From the Library of 
 Frank Simpson 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 in 2014 
 
 https://archive.org/details/briefaccountofguOOnich 
 
fublish'd/ bj J.Nichols Sc C.° Decl. 1818 . 
 
A 
 
 BRIEF ACCOUNT 
 
 OF THE 
 OF THE 
 
 CITY OF LONDON. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY AND FOR JOHN NICHOLS AND SON, 
 RED LION PASSAGE, FLEET STREET; 
 AND 25, PARLIAMENT STREET. 
 
 1819. 
 
 [ Entered at Stationers Hall. J 
 
TO 
 
 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 JOHN ATKINS, 
 
 LORD MAYOR; 
 
 THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 
 
 THE COURT OF ALDERMEN, 
 THE RECORDER, THE SHERIFFS, 
 
 AND THE WORSHIPFUL 
 
 THE COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 CITY OF LONDON ; 
 
 THIS BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THEIR GUILDHALL 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 BY THEIR FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, 
 
 J. B. Nichols. 
 
*x* If this little Work should have the good fortune to 
 be deemed at all satisfactory, it is in a considerable degree 
 to be attributed to the assistance I have derived from the 
 pen and pencil of that ingenious young Draughtsman, 
 Mr. J. C. Buckler. 
 
 Dec. 1, 1818. J. B. N. 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 P. 17. L 16. after parts, add will be found ; but the, &c. 
 P. 30. 1. 9. for front read new. 
 
 1. 13. read, Behind these piers were, &c. 
 
ACCOUNT OF GUILDHALL, 
 
 EARLY HISTORY. 
 
 THE period of the original foundation of Guild- 
 hall is not known ; but it is certainly of remote 
 antiquity, and is by some Authors supposed to 
 have been built as early as the Reign of Edward 
 the Confessor, who, it is said, greatly promoted 
 its erection. Of the early history of this build- 
 ing there are very few particulars: we are neither 
 informed of its extent or magnificence, nor do we 
 know the different periods of re-building it, 
 from the first construction to the fifteenth century, 
 when the chief parts of the existing structure were 
 raised, The reasons generally ascribed for sup- 
 posing the first foundation of a Guildhall to be as 
 remote as the time of Edward the Confessor are 
 
 B 
 
2 
 
 but slight. The year 11 89, which is sometimes 
 given for its earliest foundation, seems to admit 
 of less doubt. The other opinion can receive no 
 additional strength from the arms of Edward the 
 Confessor appearing among the ornaments in va- 
 rious parts of the interior, as it was a common 
 practice in every age of the antient architecture to 
 introduce such ornaments among the profusion of 
 enrichments, from motives of veneration, when 
 perhaps those to whom they belonged were nei- 
 ther builders nor benefactors. 
 
 The present Hall, according to Maitland, who 
 quotes Robert Fabian, was begun to be rebuilt 
 in 1411, the 12th of Henry IV. by Sir Thomas 
 Knowles, then Mayor, with the assistance of 
 his Brethren the Aldermen, and the Companies, 
 who made liberal grants. But their funds being 
 exhausted, and consequently their means insuffi- 
 cient to complete the building, which was much 
 increased in size and magnificence, offences of 
 men were pardoned for sums of money, and the 
 fines thus collected granted to promote the under- 
 taking; and in addition, extraordinary fees were 
 raised, and amerciaments and other sums em- 
 ployed during ten years to the same end. King 
 Henry V. in the 3d year of his Reign, about 
 the year 1415, granted the City free passage 
 for four boats by water, and as many carts by 
 land, with servants to each, to bring lime, rag- 
 
3 
 
 stone, and free-stone, for the work of Guild- 
 hall, as appears by his Letters Patent. 
 
 All the windows of the Hall were glazed by 
 the Aldermen, who respectively placed their arms 
 in painted glass in their work. 
 
 Among other liberal donations towards its com- 
 pletion, John Coventry and John Carpenter, ex- 
 ecutors to Richard Whittington, in the first year 
 of Henry VI. gave the sums of 15/. and 20l. to- 
 wards paving it with hard stone of Purbeck ; and 
 they glazed some of the windows, together with 
 those of the Mayor's Court, placing in each the 
 arms of Whittington. Sir William Hariot, Dra- 
 per, Mayor, A. D. 1481, gave 40/. to be applied 
 to the same use. 
 
 The Mayors Chamber, Council Chamber, and 
 several rooms above, were built in the 4th vear 
 of the reign of Henry VI. 
 
 But the chief addition which this building 
 received in the reign of Henry VL was the 
 magnificent South Porch, of which we are now 
 not able to form a complete idea, i f c having been 
 materially altered either in the I.ieign of Eliza- 
 beth or James I. It consisted of two stories. 
 The chief features were, a larg e arch of entrance, 
 sustained at the sides by columns, having en- 
 riched spandrils, with shields (containing the 
 arms of England and of jfidward the Confessor); 
 two ornamented niches < jn each side, with figures ; 
 
 B 2 
 
4 
 
 and two other niches, with figures, in the 
 upper story. The four lower figures represented 
 Religion, Fortitude, Justice, and Temperance; 
 their attitudes were easy and elegant, and the 
 sculpture good. The first was habited as a nun ; 
 the second had a kind of surcoat composed of 
 ring armour, holding in her left hand a shield j 
 the third crowned, and in the attitude of admi- 
 nistering justice; and the fourth had been de- 
 prived of its arms, consequently no symbols re- 
 maining. The figures in the upper story repre- 
 sented Law and Learning, and were separated by 
 windows and compartments. 
 
 The Porch terminated with a straight parapet 
 andquaterfoil ornaments, over which were placed 
 the Royal arms of England in a heavy square 
 frame supported by scrolls. Round the lower 
 part of the balcony were the arms of thirty-four 
 of the City Companies. These alterations and 
 additions were executed at a much later period. 
 
 Every other part of the exterior of the Hall was 
 rebuilt at the time of the erection of the Porch, 
 excepting the four embattled Turrets at the ex- 
 treme angles. Conjecture, therefore, about its ar- 
 chitecture is useless ; the grandeur and beauty of 
 the Porch may afford some idea of the magnifi- 
 cence of the whole. 
 
 The Kitchen and other adjoining offices be- 
 longing to Guildhall were built about the year 
 
5 
 
 1501; and Sir John Shaw, Mayor, was the first 
 who kept his feast there; before which time the 
 Mayors usually held their entertainments at 
 Merchant Taylors' or at Grocers'-hall. Towards 
 the completion of this last work, the Mayor had 
 of the Fellowships of the City, by their own agree- 
 ment, various sums of money; receiving of the 
 Mercers' Company 40L ; the Grocers' 20l. ; the 
 Drapers' 20L ; and of each in proportion to their 
 funds. 
 
 One of the last gifts towards completing these 
 magnificent buildings was by Sir Nicholas Alwyn, 
 Mayor, in 1499- He died in 1505, and gave by 
 his will the sum of 73/. 6s. Sd. to purchase a 
 hanging of tapestry for use on principal days. 
 
 A new Council Chamber (now the Court of 
 Aldermen's Room) was begun the first week 
 after Easter, in the Mayoralty of Sir Thomas 
 Middleton, knight, A. D. 16*14; and finished 
 shortly after Michaelmas the following year, in 
 the Mayoralty of Sir Thomas Hayes, knight. 
 
 The first Court was held in the new Council 
 Chamber by Sir John Jolles, knight, and the 
 Aldermen, on the 7th of November, 1615, under 
 whose direction the building of these parts was 
 conducted from the beginning, and finished, 
 amounting to the sum of 1740/. 
 
 The Hall is used by the City for the Session of 
 the Courts of Judicature connected with it, which 
 
6 
 
 are nine: viz. 1. The Court of Common-council. 
 2. The Court of the Lord Mayor and Alder- 
 men. 3. The Court of Hustings. 4. The Court 
 of Orphans. 5. The two Courts of the Sheriffs. 
 6. The Court of Wardmote. 7. The Court of 
 Hallmote. 8. The Court of Requests. 9. The 
 Chamberlain's Court, for binding apprentices, and 
 making them free. The chief of these will be 
 described in the survey. 
 
 The Hall is also used for Civic Feasts, and for 
 the choice of Lord Mayors, Sheriffs, Members 
 of Parliament, Chamberlain, Bridge- Masters, and 
 Auditors of the City's Accounts, it being suffi- 
 ciently capacious to contain 7000 jpersons. 
 
 Guildhall Chapel, occupying the space between 
 the Hall and Blackwell-hall, is dedicated to St. 
 Mary Magdalen and All Saints. It was founded 
 in the year 1299, and called London College. 
 Several grants were made to it in the Reign of 
 Edw. III. A. I). 1353, by Peter Fanlore, Adam 
 Frauncis, and Henry Frowick, of messuages in 
 the parishes of St. Vedast Foster-lane, and St. 
 Giles without Cripplegate. Richard II. in the 
 20th year of his Reign, granted to Stephen Spil- 
 mari, Mercer, licence to give one messuage, with 
 shops, garden, and appurtenances belonging, in 
 the parish of St. Andrew Hubbard, to the Custos 
 and Chaplains of this Chapel. No farther men- 
 tion is made of the early building and altera- 
 
7 
 
 tion of this Chapel, and it seems to have been 
 erected chiefly by donations. John Barnard, 
 custos, and the chaplains, obtained licence of 
 King Henry VI. in the 8th year of his Reign, 
 to rebuild the Chapel or College of Guildhall. 
 
 Its establishment consisted of a custos, seven 
 chaplains, three clerks, and four choristers. It 
 was surrendered among others, the value being 
 12l. 8s. gd. per annum. — After the dissolution, 
 the Chapel remained to the Mayor and Common- 
 alty, who purchased it, with other messuages, te- 
 nements, land, &c. of King Edward VI. for the 
 sum of 456/. 13.9. 4d. upon their humble petition, 
 the yearly value being computed at 40J. 6s. Sd. ; 
 the Patent was dated in April, the 3d year of the 
 Reign of that King. They had service performed 
 weekly, and likewise at the election of the Mayor* 
 and on their feast-days, &c. 
 
 This Chapel was much defaced, but not burnt 
 down, in the Fire of London, 1666. Few docu- 
 ments remain relative to the internal embellish- 
 ments of it before this period, yet sufficient to 
 shew that it was a magnificent appendage. The 
 roof, no doubt, was of timber, corresponding with 
 the Hall, being built at the same period ; and to 
 this part the damages of the conflagration were 
 chiefly confined ; but, an entire renovation suc- 
 ceeding this calamity, few, if any, of the antient 
 fittings remained. The walls were hung with 
 
8 
 
 thirteen pieces of tapestry, representing Paul and 
 Barnabas at Lystra, and subjects taken from the 
 histories of Moses and Saul ; the Aldermen's seats 
 wainscoted ; the Lord Mayor's seat, at the West 
 end, distinguished by additional decoration ; a 
 new pulpit and desk placed in it ; and the altar 
 inclosed with rails. 
 
