M.

Macclesfieldstreet, Gerrard street, Soho.

Maddoxstreet, Swallow street.†

Maggot’scourt, Piccadilly.†

Magdalen House, for the reception of penitent prostitutes, in Prescot street, Goodman’s fields, is a plain, neat building, with a wall and a small area before it. To prevent these penitents being exposed to the public eye, the windows next the street are concealed by wood work sloping up from the bottom of each, so as to admit the light only at the top; the sides are also inclosed, so that there is no possibility of these once unhappy women either seeing or being seen by any person who passes by. This sloping projection of the blinds, placed in a regular series before all the windows in each story, and painted white like the walls, has a very singular appearance; for, at a distance, the house seems falling into the street.

Though this is one of the latest of those excellent charitable foundations that do honour to the present age, it being proposed and carried into execution in the year 1758, there is reason to believe that it will not be the least useful. It is obvious that there cannot be greater objects of compassion than poor, young, thoughtless females, plunged into ruin by those temptations to which their youth and personal advantages expose them, no less than those passions implanted by nature for wise, good, and great ends; surrounded by snares the most artfully and industriously laid; snares laid by those endowed with superior faculties, and all the advantages of education and fortune; who offer too commonly to transport the thoughtless girls from want, confinement, and restraint of passions, to luxury, liberty, gaiety and joy: but when once seduced, how soon do their golden dreams vanish! abandoned by the seducer, deserted by their friends, contemned by the world, they are not only deprived of their innocence, and every pleasing hope of domestic happiness, but are left to struggle with want, despair and scorn, and even, in their own defence, to plunge deeper and deeper in sin, till disease and death conclude a miserable being. It is too well knownthat this is, sooner or later, the case with most of the prostitutes, in their several degrees, from those pampered in private stews, to the common dregs infesting our streets: and that far the greatest part of those, who having taken to this dreadful life, are thus seeking disease, death, and eternal destruction, not through choice, but necessity. The seeds of virtue would frequently have exerted themselves; but alas! before this foundation was formed, the possibility was removed; and the same necessity obliging them to prey on the unwary, to diffuse contagion, to propagate profligacy, and to spread ruin, disease, and death, through a great part of the human species.

This godlike proposal of giving an opportunity of repentance to guilt and shame met with a suitable encouragement, and many were willing to afford them the means of recovering themselves from their otherwise lost state; and instead of being pests, becoming useful members of society.

Influenced by such noble motives, a set of gentlemen, distinguished by their humanity and generosity, entered into a private subscription, making themselves at the same time accountable for such benefactions as should flow in from the public. Numbers liberally contributed, and inabout three or four months time, the sums advanced by the subscribers amounted to 3593 l. 19 s. while a great number of these unhappy guilty objects of commiseration solicited for admission.

At a general meeting of the subscribers, a committee was appointed, and it was determined to take the house in Prescot street which had been lately the London infirmary; which being done, it was fitted up in the manner above mentioned; and at another general meeting on the 28th of June 1758, the several officers of the house were chosen, and the rules, of which the following are an abstract, were ordered to be published.

Rules and regulations of the Governors and Officers.

I. That a President, four Vice-Presidents, a Treasurer, and committee of twenty-one, be annually chosen the last Wednesday in June, and that seven of the committee go out yearly.

II. The general courts shall consist of at least ten Governors, the President, or Vice-President, and the Treasurer. These general courts shall be held quarterly, viz. on the last Wednesday in March, June, September, and December. The annual general court, in which is tobe examined all the transactions of the year, and the general state of the hospital, and at which time the officers shall be chosen, is to be held on the last Wednesday in June.

III. The general committee is to consist of twenty-one, five of whom shall constitute a quorum, and the President, Vice-President, and Treasurer shall be always of this general committee, one of whom shall be Chairman, when present; but if none of them be present, then the said committee may chuse their Chairman. They are to meet once a week, or oftener, as they shall think proper: when they shall have power to receive the persons petitioning for admittance, and to dismiss those already admitted: to give orders in relation to the manner in which the persons admitted shall be employed: to inspect the cloathing, furniture, and provisions: to examine into the conduct of all the officers and servants: and every week a sub-committee of three are jointly to visit the wards, and make their report.

IV. A subscription of twenty guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for life: and an annual subscription of five guineas shall be a qualification for a Governor for that year; this subscription,when it shall amount to twenty-five guineas, shall be a qualification for a Governor for life, and every such subscriber be intitled to one vote only: but if any annual subscriber shall be more than two years in arrear, his power as Governor shall cease till such arrears be paid. And every lady subscribing as above, shall be intitled to vote personally, or by proxy, provided that proxy be brought by a Governor: but no Governor to be possessed of more than one proxy. Any five Governors shall have power to require a general meeting, provided they address themselves to the Treasurer by letter, expressing the business for which that meeting is required, and signed by them respectively. All elections to be by holding up of hands, except a ballot be required, and if there shall be an equality of votes, the Chairman is to have the casting vote.

