a very agreeable air of negligence. It affords many pleasant walks, diversified by new scenes, varied by different rural prospects, and the view of distant structures on the west side.

St. James’s Place, St. James’s street.

James’s rents, Hermitage dock.†

James’s rope-walk, 1. Red Maid lane.† 2. North of Bedford row.

St. James’s square, is very large and beautiful; the area on the inside is encompassed with iron rails which form an octagon, and in the center is a fine circular bason of water. On the north side of the square is St. James’s church, in a very fine situation with respect to the prospect, and had it been an elegant structure, would have had a very noble effect. An ingenious author observes, that though this square appears extremely grand, yet this grandeur does not arise from the magnificence of the houses; but only from their regularity, the neatness of the pavement, and the beauty of the bason in the middle: and that if the houses were built more in taste, and the four sides exactly correspondent to each other, the effect would be much more surprising, and the pleasure arising from it more just.

St. James’s street, Pall Mall.

James street, 1. Brook’s street, New Bond street.† 2. Bunhill fields.† 3. Covent garden.† 4. Golden square.† 5. Hare street.† 6. Hay market.† 7. Hoxton.† 8. Long Acre.† 9, Near Theobald’s row.† 10. Petty France, Westminster.†

Jane alley, Blackman street.

Jane Shore’s alley, Shoreditch. See Shoreditch.

Jane Shore’s yard, Shoreditch.

Jasper street, Aldermanbury.†

Idlestry, a village in Hertfordshire, situated on the very edge of Middlesex, near Brockley hill, by Stanmore, which affords a delightful prospect across Middlesex over the Thames into Surry.

Idol or Idle lane, Tower street.

Jefferies’s Almshouse, a large and handsome building, situated in Kingsland road. It consists of a spacious front, with two wings, and a chapel in the center, which has a plain frontispiece, and is crowned with a well-proportioned turret. It was erected in the year 1713, by the Ironmongers company, pursuant to the will of Mr. Robert Jefferies, some time Lord Mayor of this city, for the reception of as many of his relations as should apply for this charity; and in case there were none of these, for fifty-six poor members of the company, who, besides a convenient room and part of a cellar, have each 6l. a year and a gown. Maitland.

Jeffrey’s buildings, Westminster.†

Jeffrey’s square, St. Mary Ax.†

Jenkin’s buildings, Carey street.†

Jenkin’s court, Ropemakers fields.†

Jericho yard, Jerusalem alley.

Jermain court, Jermain street.†

Jermain street, Near Piccadilly. This street and court were thus named from the Lord Jermine, nephew to the Earl of St. Alban’s.

Jerusalem alley, Gracechurch street.

Jerusalem court, 1. St. John’s street, West Smithfield. See St. John’s Square. 2. Shad Thames, Horselydown.

Jerusalem passage, Ailesbury street, St. John’s street.

Jerusalem row, Church street, Hackney.

Jesuits ground, Savoy.

Jewel Office, in the Tower, a dark strong stone room, about twenty yards to the eastward of the grand storehouse or new armoury, in which the Crown jewels are deposited. It is not certain whether they were always kept here, though they have been deposited in the Tower from very ancient times, and we have sufficient proof of their being in that fortress so early as the reign of King Henry III.

The jewels at this time shewn to all who chuse to give a shilling for seeing them, or eighteen pence for a company, are:

I. The imperial crown, with which it is pretended that all the Kings of England have been crowned since Edward the Confessor, in 1042. It is of gold, enriched with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, saphires and pearls: the cap within is of purple velvet, lined with white taffety, turned up with three rows of ermine. They are however mistaken in shewing this as the ancient imperial diadem of St. Edward; for that, with the other most ancient regalia of this kingdom, was kept in the arched room in the cloisters in Westminster Abbey, till the grand rebellion; when in 1642, Harry Martin, by order of the parliament, broke open the iron chest in which it was secured, took it thence, and sold it, together with the robes, sword, and scepter of St. Edward. However after the restoration, King Charles II. had one made in imitation of it, which is that now shewn.

II. The golden orb or globe put into the King’s right hand before he is crowned; and borne in his left with the scepter in his right, upon his return into Westminster Hall, after he is crowned. It is about six inches in diameter, edged with pearl, and enriched with precious stones. On the top is an amethyst, of a violet colour, near an inch and a half in height, set with a rich cross of gold, adorned with diamonds, pearls, and precious stones. The whole height of the ball and cup is eleven inches.

III. The golden scepter, with its cross set upon a large amethyst of great value, garnished round with table diamonds. The handle of the scepter is plain; but the pummel is set round with rubies, emeralds, and small diamonds. The top rises into a fleur de lis of six leaves, all enriched with precious stones, from whence issues a mound or ball made of the amethyst already mentioned. The cross is quite covered with precious stones.

IV. The scepter with the dove, the emblem of peace, perched on the top of a small Jerusalem cross, finely ornamented with table diamonds and jewels of great value. This emblem was first used by Edward the Confessor, as appears by his seal; but the ancient scepter and dove was sold with the rest of the regalia, and this now in the Tower was made after the restoration.

V. St. Edward’s staff, four feet seven inches and a half in length, and three inches three quarters in circumference, all of beaten gold, which is carried before the King at his coronation.

VI. The rich crown of state worn by his Majesty in parliament; in which is a large emerald seven inches round; a pearl esteemed the finest in the world, and a ruby of inestimable value.

VII. The crown belonging to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.

These two last crowns, when his Majesty goes in state to the parliament house, are carried by the keeper of the Jewel Office, attended by the warders, privately in a hackney coach to Whitehall, where they are delivered to the officers appointed to receive them, who with some yeomen of the guard carry them to the robing rooms adjoining to the house of Lords, where his Majesty and the Prince of Wales put on their robes. The King wears this crown on his head while he sits upon the throne; but that of the Prince of Wales is placed before him, to shew that he is not yet come to it. As soon as the King is disrobed, the two crowns are carried back to the Tower by the persons who brought them from thence, and again locked up in the jewel office.

