as he was in the act of leaning forward. The stone broke a large flag to pieces in the area below, and sunk nearly a foot into the ground.

On the spot where Doiley's Warehouse* now stands was Wimbledon House, a large mansion, built by Sir Edward Cecil, third

:

son

"There have been few shops in the Metropolis that have acquired more literary celebrity (we mean in such works as only can confer celebrity) than Doiley's warehouse; which induces us to go a little into the history of it, indeed as far as the tradition of the neighbourhood has furnished us with the means. We have been told, that the original founder of the house (who, probably, was a refugee, and after the revocation of the edict of Nantz, sought an asylum in this kingdom) formed a connexion in the weaving branch of business with some persons in Spital Fields, whose manufactures, most judiciously fostered by government, and most properly, and indeed patriotically, encouraged by the nobility, &c. were just then ascending toward that eminence which they afterwards attained. Doiley, was a man, it is said, of great ingenuity and probably having also the best assistance, he invented, fabricated, and introduced, a variety of stuffs, some of which were new, and all such as had never been seen in this kingdom. He combined the different articles silk and woollen, and spread them into such an infinite number of forms and patterns, that his shop became a mart of taste, and his goods, when first issued, the height of fashion. To this the Spectator alludes in one of his Papers, when he says to this effect, viz. that "if Doiley had not by his ingenious inventions, enabled us to dress our wives and daughters in cheap stuffs, we should not have had the means to have carried on the war." In another Paper, (No. 319.) the gentleman that was so fond of striking bold strokes in dress, characteristically observes: "A few months after 1 brought up the modish jacket, or the coat with close sleeves, I struck this first in a plain Doiley; but that failing, I struck it a second time in blue camlet, which also was one of Doiley's stuffs. In Vanburgh's Provok'd Wife, the scene Spring Gardens, Lady Fanciful says to Mademoiselle, pointing to Lady Brute and Belinda, " I fear those Doiley stuffs are not worn for the want of better clothes." This warehouse was equally famous indeed, in our very early times; it was the grand emporium for gentlemens' night gowns and caps. We think there was once a controversy carried on in the public papers upon the first of these important subjects. However, we find, that in the former part of the eighteenth century, all the beaux that used to breakfast in the coffee-houses, appendant to the inns of court, struck their

morning

son of Thomas, Earl of Exeter. Sir Edward was an eminent military character, in the reigns of James I. and Charles I. by the latter of whom he was created Viscount Wimbledon, and Baron Cecil, of Putney, in Surrey; but dying issueless, November 15, 1638, the title became extinct. Stowe, in his Aunals, says, "that it was burned quite down in November, 1628, and that the day before his Lordship had the misfortune of having part of his house at Wimbledon, in Surrey, blown up by gunpowder."

At the back of Doiley's, towards Exeter Street, there were formerly ruins, which were probably once a part of Wimbledon House.

Near this place stands THE LYCEUM. When the society of artists was incorporated in the year 1765, James Payne, Esq. the architect of Salisbury Street, purchased this part of the ground belonging to Exeter House, on which he built this elegant fabric as a Lyceum, or academy and exhibition-room, to anticipate the royal establishment then in contemplation; and several exhibitions afterwards took place. The apartments consist of a large saloon, with a sky-light and lesser apartments. Upon the insolvency of the society, this place was deserted, and sold by auction to proprietors, who converted the back part of it into a theatre; and here the late Dr. Arnold and Mr. Dibdin, exhibited their musical talents for some time. It was afterwards taken by Mr. R. K. Porter, for the Exhibition of his grand national paintings of "The Siege of Seringapatam;" "The Siege of Acre;" "The Battle of Lodi ;" "The Battle of Alexandria ;" and "The Battle of Agincourt, &c;" whilst the theatre was converted to a classical, an useful, and a liberal species of entertainment and information, called "The Egyptiana;" in which was displayed by

scenic

morning strokes in this elegant dishabille, which was carelessly confined by a sash of yellow, red, blue, green, &c. according to the taste of the wearer: these were also of Doiley's manufacture. This idle fashion was not quite worn out even in the year of 1765: we can remember having seen some of those early loungers, in their night gowns, caps, &c. at Wills' (Lincoln's Inn Gate, Serle Street,) about that period.”—Moser's Vestiges in Europ. Mag,

scenic representation and oral description, the peculiarities of the geography, inanners, inhabitants, natural history, &c. of that country. Such a mode of rational amusment, however, did not suit the inclination of the beau monde; the magic shadows of the phantasmagoria, though terrific, were attractive; the public chose to be scared rather than informed, and the Lyceum was converted to all the illusions of a Magic Lanthorn! Mr. Moser has very jocosely described the various purposes to which this dejected fabric has been consigued. "One time," says he, an evening, a square paper lanthorn, in illuminated characters, informed the public that books, &c. were to be sold by auction; at another the ingenious Mr. Flockton, with a brazen trumpet and a brazen face, announced that the facetious Mr. Punch and his merry family, were ready to receive company of any description.

