Engraved by J.Graig, from a Sketch by WMorland for the Walks through London.

Finsbury Square.

Published by W.Clarke New Bond Street Aprila 817.

Norton Falgate, near to the east end of which stood the priory and hospital of St. Mary Spital.

The Old Artillery Ground, on the eastern side of Bishopsgate-Street, gave names to Artillery-Street, Gun-Street, Fort-Street, &c. after the Company had removed to the present Artillery Ground, by Bunhill Row, during the reign of James the First.

Recrossing the line of Bishopsgate-Street, to the westward, we enter Holywell-Street, the site of the an cient monastery of that name; one end of this street runs towards Shoreditch, and the other into the Curtain-Road. An arched gateway belonging to this foundation stood within a few paces of the street within the last thirty years, and at that time led to a dustyard.

What was Holywell-Mount, raised by the Fire of London, was levelled about the year 1787, and is now the site of a chapel and several decent streets. The Curtain-Road adjacent contained a theatre, mentioned as early as 1578: here Richard Tarleton, "one of Queen Elizabeth's twelve players, with wages and livery," exhibited to the public.

At the corner of Worship-Street, in the CurtainRoad, is one of the stations of the Gas Light and Coke Company, incorporated in April, 1812.

Proceeding a little to the westward of the CurtainRoad, we come to Moorfields, the upper part of which, since the year 1777, has been covered with the elegant buildings of Finsbury-Square and several good streets.

The house, at the south-east angle of this square, and on which its owner, the late Mr. J. Lackington, imposed the denomination of the Temple of the Muses, is distinguished by a light cupola at the top. It was originally built for Mr. Caslon, the letter-founder; but as something occurred to prevent his occupation of it, Mr. Lackington having experienced the capaciousness of the lower part by drawing a coach and six round it, he

thought this a circumstance which might be brought forward with advantage, to recommend the extent of his new shop to the notice of the public.

With the intention of introducing further embellishments in this quarter, Bethlem Hospital, for lunatics, on the south side of Lower-Moorfields, has been entirely taken down, the trees dug up in the quarters, and a new square traced out in the large space between Finsbury-Square and Bethlem Hospital. It may be regretted that the ground does not appear to let, and that no private houses are as yet begun.

Returning towards Broad-Street, at the corner of Threadneedle-Street, we perceive the church of St. Martin Outwich at the corner: this edifice was so much damaged by a fire in 1766, that it was found necessary to be rebuilt. The structure towards ThreadneedleStreet consists of a lofty blank wall, with a small door at the corner the front next Bishopsgate, presents a wall with blank windows. The interior embellishments in this church amply recompense the want of them without, particularly the picture of the Resurrection, by Rigaud.

Opposite is the South Sea-House, standing both in Threadneedle-Street and Old Broad-Street; the latter was originally the South Sea Company's-Office, and is at present known by the name of the Old South SeaHouse. The new building is a magnificent structure of brick and Portland stone, enclosing a quadrangle, supported by pillars of the Tuscan order, and forming a good piazza. The front, in Threadneedle-Street, of the Doric order, is very handsome. The great hall for sales, the dining-room, galleries, and chambers, are beautiful, and convenient; and underneath the building are arched vaults, to preserve valuables in case of fire.

This street also contains Merchant Taylors'-Hall, with the portraits of several eminent men, and the grant of the charter by Henry the Seventh.