Part 17

For the better inquiry into the proficiency of all the scholars, there are four probations in the year performed only by the Master and Ushers; the first on the 11th of March; the second on the 15th of June; the third on the 11th of September; and the fourth on the 11th of December, not being Sundays, and then upon the next day following.

For the farther satisfaction of the Master, Wardens, and court of Assistants of the Merchant Taylors, the probations themselves undergo an examination twice every year, by two judicious men well learned in Hebrew, Greek and Latin, appointed by the Master and Wardens of the company. Upon these days, which are between the 11th and 21st of March, and September, the Master and Wardens, or at least two of them, are present. The examination, which is performed in the chapel, begins at six in the morning and ends at eleven. These are called the Doctors days. After the examination is finished, the audience, which is generally pretty numerous, returns into the school, where certain public exercises are performed by the eight senior scholars, or monitors of the school.

There is yet another public examination of the scholars of the upper form, by the President and Fellows of St. John’s College, Oxford, annually performed upon the 11th of June, previous to the election of scholars to be made upon that day, to fill up the vacant fellowships in that college: and after the public exercises are finished, the Dean of the college addresses himself to the scholars, out of whose number the vacancy is to be filled up, in a Latin speech suited to the occasion.

At this time an account is usually printed, containing the names and order of the head scholars, their births, admission, and continuance in the head form; and also an account of the subjects of the orations. _Stowe’s Survey, last edit._ _Maitland._

MERCHANTS WATERWORKS for raising water. To this office belong three engines, a windmill in Tottenham court road fields, and lately by two water mills, turned by the common sewer, one at Tom’s coffee-house in St. Martin’s lane, and the other in Northumberland street, late Hartshorn lane, in the Strand. From these engines issue three main pipes of six and seven inch bore, from which the neighbourhood of those places are supplied with water.

This company, after defraying all charges, divide the profits every half year. Their office is kept in Rathbone place, Oxford street.

MERMAID _alley_, in the Borough.*

MERMAID _court_, 1. Charing Cross.* 2. Great Carter lane.* 3. St. Margaret’s hill.* 4. Pater noster row, Cheapside.* 5. Ratcliff Cross.*

MERRICK _street_, New Bond street.†

MESSENGER’S _rents_, Still alley.†

METCALF’S _court_, Jacob’s street, Rotherhith.†

METHODISTS, a body of Dissenters from the church of England, who have several meeting houses in this metropolis: 1. At the Foundery, Windmill hill. 2. Beech lane. 3. Bull and Mouth street. 4. Marybon fields, which is more properly a chapel of the church of England, the service of the church being performed by one of the principal founders of the sect of Methodists. 5. St. Agnes le Clare. 6. West street, Seven Dials.

MEWS, the stables for the King’s horses near Charing Cross, is a place of considerable antiquity, and is thus denominated from _Mew_, a term used among falconers, signifying to moult or cast feathers; for this place was used for the accommodation of the King’s falconers and hawks, so early as the year 1377; but the King’s stables at Lomesbury, since called Bloomsbury, being destroyed by fire in the year 1537, King Henry VIII. caused the hawks to be removed, and the Mews enlarged and fitted up for the reception of his Majesty’s horses, where they have been kept ever since: the building going to decay, the north side was rebuilt in a magnificent manner by his present Majesty, in the year 1732.

There is something in this part of the intended building of the Mews very noble, particularly the center, which is enriched with columns and a pediment, and the continuity of the architecture preserved. The smaller pediment and rustic arch under the cupolas or lanthorns are properly subordinate, but set so close to the balustrade that its intent, as a gallery, is thereby destroyed. In the view given in the print scarce half the front is seen: and over some old houses you see the beautiful steeple and part of the portico of St. Martin’s church, which has the general fate of our public buildings, to be so incumbered with houses as to have no place to view them to advantage.