" in

This room had first been used as a Roman Catholic private chapel; and in our times had, we think, been the receptacle of WILD BEASTS, the school of defence, the audience chamber of those beautiful Honyuhums, the panther, mare, aud colt; the apartment wherein the white negro girl and the porcupine man held their levees; and, in short, applied to many other purposes equally extraordinary." When the foundations of the present buildings were dug, a number of vaults were discovered, which were in some degree connected, and shewed the extent of the ancient fabric. It is now used as a Summer Theatre for the performance of English Operas.

EXETER HOUSE. Here was formerly the parsonage house for the parish of St. Clement Danes, with a garden, and close for the parson's horse, till Sir Thomas Palmer, Knt. in the reign of Edward VI. came into the possession of the living, when, as robbing the church was considered no crime, he appears to have seized upon the land, and began to build a house of brick and timber, very large and spacious; but upon his attainder for high treason, in the first year of Queen Mary I. it reverted to the crown, and the next year it was leased by Job Rixman, then rector, to James Basset, Esq. for the term of eighty years, at

forty

in his absence.

"that the

forty shillings per annum, in the following manner : messuage, cartilage, and garden, situate over against the hospital of the Savoy, excepted and foreprized, one house called the parsonage-house, wherein one Francis Nicholas then dwelt." This house remained in the crown, till Queen Elizabeth granted it to Sir William Cecil, lord-treasurer, who augmented and rebuilt it, when it was called Cecil House, and Burleigh "It is to be noted that Lord Burleigh kept principally two houses or families, one at London, the other at Theobalds, though he was also at charge both at Burleigh and at court, which made his houses in a manner four. At his house, in London, he kept ordinarily in household fourscore persons; besides his lordship and such as attended him at court. The charge of this house-keeping at London amounted to thirty pounds a week. And the whole sum yearly to 15607. and this And in term time, or when his lordship lay at London, his charge increased ten or twelve pounds more. Besides keeping these four houses, he bought great quantities of corn in times of dearth, to furnish markets about his house at under prices, to pull down the price to relieve the poor. He also gave, for releasing of prisoners, in many of his latter years, forty and fifty pounds in a term. And, for twenty years together, he gave yearly, in beef, bread, and money, at Christmas, to the poor of Westminster, St. Martin's, St. Clement's, and Theobald's, thirty-five, and sometimes forty pounds per anHe also gave yearly to twenty poor men lodging in the Savoy, twenty suit of apparel. So as his certain alms, besides extraordinaries, was cast up to be 500l. yearly, one year with another."* Burleigh, or Cecil House, as it appears by the ancient plan, fronted the Strand: its gardens extended from the west side of the garden wall of Wimbledon House, to the green lane, which is now Southampton Street. Lord Burleigh was in this house honoured by a visit from Queen Elizabeth, who, knowing him to be subject to the gout, would always make him

num.

Desiderata Curioso, Vol. I. Book I. p. 29.

to sit in her presence; which it is probable the lord-treasurer considered a great indulgence from so haughty a lady, inasmuch as he one day apologized for the badness of his legs. To which the Queen replied, My lord, we make use of you not for the badness of your legs, but for the goodness of your head.". When she came to Burleigh House, it is probable she had that kind of pyramidial head-dress then in fashion, built of wire, lace, ribbands, and jewels, which shot up to a great height; for when the principal domestic ushered her in, as she passed the threshold he desired her majesty to stoop. To which she replied, "For your master's sake I will stoop, but not for the King of Spain."

Lord Burleigh died here in 1598. Being afterwards pos sessed by his son, Thomas, Earl of Exeter, it assumed that title, which it has retained till the present period. After the Fire of London, it was occupied by the doctors of civil law, &c. till 1672; and here the various courts of arches, admiralty, &c. were kept. Being deserted by the family, the lower part was converted into shops of various descriptions; the upper, like Babylon of old, is a nest of wild beasts, birds, and reptiles : the celebrated Menagerie and Museum of Polito, (late Pidcock's,) being kept in these rooms. The shop below is a public thoroughfare belonging to Mr. Clark, toyman, &c.

Crossing the way once more, we come in front of SOMERSET HOUSE, one of the most important and prominent objects of our enquiry in this City. Its history and description might well Occupy a volume.*

In the year 1774, an act of parliament was obtained for embanking the River Thames, before Somerset Place, and for building on the ground thereof various specified public offices.

The

"A Descriptive and Historical Account of Somerset House," is well given in Mr. Brewer's Description of Splendid Palaces and Public Buildings, &c. Very little in point of architectural delineation need be added, still less can there, with propriety, be taken from that account. The author of that work will not deem me an intruder if 1 attempt an abridgment of his correct Description.