Anonymous

Macclesfield street, Gerrard street, Soho.

Maddox street, Swallow street.†

Maggot’s court, Piccadilly.†

Magdalen House, for the reception of penitent prostitutes, in Prescot street, Goodman’s fields, is a plain, neat building, with a wall and a small area before it. To prevent these penitents being exposed to the public eye, the windows next the street are concealed by wood work sloping up from the bottom of each, so as to admit the light only at the top; the sides are also inclosed, so that there is no possibility of these once unhappy women either seeing or being seen by any person who passes by. This sloping projection of the blinds, placed in a regular series before all the windows in each story, and painted white like the walls, has a very singular appearance; for, at a distance, the house seems falling into the street.

Though this is one of the latest of those excellent charitable foundations that do honour to the present age, it being proposed and carried into execution in the year 1758, there is reason to believe that it will not be the least useful. It is obvious that there cannot be greater objects of compassion than poor, young, thoughtless females, plunged into ruin by those temptations to which their youth and personal advantages expose them, no less than those passions implanted by nature for wise, good, and great ends; surrounded by snares the most artfully and industriously laid; snares laid by those endowed with superior faculties, and all the advantages of education and fortune; who offer too commonly to transport the thoughtless girls from want, confinement, and restraint of passions, to luxury, liberty, gaiety and joy: but when once seduced, how soon do their golden dreams vanish! abandoned by the seducer, deserted by their friends, contemned by the world, they are not only deprived of their innocence, and every pleasing hope of domestic happiness, but are left to struggle with want, despair and scorn, and even, in their own defence, to plunge deeper and deeper in sin, till disease and death conclude a miserable being. It is too well known that this is, sooner or later, the case with most of the prostitutes, in their several degrees, from those pampered in private stews, to the common dregs infesting our streets: and that far the greatest part of those, who having taken to this dreadful life, are thus seeking disease, death, and eternal destruction, not through choice, but necessity. The seeds of virtue would frequently have exerted themselves; but alas! before this foundation was formed, the possibility was removed; and the same necessity obliging them to prey on the unwary, to diffuse contagion, to propagate profligacy, and to spread ruin, disease, and death, through a great part of the human species.

This godlike proposal of giving an opportunity of repentance to guilt and shame met with a suitable encouragement, and many were willing to afford them the means of recovering themselves from their otherwise lost state; and instead of being pests, becoming useful members of society.

Influenced by such noble motives, a set of gentlemen, distinguished by their humanity and generosity, entered into a private subscription, making themselves at the same time accountable for such benefactions as should flow in from the public. Numbers liberally contributed, and in about three or four months time, the sums advanced by the subscribers amounted to 3593 l. 19 s. while a great number of these unhappy guilty objects of commiseration solicited for admission.

At a general meeting of the subscribers, a committee was appointed, and it was determined to take the house in Prescot street which had been lately the London infirmary; which being done, it was fitted up in the manner above mentioned; and at another general meeting on the 28th of June 1758, the several officers of the house were chosen, and the rules, of which the following are an abstract, were ordered to be published.

Rules and regulations of the Governors and Officers.

I. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and committee of twenty-one, be annually chosen the last Wednesday in June, and that seven of the committee go out yearly.

II. The general courts shall consist of at least ten Governors, the President, or Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These general courts shall be held quarterly, viz. on the last Wednesday in March, June, September, and December. The annual general court, in which is to be examined all the transactions of the year, and the general state of the hospital, and at which time the officers shall be chosen, is to be held on the last Wednesday in June.

III. The general committee is to consist of twenty-one, five of whom shall constitute a quorum, and the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer shall be always of this general committee, one of whom shall be Chairman, when present; but if none of them be present, then the said committee may chuse their Chairman. They are to meet once a week, or oftener, as they shall think proper: when they shall have power to receive the persons petitioning for admittance, and to dismiss those already admitted: to give orders in relation to the manner in which the persons admitted shall be employed: to inspect the cloathing, furniture, and provisions: to examine into the conduct of all the officers and servants: and every week a sub-committee of three are jointly to visit the wards, and make their report.

IV. A subscription of twenty guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for life: and an annual subscription of five guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for that year; this subscription, when it shall amount to twenty-five guineas, shall be a qualification for a Governor for life, and every such subscriber be intitled to one vote only: but if any annual subscriber shall be more than two years in arrear, his power as Governor shall cease till such arrears be paid. And every lady subscribing as above, shall be intitled to vote personally, or by proxy, provided that proxy be brought by a Governor: but no Governor to be possessed of more than one proxy. Any five Governors shall have power to require a general meeting, provided they address themselves to the Treasurer by letter, expressing the business for which that meeting is required, and signed by them respectively. All elections to be by holding up of hands, except a ballot be required, and if there shall be an equality of votes, the Chairman is to have the casting vote.

V. The Chaplain is to read prayers morning and evening; to pray and preach twice every Sunday, and to administer the sacrament every month; to attend the sick and ignorant, and to instruct them in the principles and duties of the protestant religion. He is to attend all committees, and make reports of what he thinks necessary for the good conduct and benefit of the undertaking.

VI. There are two Physicians, two Surgeons, and three Apothecaries, who are required to behave with the utmost humanity and prudence. One of each is to attend the committee, and make weekly reports. They are all to attend in their own persons, and no pupil, apprentice, or servant, shall at any time be admitted into the wards; and even when the Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries visit the wards, they shall be attended by the matron.

VII. The Matron is to direct the oeconomy of the house, and constantly to reside in it. She is to see that all the women are neat and decent in their cloaths and persons, and properly employed; that they discharge their duty, and constantly attend divine service: she is to receive from the steward the materials for their work, and deliver it back to him. She is to take care of the houshold linen, and what belongs to the cloathing: to require from the steward such provisions as are necessary for the house, and to see that they are not given away or wasted. She is to keep the keys of the outward doors, which are to be delivered into her hands after the doors are locked, at seven in the winter, and nine in the summer; and she is to take care that the rules of the house be strictly observed, with regard to the time of rest, diet, hours of devotion, and every thing that relates to good order.

VIII. The Secretary is to keep the books, take minutes at all meetings, to collect the annual subscriptions, and to give notice to such subscribers as are more than one year in arrears, &c.

IX. The Steward is to reside constantly in the house, and to follow no other employment than what relates to this charity. He is to receive the respective provisions and materials for the employment of the women, ordered by the committee, and inspect the weight, measures and quality thereof, and to make regular entries of them; to keep an exact account of all the work done by every respective woman, as the matron shall deliver it to him.

X. The Porter is not to receive any letter, message, or other thing into the house, or send out any thing without the knowledge or inspection of the matron: he is to reside in the house, and strictly to observe the instructions that shall be given him, in regard to visitors, letters, &c.

XI. The Messenger is also to dwell in the house, and to be employed in errands, and out-door business: but he is not to bring any letter, verbal message, or other thing into the house, or to carry out any message or other thing, without the knowledge or inspection of the matron.

Neither the steward, porter, or messenger, shall have any communication with the wards.

No officer, or servant of the house shall receive any money, fee, gratuity, or reward, besides their wages.

Rules and regulations relating to the Penitents.

I. That the method of admission be by petition to the committee, the printed form of which, with proper blanks to be filled up, may be had gratis by application at the house. That every petitioner be examined as to her health, by the Physician, Surgeon, and Matron. When any petition is approved, it shall be wrote upon, Found proper, and signed by the Chairman. Every person upon admission shall subscribe to the rules of the house, and also enter into an agreement to pay the sum of 10l. per annum for her board, lodgings, and necessaries, which is to be void, provided such person continues in the house three years, or less time, at the option of the committee. No person admitted shall be allowed to go out of the house without special leave in writing, signed by the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee.

II. One or more wards are to be allotted for persons newly admitted, where they are to remain some time for a trial of their behaviour. There shall be superiority of wards, according to the education or behaviour of the persons admitted; and the inferior wards shall consist of meaner persons, and of those degraded for misbehaviour. In each ward they shall be classed, and one appointed to preside and be accountable for the conduct and behaviour of the rest; and they shall by rotation do the necessary offices in their respective wards, excepting the person appointed to preside. They are also to perform the necessary offices of the house, as they shall be directed by the matron; and an allowance shall be made to such as perform these offices, out of the general produce of the work done in the house, according to the proportion of the value of their duty and labour.

III. Each person is to lie in a separate bed, and have a chest for her cloaths and linen, under lock and key, to be kept by herself; and where the rooms will admit of it, a small closet or apartment is to be provided for the retirement of the most serious and best behaved, in the intervals of their employment, and these also considered as the reward of good conduct.

IV. Their true names must be registered, but if desirous of concealing themselves, they may have liberty to assume a feigned name. As no reproaches must be made for past irregularities, under the severest injunctions; neither shall there be any inquiries made into names or families; but all possible discouragement given to every kind of discovery that the parties themselves do not chuse to make.

V. Upon their admission, if their apparel is in any tolerable condition, it is to be cleaned, ticketed, and laid by, in order to be returned them whenever they leave the house: but if such apparel be too fine for their station, it shall be sold, and the produce brought to their account. They are to wear an uniform of light grey, and in their whole dress to be plain and neat.

VI. Each ward is to dine at a separate table. The matron is to dine at the head of the table of the superior ward; and the head of each ward is to dine at the upper end of each table, and to say grace.

VII. Each person is to be employed in some work or business according to her ability, and have such part of the benefit arising from her labour and ingenuity as the committee shall judge she deserves; which sum may be increased by the bounty of the house, as favourable opportunities may offer, for establishing them in the world. The articles proposed for their employment are, making their own cloaths both linen and woollen; knitting, spinning, making bone lace, black lace, artificial flowers, childrens toys, winding silk, drawing patterns, making women and childrens shoes, mantuas, stays, coats, &c. but no part of their labour is to be sold in the house, but at some other place appointed by the committee. In their work, as in every other circumstance, the utmost care and delicacy, humanity and tenderness will be observed, that this establishment may not be thought a house of correction, or even of hard labour, but a safe retreat from their distressful circumstances.

VIII. From Lady-day to Michaelmas they are to rise at six and be in bed at ten; and from Michaelmas to Lady-day are to rise at seven and be in bed at nine; and after that time no fire or candle shall be allowed, except in the sick ward.

IX. They are to breakfast at nine o’clock, and be allowed half an hour; and are to dine at one o’clock, and be allowed an hour; they may leave off work at six in the winter, and seven in summer.

X. No Governor, or any other person shall be permitted to visit the wards, or any of the women, without leave in writing first obtained from the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee, except in cases provided for, and in all cases the matron to attend them.

XI. Abusive or reproachful language, insolence or disobedience to the officers, indecent or profane expressions, and such kind of turbulent conduct, shall subject them to confinement in a room for six hours for the first offence. For the second offence they shall be admonished publicly by the Chaplain and the Matron; and the rest of their own ward may be also appealed to for their disapprobation of such conduct. The third offence shall subject them to be confined for twelve hours, and to have but one spare meal during the whole day; and if found to be incorrigible, then to forfeit a certain proportion, or the whole of what hath been acquired by their labour, at the discretion of the committee, and be subject to the consequences of their agreement; and to be dismissed the house, and never re-admitted.

XII. After the continuance of any woman in the house for three years, upon the modest and virtuous demeanor, and industrious conduct of such woman, or upon application of her parents or friends, or any house-keeper of sufficient credit, if such friends declare they will forgive the past offences of such woman, and will provide for her; or, if such house-keeper will receive such woman as a servant; in either of these cases the Governors may discharge such woman with her consent.

XIII. Upon the discharge of such woman, her cloaths, or if sold, the produce of them, shall be returned to her, together with whatever may be due upon her account, and a certificate given her under the hands of the Treasurer, or the President, and two or more of the committee, of her conduct and behaviour during the time of her being in the house.

XIV. Every woman who shall be placed in a service from this house, and shall continue one whole year in such service to the intire approbation of such master or mistress, upon its being made appear to the satisfaction of the committee, they may give that woman a gratuity not exceeding two guineas, as a reward for her good behaviour.

XV. The committee will, upon the good behaviour of the women, interest themselves to obtain a reconciliation with their parents and friends, when their contract will be cancelled.

XVI. Besides the vouchers abovementioned, and the advantages arising from their labour, a bounty may be given, at the discretion of the committee, to such as shall be properly discharged. This gift shall be presented not only to those who marry in a manner satisfactory to the committee, but also to such as shall set up trades in whatever way they shall have gained a proficiency; so that nothing shall be omitted which can promote the great ends of preserving life, of rendering that life useful, and of recovering those who are now lost to the community.

This plan is to be improved as experience may hereafter dictate.

St. Magnus’s Church, at the north east corner of London bridge, owes its name to its dedication to St. Magnus, who suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian, in the city of CÆsarea, for his steady adherence to the Christian religion. The Abbots of Westminster and Bermondsey had alternately the donation of the church, till the suppression of monasteries; it then devolved to the Crown, and in 1553 was placed under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London. The ancient edifice was laid in ruins by the dreadful conflagration in 1666; and ten years after, the present structure was erected in its room, though the steeple was not added till several years after.

It is a spacious and massy stone building; plain, and yet well ornamented. The corners have rustic quoins, and the body is enlightened by tall arched windows, over each of which is a cornice supported by scrolls, and between these is a cherub over the center of each window. At the west end coupled pilasters rise on each side the door, from a plain course, and support a pediment. The door on the north side is also placed under a pediment, but without the particular decorations of the other. Over each door is an oval window, and this last is decorated with festoons. The roof is hid by a kind of Attic course, from which the tower rises square and plain; and from this the dial, which is very richly ornamented, projects over the street. The course above this is adorned at the corners with coupled pilasters of the Ionic order, supporting an open work in the place of a balustrade, with large urns at the corners, of an uncommon shape. From within this open work rises the lanthorn, which has also Ionic pilasters, and arched windows in all the intercolumniations. The dome rests upon these pilasters, and on its crown is placed a piece of open work like that which surrounds the base of the lanthorn. On this is raised the turret which supports the fane.

This church is a rectory, and to this parish that of St. Margaret’s, New Fish street, is united. The Rector, besides glebes, casualties, &c. receives 170l. a year in lieu of tithes.

Magnus court, Butcher row.

Magpye alley. 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Ashentree court.* 3. Bishopsgate street without.* 4. Crutched-friars.* 5. Fenchurch street.* 6. Fetter lane.* 7. Gray’s Inn lane.* 8. Phoenix street.* 9. Wheeler street.* 10. White-friars.*

Magpye court, Great Old Bailey.*

Maid court, Maiden lane, Bow lane.

Maid lane, Gravel lane.