V. The Chaplain is to read prayers morning and evening; to pray and preach twice every Sunday, and to administer the sacrament every month; to attend the sick and ignorant, and to instruct them in the principles and duties of the protestant religion. He is to attend all committees, and make reports of what he thinks necessary for the good conduct and benefit of the undertaking.

VI. There are two Physicians, two Surgeons, and three Apothecaries, who are required to behave with the utmost humanity and prudence. One of each is to attend the committee, and make weekly reports. They are all to attend in their own persons, and no pupil, apprentice, or servant, shall at any time be admitted into the wards; and even when the Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries visit the wards, they shall be attended by the matron.

VII. The Matron is to direct the œconomy of the house, and constantly to reside in it. She is to see that all the women are neat and decent in their cloaths and persons, and properly employed; that they discharge their duty, and constantly attend divine service: she is to receive from the steward the materials for their work, and deliver it back to him. She is to take care of the houshold linen, and what belongs to the cloathing: to require from the steward such provisions as are necessary for the house, and to see that they are not given away or wasted. She is to keep the keys of the outward doors, which are to be delivered into her hands after the doors are locked, at seven in the winter, and nine in the summer; and she is to take care that the rules of the house be strictly observed, with regard to thetime of rest, diet, hours of devotion, and every thing that relates to good order.

VIII. The Secretary is to keep the books, take minutes at all meetings, to collect the annual subscriptions, and to give notice to such subscribers as are more than one year in arrears, &c.

IX. The Steward is to reside constantly in the house, and to follow no other employment than what relates to this charity. He is to receive the respective provisions and materials for the employment of the women, ordered by the committee, and inspect the weight, measures and quality thereof, and to make regular entries of them; to keep an exact account of all the work done by every respective woman, as the matron shall deliver it to him.

X. The Porter is not to receive any letter, message, or other thing into the house, or send out any thing without the knowledge or inspection of the matron: he is to reside in the house, and strictly to observe the instructions that shall be given him, in regard to visitors, letters, &c.

XI. The Messenger is also to dwell in the house, and to be employed in errands, and out-door business: but he is not to bring any letter, verbal message, or other thing into the house, or to carry out anymessage or other thing, without the knowledge or inspection of the matron.

Neither the steward, porter, or messenger, shall have any communication with the wards.

No officer, or servant of the house shall receive any money, fee, gratuity, or reward, besides their wages.

Rules and regulations relating to the Penitents.

I. That the method of admission be by petition to the committee, the printed form of which, with proper blanks to be filled up, may be hadgratisby application at the house. That every petitioner be examined as to her health, by the Physician, Surgeon, and Matron. When any petition is approved, it shall be wrote upon,Found proper, and signed by the Chairman. Every person upon admission shall subscribe to the rules of the house, and also enter into an agreement to pay the sum of 10l.per annumfor her board, lodgings, and necessaries, which is to be void, provided such person continues in the house three years, or less time, at the option of the committee. No person admitted shall be allowed to go out of the house without special leave in writing,signed by the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee.

II. One or more wards are to be allotted for persons newly admitted, where they are to remain some time for a trial of their behaviour. There shall be superiority of wards, according to the education or behaviour of the persons admitted; and the inferior wards shall consist of meaner persons, and of those degraded for misbehaviour. In each ward they shall be classed, and one appointed to preside and be accountable for the conduct and behaviour of the rest; and they shall by rotation do the necessary offices in their respective wards, excepting the person appointed to preside. They are also to perform the necessary offices of the house, as they shall be directed by the matron; and an allowance shall be made to such as perform these offices, out of the general produce of the work done in the house, according to the proportion of the value of their duty and labour.

III. Each person is to lie in a separate bed, and have a chest for her cloaths and linen, under lock and key, to be kept by herself; and where the rooms will admit of it, a small closet or apartment is to be provided for the retirement of the most serious and best behaved, in the intervalsof their employment, and these also considered as the reward of good conduct.

IV. Their true names must be registered, but if desirous of concealing themselves, they may have liberty to assume a feigned name. As no reproaches must be made for past irregularities, under the severest injunctions; neither shall there be any inquiries made into names or families; but all possible discouragement given to every kind of discovery that the parties themselves do not chuse to make.

V. Upon their admission, if their apparel is in any tolerable condition, it is to be cleaned, ticketed, and laid by, in order to be returned them whenever they leave the house: but if such apparel be too fine for their station, it shall be sold, and the produce brought to their account. They are to wear an uniform of light grey, and in their whole dress to be plain and neat.