Upon viewing this edifice, it is impossible not to be offended at the wretched buildings which form the other sides of the square. It is indeed much to be wished that they were made to correspond with the main building; this, if it were done, and a suitable regular entrance made from Charing Cross, would make the royal stables one of the greatest ornaments of this metropolis. Some of the finest horses in the kingdom, both for the coach and saddle, may here be seen.

MEWS, Devonshire square, Bishopsgate street.

_St._ MICHAEL’S _alley_, by the side of St. Michael’s church, Cornhill.

_St._ MICHAEL BASSISHAW, a church on the west side of Basinghall street, so denominated from its dedication to St. Michael the Archangel, and its situation near _Basing’s haw_ or hall. A church dedicated to the same patron has stood here from about the year 1140, but the last edifice being destroyed by the fire of London, the present structure was erected in its place. _Newc. Rep. Eccles._

The walls are strengthened with rustic work at the corners, and the body well enlightened by a single series of large windows; at the east end, where the top is terminated by an arch, the light is given by three windows, one of them tall and upright, the two others circular. The steeple is a tower crowned with a turret, from which rises a kind of spire.

The patronage of this rectory appears to have been anciently in the Bishop of London; after which it fell into lay hands; but at last came to the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, where it has ever since continued, but is subject to the Archdeacon. The Rector receives 132l. 11s. _per annum_ in lieu of tithes.

_St._ MICHAEL’S, an ancient parochial chapel, which stood at the end of Leadenhall street, where is now the row of houses fronting Aldgate; and the remains of this chapel are still to be seen under the corner house of Leadenhall street. They extend thirty-six feet from north to south, and sixteen from east to west, and there is still standing the Gothic arched roof, which is supported by handsome pillars; the whole built with square brick, chalk, and stone. _Maitland._

_St._ MICHAEL’S CORNHILL, on the east side of St. Michael’s alley. We find that a church was situated here, dedicated to the same holy angel, so early as before the year 1133; but the last edifice being destroyed with the other public buildings by the fire of London, the present Gothic structure was raised in its stead. _Stowe._

The body is seventy feet long and sixty broad, the height to the roof is thirty-five feet, and that of the tower an hundred and thirty feet. The lower part of the tower occupies the center, and on each side there is a regular extent of building. The principal door opens in the lower stage of the tower, which rises with angulated corners from the ground, forming a kind of base, terminated at the height of the body of the church. The second stage, which is plain and lofty, has two tall windows, one over the other, properly shaped for the style of the building; this is terminated with a truly Gothic cornice. The third stage is exactly in the form of the two others, only they are plain, and this is covered with ornaments, the angulated corners are fluted, and terminated by cherubims heads under a cornice: the plain face between has four windows in two series. Above the cornice, over the uppermost of these windows, runs a battlement on the plain faces of the tower, and from the corners are carried up four beautiful fluted turrets, cased a part of their height with Doric turrets; these terminate in pinacle heads, from within which rises a spire at each corner crowned with a fane. The author of the _Critical Review of the public buildings_ observes, that this Gothic tower is very magnificent, and justly deserves to be esteemed the finest thing of that sort in London.

The advowson of this church was anciently in the Abbot and Canons of Evesham; but in 1503 they conveyed it to the Drapers company, who settled upon that convent a perpetual annuity of 5l. 6s. 8d. and that company have been its patrons ever since. The Rector, instead of uncertain tithes, has by act of Parliament a settled stipend of 140l. a year.

_St._ MICHAEL’S CROOKED LANE, on the east side of St. Michael’s lane, in Candlewick ward, receives its additional epithet from its vicinity to Crooked lane. A church dedicated to St. Michael stood in the same place before the year 1304; but suffering by the fire of London in 1666 was soon after rebuilt.

