are, the more cautious and careful the watermen are, and the least apt to run into danger; whereas, if their passengers appear frighted, then the watermen grow sawcy and audacious, show themselves vent’rous, and contemn the dangers which they are really exposed to.”—­p. 130.

We are not bound to suppose that this is plain relation of matter of fact, any more than the History of Robinson Crusoe; but it is a graphic sketch of life and manners worth the notice of those who study such things.  It forms at least a little contribution to the history of travelling in England.  A passenger who had just landed from a Gravesend boat, to pursue his journey by land, might well be thankful to “be received in a coach” like that which had been started at York near half a century before.

Alpha.

       * * * * * {211}

Notes on the second edition of Mr. Cunningham’s handbook of London.

Mr. Cunningham’s work on London is a book of such general interest, that the additions and corrections, which I shall continue from time to time to offer to your readers, will not, I think, be deemed impertinent or trifling.  Let it not be imagined, for one single instant, that I wish to depreciate Mr. Cunningham’s labours.  On the contrary, his book is one of the most delightful publications relative to our great city which we possess.  And let me candidly say, if I were to select only half-a-dozen volumes for my own reading, Cunningham’s Handbook of London would most assuredly be one of that number.

The quaint and learned old Fuller, in his address to the Worthies of England, says: 

“The bare skeleton of time, place, and person, must be fleshed with some pleasant passages; and to this intent I have purposely interlaced (not as meat but as condiment) many stories, so that the reader, if he do not arise religiosior or doctior, with more piety or learning, at least he may depart jucundior, with more pleasure and lawful delight.”

This remark has been well understood by Mr. Cunningham, whose pleasant quotations, and literary and artistic recollections, have made his book a readable one to the many, and an instructive companion for the initiated.

The “bare skeleton” sometimes wants “fleshing,” and hence the following list of additions and corrections: 

1. Dobney’s, or, more correctly, D’Aubigney’s Bowling Green, was a celebrated place of amusement “more than sixty years since.”  It is now occupied by a group of houses called Dobney’s Place, near the bottom of Penton street, and almost opposite to the Belvidere Tavern and Tea Gardens.

2. Bridge Street, Westminster. The Long Wool-staple was on the site of this street.  Henry VIII., in 1548, founded, “in the Long Wool-staple,” St. Stephen’s Hospital, for eight maimed soldiers, who had each a convenient room, and received an allowance of 5l. a year from the exchequer.  It was removed in 1735, and eight almshouses rebuilt in St. Anne’s Lane, bearing the inscription “Wool-staple Pensioners, 1741.”  In 1628, in the Overseer’s books of St. Margaret’s is rated in the Wool-staple “Orlando Gibbons ij d.”