William Penn resided at Knightsbridge, at No. 8, St. George’s Place, it is said; in order to be nearer the Court, where he was a great favourite with the Queen; he left it in 1706. Sir John Chardin, the famous Persian Ambassador of the time of Charles II., lived once in this same house. So imbued was he by his travels with Eastern ideas, that on Persian festivals he used to illuminate his windows with candles. He was buried at Chiswick, 29th December, 1713. The clever but unfortunate George Anne Bellamy also lived here in 1747. Dr. Richard Wright, F.R.S., and physician to St. George’s Hospital, died here, October 14th, 1786. J. Marshall, a botanist and gardener, and well known as a writer on such subjects, lived at Knightsbridge many years; and Edward Wakefield, author of “Ireland, Political and Statistical,” died here, May 18th, 1854, aged eighty-six. John Allen, of Knightsbridge, in 1685, left to the parish of Hammersmith 10s. annually to twenty poor people. The Countess of Yarmouth, mistress of George II., also numbered among its inhabitants. CHAPTER IV. BELGRAVIA. “Belgravia! that fair spot of ground Where all that worldlings covet most is found! Of this stupendous town—this mighty heart! Of England’s frame—_the fashionable_ part!” BELGRAVIA: A POEM. BETWEEN the Hamlet of Knightsbridge and the district of Pimlico are a number of streets and squares to which the fashionable term of Belgravia has been given, and which is now the recognised name of the locality. Southward of the old King’s Road has for 200 years been known as Pimlico. To this boundary, sanctioned by usage, I shall adhere; considering only those places as in Belgravia between this line, and one formed from St. George’s Hospital, by Grosvenor Crescent and Motcomb Street; while the east boundary is Grosvenor Place; and the west, the sewer. The name is derived from a title of the Marquis of Westminster, taken from a village in Leicestershire, where he has great property. Halkin, Motcomb, and Kinnerton Streets, also derive their names from properties of the Marquis; Eaton Square from his seat, and Wilton Place, &c., from the title of his brother. I need hardly say Belgravia is yet in its youth; of history, strictly speaking, it really has none. Where now stands this “Oasis of the fashionable west,” was, thirty years ago, nought but marshy fields—fields in a very forlorn condition, covered with rank grass and weeds in full luxuriance; bounded by mud-banks, and almost wholly given up to sheep and asses. I cannot do better than let the lady, who has chosen Belgravia for her theme, describe its former aspect.