changed with the times, and saved his grease and flesh; whilst the mild, fearful Sanders, suffered at the stake in Smithfield.

AARON WILSON, D. D. archdeacon of Exeter.

THOMAS HOWELL, D. D. bishop of Bristol, and brother of James Howell, the historiographer. This prelate was born at Caermarthen, and admitted into Jesus College, Oxon. in 1604, at the age of sixteen; and having passed the various degrees of arts, he took orders, and was an eminent preacher. He was afterwards appointed chaplain to Charles I. rector of West Horsley, and of this church; and having proceeded D. D. was nominated a canon of Windsor, in 1636, and rector of Fulham, in 1642. The grand rebellion drove him from the livings of West Horsley, and St. Stephens, upon which the king caused him to be concrated bishop of Bristol, at Oxford; which dignity he enjoyed only two years, when he died, and was buried in his own cathedral, where a plain stone was placed over his grave, on which was cut "EXPERGISCAR;" "He shall arise." Bishop Howell, remarkable for his meekness, was an excellent divine.

THOMAS WILSON, D. D. prebendary of Westminster. Mr. TOWNLEY, high master of Merchant Taylors' school.

MANSION HOUSE.

Mention has already been made in the historical portion of this work *, concerning the laying of the first stone of this grand prætorium; it is therefore unnecessary to say more here than may be to introductory to its general description.

When the construction of a building for this purpose was voted, several situations presented themselves as appropriate for a residence of the chief magistrate of the city of London, and the following were proposed; the end of Paternoster Row; Cheapside; Moorfields; and Stocks Market; the latter was chosen on account of being in the centre of business, at a small distance from the Royal Exchange, and

*See Vol. I. p. 382.

in the heart of the city: Stocks Market was therefore de stroyed, and its traffic transferred to a new market, built over Fleet Ditch, now called Fleet Market, and the earth dug for laying the foundation of the Mansion House; but the ground was discovered to be so full of springs, that it became necessary to erect the edifice upon piles. These being driven close together, the first stone was laid October 25, 1739; and having been finished in 1753, Sir Crisp Gascoigne, was the first lord mayor who made it his residence.

This mansion is built very substantially with Portland stone. The portico is composed of six lofty fluted pillars of the Corinthian order in the front; and the same order is continued in pilasters both under the pediment and on each side. The bassment story is very massy, built in rustic. And in the centre of this story is the door that leads to the kitchen and other offices. Upon the ground, on each side, rises a flight of steps of very considerable extent, leading up to the portico, and to the door which leads to the apartments and offices where the lord mayor resides and business is transacted. A stone balustrade incloses the stairs, and is continued along the front of the portico: and the columns support a large angular pediment, adorned with a very noble piece in bas-relief, representing the dignity and opulence of the city of London. In the centre stands a woman, crowned with turrets, to represent the city; and with her left foot upon the figure of Envy: in her right hand she holds a wand, and rests her left arm upon the city arms, in a large shield, all in alto relievo. She seems to step forward, her head and right arm project from the back ground, and her wand extends beyond the cornice of the pediment. Near her, on the right, is a Cupid holding the Cap of Liberty on a short staff, like a mace, over his shoulder; and beyond is a river god, to represent the Thames, reclined and pouring out a stream of water from a large vase; and near him is an anchor fastened to its cable, with shells lying on the shore. On the left hand of London, Plenty is kneeling and holding out her hand in a supplicating pos

ture,

ture, beseeching the city to accept of the fruits of her cornucopia and behind her are two naked boys with bales of goods, to denote Commerce. Beneath this portico are two series of windows, extending along the whole front; and above these is an Attic story, with square windows, crowned with a balustrade.

At the south end of the area in the centre is an Egyptian Hall the length of the front, and assigned for public entertainments. This was very lofty, but has lately been taken down parallel to the rest of the structure. To make it regular in flank, a similar building was raised on the front, the upper part of which has been used for a dancing gallery.

Near the ends at each side is a window of extraordinary height, between coupled Corinthian pilasters, and extending to the top of the Attic story. All the apartments are extremely noble: and the offices are made as grand and convenient as the dignity and business of the city can require. The only failing in this magnificent work was placing such a stately structure in a narrow space covered by houses, where it cannot be viewed to advantage. To remedy in some degree such a great inconvenience a row of houses and shops were removed, to obtain more room in what is now called Mansion House Street.

Mr. Gwynne has made some judicious remarks upon this building, which we shall give in his own words: "It has been the fashion ever since the Mansion House was erected, to condemn and abuse it as a miserable performance; but it by no means deserves such treatment: the truth is, that the architect has given the city an elegant design in the stile of that great master Palladio; and it is as true that the miserable circumscribed area upon which he was obliged to build it, is the cause why it makes no better an appearance; and the necessity imposed upon him of putting an Egyptian Hall in an English house, is the reason why those heavy loads of stone appear upon the roof, which co-operating with the hole it stands in, seem to have pressed the whole building into the earth. When this edi

* London and Westminster Improved, p. 101.