It is a plain Structure built with stone, and enlightened by a series of large arched windows. The tower, which is at the west end, is carried square to a considerable height, and the uppermost window in the center of each face, is ornamented with a head, and handsome festoons. From hence, instead of a balustrade, is a range of open work of the Gothic kind, with vases at the corners. From within this part, the tower rises circular, diminishing in three stages, with an open buttress rising from each corner of the square tower, to the top of the first stage; from this buttress rises a large scroll to the top of the second, and a smaller to the top of the third stage, above which rises a kind of short round spire of a peculiar kind, it swelling out at the bottom, and then rounding off, rises to a small height, where it is terminated by a gilt ball and fane.

The patronage of this church was anciently in the Prior and Convent of Canterbury, in whom it continued till the year 1408, since which time it has been in the Archbishops of that see, and is one of the thirteen peculiars in this city belonging to Canterbury. The Rector, in conformity to an act of Parliament granted in the reign of King Charles II. receives, besides his other profits, 100l. _per annum_ in lieu of tithes.

Among the several monuments in this church, is that of Sir William Walworth who slew Wat Tyler. See the article LONDON. The inscription, as given by Mr. Weaver, in his Funeral Monuments, is as follows:

Here under lyth a man of fame, William Walworth callyd by name; Fishmonger he was in life time here, And twise Lord Mayor, as in bookes appere; Who with courage stout and manly might, Slew Wat Tyler in King Richard’s sight; For which act done, and trew intent, The King made him Knight incontinent: And gave him armes, as here may see, To declare his fact and chivalrie. He left this life the yere of our God Thirteene hundryd fourscore and three od.

Here is also a monument erected to the honour of Queen Elizabeth; and the following very concise inscription on the tomb of William Wray.

Here lyeth, wrapt in clay, The body of William Wray, I have no more to say.

_St._ MICHAEL’S _lane_, in Great Eastcheap, by the above church.

_St._ MICHAEL’S QUEENHITHE, situated on the north side of Thames street, in the ward of Queenhithe, opposite to the great wharf and buildings of that name, was about the year 1181, denominated St. Michael de Cornhithe, which may lead us to the origin of the name by which we at present call that wharf, and this church from its situation near it; as the quantities of corn brought thither down the Thames might occasion the original name, and Queenhithe be only a corrupt way of speaking it.

The old church being consumed by the dreadful fire in 1666, the present structure was erected in its room. It consists of a well-proportioned body, enlightened by two series of windows, the first a range of tall arched ones, and over these a range of large porthole windows, above which are cherubims heads, and underneath festoons, that adorn the lower part, and fall between the tops of the under series. The tower is plain but well-proportioned, and is terminated by a spire crowned with a fane in the form of a little ship.

This church has all along been in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul’s, and is subject to the Archdeacon. On its being rebuilt the parish of the Trinity was united to it, by which the Rector’s fees were considerably augmented, who, besides his other advantages, receives 160l. _per annum_, in lieu of tithes.

_St._ MICHAEL QUERNE, a church which stood at the west end of Cheapside, between Blowbladder street and Pater noster row, and had a narrow passage at the west end. We have an account of this edifice so early as the year 1181, when it appears to have been only a chapel, since the first Rector was buried in it in 1461. in old records it is called _St. Michael ad Bladum_; that is, _At the Corn_, which was corrupted to Querne. It was also sometimes denominated _St. Michael de Macello_, from its vicinity to the flesh market.

This ancient edifice being burnt by the fire of London, the place on which it stood was, by act of Parliament, laid into the street, in order to enlarge it, and the parish united to the church of St. Vedast, in Foster lane. _Stowe’s Survey._ _Newc. Rep. Eccles._

_St._ MICHAEL ROYAL, on the east side of College hill, in Vintry ward, is thus denominated from its being anciently near the Tower Royal. This was a parish church before the year 1285, when it was under the patronage of the Prior and Canons of Canterbury, in whom it continued till it was converted into a college by Sir Richard Whittington, mercer, four times Lord Mayor, who rebuilt the church; but even then the monks of Canterbury so far continued its patrons, as to present a person nominated by the Master and Wardens of the Mercers company. This church being consumed with the other public buildings by the fire of London, the present structure was erected in its room, and the parish of St. Martin Vintry united to it. _Newc. Rep. Eccles._ _Stowe’s Survey._

This structure is a plain, decent, and substantial stone building, enlightened by a single series of large arched windows, placed so high that the doors open under the level of their bottoms. The tower consists of three stages, and at the top is surrounded with carved open work instead of a balustrade: from hence rises a light and elegant turret adorned with Ionic columns, and ending in a fine diminution, which supports the fane.

