sumptibus Mariæ Du Bois, 1659." It contained several valuable manuscripts, among which were letters of Calvin, Peter Martyr, and other eminent reformers. The windows on the south side have several simes inscribed on them "JESUS TEMPLE 1550," at which time the church was first made use of by the Protestants. The pavement consists for the most part of tomb-stones covering the remains of some of the congregation; but there are many stones which were formerly richly inlaid with brass, as appears by the traces left, bnt of which they were rudely despoiled either at the Reformation, or, as is more probable, in the puritanic days of Oliver Cromwell, by some crop-eared, vanity-defying, symboldestroying, fanatical Roundhead.

THE OLD WINDOW OF THE DUTCH CHURCH

repairs.

has given us, but we can only enumerate the most noted. Edmund, first son of Joan mother of Richard II., Guy de Merville, earl of St. Paul. This nobleman was sent over by Charles VI. of France, on a complimentary visit to Richard II. and his queen. He insinuated himself so greatly into the king's favour, as to become a chief confidant, but did not employ his power to the best purpose. Richard Fitzalan, the great earl of Arundel, beheaded on Tower Hill in 1397. John Vere, earl of Oxford, a firm adherent to the house of Lancaster, beheaded by Edward IV. in 1463, at the same place, with his son and several others. Numbers of the barons who fell at the battle of Barnet were also buried here. Edward Stafford, duke of Buckingham, the victim to the pride and jealousy of cardinal Wolsey, chose this as his place of rest. He was a favorite with Henry, and Wolsey, who longed to supplant his rival, either from vanity or insolence dipped his fingers in the basin which the duke had just before held to the king, while he washed his hands; upon which he poured the water into the cardinal's shoes. This so provoked the haughty prelate, that he threatened to sit upon his skirt; which menace occasioned his appearing at court with a coat without skirts. The king asking him the reason of his singular appearance, he with an air of pleasantry told him, that it was only to disappoint the cardinal, by putting it out of his power to do as he had threatened. The poor duke was, however, some time after accused of treasonable practices with a view of succeeding to the crown, in consequence of a prophecy of one Hopkins, a monk, who foretold that Henry should die without male issue. He was of course declared guilty, and executed on Tower Hill May 17, 1521. So that Wolsey succeeded too fatally in sitting upon his skirt.*

When the emperor Charles V. heard of the duke's execution, he exclaimed, "that a butcher's dog (meaning the cardinal, who was a butcher's son) had devoured the fattest buck (alluding to the name of Buckingham) in all England."

Stow gives a long list of other worthies buried in this church, which was selected on account of its presumed sanctity.

On the site now occupied by Great and Little Winchester

* Dod's Church History, vol. i.

N N

Streets, was formerly a large house and extensive pleasure grounds, the property of the marquis of Winchester. In the south-west corner of Great Winchester-street, are the remains of this house, which is approached by a gateway into a paved court-yard, and surrounded by a high brick wall. The upper part of the fabric is of more modern date than the lower. The north front is alone to be seen, the other parts of the building being obscured by adjacent houses. It is of brick, and the old mullioned windows are surrounded with coins. The angles are adorned with rustics, and the whole has a heavy and decayed appearance. It has been occupied by merchants and by packers, for whose use great alterations have been made in the interior. It has a wide staircase, and there is a fine old chimney piece yet preserved. On several of the stained windows is the inscription, Aymez Loyaulté, probably done by order of the loyal John, fifth marquis, who defended his country seat against the parliamentary ariny in the reign of Charles I., and who had that motto written on every window of his house.

There are also two other considerable houses situated on the north side of this street, in the Italian style of architecture. They are of red brick, and tastefully decorated with pillars and ornaments, and perhaps one was the "great house" mentioned by Pennant" as the Spanish ambassador's, and occupied by sir James Houblon, knight and alderman, and at the same period this street was the residence of several of our most eminent merchants." In Pinners' Hall Court is the hall belonging to the Pinners Company, a very antique building, principally used as a dissenting meeting-house.