VIII. The late Queen Mary’s crown, globe and scepter, with the diadem she wore at her coronation with her consort King William III.

IX. An ivory scepter with a dove on the top, made for the late King James the second’s Queen, whose garniture is gold, and the dove on the top gold, enamelled with white.

X. The curtana, or sword of mercy, which has a blade thirty two inches long, and near two broad, is without a point, and is borne naked before the King at his coronation, between the two swords of justice, spiritual and temporal.

XI. The golden spurs, and the armillas, which are bracelets for the wrists. These, tho’ very antique, are worn at the coronation.

XII. The ampulla or eagle of gold, finely engraved, which holds the holy oil the Kings and Queens of England are anointed with; and the golden spoon that the Bishop pours the oil into. These are two pieces of great antiquity. The golden eagle, including the pedestal, is about nine inches high, and the wings expand about seven inches. The whole weighs about ten ounces. The head of the eagle screws off about the middle of the neck, which is made hollow, for holding the holy oil; and when the King is anointed by the Bishop, the oil is poured into the spoon out of the bird’s bill.

The following legend is told of this eagle. Thomas Becket being in disgrace at Sens in France, the holy Virgin appeared to him, and gave him a stone vessel of oil inclosed in a golden eagle, and bid him give it to William a monk, to carry to Pictavia, and there hide it under a great stone, in St. Gregory’s church, where it should be found for the use of pious and prosperous Kings: accordingly Henry III. when Duke of Lancaster, received it from a holy man in France; and Richard II. finding it among other jewels, endeavoured to be anointed with it; but was supplanted by Archibald Arundel, who afterwards anointed Henry IV. Such is the fabulous history of the ampulla.

XIII. A rich salt-seller of state, in form like the square white tower, and so exquisitely wrought that the workmanship of modern times is in no degree equal to it. It is of gold, and used only on the King’s table at the coronation.

XIV. A noble silver font, double gilt, and elegantly wrought, in which the royal family are christened.

XV. A large silver fountain, presented to King Charles II. by the town of Plymouth, very curiously wrought; but much inferior in beauty to the above.

Besides these, which are commonly shewn, there are in the jewel office all the crown jewels worn by the Prince and Princesses at coronations, and a vast variety of curious old plate.

This office is governed by a Master, who has 450l. a year patent fees; two yeomen, who have 106l. 15s. per annum each; a groom, who has 105l. 8s. 4d. a year, and a clerk.

Jewin street, Aldersgate street.†

Jews Harp court, Angel alley, Bishopsgate street.*

Jews row, Chelsea.

Jeye’s yard, Three Colts street, Limehouse.†

Independents, a set of dissenters from the church of England, received their name from each congregation being entirely independent with respect to church government. They are Calvinists, and like the Baptists receive the sacrament in the afternoon; none are admitted to communion till after having given in a paper containing an account of their conversion, religious experiences, &c. Their places of worship within the bills of mortality, are, 1. Berry street, St. Mary Ax. 2. Boar’s Head yard, Petticoat lane. 3. Brick Hill lane, Thames street. 4. Broad street, near Old Gravel lane. 5. Coachmakers hall, Noble street. Antinomian. 6. Collier’s rents, White street. 7. Court yard, Barnaby street, Southwark. 8. Crispin street, Spitalfields. 9. Deadman’s Place, Southwark. 10. Hare court, Aldersgate street. 11. Jewin street, Aldersgate street. 12. Lower street, Islington, two meeting houses. 13. Mare street, Hackney. 14. New Broad street, Moorfields. 15. New court, Carey street. 16. Old Artillery Ground, Spitalfields. 17. Orchard, Wapping. 18. Paved alley, Lime street. 19. Pavement row, Moorfields. 20. Pinner’s hall, Broad street, in the morning, the only Independent congregation that is not Calvinist. 21. Queen street, Ratcliff. 22. Queen street, Rotherhith. 23. Redcross street, Barbican. 24. Ropemakers alley, Little Moorfields. 25. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street. 26. St. Saviour’s Dockhead, Southwark. 27. Staining lane, Maiden lane. 28. Stepney fields. 29. Turner’s hall, Philpot lane. 30. White Horn yard, Duke’s Place. 31. Zoar street, Southwark.

Ingatstone or Engerstone, a town in Essex, twenty-three miles from London, from which it is a great thoroughfare to Harwich, has many good inns, and a considerable market on Wednesdays, for live cattle brought from Suffolk.

Here is the seat of the ancient family of the Petres; to whose ancestor Sir William, this manor was granted by Henry VIII. at the dissolution of Barking Abbey, to which it till then belonged. That gentleman founded eight fellowships at Oxford, called the Petrean fellowships, and erected and endowed an almshouse here for twenty poor people. He lies interred under a stately monument in the church, as do several others of that family.

Ingram’s court, an open well-built place in Fenchurch street, thus named from Sir Thomas Ingram, who built this small square on the ground where his own house before stood.

Inner Scotland yard, Whitehall.

Inner Temple. See the article Temple.

Inner Temple lane, Fleet street.

Innholders, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Henry VIII. in the year 1515. They are governed by a Master, three Wardens, and twenty Assistants, and have a livery of an hundred and thirty-nine members, whose fine upon admission is 10l.

They have a handsome and convenient hall in Elbow lane.

