The old chapel of St. Anne stood in the New-way, near the back of the workhouse, at the bottom of the almonry leading to what is now called Stratton Ground.  It was pulled down, I believe, about the middle of the seventeenth century.  The new chapel of St. Anne, erected in 1631, near the site of the old one, was destroyed about fifty years since.

Mr. Cunningham, in his Handbook for London (vol. i. p. 17.), says,—­

    “The first printing-press ever seen in England was set up in
    this almonry under the patronage of Esteney, Abbot of
    Westminster, by William Caxton, citizen and mercer (d. 1483).”

Esteney succeeded Milling in the Abbacy of Westminster, but the latter did not die before 1492.  On p. 520. of his second volume, Mr. Cunninghan gives the date of Caxton’s death correctly, i.e. 1491.

EDWARD F. RIMBAULT.

* * * * *

SANATORY LAWS IN OTHER DAYS.

In that curious medley commonly designated, after Hearne, Arnold’s Chronicle, and which was probably first printed in 1502 or 1503, we find the following passages.  I make “notes” of them, from their peculiar interest at the moment when sanatory bills, having the same objects, are occupying the public attention so strongly; especially in respect to the Smithfield Nuisance and the Clergy Discipline bill.

1.  In a paper entitled “The articles dishired bi y’e comonse of the cety of London, for reformacyo of thingis to the same, of the Mayer, Aldirmen, and Comon Counsell, to be enacted,” we have the following:—­

“Also that in anoyding the corupte savours and lothsom innoyaunc (caused by slaughter of best) w’tin the cyte, wherby moche people is corupte and infecte, it may plese my Lord Mayr, Aldirmen, and Comen Counsaile, to put in execucion a certaine acte of parlement, by whiche it is ordeigned y’t no such slaughter of best shuld be vsed or had within this cite, and that suche penaltees be leuyed vpo the contrary doers as in the said acte of parlement ben expressed.

“Also in anoyding of lyke annoyauce.  Plese it my Lord Mair, Alderme, and Como Councell, to enact that noo manor pulter or any other persone i this cytee kepe from hinsforth, within his hous, swans, gies, or dowk, upon a peyn therfore to be ordeigned.”—­pp. 83, 84, 3d. ed.

I believe that one item of “folk-faith” is that “farm-yard odours are healthy.”  I have often {100} heard it affirmed at least; and, indeed, has not the common councilman, whom the Times has happily designated as the “defender of filth”, totally and publicly staked his reputation on the dogma in its most extravagant shape, within the last few months?  It is clear that nearly four centuries ago, the citizens of London thought differently; even though “the corupte savours and lothsom innoyaunc” were infinitely less loathsome than in the present Smithfield and the City slaughter-houses.