Maiden lane, 1. Church street, Lambeth.* 2. Extending from Deadman’s Place to Gravel lane; a long stragling place with ditches on each side; the passages to the houses being over little bridges.* 3. Halfmoon street, Covent Garden.* 4. Long Ditch.* 5. Queen street, Cheapside.* 6. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Maidenhead alley, 1. Ratcliff.* 2. Wapping.*

Maidenhead court, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Cartwright street.* 3. St. Catharine’s.* 4. Chiswell street, Moorfields.* 5. Church lane, Whitechapel.* 6. St. Ermin’s hill. 7. Great Eastcheap.* 8. Great Gardens, St. Catharine’s lane.* 9. Grub street, by Fore street, Cripplegate.* 10. London Wall.* 11. Maiden lane.* 12. Moor lane.* 13. Saltpetre bank.* 14. St. Thomas Apostle’s.* 15. Wheeler street.* 16. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Maidenhead passage, Berwick street.*

Maidenhead street, Dyot street.*

Maidenhead yard, Dyot street.*

Mainhard’s court, Anchor and Hope alley, Green Bank, near Wapping.†

Mainhard’s street, Bembridge street, St. Giles’s pound.†

Main’s yard, Castle lane, Southwark.†

Malaga court, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.

Malden, a village in Surry, about three miles from Kingston, has a powder mill on a stream that runs from Ewel to Kingston.

Mallet’s court, 1. Blackboy alley, Chick lane.† 2. Buckeridge street.†

Mallmill court, Whitecross street.†

Manby court, Montague street.†

Manchester court, Canon row, Westminster; so called from the house of the Earls of Manchester adjoining.

Manchester stairs, Canon row, Westminster.

Man-in-the-Moon yard, Chiswell street.*

Manley’s wharf, Mill bank, Westminster.†

Mannack’s alley, Shoreditch.†

Manor’s street, St. Giles’s.†

Mansel street, Goodman’s fields.†

Mansion House of the Lord Mayor, a very noble edifice erected in the place where Stocks market was formerly held. As the private houses of the citizens advanced to the dignity of Lord Mayor, were generally improper places, as well as too small, for transacting the great business belonging to this important office, it was customary for the chief magistrate of the city to hold his mayoralty at one or other of the halls belonging to the twelve principal companies. This however was long perceived very inconvenient; and therefore it was at last found expedient for the honour of the city, and the more regular discharge of that high office, to erect a house, as the mansion of the Lord Mayor for the time being.

This being determined by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, several places were proposed, as the end of Pater noster row fronting Cheapside, Moorfields, and Stocks market, and the latter was chosen, from its being situated nearly in the center of the city; at a small distance from the Royal Exchange, and in the heart of business: Stocks market was therefore removed to Fleet ditch, and the earth dug up for laying the foundation, when the ground was found so full of springs, that it became necessary to erect this spacious edifice upon piles. Meanwhile many plans and designs were drawn and examined, and that from which this edifice was erected, had the preference.

In short, a vast number of strong piles being driven close together, the first stone of the foundation was laid upon them, by the Right Honourable Micajah Perry, Esq; Lord Mayor, on the 25th of October 1739, in the presence of several of the Aldermen and Common Council, and this great work was finished in 1753, Sir Crisp Gascoigne being the first Lord Mayor who resided in it.

This edifice is very substantially built of Portland stone, and has a portico of six lofty fluted columns of the Corinthian order in the front; the same order being continued in pilasters both under the pediment, and on each side. The basement story is very massy and built in rustic. In the center of this story is the door which leads to the kitchens, cellars, and other offices; and on each side rises a flight of steps of very considerable extent, leading up to the portico, in the middle of which is the door which leads to the apartments and offices where business is transacted. The stone balustrade of the stairs is continued along the front of the portico, and the columns, which are wrought in the proportions of Palladio, support a large angular pediment, adorned with a very noble piece in bas relief, representing the dignity and opulence of the city of London, by Mr. Taylor.

In the center stands a very graceful woman crowned with turrets, representing the city, her left foot placed upon the figure of Envy, who lies on her back, and seems endeavouring to rise. Her left arm rests upon a large shield, which has the city arms, and in her right hand she holds a wand. This being the principal figure, is done in alto relievo: she seems ready to step forwards, her head and right arm, which are completely finished, project forward from the back ground, and her wand extends beyond the cornice of the pediment. Near her, on her right side, stands a Cupid holding the cap of Liberty over his shoulder at the end of a short staff, in the manner of a mace; and a little farther, a river God, representing the Thames, lies reclined, pouring a stream of water from a large vase; and near him an anchor fastened to its cable, with shells lying on the shore. On the left hand of London is Plenty, kneeling and holding out her hand in a supplicating posture, as if beseeching her to accept of the fruits she is pouring from her cornucopia; and behind her are two naked boys with bales of goods, as emblems of commerce.

S. Wale delin. B. Green sculp.
The Mansion House.

It is, however, very obvious, that the principal figures in this pediment are too large, which obliges London to stand, and Plenty to kneel, in a less graceful manner than they might otherwise do; and, besides their extraordinary size, renders them too crouded.

Beneath this portico are two series of windows, which extend along the whole front, and above these is an Attic story with square windows crowned with a balustrade.

The building is an oblong, and its depth is the long side; it has an area in the middle, and the farthest end is an Egyptian hall, which is the length of the front, very high and designed for public entertainments. To make it regular in flank, the architect has raised a similar building on the front, which is the upper part of a dancing gallery. This rather hurts than adorns the face of the building.

Near the ends at each side is a window of extraordinary height, placed between coupled Corinthian pilasters, and extending to the top of the Attic story.

The apartments are extremely noble; but this edifice has the misfortune to be so crouded with houses, especially on the sides, that the rooms are dark, and even in the front there is not a sufficient area to enlighten the building; nor can it ever be viewed to advantage, unless in some future time the heavy load at the top should be taken off, and a broad street, as wide as the edifice itself, opened before it into Lothbury.

Mare street, Hackney.

Margaret’s alley, Margaret street.

St. Margaret’s Hill, extends from the court of justice, which faces the street thus named, to the farther corner of St. George’s church. Where this court is now kept, was anciently a church named St. Margaret’s on the hill, which gave its name to the street. The court-house has a small colonade that leads to a tavern, over which is the court-room, where the Lord Mayor of London tries causes. On the front of this edifice is the statue of King Charles II. under which is the following inscription:

Combustum anno 1670, re-Ædificatum annis 1685 & 1686. Jacobo Smyth, Mil. & Roberto Geffery, Mil. PrÆtoribus. Impensis S. P. Q. L.

St. Margaret’s lane, Old Palace yard; thus named from its situation near St. Margaret’s church, Westminster.

St. Margaret’s Lothbury. This church received its name from its being dedicated to St. Margaret, a virgin saint of Antioch, who suffered martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Decius; and the additional appellation of Lothbury is to point out its situation, and distinguish it from the other churches in this city of the same name.

The old church which was built in 1440, being destroyed by the general conflagration in 1666, the present stone edifice was erected in its room, and completed in 1690. It stands upon the ancient course of Wallbrook, on the north side of Lothbury, and is a plain and neat building. It is sixty-six feet in length, fifty-four in breadth, the height to the roof is thirty-six, and the height of the steeple 140 feet. The body is well enlightened by a row of lofty windows; over which the wall is terminated by a balustrade; and the principal door is ornamented with Corinthian columns which support an angular pediment. The tower has large windows in the uppermost stage, and is terminated a little above by a plain cornice, upon which is raised a small dome that supports a slender spire.

A row of despicable shops was formerly built before this church; but a few years ago they were taken down, and a neat pavement of broad stone has been lately raised the whole length of the church, to which there is an ascent of a few plain steps at each end, and to the principal door; but as this pavement is in some places upwards of two feet above the street, a regard to the safety of the passengers as well as to ornament, ought to have induced the persons who formed this pavement to have secured it by a neat balustrade.

The advowson of this rectory was anciently in the Abbess and Nuns of Barking in Essex; but at the dissolution of their convent it came to the Crown, and the church is still in his Majesty’s gift.

The Rector, besides the profits arising from casualties, &c. receives 100l. per annum in lieu of tithes.

St. Margaret Moses, a church which formerly stood at the south west corner of Little Friday street, opposite Distaff lane, and was thus named from its being dedicated to St. Margaret abovementioned, and from one Moses its rebuilder: but suffering by the dreadful fire of London, and not being rebuilt, the parish has been annexed to that of St. Mildred’s Bread street.

St. Margaret New Fish street, stood on the east side of Fish street hill, where the Monument is situated; but being burnt with the rest of the buildings in London, and not rebuilt, the parish is joined to that of St. Magnus. Stow.

St. Margaret Pattens, owes its additional epithet to its ancient situation among patten-makers. This church is situated in Rood lane, at the corner of Little Tower street, and in Billingsgate ward. The old church, which was built in 1538, was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present edifice raised in 1687. Maitland.

It consists of a plain body sixty-six feet in length, fifty-two in breadth, and the height of the roof is thirty-two feet. It is well enlightened by a range of arched windows, with porthole windows over them; and over the door in the front is a large Doric window, with a cherubim’s head and a large festoon over it, above which a pediment stretches from the steeple to the end of the church. The tower rises square to a considerable height, and is terminated by four plain pinacles crowned with balls, and a balustrade, within which rises a very solid spire, terminated by a ball and fane.

This church is a rectory in the gift of the Lord Mayor, commonalty, and citizens; and the Rector, besides glebe, casualties, &c. receives 120l. per annum in lieu of tithes.

St. Margaret’s street, Cavendish square; so called in honour of the Lady Oxford.

St. Margaret’s Westminster. King Edward the Confessor having resolved to rebuild the conventual church of St. Peter with great magnificence, imagined that it would be a dishonour to his new and stately edifice, to have the neighbouring people assemble in it as usual, for the performance of religious worship, as well as prove troublesome and inconvenient to the monks; therefore about the year 1064, he caused a church to be erected on the north side of St. Peter’s, for the use of the neighbouring inhabitants, and dedicated it to St. Margaret, the virgin and martyr of Antioch.

This church, which is situated only thirty feet to the north of the abbey, was rebuilt in the reign of King Edward I. by the parishioners and merchants of the staple, except the chancel, which was erected at the expence of the Abbot of Westminster. At length, in the year 1735, this church was not only beautifully repaired, but the tower cased, and mostly rebuilt, at the expence of 3500l. granted by parliament, on account of its being in some measure a national church, for the use of the house of Commons. Stow.

It is a plain, neat, and not inelegant Gothic structure, well enlightened by a series of large windows: it has two handsome galleries of considerable length, adorned in the front with carved work; these are supported by slender pillars which rise to the roof, and have four small black pillars running round each of them, adorned with gilded capitals both at the galleries and at the top, where the flat roof is neatly ornamented with stucco. The steeple consists of a tower, which rises to a considerable height, and is crowned with a turret at each corner, and a small lanthorn, much ornamented with carved work in the center, from whence rises a flag staff.

This church in 1758, underwent a thorough repair, on the inside a new vault was built through the whole body of the edifice, and the whole is ornamenting with new gilding and painting. A small view of it is in the same plate with that of Westminster Abbey, which see.

The patronage of this church, which is a curacy, was anciently in the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, as it is at present in the Dean and Chapter.

On the south side of the altar is an ancient tomb, erected in the depth of popish ignorance and superstition, on which is the portraiture of Mary Bylling standing between the Virgin Mary and an angel, and over her is engraved the figure of an old man, to represent the omnipresent Deity, emitting rays of light upon the head of the Virgin, from whose mouth proceeds a label with these words, Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Out of Mary Bylling’s mouth issues a scroll with these words: Blessyd Lady, for thy glorious salutacion, bryng our sowles to everlasting salvation: and on two scrolls on each side of her, Blessyd Triniti, on me have mercy. Blessyd Triniti, on me have mercy. These four figures, with the several inscriptions, are engraven on small brass plates inlaid in the stone, as is also an inscription which gives the names of her three husbands, and lets us know that she died on the 14th of March 1429. Maitland.

There is also here a whimsical inscription on the tomb of Skelton, the merry Poet Laureat to Henry VII. and VIII. who died on the 21st of June 1529.

Come, Alecto, and lend me thy torch,

To find a church-yard in a church-porch.

Poverty and poetry this tomb doth inclose,

Therefore, gentlemen, be merry in prose.

We shall conclude these odd monumental inscriptions with the following, which as well as the former, is mentioned by Weaver in his Funeral monuments.

Sancta Maria, virgo virginum,

Pray for the soul of Jone Pymichum.

Marigold alley, Barnaby street, Southwark.*

Marigold court, in the Strand.*

Marigold lane, Upper Ground.*

Marigold stairs, Upper Ground.*

Marigold street, Rotherhith Wall.*

Marine Society, for furnishing the navy with sea boys and landmen, in order to increase the number of our mariners. This society was founded soon after the breaking out of the present war, by a number of gentlemen animated by a generous love of their country, and an ardent desire to increase its glory, as well as from compassion for the many ragged and miserable objects seen in our streets. This noble scheme was chiefly conducted by a gentleman distinguished by those accomplishments which most adorn human nature; who, besides a generous subscription, joined his indefatigable industry in promoting this noble scheme, and even wrote a very judicious pamphlet to shew the public advantages that would result from it. He presented the first impression, consisting of a thousand copies, to the society; and by his assiduity, and that of a famous magistrate, great numbers of the lowest of the people, who would probably have ended their days ignominiously at Tyburn, have filled the court of France with terror, and revived the drooping glory of their country. From this pamphlet we shall give an account of this society.

It must be observed, that every man of war, privateer, and merchant ship, is obliged to take a certain number of boys, which are considered both as necessary to the ship, and a nursery for seamen; thus in every sixty gun ship of 400 men, the Captain and officers require thirty servants.

These it was impossible to obtain at the breaking out of the war; the society therefore sought for them among the vagrants, the pilferers, and those whose extreme poverty and ignorance rendered them pernicious to the community; and also endeavoured to assist the Captains and officers in the sea service, by encouraging the industrious poor to send their children to sea; and by inviting all who were fit for the sea service to enter into it: stout lads who were covered with nastiness and had no means of support, were cleaned, well fed, and provided with lodgings; and if any of the men or boys were distempered, as sometimes happened, by mere wretchedness, filth, hunger, or the use of bad food, they were properly physicked and put in a condition to go on board; while those who were more happy in having friends to provide for them, were appointed to come to the office, where they were to be cloathed, and all were fitted with cloathing and bedding by the society, and sent clean, as well as properly dressed, on board his Majesty’s ships.

Of these boys they took some of thirteen years of age; but chiefly invited stout lads of sixteen and upwards, because they would soon become able seamen; and now they take none who are less than four feet four inches in height.

The greatest care imaginable is taken not to give any master, mistress, or parent, the least reason to complain. These have been always invited to see the boys when they are cloathed, on Thursday mornings at Mr. Fielding’s house; and again when they are examined and sent to their respective ships by the society, at the Seamens office over the Royal Exchange; and if any apprentice or son is required by his master or parents, he is delivered up immediately.

As to the landmen, they are required to be hardy, active, and robust; these, to prevent their being despised by the sailors, are immediately cloathed as seamen, and so divided among the messes of the mariners, as will soonest enable them to learn their language and duty, and they are completely fitted out without being obliged to expend any part of the bounty of thirty shillings, granted by his Majesty to all the landmen who enter into the service.

What gives the higher idea of this society, is, that several of its members are active, and particularly Mr. Fielding, in collecting many of the boys who are in the most abject condition: they assist and relieve each other in a task by which they are to gain nothing, but the applause of their own hearts.