Inns of Chancery. The colleges of the professors and students of the municipal and common law, are stiled Inns, an old English word, formerly used for the houses of noblemen, bishops, and persons of distinguished rank, and the eight Inns of chancery were probably thus denominated from there dwelling in them such clerks, as chiefly studied the forming of writs, which regularly belonged to the cursitors, who are officers in chancery. These are Lincoln’s Inn, New Inn, Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Staple’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, Furnival’s Inn, and Barnard’s Inn. These were formerly considered as preparatory colleges for younger students, many of whom were entered here, before they were admitted into the Inns of court; but now they are for the most part taken up by attorneys, sollicitors and clerks, who have separate chambers, and their diet at a very easy rate in an hall together, where they are obliged to appear in grave long robes, and black round knit caps. See the articles Clement’s Inn, Clifford’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Lion’s Inn, &c.

Inns of Court, were so named, either from the students, who live in them, serving the courts of judicature; or, according to Fortescue, from these colleges anciently receiving none but the sons of noblemen, and gentlemen of high rank.

The Inns of court, are only four, viz. the two Temples, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn. See the articles Temple, Lincoln’s Inn, and Gray’s Inn.

Though these societies are no corporation, and have no judicial power over their members, they have certain orders among themselves, which have by consent the force of laws: for small offences, they are only excommoned, or not allowed to eat at the common table with the rest; and for greater offences they lose their chambers, and are expelled the college, after which they are not to be received by any of the other three Inns of court.

As these societies are not incorporated, they have no lands or revenues, nor any thing for defraying the charges of the house but what is paid at admittance, and other dues for their chambers. The whole company of gentlemen may be divided into four parts, benchers, utter-barristers, inner-barristers and students.

The benchers are the seniors, who have the government of the whole house, and out of these are annually chosen a treasurer, who receives, disburses and accounts for all the money belonging to the house. See Serjeants Inn.

There are at present no mootings, or readings in any of the courts of Chancery. Chamberlain’s Present State.

It ought not to be omitted, that gentlemen may take chambers in the Inns of Court or Chancery, without laying themselves under an obligation to study the law.

A description of the structures and gardens belonging to these Inns we have given under their respective heads: but it may not be improper here to add, that strangers are apt to be disgusted at the nastiness of the walls, and the dirt and filth observable on all the stairs and public passages leading to the Inns of Court and Chancery: where every thing seems neglected, and generally out of repair: but on stepping into the chambers, one is surprised to see so remarkable a contrast; to observe the utmost neatness reign there, and the most handsome and commodious rooms, furnished and adorned with great elegance.

Dr. Blackstone in his discourse on the study of the law, gives us the following curious account of the changes and revolutions in this study, and of the origin of the several Inns of Court and Chancery.

That ancient collection of unwritten maxims and customs, says he, which is called the common law, however compounded or from whatever fountains derived, had subsisted immemorially in this kingdom: and, though somewhat altered and impaired by the violence of the times, had in a great measure weathered the rude shock of the Norman conquest. This had endeared it to the people in general, as well because its decisions were universally known, as because it was found to be excellently adapted to the genius of the English nation. In the knowledge of this law consisted great part of the learning of those dark ages; it was then taught, says Mr. Selden, in the monasteries, in the universities, and in the families of the principal nobility. The clergy in particular, as they then engrossed almost every other branch of learning, so (like their predecessors the British Druids) they were peculiarly remarkable for their proficiency in the study of the law.

‘But the common law being not committed to writing, but only handed down by tradition, use, and experience, was not so heartily relished by the foreign clergy who came over hither in shoals during the reign of the Conqueror and his two sons, and were utter strangers to our constitution as well as our language. And an accident, which soon after happened, had nearly completed its ruin.’

A copy of Justinian’s Pandects, being newly discovered at Amalfi, about A.D. 1130, soon brought the civil law into vogue all over the rest of Europe. It became in a particular manner the favourite of the Popish clergy; and Theobald, a Norman Abbot, being elected to the see of Canterbury, A.D. 1138, and extremely addicted to this new study, brought over with him in his retinue many learned proficients therein; and among the rest Roger surnamed Vacarius, whom he placed in the university of Oxford to teach it. The monkish clergy (devoted to the will of a foreign Primate) received it with eagerness and zeal; but the laity, who were more interested to preserve the old constitution, and had already severely felt the effect of many Norman innovations, continued wedded to the use of the common law.

The clergy, finding it impossible to root out the municipal law, withdrew by degrees from the temporal courts; and in 1217, they passed a canon in a national synod, forbidding all ecclesiastics to appear as advocates in foro sÆculari^[1]; nor did they long continue to act as judges there, not caring to take the oath of office which was then found necessary to be administered, that they should in all things determine according to the law and custom of this realm; though they still kept possession of the high office of Chancellor, an office then of little juridical power; and afterwards as its business increased by degrees, they modelled the process of the court at their own discretion.

But wherever they retired, and wherever their authority extended, they carried with them the same zeal to introduce the rules of the civil, in exclusion of the municipal law. This appears in a particular manner from the spiritual courts of all denominations, from the Chancellor’s courts in both our universities, and from the high court of Chancery; in all of which the proceedings are to this day in a course much conformed to the civil law. And if it be considered, that our universities began about that period to receive their present form of scholastic discipline; that they were then, and continued to be till the time of the reformation, entirely under the influence of the Popish clergy; this will lead us to perceive the reason, why the study of the Roman laws was in those days of bigotry^[2] pursued with such alacrity in these seats of learning.

Since the reformation, the principal reason that has hindered the introduction of this branch of learning, is, that the study of the common law, being banished from hence in the times of Popery, has fallen into a quite different channel, and has hitherto been wholly cultivated in another place.