 The Lord Mayor used formerly to attend di- 
 vine service in this Chapel every Tuesday morn- 
 ing, before he held the Court of Aldermen. 
 
 The numerous monuments which it contained, 
 being much disfigured and broken by the fire^ 
 were in the alterations afterwards removed ; the 
 names of some of the principal are preserved, 
 and will be enumerated in our survey of the pre- 
 sent state of this venerable, and still interesting, 
 though mutilated and neglected building. 
 
 The antient Library belonging to Guildhall, ad- 
 joining the Chapel on the South side, was large, 
 and contained a valuable collection of books. 
 They were removed, according to Stow, in the 
 reign of Edward VI. by Edward Duke of Somer- 
 set, Lord Protector, who promised to return 
 them shortly, but which he never did. This Li- 
 brary was founded by the executors of Richard 
 Whittington and William Berry. The arms of 
 the former were placed in stone-work on one side, 
 and the initial letters of the latter on the opposite 
 side. This valuable repository of the antient 
 
9 
 
 Records relative to Guildhall has been so com- 
 pletely altered, that its situation and name are 
 remembered by few. Shortly after the time of 
 the distribution of its Books and Manuscripts, the 
 apartment was converted into several store-houses 
 for cloths belonging to Blackwell-hall. 
 
 From what has been said of Guildhall, the Cha- 
 pel, and the various other connected buildings 
 and apartments, relative to its state before and 
 after the Fire of London, down to the period of 
 the latest alterations anterior to the last rebuild- 
 ing of the South front, some idea may be formed 
 of the grandeur of the whole, when perfect in the 
 several designs, and unobstructed by any other 
 buildings but those which were connected with 
 the establishment. No additional information can 
 be given by us to what has already been advanced 
 in the various Histories and Surveys of the Me- 
 tropolis. The few particulars which are known 
 are for the most part superficial, and of minor 
 importance, considered in an historical and de- 
 scriptive light. 
 
 PRESENT STATE OF THE HALL. 
 
 Wholly waving conjecture, we shall proceed 
 to survey this magnificent Hall, the Chapel, 
 Courts, and every building connected with it, both 
 antient and modern ; by which more of its pris- 
 
10 
 
 tine beauty may be conceived than can be col- 
 lected from record ; and by which the skill and 
 good taste of the Nineteenth Century will be fully 
 demonstrated, in the alterations which have taken 
 place, not only to the advantage of the grand 
 architectural features, but to the effect, beauty, 
 and order of the whole. 
 
 Only a short period had these noble buildings 
 been completed, and enriched in their architec- 
 ture and furniture with every costly embellish- 
 ment that scientific taste and liberality could be- 
 stow, when the melancholy Conflagration of Lon- 
 don, in the year l666> destroyed the greater 
 part, with the exception of the main walls, which 
 alone escaped from the consuming element. 
 
 Guildhall is situated at the North extremity of 
 King-street (which is regular and well built, but 
 not of considerable length) towards the East part 
 of Cheapside. The South front occupies the 
 width ; but the elevation, which originally com- 
 prised little more than the Porch, does not in- 
 clude the length of the Hall. 
 
 In buildings of this kind, the chief elevation or 
 most ornamental design is generally the Eastern 
 or Western extremity, one of those parts usually 
 forming the entrance ; but, in the present in- 
 stance, from the situation of the Hall in respect 
 to the main street of the City, and in conformity 
 with the rule strictly adhered to of having the 
 
]1 
 
 length from East to West, the door-way is placed 
 on the South side, in the direct approach ; which 
 renders the entrance and the parts immediately 
 surrounding it an enriched design, while the rest 
 of the exterior is sparingly decorated. This un- 
 avoidable deviation from an established maxim 
 amongst our antient Architects will be considered 
 in the Interior, as its effect is there most visible. 
 
 The Exterior of the building is not striking. 
 A deception is caused in the length of the Hall, 
 from its being intercepted by the Chapel and 
 Blackwell-hall on one side, and contiguous build-* 
 ings on the opposite. 
 
 The present South Front retains the propor- 
 tions of the original, and is only a casing of stone 
 upon the old work. The width is disposed into a 
 centre and uniform sides. Above the arch of en- 
 trance are two stories of windows ; at the angles 
 are pinnacles ; and between them, on the parapet, 
 the arms of the City in a shield supported by dra- 
 gons ; under them the motto, domine, dirige 
 nos. Each wing of the Porch has twelve win- 
 dows in four tiers ; these are single openings 
 with cinquefoil arches, and appear to have been 
 copied from the compartments in their situations 
 of the antient building. Above this facade ap- 
 pears a range of large circular arched windows, 
 giving the principal light admitted to the in- 
 terior of the Hall ; these were raised after the 
 
12 
 
 fire which destroyed the roof, originally rising 
 above the Porch, with a lofty pitch similar to 
 Westminster-hall. 
 
 PORCH. 
 
 The Interior of the Porch has suffered no mate- 
 rial alteration from its first completion, and is an 
 elegant approach to the Hall. It consists of two 
 divisions formed by an arch and columns crossing 
 in the centre, having the wall on either side subdi- 
 vided into smaller compartments, with tracery and 
 quatrefoil turns. The roof is handsomely groined 
 with stone ribs, which spring from the sides, and 
 intersect in the centre, having bosses sculptured 
 with various devices, the arms of Edward the 
 Confessor, &c. These have been cleaned, painted, 
 and gilt, in their original colours, during the late 
 repairs, as have also the other mouldings and 
 ornaments ; and the most scrupulous attention 
 appears to have been paid to their respective 
 characters. 
 
 THE BALL. 
 
 The Interior of the Hall is truly magnificent; 
 its proportions are grand, and the architecture of 
 its parts elegant; the ornaments are admirably 
 disposed, their execution determined and minute; 
 and the effect produced by a just distribution of 
 these admirable features, which constitute good 
 
13 
 
 architecture, is at once striking, and excites 
 peculiar interest. 
 
 The length of the Hall is 1 53 feet, the breadth 
 48, and height about 55. 
 
 The age in which Guildhall was erected, is dis- 
 tinguished for buildings of this kind ; and the 
 greater number which now exist, either perfect 
 or in ruins, received their foundation, or were 
 rebuilt, about the same period ; indeed we may 
 venture to observe, that no aera of the antient 
 architecture, with the exception perhaps of the 
 reign of Edward III. was so propitious to the 
 grandest apartment of a Baronial Residence, or 
 to a Corporation Hall. 
 
 We have before noticed the peculiarity of en- 
 tering by the South side : it was unavoidable ; 
 but it is a deviation which lessens the grandeur 
 on first entrance, the length being divided, and 
 consequently that beautiful proportion, the ac- 
 cordance of the extent, height, and breadth, 
 somewhat diminished. 
 
 The side walls are uniformly divided each into 
 eight spaces by clusters of columns and mould- 
 ings, reaching from the pavement nearly to the 
 summit of the cornice, which terminated the 
 elevation in its perfect state ; their heights have 
 two ranges of arches between pannels, which 
 give additional width to the piers. In the upper 
 tier are handsome windows, which have been 
 
14 
 
 closed at various times, for the convenience of 
 placing monuments against the sides. The only 
 one that remained, on the South side, was for 
 this purpose covered during the late repairs and 
 alterations. The lower story, or dado, differs 
 but little in design from the upper. The arches 
 are divided into compartments, with tracery in 
 their heads. Each end of the Hall has a mag- 
 nificent window occupying the whole width ; the 
 arches rest on short columns with capitals and 
 bases, and retain in a perfect state their rich tra- 
 cery. At the point of one of the arches is a shield, 
 with the arms of Edward the Confessor, and 
 within quatrefoils in the spandrils other shields 
 with arms. The former are repeated in the 
 corresponding arch, but the latter differ. These 
 windows contain modern painted glass *. Under 
 the window at the West end is a range of canopies 
 richly ornamented. The East end has similar 
 decorations, which are continued to one division 
 on each side, this part being formerly the high 
 pace, or that part of the Hail elevated by a step. 
 
 The original Roof was constructed of timber, 
 corresponding with similar buildings erected about 
 the same period. It was destroyed in the Fire of 
 London, which desolated this building soon after 
 
 * These pleasing specimens of modern Glass were executed 
 by Mr. Collins of the Strand. The principal subject in the 
 East window is the King's Arms, and in the West window, 
 the Arms of the City. 
 
having obtained its greatest splendour. The loss 
 of the roof was irreparable. So venerable a canopy 
 to the surrounding elegant architecture diffused 
 a sublimity that no substitute can restore. No 
 representation of it is preserved ; but it was pro- 
 bably little inferior in richness of design, and ele- 
 gance and excellence of execution and materials, 
 to its coeval structure, Westminster-hall. The 
 main timbers and arches rested on the clusters of 
 columns at the sides, which are now relieved 
 from any weight, having only large guideron 
 shields placed over them, bearing the arms of the 
 Twelve principal Companies ; viz. the Mercers, 
 Grocers, Drapers, Fishmongers, Goldsmiths, Skin- 
 ners, Merchant-Taylors, Haberdashers, Salters, 
 Ironmongers, Vintners, and Clothworkers. 
 
 After the destruction of the antient roof, an 
 additional story was raised to the same height or 
 proportion of the summit of its lofty pitch ; the 
 upright walls, which before were only 35 feet in 
 height, being now 20 feet higher ; and eight large 
 windows were added on each side, which admit 
 the chief light given to the interior. The ceiling 
 covering this, and rising from coves, is flat, divided 
 into plain square pannels. By this loftiness the 
 Hall has received no additional magnificence; the 
 height being too great for its length and width ; 
 whilst the square termination of the roof, and its 
 meanness over the decorated old walls, are a for- 
 
16 
 
 mality and a contrast always avoided by ancient 
 architects. The light so generally diffused by 
 this story would have been too powerful, had 
 not the windows been near the cieling ; by this 
 means reflecting a uniform aerial light suitable 
 to antient buildings, and affording a steady ob- 
 servance of the various interesting objects which 
 Guildhall presents, for the gratification of the 
 Antiquary and the general observer. 
 
 The late repairs of this beautiful building, and 
 the judicious arrangement of the Monuments and 
 other internal embellishments, have greatly con- 
 duced, not only to the appearance of the elegant 
 symmetry of the architecture, to the advantage of 
 the sculptural memorials which grace the walls, 
 and to the more minute decorations which had been 
 destroyed or disfigured, but to the regularity and 
 the display of the antient and modern designs and 
 enrichments. The prying eye of a cynical ob- 
 server may perhaps trace a moulding, a leaf, or a 
 crocket, that has not the truest curvature, or he 
 may discover a device that is to be found in no other 
 part of the building: but, not to descend to the 
 strictest minutiae, can he withhold his praise of 
 the efforts that have been made to restore as near 
 as possible to the original work, those parts and 
 ornaments which have so long been defaced ? 
 Can he view the restoration of the great window, 
 the removal of the monuments and other incum- 
 
 5 
 
17 
 
 brances, which disfigured their beautiful tracery 
 and compartments ; of the Pictures which covered 
 the walls ; and of the ponderous appendages of 
 the Clock-entrance to the Courts, and various 
 other useless disfigurements of this noble room, 
 and not bestow merited approbation ? It would 
 be injustice, after the expence, labour, and at- 
 tention, that have been devoted towards the restor- 
 ation of such an elegant structure, to pass it over 
 without high praise. We think it one of the best 
 specimens that has ever been opened to thepublick. 
 There is no mixture of stile. Where an alteration 
 or an addition was necessary, no deviation in 
 imitation ; no invention where example remained, 
 and no negligence in the execution of the seve- 
 ral parts. The whole is worked with peculiar neat- 
 ness, precision, character, and delicacy; and while 
 it does credit to the Architect, and to the age, it 
 reflects the highest honour upon the Promoters 
 of so extensive and useful an undertaking. 
 
