Part 11
To this company belongs the ballast office, for clearing and deepning the river Thames, by taking from thence a sufficient quantity of ballast, for the supply of all ships that sail out of that river; in which service sixty barges with two men in each, are constantly employed, and all ships that take in ballast pay them 1_s._ a ton, for which it is brought to the ships sides.
In consideration of the great increase of the poor of this fraternity, they are by their charter impowered to purchase in mortmain lands, tenements, &c. to the amount of 500_l._ _per annum_; and also to receive charitable benefactions of well disposed persons, to the like amount of 500_l._ _per annum_, clear of reprizes.
There are annually relieved by this company about 3000 poor seamen, their widows, and orphans, at the expence of about 6000_l._
They commonly meet to chuse their master at their house at Deptford; but are not obliged to do it there. See the article DEPTFORD.
Their meetings are generally on Wednesdays and Saturdays, at their house in Water lane, Thames street; but their courts are not constantly fixed to a set time.
Their house in Water lane has been twice burnt down, once at the fire of London, and the last time in the year 1718. Among the curiosities preserved in the hall of this building is a flag taken from the Spaniards, by the brave Sir Francis Drake, whose picture is also there: a large and exact model of a ship entirely rigged, and two large globes; and in the parlour are five large drawings curiously performed by the pen, of several engagements at sea in the reign of King Charles II. _Maitland._
TRINITY _lane_, Garlick hill, Thames street.☐
TRINITY _Minories_, a curasy situated in the Little Minories, in Portsoken-ward, where anciently stood an abbey of nuns of the order of St. Clare, called the Minoresses, founded by Edmund Earl of Lancaster, brother to King Edward I. in the year 1293, but being suppressed in the year 1539, a number of houses were erected in its room, and a small church was built for the inhabitants, and dedicated to the Trinity, whence it received its present appellation, the additional epithet of Minories being added from the above Monastery.
The present church is a small brick edifice with a low tower crowned with a turret.
The patronage has been all along in the crown: but the income of the curate is said to be so small as to amount to no more than 25_l._ _per annum_, besides surplice fees.
TRINITY _the Less_, a church formerly seated at the north-east corner of Little Trinity lane, where at present a German chapel, denominated the Swedish church, is situated; it received the epithet of Less, to distinguish it from the Trinity priory at Aldgate: but this church suffering the fate of the other public buildings, at the fire of London in 1666, and not being rebuilt, the parish was by act of parliament united to the church of St. Michael’s Queenhithe.
TRINITY PRIORY, on the south side within Aldgate, was founded by Queen Matilda, daughter to Malcolm King of Scotland, wife to Henry I. in the year 1108, in the place where Siredus had begun to erect a church in honour of the holy cross and St. Mary Magdalen: she endowed it with the port of Aldgate, the customs belonging to it, and the sum of 25_l._
This priory was built on a piece of ground upwards of three hundred feet long, in the parish of St. Catharine, near a parochial chapel dedicated to St. Michael, which stood where are now the row of houses by the pump, fronting the gate; and soon obtained the name of Christ church; in a short time it grew rich in lands and ornaments, and surpassed all the priories in the city of London and county of Middlesex, for its church, got into its possession the parishes belonging to the neighbouring churches of St. Mary Magdalen, St. Michael, and St. Catharine, and the prior was frequently an Alderman. This priory was dissolved by King Henry VIII. in the year 1531, and of nine well-tuned bells that belonged to the conventual church, the four largest are now in the steeple of Stepney church, and the other five at St. Stephen’s Coleman street. _Maitland._
TRINITY _stairs_, Broad street, Ratcliff.☐
TRINITY _street_, Rotherhith.☐
TRINITY _yard_, Broad street, Ratcliff.☐
TRIPP’S _alley_, Whitechapel.☐
TROTTER _alley_, Barnaby street, Southwark.
TROTTERBONE _alley_. Duke street.
TRUMBALL’S _yard_, Queen street, Windmill street.†
TRUMP _alley_, Cheapside.
TRUMP _street_, King street.
TRUMPET _yard_, Whitechapel.*
TRYANCE _court_, Red lion street, Spitalfields.
TRYPE _yard_, 1. Catharine Wheel alley: 2. Dunning’s alley, Bishopsgate street without: 3. Petticoat lane.
TUDOR _street_, Bridewell Precinct.
TUFTON _street_, Lumley street, Westminster.
