Curiosities in the Tower of London.: [pt.2] Boreman, Thomas, fl. 1730-1743. 126 600dpi bitonal TIFF page images and SGML/XML encoded text University of Michigan Library Ann Arbor, Michigan 2009 October 004878585 T118393 CW105223827 K094902.002 CW3305223935 ECSS 0845700102

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Curiosities in the Tower of London. Boreman, Thomas, fl. 1730-1743. The second edition. 2v. : ill. ; 64⁰. printed for Tho. Boreman, London, London : 1741. Anonymous. By Thomas Boreman. With a list of subscribers in each volume. Reproduction of original from the British Library. English Short Title Catalog, ESTCT118393. Electronic data. Farmington Hills, Mich. : Thomson Gale, 2003. Page image (PNG). Digitized image of the microfilm version produced in Woodbridge, CT by Research Publications, 1982-2002 (later known as Primary Source Microfilm, an imprint of the Gale Group).

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eng

CURIOSITIES In the Tower of London.

VOLUME the SECOND.

The Second Edition.

London, Printed for Tho. Boreman, near the giants in Guildhall, and at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill. 1741. [Pr. 4 d.

SUBSCRIBERS To the HISTORY of the TOWER. VOL. II. A. MIſs Nanny Abdy, of Golden-ſquare. Maſter Tommy Allen. Miſs Fanny Allen. Miſs Anne Alavoine. Miſs Jenny Anſel. Maſter Jemmy Pettit Andrews, of Bloomsbury-ſquare. B. Miſs Penelope Brindley, 6 Sets. Miſs Leny Brereton, 7 Sets. Maſter Dicky Boys, of Colcheſter, 7 Sets. Maſter Sammy Butler. Miſs Jenny Bird. C. Maſter Dicky Caldwell, 50 Sets. Maſter Bobby Cramar. Maſter Tommy Crofton. Miſs Molly Churchil. Maſter Charly Churchil. Maſter Jacky Churchil. Miſs Sally Cecil. Miſs Eſther Chaſſereau. Miſs Jane Chaſſereau. Maſter Anthony Chappelle, 22 Sets. D. Miſs Sally Dearling. Maſter Jacky Dearling, of Chicheſter. Miſs Betſy Durance. Miſs Patty Dobbins. Maſter Billy Dubourdieu, of Low-Layton, 2 Sets. Maſter Jacky Dubourdieu, of Boxford, Suffolk, 2 Sets Maſter Daniel Danvers. Miſs Peggy Drury. Maſter Jacky Duncombe. Miſs Clara Duncombe. Miſs Patty Duncombe. E. Miſs Kitty Elliſton, for herſelf and brother, Maſter Johnny, both of Baſinghall-ſtreet, 2 Sets. F. Miſs Betſy Farnworth. Maſter Jacky Farnworth. G. Miſs Nanny Louiſa Goring. Miſs Frances Goring. Maſter Franky Gray. Maſter Joe Girdler. Maſter Jeffy Gillingham, of Bridewell Hoſpital. H. Maſter Tommy Hayward, of Friday-ſtreet. Miſs Henny Hitchcock, of Oporto. Maſter Dicky Hutchinſon, Miſs Polly Hutchinſon, both of Norwich. Maſter Jemmy Hall. Maſter Humphry Hall. Maſter Ammy Hall. Miſs Molly Hall. Miſs Mille Hall. Miſs Betſy Hall, all of Great Ormond-ſtreet. Maſter Neddy Haſtewell. Miſs Nanny Hopwood, of Covent-Garden. Miſs Sally Hewett. Miſs Betſy Henworth. Maſter Tommy Harriſon. I. Miſs Nancy Jones, of Laurence Pountney-lane. Miſs Kitty James. Maſter Matthew Jefferys, 4 Sets. L. Miſs Betty Land, of Bread-ſtreet. Miſs Polly Linzee. Miſs Nanny Lawrence. Maſter Sammy Leman. Miſs Molly Lewis. Miſs Kitty Lowther, 7 Sets Maſter Charly Lacy. Miſs Nanny Leeds. Maſter Boddy Lawly, of Cavendiſh-ſquare. M. Maſter Tommy Morton. Miſs Martha Morton. Miſs Betſy Moffatt. Miſs Mathews, of Chancery-lane. Maſter Francis Maſeres. Maſter Peter Maſeres. Maſter Daniel Maſeres. Miſs Magdabene Maſeres. Maſter Jacky Moleſworth. Maſter Billy Moleſworth. N. Maſter Dicky Newton, Aldermanbury. Miſs Betſy Norris, of Chelſea. Miſs Molly Norman, Miſs Jemmy Norman, of Wincheſter-ſtreet. O. Maſter Billy Oliver. Miſs Patty Oliver. P. Maſter Elias Perchard. Miſs Molly Proctor. Maſter Jacky Prince. Miſs Eſther Perchard. Miſs Jenny Parrot, of Nicholas-lane. Miſs Nancy Phillips, and Miſs Sally Phillips, of Bridewell Hoſpital. Miſs Anne Payne, of Eaſt-Grimſtead. Maſter Jacky Petit. Maſter Petter La Primidois. Maſter Jacky Warkman Pope, of Charter-houſe ſquare, 4. Sets. Miſs Polly Pomeroy. Maſter Billy Pomeroy. R. Maſter George William Ridgway, 7 Sets. Miſs Molly Ratcliff, of Bow-lane. Miſs Fide Read, of the Strand. Miſs Rebow, of Parſons-green, 4 Sets. Miſs Betſy Raper. Miſs Fanny Rodd. S. Miſs Sally Sellar, of Oxon Maſter Anthony Sawyer, of Golden-ſquare. Miſs Betty Stanton. Maſter Tommy Shadwell. Miſs Nanny Smart. Miſs Molly Stanley. Miſs Patty Stanley. Maſter Billy Stanley. Maſter Harry Stanley. Maſter Franky Stanley. Miſs Sally Seſel. Maſter Joe Stanfield. Maſter Joe Sharp for himſelf and play-fellow Johnny Standiſh, 2 Sets. Miſs Polly Slater. T. Miſs Suky Thorisby, and Miſs Betty Thorisby, both of St. Mary Ax. Maſter Maſſy Taylor, of Hackney. Miſs Molly Taylor, of Greville-ſtreet. Miſs Molly Tatnall. Miſs Nanny Tatnall. V. Maſter Nevil Umfreville, for himſelf and ſiſter, 2 S. W. Maſter Joe Woodgate. Miſs Nancy Woodgate. Miſs Nanny Wigget, of Norwich. Maſter Dixon Weldon. Miſs Betſy Weldon. Miſs Molly Willett, and Miſs Babby Willett, of Lad-lane. Miſs Judith Ware. Miſs Kitty Ware. Miſs Peggy Ware. Miſs Sally Ware. Maſter Dicky Ware.
CURIOSITIES In the Tower of London.
BOOK III.
CHAP. I. Of the ſmall Armoury.