To prevent imposition, the society keeps a sample of the cloathing at their office, which is sealed with the seals of several of the committee, and shewn to the men and boys when they are cloathed, that the society may be sure the slopseller keeps up to his engagement. Besides, as it is the steady purpose of the society to preserve the health of the men and boys whom they clothe, as far as it depends on such raiment, they are not contented with such manufactures as they find in the shops, but buy them of the manufacturer in Yorkshire, which being well wetted and milled on the spot, make what is called pea jackets, that last twice as long, and resist the weather four times as much as the common sort of pea jackets. And as they think the severity of the winter season renders common thin flannel waistcoats insufficient, they make waistcoats of white or other coloured kerseys, that are of the greatest service and duration. The breeches or drawers for the men and boys are made of half thicks or thin kerseys, which the society also provides from Yorkshire. In order also to make the most of the money, and provide the best things, these jackets, waistcoats, and breeches are brown instead of blue, the former being found the most durable colour; and such jackets cost ten per cent. less than blue, on account of the excessive price of indigo.

The cloathing and bedding given each of the boys, are a felt hat, a worsted cap, a kersey pea jacket, a kersey pair of breeches, a striped flannel or kersey waistcoat, a pair of trowsers, two pair of hose, two pair of shoes, two handkerchiefs, three shirts; a bed, pillow, blanket, and coverlet; a pair of buckles and buttons; thread, worsted, and needles; a knife, a Prayer Book and Testament to those whose Captains desire them, and a bag to put their cloaths in.

The cloathing given each of the men is, a felt seaman’s hat, a kersey pea jacket, a waistcoat and drawers of the same, a pair of drab breeches, a pair of thin trowsers, a pair of worsted hose, a pair of yarn hose, two shirts, two worsted caps, one pair of shoes, one pair of buckles, one pair of buttons, a knife, thread, worsted, and needles, with a bag for their cloaths.

A note of these cloaths is given to every man and boy, by which he may see what he has, but nothing is delivered till they are actually on board the tender in the river Thames, or in their respective ships at the ports; except to the boys, who are attended to the ships.

Our author, who was one of the committee, observes, that from this society may be seen the great business that may be done for a trifling expence; for the Treasurer, Commissioners, Secretary, and Clerks; the house-rent and entertainments; the fire and candle, paper, pens and ink, do not all together cost the society an hundred pounds per annum; and if, by an additional Clerk, he adds, it should happen to swell to 150l. “greater good with less money, I will be bold to say, is not done by any society in this kingdom: for exclusive of the charge of cloathing, feeding, and sending boys to Portsmouth, the expence is very little more than the rent of two rooms at about 25l. per annum, the salary of a secretary, not exceeding 50l. per annum, and a Porter 10l. per annum.”

There is a general meeting every three months, viz. the first Thursday in January, the first in April, the first in July, and the first in October, or oftener, if the committee desire it; when an account of receipts and disbursements are laid before the subscribers under the direction of the committee, which consists of a considerable number of them. Of this committee not less than three persons act, who meet every Thursday at eleven o’clock at the Merchants Seamens office over the Royal Exchange; and any other day, if necessary, at the Secretary’s house in Prince’s street, where any two of the committee may transact the business when it is very urgent.

Mariners alley, Fore street, Lambeth.

Mariners street, Shadwell.

Mark lane, extends from Fenchurch street to Tower street, and is chiefly inhabited by merchants. Maitland says it was originally called Mart lane, it being once used as a public mart. On the east side of this lane is the Corn Exchange.

Market court, 1. By Oxford market. 2. By Shepherd’s market.

Market hill, Upper Shadwell.

Market lane, Pallmall.

Market passage, 1. Lime street, leading into Leadenhall market. 2. Oxford street, leading into Oxford market. 3. Paternoster row, leading into Newgate market.

Market street, 1. Jermain street. 2. Newport street. 3. Millbank, Westminster.

Markets. As one of the principal advantages of a city are commodious markets, this metropolis may, in this particular, be said to exceed most, if not all the cities in Europe: some account of these is dispersed through this work; notwithstanding which, it may be proper, under this article, to gratify the reader’s curiosity, by giving a list of them, that the whole may be seen at one view.

Bear Key, the great corn market.

Billingsgate, the great fish, and coal market.

Bishopsgate street market, for hay.

Blackwell hall, the great cloth market.

Bloomsbury market, for meat, &c.

Borough market, a new market for meat and greens.

Brook’s market, for meat.

Carnaby market, for meat, &c.

Clare market, for meat, &c.

Covent Garden market, for herbs and fruit.

Fleet market, for meat, fruit, herbs, &c.

Hay market, Pallmall, for hay and straw.

Honey lane market, for meat, &c.

Hoxton market, for meat, &c.

Hungerford market, for meat, &c.

Leadenhall market, for leather, hides, and all kinds of provisions.

Mark lane market, for corn.

Newgate market, for all kinds of provisions.

Newport market, for meat, &c.

Oxford market, for meat, &c.

Queenhithe, the great meal market.

Red Lion market, for meat, &c.

St. James’s market, for meat, &c.

St. Margaret’s Hill market, for hay and straw.

Shadwell market, for meat, &c.

Smithfield market, for cattle.

Spitalfields market, for meat, greens, &c.

Westminster market, for meat, &c.

Whitechapel market, for meat by wholesale and retail.

White Horse Inn meal market, near Holborn bridge.

Wood’s Close market, for sheep skins.

S. Wale delin. C. Grignion sculp.
Marlborough House.

Marlborough House, situated behind the houses on the west side of Pallmall, is a very large brick edifice, ornamented with stone, and built in a peculiar taste. The front, which is very extensive, has only two series of windows, and on each side the wings are ornamented at the corners, with a kind of stone rustic, and the edifice is terminated by a balustrade, in the manner it appears in the print. On the sides of the area next the wings a small colonade extends on each side, and the side opposite to the abovementioned area is taken up with the offices. The late Duchess of Marlborough, when this structure was finished, intended to have opened a way to it from Pallmall, directly in the front, as is evident from the manner in which the court yard is finished; but Sir Robert Walpole having purchased the house before it, and being upon no good terms with the Duchess, she was prevented in her design. The front towards the Park resembles this, only instead of the two middle windows in the wings, there are niches for statues, and instead of the area in front, you descend by a flight of steps into the garden.

This structure is, however, greatly censured by the critics in architecture.

The apartments however are noble, and well disposed, and the furniture is rich. In the vestibule at the entrance, is painted the battle of Hochstet, in which the most remarkable scene is the taking Marshal Tallard, the French General, and several other officers of great distinction, prisoners. The figures of the great Duke of Marlborough, of Prince Eugene of Savoy, and General Cadogan, are finely executed.

Marlborough court, 1. Berwick street. 2. Petticoat lane.

Marlborough, or Carnaby market, by Marlborough street. See Carnaby Market.

Marlborough mews, by Oxford street; so called from the Dukes of Marlborough formerly keeping their hawks there.

Marlborough row, Carnaby or Marlborough market.

Marlborough street, a very handsome street, extending from the end of Argyle buildings.

Marsh street, Ratcliff highway.†

Marsh yard, Wapping.†

Earl Marshal of England, the eighth great officer of the kingdom, hereditary in the family of the Dukes of Norfolk ever since the year 1553. This officer had formerly great authority; for he took cognizance of all matters of war and arms, determined contracts relating to deeds of arms out of the realm upon land, and matters concerning wars within the realm, that could not be determined by common law, in which he was generally guided by the civil law. Indeed he had several courts, among which was the Marshalsea court in the Borough, so called from its being under his jurisdiction. But the house of Norfolk being of the Romish religion, is incapable by law of performing these offices. See Marshalsea Prison. The Earl Marshal has however held several courts at Doctors Commons, to inquire into the right several people had assumed of bearing arms. Chamberlain’s Present State.

City Marshal, an officer of considerable authority, dignity, and profit. His business is to see the laws of the city put in execution; and in solemn processions he rides before the Lord Mayor, on a horse richly caparisoned. The sum of fifteen hundred pounds is usually given for this place.

Marshal street, 1. Maiden lane, Deadman’s place. 2. Silver street, Bloomsbury.

Marshalsea Court. See the following article.

Marshalsea Prison, on St. Margaret’s Hill, Southwark, is a place of confinement for persons who have committed crimes at sea, as pirates, &c. and for debtors. In this prison is the Marshalsea court, the Judges of which are, the Lord Steward of his Majesty’s houshold for the time being; the Steward of the court, who must be a barrister at law; and a Deputy Steward. In all civil actions tried in this court, both the plaintiff and defendant must belong to his Majesty’s houshold, The persons confined in this prison for crimes at sea, take their trials at the Old Bailey.

In the same prison is the Palace Court, the jurisdiction of which extends twelve miles round the palace of Westminster, the city of London only excepted; and the debtors within any part of Westminster, and twelve miles round, may be carried to this prison for a debt of 40s. Actions for debt are tried in this court every Friday, and there are the same Judges, Counsellors and Attorneys here as in the Marshalsea court; these are, besides the Judges already mentioned, a Prothonotary, a Secondary, and Deputy Prothonotary; four Counsellors, and six Attorneys, But in this court neither the plaintiff nor defendant must belong to his Majesty’s houshold.

The buildings are mean and ruinous; but the court-room is pretty spacious and convenient.

Marsham court, Hog lane, St. Giles’s.†

Marsham street, Market street, Westminster.†

Martin’s court, 1. Whitechapel.† 2. Chick lane, Smithfield.†

St. Martin’s in the Fields, in St. Martin’s lane, near Charing Cross. This church received its name from St. Martin, an Hungarian, who was sainted for the cruelty with which he persecuted the Arians, and its being formerly situated in the fields. Though the present structure is of a modern date, there was very early a church upon the same spot, dedicated to the same saint; for there are authentic records of a dispute in 1222, between the Abbot of Westminster and the Bishop of London, concerning the exemption of the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields from the jurisdiction of the Bishop of London, How long before this a building for the service of religion was erected there, is not easy to determine; but it was probably a chapel for the monks of Westminster, when they visited their convent garden, which then extended to it. However, the endowments of this church sell with the monks who possessed it, and in Henry the VIIIth’s reign a small church was built there at the King’s expence, the inhabitants being then too poor to pay for it; but this structure not being capacious enough to accommodate the parishioners, it was greatly enlarged in 1607. At length, after many expensive repairs, that structure was taken down in the year 1721, and soon after the first stone of the present edifice was laid. Five years completed the building, and in 1726 it was consecrated.

It is observable, that on the laying of the first stone, his Majesty King George I. gave an hundred guineas to be distributed among the workmen, and some time after 1500l. to purchase an organ. The whole expence of building and decorating this church, amounted to 36,891l. 10s. 4d. of which 33,450l. was granted by Parliament, and the rest raised by the above royal benefaction, a subscription, and the sale of seats in the church.

St. Martin’s in the Fields is an elegant edifice built with stone. In the west front is an ascent by a very long flight of steps to a very noble portico of Corinthian columns, which support a pediment in which is the royal arms in has relief. The same order is continued round in pilasters, and in the intercolumniations are two series of windows surrounded with rustic. On each side the doors, on the sides which are near the corners, are lofty Corinthian columns; the roof is concealed by a handsome balustrade, and the spire is stately and elegant.

The decorations on the inside are extremely fine; the roof is richly adorned with fret-work; slender Corinthian columns raised on high pedestals, rising in the front of the galleries, serve to support both them and the roof, which on the sides rests upon them in a very ornamental arch-work. The east end is richly adorned with fret-work and gilding, and over the altar is a large window finely painted.

This church was repaired and beautified in 1758.

With respect to this noble edifice, says the author of the Review, “I could wish that a view was opened from the Mews to St. Martin’s church; I don’t know any of the modern buildings about town which better deserves such an advantage. The portico is at once elegant and august, and if the steps arising from the street to the front could have been made regular, and on a line from end to end, it would have given it a very considerable grace; but as the situation of the ground would not allow it, this is to be esteemed a misfortune rather than a fault. The round columns at each angle of the church are very well contrived, and have a very fine effect in the profile of the building; the east end is remarkably elegant, and very justly challenges a particular applause. In short, if there is any thing wanting in this fabric, ’tis a little more elevation, which, I presume, is apparently wanted within, and would create an additional beauty without. I can’t help thinking too that, in complaisance to the galleries, the architect has reversed the order of the windows, it being always usual to have the large ones nearer the eye, and the small, by way of Attic story, on the top.”

This church is a vicarage, in the gift of the Bishop of London.

St. Martin’s Church yard, St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.

St. Martin’s court, a large, handsome court, with a free stone pavement in St. Martin’s lane, Charing Cross.

St. Martin’s Ironmonger lane, a church which stood at the corner of Church alley, in Ironmonger lane, and in Cheap ward; but being destroyed by the dreadful fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was united to St. Olave Jewry. Newc. Rep. Eccles.

St. Martin’s lane, 1. Opposite Northumberland house in the Strand; thus named from the church of St. Martin’s in the Fields. 2. Canon street, Walbrook; so named from the church of St. Martin’s Orgar, which was formerly on the east side of it.

St. Martin’s Le Grand, extends from the corner of Blowbladder street to Aldersgate. This street, as far as Bell court near St. Anne’s lane, as well as all the courts on each side, is within its own liberty, and in the government of Westminster. It took its name from a collegiate church founded here by one Ingalricus and his brother Edward, in the year 1056, for a Dean, secular Canons, and Priests, and dedicated to St. Martin. Afterwards the addition of le Grand was added, from the extraordinary privileges of sanctuary granted to it by several Monarchs. Hither thieves, ruffians, and murderers used to fly for safety; here robbers brought their stolen goods, which they shared among themselves, or sold to the inhabitants: here also lived the makers of picklocks; the counterfeiters of keys and seals; the forgers of false evidence; those who made chains, beads, and plate of gilt copper, which they sold for gold; and, in short, gamesters, bawds, and strumpets. To so great a height of licentiousness was this sanctuary grown, that in the reign of Henry VII. the Sheriffs of London venturing to take from thence by violence a person who had taken sanctuary there, the Abbot of Westminster exhibited a bill to the King against them, upon which the cause was heard in the Star-chamber, and the Sheriff severely fined. Maitland.

Though this place is in a manner in the heart of the city, it is still in the liberty of Westminster; and the inhabitants are governed, and vote accordingly. The courts and alleys are now chiefly inhabited by taylors and others who are not free of the city; for all foreigners carry on their trades, and professions there without molestation.

St. Martin’s Le Grand Court. As St. Martin’s le Grand is a liberty distinct from the government of London, and subject to the Deanery of Westminster, it has a court of record kept every Wednesday, for the trial of all personal actions of what nature soever, and there is a court-house and a prison.

In this court the leading process is a capias against the body, or an attachment against the goods; so that a man’s goods may be seized in his own house, upon the first process, if he himself be not taken: which is according to the practice of all ancient liberties or franchises. Stow.

St. Martin’s Ludgate, on the north side of Ludgate street, almost contiguous to the gate, and in the ward of Faringdon within. The old church being consumed by the fire of London, the present edifice was erected in its place. The body is not seen from the street; but is tolerably enlightened. The steeple consists of a plain tower, and a pretty lofty spire raised on a substantial arcade, so that it has at once the appearance of strength and lightness.