As the common law was no longer taught, as formerly, in any part of the kingdom, it perhaps would have been gradually lost and over-run by the civil, had it not been for the peculiar incident which happened at a very critical time, of fixing the court of Common Pleas, the grand tribunal for disputes of property, to be held in one certain spot; that the seat of ordinary justice might be permanent and notorious to all the nation. Formerly that, in conjunction with all the other superior courts, was held before the King’s justiciary of England, in the aula regis, or such of his palaces wherein his royal person resided, and removed with his houshold from one end of the kingdom to the other. This was found to occasion great inconvenience to the suitors; to remedy which it was made an article of the great charter of liberties, both that of King John and King Henry the Third, that, “Common Pleas should no longer follow the King’s court, but be held in some certain place:” in consequence of which they have ever since been held (a few necessary removals in times of the plague excepted) in the palace of Westminster only. This brought together the professors of the municipal law, who before were dispersed about the kingdom, and formed them into an aggregate body; whereby a society was established of persons, who (as Spelman observes) addicted themselves wholly to the study of the laws of the land.

They naturally fell into a kind of collegiate order; and, being excluded from Oxford and Cambridge, established a new university of their own, by purchasing certain houses (now called the Inns of Court and Chancery) between the city of Westminster, the place of holding the King’s courts, and the city of London; for advantage of ready access to the one, and plenty of provisions in the other.

In this juridical university (for such it is insisted to have been by Fortescue and Sir Edward Coke) there are two sorts of collegiate houses; one called Inns of Chancery, in which the younger students of the law used to be placed, “learning and studying, says Fortescue, the originals, and as it were, the elements of the law; who, profiting therein, as they grow to ripeness so are they admitted into the greater Inns of the same study, called the Inns of Court.” And in these Inns of both kinds, he goes on to tell us, the knights and barons, with other grandees and noblemen of the realm, did use to place their children, though they did not desire to have them thoroughly learned in the law, or to get their living by its practice; and that in his time there were about two thousand students at these several Inns, all of whom he informs us were filii nobilium, or gentlemen born.

But in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Edward Coke does not reckon above a thousand students, and the number at present is very considerably less: ‘Which seems principally owing to these reasons; first, because the Inns of Chancery being now almost totally filled by the inferior branch of the profession, they are neither commodious nor proper for the resort of gentlemen of any rank or figure; so that there are now very rarely any young students entered at the Inns of Chancery: secondly, because in the Inns of Court all sorts of regimen and academical superintendance, either with regard to morals or studies, are found impracticable, and therefore entirely neglected: lastly, because persons of birth and fortune, after having finished their usual courses at the universities, have seldom leisure or resolution sufficient to enter upon a new scheme of study at a new place of instruction. Wherefore few gentlemen now resort to the Inns of Court, but such for whom the knowledge of practice is absolutely necessary: such, I mean, as are intended for the profession.’

Inoculation Hospital for the smallpox, in the Lower street, Islington, beyond the church; in an old building situated backwards, out of the view of the street. This hospital is under the direction of the Small-pox hospital, in Cold Bath fields. See the article Small-Pox Hospital.

Clerk of the Inrollments of Fines and Recoveries, an officer under the three puisne judges of the court of Common Pleas. The inrollments here filed are by statute valid in law, and are of great use in preventing law-suits. This office is kept in the Inner Temple.

Joan Harding’s, near Oakey street, Thames street.

Jockey Field row, Near Gray’s Inn.

John Dever’s yard, Seething lane.†

John’s alley, Budge row.

St. John’s alley, St. Martin’s le Grand.

St. John the Baptist, a church which stood on the west side of Dowgate; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not since rebuilt, the parish is annexed to the church of St. Antholin.

St. John the Evangelist, a church that was seated in Watling street, at the north east corner of Friday street; but being consumed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish is united to that of Allhallows Bread street.

St. John the Evangelist, Southwark, like several other churches in the suburbs, owed its rise to the great increase of buildings and inhabitants, and is one of the fifty new churches ordered to be built by act of parliament. It was finished in 1732, and the district of Horselydown, being separated from St. Olave’s, was by act of parliament constituted its parish. The sum of 3500l. was also granted by parliament to be laid out in lands, tenements, &c. in fee simple, and as a farther provision, the church wardens are to pay him the additional sum of 60l. to be raised by fees arising from burials. Maitland.

The body of this church is enlightened by two ranges of windows, with a Venetian in the center; the tower which rises square has a balustrade on the top, and from thence rises the spire, which is very properly diminished and well wrought; but the architect having absurdly resolved to give it some resemblance to a column, has not only fluted it; but placed on the top an Ionic capital, which last gives the whole edifice an aukward whimsical appearance.

This church, which is situated near the lower end of Fair street, is in the gift of the Crown, as well as that of St. Olave’s, from whence this parish was taken. Stow.

St. John’s Wapping, situated on the north side of the street near the Thames, was built in the year 1617, when the increase of houses in the parish of St. Mary Whitechapel, rendered such an edifice necessary. It was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and as there were other churches under the patronage of the same saint, it was distinguished, from its situation, by the name of Wapping. Originally it was no more than a chapel of ease to St. Mary’s parish; but in 1694, the hamlet of Wapping was constituted a distinct parish; the inhabitants were impowered to purchase 30l. per annum in mortmain, and as a farther provision for the Rector, he was allowed to receive all ecclesiastical dues, except tithes, instead of which the Rector has 130l. a year raised upon the inhabitants by an equal pound rate. Maitland.

This church, which was built at the expence of 1600l. is a very mean building, it consisting of a plain body, a tower which scarcely deserves the name, and a spire that might be taken for a lengthened chimney. English Architecture.

The advowson of this church is in the principal and scholars of King’s hall and Brazen Nose college, Oxford.