THE building itſelf, called the new Armoury, where theſe arms are laid up, is a moſt noble and magnificent ſtructure. It ſtands north of the White Tower, and extends in length about a hundred and thirty yards, in depth about twenty. It was begun in the reign of king James the ſecond, and finiſhed in king William's.

You go in at the weſt end of this grand building, behind the chapel, and aſcend a ſpacious and lofty ſtair-caſe, at the head of which you turn to your right hand, and entering the room before you, you will ſee one of the greateſt, curioſities, in its kind, ever formed by the art of man: Here are arms, we are told, ſufficient for a hundred thouſand men at a minute's warning, laid up in a moſt ſurprizing artificial order and beauty, all bright and clean to admiration.

Juſt within the door, on the left hand, are, firſt, two lofty beatiful pyramids of piſtols, ſtanding upon the crown, globe and ſceptre, in curious carved work.

The ſecond is called a wilderneſs of arms; that is, pikes, carbines, muskets, bayonets, halberts, ſwords, piſtols, &c. ſo laid up, that you have a proſpect through all their ranges to the farther end of the room, which is three hundred and forty-five feet long; the ſight of which is enough to ſtrike one with wonder and amazement.

The third is a figure of arms taken at the Bath in the laſt rebellion in the year 1715.

Fourth, is the form of the waves of the ſea, made with ſwords.

Fifth, repreſents half-moons and fans, made with piſtols and bayonets; and the form of a target in the middle made with bayonet blades.

Sixth, two pillars of pikes, in imitation of fluted work, with fine carved capitals, of the Corinthian order.

Seventh, a pillar made of pikes and ſwords, for the ſea ſervice.

Eighth, are blunderbuſſes in the form of pillars, with capitals of piſtols all the way up; and on both ſides bayonets in the form of the waves of the ſea.

Ninth, carbines for the horſe ſervice, and marine hangers ſet in checquer-work.

Tenth, carbines for the horſe, lined with pikes.

Eleventh, are ſwords and bayonets in the form of half-moons and fans, ſet upon ſcollop-ſhells of fine carved work.

Twelfth, is the ſun riſing, repreſented in a ſquare frame, guarded with marine hangers; and oppoſite to that, in the middle of the room, are four beautiful twiſted pillars, made with piſtols up to the top, which is about twenty two feet, the heighth of the room: and in the centre of theſe pillars, is the form of a dropping ſtar, made of piſtols; upon the left is the form of the ſun ſetting, made anſwerable to that of its riſing.

Thirteenth, repreſents the form of a pair of gates, made with ſerjeants halberts.

Fourteenth, are carbines hanging in ſurbelows and flounces.

Fifteenth, is the form of a whale's backbone, made with carbines.

Sixteenth, repreſents the grand witch of Endor, called likewiſe Envy, or Meduſa's head; with the figures of ſnakes ſtinging her to death, made with three rows of piſtols, ſet with curious art; the features are of fine carved work.