 To describe the alterations, additions, and im- 
 provements : 
 
 The lower part of the central division of the 
 West window had been stopped up, to place the 
 monument of William Beckford, Esq. Lord 
 Mayor of London. This Monument has been 
 removed to the division on the North side, which 
 contained the original entrance to the Courts. 
 The West window has been opened ; under 
 
 c 
 
18 
 
 the cornice of which has been placed a range 
 of small canopies ; and beneath these the wall is 
 subdivided into compartments corresponding with 
 the sides of the Hall. These additions may per- 
 haps be considered unnecessary, as the West wall 
 was originally unornamented, to distinguish it from 
 the opposite. The celebrated colossal figures, 
 about 14 feet 6 inches in height*, which till lately 
 guarded the entrance to the Courts, are placed 
 one in each angle of this end, on octagonal pedes- 
 tals, their heads rising to the springing of the 
 great arch. They are armed with implements of 
 war, and present most fearful aspects. These 
 figures are supposed, by Mr. Douce, to repre- 
 sent the giants Corinaeus and Gogmagog^. The 
 former appellation has gradually sunk into obli- 
 
 * See Mr. Douce's curious essay on the Guildhall Giants in 
 Smith's ee Ancient Topography of London 3" in which work 
 also is a particular account of the figures by Mr. Smith. Mr. 
 Douce's Essay is copied in the Gentleman's Magazine for 
 1816, part ii. pp.41 — 44. 
 
 f Gogmagog is in height fourteen feet, round his body 
 twelve feet, the length of his arm seven, and of his leg and 
 thigh five feet ; the calf of his leg is forty- two inches in com^ 
 pass, and his wrist twenty-four inches ; his middle finger is 
 sixteen inches, his great toe twelve, and his nose twelve 
 inches long. In his right hand he holds a staff seventeen feet 
 long, with a ball at the end of it. At his left side he has a 
 sword 6 feet 6 inches long, and at his back a bow and quiver 
 of arrows. 
 
r . C.BvscJcltr. del ic sculp. 
 
 TlEV OF TIE GTCLBITAIXj IO^DOIc 
 
 FubUsh'd/ by J.Nichols k CP Dec. 1.1818 . 
 
19 
 
 vion ; and the latter been split into two, Gog and 
 Magog, by which names they are now commonly 
 known. 
 
 These figures were made by Captain Richard 
 Saunders, an eminent carver in King-street, 
 Cheapside; and were put up about the year 1708, 
 in the room of the two old wicker-work Giants, 
 which had formerly been accustomed to be car- 
 ried in processions, and which, it is believed, 
 were first used at the Restoration of Charles II . 
 when they graced a triumphal arch, erected on 
 that occasion, at the end of King- street. 
 
 The North side of the Hall has undergone no 
 material alterations ; and the restorations it has 
 received respect only the dilapidated ornaments, 
 mouldings of the cornice, compartments, bases 
 of the columns, and the decayed walls. 
 
 The Monument to the memory of Lord Nel- 
 son, on the North side, was erected in the year 
 1811. The Artist was the late Mr. James Smith ; 
 and the cost 4442/. 7s. Ad. 
 
 The most prominent figure in the group is 
 Neptune. He is looking with concern on Britan- 
 nia, who is lamenting over a medallion of her 
 favourite Nelson. Behind is a figure represent- 
 ing the City of London, who is in the act of in- 
 scribing the Hero's deeds on a pyramid. At the 
 
 top is the word n Nelson" encircled with laurel ; 
 
 C 2 
 
20 
 
 and under it " Nile/' " Copenhagen/' and 
 " Trafalgar." 
 
 On the base of the monument is a representa- 
 tion of a Naval Engagement ; and on each side, 
 in a recess, is the figure of a Sailor, naked to the 
 waist. It is much to be regretted that there is 
 not a more prominent representation of the Hero. 
 The medallion is by no means satisfactory, and 
 is so placed as to be invisible from the dust which 
 falls upon it. 
 
 The following Inscription, from the pen of 
 Mr. Sheridan, appears on the tablet : 
 
 " To 
 
 Horatio Viscount and Baron Nelson, 
 Vice- Admiral of the White, and Knight of the 
 
 most Honourable Order of the Bath : 
 A Man amongst the few who appear at different 
 periods to have been created to promote the 
 grandeur, and add to the security, of Nations: 
 inciting by their high example their fellow mortals 
 through all succeeding times, to pursue the course 
 that leads to the exaltation of our imperfect nature. 
 Providence, 
 that implanted in Nelson's breast an ardent 
 passion for renown, 
 as bounteously endowed him with the 
 transcendent talents 
 necessary to the great purposes 
 he was destined to accomplish. 
 
At an early period of life 
 he entered into the Naval service of his Country; 
 
 and early were the instances which marked 
 the fearless nature and enterprize of his character; 
 uniting to the loftiest spirit, and the justest title 
 to self-confidence, 
 a strict and humble obedience to 
 the sovereign rule of discipline and subordination. 
 
 Rising by due gradation to command, 
 he infused into the bosoms of those he led the 
 valorous ardour and enthusiastic zeal 
 for the service of his King and Country, 
 which animated his own ; 
 and while he acquired the love of all, 
 by the sweetness and moderation of his temper, 
 
 he inspired an universal confidence 
 in the never-failing resources of his capacious mind 
 It will be for History to relate 
 the many great exploits, through which, 
 solicitous of peril, and regardless of wounds, 
 be became the glory of his profession ! 
 But it belongs to this brief record of his 
 illustrious career 
 to say, that he commanded and conquered 
 at the Battles of the Nile and Copenhagen : 
 Victories never before equalled ; 
 yet afterwards surpassed by his own last 
 atchievement, 
 the Battle of Trafalgar ! 
 
22 
 
 fought on the 21st of October, 1805. 
 On that day, before the conclusion of the action, 
 
 he fell mortally wounded. 
 But the sources of life and sense failed not, until 
 
 it was known to him 
 that the destruction of the Enemy being completed, 
 the Glory of his Country, and his own, 
 
 had attained their summit; 
 then laying his hand on his brave heart, 
 with a look of exalted resignation to the will 
 of the Supreme Disposer of the Fate of 
 Man and Nations, 
 he expired. 
 
 The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common 
 
 Council, of the City of London, 
 have caused this Monument to be erected, 
 not in the presumptuous hope of sustaining the 
 departed Hero's memory ; 
 but to manifest their estimation of the Man, 
 and their admiration of his deeds. 
 This testimony of their Gratitude, 
 they trust, will remain as long 
 as their own renowned City shall exist. 
 The period to 
 Nelson's Fame 
 can only be 
 The End of Time." 
 
23 
 
 On the other side of the entrance to the Courts 
 is the Monument of William Beckford, Esq. 
 In 1752 he was elected Alderman of the Ward 
 of Billingsgate; and in 1 756 was one of the 
 Sheriffs of London, which City he represented in 
 Parliament from 1754 to his death. 
 
 He had the honour (of which there are but 
 few instances*) of being twice elected Chief Ma- 
 gistrate of the City of London, in the years lj62 
 and 1769, and died in that high official situation 
 June 21, 1770. His remains were interred at 
 Fonthill in Wiltshire, where he had erected a 
 magnificent Mansion. 
 
 The design consists of three figures, and re- 
 presents him as delivering his celebrated Speech 
 to the King. On one side is placed a figure 
 representing the City of London in mourning, 
 and on the other Trade and Navigation in a 
 drooping state. The attitudes of all the figures 
 are graceful, and the sculpture good. This Mo- 
 nument was executed by Mr. Moore. 
 
 * A still rarer instance has recently occurred : on the 8th 
 of October, 1S16, the Right Hon. Matthew Wood, then Lord 
 Mayor, was again elected to fill the important situation of 
 Chief Magistrate a second year. 
 
24 
 
 Under the Monument is placed his 
 " Speech to His Majesty King George III. 
 on the 23d of May, 1770. 
 
 " MOST GRACIOUS SOVEREIGN, 
 
 " Will your Majesty be pleased so far to con- 
 descend, as to permit the Mayor of your loyal 
 City of London to declare, in your Royal Pre- 
 sence, on behalf of his Fellow Citizens, how 
 much the bare apprehension of your Majesty's 
 displeasure would at all times affect their minds : 
 the declaration of that displeasure has already 
 filled them with inexpressible anxiety, and with 
 the deepest affliction. Permit me, Sire, to assure 
 your Majesty, that your Majesty has not in all 
 your Dominions any subjects more faithful, more 
 dutiful, or more affectionate to your Majesty's 
 Person and Family, or more ready to sacrifice 
 their lives and fortunes in the maintenance of the 
 true honour and dignity of your Crown. 
 
 w We do therefore, with the greatest humility 
 and submission, most earnestly supplicate your 
 Majesty, that you will not dismiss us from your 
 Presence without expressing a more favourable 
 opinion of your faithful Citizens, and without 
 some comfort, without some prospect at least of 
 redress. 
 
 " Permit me, Sire, farther to observe, that who- 
 soever has already daredj, or shall hereafter en- 
 
25 
 
 deavour, by false insinuations and suggestions, to 
 alienate your Majesty's affections from your loyal 
 Subjects in general, and from the City of London 
 in particular, and to withdraw your confidence 
 in and regard for your people, is an enemy to 
 your Majesty's Person and Family, a violator of 
 the public peace, and a betrayer of our happy 
 Constitution, as it was established at the glorious 
 Revolution # ." 
 
 The last Monument on this side, near the East 
 end of the Hall, is to the memory of William 
 Pitt, Earl of Chatham. The group of figures 
 forming the design rest on a high basement, on 
 which is a tablet with this inscription, written 
 by the celebrated Edmund Burke : 
 
 " In grateful acknowledgment to the Supreme 
 Disposer of events ; who, intending to advance 
 this Nation, for such time as to his wisdom seemed 
 good, to an high pitch of prosperity and glory ; 
 by unanimity at home ; by confidence and repu- 
 tation abroad ; by alliances wisely chosen, and 
 faithfully observed ; by colonies united and pro- 
 tected ; by decisive victories by sea and land ; by 
 conquests made by arms and generosity in every 
 part of the globe ; by commerce, for the first 
 time united with, and made to flourish by war; 
 
 * This Speech is supposed to have been written by Home 
 Tooke, sometime after the Speech alluded to was delivered. 
 