VI. Each ward is to dine at a separate table. The matron is to dine at the head of the table of the superior ward; and the head of each ward is to dine at the upper end of each table, and to say grace.

VII. Each person is to be employed in some work or business according to her ability, and have such part of the benefit arising from her labour and ingenuity as the committee shall judge she deserves;which sum may be increased by the bounty of the house, as favourable opportunities may offer, for establishing them in the world. The articles proposed for their employment are, making their own cloaths both linen and woollen; knitting, spinning, making bone lace, black lace, artificial flowers, childrens toys, winding silk, drawing patterns, making women and childrens shoes, mantuas, stays, coats, &c. but no part of their labour is to be sold in the house, but at some other place appointed by the committee. In their work, as in every other circumstance, the utmost care and delicacy, humanity and tenderness will be observed, that this establishment may not be thought a house of correction, or even of hard labour, but a safe retreat from their distressful circumstances.

VIII. From Lady-day to Michaelmas they are to rise at six and be in bed at ten; and from Michaelmas to Lady-day are to rise at seven and be in bed at nine; and after that time no fire or candle shall be allowed, except in the sick ward.

IX. They are to breakfast at nine o’clock, and be allowed half an hour; and are to dine at one o’clock, and be allowed an hour; they may leave off work at six in the winter, and seven in summer.

X. No Governor, or any other person shall be permitted to visit the wards, or any of the women, without leave in writing first obtained from the Treasurer or Chairman, and two of the committee, except in cases provided for, and in all cases the matron to attend them.

XI. Abusive or reproachful language, insolence or disobedience to the officers, indecent or profane expressions, and such kind of turbulent conduct, shall subject them to confinement in a room for six hours for the first offence. For the second offence they shall be admonished publicly by the Chaplain and the Matron; and the rest of their own ward may be also appealed to for their disapprobation of such conduct. The third offence shall subject them to be confined for twelve hours, and to have but one spare meal during the whole day; and if found to be incorrigible, then to forfeit a certain proportion, or the whole of what hath been acquired by their labour, at the discretion of the committee, and be subject to the consequences of their agreement; and to be dismissed the house, and never re-admitted.

XII. After the continuance of any woman in the house for three years, upon the modest and virtuous demeanor, and industriousconduct of such woman, or upon application of her parents or friends, or any house-keeper of sufficient credit, if such friends declare they will forgive the past offences of such woman, and will provide for her; or, if such house-keeper will receive such woman as a servant; in either of these cases the Governors may discharge such woman with her consent.

XIII. Upon the discharge of such woman, her cloaths, or if sold, the produce of them, shall be returned to her, together with whatever may be due upon her account, and a certificate given her under the hands of the Treasurer, or the President, and two or more of the committee, of her conduct and behaviour during the time of her being in the house.

XIV. Every woman who shall be placed in a service from this house, and shall continue one whole year in such service to the intire approbation of such master or mistress, upon its being made appear to the satisfaction of the committee, they may give that woman a gratuity not exceeding two guineas, as a reward for her good behaviour.

XV. The committee will, upon the good behaviour of the women, interestthemselves to obtain a reconciliation with their parents and friends, when their contract will be cancelled.

XVI. Besides the vouchers abovementioned, and the advantages arising from their labour, a bounty may be given, at the discretion of the committee, to such as shall be properly discharged. This gift shall be presented not only to those who marry in a manner satisfactory to the committee, but also to such as shall set up trades in whatever way they shall have gained a proficiency; so that nothing shall be omitted which can promote the great ends of preserving life, of rendering that life useful, and of recovering those who are now lost to the community.

This plan is to be improved as experience may hereafter dictate.

St.Magnus’sChurch, at the north east corner of London bridge, owes its name to its dedication to St. Magnus, who suffered martyrdom under the Emperor Aurelian, in the city of Cæsarea, for his steady adherence to the Christian religion. The Abbots of Westminster and Bermondsey had alternately the donation of the church, till the suppression of monasteries; it then devolved to the Crown, and in 1553 was placed under the jurisdictionof the Bishop of London. The ancient edifice was laid in ruins by the dreadful conflagration in 1666; and ten years after, the present structure was erected in its room, though the steeple was not added till several years after.

