MELBOURNE-HOUSE.

THE delightful portrait of the Jewish Rabbi, by Rembrandt.

A HEAD of Titian, by himself. And another of the painter Carlo Cignani, also by himself.

THE unfeeling Philip II. by Titian; a fulllength, in armour, enriched with gold. The only time he ever buckled it on, was when he shewed himself to his troops going on the assault of St. Quintin. He merited to be stripped of the honorable dress he never appeared in the field; and carried on his wars like an assassin.

I WILL close this very imperfect list, with the famous countess of Desmond; a popular subject with the painters: and refer the reader to the account I have given of her in my visits to that worthy peer the late earl of Kinnoul, in both my tours in Scotland.

THE collection of pictures by the great Italian masters, is by far the finest private collection now in England.

175

THE house of that monster of treachery, that profligate minister the earl of Sunderland, who, by his destructive advice, premeditatedly brought ruin on his unsuspecting master James II., stood on or near the site of the present Melbourne-house, one MELBOURNEof the most magnificent in London, built by Sir W. Chambers. At the very time that he sold

* Melbourne-house was successively denominated Brandenburg and York-house, from the names of its occupiers. Of late years it

HOUSE.

176

PICCADILLY.

him to the prince of Orange, he encouraged his majesty in every step which was sure to involve him and his family in utter ruin.

PICCADILLY is continued nearly half a mile farther to the west:* but the north side only consists of houses, most of them mean buildings: it finishes handsomely with the magnificent new house of lord Bathurst, at Hyde-park Corner. On the south side is the Green-park, bounded by a wall; but in many places are rows of benevolent railings, which afford a most elegant view of that park, the trees in that of St. James's, the majestic venerable abby soaring far above, and the more remote rural view of the Surry hills. Beyond the Turnpike-house, stood the house of a nobleman, celebrated by Mr. Pope for his passion for dancing; who demanded an audience from queen Anne, after the death of George prince of Denmark, to advise her majesty to dispel her grief by applying to that exercise:

The sober Lanesborow dancing in the gout.

I have heard it said, that this was only his country-house; which it might possibly have been, at

has been much enlarged, and converted into separate lodging-houses, with sets of chambers in each for the accommodation of single men or small families. These buildings now extend from Piccadilly to the end of Saville Street, and are called Albany. ED.

All the west part was originally called Portugal-street.

ST. GEORGE'S HOSPITAL.-HYDE-PARK.

that time. His lordship certainly thought so, by the curious distich he inscribed on the front.

It is my delight to be

Both in town and country.

177

HOSPITAL.

IN 1733 arose on its site that great charity St. ST. George's George's hospital, founded by the voluntary contributions of the inhabitants of Westminster. The subscriptions, in 1786, were 2,2391. 5s.; in the year 1791, 2,262l. 14s. 6d. ; but the benevolence of the governors, or more numerous accidents, caused an increase of expence, which threatened most serious consequences, till the house was happily relieved by the bounty received from the third of the profits arising from the musical entertainments of the abby.-This hospital has discharged, since it was opened, on the first of the year 1733, to December the 29th, 1790, not fewer than a hundred and seventy-three thousand two hundred and seventeen patients. In the year 1791, were admitted by recommendations, 1078: on account of accidents, without recommendations, 297.*

HYDE-PARK was in the late century, and the THE RING. early part of the present, celebrated, by all our

In 1808, the number which had been discharged amounted to 209,430. In 1807, were admitted by recommendations, 963; on account of accidents, 487; the out-patients 1,121. The whole expence the same year amounted to 5,880l. Os. 8d. the annual subscription to 2,3781. gs. (Highmore's Public Charities, p. 126.) ED.

178

KENSINGTON

PALACE.

FORTIFICA

TIONS IN

1642.

FORTIFICATIONS IN THE CIVIL WAR.

dramatic poets, for its large space railed off in form of a circle, round which the Beau-monde drove in their carriages; and in their rotation, exchanging as they passed smiles and nods, compliments, or smart repartees.

ADJACENT to this park is the palace of Kensington. I have limited my plan; so must not go beyond the bounds.

OPPOSITE to the hospital at Hyde-park Corner, stood a large fort with four bastions, one of the many flung up in the year 1642. It is incredible with what speed the citizens raised a rampart of earth round the city and suburbs of London, also round Southwark and Lambeth, strengthened with batteries and redoubts at proper intervals. This was occasioned by the alarm of an attack from

assisted by thousands.

the royal army. Men, women, and children,
thousands. The active part which
the fair sex took in the work, is admirably de-
scribed by the inimitable author of Hudibras;
who, says he,

March'd rank and file with drum and ensign,
T'entrench the city for defence in :

Rais'd rampiers with their own soft hands,

Το put the enemy to stands;

From ladies down to oyster-wenches,
Labour'd like pioneers in trenches,

Fal'n to their pick-axes and tools,
And help'd the men to dig like moles.
Have not the handmaids of the city
Chos'n of their members a committee,

TART-HALL.

For raising of a common purse,
Out of their wages to raise horse?
And do they not as Triers sit,

To judge what officers are fit?

179

OR CLEVE

THERE were a few more great houses, not re- BERKSHIRE, mote from St. James's palace, which merit men- LAND-HOUSE. tion. Berkshire-house, belonging to the Howards, earls of Berkshire, stood very near the royal residence. It was afterwards purchased, and presented by Charles II. to that beautiful fury Barbara dutchess of Cleveland, and its honorable name changed into that of her dishonored title. It was then of great extent. She sold part, which was converted into various houses; and erected a large one for herself, which still remains, and may be distinguished by the row of round windows in

the upper story.

TART-HALL stood near the present Bucking- TART-HALL. ham-gate: it was built in 1638, by Nicholas Stone, for Alathea countess of Arundel, wife to Thomas earl of Arundel. After the death of the countess it became the property of her second son, the unfortunate William lord Stafford, a most gentle and amiable character, who fell an innocent victim to the detestable violence of party, and the perjured suborned evidence of the ever infamous Oates, Dugdale, and Tuberville. Good men, who had no share in that party, hurried away by intemperate passion, were at the period disgraced