TUKE’S _court_, Chancery lane.†
TUN, in Cornhill, a prison built with stone by Henry Wallis, Mayor of London in the year 1282, as a prison for night-walkers, and other suspicious persons, and called the Tun from its resembling a tun standing upon one end. This prison being, in 1401, made a cistern for water conveyed by leaden pipes from Tyburn; was thence called the conduit. It had at the same time a strong prison made of timber placed upon it, which was called the cage; this prison had a pair of stocks, and was for the punishment of night-walkers. On the top of the cage was placed a pillory for the punishment of bakers offending in the assize of bread; for millers stealing of corn at the mill; for bawds, scolds, and persons guilty of perjury; the last mentioned persons were usually brought on horseback from Newgate with paper mitres on their heads, and with their faces to the horses tails, and having stood in this pillory, were in the same manner conducted back to Newgate.
TUN _alley_, Love lane, Wood street.*
TURK’S HEAD _court_, Golden lane, Barbican.*
TURK’S HEAD _yard_, Turnmill street, Cowcross.*
TURKS ROW, Chelsea.
TURKY or LEVANT COMPANY, a body of merchants incorporated by Queen Elizabeth in the year 1579, when that Princess granted them many great privileges, which have been confirmed by several succeeding Princes.
The trade of this company originally extended no farther than to Venice; but discovering there oriental gems, and other valuable commodities brought from the east, they extended their trade to Turky; and tho’ the English East Company, which was afterwards incorporated, deprived them of the trade of jewels and spices, they have almost ever since carried on a trade to the Levant with success, though it is now upon the decline. _Maitland._
In the Turky trade there was always a balance against us; and yet it was esteemed of no disservice to the nation, as that company imported raw silk, cotton, and several other articles that were purchased with our cloth and other woollen goods; but the French have supplanted us by making a slight sort of cloth, that appears as fine as ours, and being made thinner and lighter, is not only fitter for warm climates; but can be afforded cheaper.
In the year 1754, an act was passed, by which it was ordered that every subject of Great Britain, who desired admission into the Turky company, should be admitted within thirty days after such request, and enjoy all the privileges of the company, on their paying 20_l._ for such admission.
The affairs of this company are managed by a Governor, deputy governor and a court of assistants, consisting of eighteen members, annually chosen in the month of February; who hold a court monthly, or as occasion requires, for the management of the company’s affairs; as appointing Consuls, Vice-consuls, factors, _&c._ to the places where their factories are kept; as at Smyrna, Aleppo, Constantinople, Cyprus, _&c._ who are answerable to the company for what they do or act under them.
TURN-ABOUT _alley_, Windmill Hill row.
TURN-AGAIN _lane_, 1. Snow Hill: 2. Thomas street.
TURNBULL _street_, Cowcross, this street was anciently denominated TURNMILL STREET, from the mills erected in it, turned by a stream of water from Hampstead and Highgate; which being at present seemingly dried up, some writers have represented it as lost; but that stream is brought to the suburbs of London in two large wooden pipes, each of a seven inch bore. _Maitland._
TURNBULL _yard_, White’s alley, Longditch.
TURNERS, a society incorporated by letters patent granted by King James I. in the year 1604; by the name of _The master, wardens and commonalty of the art or mystery de lez Turners of London_.
This company is governed by a master, two wardens, and twenty-four assistants; with a livery of 144 members, who, upon their admission, pay a fine of 8_l._ They have a convenient hall on College hill, Thames street.
TURNER’S _alley_, Little Eastcheap.†
TURNER’S _court_, St. Martin’s lane.†
TURNER’S _street_, Derby street.†
TURNMILL _street_, the ancient name of the street now corruptly called Turnbull street. See TURNBULL _street_.
TURNPIKE _passage_, King street.
TURN-STILE, 1. Drury lane: 2. Holbourn.
TURNWHEEL _lane_, Cannon street, by Wallbrook.
TURRET _yard_, Little sanctuary, Westminster.
TURNVILLE _street_, Shoreditch Fields.
TUTTLE _court_, Barnaby street, Southwark.
TWEED _street_, Berwick street, Old Soho.
TWEEZER’S _alley_, Milford lane, in the Strand.