It is a spacious and massy stone building; plain, and yet well ornamented. The corners have rustic quoins, and the body is enlightened by tall arched windows, over each of which is a cornice supported by scrolls, and between these is a cherub over the center of each window. At the west end coupled pilasters rise on each side the door, from a plain course, and support a pediment. The door on the north side is also placed under a pediment, but without the particular decorations of the other. Over each door is an oval window, and this last is decorated with festoons. The roof is hid by a kind of Attic course, from which the tower rises square and plain; and from this the dial, which is very richly ornamented, projects over the street. The course above this is adorned at the corners with coupled pilasters of the Ionic order, supporting an open work in the place of a balustrade, with large urns at the corners, of an uncommon shape. From within this open work rises the lanthorn, which has also Ionic pilasters, andarched windows in all the intercolumniations. The dome rests upon these pilasters, and on its crown is placed a piece of open work like that which surrounds the base of the lanthorn. On this is raised the turret which supports the fane.

This church is a rectory, and to this parish that of St. Margaret’s, New Fish street, is united. The Rector, besides glebes, casualties, &c. receives 170l. a year in lieu of tithes.

Magnuscourt, Butcher row.

Magpyealley. 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Ashentree court.* 3. Bishopsgate street without.* 4. Crutched-friars.* 5. Fenchurch street.* 6. Fetter lane.* 7. Gray’s Inn lane.* 8. Phœnix street.* 9. Wheeler street.* 10. White-friars.*

Magpyecourt, Great Old Bailey.*

Maidcourt, Maiden lane, Bow lane.

Maidlane, Gravel lane.

Maidenlane, 1. Church street, Lambeth.* 2. Extending from Deadman’s Place to Gravel lane; a long stragling place with ditches on each side; the passages to the houses being over little bridges.* 3. Halfmoon street, Covent Garden.* 4. Long Ditch.* 5. Queen street, Cheapside.* 6. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Maidenheadalley, 1. Ratcliff.* 2. Wapping.*

Maidenheadcourt, 1. Aldersgate street.* 2. Cartwright street.* 3. St. Catharine’s.* 4. Chiswell street, Moorfields.* 5. Church lane, Whitechapel.* 6. St. Ermin’s hill. 7. Great Eastcheap.* 8. Great Gardens, St. Catharine’s lane.* 9. Grub street, by Fore street, Cripplegate.* 10. London Wall.* 11. Maiden lane.* 12. Moor lane.* 13. Saltpetre bank.* 14. St. Thomas Apostle’s.* 15. Wheeler street.* 16. Wood street, Cheapside.*

Maidenheadpassage, Berwick street.*

Maidenheadstreet, Dyot street.*

Maidenheadyard, Dyot street.*

Mainhard’scourt, Anchor and Hope alley, Green Bank, near Wapping.†

Mainhard’sstreet, Bembridge street, St. Giles’s pound.†

Main’syard, Castle lane, Southwark.†

Malagacourt, Nightingale lane, East Smithfield.

Malden, a village in Surry, about three miles from Kingston, has a powder mill on a stream that runs from Ewel to Kingston.

Mallet’scourt, 1. Blackboy alley, Chick lane.† 2. Buckeridge street.†

Mallmillcourt, Whitecross street.†

Manbycourt, Montague street.†

Manchestercourt, Canon row, Westminster; so called from the house of the Earls of Manchester adjoining.

Manchesterstairs, Canon row, Westminster.

Man-in-the-Moonyard, Chiswell street.*

Manley’swharf, Mill bank, Westminster.†

Mannack’salley, Shoreditch.†

Manor’sstreet, St. Giles’s.†

Manselstreet, Goodman’s fields.†

Mansion Houseof the Lord Mayor, a very noble edifice erected in the place where Stocks market was formerly held. As the private houses of the citizens advanced to the dignity of Lord Mayor, were generally improper places, as well as too small, for transacting the great business belonging to this important office, it was customary for the chief magistrate of the city to hold his mayoralty at one or other of the halls belonging to the twelve principal companies. This however was long perceived very inconvenient; and therefore it was at last found expedient for the honour of the city, and the more regular discharge of that high office, to erect a house, as the mansion of the Lord Mayor for the time being.

This being determined by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, several places were proposed, as the end of Pater noster row fronting Cheapside, Moorfields, and Stocks market, and the latter was chosen, from its being situatednearly in the center of the city; at a small distance from the Royal Exchange, and in the heart of business: Stocks market was therefore removed to Fleet ditch, and the earth dug up for laying the foundation, when the ground was found so full of springs, that it became necessary to erect this spacious edifice upon piles. Meanwhile many plans and designs were drawn and examined, and that from which this edifice was erected, had the preference.

In short, a vast number of strong piles being driven close together, the first stone of the foundation was laid upon them, by the Right Honourable Micajah Perry, Esq; Lord Mayor, on the 25th of October 1739, in the presence of several of the Aldermen and Common Council, and this great work was finished in 1753, Sir Crisp Gascoigne being the first Lord Mayor who resided in it.