The Pin-makers Company was incorporated by letters patent granted in 1636 by Charles I., and consists of a master, two wardens, and eighteen assistants; but there is no livery.

On the south side of London Wall is Carpenters' Hall. The entrance to the building is beneath a wide and handsome arch, adorned with four pillars of the Corinthian order at the sides, and on the key-stone is a bust of Inigo Jones, and the arms of the Company. Within is an area divided by an iron railing, and intersected by gravel walks, which are overhung by trees. On the south side of this is the Hall (now occupied by a carpet manu

facturer), the front of which consists of a neat Doric basement, with porticoes, arches, and windows at the end of the building. On the basement is a rustic story, ornamented with cornices, pediments, and the armorial bearings of the City and Company.

The roof of this hall, originally of oak, has been disfigured by a stuccoed ceiling, ornamented with the royal arms, pannels, scrolls, &c. Nine divisions of the old eastern window, with painted tops exhibit the arms of the company, and names of some of the masters and wardens of the company.

The house now used by the company in the adjoining court is fronted in the Ionic style, with a pediment and Venetian window. In this Hall were the portraits of William Portington, esq. "master carpenter in the office of his majesty's buildings; who served that place forty years, and departed this life the 28th March 1628 aged 84 years; who was a well-wisher of this Society. This being the gift of Matthew Banks, who served him fourteen years, and is at present master of this company, August 13, 1637." Mr. Portington is described as an aged person, in a ruff, with one hand putting a compass upon a rule held by the other. Under the other picture is this inscription: "This picture of John Scott, esq. carpenter and carriage maker to the Office of Ordnance in the reign of Charles II. was placed here by his apprentice Matthew Benett, esq. master carpenter to his majesty, and master of this company this present year 1698." A tablet was also inscribed to the memory of " Richard Wiat, esq. thrice master of this company of Carpenters, Annis Dom. 1604-5-16, and a good benefactor thereunto. Among other gifts, he gave £500 to build an alms, house near Godalmin in Surrey, for ten poor men, and £70 a year to maintain them; and his wife added something for the company down and visit it."

to

go

The company of Carpenters were incorporated by letters patent bearing date July 4, 1478, granted by Edward VI. by the name of "the master, wardens, and commonalty of the mystery of freemen of the Carpenters of the city of London."

Sir William Staines, alderman of Cripplegate ward, and lord mayor in 1801, was a member of this company.

The side of the street on which the Hall stands, was formerly

called Currier's Row, on account of the residence of many persons of that profession.

"Then east from the Currier's Row is a long and high wall of stone, inclosing the north side of a large garden, adjoyning to as large an house, builded in the reigues of king Henry the eighth, and of Edward the sixth, by sir William Powlet, lord treasurer of England: thorow this garden, which (of old time) consisted of divers parts now united, was sometimes a faire foot way, leading by the west end of the Augustine Friars church straight north, and opened somewhat west from Allhallows church against London Wall, towards Mooregate, which footway had gates at either hand, locked up every night; but now the same way (being taken into the gardens), the gates are closed up with stone, whereby the people are inforced to goe about by Saint Peter's church and the east end of the said Friars church, and all the said great place and garden of sir William Powlet to London Wall, and so to Mooregate."

On the east side of Broad-street, at the back of Gresham House, were" eight proper almeshouses, builded of brick and timber, by sir Thomas Gresham, knight, for eight almesmen, which he now placed there rent-free, and receive each of them by his gift £6.3s. 4d. yearly for ever.

This humble, but praiseworthy house of alms was removed, and on its site is the massive and somewhat sombre-looking ExCISE OFFICE, and almshouses were built in a place called the Green Yard, in White-cross street. This building is plain, but solid and handsome, of four stories height. In the centre of the basement is a large arched entrance leading to a yard, in which is another large building of brick, nearly the size of the principal one, which is of Portland stone rusticated. The back building is on the site of the old Gresham College, and is in Bishopsgate ward. From the centre of both buildings are long passages and staircases, leading to the numerous offices for the commissioners and clerks in the different excise departments. The Excise Office was originally held in the Old Jewry, in the house formerly occu

* Stowe.