royalty restored-第53章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


duty　took　them　abroad。　　From　the　year　1556；　in　the　reign　of　Queen　Mary；　〃fit　persons　with　suitable　strength〃　had　been　appointed　to　walk　the　streets　and　watch　the　city　by　night；　to　protect　those　in　danger；　arrest　suspected　persons；　warn　householders　of　danger　by　fire　and　candle；　help　the　poor；　pray　for　the　dead；　and　preserve　the　peace。　　These　burly　individuals　were　known　as　watch　or　bell　men；　one　was　appointed　for　each　ward；　whose　duty　it　was　to　pass　through　the　district　he　guarded　ringing　his　bell；　〃and　when　that　ceaseth；〃　says　Stow；　〃he　salutes　his　masters　and　mistresses　with　his　rhymes；　suitable　to　the　seasons　and　festivals　of　the　year；　and　bids　them　look　to　their　lights。〃

In　the　third　year　of　the　reign　of　King　Charles　II。；　whilst　Sir　John　Robinson　was　mayor　of　London　town；　divers　good　orders　were　made　by　him　and　his　common　council　for　the　better　service　of　these　watches。　　The　principal　of　these　set　forth　that　each　should　be　accompanied　by　a　constable　and　a　beadle　selected　from　the　inhabitants　of　their　respective　wards；　who　should　be　required　in　turn　to　render　voluntary　service　in　guarding　the　city；　from　nine　of　the　clock　at　night　till　seven　in　the　morning；　from　Michaelmas　to　the　1st　of　April；　and　from　that　date　until　the　31st　of　March；　from　ten　at　night　till　five　in　the　morning。

These　rules　were　not；　however；　vigorously　carried　out；　the　volunteers　were　frequently　unwilling　to　do　duty；　or　when；　fearful　of　fine；　they　went　abroad；　they　usually　spent　their　time　in　tippling　in　ale…houses；　so　that；　as　Delaune　remarks；　〃a　great　many　wicked　persons　capable　of　the　blackest　villainies　do　creep　about；　as　daily　and　sad　experience　shows。〃　　It　was　not　only　those　who；　with　drawn　swords；　darted　from　some　deep　porch　or　sheltering　buttress；　in　hopes　of　enriching　themselves　at　their　neighbour's　expense；　that　were　to　be　dreaded。　　It　was　a　fashion　of　the　time　for　companies　of　young　gentlemen　to　saunter　forth　in　numbers　after　route　or　supper；　when；　being　merry　with　wine　and　eager　for　adventure；　they　were　brave　enough　to　waylay　the　honest　citizen　and　abduct　his　wife；　beat　the　watch　and　smash　his　lantern；　bedaub　signboards　and　wrench　knockers；　overturn　a　sedan…chair　and　vanquish　the　carriers；　sing　roystering　songs　under　the　casements　of　peaceful　sleepers；　and　play　strange　pranks　to　which　they　were　prompted　by　young　blood　and　high　spirits。

Among　those　who　made　prominent　figures　in　such　unholy　sports　was　the　king's　eldest　son；　my　Lord　Duke　of　Monmouth。　　He　and　his　young　grace　of　Albemarleson　to　that　gallant　soldier　now　deceased；　who　was　instrumental　in　restoring　his　majestytogether　with　some　seven　or　eight　young　gentlemen；　whilst　on　their　rounds　one　Sunday　morning　encountered　a　beadle；　whose　quaint　and　ponderous　figure　presented　itself　to　their　blithe　minds　as　a　fit　object　for　diversion　in　lieu　of　better。　　Accordingly　they　accosted　him　with　rough　words　and　unceremonious　usage；　the　which　he　resenting；　they　came　to　boisterous　threats　and　many　blows；　that　ended　only　when　the　poor　fellow　lay　with　outstretched　limbs　stark　dead　upon　the　pavement。　　Sir　Charles　Sedley　and　Lord　Brockhurst　were　also　notable　as　having　been　engaged　in　another　piece　of　what　has　been　called　〃frolick　and　debauchery；〃　when　〃they　ran　up　and　down　all　night　almost　naked　through　the　streets；　at　last　fighting　and　being　beaten　by　the　watch；　and　clapped　up　all　night。〃

