{174a} In consequence of the management of this Establishment not having been satisfactory to the subscribers, another Institution of a similar character has been established in the same street; and it is to be hoped that this rivalry will ensure the future good management of both. {174b} These figures have been kindly furnished to me by Mr. Brown, the Clerk of the Board of Guardians, with their permission. {176} Kensington-gardens, and Hyde-park, are within an easy distance of Paddington, it is true; and the people see the necessity of maintaining those true lungs of London; so that these open spaces are not likely to be covered by the mason. But these Royal Parks are kept for the promenades of those who can afford to ride on horses or in carriages, or who, if walking, can afford to dress well; these therefore do not make up for the loss of the old village-green. {182a} The account of this tradition is preserved in “Ferrers.” {182b} Mr. Macaulay tells us from the best authority, “that there were in the City at this time fifty-five persons to ten houses.” But many causes would combine to make the families in a village less numerous than in a city; I have therefore taken five individuals, instead of five and a half, in the computations I have made for the population of Paddington. {183a} This is not only the oldest person buried in the church-yard, so far as is known, but it is the oldest tomb now existing in it. Some time ago, an engraved copper-plate, in memory of Henry Kenwricke, citizen and mercer, was found several feet below the present surface: he died December 23rd, 1639, aged 63. {183b} Madame Vestris and her husband, Mr. Charles Matthews, also occupied this house for some time.