The patronage of this rectory was anciently in the Abbot and Convent of Westminster; but on the suppression of their monastery, King Henry VIII. erected Westminster into a bishopric, and gave the advowson of this church to the Bishop; but the new see being dissolved by Edward VI. Queen Mary granted it to the Bishop of London, and his successors, in whom it still remains.

The Rector receives, by act of Parliament, in lieu of tithes, 160l. per annum. Newcomb’s Eccles. Rep.

Mr. Strype, in his edition of Stowe’s Survey, gives several monumental inscriptions in this church, from which we shall select the two following; the first to the memory of William Yeardley and his wife, the former of whom died on the 28th of October 1523, and the latter on the 20th of July 1533.

The other is on Florens Caldwell, Esq; citizen and haberdasher, and Mary his wife, the latter of whom died June 19, 1590.

St. Martin’s Orgars, a rectory, the church of which was situated on the east side of St. Martin’s lane near Canon street, in Candlewick ward, and is so named from its dedication to St. Martin; and the additional epithet of Orgars, from Odgarus or Ordgarus, who was probably its founder or patron: but this church being destroyed with the rest of the public edifices in the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of St. Clement Eastcheap. Newc. Rep. Eccles. Paroch.

In this church was a tomb with the following epitaph, mentioned by Mr. Strype in his edition of Stowe’s Survey, on Sir Allen Cotton, Knt. Alderman, and sometime Lord Mayor of London, who died on the 24th of September 1628, leaving three sons and two daughters; and these sons caused his monument to be erected,

St. Martin’s Outwich, at the south east angle of Threadneedle street, in Broad street ward, owes its additional epithet to William and John de Oteswich, who were some time the proprietors thereof. The patronage of this church was indeed anciently in the family of the Earls of Surry; but afterwards coming to the de Oteswiches, they conferred it upon the company of Merchant Taylors, in whom it still remains. The Rector receives only 40l. a year in tithes. Maitland.

This is one of those few churches that escaped the fire in 1666, and with some repairs has stood ever since, and may stand much longer, though it is already above 220 years old.

This edifice is an old Gothic structure of the meaner style; it is sixty-six feet long, and forty-two broad; the height of the roof is thirty-one feet, and the height of the steeple, sixty-five feet. The body is of brick, strengthened at the corners by a massy rustic: the windows, which are large, are of the coarse Gothic kind, and the top is surrounded with plain square battlements. From the tower, which is extremely plain and simple, rises a turret, that is open, arched, and supported by four piers; and from the dome rises a ball and fane.

The New View of London has the following epitaph in this church.

St. Martin’s Pomary, or Ironmonger lane, Cheapside, is supposed by Mr. Stowe to have derived its additional epithet of Pomary, from apple trees growing about it; which is the more probable, as in his time there were large void spaces near it. This church stood at the corner of Ironmonger lane, and in Cheap ward; but suffering by the dreadful fire of London, the parish was united to the church of St. Olave’s Jewry.

Martin’s rents, Queen street, New Gravel lane.†

Martin’s street, Thames street.

St. Martin’s Vintry, stood in Thames street, near the south east corner of Queen street, and in Vintry ward. This church, which was a rectory, received its additional denomination from its being situated among the wine tunners, wine merchants, and coopers: but sharing the common fate in the dreadful catastrophe of 1666, and not being rebuilt, the parish was united to that of St. Michael’s Royal, and 120l. a year was settled upon the Rector in lieu of tithes. Maitland.

Martlet’s court, Bow street, Covent Garden.†

St. Mary Abchurch, in Abchurch lane, Candlewick ward, owes its name to its dedication to the Virgin Mary, and the additional appellation of Ab or Upchurch, was given it on account of its elevation in comparison of the neighbouring ground towards the Thames, and to distinguish it from the many other churches of the same name in this city. A church dedicated to St. Mary has stood here from very early times; and we find that in the year 1448, it was in the patronage of the Prior and Canons of St. Mary Overy’s; but devolving to the crown in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, her Majesty granted the perpetual advowson to Corpus Christi college in Cambridge, wherein it still remains, though in ecclesiastical affairs, it is subject to the Archdeacon. Maitland.

The old church stood till it was consumed by the fire in 1666, after which the present structure was raised in its room in the year 1686.

The building is of brick, strengthened by rustic quoins of stone at the corners, with three windows on each side, of which the middle one is the principal, that rising higher, and taking up the space above, while the others, which are smaller, have round windows over them; these have all stone cases. The tower rises square with the corners strengthened with rustic; and a large window in the center of each face, ornamented like the rest. From this tower rises a kind of dome, and upon its summit stands a plain spire supported by a lanthorn base.

St. Mary Aldermanbury, by the north east corner of Love lane, has a fine situation, with a large area, besides the church yard in the front. A church of the same name appears from ancient records to have been situated there so early as about the year 1300; however, great part of the old structure was taken down in 1633, and rebuilt at a considerable expence; but thirty three years afterwards it was destroyed by the fire of London, and ten years after that dreadful event, it was finished in the present form.

It is a plain stone building, likely to stand for ages; the body is well enlightened by a range of large well-proportioned windows, and the corners are wrought with rustic: it is 72 feet long, and 45 broad; the roof is 38 feet high, and the steeple about 90 feet. It has a plain solid tower, constructed in the same manner as the body of the church; and the angles in the upper stage are adorned with rustic: the cornice is supported by scrolls, and above it is a plain Attic course: in this rises a turret with a square base that supports the dial; this turret is arched, but the corners are massy: its roof is terminated in a point on which is placed the fane.

The patronage of this church appears to have been anciently in the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s; but the parishioners have ever since the reformation had the right of chusing their own Minister, who must however be licenced by the Bishop of London; but in matters ecclesiastical it is subject to the Archdeacon, except as to wills and administrations, which belong to the Commissary. The Incumbent receives by act of Parliament 150l. a year from the parish.

St. Mary Aldermary, on the east side of Bow lane, in Cordwainer street ward, has its additional epithet of Aldermary, or Elder Mary, from its being the most ancient church in this city dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The last church, which was erected at the expence of Henry Keeble, was destroyed by the fire of London in 1666; but it was afterwards erected at the expence of Henry Rogers, Esq; who generously gave 5000l. towards rebuilding it.

This Gothic edifice is very spacious, it being an hundred feet in length and sixty-three in breadth; the height of the roof is forty-five feet, and that of the steeple an hundred and thirty-five. The body is enlightened by a single series of large Gothic windows. The wall has well-contrived buttresses and battlements; these buttresses run up pilaster fashion, in two stages, not projecting in the old manner from the body of the building. The tower, which is full of ornament, consists of five stages, each of which, except the lowest, has one Gothic window; and the pinacles, which are properly so many turrets, are continued at each corner down to the ground, divided into stages as the body of the tower, and cabled with small pillars bound round it, with a kind of arched work, and subdivisions between. English Architecture.

This rectory is one of the thirteen peculiars belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury; and the parish of St. Thomas Apostles being annexed to this church by an act of Parliament granted in the reign of King Charles II. the profits of the Rector are greatly augmented, he receiving 150l. per annum in lieu of tithes, and about 100l. a year by glebe.

St. Mary at Hill, on the west side of St. Mary Hill, in Billingsgate ward, owes its additional epithet to its situation on an eminence. This church is of considerable antiquity, since a chantry was founded in it so early as about the year 1336.

It is remarkable, that in the year 1497, digging in this church for the foundation of a wall, the corpse of Alice Hackney, who died about the year 1322, was discovered in a very rotten coffin; and that the skin was sound and flexible, and the joints pliable, though buried about 175 years. The body was kept above ground three or four days, without any noisome smell, but then beginning to be tainted was again laid in the ground.

Though this church was not destroyed by the fire of London, every thing combustible in it was consumed; it was however soon after repaired, and the parish of St. Andrew Hubbard annexed to it. It is a well-proportioned Gothic structure, consisting of a plain body enlightened by large windows, and a tower crowned by a pretty handsome turret.

The advowson of this church appears to have been in private hands, till about the year 1638, when it was purchased by the parish; but since the parish of St. Andrew Hubbard was united to it, the Duke of Somerset, who is patron thereof, presents in his turn. The Rector receives 200l. a year in lieu of tithes, and about 24l. per annum by glebe.

St. Mary Ax, a street on the north side of Leadenhall street. Here was anciently a church dedicated not only to the Virgin Mary, but to St. Ursula and her eleven thousand virgins; but it was commonly called St. Mary at the Ax, from the sign of the Ax over against the east end of the church; and sometimes it was named St. Mary Papillar, from a plat of ground belonging to the Skinners company, that lay on the north side of it; but this parish being, about the year 1565, united to the parish church of St. Andrew Undershaft, St. Mary at the Ax was let out as a warehouse to a merchant; but the street however in which this edifice stood, still retains its name. Maitland.

Marybon. See St. Mary la Bonne.

Marybon Fields, the fields between London and Marybon, or St. Mary la Bonne.

Marybon lane, Tyburn road.

Marybon passage, Oxford street.

Marybon place, Little Castle street.

Marybon road, Oxford street.

Marybon street, near Warwick street, Marybon.

St. Mary Bothaw, stood on the east side of Turnwheel lane near Dowgate hill, and took its additional name, according to the surmise of Mr. Stowe, from its vicinity to a Boat haw, or boat-builder’s yard in that neighbourhood. This church, which was one of the thirteen peculiars belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, having suffered greatly by the fire of London, and not being rebuilt, the parish was annexed to that of St. Swithin.

Mary Clarke’s yard, Gravel lane.†

St. Mary Colechurch, stood in the Poultry, at the south west corner of the Old Jewry, in Cheap ward, and owed its additional epithet of Colechurch, to one Cole, its founder: but suffering the fate of most of the other public buildings in 1666, and not being rebuilt, the parish was united to the neighbouring church of St. Mildred. Stow.

St. Mary of Grace, an abbey of Cistertian monks, founded in the reign of Edward III. on Tower hill, where the victualling office is now situated.

Mary Gray’s yard, Gravel lane.†

St. Mary la Bonne, thus called from its being supposed to signify St. Mary the Good; though its original name, according to Maitland, was Maryborne. This gentleman gives the following account of the rise of this village, which is now almost united to this great metropolis: the village of Tyborne going to decay, and its church, named St. John the Evangelist, left alone by the side of the highway, it was robbed of its books, vestments, bells, images, and other decorations; on which the parishioners petitioned the Bishop of London for leave to take down their old, and erect a new church elsewhere, which being readily granted in the year 1400, they erected a new church where they had some time before built a chapel, and that structure being dedicated to the Virgin Mary, received the additional epithet of Borne, from its vicinity to the neighbouring brook or bourn.

This village, if it may be still called by that name, is almost joined by new buildings to this metropolis; and the new buildings this way are now increasing so very fast, that it will undoubtedly in a very short time be quite joined, and become a part of it. The old church, which was a mean edifice, was pulled down, and a one erected in 1741. This structure is built with brick in as plain a manner as possible. It has two series of small arched windows on each side, and the only ornaments are a vase at each corner, and a turret at the west end. There are here also a French meeting-house, a charity school, and a place of public entertainment, which has a pleasant garden, and a band of vocal and instrumental music. This may be considered as a kind of humble imitation of Vauxhall.

St. Mary le Bow, near the corner of Bow lane in Cheapside, received the epithet le Bow, from its being the first church in this city built with arches: for so early as in the time of William the Conqueror a church of the same name stood in this place; a massy Gothic pile, decorated with lofty arches, which the vulgar of that time called bows, and this name has been continued through all its succeeding changes. Here the court of Arches used to meet, and from these arches received its name. Stowe.

In the history of the ancient edifice we find, that in the year 1271, a great number of people were destroyed, and many more maimed by the falling of the steeple, after which it remained without one till the year 1512, when it was finished upon the old plan, with stone brought from Caen in Normandy; and thus continued till it was destroyed with the other buildings in the city, by the fire in 1666.

The present edifice, which was built by the great Sir Christopher Wren, was finished in 1673, and is a handsome structure, chiefly admired for the elegance of its steeple, which is extremely light in its aspect, and though very high and full of openings, is secure from any second fall by the geometrical proportion and lightness of its several parts. It is thought to be the most beautiful thing of its kind in Europe.

The tower is square from the ground, and in this form rises to a considerable height; but with more ornament as it advances. The principal decoration of the lower part is the entrance, which is a lofty, noble, and well-proportioned arch, on two of the sides faced with a bold rustic, and raised on a plain solid course from the foundation. Within the arch is a portal of the Doric order; the freeze ornamented with trigliphs, and with sculpture in the metopes; over this arch is an opening with a small balcony, which answers to a window on the other face. The first stage is terminated by an elegant cornice, over which again rises a plain course, where a dial projects into Cheapside. Above this is in each face, large arched windows, with coupled Ionic pilasters at the sides, near the corners. The cornice over these windows supports an elegant balustrade, with Attic pillars over the Ionic columns, supporting turrets, each composed of four handsome scrolls, which join at the top, where are placed urns with flames.

From this part, the steeple rises circular. There is a plain course to the height of half the scrolls, and upon this are raised a circular range of Corinthian columns, while the body of the steeple is continued round and plain within them. These support a second balustrade, with very large scrolls extending from it to the body of the steeple. Above these is placed a series of Composite columns, and from the entablature rises another set of scrolls, supporting the spire which rests upon four balls, and is terminated by a globe, whence rises a fane in the form of a dragon. The view here given will help to illustrate this description.

The author of the Critical Review of the public Buildings, says, “The steeple of Bow church is a master-piece in a peculiar kind of building, which has no fixed rules to direct it, nor is it to be reduced to any settled laws of beauty: without doubt if we consider it only as a part of some other building, it can be esteemed no other than a delightful absurdity: but if either considered in itself, or as a decoration of a whole city in prospect, it is not only to be justified, but admired. That which we have now mentioned is beyond question as perfect as human imagination can contrive or execute; and till we see it outdone, we shall hardly, think it to be equalled.”

This church is a rectory, and the chief of the thirteen peculiars in this city belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury. To it are united the parishes of Alhallows Honey lane, and St. Pancras, by which the Incumbent’s profits are much increased; he receiving, besides glebe, casualties, and three parsonage houses, 200l. per annum, in lieu of tithes.

St. Mary le Strand, so called from its being situated in the middle of the Strand. The old church belonging to this parish is mentioned so early as the year 1222, when it was named St. Mary and the Innocents of the Strand; but how long it stood before that time is uncertain. It was then situated in a pleasant church yard on the south side of the Strand, where the east end of Somerset house is placed; and for the erecting of this last edifice it was taken down in 1549, by order of Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset, Prime Minister to Edward VI. which depriving the parishioners of a place of worship, they joined themselves to the church of St. Clement’s Danes, and afterwards to that of St. John Baptist in the Savoy, where they continued till the year 1723. At length, the act having passed for erecting the fifty new churches within the bills of mortality, one was appointed for this parish, and the first stone laid on the 25th of February 1714; it was finished in three years and a half, though it was not consecrated till the 1st of January 1723, when, instead of its ancient name, it was called St. Mary le Strand. It was the first finished of any of the fifty new churches.