It　was　not　until　the　last　years　of　the　merry　monarch's　reign　that　there　was　introduced　〃an　ingenious　and　useful　invention　for　the　good　of　this　great　city；　calculated　to　secure　one's　goods；　estates；　and　person；　to　prevent　fires；　robberies　and　housebreakings；　and　several　accidents　and　casualties　by　falls　to　which　man　is　liable　by　walking　in　the　dark〃　This　was　a　scheme　for　lighting　the　streets；　by　placing　an　oil…lamp　in　front　of　every　tenth　house　on　each　side　of　the　way；　from　Michaelmas　to　Lady…day；　every　night　from　six　of　the　clock　till　twelve；　beginning　the　third　night　after　every　full　moon；　and　ending　on　the　sixth　night　after　every　new　moon；　one　hundred　and　twenty　nights　in　all。　　The　originator　of　this　plan　was　one　Edward　Hemming；　of　London；　gentleman。　　His　project　was　at　first　ridiculed　and　opposed　by　〃narrow…souled　and　self…interested　people；〃　who　were　no　doubt　children　of　darkness　and　doers　of　evil　deeds；　but　was　eventually　hailed　with　delight　by　all　honest　men；　one　of　whom；　gifted　with　considerable　imagination；　declared　these　poor　oil…lamps　〃seemed　but　one　great　solar　light　that　turned　nocturnal　shades　to　noonday。〃

In　this　reign　the　city　proper　was　confined　eastward　of　Temple　Bar；　to　the　west　lay　the　palaces　of　Somerset　House　and　Whitehall；　the　stately　parks；　and　great　houses　of　the　nobility　surrounded　by　wide　gardens　and　wooded　grounds。　　Monsieur　Sorbiere；　who　in　this　reign　made　a　journey　into　England；　an　account　of　which　he　subsequently　published　〃to　divert　a　person　of　quality　who　loved　him　extremely；〃　resided　close　by　Covent　Garden　during　his　stay。　It　was　usual；　he　writes；　for　people　in　the　district　to　say；　〃I　go　to　London；〃　for　〃indeed　'tis　a　journey　for　those　who　live　near　Westminster。　　'Tis　true；〃　he　adds；　〃they　may　sometimes　get　thither　in　a　quarter　of　an　hour　by　water；　which　they　cannot　do　in　less　than　two　hours　by　land；　for　I　am　persuaded　no　less　time　will　be　necessary　to　go　from　one　end　of　its　suburb　to　the　other。〃　　For　a　crown　a　week　this　ingenious　and　travelled　gentleman　had　lodgings　in　Covent　Garden；　not　far　removed　from　Salisbury　House；　a　vicinity　which　he　avows　was　〃certainly　the　finest　place　in　the　suburbs。〃　　Covent　Garden　itself　has　been　described　by　John　Strype；　native　of　the　city　of　London；　as　〃a　curious　large　and　airy　square　enclosed　by　rails；　between　which　railes　and　houses　runs　a　fair　street。〃　　The　square；　or；　as　it　was　commonly　called；　garden；　was　well　gravelled　for　greater　accommodation　of　those　who　wished　to　take　the　air；　and　that　its　surface　might　more　quickly　dry　after　rain；　it　was　raised　by　an　easy　ascent　to　the　centre；　where　stood　a　sundial　fixed　on　a　black　marble　pillar；　at　the　base　of　which　were　stone　steps；　〃whereon　the　weary'　might　rest。〃

The　west　side　of　the　square　was　flanked　by　the　handsome　portico　of　St。　Paul's　Church；　erected　at　the　expense　of　Francis；　Earl　of　Bedford；　from　designs　by　Mr。　Inigo　Jones；　the　south　side　opened　to　Bedford　Gardens；　〃where　there　is　a　small　grotto　of　trees；　most　pleasant　in　the　summer　season。　　Here；　on　Tuesdays；　Thursdays；　and　Saturdays；　a　market　was　held；　well　stocked　with　roots；　fruits；　herbs；　and　flowers。　　On　the　north　and　east　sides　stood　large　and　stately　houses　of　persons　of　quality　and　consideration；　the　fronts　of　which；　being　supported　by　strong　pillars；　afforded　broad　walks；　known　as　the　Piazza；　and　found　convenient　in　wet　and　sultry　weather。

Here　amongst　other　houses　was　that　of　my　Lord　Brouncker；　where　Mr。　Pepys　enjoyed　a　most　noble　French　dinner　and　much　good　discourse；　in　return　for　which　he　gave　much　satisfaction　by　the　singing　of　a　new　ballad；　to　wit；　Lord　Dorset's　famous　song；　〃To　all　ye　ladies　now　on　land。〃　　Not　far　distant；　its　face　turned　to　the　Strand；　was　the　stately　residence　of　the　Duke　of　Bedford；　a　large　dark　building；　fronted　by　a　great　courtyard；　and　backed　by　spacious　gardens　enclosed　by　red…brick　walls。　Likewise　in　the　Strand　stood　Arundel　House；　the　residence　of　Henry　Frederick　Howard；　Earl　of　Arundel　and　Surrey；　and　Earl　Marshal　of　England；　Hatfield　House；　built　by　Thomas　Hatfield；　Bishop　of　Durham；　as　a　town　residence　for　himself　and　his　heirs　lawfully　begotten；　York　House；　richly　adorned　with　the　arms　of　Villiers　and　Mannersone　gloomy　chamber　of　which　was　shown　as　that　wherein　its　late　noble　owner；　George；　first　Duke　of　Buckingham；　was　stabbed　by　Felton；　Worcester　House；　at　one　time　occupied　by　Lord　Chancellor　Clarendon；　and　Essex　House；　situated　near　St。　Clement　Danes；　the　town　residence　of　Arthur　Capel；　Earl　of　Essex；　〃a　sober；　wise；　judicious；　and　pondering　person；　not　illiterate　beyond　the　rate　of　most　noblemen　of　this　age。〃