TWELVE BELL _court_, Bow church-yard, Cheapside.*
TWICKENHAM, a pleasant village in Middlesex situated on the Thames between Teddington and Isleworth, and between two brooks that here fall into that river. The church, which is a modern edifice, rebuilt by the contribution of the inhabitants, is a fine Doric structure. Here is a charity school for fifty boys, who are cloathed and taught: And this delightful village is adorned with the seats of several persons of distinction, particularly on the bank of the river. To begin at the upper end; there is an elegant Gothic seat called Strawberry Hill, belonging to the Honorable Mr. Walpole; then a beautiful house, late the Earl of Radnor’s, now in the possession of Mr. Hindley. The next of considerable note is Sir William Stanhope’s, formerly the residence of our most celebrated poet Mr. Alexander Pope; then Mrs. Backwell’s; and the last on this beautiful bank is doctor Battie’s, at present in the possession of Mr. Paulet. All these houses, besides several others on this delightful bank, enjoy a most pleasing prospect both up and down the river, perpetually enlivened with the west country navigation, and other moving pictures on the surface of this enchanting river. Then below the church, you have the fine seat of Mr. Whitchurch, that of the Earl of Strafford, Mrs. Pitt, and at the entrance into the meadows, the elegant structure called Marble Hall, belonging to the Countess of Suffolk. Still further down the stream you have the small but very pretty house of Mr. Barlow; the larger and more grand one of Mr. Cambridge; and the sweet retirement called Twickenham Park, the residence of the Countess of Montrath. This brings you down to Isleworth, which from the entrance into the meadows at Lady Suffolk’s, is about a mile and a half on the bank of the river, opposite to Ham-walks and Richmond-hill, and is one of the most beautiful walks in England.
TWIG’S _rents_, Blue Anchor alley.†
TWISTERS _alley_, Whitecross street.
TWO BREWER’S _yard_, in the Curtain, Hog lane.*
TWO LEG _alley_, Old Bethlem.*
TWO SWAN _yard_, Bishopsgate street.*
TWYFORD’S _alley_, Petty France, Westminster.†
TYBURN, anciently a village situated on the eastern bank of the rivulet Tyburn, from whence it took its name, and at the east end of the Lord Mayor’s banquetting house bridge, in the neighbourhood of which the city has nine conduits, that were first erected about the year 1238, for supplying the city with water; but it having for many years been better supplied from the New River, the citizens in the year 1703, let the water of those conduits on a lease of forty-three years, for the sum of 700_l._ _per annum_.
At the north-east corner of Tyburn Bridge stood the Lord Mayor’s banqueting house, to which it was usual for his Lordship to repair with the Aldermen, accompanied by their ladies in waggons, to view the city conduits, after which they had an entertainment at the banqueting house. This edifice under which were two cisterns, for the reception of the water from the neighbouring conduits, having been for many years, neglected, was taken down in the year 1737, and Tyburn is now only known by the gallows, erected where that village stood, and at present alone bears the name of Tyburn. _Maitland._
TYBURN _lane_, Hyde Park road.
TYBURN _road_, Oxford street.
TYGER _court_, Whitecross street, Cripplegate.*
TYER’S _gate_, Barnaby street, Southwark.†
TYLER’S _street_, King’s street, Golden Square.†
TYSON’S _street_, Shoreditch Fields.†
V.
VALIANT SOLDIER _alley_, Barnaby street.*
VAUXHALL, a hamlet in the parish of Lambeth, particularly famous for the pleasantness of the gardens, that have been many years converted into a place of genteel entertainment, during the spring and summer seasons. They were the first of the kind perhaps in the world: in the midst of the garden is a superb orchestre containing a fine organ and a band of music with some of the best voices, and the seats or boxes are disposed to the best advantage with respect to hearing the music. In most of the boxes are pictures painted from the designs of Mr. Hayman, on subjects admirably adapted to the place. But there are in the grand pavilion four pictures of his own hand from the historical plays of Shakespear that are universally admired for the design, colouring and expression. The trees are scattered here with a pleasing confusion. At some distance are several noble vistas of very tall trees, where the spaces between each are filled up with neat hedges, and on the inside are planted flowers and sweet smelling shrubs. Some of these vistas terminate in a view of ruins, and others in a prospect of the adjacent country, and some are adorned with the painted representation of triumphal arches. There are here also several statues, and in particular a good one in marble by Mr. Roubiliac of the late Mr. Handell playing on a lyre in the character of Orpheus. As Ranelagh has its rotunda, so here also is a rotund and ball room, finely illuminated, in which is an orchestre with an organ, where if the evening proves rainy the company may be safely sheltered and entertained. When it grows dark the garden near the orchestre is illuminated, almost in an instant, with about 1500 glass lamps, which glitter among the trees, and render it exceeding light and brilliant: and soon after a very extraordinary piece of machinery has of late been exhibited, on the inside of one of the hedges near the entrance into the vistas: by removing a curtain is shewn a very fine landscape illuminated by concealed light; in which the principal objects that strike the eyes are the cascade or waterfall, and a miller’s house. The exact appearance of water is seen flowing down a declivity, and turning the wheel of the mill: it rises up in foam at the bottom, and then glides away. This moving picture, attended with the noise of the water, has a very pleasing and surprizing effect both on the eye and ear; but we cannot help observing, with respect to this piece, that however well it is executed, yet peoples being obliged to wait till the curtain is drawn; and after beholding it for a few minutes, having it again suddenly concealed from the view, when the exhibition is ended for that night, has too much the air of a raree show. If it could have been contrived to make its appearance gradually, with the rising of the moon in the same picture, which might seem to enlighten the prospect, and at length by degrees to become obscured by the passing of that luminary behind a cloud, the effect would perhaps have been much more agreeable. Every thing is provided in these gardens in the most elegant manner for the company who chuse to sup.
