“Near to that spot on which Snow Hill and Holborn Hill meet . . a narrow dismal alley leading to Saffron Hill. In its filthy shops are exposed for sale huge bunches of second-hand silk handkerchiefs of all sizes and patterns, for here reside the traders who purchase them from the pickpockets.” This place has been effaced by the Holborn Valley improvements, and we may now look in vain for the precise locality of the house of _Fagin_ the Jew. In this neighbourhood also was situated “The Three Cripples,” a public-house of evil repute patronised by Sykes, Fagin, and Monks. We may recall the circumstance of _Mr. Morris Bolter’s_ (_alias_ Noah Claypole’s) arrival at this house, when he and _Charlotte_ first came to London, and of his subsequent interview with the wily Jew. It is pleasant to remark that Saffron Hill has greatly improved in its character since the above-quoted description was correct. It now affords accommodation for the headquarters of the _Central Shoeblacks’ Society_ (as established under the auspices of the late Earl of Shaftesbury), and about midway in the street where thieves “did once inhabit,” a large _Board School_ is doing good educational service for the elevation of the humbler classes. Turning from Great Saffron Hill westward by the _One Tun_ public-house, we come into _Charles Street_, on the south side of which, towards Hatton Garden, is Bleeding Hart Yard (entrance by the Bleeding Hart Tavern, No. 19). This locality is associated with the tale of “Little Dorrit.” It will be remembered that here the factory of _Messrs. Doyce and Clennam_ was situated, and here also resided _Mr. and Mrs. Plornish_, the humble friends of the Dorrit family. In these degenerate days the place has much altered, and the amiable _Mr. Casby_ would certainly find it more difficult than ever to collect his weekly dues, even by the agency of his energetic assistant, Mr. Pancks. Passing from this unpretending locality, we come (at No. 8) into _Hatton Garden_, which leads southward to _Holborn Circus_. In Hatton Garden, on the east side, can be observed (No. 20) the old-established warehouse of Messrs. Rowland and Son. In this connection there may be remembered the mad old gentleman “in small clothes,” who lived next door to the _Nicklebys_, at Bow. On the only occasion of his visiting the family indoors, he incidentally referred to “Mrs. Rowland, who, every morning, bathes in Kalydor for nothing.”—See “Nicholas Nickleby,” chapter 49. Mr. Waterbrook’s establishment, situated in _Ely Place_, _Holborn_, is entitled to passing mention as the place where David and his friend Traddles met each other for the first time after their schoolboy days, on the occasion of a dinner-party, at which also _Agnes Wickfield_ and _Uriah Heep_ attended. Ely Place is situated on the north side of HOLBORN CIRCUS, and once comprised the rose garden of the Bishop of Ely, afterwards leased to Sir Christopher Hatton.