There　were　also　many　other　noble　mansions　lying　westward；　amongst　them　being　those　of　the　Dukes　of　Ormond　and　Norfolk　in　St。　James's　Square；　which　was　built　at　this　time；　Berkeley　House；　which　stood　on　the　site　now　occupied　by　Berkeley　Square；　a　magnificent　structure　containing　a　staircase　of　cedar　wood；　and　great　suites　of　lofty　rooms；　Leicester　House；　situated　in　Leicester　Fields；　subsequently　known　as　Leicester　Square；　behind　which　stretched　a　goodly　common；　Goring　House；　〃a　very　pretty　villa　furnished　with　silver　jars；　vases；　cabinets；　and　other　rich　furniture；　even　to　wantonnesse　and　profusion；〃　on　the　site　of　which　Burlington　Street　now　stands；　Clarendon　House；　a　princely　residence；　combining　〃state；　use；　solidity；　and　beauty；〃　surrounded　by　fair　gardens；　that　presently　gave　place　to　Bond　Street；　Southampton　House；　standing；　as　Evelyn　says；　in　〃a　noble　piazzaa　little　town；〃　now　known　as　Bloomsbury　Square；　whose　pleasant　grounds　commanded　a　full　view　of　the　rising　hills　of　Hampstead　and　Highgate；　and　Montagu　House；　described　as　a　palace　built　in　the　French　fashion；　standing　on　the　ground　now　occupied　by　the　British　Museum；　which　in　this　reign　was　backed　by　lonely　fields；　the　dread　scenes　of　〃robbery；　murder；　and　every　species　of　depravity　and　wickedness　of　which　the　heart　can　think。〃

Besides　the　grounds　and　gardens　surrounding　these　stately　mansions；　a　further　aspect　of　space　and　freshness　was　added　to　the　capital　by　public　parks。　　Foremost　amongst　these　was　St。　James's；　to　which　the　merry　monarch　added　several　fields；　and　for　its　greater　advantage　employed　Monsieur　La　Notre；　the　famous　French　landscape…gardener。　　Amongst　the　improvements　this　ingenious　man　effected　were　planting　trees　of　stately　height；　contriving　a　canal　one　hundred　feet　broad　and　two　hundred　and　eighty　feet　long；　with　a　decoy　and　duck　island；　＇The　goodnatured　Charles　made　Monsieur　St。　Evremond　governor　of　Duck　Island；　to　which　position　he　attached　a　salary　much　appreciated　by　the　exile。　　The　island　was　removed　in　1790　to　make　room　for　fresh　improvements。＇　　and　making　a　pleasant　pathway　bordered　by　an　aviary　on　either　side；　usually　called　Bird　Cage　Walk。　　An　enclosure　for　deer　was　formed　in　the　centre　of　the　park；　not　far　removed　was　the　famous　Physic　Garden；　where　oranges　were　first　seen　in　England；　and　at　the　western　end；　where　Buckingham　Palace　has　been　erected；　stood　Arlington　House；　described　as　〃a　most　neat　box；　and　sweetly　seated　amongst　gardens；　enjoying　the　prospect　of　the　park　and　the　adjoining　fields。〃

The　great　attraction　of　St。　James's　Park　was　the　Mall；　which　Monsieur　Sorbiere　tells　us　was　a　walk　〃eight　hundred　and　fifty　paces　in　length；　beset　with　rows　of　large　trees；　and　near　a　small　wood；　from　whence　you　may　see　a　fine　mead；　a　long　canal；　Westminster　Abbey；　and　the　suburbs；　which　afford　an　admirable　prospect。〃　　This　path　was　skirted　by　a　wooded　border；　and　at　the　extreme　end　was　set　with　iron　hoops；　〃for　the　purpose　of　playing　a　game　with　a　ball　called　the　mall。〃　　＇〃Our　Pall　Mall　is；　I　believe；　derived　from　paille　maille；　a　game　somewhat　analogous　to　cricket；　and　imported　from　France　in　the　reign　of　the　second　Charles。　　It　was　formerly　played　in　St。　James's　Park；　and　in　the　exercise　of　the　sport　a　small　hammer　or　mallet　was　used　to　strike　the　ball。　　I　think　it　worth　noting　that　the　Malhe　crest　is　a　ma