This church is one of the thirteen peculiars belonging to the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Rector, besides his other profits, receives 140l. a year in lieu of tithes. Among the several monumental inscriptions, was one in memory of the above Sir Richard Whittington.

_St._ MICHAEL’S WOOD STREET, is seated on the west side of Wood street, in Cripplegate ward. An old church, dedicated to the same patron, stood there in the year 1392, and probably another succeeded it towards the close of the fifteenth century; however, in 1666 the church then standing was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present structure, which rose in its place, was finished a few years after, and the Parish of St. Mary Staining united to it.

As the east end of this edifice is the most conspicuous part, it is ornamented with four Ionic columns raised upon a continued pedestal, with arches between, and supporting a handsome pediment, in the middle of which is a circular window. Between the columns are three upright arched windows, that fill the whole space. The rest of the body is plain, and the windows are raised so high that the doors open under them.

The tower consists of three plain stages with large windows, from the uppermost of which rises a small square course, the foundation of the base of the turret. This base is cut away from the breadth of the tower gradually to the diameter of the turret, which is plain, but handsome; and from its top rises a ball that supports the fane.

The patronage of this church was in the Abbot and Convent of St. Alban’s till the suppression of that monastery, when Henry VIII. sold it to William Barwell, who in the year 1588, conveyed it to several persons in trust for the parish, in which it still continues. The Rector, besides his other profits, receives 100l. a year in lieu of tithes.

MIDDLE _court_, 1. Bernard’s Inn, Holborn. 2. Clement’s Inn.

MIDDLE _row_, 1. St. Giles’s. 2. Goswell street. 3. Holborn. 4. Gray’s Inn lane.

MIDDLE SCOTLAND _yard_, Whitehall.

MIDDLE SHADWELL, near Shadwell market.

MIDDLE SHADWELL _lane_, Middle Shadwell.

MIDDLE _Street_, 1. Cloth Fair. 2. Horselydown.

MIDDLE TEMPLE, Fleet street. See the article TEMPLE.

MIDDLE TEMPLE _lane_, a lane that leads from Fleet street to the Middle Temple.

MIDDLE TURNING _lane_, Shadwell.

MIDDLESEX _court_, 1. Drury lane. 2. Little Bartholomew close.

MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL, for the reception of the sick and the lame, and for lying-in married women, in Marybon Fields near Oxford road. This is a neat, plain, and not inelegant brick building: it has the decent appearance and all the accommodations one would wish in a house devoted to charity, without that ostentatious magnificence which too often in a great measure defeats the humane and noble end of such pious and charitable institutions, where those sums are squandered away in useless decorations, that ought to be employed in administering health to the sick, and giving feet to the lame.

Nature and religion patronize every instance of distress, but most powerfully befriend that deepest of all distresses, sickness in poverty. Sickness itself will excite compassion, though alleviated by every comfort and advantage of wealth. How much stronger a sympathy must then arise at the sight or idea of sickness imbittered by poverty! or considered in another view, of poverty disabled by sickness! Most men are inclined, but very few, in comparison, have the power to relieve it. Public contributions, therefore, seemed the most likely to effect what the private bounty of individuals could not. This gave rise, in the present charitable age, to infirmaries, and in particular to this, which has the merit and the honour of being the first hospital in this kingdom for lying-in women; and of setting an example which has been so happily followed.