VAUXHALL _court_, Little Chapel street.
VAUXHALL _stairs_, Vauxhall.
VAUXHALL STAIRS _lane_, leading from the above stairs toward the garden.
VAUXHALL _walk_, Bull street, Lambeth.
_St._ VEDAST’S, situated on the east side of Foster lane, in the Ward of Farringdon within. A church has stood for many centuries in the place where this is situated; but not under the same tutelage: the first building was dedicated to St. Foster, and from that the lane in which it stands was called Foster lane: but afterwards the church being rebuilt, was put under the patronage of St. Vedast, Bishop of Arras, in France, who died in the year 550.
This church was so far destroyed by the fire of London in 1666, that nothing was left standing but the steeple and the walls; but these being repaired, continued till the year 1694, when they were taken down, and the present edifice was finished in 1697. It is built entirely of stone, and the body is sixty-nine feet in length, fifty-one broad, and thirty-six feet high. It is well enlightened by a range of windows placed so high that the doors open under them. The tower is plain, and the spire which is short rises from a double base. _English architecture._
The author of _The Critical Review of the public buildings_, mentioning this steeple says, “It is not a glaring pile that strikes the eye at the first view with an idea of grandeur and magnificence; but then the beautiful pyramid it forms, and the just and well proportioned simplicity of all its parts, satisfy the mind so effectually, that nothing seems to be wanting, and nothing can be spared.”
The patronage of this church was anciently in the prior and convent of Canterbury, till coming to the archbishop of that see in the year 1352 it has been in him and his successors ever since, and is one of the thirteen peculiars in the city belonging to the archiepiscopal see. To this church the parish of St. Michael Quern is united, and the rector receives 160_l._ a year in lieu of tithes. _Maitland._
VERE _street_, 1. Beer street: 2. Brook’s street, Ratcliff: 3. Clare Market: 4. Oxford street. Thus named from the Lady of the late Earl of Oxford.
VICTUALLING OFFICE, on the upper part of Little Tower Hill near the end of King street; is separated from Tower Hill by a wall and gates, and contains some houses for the officers, with store rooms, slaughter houses, a brewhouse, for salting, barrelling, &c. of provisions.
This office is under the direction of seven commissioners, each of whom has his separate department, as in the Navy Office, and a salary of 400_l._ _per annum_, as the first commissioner and comptroller, the commissioner of the bakehouse, another of the cutting house, another of the brewhouse; another of the accounts; another of the cooperage; and another who is hoytaker.
Under these commissioners is a secretary who has 200_l._ _per annum_, and five clerks; a cash accomptant who has 120_l._ _per annum_, and four clerks, besides an extra-clerk; an accomptant for stores, who has 100 _l._ _per annum_, and five clerks, besides an extra-clerk; the clerk of the bakehouse and master baker, who has 130_l._ a year, and two clerks, besides an extra-clerk, a clerk of the cutting house who has 110_l._ a year, a clerk and extra-clerk. Besides these there are a storekeeper of the brewhouse, who has 60_l._ a year; a master cooper; a muster master of the workmen; a master butcher; a surveyor of oxen and hogs; clerks to keep charge on pursers, a clerk for stating a purser’s accounts, a short allowance clerk, and a clerk to bring up accounts of stores in arrears, most of these have clerks under them: and there are also a few other officers and servants.