This edifice is very substantially built of Portland stone, and has a portico of six lofty fluted columns of the Corinthian order in the front; the same order being continued in pilasters both under the pediment, and on each side. The basement story is very massy and built in rustic. In the center of this story is the door which leads to the kitchens, cellars, andother offices; and on each side rises a flight of steps of very considerable extent, leading up to the portico, in the middle of which is the door which leads to the apartments and offices where business is transacted. The stone balustrade of the stairs is continued along the front of the portico, and the columns, which are wrought in the proportions of Palladio, support a large angular pediment, adorned with a very noble piece in bas relief, representing the dignity and opulence of the city of London, by Mr. Taylor.

In the center stands a very graceful woman crowned with turrets, representing the city, her left foot placed upon the figure of Envy, who lies on her back, and seems endeavouring to rise. Her left arm rests upon a large shield, which has the city arms, and in her right hand she holds a wand. This being the principal figure, is done in alto relievo: she seems ready to step forwards, her head and right arm, which are completely finished, project forward from the back ground, and her wand extends beyond the cornice of the pediment. Near her, on her right side, stands a Cupid holding the cap of Liberty over his shoulder at the end of a short staff, in the manner of a mace; and a little farther, a river God, representing the Thames, lies reclined, pouring a stream of water from a large vase; and near him an anchor fastened to its cable, with shells lying on the shore. On the left hand of London is Plenty, kneeling and holding out her hand in a supplicating posture, as if beseeching her to accept of the fruits she is pouring from her cornucopia; and behind her are two naked boys with bales of goods, as emblems of commerce.

S. Wale delin.B. Green sculp.The Mansion House.

It is, however, very obvious, that the principal figures in this pediment are too large, which obliges London to stand, and Plenty to kneel, in a less graceful manner than they might otherwise do; and, besides their extraordinary size, renders them too crouded.

Beneath this portico are two series of windows, which extend along the whole front, and above these is an Attic story with square windows crowned with a balustrade.

The building is an oblong, and its depth is the long side; it has an area in the middle, and the farthest end is an Egyptian hall, which is the length of the front, very high and designed for public entertainments. To make it regular in flank, the architect has raised a similar building on the front, which is the upperpart of a dancing gallery. This rather hurts than adorns the face of the building.

Near the ends at each side is a window of extraordinary height, placed between coupled Corinthian pilasters, and extending to the top of the Attic story.

The apartments are extremely noble; but this edifice has the misfortune to be so crouded with houses, especially on the sides, that the rooms are dark, and even in the front there is not a sufficient area to enlighten the building; nor can it ever be viewed to advantage, unless in some future time the heavy load at the top should be taken off, and a broad street, as wide as the edifice itself, opened before it into Lothbury.

Marestreet, Hackney.

Margaret’salley, Margaret street.

St.Margaret’s Hill, extends from the court of justice, which faces the street thus named, to the farther corner of St. George’s church. Where this court is now kept, was anciently a church named St. Margaret’s on the hill, which gave its name to the street. The court-house has a small colonade that leads to a tavern, over which is the court-room, where the Lord Mayor of London tries causes. On the front of this edifice is the statue ofKing Charles II. under which is the following inscription:

Combustum anno 1670, re-ædificatum annis 1685 & 1686.Jacobo Smyth,Mil. &Roberto Geffery,Mil. Prætoribus. Impensis S. P. Q. L.

St.Margaret’slane, Old Palace yard; thus named from its situation near St. Margaret’s church, Westminster.

St.Margaret’sLothbury. This church received its name from its being dedicated to St. Margaret, a virgin saint of Antioch, who suffered martyrdom in the reign of the Emperor Decius; and the additional appellation of Lothbury is to point out its situation, and distinguish it from the other churches in this city of the same name.

The old church which was built in 1440, being destroyed by the general conflagration in 1666, the present stone edifice was erected in its room, and completed in 1690. It stands upon the ancient course of Wallbrook, on the north side of Lothbury, and is a plain and neat building. It is sixty-six feet in length, fifty-four in breadth, the height to the roof is thirty-six, and the height of the steeple 140 feet. The body is well enlightened by a row of lofty windows; over which the wall is terminated by abalustrade; and the principal door is ornamented with Corinthian columns which support an angular pediment. The tower has large windows in the uppermost stage, and is terminated a little above by a plain cornice, upon which is raised a small dome that supports a slender spire.

A row of despicable shops was formerly built before this church; but a few years ago they were taken down, and a neat pavement of broad stone has been lately raised the whole length of the church, to which there is an ascent of a few plain steps at each end, and to the principal door; but as this pavement is in some places upwards of two feet above the street, a regard to the safety of the passengers as well as to ornament, ought to have induced the persons who formed this pavement to have secured it by a neat balustrade.

