_The part of the North West Suburbs of London, since called Saint Giles’s, was about the time of the Norman Conquest an un-built tract of country, or but thinly scattered with habitations.—The parish derived its name if not its origin from the ancient Hospital for Lepers, which was built on the site of the present church by MATILDA queen of King Henry I. and dedicated to Saint Giles: before which time there had only been a small Chapel or Oratory on the spot.—It is described in old records, as abounding with gardens and dwellings in the flourishing times of Saint Giles’s Hospital but declined in population and buildings after the suppression of that establishment, and remained but an inconsiderable village till the end of the reign of Elizabeth, after which period it was rapidly built on, and became distinguished for the number and rank of its inhabitants. The great increase of S^t. Giles’s Parish occasioned the separation of S^t. George’s Bloomsbury Parish from it anno 1734.—The above view (which is partly supplied by the great Plan of London by Ralph Aggas, and partly from authorities furnished by parochial documents) was taken anno 1570._] In this country, all the shops of every trade are open, like those of the barbers in France, and have many glass windows, as well below as above in the chambers, for in the chambers there are many glazed casements, and that in all the tradesmen’s houses in almost every town; and those houses are like the barbers’ shops in France, as well above as below, and glazed at their openings. In the windows, as well in cities as villages, are plenty of flowers, and at the taverns plenty of hay upon their wooden floors, and many cushions of tapestry, on which travellers seat themselves. There are many bishopricks in this kingdom, as I think sixteen, and some archbishopricks, of which one is esteemed the principal, which is Cantorbie, called in English Cantorberi, where there is a very fine church, of which St. Thomas is patron. England is remarkable for all sorts of fruits, as apricots, peaches, and quantities of nuts.” In the year 1598 a German traveller, Paul Hentzner by name, visited London. This is what he says about the streets:— “The streets in this city are very handsome and clean; but that which is named from the goldsmiths who inhabit it, surpasses all the rest: there is in it a gilt tower, with a fountain that plays. Near it on the farther side is a handsome house, built by a goldsmith, and presented by him to the city. There are besides to be seen in this street, as in all others where there are goldsmiths’ shops, all sorts of gold and silver vessels exposed to sale, as well as ancient and modern medals, in such quantities as must surprise a man the first time he sees and considers them.” (_See_ Appendix VI.)