St. John’s Westminster. The parish of St. Margaret’s Westminster being greatly increased in the number of houses and inhabitants, it was judged necessary to erect one of the fifty new churches within it; this church being finished, was dedicated to St. John the Evangelist; a parish was taken out of St. Margaret’s, and the parliament granted the sum of 2500l. to be laid out in the purchase of lands, tenements, &c. for the maintenance of the Rector: but besides the profits arising from this purchase, it was also enacted that as a farther provision for the Rector, the sum of 125l. should be annually raised by an equal pound rate upon the inhabitants. Maitland.

This church was finished in the year 1728. The chief aim of the architect was to give an uncommon, yet elegant outline, and to shew the orders in their greatest dignity and perfection; and indeed the outline is so variously broken, that there results a diversity of light and shadow, which is very uncommon, and very elegant. The principal objections against the structure are, that it is so much decorated that it appears encumbered with ornament; and that the compass being too small for the design, it appears too heavy. In the front is an elegant portico supported by Doric columns, which order is continued in pilasters round the building. Above the portico are two towers crowned with well-proportioned turrets, and adorned with columns of the Corinthian order, which are supported on pedestals, and stand free, with corresponding columns behind. English Architect.

The advowson of this church is in the Dean and Chapter of Westminster: and to prevent this rectory being held in commendam, all licences and dispensations for holding it are by act of parliament declared null and void.

St. John Zachary’s, a church that was situated at the north west corner of Maiden lane, Wood street; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish is annexed to that of St. Anne’s Aldersgate. Maitland.

John’s court, 1. Cable street. 2. Cats hole, Tower ditch. 3. East Smithfield. 4. Hannoway street. 5. John’s street. 6. Nightingale lane.

St. John’s court, 1. Addle hill. 2. Cow lane. 3. Great Hart street. 4. Little Hart street, by Covent garden. 5. St. John’s square. 6. Somerset street, Whitechapel. 7. Stepney.

St. John’s gate, St. John’s lane; the south gate of the hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.

John’s hill, Ratcliff highway.

St. John’s lane, vulgarly called St. Joans’s lane, from Hicks’s hall to St. John’s gate.

St. John’s passage, St. John’s street, West Smithfield.

St. John’s square, Clerkenwell. Where the present square is situated anciently stood the house of St. John of Jerusalem, founded by Jordan Briset, who for that purpose purchased of the nuns of Clerkenwell ten acres of land, for which he gave twenty acres in his lordship of Willinghale in Kent, and erected that hospital on this spot about the year 1110: but the church belonging to it was not dedicated to St. John the Baptist till 1185. By the profuse liberality of bigots and enthusiasts, these Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem soon attained to that degree of riches and honour, that they not only built a magnificent structure in this spot, that became the chief seat in England of those of their order, but their Prior was esteemed the first Baron in the kingdom, and in state and grandeur vied with the King. The populace however had an extreme antipathy to these imperious Knights; and in 1381, the rebels under Jack Straw and Wat Tyler consumed this stately edifice by fire. However it was rebuilt in a still more magnificent manner, and thus continued till the year 1541, when it was suppressed by Henry VIII.

This spacious and stately edifice was soon after converted into a repository for martial stores, and of the royal hunting equipage; and to this use it was applied till the year 1550; when Edward Seymour Duke of Somerset, and protector of the kingdom, caused the church, with its lofty and beautiful steeple, to be demolished, and the stones employed in building his magnificent palace of Somerset House in the Strand. Camden’s Britannia.

This square, which is an oblong, chiefly consists of two rows of good houses, at the east end of which is a chapel of ease to the neighbouring church of St. James Clerkenwell. It is entered by two gates, which bear evident marks of great antiquity; the largest and most remarkable of which is that to the south, called St. John’s Gate.

St. John’s street, 1. Brick lane, Spitalfields. 2. Long ditch. 3. West Smithfield, near St. John’s square.

John’s street, 1. David’s street. 2. Gainsford street. 3. Golden square. 4. By Mount street, Westminster. 5. Ratcliff highway. 6. Windmill street.

Johnson’s court, 1. Charing Cross.† 2. Fleet street.†

Johnson’s street, Old Gravel lane.†

Johnson’s yard, Three needle alley, Moorfields.

Joiners, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1565. They are governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-four Assistants, with a livery of 323 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 8l.

They have a convenient hall in Friars lane, Thames street, remarkable for a curious screen finely carved at the entrance into it. The great parlour is wainscotted with cedar. Maitland.

Joiners court, 1. Houndsditch. 2. Jacob street, Mill street.

Joiners Hall alley, Thames street.

Joiners street, Tooley street.

Jolly court, Durham yard, in the Strand.†

Jones’ court, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.†

Jones’ yard, 1. Stony lane, Petticoat lane. 2. Little Swan alley.