The advowson of this rectory was anciently in the Abbess and Nuns of Barking in Essex; but at the dissolution of their convent it came to the Crown, and the church is still in his Majesty’s gift.

The Rector, besides the profits arising from casualties, &c. receives 100l.per annumin lieu of tithes.

St.Margaret Moses, a church which formerly stood at the south west corner ofLittle Friday street, opposite Distaff lane, and was thus named from its being dedicated to St. Margaret abovementioned, and from one Moses its rebuilder: but suffering by the dreadful fire of London, and not being rebuilt, the parish has been annexed to that of St. Mildred’s Bread street.

St.MargaretNew Fish street, stood on the east side of Fish street hill, where the Monument is situated; but being burnt with the rest of the buildings in London, and not rebuilt, the parish is joined to that of St. Magnus.Stow.

St.MargaretPattens, owes its additional epithet to its ancient situation among patten-makers. This church is situated in Rood lane, at the corner of Little Tower street, and in Billingsgate ward. The old church, which was built in 1538, was destroyed by the fire of London, and the present edifice raised in 1687.Maitland.

It consists of a plain body sixty-six feet in length, fifty-two in breadth, and the height of the roof is thirty-two feet. It is well enlightened by a range of arched windows, with porthole windows over them; and over the door in the front is a large Doric window, with a cherubim’s head and a large festoon over it, abovewhich a pediment stretches from the steeple to the end of the church. The tower rises square to a considerable height, and is terminated by four plain pinacles crowned with balls, and a balustrade, within which rises a very solid spire, terminated by a ball and fane.

This church is a rectory in the gift of the Lord Mayor, commonalty, and citizens; and the Rector, besides glebe, casualties, &c. receives 120l.per annumin lieu of tithes.

St.Margaret’sstreet, Cavendish square; so called in honour of the Lady Oxford.

St.Margaret’sWestminster. King Edward the Confessor having resolved to rebuild the conventual church of St. Peter with great magnificence, imagined that it would be a dishonour to his new and stately edifice, to have the neighbouring people assemble in it as usual, for the performance of religious worship, as well as prove troublesome and inconvenient to the monks; therefore about the year 1064, he caused a church to be erected on the north side of St. Peter’s, for the use of the neighbouring inhabitants, and dedicated it to St. Margaret, the virgin and martyr of Antioch.

This church, which is situated only thirty feet to the north of the abbey, wasrebuilt in the reign of King Edward I. by the parishioners and merchants of the staple, except the chancel, which was erected at the expence of the Abbot of Westminster. At length, in the year 1735, this church was not only beautifully repaired, but the tower cased, and mostly rebuilt, at the expence of 3500l. granted by parliament, on account of its being in some measure a national church, for the use of the house of Commons.Stow.

It is a plain, neat, and not inelegant Gothic structure, well enlightened by a series of large windows: it has two handsome galleries of considerable length, adorned in the front with carved work; these are supported by slender pillars which rise to the roof, and have four small black pillars running round each of them, adorned with gilded capitals both at the galleries and at the top, where the flat roof is neatly ornamented with stucco. The steeple consists of a tower, which rises to a considerable height, and is crowned with a turret at each corner, and a small lanthorn, much ornamented with carved work in the center, from whence rises a flag staff.

This church in 1758, underwent a thorough repair, on the inside a new vault was built through the whole bodyof the edifice, and the whole is ornamenting with new gilding and painting. A small view of it is in the same plate with that of WestminsterAbbey, which see.

The patronage of this church, which is a curacy, was anciently in the Abbot and Convent of Westminster, as it is at present in the Dean and Chapter.

On the south side of the altar is an ancient tomb, erected in the depth of popish ignorance and superstition, on which is the portraiture of Mary Bylling standing between the Virgin Mary and an angel, and over her is engraved the figure of an old man, to represent the omnipresent Deity, emitting rays of light upon the head of the Virgin, from whose mouth proceeds a label with these words,Ecce ancilla Domini; fiat mihi secundum verbum tuum. Out of Mary Bylling’s mouth issues a scroll with these words:Blessyd Lady, for thy glorious salutacion, bryng our sowles to everlasting salvation: and on two scrolls on each side of her,Blessyd Triniti, on me have mercy. Blessyd Triniti, on me have mercy.These four figures, with the several inscriptions, are engraven on small brass plates inlaid in the stone, as is also an inscription which gives the names of her three husbands, and lets us know that shedied on the 14th of March 1429.Maitland.

There is also here a whimsical inscription on the tomb of Skelton, the merry Poet Laureat to Henry VII. and VIII. who died on the 21st of June 1529.

