compiled the greater part of his "Martyrology ;" and unless we greatly err, here also did the ingenious John Speed write his Chronicle, and Daniel de Foe his publication.

A remarkable instance of seclusion from the world took place in Grub-street. A gentleman of the name of Welby, a native of Lincolnshire, where he posseseed an estate of above £1000 per annum, retired to this street, disgusted with other scenes, and with mankind in general. The following account may serve to throw some fresh light upon the cause of so singular a determination.

He is said to have been endowed, in an eminent degree, with all the qualifications of a gentleman. Having passed the usual time at the university and the inns of court, he completed his education by making the tour of Europe. He was beloved and respected by all who knew him, for the generous warmth of feeling with which he eagerly embraced every opportunity of exercising his humane benevolence and charity.

When he had reached his fortieth year, his brother, a most abandoned profligate made an attempt upon his life, by aiming a pistol at him; but the weapon not going off, he wrested it from the villain's hand, and found it doubly charged. From the moment of this distressing discovery, he formed the resolution of retiring from the world, and accordingly he engaged a honse in Grub-street, three rooms of which he appropriated to his own use, the first for his study, the second for his sleeping apartment, the third for the purpose of taking his meals in it: in these rooms he so closely immured himself, that during the long laps of fourscore and four years he was never seen by any human creature, except an aged female servant that attended him, but who was never permitted access to his presence, unless upon any very striking occasion. His invariable diet consisted in bread, water-gruel, milk, and vegetables, and, when he most indulged himself, the yolk of an egg. He died Oct. 29, 1636, in the 84th year of his age, and lies buried in St. Giles's church, Cripplegate. His old and faithful servant preceded him to another world but six days.

Stow mentions, that Grub-street, taken in the whole, is but indifferent as to its houses and inhabitants, and sufficiently pestered

with courts and alleys." Its present appearance by no means belies the account we have just quoted.

In Hanover-yard is a house of the architecture which prevailed in the latter end of the reign of queen Elizabeth, and which has been stated to have been the residence of general Monk. That it never could have been in the occupation of this justly celebrated character, we beg leave to assert upon the following grounds:

In the first place, when the general returned from Scotland, we find from all histories of the times, that his head-quarters were at Whitehall; and when the citizens refused the supply which the parliament wished to extort from them, the lord general Monk was commanded to march into the city, when he destroyed the portcullises, and returned to Whitehall.

When afterwards he marched his army toward the city, and drew up his men in Finsbury fields, he sent Clarges to atone for his conduct to the citizens; he then dined at Guildhall, and having communicated to them the copy of a letter sent by him to the parliament at his leaving Whitehall, the citizens plainly perceived that a mutual engagement between them and Monk would ultimately produce the safety and peace of the kingdom.

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But what tells still further in support of our argument is, that "Monk having regained the city's favour, and secured and settled every thing according to desire, returned to his quarters at Whitehall, and disposed his army in such places as he deemed most convenient; and having restored the secluded members of parliament, an ordinance was made to reinstate the common council in their ancient rights, the imprisoned apprentices were released, the posts, chains, gates, and portcullises, ordered to be replaced, for which the citizens returned hearty thanks, and, according to the desire of the house of commons, cheerfully agreed to advance the sum of £60,000; and the city, further to evince their good opinion of Monk, chose him major-general of all their forces, and invited THE COUNCIL OF STATE AND THE GENERAL TO RESIDE IN LONDON, for their greater safety; for which kindness they returned thanks, without accepting the offer.

Golden-lane is a very indifferent street, presenting rather a mean

appearance. Here Richard Gallard, esq. of Islington, citizen and paper-stainer, founded thirteen almshouses for as many poor people, and endowed each with two pence per week, and a yearly gift of a load of coals to be equally divided between them: these donations were charged upon certain lands in Islington.