Inigo Jones, the celebrated architect, several of whose best designs are described in different parts of this work, has therefore a just claim to our regard in this place. And we are obliged to the ingenious authors of the Biographia Britannica for the following particulars relating to his life and works in general. He was born about the year 1572, in the neighbourhood of St. Paul’s in London, of which city his father, Mr. Ignatius Jones, was a citizen and clothworker. Nothing certain being delivered concerning his education, some very different conjectures have been advanced upon that subject, some having suggested that his education was liberal, and others that he was bound apprentice to a joiner, of which latter opinion was Sir Christopher Wren. But in whatever way he was bred, his natural inclination leading him to the study of the arts of drawing and designing, he distinguished himself early by the extraordinary progress he made in those polite and useful arts, and was particularly taken notice of for his skill in the practice of landscape painting. These admirable talents introduced him to the knowledge of William Earl of Pembroke, who was a great patron of all liberal sciences. His Lordship admiring Mr. Jones’s genius, took him into his patronage, and sent him abroad with a handsome allowance, in order to perfect himself, by viewing and studying the works of the best masters ancient and modern, in Italy and the politer parts of Europe. Thus supported, he spent many years in compleating his education; to which end, chusing the city of Venice for the chief place of his residence, he suffered nothing of real value or merit any where to escape his industry; and the improvements he made thereby gave such an eclat to his reputation all over Europe, that Christian IV. King of Denmark sent for him thence, and appointed him his Architect-general. He had enjoyed this post some years, when that Prince, whose sister Anne had married King James I. made a visit to England in 1606. Mr. Jones took this opportunity of returning home; and expressing a desire to continue in his native country, the Queen appointed him her architect; and being not long after taken in the same character into the service of Prince Henry, he discharged his trust with so much fidelity, that the King gave him the reversion of the place of Surveyor-general of his works. After the death of Prince Henry in 1612, our architect made a second tour to Italy, and continued some years there, improving himself still further in his favourite art, till the Surveyor’s place fell to him. He then returned to England to enrich his country with the fruits of his studies. Soon after his arrival, the office of works being found several thousand pounds in debt, he voluntarily gave up his own dues, and prevailed with the Comptroller and Paymaster to do the like, whereby the whole arrears were absolutely cleared. In 1620, by the King’s command, he took an accurate survey of the surprizing group of stones upon Salisbury-Plain, commonly called Stone-henge, and drew up an account with his opinion of that famous monument of antiquity, which he presented to his royal master, and it was printed. In this account, after much reasoning and a long series of authorities, he concludes at last that this ancient and stupendous pile must have been originally a Roman temple, inscribed to Coelus the senior of the heathen gods, and built after the Tuscan order, and that it was erected when the Romans flourished here in peace and prosperity in Britain, and probably betwixt the time of Agricola’s government and the reign of Constantine the Great, about 1650 years ago.

On the 16th of November the same year, Mr. Jones was appointed, among others, a Commissioner for repairing the cathedral of St. Paul’s in London. Upon the demise of King James, he was continued in his posts by King Charles I. whose consort also entertained him in the like station. And he soon after formed that most stately and elegant pavilion, the Banquetting-house at Whitehall, which was at first designed for the reception of foreign Ambassadors. The ceiling was painted some years after with the Felicities of King James’s reign, by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, and prints from these by Simon Gribelin were published in 1724. The late Lord Burlington about the year 1740 published a north west view of the palace designed for Whitehall, by Inigo Jones, which is what is called a bird’s eye prospect, or as it is seen by a bird in flying over it, by which artifice all the parts are brought distinctly into view; and in this view the pavilion or banquetting-house appears in its proper place as part of that palace. Several other designs of Mr. Jones’s were executed in this reign, such as Surgeon’s hall, the Queen’s chapel at St. James’s palace, and her Majesty’s new building fronting the gardens at Somerset House in the Strand; the church and piazza of Covent Garden; the first of which is universally allowed to be a master-piece of the Tuscan order, the portico at the west end, majestic in its plainness, and the roof so happily contrived, by extending itself beyond the wall, as both to cast a shade, which adds to the solemnity of the sacred edifice, and at the same time serves to strengthen the wall, by resting thereon its center of gravity. In the last performance he had in view the piazza of Leghorn, but has vastly surpassed the original in the beauty and largeness of his pillars. Our architect also laid out the ground plot of Lincoln’s Inn fields, and designed the Duke of Ancaster’s house, which stands on the west side of that noble square, and which is no inconsiderable instance of the softness and sweetness of his touches. The royal chapel at Denmark House, the King’s house at Newmarket, and the Queen’s buildings at Greenwich, were also of his design. But it does not come within our plan to describe the number or form a judgment upon the excellence of all his buildings, though views and descriptions of the principal of them we have given, which may be seen under their several names, to which we refer.

In 1633 Mr. Jones began the reparation of St. Paul’s cathedral, the first stone was laid by Dr. Laud then Bishop of London, and the fourth by Mr. Jones; and, in carrying them on, he added a magnificent portico at the west end, which excited the envy of all Christendom on his country, for a piece of architecture not to be parallelled in modern times. While he was raising these noble monuments of his extraordinary genius as an architect, he employed his leisure hours in designing decorations for dramatic entertainments; and there appeared a fine intermixture of fancy and judgment in his pompous machinery of masques and interludes, which were the vogue in his time. Several of these representations are still extant in the works of Chapman, D’Avenant, Daniel, and particularly Ben Johnson. The subject was chosen by the Poet, and the speeches and songs were also of his composing; but the invention of the scenes, ornaments, and dresses of the figures, were the contrivance of Mr. Jones. By these means he acquired a handsome fortune. But his loyalty, the effect both of his integrity and gratitude, exposed him to considerable losses; and he bore a part in the ruins of his royal master. Upon the opening of the Long Parliament in November 1640, he was called before the house of Lords, upon a complaint of the parishioners of St. Gregory’s in London against him, for damages done to that church; and afterwards, during the usurpation, he was constrained to pay 400l. by way of composition for his estate, as a malignant. After the death of King Charles I. he was continued in his post by King Charles II. But grief, in one of his years, for the fatal calamity of the former, prevented him from doing the latter any actual service, by cutting him off many years before the restoration. He died most probably about Midsummer 1652, and was interred June 26, in the chancel of St. Benet’s church, near St. Paul’s Wharf, London, where there was a monument erected to his memory upon the north wall, at some distance from his grave; but it suffered greatly in the fire of London, Sept. 1666. His age was about seventy-nine years. Mr. Jones left several manuscripts, which have been published since his death. With respect to his character, we are told by Mr. Webb, that his abilities in all human sciences surpassed most of his age. However that be, ’tis certain he was perfectly well skilled in the mathematics, and had some insight into the two learned languages, Greek and Latin, especially the latter, and he had a taste for poetry. However, these accomplishments were no more than the decorations and counterpart of his proper character, which was, indeed, that of an architect, the most eminent in his time. Accordingly he was then, and is still, generally stiled the British Vitruvius; and it is observable that the art of design, little known in England before, was brought into use and esteem by him, under the patronage of King Charles I. and Thomas Earl of Arundel. In short, Mr. Jones was generally learned, eminent for architecture, a great geometrician, and, in designing with his pen (as Sir Anthony Vandyke used to say) not to be equalled by whatever great master in his time, for the boldness, softness, sweetness, and sureness of his touches.

