London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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