In Golden-lane is a curious old building, with various figures, on the site of which originally stood the nursery for the children of Henry VIII. Mr. Alleyn, an eminent comedian, and the founder of Dulwich College, purchased the lease of these premises of one Brett, for £240: he then built the play-house which he denominated

THE FORTUNE THEATRE.

which cost him £520, and the private buildings £120; so that the whole amounted, when finished in 1599, to the sum of £880. It was a square building, 80 feet on each side, and partly raised upon piles: the basement was brick, on which was built a frame of three stories, the first 12 feet, the second 11 feet, and the third 9 feet in height; the stories were divided into gentlemen's and twoThe area in the interior was a square of 55 feet, penny rooms. the stage was 43 feet in length, and extended to the middle of the area; the stage and dressing-room were covered, while the area was left open; the supporters were wrought into the form of pilasters, supported by satyrs; thus the whole audience sat exposed to the chances of the weather; the performances took place by daylight, for the air must have rendered it impossible to depend upon keeping either lamps or candles alight; this must necessarily have been a very uncomfortable situation for the actors, considering the active or passive characters they alternately exhibited.

As many of our readers may not have seen an ancient theatrical conveyance of property, we submit the following extracts for their

amusement:

"Agreement between Philip Henslowe and Edward Alleyn, esqrs. and Thomas Dawntan" (Daughten, or Dowten), who, it seems, had been an hireling at 8s. per week, "as long as they play, and after they lye stille one fortnight, then to give him half wages." The forfeiture for non-performance of articles was £40, if he played in any other house in or about London without leave.

The agreement made in 1608 stated, that in consideration of twenty and seven pounds and ten shillings, they demised, farmed, and leased to the said Thomas Downton one eigth part of a fourth part of all such gains in money as should thereafter, during the term of thirteen years, arise, grow, accrue, or become due, or properly belong to the said Philip Henslowe and Edward Alleyne, for or by reason of any stage playing or other exercise, commodity, or use whatsoever, used or to be used or exercised within the playhouse of the said P. Henslowe and E. Alleyn, commonly called the "FORTUNE," situate and being between Whitecross-street and Golden-lane, in the parish of St. Giles without Cripplegate, London, in the county of Middlesex, &c.

The condition upon which this share was granted, appears strict with regard to Downton, for he was not only to pay 10s. per year for rent, at four quarterly payments, and bear, pay, and discharge one equal eighth part of a fourth part of all such necessary and needful charges as should be bestowed or laid forth in the new building or repairing of the playhouse during thirteen years, without fraud or covyn; but also that he should not at any time during the term "give over the faculty or quality of playing;" but should" in his own person" exercise the same to the best and most benefit he could within the playhouse aforesaid during the term, unless he should become unable, by reason of sickness, or any other infirmity, or with consent. Downton was likewise bound down not at any period during the term of his agreement to play, or exercise the faculty of stage playing, in any common playhouse then erected or to be erected within the said city of London, or two miles compass, other than in the said playhouse called "The FORTUNE," without the special licence, will, consent, and agreement of Henslowe and Alleyn, or one of them, their or one of their executors or assigns, first therefore had and obtained in writing under their hands and seals; nor was he to give, grant, bargain, or sell, or otherwise do away, any part of his place without the licence of Henslowe and Alleyn, &c."

This Henslowe, or Hinchloe, wae Mr. Alleyn's father-in-law, to whom, in 1610, he sold the BEAR GARDEN, in Southwark, for £960. It had originally cost him £200, the patent £250 more, and having held it sixteen years at the rent of £60 per annum, it had stood him in fourteen hundred pounds in all.

Scarcely [had the term of the preceding agreement been completed, when the whole of the building, dresses, books, and other property, was consumed by fire, in 1621. However, it was soon rebuilt, and a sign of the fickle goddess, whose name it bore, was exhibited at its door: in 1661, it was offered for sale, together with the ground on which it stood, and was described as being large enough to afford room for 23 tenements with gardens, and a space for a street. Its present aspect is truly deplorable; the front of the house is divided into mean shops and wretched apart