26 
 
 was pleased to raise up as a principal instrument 
 in this memorable work, 
 
 WILLIAM PITT. 
 
 u The Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-coun- 
 cil, mindful of the benefits which the City of 
 London received in her ample share in the gene- 
 ral prosperity, have erected to the memory of this 
 eminent Statesman and powerful Orator, this 
 Monument in her Guildhall; that her Citizens 
 may never meet for the transaction of their affairs, 
 without being reminded that the means by which 
 Providence raises a nation to greatness, are the 
 virtues infused into great men ; and that to with- 
 hold from those virtues, either of the living or 
 the dead, the tribute of esteem and veneration, 
 is to deny to themselves the means of happiness 
 and honour. 
 
 <c This distinguished person, for the service 
 rendered to King George II. and to King George 
 III. was created 
 
 EARL OF CHATHAM. 
 
 iC The British Nation honoured his memory 
 
 j 
 
 with a Public Funeral, and a public Monument 
 amongst her illustrious men in Westminster Ab- 
 bey. J. Bacon sculpsit, 1782." 
 
 The Earl is habited as a Roman senator ; the 
 position of the figure is easy and elegant, and the 
 drapery disposed in graceful folds. He appears 
 
27 
 
 looking on another figure, representing the City 
 of London. His left hand directs the helm of Go- 
 vernment; whilst his right embraces Commerce, 
 who, charged with her proper attributes, is plea- 
 santly smiling on her kind Protector, through 
 whose zeal, assisted by the Four Quarters of the 
 World, she is pouring plenty into the lap of Bri- 
 tain. The City in her mural crown, with a look 
 of gratitude, is addressing her noble friend, point- 
 ing the while at Commerce. At her feet are 
 placed the emblems of Industry, and on her right 
 hand those of Justice and Power. 
 
 The expense of executing this noble Cenotaph 
 was 3421/. 14s. 
 
 On the South side of the Hall, immediately 
 opposite the Monument of his Illustrious Father, 
 is another Monument to the memory of a still 
 more Illustrious Statesman, the Right Honour- 
 able William Pitt, the workmanship of a young 
 but rising Artist, Mr. J. G. Bubb. 
 
 The massy substance on which the figures in 
 this composition are placed, is intended to repre- 
 sent the Island of Great Britain, and the sur- 
 rounding waves. On an elevation, in the cen- 
 tre of the Island, Mr. Pitt appears in his robes, 
 as Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the attitude 
 of a Public Orator. Below him, on an interme- 
 diate fore-ground, two Statues characterize his 
 abilities 5 while, with the National Energy, which 
 
28 
 
 is embodied, and riding on a symbol of the 
 Ocean in the lower centre, they assist to describe 
 allusively the effects of his Administration. 
 Apollo stands on his right, personating Elo- 
 quence and Learning. Mercury is introduced on 
 his left, as the representative of Commerce, and 
 the patron of Policy. To describe the unprece- 
 dented splendour of success which crowned the 
 British Navy while Mr, Pitt was Minister, the 
 lower part of the Monument is occupied by a 
 statue of Britannia, seated triumphantly on a 
 Sea-horse : in her left hand is the usual emblem 
 of Naval power ; and her right grasps a Thunder- 
 bolt, which she is prepared to hurl at the Ene- 
 mies of her Country. 
 
 This Monument cost the City 4078Z. 17s. 3d. 
 
 The Inscription, written by the Right Hon* 
 George Canning, is as follows: 
 
 « WILLIAM PITT, 
 
 Son of William Pitt Earl of Chatham, 
 Inheriting the genius, and formed by the precepts of his Father, 
 Devoted himself from his early years to the service of the State. 
 
 Called to the chief conduct of the Administration, after the close of a disastrous w 
 He repaired the exhausted Revenues, he revived and invigorated 
 the Commerce and Prosperity of the Country ; 
 And he had re- established the Publick Credit on deep and sure foundations: 
 When a new War was kindled in Europe, more formidable than any 
 preceding War from the peculiar character of its dangers. 
 To resist the arms of France, which were directed against the 
 
 Independence of every Government and People, 
 To animate other Nations by the example of Great Britain, 
 To check the contagion of opinions which tended to dissolve the frame of Civil Socie 
 To array the loyal the sober-minded and the good in defence of 
 
29 
 
 the venerable Constitution of the British Monarchy 
 Were the duties which, at that awful crisis, devolved upon the British Minister, 
 And which he discharged with transcendant zeal and intrepidity and perseverance : 
 He upheld the National Honour abroad ; 
 he maintained at home the blessings of Order and of true Libert}': 
 And, in the midst of difficulties and perils, 
 He united and consolidated the strength, power, and resources of the Empire. 
 
 For these high purposes, 
 He was gifted by Divine Providence with endowments, 
 Rare in their separate excellence : wonderful in their combination : 
 Judgment ; imagination ; memory ; wit; force and acuteness of reasoning ; 
 Eloquence, copious and accurate, commanding and persuasive, 
 And suited from its splendour to the dignity of his mind 
 and to the authority of his station ; 
 A lofty spirit 3 a mild and ingenuous temper. 
 Warm and stedfast in friendship, towards enemies he was forbearing and forgiving. 
 
 His industry was not relaxed by confidence in his great abilities. 
 His indulgence to others was not abated by the consciousness of his own superiority. 
 His ambition was pure from all selfish motives : 
 The love of power and the passion for fame were in him 
 subordinate to views of publick utility; 
 Dispensing for near twenty years the favours of the Crown, 
 He lived without ostentation ; and he died poor. 
 
 A Grateful Nation 
 Decreed to him those funeral honours 
 Which are reserved for eminent and extraordinary men. 
 This Monument 
 
 Is erected by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council, 
 To record the reverent and affectionate regret 
 With which the City of London cherishes his memory ; 
 And to hold out to the imitation of Posterity 
 Those principles of publick and private virtue, 
 Which ensure to Nations a solid greatness, 
 And to individuals an imperishable name. 
 
 One of the most material alterations which 
 have been made in the Interior of this noble 
 building, and which greatly adds to its elegance 
 and uniformity, is the removal of the Entrance to 
 the Courts on the North side, to immediately oppo- 
 
30 
 
 site the Grand entrance on the South side of the 
 Hall : and the banishment of the heavy balus- 
 traded gallery, clock-case *, and other appendages, 
 which closely surrounded the North door. At 
 the same time the loss of the two octagonal stone 
 piers, with their beautiful mouldings and orna- 
 ments, must be regretted ; they formed handsome 
 piers at the angles of the steps 3 and their adop- 
 tion at the front door would not only have been 
 very ornamental to so lofty a proportioned arch, 
 but it w T ould have preserved a feature of the 
 original design. 
 
 On each side of the stone steps, were the Hall- 
 keeper s offices ; and round the top of each of 
 them were six iron palm-trees of curious work- 
 manship, which served as supporters to the large 
 balcony overhead, and composed something like 
 two arbours. 
 
 Under these two offices were two small cages, 
 or prisons, where unruly Apprentices were con- 
 fined by order of the Chamberlain. They were 
 called Little Ease, not being of sufficient height 
 for a big boy to stand upright. 
 
 The removal of the Pictures that hung round 
 the Hall is another alteration which adds to 
 its effect. These were Portraits, thirty-two in 
 
 * The fine old Clock was put up in the year 1730 : at the 
 top was a Figure of Time with a young Child in his arms. 
 
31 
 
 number. Eight of them were Royal ; namely, 
 William III. Queen Mary, Queen Anne, George 
 I. George II. Queen Caroline, George III. and 
 Queen Charlotte. The Reigning Monarch and 
 his Consort were painted by Ramsay. 
 
 The two last Pictures have been removed to 
 the Court of King's Bench ; as has also a Por- 
 trait of Lord Camden. 
 
 The others were, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 
 knight and baronet ; Sir Edward Atkyns, knight ; 
 Sir Thomas Twisden, knight and baronet; Sir 
 Christopher Turner, knight; Sir Thomas Tyrrell, 
 knight; Sir Samuel Brown, knight; Sir Mat- 
 thew Hale, knight; Sir Wadham Wyndham, 
 knight; Sir John Kelynge, knight; Sir John 
 Archer, knight; Sir Richard Rainsford, knight; 
 Sir William Morton, knight; Sir William Wilde, 
 knt. and bart. ; Sir John Vaughan, knight; Sir 
 Timothy Littleton, knight; Sir Hugh Wyndham, 
 knight; Sir Edward Tumor, knight; Sir Edward 
 Thurland, knight; Sir Robert Atkyns, K. B. ; 
 Sir William Ellis, knight; Sir Francis North, 
 knight, afterwards Baron of Guilford ; and Sir 
 Heneage Finch, knight, afterwards earl of Not- 
 tingham. 
 
 The Portraits of the above Judges (arranged 
 here according to the time of their advancement 
 to the Bench) were placed in Guildhall about the 
 year 1671, in testimony of the City's gratitude 
 
32 
 
 for their signal services in having settled (without 
 expence of Law-suit) the properties of the Citizens 
 after the Fire in 1666, pursuant to an Act of 
 Parliament for " establishing a Court of Judica- 
 ture" for that purpose, 19 Charles II. c. 2. 
 
 The Judges are drawn in their robes, at full 
 length, by Michael Wright, who received of the 
 City 60/. for each Portrait. Their arms are 
 painted on the picture-frames. 
 
 The Decrees of these Judges are preserved 
 among the other City Records in the Office of 
 the Town Clerk. 
 
 THE CRYPT. 
 
 The Crypt upon which Guildhall is erected, may 
 be considered the finest and most extensive now 
 remaining in London, and is not more antient than 
 the superstructure. Of these kind of buildings, 
 and which are not connected with a second edi* 
 fice, there can be few more elegantly designed, 
 better constructed, or more ornamented, than the 
 example now under consideration. It is like- 
 wise remarkable for the perfect condition of all 
 its members, columns, arches, and groins. The 
 door by which this noble Vault is entered is in 
 the basement at the East end of the Hall. 
 
 The Crypt extends the whole length from East 
 
 to West, and appears to have been always sepa- 
 
 2 
 
33 
 
 rated into nearly two equal parts by a substantial 
 wall of masonry, having an antient Pointed door 
 corresponding to the outer, by which only a com- 
 munication between them was formed. It will be 
 useless to conjecture the original intention of this 
 division, and almost impossible to state whether 
 the Western portion was vaulted like the other 
 extremity; whether it was ever completed; or 
 whether demolished at a subsequent period ; and 
 if the latter, for what purpose the demolition took 
 place. Yet it is certain that, if it never was 
 groined, it was so intended when first founded, 
 as appears by the shafts and springers attached to 
 the side walls. An aile is formed in the centre, 
 and on each side are divisions agreeing with 
 the piers between the windows: the walls are 
 brick. This Crypt is quite dark, no light ap- 
 pearing through any of the windows, though all 
 are perfect; each window consists of two com- 
 partments, with trefoil-arched heads. 
 