VIGO _lane_, 1. Burlington Gardens: 2. Swallow street.
VILLAR’S _court_, 1. Huggen lane: 2. St. James’s street.
VILLAR’S _street_, in the Strand, so called from its being built on the ground where the house of Villars Duke of Buckingham formerly stood. See YORK BUILDINGS.
VINCENT’S _court_, Silver street.†
VINE _court_, 1. Bishopsgate street without.* 2. Brook’s street.* 3. Chequer alley.* 4. Golden lane.* 5. Gravel lane.* 6. Harp alley, Shoe lane.* 7. Lamb street, Spitalfields.* 8. Moor lane.* 9. Narrow street, Limehouse.* 10. Onslow street, Vine street.* 11. Shoemaker row, Aldgate.* 12. Three Crane lane, Thames street.* 13. Vine street, in the Minories.* 14. Vine yard, Horsely down lane.* 15. Vineyard, St. Olave’s street.* 16. Whitechapel.*
VINE _street_, 1. Fore street, Limehouse.* 2. St. Giles’s.* 3. Hatton Wall.* 4. Lamb street.* 5. Maiden lane, Deadman’s place.* 6. Millbank.* 7. in the Minories.* 8. Narrow Wall, Lambeth.* 9. Chandois street.* 10. Warwick street.
VINE _yard_, 1. Old Horselydown lane.* 2. Pickax street, Aldersgate street.* 3. Ratcliff.* 4. Redcross street.* 5. Tooley street, Southwark.*
VINEGAR _yard_, 1. Barnaby street, Southwark: 2. Blue Anchor, alley: 3. Bowl alley, St. Giles’s: 4. Dirty lane, Blackman street, Southwark: 5. Drury lane: 6. George street, in the Mint: 7. St. John’s lane, Smithfield: 8. Sun yard, Nightingale lane.
VINTNER _alley_, Thames street.
VINTNERS, one of the twelve principal companies, were anciently denominated _Merchant wine tunners of Gascoyne_, and were of two sorts, the _Veneatrii_, who imported the wine, and the _Tabernarii_ who sold it by retail, either kept taverns or wine cellars. They were however incorporated by letters patent granted by King Henry VI. in the year 1437, by the name of the master, wardens, freemen and commonalty of the mystery of Vintners of the city of London; but without the power of making by-laws.
They are governed by a master, three wardens, twenty-eight assistants, with a livery of 194 members, who, upon their admission, pay a fine of 31_l._ 13_s._ 4_d._ They are possessed of a very considerable estate, out of which is paid to charitable uses about 600_l._ a year, and have a handsome hall in Thames street, where was formelry the house of Sir John Stody, who gave it the company: it was called in antient records the place of Stody, or the manor of the Vintry.
The buildings enclose a square court, and in the north front next the street is a large and handsome gate, with columns wreathed with grapes and supporting a Bacchus on three tons. Behind the hall is a garden through which is a passage to the Thames.
VINTNERS ALMSHOUSE, at Mile-end, was founded by the company of Vintners, for the use of twelve widows of deceased members, each of whom receives 3_s._ a week, and every year a chaldron of coals, and about 40_s._ given at certain times. _Maitland._
VINTRY WARD, takes its name from the Vintry, situated where the Vintners hall now stands, and where the antient vintners or wine merchants, who lived on the banks of the Thames, landed their wines, which they were obliged to sell in forty days, till Edward I. granted them longer time, and certain privileges. This ward is bounded on the north by Cordwainers wards; on the east, by Walbrook and Dowgate wards; on the south by the Thames, and on the west by Queenhithe ward. The principal streets are a part of Thames street, from Little Elbow lane in the east, to Townsend lane, in the west; a part of Queen street, Great St. Thomas Apostles, Garlick hill, Great and Little Elbow lane, _&c._ and the most remarkable buildings are the parish churches of St. Michael’s Royal, St. Martin’s Vintry, and St. James Garlickhithe; Vintners hall, Cutlers hall, Plumbers hall, and Fruiterers hall.
The government of this ward is by an alderman, and nine common councilmen, under whom are four scavengers, fourteen wardmote inquest men, and a beadle. The jurymen returned by the wardmote inquest for this ward are to serve in the several courts held in Guildhall in the month of April. _Stow._ _Maitland._
VIRGINIA _court_, 1. Artichoke lane: 2. Butcher Row, East Smithfield.
VIRGINIA PLANTERS _hill_, Upper Shadwell.