Come, Alecto, and lend me thy torch,To find a church-yard in a church-porch.Poverty and poetry this tomb doth inclose,Therefore, gentlemen, be merry in prose.

Come, Alecto, and lend me thy torch,

To find a church-yard in a church-porch.

Poverty and poetry this tomb doth inclose,

Therefore, gentlemen, be merry in prose.

We shall conclude these odd monumental inscriptions with the following, which as well as the former, is mentioned by Weaver in his Funeral monuments.

Sancta Maria, virgo virginum,Pray for the soul of Jone Pymichum.

Sancta Maria, virgo virginum,

Pray for the soul of Jone Pymichum.

Marigoldalley, Barnaby street, Southwark.*

Marigoldcourt, in the Strand.*

Marigoldlane, Upper Ground.*

Marigoldstairs, Upper Ground.*

Marigoldstreet, Rotherhith Wall.*

Marine Society, for furnishing the navy with sea boys and landmen, in order to increase the number of our mariners. This society was founded soon after the breaking out of the present war, by a numberof gentlemen animated by a generous love of their country, and an ardent desire to increase its glory, as well as from compassion for the many ragged and miserable objects seen in our streets. This noble scheme was chiefly conducted by a gentleman distinguished by those accomplishments which most adorn human nature; who, besides a generous subscription, joined his indefatigable industry in promoting this noble scheme, and even wrote a very judicious pamphlet to shew the public advantages that would result from it. He presented the first impression, consisting of a thousand copies, to the society; and by his assiduity, and that of a famous magistrate, great numbers of the lowest of the people, who would probably have ended their days ignominiously at Tyburn, have filled the court of France with terror, and revived the drooping glory of their country. From this pamphlet we shall give an account of this society.

It must be observed, that every man of war, privateer, and merchant ship, is obliged to take a certain number of boys, which are considered both as necessary to the ship, and a nursery for seamen; thus in every sixty gun ship of 400 men, the Captain and officers require thirty servants.

These it was impossible to obtain at the breaking out of the war; the society therefore sought for them among the vagrants, the pilferers, and those whose extreme poverty and ignorance rendered them pernicious to the community; and also endeavoured to assist the Captains and officers in the sea service, by encouraging the industrious poor to send their children to sea; and by inviting all who were fit for the sea service to enter into it: stout lads who were covered with nastiness and had no means of support, were cleaned, well fed, and provided with lodgings; and if any of the men or boys were distempered, as sometimes happened, by mere wretchedness, filth, hunger, or the use of bad food, they were properly physicked and put in a condition to go on board; while those who were more happy in having friends to provide for them, were appointed to come to the office, where they were to be cloathed, and all were fitted with cloathing and bedding by the society, and sent clean, as well as properly dressed, on board his Majesty’s ships.

Of these boys they took some of thirteen years of age; but chiefly invited stout lads of sixteen and upwards, because they would soon become able seamen; andnow they take none who are less than four feet four inches in height.

The greatest care imaginable is taken not to give any master, mistress, or parent, the least reason to complain. These have been always invited to see the boys when they are cloathed, on Thursday mornings at Mr. Fielding’s house; and again when they are examined and sent to their respective ships by the society, at the Seamens office over the Royal Exchange; and if any apprentice or son is required by his master or parents, he is delivered up immediately.

As to the landmen, they are required to be hardy, active, and robust; these, to prevent their being despised by the sailors, are immediately cloathed as seamen, and so divided among the messes of the mariners, as will soonest enable them to learn their language and duty, and they are completely fitted out without being obliged to expend any part of the bounty of thirty shillings, granted by his Majesty to all the landmen who enter into the service.

What gives the higher idea of this society, is, that several of its members are active, and particularly Mr. Fielding, in collecting many of the boys who are inthe most abject condition: they assist and relieve each other in a task by which they are to gain nothing, but the applause of their own hearts.

To prevent imposition, the society keeps a sample of the cloathing at their office, which is sealed with the seals of several of the committee, and shewn to the men and boys when they are cloathed, that the society may be sure the slopseller keeps up to his engagement. Besides, as it is the steady purpose of the society to preserve the health of the men and boys whom they clothe, as far as it depends on such raiment, they are not contented with such manufactures as they find in the shops, but buy them of the manufacturer in Yorkshire, which being well wetted and milled on the spot, make what is called pea jackets, that last twice as long, and resist the weather four times as much as the common sort of pea jackets. And as they think the severity of the winter season renders common thin flannel waistcoats insufficient, they make waistcoats of white or other coloured kerseys, that are of the greatest service and duration. The breeches or drawers for the men and boys are made of half thicks or thin kerseys, which the society also provides from Yorkshire. In order also to make themost of the money, and provide the best things, these jackets, waistcoats, and breeches are brown instead of blue, the former being found the most durable colour; and such jackets cost tenper cent.less than blue, on account of the excessive price of indigo.