 Before we return to the Eastern Crypt, which 
 was completed, and which demands our attention 
 from its magnitude and peculiar elegance, it 
 may be remarked, in comparison of the two 
 structures, that, had both been completed, the 
 inner or most Western Crypt would have been 
 less elegant and less ornamental than that which 
 appertained to the external entrance, and this from 
 its subordinate situation and separation ; besides 
 
 D 
 
34 
 
 which, it was most prohabl y a store-cellar, or 
 applied to some useful purpose. 
 
 The Eastern Crypt is separated into three ailes 
 of equal width, by two rows of piers and arches ; 
 the piers consisting of four small pillars clustered, 
 having plain but handsome capitals, from which 
 the arches and groins spread over the roof. At 
 each intersection of the groins is a boss ; some 
 among them are very large, bearing shields with 
 the arms of Edward the Confessor, those of the 
 City, well-sculptured roses, and other devices of 
 the fourteenth century. It is worthy of remark 
 that the arms of London represented on the 
 bosses in the side ailes have the Dagger, while 
 all those in the centre aile are without it. 
 
 Very little light is admitted to this Crypt but 
 by the door; and this highly-curious Vault cannot 
 be seen to advantage, the*side ailes being filled to 
 the roofs with timber and planks, which are used 
 in the Hall on Lord Mayor's day, and other 
 particular occasions. 
 
 The Kitchen, Bakehouse, Pantry, and other 
 connected offices, retain their original character ; 
 but have nothing worthy of particular notice. 
 
The Courts of Justice, and other buildings con- 
 nected with Guildhall, are situated on its North 
 side. 
 
 COURT OF KINgVbENCH. 
 
 The foundation of this building was laid in the 
 3d year of Henry VI. and was formerly called 
 The Mayor's Court, where the Common Coun- 
 cil met, and the Sessions were held. But the 
 room is now chiefly used by the Lord Chief Jus- 
 tice of the King's-bench when sitting upon Trials 
 of Nisi Prius. An uniform range of windows 
 originally lighted it; but the chief of these are 
 now stopped up, and sky-lights have been made 
 in the ceiling, which is flat and modern. 
 
 All that remains of its decorative features are 
 two handsome niches and figures at one end, and 
 a curiously-ornamented square-headed door-way 
 at the side near the entrance. 
 
 At the back of the Judges' seats are paintings of 
 Prudgnce, Justice, Religion, and Fortitude. 
 
 In this room are placed the Portraits of King 
 George the Third and Queen Charlotte, bv Piam- 
 
 d 2 
 
36 
 
 say ; and the admirable Portrait *, by Sir Joshua 
 Reynolds, of Lord Camden ; which formerly hung 
 in the great Hall. 
 
 Dec. 30, 1761, Sir Charles Pratt was consti- 
 tuted Lord Chief Justice of the Court of Common 
 Pleas; in which post he acted with such ability 
 and integrity, especially in the judgment he gave 
 in the case of General- warran ts, that the City of 
 London, besides presenting him with the Free- 
 dom of their Corporation, requested him to sit 
 for his picture, which was put up in Guildhall, 
 with the following inscription : 
 
 " Hanc Iconem 
 Caroli Pratt, Eet. 
 summi judicis C. B. 
 
 IN HONOREM TANTI VIRI, 
 ANGLL5E LlBERTATlS LEGE AsSERTORIS FIDI, 
 
 S. P. Q. U 
 
 in Curia Municipali 
 foni ju3serunt, 
 Non. Kal. Mart, mdcclxiv. 
 Gulielmo Bridgen Arm. Pr.^. Urb*" 
 
 court of common pleas. 
 
 This new Room is erected on the site of what 
 was formerly called " The Court of Orphans." 
 Here the Chief Justice of the Common Pleas sits 
 at Nisi Prius. And here the Sessions of the 
 
 * Thh Portrait has beep well engraved by James Basire, 
 
37 
 
 Peace are now held by the Lord Mayor and 
 Recorder, assisted by a portion of the Aldermen. 
 
 THE COURT OF EXCHEQUER 
 
 Is held in an upper room over the Old Council 
 Chamber ; a room in which many of the City 
 Committees also occasionally hold their meetings. 
 
 THE COUNCIL CHAMBER; 
 OR, THE COURT OF ALDERMEN'S ROOM. 
 
 This very noble apartment was erected in 1614 
 (see p. 5); and was formerly covered with tapes- 
 try, representing the history of Nebuchadnezzar. 
 
 Over the Lord Mayor's seat are the King's 
 arms ; and over the door those of the City, finely 
 carved. Round the border of the ceiling are 
 neatly painted the arms of the several Lord 
 Mayors, since the year 17 80. 
 
 In an oval in the middle of the ceiling is a 
 well-executed Painting, by Sir James Thornhill: 
 A figure representing London is sitting upon 
 the clouds, murally crowned, with the City arms 
 in her left hand. Behind her is Pallas; and 
 under her two boys, one with the Sword on his 
 shoulder, the other pointing to the Cap of Main- 
 tenance ; and the Mace lying under her feet. 
 Peace is presenting her with an olive-branch ; 
 and Plenty with her horn is pouring out riches. 
 
38 
 
 In four compartments at each end of the oval 
 are the four cardinal virtue^ represented like 
 boys : Prudence, Temperance, Justice, and For- 
 titude. The borders of these compartments, and 
 of the oval, &c. are embellished with fruits and 
 foliage richly gilt. 
 
 The chimney-piece, of a square form, is very 
 heavy, being constructed of black marble. 
 
 Over it is a curious Painting, presented to the 
 City by Sir James Thornhill. It is painted in 
 chiaro-scuro ; and appears like metal. It con- 
 tains allegorical figures of London, Justice, 
 Liberty, Piety, Truth, &c. 
 
 At the lower end of the room is this appro- 
 priate motto, AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM. 
 
 In this room the Committee of City Lands, 
 and other Committees of the Common Council, 
 most generally hold their meetings. 
 
 THE OLD COUNCIL CHAMBER, 
 
 near the Court of Aldermen's room, is also now 
 used for the accommodation of various Commit- 
 tees. 
 
 THE COMMON COUNCIL ROOM. 
 
 This is a large, plain, but handsome and com- 
 modious room, lighted by a dome in the centre 
 of the ceiling, which rests upon four elegant 
 
39 
 
 arches *. The light thus admitted from the ceil- 
 ing shews the numerous pictures which decorate 
 the sides of the room to great advantage. 
 
 At the top of the room is a very elegant White 
 Marble Statue of his present Majesty, the size of 
 Life, admirably executed by F. L. Chantrey, Esq. 
 R. A. at an expence to the Corporation of 3089/. 
 9s. $d. It is elevated about twelve feet from the 
 floor, in a niche of a dark-coloured marble. 
 
 His Majesty is sculptured in his Royal Robes, 
 holding the Scroll of an Address in his left hand. 
 The right hand is extended, to represent the 
 Sovereign as in the act of returning an Answer 
 to the Address which has been presented to him. 
 
 On the Pedestal is the following elegant in- 
 scription, written by Mr. Alderman Birch, who 
 at that time filled the Civic Chair: 
 
 "GEORGE THE THIRD: 
 
 Born and bred a Briton; 
 endeared to a Brave, Free, and Loyal People 
 by his Public Virtues, 
 by his pre-emineut Example 
 of Private Worth in all the Relations of Domestic Life, 
 by his uniform Course of unaffected Piety, 
 and entire Submission to the Will of Heaven. 
 
 * The four angles under the Cupola were ornamented at 
 the expence of Mr. Alderman Boydell, with Paintings in 
 Fresco by J. F. Rigaud, Esq. R. A. 5 representing Providence ; 
 Innocence, or Infancy and Youth 5 Wisdom; and Happiness. 
 Unfortunately these Paintings never dried perfectly, and 
 turned black. They exist no longer j but Prints of them 
 have been published by Mcssts. Boydell and Co. dedicated to 
 their Majesties. 
 
40 
 
 The Wisdom and Firmness 
 of his Character and Councils 
 enabled him so to apply the Resources of his Empire 
 so to direct the native Energies of his Subjects, 
 that he maintained the Dignity of his Crown, 
 preserved inviolate ihe Constitution in Church and State, 
 and secured the Commerce and Prosperity of his Dominions, 
 during a long Period of unexampled Difficulty : 
 in which the deadly Contagion of French Principles, 
 and the domiueering Aggressions of French Power, 
 had nearly dissolved the Frame, 
 anJ destroyed the Independence, 
 of every other Government and Nation in Europe. 
 Jiit Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London 
 have erected this Statue, 
 in Testimony 
 
 of their uudeviating Loyalty, and grateful Attachment, 
 to the Best of Kings, 
 in the Fifty-fifth year of his Reign. 
 A. D. 1815 ; 
 BIRCH, Mayor." 
 
 In the North-west corner is a Marble Bust of 
 Lord Viscount Nelson, from the chisel of Mrs. 
 Damer, and presented by her to the Corporation. 
 
 On the opposite corner is a fine Bust of the 
 Duke of Wellington, by Turnerelli, voted by the 
 Corporation in 1815, on the Battle of Vittoria. 
 It cost 150/. 
 
 At the West end of the Room are two good 
 Pictures : 
 
 Minerva*, painted by Richard Westall, Esq. 
 R. A. 
 
 Apollo washing his locks in the Castalian foun- 
 tain *, painted by Gavin Hamilton, Esq. 
 
 * These Pictures have been engraved by Facias, 2nd pub- 
 lished by Messis. Bovdell and Co. 
 
41 
 
 Both Paintings were presented to the Corpora- 
 tion by that truly generous Patron of the Arts, 
 Mr. Alderman John Boydell, whose munificence 
 we have frequent cause to mention *. 
 
 * " It may be a matter of wonder to some/' says the wor- 
 thy Alderman, " what inducements I could have to present 
 the City of London with so many expensive Pictures. The 
 principal reasons that influenced me were these : First, to 
 shew my respect to the Corporation and my Fellow Citizens. 
 Secondly, to give Pleasure to the Publick, and Foreigners in 
 general. Thirdly, to be of service to the Artists, by shewing 
 their works to the greatest advantage 5 and, Fourthly, for the 
 mere purpose of pleasing myself." 
 
 The following lines by Miss Tomlins, were addressed to Mr. 
 Alderman Boydell on his very liberal and munificent conduct, 
 concerning the ornamenting the Council Chamber of the City 
 with Pictures by various Masters : 
 
 Proud was the boast Rome's second Founder shared 5 
 Nor frown the Muses on ingenuous pride, 
 
 Which bade the world's great Mistress stand declared, 
 Brick ere he lived, but marble ere he died. 
 
 *Cor small the boast Augusta's Elders own, 
 
 When at their word the canvas learns to glow, 
 
 Where spotless valour, fixed on mercy's throne, 
 
 Views, and relenting views, the reddening waters flow. 
 