This is a very superb, though not a very extensive edifice; massy, without the appearance of being heavy, and formed to stand for ages. At the entrance on the west end is an ascent by a flight of steps cut in the sweep of a circle. These lead to a circular portico of Ionic columns covered with a dome, which is crowned with an elegant vase. These columns are continued along the body of the church, with pilasters of the same order at the corners, and in the intercolumniations are niches handsomely ornamented. Over the dome is a pediment supported by Corinthian columns, which are also continued round the body of the structure; over those of the Ionic order beneath; between these are the windows placed over the niches. These columns are supported on pedestals, and have pilasters behind with arches sprung from them, and the windows have angular and circular pediments alternately. In short, a handsome balustrade is carried round the top, and its summit is adorned with vases. The steeple is light though solid, and ornamented with Composite columns and capitals.

This structure, in the opinion of some, will shew late posterity, that the period when it was built afforded architects who might have done honour to Italy; while others condemn it, as little more than a cluster of ornaments without a proper plan or model to be adorned.

We shall not here decide which of these opinions is most judicious; but shall leave it to the decision of each person’s judgment who examines the edifice itself: we cannot however help observing, that the situation of the west front is as happy as can be wished for being viewed at a distance; and yet it has not this advantage in perfection, a watch house being erected in the middle of the street directly before it, which in a great measure spoils the prospect, and prevents its terminating the vista so agreeably as it otherwise would.

This church is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Worcester; the value of the living is 225l. per annum, besides surplice fees; of this sum one hundred pounds has been given and settled by Parliament, and an hundred and twenty-five pounds is raised by the inhabitants by a rate of four pence in the pound, in lieu of tithes. Newc. Rep. Eccles. Paroch.

St. Mary Magdalen’s Bermondsey, near the south west corner of Bermondsey street, which we vulgarly call Barnaby street, in Southwark. It is dedicated to Mary Magdalen the sister of Lazarus, who was celebrated for her beauty, and still more for her piety. It appears from the Conqueror’s Survey, that a church of the same name was situated in this place so early as the time of the Saxons.

The present edifice, which was built in 1680, is seventy-six feet in length, and sixty-one in breadth; the height to the roof is thirty feet, and the height of the steeple eighty-seven feet. It is a plain structure enlightened by a single series of arched windows with cherubs heads on the top. The walls are of brick plaistered over, and the door-cases and windows cased with stone. The tower, which rises square, is covered with a kind of dome crowned with a turret, whence rises a ball and fane.

The advowson of this church is in lay patrons, and the profits of the rectory are said to amount to about 200l. per annum.

St. Mary Magdalen’s, Milk-street. This church was situated at the west end of Honey lane market, in the ward of Cripplegate within; but being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to that of St. Laurence Jewry.

St. Mary Magdalen’s, Old Fish street, is seated on the north side of Knight Rider’s street, in the ward of Baynard’s castle, and is thus denominated from its vicinity to Old Fish street. There are records of a church in the same place three hundred and fifty years ago. The old edifice was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present singular structure arose from its ruins, and was built in the year 1685.

It is a small well-proportioned church, built with stone, sixty feet in length, forty-eight in breadth, and thirty in height to the roof. It is enlightened by a single series of arched windows, each ornamented with a cherub and scrolls, supporting a cornice, which runs round the building; but these windows are of such an unusual height from the ground, that the doors, which are low and plain, open completely under them: both these and the windows are of the same general construction, and the wall is terminated by a balustrade. The tower is divided into two stages, in the upper of which is a large window on each side. From the top of this tower the work suddenly diminishes in the manner of high steps on each side, and on the top of these is placed a turret, crowned with a very short spire, on which is placed a fane with flames.

To this church the parish of St. Gregory is annexed, by which the rectoral profits are much increased, the Incumbent receiving, besides other profits, 120l. in lieu of tithes.

St. Mary Mounthaw, situated on the west side of Fish street hill, in Queenhithe ward, received its name from its dedication to the Virgin Mary, and the family of Montalto or Mounthauts, in the county of Norfolk, who were the original founders: but being destroyed in the dreadful fire of London in 1666, and not rebuilt, the parish was, by act of Parliament, annexed to the church of St. Mary Somerset. Stowe.

St. Mary, Newington Butts. See Newington Butts.

St. Mary Overies. See St. Saviour’s.

St. Mary Overies Church yard, in the Borough.

St. Mary Overies dock, at the end of Church way, in the Borough.

St. Mary Overies stairs, Deadman’s place.

St. Mary, Rotherhith, is situated near the bank of the Thames, and is distinguished from other churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, by the name of the place in which it is situated. The old church had stood above 200 years, when in 1736, it was in so ruinous a condition, that the inhabitants applied to Parliament for leave to pull it down, which being granted, the present structure was finished in 1739.

This edifice is built with brick and ornamented with stone. It is enlightened by a double range of windows, and the corners both in the tower and body, are strengthened with a handsome rustic. The tower consists of two stages; in the lower are a door and window, in the upper a window and dial, and the whole is terminated by a balustrade, from which rises a circular base that supports a kind of lanthorn, very elegantly constructed with Corinthian columns; over these are urns with flames; and from the roof of this lanthorn rises a well-constructed spire terminated by a ball and fane.

This church is a rectory in the gift of a lay patron. The profits arising to the Incumbent are said to amount to above 150l. per annum.

The Hospital of St. Mary Rouncival, a cell to a priory of that name in Navarre in Spain, situated opposite the end of St. Martin’s lane, where Northumberland house now stands. It was founded and endowed by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, in the reign of Henry III. but this hospital was however suppressed by Henry V. and re-founded by Edward IV. in 1476, for a fraternity or brotherhood. At length it was suppressed, with the other religious houses, by King Henry VIII. and afterwards coming to Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton, he caused it to be demolished, and erected upon the site thereof the edifice then named Northampton house. See the article Northumberland House.

St. Mary Somerset, opposite Broken wharf in Thames street, and in Queenhithe ward, owes the additional epithet of Somerset (according to Mr. Stowe’s conjecture) to its vicinity to Sumner’s het or hithe, a small port or haven resembling that of Queenhithe. A church was situated in this place before the year 1335; but the old edifice sharing the fate of most of the other public buildings, in the fire of London, the present structure was erected in its room.

The body of this edifice is enlightened by a range of lofty arched windows, and the wall is terminated by a balustrade. A well-proportioned square tower rises to a considerable height, and is crowned with a handsome vase at each corner, supported on a very ornamental pedestal, with a handsome turret between in the form of an obelisk, each supported on the same kind of pedestal as the vases, and crowned with a ball.

The patronage of the church is in lay hands, and the parish of St. Mary Mounthaw being annexed to it, the Incumbent’s profits are considerably increased; he having, besides casualties and two parsonage houses, 110l. a year in lieu of tithes, and about 30l. in glebe.

St. Mary Spital, a priory and hospital founded by Sir Walter Brune, and Rosia, his lady, in the year 1197, who dedicated it to the honour of Jesus Christ and his Mother the Virgin Mary, by the name of Domus Dei & beatÆ MariÆ extra Bishopsgate.

This hospital surrendered to Henry VIII. when its revenue was found to amount to 478l. a year; and besides the ornaments of the church and other goods belonging to the hospital, there were an hundred and eighty beds for the use of the poor.

A part of a large church yard belonging to this hospital, separated from the rest by a brick wall, was for a long time remaining, with a pulpit cross in it, somewhat like that which formerly stood in St. Paul’s church yard; and on the south side was a handsome house in which the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, and other persons of distinction sat to hear the sermons preached in Easter holidays.

It was anciently the custom for some learned man, appointed by the Bishops, to preach a sermon at St. Paul’s Cross, relating to Christ’s passion, on Good Friday in the afternoon; and upon Easter Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, other sermons were preached in the forenoon at the Spital, on Christ’s resurrection: on Low Sunday in the forenoon a rehearsal was made of these four sermons at St. Paul’s Cross, in which they were either commended or censured; and, after all, the Priest made a sermon himself.

At these sermons the Lord Mayor and Aldermen were usually present, with their wives; and since the reformation these sermons are continued by the name of Spital Sermons at St. Bride’s in Fleet street, on Easter Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The pulpit cross was broke down in the grand rebellion. Maitland.

St. Mary’s Staining, a small church, formerly seated on the north side of Oat lane, in the ward of Aldersgate within. The reason why it received the additional epithet of Staining, is very uncertain; some imagining it to be derived from the painter stainers, who might probably live near it; while others suppose that it was originally called Stany or Stony from its being built with stone, to distinguish it from those in the city built with wood, &c. This ancient edifice, however, being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was united to St. Michael’s Wood street. Stowe.

St. Mary Whitechapel, was originally erected as a chapel of ease to the church of St. Dunstan, Stepney; and from its external appearance probably received the additional epithet of White. We read of this church in 1329, and the first chapel was probably of much greater antiquity.

The church was anciently denominated St. Mary Matsellon, a name which some have ridiculously supposed was derived from the women of the parish having killed a Frenchman, about the year 1428, for murdering and robbing his benefactress, a religious widow, who had generously brought him up almost from his infancy: but this church was known by this name above an hundred years before this bloody catastrophe. Mr. Strype, therefore, in his edition of Stowe’s Survey, with greater appearance of reason derives the name from the Hebrew or Syriac word Matsel which signifies a woman who has lately brought forth a son; alluding to Mary’s being delivered of our Saviour: however, this name has given way to the more ancient one of Whitechapel, which is even given to the long street by which the edifice is situated.

The old church being in a very ruinous condition in 1673, it was taken down and rebuilt in the present form. It is a coarse and very irregular building. The body, which is built with brick, and ornamented with stone rustic work at the corners, is ninety-three feet in length; sixty-three in breadth; and the height of the tower and turret eighty feet. The principal door is adorned with a kind of rustic pilasters, with cherubims heads by way of capitals, and a pediment above. The body has many windows, which are of various forms and different sizes, a sort of Venetian, oval and square. The square windows have ill-proportioned circular pediments, and the oval, or more properly elliptic windows (some of which stand upright, and others crosswise) are surrounded with thick festoons. The steeple, which is of stone, and appears to be a part of the old structure, rises above the principal door, and is crowned with a plain square battlement; in the center of which rises a small turret with its dome and fane. English Architecture.

This church is a rectory, in the gift of the Principal and Scholars of King’s Hall and Brazen Nose College, Oxford. The Incumbent’s profits, according to Mr. Maitland, amount to about 350l. per annum.

St. Mary Woolchurch-Haw, stood on the east side of Stocks market, in Walbrook ward, and received its additional appellation from a beam in the church yard for the weighing of wool; for in that church yard was anciently kept the wool staple: but this church being destroyed by the fire of London, and not rebuilt, the parish was annexed to the church of St. Mary Woolnoth. Maitland.

St. Mary Woolnoth, at the corner of Sherborne lane, and adjoining to the Post Office in Lombard street, is supposed to derive its additional epithet of Woolnoth from its being almost contiguous to the above wool staple, whence it might be called Woolneah or Woolnigh, which, by an easy transition, might pass into Woolnoth.

We read of a church with the same addition in 1355. The last suffered by the fire in 1666, when every thing within it was destroyed but the walls; however, being soon after repaired, it continued in a very crazy condition, till it was appointed to be one of the fifty new churches to be erected within the bills of mortality.

In digging a foundation for the present church in 1716, there were discovered, at the depth of fifteen, and twenty-two feet, a great variety of Roman earthen vessels, both for sacred and profane uses; but all broken, together with a considerable number of the tusks and bones of boars and goats, with several medals and pieces of metal; some tesselated work, a part of an aqueduct, and at the bottom of all a well full of dirt, which was no sooner removed, than a fine spring arose, in which is placed a pump with an iron bason. By the great quantity of pot-sheards, &c. found in this place, Mr. Maitland is of opinion, that here was a pottery; and from the tusks and bones he imagines, that near this place stood the temple of Concord, mentioned by the Romans.

The new church was finished in the year 1719, and is a very handsome structure built with stone. On the north side which fronts Lombard street, instead of windows there are three very large and lofty niches adorned with Ionic columns, and surrounded with a bold rustic. Over these is a large cornice, upon which is placed a balustrade. The entrance is at the well end by a lofty rustic arch, over which rises an oblong tower, ornamented with six Composite columns in the front, and two on the sides; upon this is raised a lesser tower of the same form crowned with a balustrade, from the center of which rises a flag staff with a fane. The windows are on the south side, where the edifice is intirely surrounded with houses.

It would be impossible, perhaps, to find a place in the whole city where the principal ornaments of a building could be more completely concealed. The tower can no where be seen to advantage, and can scarce any where be seen at all, except on the roofs of the neighbouring houses and the opposite garret windows: a great deal of expence has therefore been here thrown away in ornaments, to very little purpose.

The advowson of this church was in the Prioress and Convent of St. Helen’s in Bishopsgate street, till at their dissolution they fell to the Crown; when King Henry VIII. granted it to Sir Martin Bowes, in whose family it has ever since continued. The Rector, besides casualties, receives about 22l. a year in glebe, and 160l. per annum, in lieu of tithes.

Masons. This company had their arms granted by Clarencieux, King at arms, in the year 1477, though the members were not incorporated by letters patent, till they obtained them from King Charles II. in 1677. This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, twenty-two Assistants, and seventy Liverymen, whose fine on admission is 5l. They have a small convenient hall in Masons alley, Basinghall street. Maitland.

Masons alley, Basinghall street; so called from Masons hall within it.

Masons arms yard, Madox street.*

Mason’s court, Brick lane, Spitalfields.†

Mason’s stairs, Bankside.†

Mason’s yard. North Audley street.†

Mast yard, 1. Ratcliff highway. 2. Wapping.

Master of the Ceremonies, an officer appointed by King James I. for the more honourable reception of Ambassadors and strangers of quality. As a badge of his office he wears a gold chain, to which hangs a medal that has on one side an emblem of Peace placed under the crown of England, with King James’s motto Beati Pacifici, and on the other an emblem of War, with the words Dieu et mon Droit. His salary is 300l. a year. He has under him an Assistant and a Marshal, the latter of whom has 6s. 8d. a day. Chamberlain’s Present State.

Masters in Chancery. See the article Masters in Chancery.

Master of the Horse, the third great officer of the King’s court, has the management and disposal of all the King’s stables and breed of horses; he has authority over the equeries and pages, coachmen, footmen, grooms, riders of the great horse, farriers and smiths; he appoints all the other tradesmen who work for the King’s stables, and by his warrant to the avenor makes them give an oath to be true and faithful. In short, he is intrusted with all the lands and revenues, appropriated for the King’s breed of horses, the expences of the stable, and of the coaches, litters, &c.

He alone has the privilege of making use of any of the horses, pages, or footmen belonging to his Majesty’s stables; and at any solemn cavalcade he rides next the King, and leads a horse of state. His salary is 1276l. 13s. 4d. per annum.

Master of the Houshold, an officer under the Lord Treasurer of the King’s house, whose office is to survey the accounts of the house.

Master of the Jewel House, an officer who has the care of all the gold and silver plate used at the King’s table; as also of all the loose jewels, chains, &c. in the Tower of London.

Master of the Revels, an officer under the Lord Chamberlain, has the management of all the masques and comedies at court, and has a salary of 100l. a year.

