During the residence of count De Tillier, ambassador From France, at the Blackfriars, the dreadful accident named from the circumstance, the Fatal Vespers, happened here. A celebrated Jesuit preacher, father Drury, gave a sermon to a large congregation of English subjects, in a spacious room three stories high. In the midst of the discourse a rafter gave way, the room fell, and ninety-four persons, besides the preacher, perished. The uncharitable disposition of the times was scandalously exercised on this occasion." "The Protestants considered the accident as a judgement on the Catholics, for their idolatry: the Catholics attributed it to a plot of the Protestants, to bring destruction on their dissenting brethren.”*

This precinct is rendered famous also for the residence of Sir ANTHONY VANDYKE, the admirable painter, who died here, and was buried in St. Paul's cathedral; Sir SAMUEL LUKE, the model of Butler's Hudibras; Sir SyMONDS D'EWES, an eminent collector of history and state papers; Sir ANTHONY ASHLEY COOPER, afterwards the famous earl of Shaftesbury; the excellent divine, Dr. WILLIAM GOUGE; and ISAAC OLIVER, the unrivalled miniature painter, in the seventeenth century.

Here was also a PLAY-HOUSE; but as we have already made mention of the nature of these antient places of amusement, in our seventh tour, in Golden Lane, and have in reserve, some remarks on the Globe Theatre, we shall dismiss our survey of Blackfriars, by adding that in Printing House Square was formerly HIS MAJESTY'S PRINTING OFFICE, whilst the patent was held by the respectable family of BASKETT.

It was here, in the reign of Charles I. that, in consequence of the dreadful omission in the seventh commandment, of, “Thou shalt commit adultery," that archbishop Laud levied a heavy fine on the Stationers' Company, to whom the printing of the sacred book had been committed by patent. Upon this occasion the Spectator wittily re

VOL. III. No. 70.

* Pennant.

3 Q

marks,

marks, "that he fears that many young profligates, of both sexes, are possessed of this spurious edition, and observe the commandment according to that faulty reading." In Water Lane is situated

APOTHECARIES' HALL.

This is a handsome edifice, with a plain front to the street; a gate leads to an open court, which is paved with flat stones; at the upper end is an ascent by a grand flight of stairs into the Hall Room, built with brick and stone, and adorned with columns of the Tuscan order. The ceiling of the Court Room and Hall are elegantly ornamented with fret-work; and the wall is wainscoted fourteen feet high.

At the east end of the hall is a bust of GIDEON DI LAUNE, apothecary to James I. a French refugee, and the cause of the incorporation of this company. ROBERT GOWER, Esq. master, 1726. Sir BENJAMIN RAWLINGS, sheriff, 1737. PETER GUELSTHORP, Esq. master, 1701. HENRY SMITH, Esq. master, 1727. WILLIAM PROWTING, master, 1773. GIDEON DE LAUNE, Esq. GEORGE PILE, M. D. Sir JOHN CLARKE, master, 1694. Mr. JOHN LoRIMER, 1654. JOSIAH HIGDEN, master, 1763. JOHN ALLEN, Esq. CORNELIUS DUTCH, Esq.

There is a handsome Corinthian screen at the south side, on which hang portraits of James I. Charles I. and William ill. and Mary H. There is also belonging to this company a representation of the landing of William III.

The gallery was formerly proposed for a library; but has never been furnished to answer that good intention. The apartments for the officers and servants are well accommodated. Beneath are two large laboratories; one chemical, and the other for Galenical preparations; where vast quantities of the best medicines are prepared, after the drugs have been exposed a considerable time for the inspection of such of the faculty of physic as chuse to view them, for the use of apothecaries and others; and particularly for the surgeons of the royal navy, who make up their chests here.

THE

THIS COMPANY was incorporated at first with the Grocers in the year 1606: but such a connection not answering the purposes of their incorporation, they were separated by another charter, granted by king James I. in the the year 1617, and incorporated by the name of "The Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London." And by this charter, they are exempt from parish and ward offices.

*

It is a livery company, and is governed by a master, two wardens, and a court of assistants.

There is nothing worthy particular notice till we arrive in Ludgate Street, where, in HOLLIDAY YARD, Creed Lane, was discovered several Roman antiquities, which have been noticed in our first volume.