 Or on his rock where sole the Hero stands, 
 
 Whilst on his brow sit honourable years, 
 Dauntless his eye that wondering awe commands, 
 
 And in his hand the key of Fate appears. 
 
 Or where the Royal Youth his courser sways, 
 
 Sedate and bold to check rebellious tide, 
 Where Walworth's dagger gains it loyal praise, . 
 
 To grace the Civic shield, in guiltless crimson dyed. 
 
42 
 
 At the East end of the Room is the great Pic- 
 ture representing the Destruction of the Floating 
 Batteries before Gibraltar. This was designed to 
 commemorate the gallant defence of that fortress 
 made by General Elliot, afterwards Lord Heath- 
 
 In Greece, when Art Wealth's fostering power required, 
 Wise o'er the rest the great Pericles shone ; 
 
 His liberal hand, with patriot glory fired, 
 
 Gave life to brass, and breathing words to stone. 
 
 Her lessening treasure murmuring Athens saw, 
 Mother of Arts, and scorn'd her glorious name, 
 
 Fearless he stood, and with no partial law, 
 
 " Mine be the risk," he cried, u and mine the fame !" 
 
 Won by his words, at once the many rise, 
 
 At once their bosoms own the genial lire, 
 At once the drops of honour wet their eyes 
 
 They shout, they act, and are what they admire. 
 
 As some vast cloud which o'er the mountain lours, 
 Supine on winds in dreary darkness driven, 
 
 That threats with tenfold night Earth's trembling power, 
 Waits but one spark to burst in flame to Heaven. 
 
 In Arts unequal'd, yet in virtuous fame, 
 Not e'en to Athens' name shall Britain bow, 
 
 Her's be the Poet's wreath, the Patriots flame, 
 Since what Pericles was — is Boy dell now. 
 
 It is a well-known fact, that, on the Athenians complaining 
 of the expence arising from the great public works under 
 Pericles, he offered to bear the sole expence, and fix his 
 name instead of that of the Athenian people on them > but, 
 fired by emulation, they refused his conditions, and willingly 
 bore the er.pence, to save the glory. 
 
43 
 
 field ; and was executed by John Singleton Cop- 
 ley, Esq. R. A. It cost the City 1543^ 6f* The 
 Painter had also the privilege of exhibiting it for 
 a time to the public, which was done in a tempo- 
 rary building raised for the purpose in the Green 
 Park. This vast Picture, which measures 25 
 feet in width, and about 20 in height, exhibits 
 the Victory achieved by the Garrison, and in the 
 moment of their triumph, a display of humanity 
 that highly exalts the British character: " it is 
 composed of three large groups ; that on the 
 right contains the Portraits of the principal Bri- 
 tish and Hanoverian Officers, of the size of life, 
 who are assembled on the Ramparts (the action 
 being over,) to view the dreadful scene which 
 ensued from the battering Ships being set on fire. 
 Lord Heathfield, on horseback, in conversation 
 with Generals Royd, De la Motte, and Green, 
 pointing to Sir Roger Curtis, and a detachment 
 of British Seamen, who, at the hazard of their 
 own lives, are rescuing their vanquished enemies 
 from destruction. Several of the Seamen are 
 seen at the stern of one of the battering Ships, 
 striking the Spanish Ensign ; whilst others gene- 
 rously relieve a number of the unfortunate Spa- 
 niards from a sinking wreck ; these form a second 
 groupe on the left. The third groupe occupies 
 the centre, where a number of the enemy are re- 
 presented in extreme distress, endeavouring to 
 
44 
 
 escape from a Floating battery that is enveloped 
 in flames. At a distance is a view of the Camp 
 of the Allied Army of France and Spain, and the 
 head-quarters of the Duke de Crillon All the 
 principal figures are as large as life ; their coun- 
 tenances are expressive of eager attention, and are 
 very excellently finished. The judgment of the 
 artist is rendered eminently conspicuous, both in 
 the arrangement of the groups, and in the varied 
 expressions of courage, terror, and humanity, that 
 characterise the different figures. A very large 
 and forcible engraving of this picture, two feet 
 nine inches in length, and two feet three inches 
 in width, has been recently executed by Mr. 
 William Sharp, whose talents in the historic line 
 
 * From Copley's Explanatory Key. The names of all the 
 officers, whose portraits are introduced, are as follow : 
 
 The Right Hon. Gen. Lord Heath field, K. B. Governor 3 
 Lieut. Gen. Sir Robert Boyd, K. B. Lieut. Governor 5 Major 
 General De la Motte, commanding the Hanoverian Brigade 3 
 Major General Sir William Green, Bart. Chief Engineer 5 
 Major General Picton 5 Col. Dachenhausen, Reden's Hano- 
 verian Regiment 3 Col. Hugo, Sydow's, late Hardenburg's 3 
 Col. Schleppegrell, De la Motte's 3 Colonel Lewis, Comman- 
 dant of Artillery 3 Col. Craig, 56th Regiment 3 Major Brown, 
 58th Regiment; Hon. Lieut. Col. Lindsay, late 2d Battalion 
 73d Regiment 3 Lieut. Colonel Hardy, Quarter-master Gene- 
 ral 3 Major Vallotton, Governors first Aid-de-Camp ; Lieut. 
 Holloway, Aid-de-Camp to chief Engineer 5 Major Perryn, 
 12th Regiment 3 Captain Drink water, late 72d, Author of 
 the History of the Siege of Gibraltar. 
 
45 
 
 have deservedly exalted him to an eminent place 
 among the professors of the graphic art in this 
 country*. 
 
 On the North and South walls are four Pic- 
 tures f, representing important Scenes in this 
 celebrated Siege (presented to the Corporation 
 by Mr. Alderman Boydell), painted by Richard 
 Paton, Esq. 
 
 1 . The bra ye and gallant Defence of Gibraltar, 
 against the united Forces of Spain and France, 
 on the Afternoon of Sept. 13, 1782, representing 
 the Gun-boats setting fire to the Town, and the 
 Garrison defending the Place. 
 
 2. Represents the Defence on the Night be- 
 tween the 13th and 14th of September, with the 
 Spanish Gun-boats in a blaze. 
 
 3. Represents the Defence on the 14th of Sep- 
 tember ; where the English are employed in tak- 
 ing up the Spanish and French Sailors in great 
 distress. 
 
 4. Represents the Relief of Gibraltar, on the 
 llth of October, 1782, by the British Fleet, 
 under the command of Earl Howe; with the 
 Spanish and French Fleets in the distance. 
 
 There are also, in the same size, two Paintings 
 by Mr. Dodd, after small Pictures by Mr. Paton, 
 
 * Beauties of England, by Mr. Brayley. 
 
 f These Pictures have been engraved by Mr. Fittler and 
 Mr. Lerpiniere, 19 inehes by 26 long, and published by Messrs 
 Boydell and Co. 
 
46 
 
 and presented by Mr. Alderman Boydell. 1. 
 Representing his Majesty's Fleet, under the 
 command of Admiral Lord Rodney, breaking the 
 Line of the French Fleet, on the 12th of April 
 1/82. 2. The Victory gained by Lord Rodney 
 over the French Fleet" on the above occasion *. 
 
 On the South Wall are the following Pic- 
 tures : 
 
 A Portrait of Lord Heathtield after Sir 
 Joshua Reynolds % (also presented by Mr. Al- 
 derman Boydell). 
 
 A Portrait of Marquis Cornwallis painted 
 by J. S.Copley, Esq. R. A. 
 
 A Portrait of Admiral Lord Viscount Hood, 
 painted by Abbott. 
 
 A Portrait of John Boydell, Esq. Alderman of 
 the Ward of Cheap, and Lord Mayor in 1/90. 
 This Picture (which cost 200 guineas) was pairtfed 
 by Sir William Beechey, R. A. in consequence 
 of the following resolution : " At a Court of 
 
 * These two Engagements are engraved by Mr. Lerpiniere 
 and Mr. Fittler, 27 in. by 20, and published by Messrs. Boy- 
 dell and Co. 
 
 f This is not the Original, which was going fast to decay in 
 the exposed situation of the Council Chamber 5 it was there- 
 fore copied, and so finely, that it is not much inferior to the 
 Original, which was considered as one of Sir Joshua Rey- 
 nolds's best Pictures. 
 
 X Engraved by Mr. Richard Earloin, 15 inches by 20 high. 
 
 § Engraved by B. Smith, 15 inches by 20 high. 
 
47 
 
 Common Council, Feb. 27, 1800, on the motion 
 of Mr. Deputy Goodbehere, it was resolved, 
 That the Members of this Corporation, grateful 
 for the delight afforded them, as often as they 
 assemble in this Courts b) r the splendid Collection 
 of Paintings presented by Mr. Alderman Boydell, 
 entertaining an affectionate sense of the honour 
 done them by that celebrated Patron of Arts, and 
 proud of the relation in which they stand to him 
 as Fellow-citizens ; do, in testimony of those feel- 
 ings, request him to sit for his portrait, to an 
 artist of his own choice ; conscious, however, that 
 hereby they are only requesting him to confer a 
 new gratification on themselves and their succes- 
 sors; and unwilling that, amidst such and so 
 many remembrances of sublime characters and 
 illustrious actions, his Portrait should be wanting, 
 who, discerning in the discovery, and munificent 
 in the encouragement, of merit in others, com- 
 bined in his own character private integrity with 
 public spirit, and solid honesty with a highly 
 cultivated taste." 
 
 In the centre on this side the room is the 
 Murder of David Rizzio, in the presence of 
 Mary Queen of Scots, by her husband Lord 
 Darnley and Lord Ruthven, in the Queen's Bed- 
 chamber, on the 9th of March, 1566. Painted 
 by John Opie, Esq. R. A. * This is one of the 
 
 * Engraved by Mr. Isaac Taylor> Jun. 19 inch, by 21 long, 
 and published by Messrs, Boydcil a$d €o„ 
 
48 
 
 finest Specimens of the Master, and was selected 
 for exhibition at the British Gallery 1817. It 
 was presented to the City by Mr. Alderman 
 Bovdell. 
 
 at 
 
 On the North Wall, opposite the death of 
 Rizzio, is Sir William Walworth, Lord Mayor 
 of London, killing Wat Tyler in Smithfield*; 
 for which bold Action king Richard II. con- 
 ferred on him the honour of Knighthood, and 
 added the Dagger to the City Arms. The Pic- 
 ture is painted by James Northcote, Esq. R. A. 
 and was also presented to the City by Mr. Alder- 
 man Boydell. 
 
 In the North-west angle of the room is the 
 Ceremony of administering the Oath to Alder- 
 man Newnham, Lord Mayor, Nov. 8, 1782, 
 upon the Hustings in Guildhall ; wherein are 
 120 Portraits of the Lord Mayor, the whole 
 Court of Aldermen, many of the Common Coun- 
 cil, the principal Officers of the City, and several 
 Ladies and Gentlemen, Spectators. Painted by 
 Mr. William Miller f. 
 