Master of the Robes, an officer who orders all his Majesty’s robes, as those of his coronation, of St. George’s feast, and of Parliament, and of his wearing apparel. He has a salary of 500l. per annum, and under him is a yeoman, three grooms, a page, a brusher, a sempstress, &c.

Match walk, Upper Shadwell.

Matham’s court, Threadneedle alley, Little Moorfields.†

Matthas’s court, Great Hermitage street.†

St. Matthew’s, Bethnal Green. See Bethnal Green.

St. Matthew’s Friday street, is situated on the west side of that street in the ward of Faringdon within, and owes its name to its dedication to St. Matthew the Evangelist, and its situation. The old church being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the present structure was erected in its place. It is a plain stone building, with one series of large arched windows, and at the east end is the steeple, which consists of a square brick tower, void of all ornament.

The patronage of this rectory was anciently in the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, and upon their suppression, when the conventual church was converted into a cathedral, Henry VIII. conferred it upon the Bishop; but the new bishopric being soon after dissolved, King Edward VI. granted it to the Bishop of London, in whom the advowson still continues. To this church the parish of St. Peter Cheap is united.

Maudlin’s rents, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.†

Maul’s court, Fore street, Cripplegate.†

Maxham’s court, Long alley.†

Maximus court, Moorfields.†

Maxin’s court, Moorfields.†

May Fair, near Hyde Park; so called from a fair annually held there in the month of May.

May Fair street, near Hyde Park.

Mayfield’s buildings, near Rag Fair.

Lord Mayor. The chief magistrate of this metropolis was, before the Norman conquest, called the Portreve, or Portgrave, which title in the reign of Henry II. was changed for that of Mayor, a name by which the chief magistrate of the city of Roan, the capital of Normandy, was then distinguished. In 1215 the citizens obtained from King John a charter which granted them the privilege of chusing this magistrate, which was afterwards confirmed by several other royal grants; and the Mayors were elected by the court of Aldermen, and a number of Commons summoned by them, out of each of the wards; but the number thus summoned being occasionally varied at the discretion of the Aldermen, gave great uneasiness to the commonalty, for the removing of which the method of election was altered by an act of Common Council in the year 1476, and the present manner of electing by the Livery of the several companies was established: by virtue of which the Lord Mayor is annually chosen on Michaelmas day.

For this purpose the Liverymen on that day assemble in Guildhall, where, by holding up of hands, they usually chuse two of the senior Aldermen below the chair, who being returned to the court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen, the senior is generally declared Lord Mayor elect.

Some time after, the Lord Mayor elect, accompanied by the Recorder and several of the Aldermen, is presented to the Lord Chancellor, as his Majesty’s representative, for his approbation, without which the person elected has no legal authority to perform the office: but this being obtained, he is on the eighth of November sworn into his office at Guildhall, and the following day before the Barons of the Exchequer at Westminster.

The ninth of November being the day on which the Lord Mayor elect enters upon his office, the Aldermen and Sheriffs attend him to Guildhall in their coaches, and about noon proceed from thence in their coaches to the Three Cranes stairs, where the Lord Mayor, the Lord Mayor elect, the Aldermen, Recorder, and Sheriffs, go on board the city barge, and attended by the several city companies in their several barges, adorned with flags and pendants, proceed by water to Westminster, where his Lordship having taken the oaths prescribed, returns in the same pompous manner to Black Friars stairs, whence the livery of many of the city companies, preceded by colours and bands of music, march to their stands, which are erected on both sides the streets through which his Lordship is to pass.

The Lord Mayor being at length landed at Black Friars, he is preceded by the Artillery company, which is followed by the company of which the Lord Mayor is free. After them follow several others with their music, flags, and streamers, and among the rest the armourers have a person riding on horseback, completely dressed in polished armour. At length march the Lord Mayor’s domestics and servants, followed by his Lordship in the coach of state, and after him come the Aldermen, Recorder, Sheriffs, Chamberlain, Common Serjeant, Town Clerk, &c. in their several coaches and chariots, and in this manner proceed to Guildhall, where a noble entertainment is provided, as there is also for the several Companies at their respective halls.

The power of this great officer is at present much more considerable than it was formerly, for he is not only the King’s representative in the civil government of the city, but also First Commissioner of the lieutenancy, perpetual Coroner and Escheator within the city and liberties of London and the borough of Southwark; Chief Justice of oyer, terminer and goal-delivery of Newgate; Judge of the court of wardmote at the election of Aldermen; Conservator of the rivers Thames and Medway; so that if any citizen or apprentice of London be carried away, and by force detained on ship-board, he can, by his warrant, compel the Captain or Master of such vessel to release such citizen: he is also perpetual Commissioner in all affairs relating to the river Lea, and chief Butler of the kingdom at all coronations, when his fee for that service is a gold cup and cover, with a golden ewer.

The Lord Mayor upon public occasions wears either scarlet or purple robes richly furred, with a velvet hood and gold chain or collar of SS. When he goes abroad in his state coach, the Mace-bearer sits upon a stool in the middle facing one of the windows, and the Sword-bearer upon another stool facing the other, and when on foot his train is supported by a page, and the mace and sword carried before him.

The principal officers for the support of his dignity, are the Sword-bearer, the Common Hunt, Common Crier, and Water Bailiff, who have all great salaries or perquisites, with each the title of Esquire. He has also three Serjeant Carvers, three Serjeants of the chamber, a Serjeant of the channel, two Yeomen of the chamber, four Yeomen of the water side, a Yeoman of the channel, an Under Water Bailiff, six Yeomen waiters, three Meal weighers, two Yeomen of the wood wharf, and an officer called a Foreign taker. Maitland.

Lord Mayor’s Court. This is a court of record held before the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder, every Tuesday in Guildhall, wherein actions of debt, trespass, attachments, covenants, &c. arising within the city and liberties, of any value, may be tried, and actions from the Sheriff’s court removed hither, before the jury be sworn.

This is also a court of equity, relating to affairs transacted within the city and liberties; it giving relief when judgment is obtained in the Sheriff’s court for more than the just debt.

This court is, in several respects, the best to commence a process in; since an action, exclusive of stamps, may be entered for so small a sum as four pence; and yet, though not proceeded upon, it never dies, as those in other courts. Besides, a suit may be begun and ended here within the space of fourteen days, for thirty shillings.

The juries for trying causes in this and the Sheriff’s courts, are annually returned at Christmas by the several courts of wardmote, when each ward appoints a sufficient number of persons to serve on those juries for every month of the year.

This court has an office peculiar to itself, consisting of four Attorneys, by whom all actions cognizable therein are entered; for the execution thereof there are six Serjeants at mace. Lex Lond.

Court of Lord Mayor and Aldermen. This is also a court of record, in which is lodged a great part of the executive power of the city, whereby all leases and other instruments that pass the city seal are executed; the assize of bread ascertained; contests relating to water courses and party walls, adjusted; and the city officers suspended and punished, according to the nature of their offences.

This court has a power of annually electing eleven overseers or rulers of the fraternity of watermen; and a right of fixing their several taxes with the approbation of the Privy Council; and likewise a right of disposing of most of the places belonging to the city officers.

Maypole alley, 1. Fenchurch street. 2. Holiwell street. 3. St. Margaret’s Hill. 4. St. Olave street. 5. Wych street.

May’s alley, Wheeler street.†

May’s buildings, Bedfordbury.†

May’s Farm, Dog row, Mile End.†

May’s yard, Barnaby street.†

Maze court, Tooley street.

Maze pond, near Snow fields, Southwark.

Maze Pond street, Southwark.

Maze street, Tooley street.

Mead’s court, Bond street.

Meal yard, Fleet market.

Meard’s court, 1. Dean street.† 2. Wardour street.†

Meat wharf, Mill bank.

Mediford court, a handsome large court in Fenchurch street.†

Meeting House alley, 1. Greenbank.? Johnson’s street.? 3. Queen street, Rotherhith.?

Meeting House court, 1. Black Friars.? 2. Drury lane.? 3. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street.? 4. Stony lane.?

Meeting House yard, 1. Broad street, London Wall.? 2. Deadman’s place, Southwark.? 3. Devonshire square, Bishopsgate street without.?. 4. Five foot lane.†. 5. Gravel lane, Houndsditch.? 6. Little St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate street within.? 7. St. Michael’s lane, Canon street.? 8. Nightingale lane.? 9. Old Horselydown lane.? 10. Old Jewry.? 11. Silver street, Wood street, Cheapside.? 12. Water lane.? 13. Wentworth street.? 14. West lane.?

Meeting Houses. Of these there are above an hundred and twenty within the bills of mortality. See a particular account of them under the names of the several denominations of Protestant Dissenters, as Baptists, Independents, Presbyterians, &c.

Meggs’ Almshouse, on the south side of Whitechapel, was founded about sixty-five years ago, by William Meggs, Esq; for the reception of twelve widows, each of whom has a room, and annually receives 5l. 4s. and a chaldron of coals.

Melancholy walk, St. George’s fields.

Mercers, the first of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by letters patent granted by King Richard II. in the year 1393. The members are not only exempt from quarterage, but upon their admission to the livery, pay only a fine of 2l. 13s. 4d.

This fraternity is governed by a Prime and three other Wardens, with forty Assistants, and 232 Liverymen.

Mercers Hall, and Chapel, are situated in Cheapside, between the Old Jewry and Ironmonger lane, on the spot where anciently stood an hospital dedicated to St. Thomas of Acars or Acons. They were both destroyed by the fire of London; after which they were rebuilt by the company. The front, which is towards Cheapside, is adorned with a very handsome entrance; the door case is enriched with the figures of two Cupids mantling the company’s arms, and with festoons, &c. and over it the balcony is adorned with two pilasters of the Ionic order, and a pediment; with the figures of Faith, Hope and Charity, and other enrichments.

The inner court is adorned with piazzas, formed of columns of the Doric order; the hall room and great parlour are wainscoted with oak, and ornamented with Ionic pilasters; and the ceiling with fret-work.

The chapel is neatly wainscoted, and paved with black and white marble.

Mercers court, 1. St. Mary hill. 2. Tower hill. 3. Tower street.

Mercers School, in the Old Jewry, was, as well as their hall and chapel, a part of the hospital of St. Thomas of Acons; but that hospital being surrendered to Henry VIII. in 1531, it was purchased by the company of Mercers, and the ancient school continued; the Master having a salary of 40l. per annum, with a commodious dwelling house, for which he is obliged to teach twenty-five boys grammatical learning. Maitland.

Mercers street, Long Acre; so called from its belonging to that company.

Merchant Adventurers. See Hamburgh Merchants.

Merchant Taylors, the seventh of the twelve principal companies, was incorporated by Edward IV. in the year 1466; and was anciently denominated Taylors and Linen Armourers: but many of the company being great merchants, and Henry VII. one of the members, that Prince in the year 1503 re-incorporated it, by the name of, The Master and Wardens of the Merchant Taylors of the fraternity of St. John the Baptist, in the city of London.

This fraternity is governed by a Master, four Wardens, thirty-eight Assistants, and 394 Liverymen, who upon their admission pay a fine of 20l. The company is possessed of a great estate, out of which they pay to charitable uses, pursuant to the wills of the respective donors, about 2000l. per annum.

This company has a spacious hall on the south side of Threadneedle street. Strype’s Stowe.

Merchant Taylors Almshouse, near the west end of Rosemary lane, contains twenty-six apartments for so many poor widows, the relicts of deceased members, who annually receive 6l. and a chaldron of coals each, with a gown every third year. Maitland.

Merchant Taylors rents, Moor lane.

Merchant Taylors School, in Suffolk lane, Thames street, was founded by the company of Merchant Taylors in the year 1568, for the education of boys. It was anciently kept in a house which belonged to the Duke of Buckingham, and was called the Manor of the Rose; but that edifice being destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, the present structure was erected upon the same spot.

The school is a long and spacious building, supported on the east by many stone pillars that form an handsome cloister, within which are apartments for the three Ushers. Adjoining to the school is a library supported also by stone pillars, and well furnished with books. And on the south of the library is the part called the chapel. Contiguous to these is a large house appropriated to the use of the head Master.

The school consists of eight forms, in which near three hundred boys have their education; an hundred of whom, according to the constitutions of the company, are taught gratis; an hundred more at 5s. and fifty at 2s. 6d. a quarter.

The head Master receives from the company a salary of 10l. 6s. per annum, and thirty shillings for water; besides the quarterage from the scholars, which renders his salary very considerable. The first Usher has 30l. a year, and the two last 25l. per annum, and all of them have proper apartments.

Several of the scholars are annually sent to St. John’s College, Oxford, which seems to have been founded by Sir Thomas White chiefly for their use, as they have no less than forty-six fellowships in that college.

For the better inquiry into the proficiency of all the scholars, there are four probations in the year performed only by the Master and Ushers; the first on the 11th of March; the second on the 15th of June; the third on the 11th of September; and the fourth on the 11th of December, not being Sundays, and then upon the next day following.

For the farther satisfaction of the Master, Wardens, and court of Assistants of the Merchant Taylors, the probations themselves undergo an examination twice every year, by two judicious men well learned in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, appointed by the Master and Wardens of the company. Upon these days, which are between the 11th and 21st of March, and September, the Master and Wardens, or at least two of them, are present. The examination, which is performed in the chapel, begins at six in the morning and ends at eleven. These are called the Doctors days. After the examination is finished, the audience, which is generally pretty numerous, returns into the school, where certain public exercises are performed by the eight senior scholars, or monitors of the school.

There is yet another public examination of the scholars of the upper form, by the President and Fellows of St. John’s College, Oxford, annually performed upon the 11th of June, previous to the election of scholars to be made upon that day, to fill up the vacant fellowships in that college: and after the public exercises are finished, the Dean of the college addresses himself to the scholars, out of whose number the vacancy is to be filled up, in a Latin speech suited to the occasion.

At this time an account is usually printed, containing the names and order of the head scholars, their births, admission, and continuance in the head form; and also an account of the subjects of the orations. Stowe’s Survey, last edit. Maitland.

Merchants Waterworks for raising water. To this office belong three engines, a windmill in Tottenham court road fields, and lately by two water mills, turned by the common sewer, one at Tom’s coffee-house in St. Martin’s lane, and the other in Northumberland street, late Hartshorn lane, in the Strand. From these engines issue three main pipes of six and seven inch bore, from which the neighbourhood of those places are supplied with water.

This company, after defraying all charges, divide the profits every half year. Their office is kept in Rathbone place, Oxford street.

Mermaid alley, in the Borough.*

Mermaid court, 1. Charing Cross.* 2. Great Carter lane.* 3. St. Margaret’s hill.* 4. Pater noster row, Cheapside.* 5. Ratcliff Cross.*

Merrick street, New Bond street.†

Messenger’s rents, Still alley.†

Metcalf’s court, Jacob’s street, Rotherhith.†

Methodists, a body of Dissenters from the church of England, who have several meeting houses in this metropolis: 1. At the Foundery, Windmill hill. 2. Beech lane. 3. Bull and Mouth street. 4. Marybon fields, which is more properly a chapel of the church of England, the service of the church being performed by one of the principal founders of the sect of Methodists. 5. St. Agnes le Clare. 6. West street, Seven Dials.