The charitable designs of this hospital were carried on for several years in two convenient houses adjoining to each other, in Windmill street, Tottenham court road, where the first institution in August 1745, was intended only for the relief of the indigent sick and lame: but in July 1747, the Governors willing to render it more worthy of the notice of the public, extended their plan to the relief of the pregnant wives of the industrious poor: when the great increase of patients, occasioned by the reputation of this twofold charity, soon obliged the Governors to think of enlarging their edifice, as well as their plan; and the kind benevolence of the public by donations, legacies, &c. enabled them in 1755, to erect a much larger and more convenient building in Marybon Fields, wherein the apartments for the reception of the lying-in women are in a separate part of the building, remote from the sick and lame; and that ladies may visit the lying-in patients, without being incommoded by the sick and lame, different stair-cases lead to each, the lying-in wards having no communication with the sick and lame.

The qualification of a Governor of this charity is an annual subscription of three guineas; which also intitles the subscriber to recommend, and have in the house at one time, either one sick or lame patient, or one lying-in woman, and to recommend out-patients, A subscription of five guineas _per annum_ intitles the subscriber to recommend one sick or lame in-patient, out-patients, and one lying-in woman. A subscription of thirty guineas at one payment, constitutes the subscriber a Governor for life, with the last mentioned privileges. Contributions of lesser sums than three guineas _per annum_ are thankfully received, and intitle the contributors to recommend one sick or lame in-patient, and one out-patient at the same time.

A committee of the Governors (appointed quarterly) meet at the hospital every Tuesday, at ten of the clock, to receive and discharge patients, and to transact the other necessary business of the house; where every Governor, though not of the committee, has a right to be present, and his attendance is received as a favour. A report of their proceedings is made to the general court held every quarter, when the resolutions of this committee are approved or rejected.

The patients are attended without fee or reward by three eminent Physicians, a Man-midwife, three Surgeons, and a reverend Divine.

The Physicians visit the patients every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and on intermediate days, when particular cases require it. The Surgeons attend every day.

Patients are admitted on a letter of recommendation from a Governor or Contributor, who may recommend in-patients, and have out-patients on the books, according to the regulation abovementioned: and when in-patients are recommended, and there is not room in the house to receive them, they are put on the list to be admitted on the first vacancy, and in the mean time are prescribed for as out-patients.

No security is required for burials.

All accidents are admitted without recommendation.

Tuesday being the day appointed for the admission of patients, they are expected to be at the hospital, with their recommendations, at ten of the clock.

The Physicians and Surgeons meet every Saturday at twelve of the clock, at the hospital, where they give advice _gratis_ to all such diseased poor who shall come, though unrecommended, and require it.

Married women only are admitted (in the last month of their pregnancy) after they have been examined by the weekly board, and on their producing an affidavit made before a Justice of the peace, of the time and place of their marriage, and of the settlement of the husband, with the manner the said settlement was obtained, whether by birth, servitude, or otherwise. And that this useful branch of the charity, the midwifery ward, may be made every way beneficial, and not liable to any objection, no pupils will be admitted; the whole being under the direction of Dr. Brudenell Exton, Physician and Man-midwife: and no woman whatsoever, who has been able to prove her marriage, and her husband’s settlement, so as to avoid burthening the parish wherein the hospital stands, has been refused admittance.

The number of beds at present are sixty-four.

The patients admitted from the first institution of this hospital, in August 1745, to the 1st of June 1758, are as follow:

In-patients, sick and lame 1829 Out-patients 11785 Lying-in women 1425 ————— 15039

The servants of the house are forbid to take any gratuity of the patients or their friends, on any pretence whatsoever, on pain of expulsion.

Such persons who are inclined to favour this charitable design, are desired to send their subscriptions, with their names and places of abode, to the Treasurers, at the weekly committee, held every Tuesday in the forenoon at the hospital; and in order to supply the current expence of this charity, the subscribers are requested to continue to pay their yearly subscriptions in advance.