 At the opposite side of the room is, Lord 
 Mayor's Day on the Water, Nov. Qth. Com- 
 
 * Engraved by Mr. Anker Smith, 19 inches by 24 long j 
 and published by Messrs. Boydell and Co. 
 
 f This Picture is engraved by Mr. Benjamin Smith ; and i- 
 curious, as shewing the Monuments, Pictures, and other or- 
 naments of Guildhall, at that period. 
 
49 
 
 panion to the above. Painted by Richard Paton, 
 Esq. The figures by F. Wheatley, Esq. R. A. 
 
 On the North side of the room are also the fol- 
 lowing Portraits : 
 
 Admiral Lord Rodney ; after Monnoyer. Pre- 
 sented to the Corporation by Mr. Alderman Boy- 
 dell. 
 
 Admiral Earl Howe. Copied by G. Kirtland. 
 
 Admiral the Earl of St. Vincent's, by Sir Wm. 
 Reechev, R. A. 
 
 Admiral Lord Duncan, by J. Hoppner, Esq. 
 R. A. 
 
 Admiral Lord Viscount Nelson, by Sir William 
 Beechey, R. A. 
 
 There is also a very excellent Portrait, with 
 this inscription : 
 
 u This Portrait of 
 Daniel Pimder, Esq. 
 Senior Member of the Court of Common-Council, 
 was painted by John Opie, R. A. 
 at the desire and expence of several of his 
 Fellow Citizens # , 
 who presented it to the Corporation of London, 
 
 that it might be placed in their Guildhall, 
 in remembrance of the long and faithful services, 
 and many virtues, both public and private, 
 
 * It was painted by the spontaneous subscription of two 
 guineas each from some of Mr. Deputy Pinder's oldest friends. 
 
 £ 
 
50 
 
 of this venerable Citizen. 
 3d December, 1807." 
 
 Underneath this last Portrait is a View of the 
 Interior of the Guildhall, as it appeared at the 
 Royal Entertainment given by the Corporation 
 of the City of London, on Saturday the 18th of 
 June 1814. Painted by Wm. Daniell, Esq. by 
 order of the Corporation # . This Painting cost 
 100 guineas. 
 
 Mr. Alderman Boydell's Munificence -f~ was 
 hot limited to the Pictures now exhibited in the 
 Common Council Chamber, but extended itself 
 
 * This View is engraved as a Frontispiece to a magnificent 
 Work, entitled^ " An Account of the Visit of His Royal 
 Highness the Prince Regent, with their Imperial and Royal 
 Majesties the Emperor of all the Russias and the King of 
 Prussia, to the Corporation of London, 1814," printed as a 
 lasting memorial of the unparalleled honour bestowed on the 
 Corporation, not for public sale, but as presents to the illus- 
 trious Guests, to the Public National Libraries, and to the 
 several Members of the Corporation. 
 
 f Whilst speaking of the liberality of Mr. Alderman Roy- 
 dell, it may be allowable in this place to notice Three Pictures 
 which were presented by him to the worshipful Company of 
 Stationers, which are now at their Hall in Ludgate Street. 
 
 1. Alfred the Great dividing his Loaf with the Pilgrim. 
 Painted by B. West, Esq. President of the Royal Academy J, 
 
 2. Mary Queen of Scots* Escape from Lochleven Castle, br 
 the assistance of George Douglas. Painted by Mr. Graham. 
 
 3. The Alderman's own Portrait, painted also by Graham. 
 
 \ Engraved by Mr. William Sharpe, size 19 inches by 24. long. 
 
51 
 
 to the presenting other Paintings, which the late 
 alterations of the arrangements of this Room have 
 excluded from it. 
 
 The following are for the present deposited in 
 Guildhall Chapel. 
 
 1. Conjugal Affection, or Industry and Pru- 
 dence. Painted by Robert Smirke, Esq. R. A * f 
 It represents the family of a Merchant whose 
 personal exertions have raised him, in the prime 
 of life, to senatorial importance in the Councils 
 of his Fellow Citizens. A Father, Mother, and 
 three Children, are introduced. 
 
 2. The Miseries of Civil War. A Field of 
 Battle near Teuton, in Yorkshire, between the 
 Houses of York and Lancaster, on the 29th of 
 March 1461. Painted by Josiah Roydell, Esq.-j- 
 
 3. A Model, by Thomas Banks, Esq. R. A. for 
 the Alto Relievo J, placed in the front of the 
 Shakspeare Gallery, Pall Mall ; representing 
 Shakspeare seated on a Rock, between Poetry 
 and Painting 
 
 * This has been engraved by Mr. Thew. 
 
 f Engraved by Mr. J. Ogborne, 19 inches by 24 long. 
 
 X This formed an Ornament over the Chimney-piece in the 
 New Council Chamber, which has been entirely done away 
 by the late alterations ; the room being now warmed by Ma- 
 son's patent hot-air-pipes, 
 
 § Engraved by Mr. B. Smith 5 and published in Messrs, 
 povdell's magnificent edition of Shakspeare. 
 
52 
 
 THE COURT OF HUSTINGS 
 
 is of very great antiquity ; and is held at the East 
 end of the great Hall. The Judges are, the Lord 
 Mayor and Sheriffs, assisted by the Recorder. 
 
 THE COURT OF THE LORD MAYOR AND ALDERMEN, 
 
 commonly called " The Mayor's Court," 
 
 is a Court of Record. The Recorder is the 
 Judge of the Court; yet the Lord Mayor and 
 Aldermen sit as Judges with him, if they please. 
 It is generally held in the Court of Common 
 Pleas. 
 
 THE ORPHANS COURT 
 
 is held before the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, 
 who are Guardians to the Children of all Free- 
 men that are under the age of Twenty-one at the 
 decease of their Fathers. 
 
 THE SHERIFFS' COURTS 
 
 Are held at the West end of the great Halh 
 These are two Courts of Record belonging to the 
 two Sheriffs, and to each Court belongs a Prison, 
 called a Compter. 
 
 THE COURT OF REQUESTS, 
 
 or Court of Conscience, is at present held in 
 the old Chapel of the Guildhall. 
 
53 
 
 THE CHAMBERLAIN'S COURT, OR OFFICE, 
 
 On the right hand of the Court of King's-bench 
 is the Chamberlain's Office, where he holds his 
 Court for swearing in Freemen, enrolling, and 
 turning over Apprentices, and hearing and deter- 
 mining complaints between Masters and Appren- 
 tices. 
 
 This part of Guildhall was burnt down, Feb* 7, 
 1786; and with it were destroyed the Books in 
 which were registered the admissions of Freemen. 
 
 It was rebuilt, in an elegant style, by George 
 Dance, Esq. who for a long series of years most 
 honourably discharged the arduous and important 
 duties of Clerk of the City's Works. 
 
 In this Court are several Prints (particularly 
 a finely-coloured one of the painted Window at 
 New College, Oxford) presented to the Corpo- 
 ration by Mr. Alderman Boydell. 
 
 In the Chamberlain's Parlour are deposited 
 duplicate copies of the Honorary Freedoms and 
 Thanks which have been voted by the City. 
 There are more than Fifty of these splendid orna- 
 ments, all beautifully written by the late Mr. 
 Thomas Tomkins ; and the admirable taste and 
 variety displayed in the designs and the powers 
 of his pen are deserving of the highest commen- 
 dation. A list of them is subjoined. 
 
54 
 
 the emblazoned Arms of the distinguished 
 personage who received the thanks are uniformly 
 placed over the vote, and the City Arms below it. 
 The border is composed of such emblems and 
 trophies as are suited to the action recorded. 
 
 17,92. To Marquis Cornwallis, for his achieve- 
 ments in the East Indies ; with a gold box, 
 of the value of 100 guineas. 
 
 1792. To Major-general William Meadows, for 
 his gallantry in the East Indies ; gold box, 
 88/. 7k 
 
 1794. To Sir Charles Grey, his officers and sol- 
 diers, for their gallantry in the West Indies ; 
 gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
 1794. To Sir John Jervis, his officers, &c. for 
 their conduct in the West Indies ; gold box, 
 100 guineas. 
 
 1794. To Earl Howe, his officers and sailors, for 
 defeating the French fleet, on June 1 ; gold box, 
 100 guineas. 
 
 1795. To Lord Bridport, for his Victory over 
 French fleet, June 23 ; gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
 1797. To Lord St. Vincent, for defeating the 
 Spanish fleet on the 14th February; with a 
 sword, of the value of 200 guineas. 
 
 1797. To Vice-admiral Waklegrave, for his con- 
 duct on the same day ; gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
 1797. To Vice-admiral Thompson, for his con- 
 duct; gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
55 
 
 1797- To Rear-admiral Parker, for his conduct; 
 
 gold box, 100 guineas. 
 1797. To Commodore Nelson, for his conduct; 
 
 gold box, 100 guineas. 
 1797. To Sir Robert Calder, first Captain of the 
 
 Fleet; gold box, 100 guineas. 
 1797. To Lord Duncan, for obtaining the victory 
 
 over the Dutch fleet; a sword, 200 guineas. 
 1797. To Sir Richard Onslow, for his eminent 
 
 services; sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 1797. Letter of Mr. Alderman Harley to the Li- 
 very of London, declining the office of Cham- 
 berlain, and recommending Mr. Alderman 
 Clark, who was then elected Chamberlain. 
 
 1798. To Lord Nelson, for his conduct in ob- 
 taining the Victory of the Nile; sword, value 
 200 guineas. 
 
 1798. To Captain Sir Edward Berry, the cap- 
 tains, officers, seamen, and marines of the fleet, 
 for their gallant conduct; gold box, 100 
 guineas. 
 
 1798. To Sir John Borlase Warren, for his gene- 
 ral conduct during the war, and particularly for 
 his victory over the invading French fleet on 
 the Coast of Ireland ; gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
 ^799- To Sir Ralph Abercrombie, the general 
 officers, and soldiers of his army, for their 
 bravery in effecting a landing in Holland, and 
 thus causing the surrender of the Dutch fleet P 
 sword, 100 guineas, to Sir Ralph. 
 
56 
 
 1799- To Vice-admiral Mitchell, the captains, &c. 
 for compelling the surrender of the Dutch fleet 
 in the Texel ; sword, 100 guineas, to the Ad- 
 miral. 
 
 1799- To Sir Sidney Smith, for his obstinate de- 
 fence of Acre, against the efforts of Buonaparte, 
 with a sword, 100 guineas; and thanks to the 
 officers, seamen, and troops. 
 
 1800. To Sir Edward Hamilton, knight, of the 
 Surprize, 32 guns, for his gallantry in recap- 
 turing the Hermione, 44 guns, under the fort 
 of Cavello, mounted with 200 pieces of cannon ; 
 gold box, 50 guineas. 
 
 iSoi. To Sir John Hely Hutchinson, for ser- 
 vices in Egypt; sword, value 100 guineas. 
 
