A Walk from London to FulhamCroker, Thomas Crofton
History
A Walk from London to Fulham
Croker, Thomas Crofton
London (England) -- Description and travel
ALEXANDER SQUARE, on the north or right-hand side of the main Fulham
Road, between the Bell and Horns public-house and Pelham Crescent,
consists of twenty-four houses built in the years 1827 and 1830, and
divided by Alfred Place: before each portion there is a respectable
enclosure, and behind numerous new streets, squares, and houses have been
built, extending to the Old Brompton Road.
No. 19, Alexander Square, was the residence of Captain Glascock, who
commanded H.M.S. Tyne, and whose pen has enriched the nautical novel
literature of England {73} with the same racy humour which has
distinguished his professional career. When commanding in the Douro,
some communications which Glascock had occasion to make to the Governor
of Oporto not having received that attention which the English captain
considered was due to them, and the governor having apologised for his
deafness, Glascock replied that in future he would write to his
excellency. He did so, but the proceeding did not produce the required
reply. Glascock was then told that the governor’s memory was defective;
so he wrote again, and two letters remained unanswered. In this state of
things it was intimated to Captain Glascock by a distinguished
diplomatist, that, as his letters might not have been delivered, he ought
to write another. “Certainly,” replied that officer; “my letters to his
excellency, as you say, might not have been delivered, for I have had no
report absolutely made to me that they had ever reached his hands: but I
will take care this time there shall be no mistake in the delivery, for
you shall see me attach my communication to a cannonball, the report of
which I can testify to my government; and, as my gunner is a sure shot,
his excellency _will_ (Glascock was an Irishman) have my epistle
delivered into his hand.” This intimation produced at once the desired
effect of a satisfactory reply and apology.
Captain Glascock was one of the inspectors under the Poor Relief Act in
Ireland. He died in 1847.
No. 24 Alexander Square is the residence of Mr. George Godwin, the editor
of the ‘Builder,’ and one of the honorary secretaries of the Art
Union,—an association which has exercised an important influence upon the
progress of the fine arts in England. Mr. Godwin is likewise favourably
known to the public as the author of several essays which evince
considerable professional knowledge, antiquarian research, and a fertile
fancy.
The bend of the Fulham Road terminates at
THE ADMIRAL KEPPEL
[Picture: The old Admiral Keppel] public-house, from whence the road
proceeds in a straight line to Little Chelsea; Marlborough Road and
Keppel Street, leading to Chelsea, branching off at each side of the
tavern. Since this sketch was taken, the old building has been pulled
down (1856), and a large hotel erected on the same spot, by B. Watts,
where, in addition to the usual comforts of an inn, hot and cold baths
may be had.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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