Зображення сторінки
PDF
ePub

By way of contrast, it may be observed that on this spot once stood East Minster, or the abbey of St. Mary of the Graces, founded by Edward the Third in 1349, in consequence of a fright at sea, on his return from France, when he vowed if he got safe on shore he would found a monastery to the honour of God and the Lady of Grace, if she would grant him the grace of coming on shore. This foundation was to rival Westminster, but it did not succeed, though it continued till the dissolution by Henry the Eighth. Previously to the building of the New Mint, the old Victualling Office here had been converted into warehouses for tobacco.

A little to the southward of East Smithfield is the collegiate church of St. Catherine, once belonging to the hospital, founded in 1148 by Matilda of Boulogne, wife of King Stephen, for the maintenance of a master, brothers and sisters, and other poor persons.

The church, from its confined situation, cannot be seen to great advantage, though it is a handsome structure; and the considerable repairs which it has undergone have, in a great degree, changed its antique appearance. The interior, however, is an object worthy the inspection of the curious inquirer. The body is divided into a nave, and two side aisles. On entering the church, the body of which, exclusively of the choir, is 69 feet long, 60 broad, and 90 high, and the large east window, free from the encumbrance of heavy stone work, arrests the attention; and the flood of light thrown on every part of the building from this window, forms a delightful exhibition seldom to be met with. A handsome screen, in the ancient style, separates the body from the choir of the church. The ancient seats in the choir are very handsomely carved, and the altar-piece is of exquisite workmanship; and it would not, perhaps, be too much to say that it is the only altar in what is denominated the pure Gothic style, in England, or indeed in Europe.

The pulpit is a curious specimen of grotesque carving. A most stately organ, by the late eminent maker, Mr. Green, was erected in 1778. It is enclosed in a beautiful mahogany case, with spiral and other Gothic carving. The construction of the organ is, in many respects, entirely new. The swell, however, attracts the attention of musical amateurs: its compass extends from E in alt, a whole octave more than has been usual, and is five notes lower than that of St. Paul's Cathedral; so that this is the largest swell in England. The principal monument is that in the choir to the memory of John Holland, Duke of Exeter, in the reigns of Henry the Fifth and Sixth. Within the district are two courts, a Spiritual Court, from which appeals are made to the Lord Chancellor of England only; a Temporal Court, in which the High Steward of the jurisdiction presides, and takes cognizance of all disputes in the precinct, to which belongs a disused prison. St. Catherine's Liberty gave birth to Richard Verstegan, the famous antiquary, and author of many very curious works.

It is well to remark that what is commonly called St. Catherines, is St. Catherine's-Lane, beginning in an alley, on the south side of East Smithfield, and running towards the church: it is now verging fast to a state of ruin; and is distinguished, to the disgrace of some magistrates, like many other low parts of the town, by the number of public-houses, as well as by the loose and abandoned females, who associate with sailors, &c. The district of St. Catherines, however, extends to Iron Gate; containing St. Catherine's-Court, Queen's-Court, Three Sisters'-Close, Dolphin-Alley, Brown's-Alley, Cats Hole, Butcher-Row, The Island, Flemish Church, Hangman's Gains, &c.

Leaving St. Catherines, we return to Little TowerHill, the usual place of execution for state criminals till the year 1746, when the last of whom that suffered

[blocks in formation]
[graphic][merged small]
[merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][subsumed][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]
[ocr errors][merged small]

Audi Qua Lord Sandwich, Lord it we, and for and twenty per raits of the ekler

Nuringers Ica heited to we the InHoes, by giving the sea shilling.

Optime L'us hace, or the ith of Apr 1, 1579, the millary, escort ng da Frane! Burdett ut. Tower. mg powered by the populace,sisted, tud son in gerous were kai d and wonded.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors]
« НазадПродовжити »