Ireland yard, Black Friars.

Irish court, Whitechapel.

Irish Society, meeting in the Irish chamber in Guildhall. In order to convey a clear idea of this society, it is necessary to trace it from its origin. It must therefore be observed, that in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland, had been greatly depopulated by the suppression of several insurrections in that part of the kingdom; and in particular, the city of Derry and town of Colerain were quite ruined.

To prevent such insurrections for the future, it was thought proper to repeople that part of the country with protestant families; and soon after the accession of King James I. to the throne of England, that Prince, considering this as an affair worthy of his attention, signified his pleasure to some of the Aldermen and Commoners, by means of several of his Privy Council, upon which a court of Common Council was called, and a deputation sent over to view the place of the intended plantation. These deputies being returned, it was agreed in December 1609, that 15,000l. should be expended on the plantation, and 5000l. in the purchase of private interests.

Soon after articles of agreement were entered into between the Lords of the Privy Council, and a committee chosen by the Lord Mayor and Commonalty of the city, and it was agreed for the better managing of the plantation, there should be a company constituted in London, to consist of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and twenty-four Assistants, to direct what ought to be done on the part of the city, relating to the plantation; and in pursuance of this agreement, the King, by his letters patent, changed the name of Derry to that of Londonderry, and incorporated the committee nominated by the city, by the name of The society of the Governor and Assistants in London of the new plantation in Ulster within the realm of Ireland, directing that it should consist of a Governor, Deputy Governor, and twenty-four Assistants; whereof the Governor and five of the Assistants were to be Aldermen, the Recorder for the time being to be an Assistant, and the Deputy Governor, with the rest of the Assistants, to be Commoners. By this charter, the King also granted to the society and their successors, the city, fort and town of Londonderry, the whole island of Derry, and all the castles, towns, villages and lands in the county of Londonderry, particularly mentioned in the charter.

The society now immediately set about rebuilding Londonderry and Colerain, and improving and planting the other parts of the county. And, in order to reimburse the twelve principal companies, and other inferior companies that had contributed to the expence of the plantation, the society divided the whole county of Londonderry into thirteen parts; the first consisting of the city of Londonderry and town of Colerain, with some of the adjoining lands, and the fisheries, was retained by the society in their own possession, to defray the charge of the general work of the plantation, and the surplus was from time to time divided among the twelve companies by the society.

The rest of the county being divided into twelve parts, as equal in value as possible, the twelve companies drew lots for them, and each company had the part which fell to its share. The society then erected each lot into a manor, and obtained a charter of the Crown to convey to each of the companies the lands fallen to it, to hold the same in perpetuity.

King Charles I. however ordered his Attorney General to prosecute the society in the Star-chamber, under the pretence that the charter had been surreptitiously obtained; upon which it was cancelled by a decree of that court, and the lands seized into the King’s hands: but the society were reinstated in their possessions by Oliver Cromwell, who granted the city a new charter; and Charles II. incorporated the society anew, and the companies have enjoyed their possessions ever since.

The Governor and Deputy Governor of the society are by this, as well as the former charters, chosen annually. Twelve of the Assistants go off every year, and twelve new members are chosen in their stead by the Common Council, out of each of the twelve principal companies of the city; who by the appointment of the Governor or Deputy Governor meet as often as required in the Irish chamber at Guildhall, where nine of them, the Governor or Deputy Governor being one, make a court.

They have a Secretary and a messenger of their own appointment to attend them. They have also a Treasurer, who is chosen annually, and gives security to account with the society for what money he receives. All by-laws made by the corporation of Londonderry must be confirmed by the society, before they can be of force. The society has the right of presentation to the churches of Londonderry and Colerain: they likewise appoint a general agent in Ireland to correspond with them, and transact their affairs in that kingdom; and also a receiver to receive their rents. Maitland. In short, the citizens of London have the privilege of being free of the city of Londonderry.

Iron Gate, Tower wharf.

Iron Gate stairs, Iron Gate, Tower wharf.

Ironmonger lane, Cheapside; so called from its being once chiefly inhabited by those of that trade. Stow.

Ironmonger row, Old street; so called from the school belonging to that company.

Ironmonger Row School, was founded in the year 1727, by Mr. John Fuller, for the education of twenty boys and upwards, for the support of which he bequeathed the sum of 1600l. to be laid out in a purchase. Maitland.

Ironmongers, one of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King Edward IV. in the year 1464. This corporation is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and the whole livery, which consists of eighty-four, who are assistants, and whose fine upon admission is 15l.

This company has a very great estate, out of which is annually paid, according to the direction of the several donors, about 1800l. Besides these charities, Mr. Thomas Betton, a Turkey merchant, left this company, in trust, in the year 1724, about 26,000l. one moiety of the profits thereof to be perpetually employed in the redemption of British captives from Moorish slavery; and the other half to be equally distributed between the poor of the company, and the several charity schools within the bills of mortality. Maitland.

Ironmongers Almshouse, in Kingsland road. See Jefferies’s Almshouse.