 1801. To Admiral Lord Keith, for services on the 
 coast of Egypt; sword, value 100 guineas. 
 
 l801. To Sir James Saumarez, Baronet, for vic- 
 tory over the Spanish and French fleet ; sword, 
 100 guineas. 
 
 1805. To Vice-admiral Collingwood, for the bat- 
 tle of Trafalgar ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1805. To Rear-admiral Earl of Northesk ; sword, 
 value 100 guineas. 
 
 1805. To Admiral Sir R. J. Strachan ; sword, 
 100 guineas. 
 
 1806. To Captain Sir T. M. Hardy, bai t, for the 
 battle off' Trafalgar ; sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 1806. To Sir Thomas Duckworth, for services off 
 St. Domingo ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
57 
 
 l8o6. To the Hon. Rear-admiral Alexander Coch- 
 rane, for services off St. Domingo ; sword, 
 100 guineas. 
 
 1806. To Rear-admiral Louis; sword, lOOguineas, 
 
 1806. To Major-general Beresford, for the cap- 
 ture of Buenos Ay res ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 l8o(5. To Commodore Sir Home Popham, for the 
 capture of Buenos Ayres ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1806. To Lieutenant-general Sir David Baird, for 
 the conquest of the Cape of Good Hope ; sword, 
 200 guineas. 
 
 1806. To Major-general Sir John Stuart, for ser- 
 vices at Calabria ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1807. To Sir Samuel Auchmuty, for services at 
 Montevideo; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1807. To Brigadier-general Hon. William Lum- 
 ley : sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 1807. To Rear-admiral Stirling, for services at 
 Monte Video ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1808. To John Silvester, Esq. (now Sir John 
 Silvester, Bart.) Recorder, in testimony of the 
 respect of the Court ; and for the eminent 
 services rendered by him in the execution of 
 his office. 
 
 1808. To Mr. William Rogers, Captain of the 
 Windsor Packet, purse of 100 guineas. 
 
 l8ll. To Brigadier-general Dilkes, for services 
 near Barrossa ; sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 l8ll. To Lieutenant-general Thomas Graham, 
 
58 
 
 (now Lord Lyndoch,) for victory near Bar- 
 rossa ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1811. To Viscount Wellington, for his conduct 
 in Portugal ; sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1812. To Marquis Wellington, for victory near 
 Salamanca; gold box, 200 guineas. 
 
 1813. To the Right Hon. Abraham Bradley King, 
 Lord Mayor of Dublin, as a mark of respect to 
 the Sister Kingdom of Ireland, as the Chief 
 Magistrate of Dublin. 
 
 1813. To Lieutenant-general Sir Rowland Hill, 
 for his bravery under Marquis Wellington ; 
 sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 1813. To Lieutenant-general Sir T. Graham; 
 gold box, 100 guineas. 
 
 1813. To Captain Sir Philip B. V. Broke, of the 
 Shannon; sword, 100 guineas. 
 
 1814. To Field-marshal Blucher; sword, 200 
 guineas. 
 
 1814. To Field- marshal Prince Schwartzenberg ; 
 
 sword, 200 guineas. 
 1814. To Field-marshal Count Barclay de Tolly ; 
 
 sword, 200 guineas. 
 
 1814. To the Hetman Count Platoff ; sword, 
 200 guineas. 
 
 1815. To Marquis Wellington, for the victory 
 of Vittoria; and that his Bust be placed in the 
 Common Council Chamber. 
 
59 
 
 1815- To the Duke of Wellington, for the battle 
 
 of Waterloo. 
 1 8 16. To their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of 
 
 Kent, Sussex, Gloucester, and Prince of Coburg ; 
 
 in boxes of heart of oak, value 100 guineas each. 
 lSltf. To Lord Exmouth, for victory at Algiers. 
 l8l6. To Rear-admiral Mylne, on same occasion. 
 
 Over the chimney is a very fine Portrait of 
 Mr. Tomkins, by Sir Joshua Reynolds ; being 
 the last which he painted. Under it the following 
 motto, 64 Opera inter talia primus." L 
 
 Adjoining are the Official Apartments in which 
 the various pecuniary transactions attached to the 
 duties of the Chamberlain are transacted. 
 
 Underneath these rooms is 
 
 THE OFFICE OF W T ORKS, 
 
 a very convenient suite of apartments. 
 
 THE TOWN CLERKS OFFICES ; 
 
 On the opposite side of the Court-yard, and 
 under the Court of King's Bench, are the Offices 
 of the Town Clerk ; in which, and in a strong 
 room under the New Council Chamber, are de- 
 posited the very valuable collection of antient 
 Charters granted to the Citizens of this great 
 Metropolis, and the ample collection of City Re- 
 cords. The intelligent Antiquary will find his 
 labour well repaid, by investigating these interest- 
 
60 
 
 ing Memorials of former times. Fortunately for 
 the Publick, the care of them is intrusted to 
 gentlemen fully competent to appreciate their 
 importance, and liberal in their assistance to 
 those who, either in professional pursuits or in 
 literary researches, have occasion to consult them. 
 
 THE IRISH CHAMBER. 
 
 On the Southern side of Guildhall are the 
 apartments used by The Society of Governor and 
 Assistants, London, of the New Plantation in 
 Ulster, within the Realm of Ireland. The 
 rooms are commodious, and are ornamented with 
 a few good Portraits; among which is particu- 
 larly distinguished a capital one of their late 
 worthy Governor, Mr. Alderman Harvey Christian 
 Combe, painted by Sir William Beechey, R. A. 
 
 COMMISSIONERS OF SEWERS AND PAVEMENTS. 
 
 Their Office is over the old Council Chamber ; 
 but the meeting of the Commissioners for busi- 
 ness is usually in the Court of Aldermen's Room. 
 
 THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE 
 
 is on the West side of the South Front of the 
 Hall; and the Comptroller has a commodious 
 Dwelling-house adjoining. 
 
61 
 
 GUILDHALL CHAPEL 
 
 is a venerable appendage to the surrounding 
 buildings. It was founded in 1299, dedicated 
 to Saint Mary Magdalen and All Saints, and 
 called London College. This Chapel suffered 
 greatly by the Fire of London, but was not so 
 much injured (nor has been subsequently altered 
 by repairs) as to lose its architectural features; 
 retaining both externally and internally the chief 
 of them. It consists of a main and side aile, 
 the latter of which is to the North, but does not 
 appear to have had any regular communication 
 with the former, and is quite plain. The West 
 end has a large window with tracery entire, and 
 beneath it a handsome pointed arch entrance 
 under a square architrave, having sculptured ca- 
 pitals with quatrefoils, and shields with arms in 
 the spandrils. Against the window has been at- 
 tached three niches, large and heavy. They con- 
 tain good figures of King Edward VI.; Queen 
 Elizabeth, with a Phoenix under her; and of 
 Charles I. treading upon a globe ; sculptured by 
 W. Stone ; the spaces of wall on each side, and 
 under the window, are ornamented with pannels. 
 
 Service was performed in this Chapel as late as 
 the middle of the eighteenth century, but it is no 
 longer used for its original purposes. The in- 
 terior is separated by a wall in the centre ; the 
 East division of which is now used as the Court 
 of Requests. 
 
62 
 
 The proportions, when complete, were spacious, 
 handsome, and lofty, lighted by a large window at 
 each end, and smaller ones at the sides, of the same 
 age and character. The ceiling is flat, of plaster, 
 panneled similar to that in the Hall; the roofs 
 of the two fabrics being of timber, were together 
 destroyed in the great fire- The chequered mar- 
 ble pavement belonging to the altar yet remains ; 
 and on the South wall near the East window, but 
 high from the pavement, is a neat monument, the 
 inscription upon which is so much defaced as to be 
 illegible from the distance at which it is seen. 
 
 The Western part of the Chapel is not appro- 
 priated to any particular purpose. Among heaps 
 of timber and materials which are used in Guild- 
 hall upon particular occasions, are to be seen 
 books, maps, plans, manuscripts, with several pic- 
 tures; models of St. Luke's hospital, the old Court 
 of Common Council, and other buildings, &c. 
 These things form a confused mass under and on 
 the top of the gallery at the West end ; and, from 
 the time they have lain in their present condition, 
 have collected so much dust and rubbish as al- 
 most to defy inspection. 
 
 In the backs of the niches in the West win- 
 dow before noticed, which appear within, are the 
 arms of the City in a guideron shield. 
 
 This Chapel contained numerous Monuments. 
 Some of the principal erected before the Fire 
 of London, of which many were destroyed at 
 
that time, were, a tomb with a figure of John 
 Wells, Grocer, and Mayor in 1431, on the 
 South side of the choir above the vestry door; 
 the tomb of Thomas Knes worth, Fishmonger, 
 and Mayor anno 1505, on the South side of the 
 choir ; a grave-stone to the memory of Sir John 
 Langley, Knight, Goldsmith, and Mayor anno 
 15/6, who was buried in the vault of the before- 
 named John Wells. 
 
 There were also several other flat stones, bear- 
 ing arms, inscriptions, &c; most of which were 
 in memory of the Custodes, or Wardens, and of 
 Chaplains and Officers of the Chamber. 
 
 Of the Monuments which remained about fifty 
 years ago in good preservation may be noticed, 
 one to the memory of Catherine Lightfoot, who 
 died in 1673; another to her husband William 
 Lightfoot, attorney and register of Sutton's hos- 
 pital, who died in 1699. 
 
 A Monument to William Mann, Esq. sword- 
 bearer to the Lord Mayor ; he died April 30, 
 1705, aged 77, having officiated in that office for 
 46 years : he had five wives. 
 
 Other Monuments were to William Fluellen, 
 Esq. Alderman, who died A. D. 1675 ; and 
 William Avery, who died A. D. 1671, with this 
 inscription : 
 
 " Gulielmus Avery, dum vixit celeberrimse 
 huic Civitati a Commentariis." 
 
64 
 
 Only one Monument now remains, as before 
 noticed ; and it appears too modern to be one of 
 the last just named. 
 
 Blackwell Hall. 
 
 On the East side of the Court-yard, extending 
 from the Chapel Southward, is Blackwell Hall. 
 In the centre is an enormous Doric door-case of 
 two pillars, with a divided pediment, in which 
 are the royal arms. Eighteen windows in three 
 stories, a cornice and pediment over the centre, 
 complete this Front. 
 
 The Land Tax Office. 
 
 In a part of the antient Blackvvell-Hall, South- 
 ward, are convenient Offices for the use of the 
 Commissioners of the Land Tax, and the Com- 
 missioners of the several Assessed Taxes, for the 
 City of London. 
 
 Sitting Alderman's Court, &c. 
 
 On the West side of the Court-yard is a plain 
 brick building, with a basement of the Tuscan 
 order ; containing on the ground floor the Court 
 for the Alderman who sits in weekly rotation a* 
 Justice. On the First floor are the Offices of 
 the City Solicitor 5 and on the Second floor, 
 those of the City Remembrancer. 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Printed by Nichols and Son, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London. 
 
m