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, South side. At the entrance from Ludgate Street, is a narrow entry, leading to ST. PAUL'S COLLEGE, where are lodgings for such of the minor canons, as chuse to reside. Further on is Dean's Yard, in which is a large, handsome building. originally built by Sir Joseph Sheldon, but since and at present appropriated as the town residence of THE DEAN OF ST. PAUL'S.

!

In Carter Lane is WARDROBE COURT, So called on account of its being the antient wardrobe of the monarchs of England. Sir Johu Beaumont, knight of the Garter, son of Guido earl of Warwick, originally built the mansion, which was afterwards sold to Edward III. and converted to the KING'S WARDROBE.

In the Harleian MSS. No. 4780, is a curious account of the wardrobe of Edward IV. Some of the items are well worth inserting;

Feather beds and boltsters for "our sovereign lord the king," were purchased for 16s. 8d.

Hose of divers colours, 13s. 4d. per pair.

Shoes of Spanish leather, double soled, and not lined, 16d. per pair; sloppes, lined with blue velvet, of green,

• At this time there were no more than one hundred and four apo thecaries' shops within the city and suburbs,

blue, or black leather, 18. per pair; black leather boots, 6s. 8d.; coloured Spanish, 8s. ; long spurs, partly gilt, 65.; hats, 1s. each.

The price of taylors and skinners was 6d. per day.

The price for washing sheets was 2d. each pair.

Rushes were appointed to cover the floor whenever the king resided here.

And candles for his use were charged at 1d. per lb.

At the end of Great Carter Lane is PAUL'S CHAIN, by which, returning to St. Paul's Church Yard, we arrive at the west end of Watling Street, where formerly stood a stately gate, built by Nicholas Farendon, in 1361, as a portal to St. Paul's Church Yard.

ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL.

An eminent writer has observed, that "the mind in ignorance is like a sleeping giant; it has immense capacities without the power of using them. By listening to the lectures of Socrates, men grew heroes, philosophers, and legislators; for he of all mankind seemed to have discovered the short and lightsome path to the faculties of the mind." The improvement of the human capacity is an object, which once attained amply repays the labour of the projector, and posterity gratefully acknowledges infinite obligation.

Dr. JOHN COLET, dean of St. Paul's, the excellent son of an amiable and patriotic father, Sir Henry Colet, twice lord mayor, having by a life of unsullied reputation gained the esteem of his countrymen and of mankind, conceived the benevolent design of perpetuating his name by a foundation, the most liberal, the most rational, and the most noble. London was the place of his nativity; it was the place in which his family had been raised to wealth and honour; he bore a new and a nearer relation to it as dean of its cathedral church; the city he esteemed was deficient in public schools; and conceiving that the sons of his fellow citizens were naturally more capable of learning than those of rustical birth and breeding, he wisely considered a most

effectual

effectual method to obviate every difficulty which presented itself; and by the benefit of ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL, the youth of London were polished and improved; whilst the whole kingdom enjoyed the good effects of a daily progress of classical knowledge and scholastic disquisition.

Dean Colet's own account of his foundation, as delivered to Mr. William Lilye on the 18th of June, 1518, is as follows:

"John Colet, son of Henry Colet, dean of St. Paul's, desiring nothing more than education, and bringing up children in good manners and literature, in the year of our Lord 1512, built a school [not fully finished till that year] at the east end of St. Paul's church, for one hundred and fifty-three boys, to be taught free in the same.

"And ordained there a master, a sur-master, and a chaplain, with sufficient and perpetual stipends ever to endure; and set patrons, defenders, governors and rulers of the same school, the most honest and faithful fellowship of the Mercers of London.

"And, for because nothing can continue long and endure in good order without laws and statutes, I, the said John Colet, have expressed my mind, what I would should be duly and diligently observed and kept of the said master, sur-master and chaplain, and of the Mercers, governors of the school: that in this book may appear to what intent I founded this school."

The dean fixed the duty, salary, and expectations of the various masters who were to be chosen by the wardens and assistants of the Mercers' Company; and that they were not to neglect the occupations of the school, they were to hold no benefice, office, or other occupation.

Then follow his ordinances:

"That he founded the school in the honour of Christ Jesu in pueritia, and of his blessed mother Mary.

"Children of all nations and countries indifferently to be taught, to the number of one hundred and fifty-three. The master to admit these children as they be offered; but first to see that they can say the catechism, and also read and write competently; and to pay 4d. for writing their name: which money the poor scholar that swept the school was to have. Thrice a day, viz. morning, noon, and evening, prostrate to say the prayers contained in a

table