The Kensington DistrictMitton, G. E. (Geraldine Edith)
History
The Kensington District
Mitton, G. E. (Geraldine Edith)
Kensington (London, England) -- Description and travel
The Albert Gate leading into the park was erected in 1844-46, and was,
of course, called after Prince Albert. The stags on the piers were
modelled after prints by Bartolozzi, and were first set up at the
Ranger's Lodge in the Green Park. Part of the foundations of the old
bridge outside were unearthed at the building of the gate, and, besides
this bridge, there was another within the park. The French Embassy,
recently enlarged, stands on the east side of the gate--the house
formerly belonged to Mr. Hudson, the "railway king"--and to the west are
several large buildings, a bank, Hyde Park Court, etc., succeeded by a
row of houses. Here originally stood a famous old tavern, the Fox and
Bull, said to have been founded in the time of Queen Elizabeth; if so,
it must have retained its popularity uncommonly long, for it was noted
for its gay company in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. It
is referred to in the _Tatler_ (No. 259), and was visited by Sir Joshua
Reynolds and George Morland, the former of whom painted the sign, which
hung until 1807. It is said that the Elizabethan house had wonderfully
carved ceilings and immense fire-dogs, still in use in 1799. The inn was
later the receiving office of the Royal Humane Society, and to it was
brought the body of Shelley's wife after she had drowned herself in the
Serpentine.
In the open space opposite is an equestrian statue of Hugh Rose--Lord
Strathnairn--by Onslow Ford, R.A. Close by is a little triangular strip
of green, which goes by the dignified name of Knightsbridge Green. It
has a dismal reminiscence, having been a burial-pit for those who died
of the plague. The last maypole was on the green in 1800, and the
pound-house remained until 1835.
The entrance to Tattersall's overlooks the green. This famous horse-mart
was founded by Richard Tattersall, who had been stud-groom to the last
Duke of Kingston. He started a horse market in 1766 at Hyde Park Corner,
and his son carried it on after him. Rooms were fitted up at the market
for the use of the Jockey Club, which held its meetings there for many
years. Charles James Fox was one of the most regular patrons of
Tattersall's sales. The establishment was moved to its present position
in 1864.
The cavalry barracks on the north side of Knightsbridge boast of having
the largest amount of cubic feet of air per horse of any stables in
London.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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