Mews, the stables for the King’s horses near Charing Cross, is a place of considerable antiquity, and is thus denominated from Mew, a term used among falconers, signifying to moult or cast feathers; for this place was used for the accommodation of the King’s falconers and hawks, so early as the year 1377; but the King’s stables at Lomesbury, since called Bloomsbury, being destroyed by fire in the year 1537, King Henry VIII. caused the hawks to be removed, and the Mews enlarged and fitted up for the reception of his Majesty’s horses, where they have been kept ever since: the building going to decay, the north side was rebuilt in a magnificent manner by his present Majesty, in the year 1732.

There is something in this part of the intended building of the Mews very noble, particularly the center, which is enriched with columns and a pediment, and the continuity of the architecture preserved. The smaller pediment and rustic arch under the cupolas or lanthorns are properly subordinate, but set so close to the balustrade that its intent, as a gallery, is thereby destroyed. In the view given in the print scarce half the front is seen: and over some old houses you see the beautiful steeple and part of the portico of St. Martin’s church, which has the general fate of our public buildings, to be so incumbered with houses as to have no place to view them to advantage.

Upon viewing this edifice, it is impossible not to be offended at the wretched buildings which form the other sides of the square. It is indeed much to be wished that they were made to correspond with the main building; this, if it were done, and a suitable regular entrance made from Charing Cross, would make the royal stables one of the greatest ornaments of this metropolis. Some of the finest horses in the kingdom, both for the coach and saddle, may here be seen.

Mews, Devonshire square, Bishopsgate street.

St. Michael’s alley, by the side of St. Michael’s church, Cornhill.

St. Michael Bassishaw, a church on the west side of Basinghall street, so denominated from its dedication to St. Michael the Archangel, and its situation near Basing’s haw or hall. A church dedicated to the same patron has stood here from about the year 1140, but the last edifice being destroyed by the fire of London, the present structure was erected in its place. Newc. Rep. Eccles.

The walls are strengthened with rustic work at the corners, and the body well enlightened by a single series of large windows; at the east end, where the top is terminated by an arch, the light is given by three windows, one of them tall and upright, the two others circular. The steeple is a tower crowned with a turret, from which rises a kind of spire.

The patronage of this rectory appears to have been anciently in the Bishop of London; after which it fell into lay hands; but at last came to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, where it has ever since continued, but is subject to the Archdeacon. The Rector receives 132l. 11s. per annum in lieu of tithes.

St. Michael’s, an ancient parochial chapel, which stood at the end of Leadenhall street, where is now the row of houses fronting Aldgate; and the remains of this chapel are still to be seen under the corner house of Leadenhall street. They extend thirty-six feet from north to south, and sixteen from east to west, and there is still standing the Gothic arched roof, which is supported by handsome pillars; the whole built with square brick, chalk, and stone. Maitland.

St. Michael’s Cornhill, on the east side of St. Michael’s alley. We find that a church was situated here, dedicated to the same holy angel, so early as before the year 1133; but the last edifice being destroyed with the other public buildings by the fire of London, the present Gothic structure was raised in its stead. Stowe.

The body is seventy feet long and sixty broad, the height to the roof is thirty-five feet, and that of the tower an hundred and thirty feet. The lower part of the tower occupies the center, and on each side there is a regular extent of building. The principal door opens in the lower stage of the tower, which rises with angulated corners from the ground, forming a kind of base, terminated at the height of the body of the church. The second stage, which is plain and lofty, has two tall windows, one over the other, properly shaped for the style of the building; this is terminated with a truly Gothic cornice. The third stage is exactly in the form of the two others, only they are plain, and this is covered with ornaments, the angulated corners are fluted, and terminated by cherubims heads under a cornice: the plain face between has four windows in two series. Above the cornice, over the uppermost of these windows, runs a battlement on the plain faces of the tower, and from the corners are carried up four beautiful fluted turrets, cased a part of their height with Doric turrets; these terminate in pinacle heads, from within which rises a spire at each corner crowned with a fane. The author of the Critical Review of the public buildings observes, that this Gothic tower is very magnificent, and justly deserves to be esteemed the finest thing of that sort in London.

The advowson of this church was anciently in the Abbot and Canons of Evesham; but in 1503 they conveyed it to the Drapers company, who settled upon that convent a perpetual annuity of 5l. 6s. 8d. and that company have been its patrons ever since. The Rector, instead of uncertain tithes, has by act of Parliament a settled stipend of 140l. a year.

St. Michael’s Crooked Lane, on the east side of St. Michael’s lane, in Candlewick ward, receives its additional epithet from its vicinity to Crooked lane. A church dedicated to St. Michael stood in the same place before the year 1304; but suffering by the fire of London in 1666 was soon after rebuilt.

It is a plain Structure built with stone, and enlightened by a series of large arched windows. The tower, which is at the west end, is carried square to a considerable height, and the uppermost window in the center of each face, is ornamented with a head, and handsome festoons. From hence, instead of a balustrade, is a range of open work of the Gothic kind, with vases at the corners. From within this part, the tower rises circular, diminishing in three stages, with an open buttress rising from each corner of the square tower, to the top of the first stage; from this buttress rises a large scroll to the top of the second, and a smaller to the top of the third stage, above which rises a kind of short round spire of a peculiar kind, it swelling out at the bottom, and then rounding off, rises to a small height, where it is terminated by a gilt ball and fane.

The patronage of this church was anciently in the Prior and Convent of Canterbury, in whom it continued till the year 1408, since which time it has been in the Archbishops of that see, and is one of the thirteen peculiars in this city belonging to Canterbury. The Rector, in conformity to an act of Parliament granted in the reign of King Charles II. receives, besides his other profits, 100l. per annum in lieu of tithes.

Among the several monuments in this church, is that of Sir William Walworth who slew Wat Tyler. See the article London. The inscription, as given by Mr. Weaver, in his Funeral Monuments, is as follows:

Here is also a monument erected to the honour of Queen Elizabeth; and the following very concise inscription on the tomb of William Wray.

St. Michael’s lane, in Great Eastcheap, by the above church.

St. Michael’s Queenhithe, situated on the north side of Thames street, in the ward of Queenhithe, opposite to the great wharf and buildings of that name, was about the year 1181, denominated St. Michael de Cornhithe, which may lead us to the origin of the name by which we at present call that wharf, and this church from its situation near it; as the quantities of corn brought thither down the Thames might occasion the original name, and Queenhithe be only a corrupt way of speaking it.

The old church being consumed by the dreadful fire in 1666, the present structure was erected in its room. It consists of a well-proportioned body, enlightened by two series of windows, the first a range of tall arched ones, and over these a range of large porthole windows, above which are cherubims heads, and underneath festoons, that adorn the lower part, and fall between the tops of the under series. The tower is plain but well-proportioned, and is terminated by a spire crowned with a fane in the form of a little ship.

This church has all along been in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, and is subject to the Archdeacon. On its being rebuilt the parish of the Trinity was united to it, by which the Rector’s fees were considerably augmented, who, besides his other advantages, receives 160l. per annum, in lieu of tithes.

St. Michael Querne, a church which stood at the west end of Cheapside, between Blowbladder street and Pater noster row, and had a narrow passage at the west end. We have an account of this edifice so early as the year 1181, when it appears to have been only a chapel, since the first Rector was buried in it in 1461. in old records it is called St. Michael ad Bladum; that is, At the Corn, which was corrupted to Querne. It was also sometimes denominated St. Michael de Macello, from its vicinity to the flesh market.

This ancient edifice being burnt by the fire of London, the place on which it stood was, by act of Parliament, laid into the street, in order to enlarge it, and the parish united to the church of St. Vedast, in Foster lane. Stowe’s Survey. Newc. Rep. Eccles.

St. Michael Royal, on the east side of College hill, in Vintry ward, is thus denominated from its being anciently near the Tower Royal. This was a parish church before the year 1285, when it was under the patronage of the Prior and Canons of Canterbury, in whom it continued till it was converted into a college by Sir Richard Whittington, mercer, four times Lord Mayor, who rebuilt the church; but even then the monks of Canterbury so far continued its patrons, as to present a person nominated by the Master and Wardens of the Mercers company. This church being consumed with the other public buildings by the fire of London, the present structure was erected in its room, and the parish of St. Martin Vintry united to it. Newc. Rep. Eccles. Stowe’s Survey.

This structure is a plain, decent, and substantial stone building, enlightened by a single series of large arched windows, placed so high that the doors open under the level of their bottoms. The tower consists of three stages, and at the top is surrounded with carved open work instead of a balustrade: from hence rises a light and elegant turret adorned with Ionic columns, and ending in a fine diminution, which supports the fane.

This church is one of the thirteen peculiars belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Rector, besides his other profits, receives 140l. a year in lieu of tithes. Among the several monumental inscriptions, was one in memory of the above Sir Richard Whittington.

St. Michael’s Wood Street, is seated on the west side of Wood street, in Cripplegate ward. An old church, dedicated to the same patron, stood there in the year 1392, and probably another succeeded it towards the close of the fifteenth century; however, in 1666 the church then standing was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present structure, which rose in its place, was finished a few years after, and the Parish of St. Mary Staining united to it.

As the east end of this edifice is the most conspicuous part, it is ornamented with four Ionic columns raised upon a continued pedestal, with arches between, and supporting a handsome pediment, in the middle of which is a circular window. Between the columns are three upright arched windows, that fill the whole space. The rest of the body is plain, and the windows are raised so high that the doors open under them.

The tower consists of three plain stages with large windows, from the uppermost of which rises a small square course, the foundation of the base of the turret. This base is cut away from the breadth of the tower gradually to the diameter of the turret, which is plain, but handsome; and from its top rises a ball that supports the fane.

The patronage of this church was in the Abbot and Convent of St. Alban’s till the suppression of that monastery, when Henry VIII. sold it to William Barwell, who in the year 1588, conveyed it to several persons in trust for the parish, in which it still continues. The Rector, besides his other profits, receives 100l. a year in lieu of tithes.

Middle court, 1. Bernard’s Inn, Holborn. 2. Clement’s Inn.

Middle row, 1. St. Giles’s. 2. Goswell street. 3. Holborn. 4. Gray’s Inn lane.

Middle Scotland yard, Whitehall.

Middle Shadwell, near Shadwell market.

Middle Shadwell lane, Middle Shadwell.

Middle Street, 1. Cloth Fair. 2. Horselydown.

Middle Temple, Fleet street. See the article Temple.

Middle Temple lane, a lane that leads from Fleet street to the Middle Temple.

Middle Turning lane, Shadwell.

Middlesex court, 1. Drury lane. 2. Little Bartholomew close.

Middlesex Hospital, for the reception of the sick and the lame, and for lying-in married women, in Marybon Fields near Oxford road. This is a neat, plain, and not inelegant brick building: it has the decent appearance and all the accommodations one would wish in a house devoted to charity, without that ostentatious magnificence which too often in a great measure defeats the humane and noble end of such pious and charitable institutions, where those sums are squandered away in useless decorations, that ought to be employed in administering health to the sick, and giving feet to the lame.

Nature and religion patronize every instance of distress, but most powerfully befriend that deepest of all distresses, sickness in poverty. Sickness itself will excite compassion, though alleviated by every comfort and advantage of wealth. How much stronger a sympathy must then arise at the sight or idea of sickness imbittered by poverty! or considered in another view, of poverty disabled by sickness! Most men are inclined, but very few, in comparison, have the power to relieve it. Public contributions, therefore, seemed the most likely to effect what the private bounty of individuals could not. This gave rise, in the present charitable age, to infirmaries, and in particular to this, which has the merit and the honour of being the first hospital in this kingdom for lying-in women; and of setting an example which has been so happily followed.

The charitable designs of this hospital were carried on for several years in two convenient houses adjoining to each other, in Windmill street, Tottenham court road, where the first institution in August 1745, was intended only for the relief of the indigent sick and lame: but in July 1747, the Governors willing to render it more worthy of the notice of the public, extended their plan to the relief of the pregnant wives of the industrious poor: when the great increase of patients, occasioned by the reputation of this twofold charity, soon obliged the Governors to think of enlarging their edifice, as well as their plan; and the kind benevolence of the public by donations, legacies, &c. enabled them in 1755, to erect a much larger and more convenient building in Marybon Fields, wherein the apartments for the reception of the lying-in women are in a separate part of the building, remote from the sick and lame; and that ladies may visit the lying-in patients, without being incommoded by the sick and lame, different stair-cases lead to each, the lying-in wards having no communication with the sick and lame.

The qualification of a Governor of this charity is an annual subscription of three guineas; which also intitles the subscriber to recommend, and have in the house at one time, either one sick or lame patient, or one lying-in woman, and to recommend out-patients, A subscription of five guineas per annum intitles the subscriber to recommend one sick or lame in-patient, out-patients, and one lying-in woman. A subscription of thirty guineas at one payment, constitutes the subscriber a Governor for life, with the last mentioned privileges. Contributions of lesser sums than three guineas per annum are thankfully received, and intitle the contributors to recommend one sick or lame in-patient, and one out-patient at the same time.

A committee of the Governors (appointed quarterly) meet at the hospital every Tuesday, at ten of the clock, to receive and discharge patients, and to transact the other necessary business of the house; where every Governor, though not of the committee, has a right to be present, and his attendance is received as a favour. A report of their proceedings is made to the general court held every quarter, when the resolutions of this committee are approved or rejected.

The patients are attended without fee or reward by three eminent Physicians, a Man-midwife, three Surgeons, and a reverend Divine.

The Physicians visit the patients every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and on intermediate days, when particular cases require it. The Surgeons attend every day.

Patients are admitted on a letter of recommendation from a Governor or Contributor, who may recommend in-patients, and have out-patients on the books, according to the regulation abovementioned: and when in-patients are recommended, and there is not room in the house to receive them, they are put on the list to be admitted on the first vacancy, and in the mean time are prescribed for as out-patients.

No security is required for burials.

All accidents are admitted without recommendation.

Tuesday being the day appointed for the admission of patients, they are expected to be at the hospital, with their recommendations, at ten of the clock.

The Physicians and Surgeons meet every Saturday at twelve of the clock, at the hospital, where they give advice gratis to all such diseased poor who shall come, though unrecommended, and require it.

Married women only are admitted (in the last month of their pregnancy) after they have been examined by the weekly board, and on their producing an affidavit made before a Justice of the peace, of the time and place of their marriage, and of the settlement of the husband, with the manner the said settlement was obtained, whether by birth, servitude, or otherwise. And that this useful branch of the charity, the midwifery ward, may be made every way beneficial, and not liable to any objection, no pupils will be admitted; the whole being under the direction of Dr. Brudenell Exton, Physician and Man-midwife: and no woman whatsoever, who has been able to prove her marriage, and her husband’s settlement, so as to avoid burthening the parish wherein the hospital stands, has been refused admittance.

The number of beds at present are sixty-four.

The patients admitted from the first institution of this hospital, in August 1745, to the 1st of June 1758, are as follow:

The servants of the house are forbid to take any gratuity of the patients or their friends, on any pretence whatsoever, on pain of expulsion.

