Thus our ancient personal names were written down by the ear at a period when we had no settled orthography; and even at a later period, not distant from our own times, some persons, it might be shown, have been equally puzzled how to write their names; witness the Thomsons, Thompsons; the Wartons, Whartons, &c.

NAMES OF OUR STREETS.

Lord Orford has in one of his letters projected a curious work to be written in a walk through the streets of the metropolis, similar to a French work, entitled “Anecdotes des Rues de Paris.”  I know of no such work, and suspect the vivacious writer alluded in his mind to Saint Foix’s “Essais Historiques sur Paris,” a very entertaining work, of which the plan is that projected by his lordship.  We have had Pennant’s “London,” a work of this description; but, on the whole, this is a superficial performance, as it regards manners, characters, and events.  That antiquary skimmed everything, and grasped scarcely anything; he wanted the patience of research, and the keen spirit which revivifies the past.  Should Lord Orford’s project be carried into execution, or rather should Pennant be hereafter improved, it would be first necessary to obtain the original names, or the meanings, of our streets, free from the disguise in which time has concealed them.  We shall otherwise lose many characters of persons, and many remarkable events, of which their original denominations would remind the historian of our streets.

I have noted down a few of these modern misnomers, that this future historian may be excited to discover more.

Mincing-lane was Mincheon-lane; from tenements pertaining to the Mincheons, or nuns of St. Helen’s, in Bishopsgate-street.

Gutter-lane, corrupted from Guthurun’s-lane; from its first owner, a citizen of great trade.

Blackwall-hall was Bakewell’s-hall, from one Thomas Bakewell; and originally called Basing’s-haugh, from a considerable family of that name, whose arms were once seen on the ancient building, and whose name is still perpetuated in Basing’s-lane.

Finch-lane was Finke’s-lane, from a whole family of this name.

Thread-needle-street was originally Thrid-needle-street, as Samuel Clarke dates it from his study there.

Billiter-lane is a corruption of Bellzetter’s-lane, from the first builder or owner.

Crutched-friars was Crowched or Crossed-friars.

Lothbury was so named from the noise of founders at their work; and, as Howell pretends, this place was called Lothbury, “disdainedly.”

Garlick-hill was Garlicke-hithe, or hive, where garlick was sold.