Ironmongers Hall, a very noble modern building in Fenchurch street. This edifice is entirely fronted with stone, and was erected in the year 1748. The whole lower story is wrought in rustic; the center part of the building projects a little, and in this are a large arched entrance, and two windows, with two others on each side. Over this rustic story rises the superstructure, which has a light rustic at the corners, to keep up a correspondence with the rest of the building; the part which projects is here ornamented with four Ionic pilasters coupled, but with a large inter-columniation. In the middle is a very noble Venetian window, and over it, a circular one. In each space between the pilasters, is a smaller window, with an angular pediment; and over these are also circular ones; but the side parts have arched windows with square ones over them. The central part is crowned with a pediment supported by these pilasters, and in its plain is the arms of the company with handsome decorations in relievo. The rest of the building is terminated by a balustrade crowned with vases.

Isaac’s rents, Shoe lane.

Island Head lane, Wapping.

Isle of Dogs, a part of Poplar marsh. When our Sovereigns had a palace at Greenwich, they used it as a hunting seat, and it is said, kept the kennels for their hounds in this marsh, which lies on the other side of the river; these hounds frequently making a great noise, the seamen and others called the place the Isle of Dogs, though it is so far from being an island, that it can scarcely be called a peninsula. Stow.

Isleworth or Thistleworth, a village in Middlesex, pleasantly situated on the Thames opposite to Richmond. Here are two charity schools, and in its neighbourhood are the seats of several persons of distinction.

Islington, a large village in Middlesex, on the north side of London, to which it is almost contiguous. It appears to have been built by the Saxons, and in the time of William the Conqueror was called Isendon or Isledon. By the south west side of this village, is a fine reservoir called New River Head, which consists of a large bason, into which the New River discharges itself; part of the water is from thence conveyed by pipes to London, while another part is thrown by an engine through other pipes up hill to a reservoir, which lies much higher, in order to supply the highest parts of London.

The church is one of the prebends of St. Paul’s; the old Gothic structure lately taken down was erected in the year 1503, and stood till 1751, when it being in a ruinous condition, the inhabitants applied to parliament for leave to rebuild it, and soon after erected the present structure, which is a very substantial brick edifice, though it does not want an air of lightness. The body is well enlightened, and the angles strengthened and decorated with a plain rustic. The floor is raised considerably above the level of the church yard, and the door in the front is adorned with a portico, which consists of a dome supported by four Doric columns; but both the door and the portico appear too small for the rest of the building. The steeple consists of a tower, which rises square to a considerable height, terminated by a cornice supporting four vases, at the corners. Upon this part is placed an octangular balustrade, from within which rises the base of the dome in the same form, supporting Corinthian columns with their shafts wrought with rustic. Upon these rests the dome, and from its crown rises the spire, which is terminated by a ball and its fane. Though the body of the church is very large, the roof is supported without pillars, and the inside is extremely commodious, and adorned with an elegant plainness.

This parish is very extensive, and includes Upper and Lower Holloway, three sides of Newington Green, and part of Kingsland. There are in Islington two Independent meeting houses, and a charity school founded in the year 1613, by Dame Alice Owen, for educating thirty children: this foundation, together with that of a row of almshouses, are under the care of the Brewers company. There is here also a spring of chalybeat water in a very pleasant garden, which for some years was honoured by the constant attendance of the late Princess Amelia and many persons of quality, who drank the waters: to this place, which is called New Tunbridge Wells, many people resort, particularly during the summer, the price of drinking the waters being 3d. for each person. Near this place is a house of entertainment called Sadler’s Wells, where during the summer season people are amused with balance masters, walking on the wire, rope dancing, tumbling, and pantomime entertainments.

Islington road, 1. Goswell street. 2. St. John’s street, West Smithfield.

Julian court, Angel alley.

Clerk of the Juries Office, in Hind court, Fleet street. The Clerk of the juries is an officer of the court of Common Pleas, who makes out writs called Habeas Corpora, and Distringas Juratorum, for appearance of the jury, either in that court, or at the assizes in the country. This office is executed by a deputy. Chamb. Pres. State.

Justice Hall, on the north east side of the Old Bailey, stands backwards in a yard to which there is an entrance through a gateway. Had the building therefore been a fine one, it could not have been viewed to advantage; but it is a plain brick edifice, that has nothing to recommend it. A flight of plain steps lead up into the court room, which has a gallery at each end for the accommodation of spectators. The prisoners are brought to this court from Newgate, by a passage backwards which leads to that prison, and there are two places where they are kept till called to their trials, the one for the men and the other for the women. There are also rooms for the grand and petty jury and other accommodations.

An author, whose opinion we have given on other subjects, condemns this, and all the other courts of justice in England, as wanting that grandeur and augustness which might strike offenders and mankind in general with an awe for the place; and he recommends the form of a theatre as most proper, the stage for the bench, the pit for the council, prisoners, &c. and the circle round for the spectators. Whether this writer’s idea of the form of a court of judicature is just and well founded, we shall not determine.

It seems however to be wished, that these public edifices had more of the appearance of grandeur and magnificence, especially in the metropolis of the kingdom.

This court is held eight times a year by the King’s commission of oyer and terminer, for the tryal of criminals for crimes committed within the city of London and county of Middlesex. The Judges are, the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen past the chair, and the Recorder, who, on all such occasions, are attended by both the Sheriffs, and by one or more of the national Judges. The offences in the city are tried by a jury of citizens, and those committed in the county by one formed of the housekeepers in the county. The crimes tried in this court are high and petty treason, murder, felony, forgery, petty larceny, burglary, cheating, libelling, the using of false weights and measures, &c. the penalties incurred by which are the loss of life, corporal punishment, transportation, amerciaments, &c. Stow, Maitland.

Ivy Bridge, In the Strand.

Ivy Bridge lane, In the Strand.

Ivy Bridge stairs, Near the Strand.

Ivy lane, runs from Pater Noster Row into Newgate street. This lane took its name from the Ivy which grew on the walls of the prebends houses, formerly situated here. Stow.

Ivy street, Dyot street, St. Giles’s.