Such persons who are inclined to favour this charitable design, are desired to send their subscriptions, with their names and places of abode, to the Treasurers, at the weekly committee, held every Tuesday in the forenoon at the hospital; and in order to supply the current expence of this charity, the subscribers are requested to continue to pay their yearly subscriptions in advance.

Subscriptions and benefactions are likewise taken in at Messrs. Honywood, Fuller, and Co. bankers in Birchin lane; and at Mr. Gislingham Cooper’s, banker in the Strand. From the account published by the Society in June 1758.

The reader may find the other hospitals for lying-in women, founded after the example set by this excellent charity, under the articles London Lying-in Hospital, Lying-in Hospital in Brownlow street, and Lying-in Hospital in Duke street.

Middlesex row, St. Giles’s Broadway.

Midley’s wharf, Ratcliff.†

Milborne’s Almshouse, on the west side of Woodrof lane, Crutched Friars, was erected by Sir John Milborne in the year 1535, for the reception of thirteen poor members of the Drapers company, whom he allowed 7d. per week, which was at that time a sufficient support. In the front of the building is the following inscription:

Ad laudem Dei, & gloriosÆ Virginis MariÆ, hoc opus erexit Dominus Johannes Milborne, Miles & Alderman. bujus civitatis, A. D. 1535.

‘To the praise of God, and the glory of the Virgin, this edifice was erected by John Milborne, Mayor of this city in the year 1535.’

The Drapers company, to whom the management of this almshouse was intrusted, have not only increased the number of the pensioners to fifteen; but have doubled their pensions, with a load of coals, and twenty or more shillings annually, out of the money left to be distributed by that company at discretion.

St. Mildred’s Bread Street, a church situated on the east side of Bread street, and in the ward of that name, is thus denominated from its being dedicated to St. Mildred, a Saxon lady, the daughter of Merwaldus, brother to Penda King of the Mercians. This Princess despising the gaieties of a court, retired to a convent at Hale in France, whence returning to England, accompanied by seventy virgins, she was consecrated Abbess of a new monastery in the isle of Thanet, where she died in the year 676.

A church under the same tutelary name stood in that spot in the year 1333: but the last structure being destroyed by the fire of London, the present edifice was created in its room in 1670.

It consists of a spacious body, and a light tower divided into four stages, whence rises a tall spire.

The advowson of this church was anciently in the Prior and Canons of St. Mary Overie’s, but it afterwards came to Sir Nicholas Crispe, in whose family it may perhaps still remain. On the present edifice being built, the parish of St. Margaret Moses was annexed to it. The Rector, besides his other profits, receives 130l. per annum in lieu of tithes.

St. Mildred’s Poultry, at the corner of Scalding alley, in Cheap ward. A church of the same name stood in this place before the year 1325; but the last edifice sharing the fate of most of the other public buildings at the fire of London, this was built in its room.

It is a plain, substantial stone building, enlightened by a series of large windows, and strengthened with rustic at the corners. The tower is crowned with a plain course, without either pinacles, turret, or any other ornament.

The patronage of this church was in the Prior and Canons of St. Mary Overie’s in Southwark, till their suppression; and it has ever since been in the King’s gift. After its being rebuilt, the parish of St. Mary Cole was annexed to it, by which the profits of the Rector were considerably increased. Besides his other profits, he receives 170l. a year in lieu of tithes.

Mile End, so called from its being a mile from Aldgate, is situated near Stepney, in the road to Bow. Here anciently stood a Lazaretto, or hospital of lepers, denominated the house of our Saviour Jesus Christ, and Mary Magdalene, to whom Edward VI. granted letters patent, allowing them to beg for their support.

Mile End Green, Stepney.

Mile End Old Town, near Stepney.

Mile’s lane, 1. By Crooked lane. † 2. New Fish street.†

Mile’s rents, 1. Dog lane, Barnaby street. † 2. Powell’s alley, Beech lane, Whitecross street.†

Milford lane, extends from the Strand to the Thames.†

Milford stairs, at the bottom of Milford lane. †

Military mews, Prince’s street, Soho.

Milk alley, 1. Dean street, Soho. 2. Long Ditch, Westminster. 3. Milk yard, near Gravel lane. 4. Peter street, Clare market. 5. Wapping. 6. Winchester yard, Winchester street.

Milk street, Cheapside; so called from a market for milk formerly kept there.

Milk yard, 1. New Gravel lane, Shadwell. 2. Popping’s alley, Fleet street. 3. Rag Fair, Rosemary lane.

Millbank, Westminster horse ferry.

Miller’s court, Aldermanbury.†

Mill lane, Tooley street.

Millman’s street, near Red Lion street, Holborn.†

Millpond Bridge, Rotherhith.

Millpond Bridge lane, Rotherhith.

Millpond row, Rotherhith.

Mill street, 1. Conduit street. 2. Rotherhith wall. 3. St. Saviour’s dock.

Mill yard, runs from Rosemary lane into Goodman’s fields.

Mills’s yard, Rotherhith wall.†

Milxan’s wharf, Durham yard.†

Mims, there are two villages of this name; North Mims, situated in Hertfordshire, on the east side of Colney, and two miles from Hatfield. In its neighbourhood is the seat of the late Sir Joseph Jekyll, Master of the Rolls, in right of his Lady, who was heir to her late brother the great Lord Somers. It has a most delightful prospect. The body of that Nobleman lies interred in the chancel of the church, without any inscription. This seat now belongs to the Duke of Leeds, who is Lord of the manor.

South Mims is situated two miles from the former, in the most northern corner of Middlesex. Here is an almshouse built and endowed for six poor people, by James Hickson, Esq; who died in 1689, when he gave by his will to fifteen poor people of this parish two shifts, one pair of hose, and a pair of shoes annually; for the payment of these, and other benefactions, he left several estates in this parish to the Brewers company in London.

Mincing lane, on the south side of Fenchurch street, extends to Tower street, is well built, and chiefly inhabited by merchants.

Mine and Battery Works Company, for the discovery of mines and minerals. In order to give a just idea of the origin of this and the following company, it is necessary to observe, that the English, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, being but little acquainted with the manner of working and discovering mines, she, by the advice of her Council, sent for several Germans, well skilled both in these works, and in smelting and refining of minerals; who on their arrival were no sooner naturalized, than they obtained a licence to search for mines.

Among these, that Princess in the year 1565, impowered William Humfreys and Christopher Schutz a German, to search for all mines, minerals, and subterraneous treasure, except allum and copperas, in the several royalties throughout England, exclusive of the following eight counties, York, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Cornwall, Lancashire, Devon, Gloucester, and the principality of Wales, for their sole use and profit; her Majesty only reserving to herself a tenth part of all gold, silver, and quicksilver ores, and the pre-emption of refined gold and silver, the former at 8d. and the latter at 1d. per ounce lower than the current price of those metals; and 6d. for every hundred weight of copper.

Afterwards her Majesty, in the year 1568, incorporated this society by the name of, The Governors, Assistants, and Society of the Mineral and Battery Works. The number of shares belonging to this company at first amounted to thirty-six; which being divided into half and quarter parts, they are at present increased to an hundred and forty four.

Mines Royal Company. This society owed its origin to the same cause as the former, and was founded a year before it: for in 1564 Queen Elizabeth, by her letters patent granted to Thomas Thurland and Daniel Houghsetter, and their heirs for ever, impowered them to search for mines of gold, silver, copper, and quicksilver, in the several royalties in the counties of York, Lancashire, Cumberland, Westmoreland, Cornwall, Devon, Gloucester, Worcester, and the principality of Wales, to be held of the crown upon the same terms as those abovementioned, with respect to the Mine and Battery Works company.

At length Thurland and Houghsetter having in virtue of the powers granted them, sold several parts or shares of their said privileges, they, with the purchasers, were, by letters patent, dated the 22d of May 1568, incorporated by the stile of, The Governors, Assistants, and Commonalty of the Mines Royal. The shares of this company at first consisted of twenty-four; but they have since been increased to ninety-six. Sir John Pettus’s FodinÆ Regale.

Minories. This street extends from Aldgate street to Tower hill. The middle part of the east side is called the Little Minories; this part is railed in, and is out of the liberties of the city. Here anciently stood an abbey of nuns of the order of St. Clare, called the Minoresses; whence the street obtained the name of the Minories. See the article Trinity in the Minories.

Mint, an office kept in the Tower for coining money. Before the Norman conquest the Kings of England set apart certain monasteries for mints; presuming that the coinage would in those places be best secured from frauds and corruption. Edward I. however ordered a mint of thirty furnaces to be erected in the Tower of London, and others in Canterbury, Kingston upon Hull, Newcastle upon Tyne, Bristol and Exeter. From that time the mint was kept sometimes in one place, and sometimes in another, according to the will and pleasure of the Prince, who, for a sum of money, was frequently prevailed upon to grant the privilege of coining to some Nobleman, Bishop, or Corporation; which being attended with many inconveniencies to the public, Queen Elizabeth, in the beginning of her reign, endeavoured to rectify those abuses, by confining the mint to the Tower of London, which has ever since been appropriated to the coinage of money, except when King Charles I. by the confusion of the times, was obliged to erect new mints at Oxford, York, and Newark upon Trent, where being with his army, he was reduced to the necessity of coining money to supply his present wants: and when King William III. having called in all the base and clipped money, for the sake of expedition, and for the service of distant parts of the nation, was obliged to erect mints at Bristol, Exeter, York and Winchester.

The mint office is on the left hand on entering into the Tower, and at a small distance from the gate. There is no possibility of describing the particular processes that the different metals undergo before they receive the impression.

The manner of stamping is all you are permitted to see, and this is done with surprizing expedition, by means of an engine, worked sometimes by three, and sometimes by four men. The manner of making the impression on gold, silver, and copper, is exactly the same, only a little more care is necessary in the one, than in the other, to prevent waste.

This engine, which makes the impression on both sides of a piece of money, in the same moment, works by a worm-screw terminating in a spindle; just in the same manner as the letter press for printing books. To the point of this spindle the head of the die is fastened by a small screw, and in a little sort of a cup directly underneath it, is placed the reverse. Between these the piece of metal already cut round, or cast to the size, and if gold, exactly weighed, is placed; and by once pulling down the spindle with a jerk, is completely stamped. The whole process is performed with amazing dexterity; for as fast as the men who work the engine can turn the spindle, so fast does another twitch out with his middle finger that which was stamped, while with his finger and thumb he places another that is unstamped. The silver and gold thus stamped, are delivered to be milled round the edges, the manner of performing which is a secret never shewn to any body.

The mint is managed by several officers formed into a corporation. These are a Warden, a Master and Worker, a Comptroller, the King’s Assay Master, the chief Engraver, the Surveyor of the meltings, a Clerk of the irons, a Weigher and Teller, a Provost, Melters, Blanchers, Moneyers, &c.

The Warden receives the silver, &c. from the goldsmiths, pays for it, and oversees all that belong to his office. His salary amounts to 450l. a year for himself and clerk. He has also another clerk who receives 100l. a year.

The Master and Worker receives the silver, &c. from the Warden, orders it to be melted, delivers it to the Moniers, and receives it back from them again. His salary is 650l. a year for himself and three clerks.

The Comptroller sees that the money be made of the just assize; oversees the officers, and controlls them, if the money does not prove as it ought. His salary for himself and clerk is 535l. per annum.

The King’s Assay Master, takes care that the bullion is according to standard. He has a salary of 225l. a year for himself and clerk: and the Assistant Assay Master has 100l. per annum.

The chief Engraver, engraves the stamps for the money. He has a salary of 200l. a year, and his Assistant 80l.

The Surveyor of the meltings, is to see the bullion cast out, and that the metal be not altered after the Assay Master has made trial of it, and it is delivered to the melter.

The business of the Clerk of the irons, is to see that the working irons are kept clean, and fit for the work. These two last offices are frequently enjoyed by the same person, who has a salary of 130l. 10s. a year.

The Weigher weighs the bullion.

The Teller counts the number of pieces. These two last offices are also frequently enjoyed by the same person, who has a salary of 142l. 10s. a year for himself and clerk.

The Provost to the company of Moneyers, provides for all the Moneyers, and oversees them. His salary is 100l. a year.

The Moneyers cast the money, and sheer it; some beat it broad, others round it, and others stamp or coin it. These have 40l. a year each.

Besides these there are the King’s Clerk, and Clerk of the papers, who has 100l. a year; a Surveyor of the money presses, who has 40l. a year; and several deputies and clerks.

Mint, opposite the west end of St. George’s church, Southwark. Here anciently stood a magnificent structure belonging to the Duke of Suffolk, which coming to Henry VIII. he erected a mint in it, from which that neighbourhood is still denominated. This place was for many years a famous asylum for debtors, who fled thither with their effects, in order to defraud their creditors: till this was carried to such a height, that the Parliament found it necessary to take away the privilege of sanctuary in order to destroy this nest of spoilers.

Mint street, extends west from the corner of Blackman street, opposite St. George’s church, Southwark.

Mint square, in the Mint, Southwark.

Mitchell’s court, 1. Milk street, Cheapside† 2. Mitchell street, Old street.†

Mitchell’s street, Brick lane, Old street.†

Mitre court, 1. Cheapside.* 2. Cornhill.* 3. Fenchurch street.* 4. Fish street hill.* 5. Fleet street.* 6. Friday street.* 7. Gutter lane, Cheapside.* 8. High street, Aldgate.* 9. St. John’s street, West Smithfield.* 10. Milk street, Cheapside.* 11. St. Paul’s Church yard.*

Mitre court buildings, Inner Temple.*

Mitre yard, Shoemaker row, Aldgate.*

Moldstrand Dock stairs, Willow street, Bank side.

Molin’s court, Shoe lane, Fleet street.†

Moneybag alley, Blue Anchor yard, Rosemary lane.

Moneybag yard, Anchor alley.

Money court, Mile’s lane.

Monger’s Almshouse, in Well street, Hackney, was founded by Henry Monger, Esq; in the year 1699, for six poor old men, who are allowed forty shillings per annum each. Maitland.

Monkwell street, Silver street, near Cripplegate. It took its name from the monks lodging in it, and a well belonging to them. Maitland.

Monmouth court, 1. Hedge lane, Charing Cross. 2. High Holborn. 3. Monmouth street, St. Giles’s.

Monmouth street, 1. Quaker street, Spitalfields. 2. Seven Dials. This street is famous for the sale of old cloaths. 3. Shadwell market. 4. Spitalfields.

Montague alley, Clare street, Clare market.

Montague close, in Southwark.

Montague court, 1. Bishopsgate street. 2. Little Britain. 3. Montague street, Spitalfields. 4. Petticoat lane.

Montague House, in Great Russel street, a noble building, with a very spacious court yard before it. His Grace the late Duke of Montague having built another house in the Privy Garden at Whitehall, this edifice was let for the use of the King’s great wardrobe, and is since purchased by authority of Parliament, to be a repository for the Cotton library, and for the natural and artificial curiosities, medals, coins, printed books, and manuscripts, bought by the public of the executors of the late Sir Hans Sloane, the late Lord Oxford, &c. Stowe’s Survey, last edition. See the article British Museum.

Montague street, Brick lane, Spitalfields.

Month’s alley, St. Catharine’s lane.