The cloathing and bedding given each of the boys, are a felt hat, a worsted cap, a kersey pea jacket, a kersey pair of breeches, a striped flannel or kersey waistcoat, a pair of trowsers, two pair of hose, two pair of shoes, two handkerchiefs, three shirts; a bed, pillow, blanket, and coverlet; a pair of buckles and buttons; thread, worsted, and needles; a knife, a Prayer Book and Testament to those whose Captains desire them, and a bag to put their cloaths in.

The cloathing given each of the men is, a felt seaman’s hat, a kersey pea jacket, a waistcoat and drawers of the same, a pair of drab breeches, a pair of thin trowsers, a pair of worsted hose, a pair of yarn hose, two shirts, two worsted caps, one pair of shoes, one pair of buckles, one pair of buttons, a knife, thread, worsted, and needles, with a bag for their cloaths.

A note of these cloaths is given to every man and boy, by which he may see whathe has, but nothing is delivered till they are actually on board the tender in the river Thames, or in their respective ships at the ports; except to the boys, who are attended to the ships.

Our author, who was one of the committee, observes, that from this society may be seen the great business that may be done for a trifling expence; for the Treasurer, Commissioners, Secretary, and Clerks; the house-rent and entertainments; the fire and candle, paper, pens and ink, do not all together cost the society an hundred poundsper annum; and if, by an additional Clerk, he adds, it should happen to swell to 150l. “greater good with less money, I will be bold to say, is not done by any society in this kingdom: for exclusive of the charge of cloathing, feeding, and sending boys to Portsmouth, the expence is very little more than the rent of two rooms at about 25l.per annum, the salary of a secretary, not exceeding 50l.per annum, and a Porter 10l.per annum.”

There is a general meeting every three months, viz. the first Thursday in January, the first in April, the first in July, and the first in October, or oftener, if the committee desire it; when an account of receipts and disbursements are laid beforethe subscribers under the direction of the committee, which consists of a considerable number of them. Of this committee not less than three persons act, who meet every Thursday at eleven o’clock at the Merchants Seamens office over the Royal Exchange; and any other day, if necessary, at the Secretary’s house in Prince’s street, where any two of the committee may transact the business when it is very urgent.

Marinersalley, Fore street, Lambeth.

Marinersstreet, Shadwell.

Marklane, extends from Fenchurch street to Tower street, and is chiefly inhabited by merchants. Maitland says it was originally called Mart lane, it being once used as a public mart. On the east side of this lane is the Corn Exchange.

Marketcourt, 1. By Oxford market. 2. By Shepherd’s market.

Markethill, Upper Shadwell.

Marketlane, Pallmall.

Marketpassage, 1. Lime street, leading into Leadenhall market. 2. Oxford street, leading into Oxford market. 3. Paternoster row, leading into Newgate market.

Marketstreet, 1. Jermain street. 2. Newport street. 3. Millbank, Westminster.

Markets.As one of the principal advantages of a city are commodious markets, this metropolis may, in this particular, be said to exceed most, if not all the cities in Europe: some account of these is dispersed through this work; notwithstanding which, it may be proper, under this article, to gratify the reader’s curiosity, by giving a list of them, that the whole may be seen at one view.

Bear Key, the great corn market.

Billingsgate, the great fish, and coal market.

Bishopsgate street market, for hay.

Blackwell hall, the great cloth market.

Bloomsbury market, for meat, &c.

Borough market, a new market for meat and greens.

Brook’s market, for meat.

Carnaby market, for meat, &c.

Clare market, for meat, &c.

Covent Garden market, for herbs and fruit.

Fleet market, for meat, fruit, herbs, &c.

Hay market, Pallmall, for hay and straw.

Honey lane market, for meat, &c.

Hoxton market, for meat, &c.

Hungerford market, for meat, &c.

Leadenhall market, for leather, hides, and all kinds of provisions.

Mark lane market, for corn.

Newgate market, for all kinds of provisions.

Newport market, for meat, &c.

Oxford market, for meat, &c.

Queenhithe, the great meal market.

Red Lion market, for meat, &c.

St. James’s market, for meat, &c.

St. Margaret’s Hill market, for hay and straw.

Shadwell market, for meat, &c.

Smithfield market, for cattle.

Spitalfields market, for meat, greens, &c.

Westminster market, for meat, &c.

Whitechapel market, for meat by wholesale and retail.

White Horse Inn meal market, near Holborn bridge.

Wood’s Close market, for sheep skins.

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