Seventeenth, at the farther end of the room, on the left hand, is the armour of king Henry the fifth, who conquered France, with his flaming ſword in his hand: he took more men priſoners than he had in his army.

Next is the figure of a fiery ſerpent, the head and tail of carved work, the body of piſtols.

Facing the window, at the eaſt end, is the form of a large and beautiful organ, made with ſix thouſand piſtols, ten ſtory, or ranges high.

Between the windows, at the ſame end, is the repreſentation of the Hydra, or ſeven-headed monſter; three of which heads are above, and four below, and not one like the other, all of carved work.

Next, is king Henry the ſixth's armour; he was crowned king of France: his father conquered the country, and this prince loſt it.

The firſt curioſity on the other ſide, coming back again, is the figure of Jupiter in his fiery chariot, drawn by eagles, in the clouds, with a thunderbolt in his hand, in carved work, guarded round with bayonets.

Second, is the ſtar and garter made of piſtols and bayonets; with the thiſtle, roſe and crown over head, in carved work; and below, are birds, and other curious creatures, in fine carved work.

All the way down, on this ſide, are the ſame figures of arms, &c. anſwerable to thoſe we deſcribed in going up on the other.

Laſtly, you are ſhewn a great parcel of arms taken in the aſſaſſination plot againſt king William, particularly a blunderbus, with which the conſpirators deſigned to have ſhot that prince as he rid in his coach to Hampton-court; this hangs up over head: below, near the bottom, is a carbine, with which Charnock deſigned to have ſhot him as he rode a hunting.

Hence are likewiſe ſeveral arms taken in Scotland, in the laſt rebellion: particularly a curious piece of the late lord Mar's; and a large broad ſword with which a highlander ſtruck general Evans, and cut him through his hat, wig, and skull-cap.

There are in this ſmall Armoury, beſides theſe principal curioſities which I have mentioned, many fine things, which my young readers will be highly delighted to ſee. Here you pay Three-pence.

The next curiouſity is the train of artillery.

CHAP. II. Of the fine train of artillery.

THE grand ſtorehouſe where this curious train of artillery is kept, is directly under the ſmall Armoury, upon the ground floor; where there are a great number of curious braſs cannon, of various ſizes, all mounted upon carriages.

Firſt, you are ſhewn a parcel of new battering cannon, each carrying a ball of twenty four pound weight.

Second, a train of ordnance, which carry balls of twelve pounds weight.

Third, fine field-pieces which carry cartridges of ſmall ſhot made up in bags.

Fourth, a couple of ſmith's forges upon carriages, for conveniency of travelling, compleatly furniſhed for repairing any kind of iron-work, that may be wanting upon the road, or in the camp.

Fifth, mortar-pieces, which throw bomb-ſhells of thirteen inches diameter.

Sixth, a great number of mortar-pieces for the ſame uſes, of various ſizes, caſt in the reign of king George the firſt.

Seventh, the drum-major's fine chair upon a carriage, in which he ſits, with two kettle-drums fixed before him, and is drawn by ſix horſes in great ſtate.

Eight, a curious braſs cannon, made for Henry, prince of Wales, eldeſt ſon of king James the firſt; of which the carving alone coſt two hundred pounds. It hath this inſcription upon it, Thomas and Richard Pit made this piece, Anno 1608.

Ninth, two French pieces of ordnance, taken with count Tallard at the battle of Blenheim, in the year 1704.

Tenth, one of the firſt iron guns in England, invented about 360 years ago: it is twelve feet long.

Eleventh, the firſt invented braſs cannon, of about fifteen feet in length.

Twelfth, a large mortar-piece which carries a bomb-ſhell of eighteen inches diameter, and 500 weitht, and throws it two miles.

Thirteenth, a fire twiſted braſs cannon, twelve feet long; called Queen Elizabeth's pocket piſtol: which they merrily tell you was deſigned for her horſe's furniture when ſhe rode a hunting.

Fourteeth, two curious braſs field-pieces, of three-bore barrels, taken from the French at the memorable battle of Hocſtedt, on the ſecond of Auguſt, 1704.

Fifteenth, a mortar which throws nine ſhells at a time.

Sixteenth, an engine of ſmall mortars, which throws thirty hand-granados at a time.

Beſides thoſe already mentioned, there are a great number of other braſs field-pieces, of various ſizes; and on the walls, &c. a multitude of inſtruments made uſe of in war; ſuch as crows, ladles, wedges, ſcrews, handſpikes and ſpunges; and harneſs for the horſes which draw the train, &c.

Over head you ſee a trophy of ſtandards, colours, &c. as in Guildhall, taken in the laſt war with France.

And, laſtly, in going out there are two very curious braſs cannon, twenty four pounders, taken at Vigo, anno 1702. by the preſent lord Cobham. The breeches of theſe guns repreſent couching lions.

Here you pay Two pence each perſon.

Next you proceed to the Horſe Armoury.

CHAP. III. Of the Horſe Armoury.

HERE you are firſt preſented with a view of the ſigures of the horſe guards that attend the kings, whom you will ſee preſently all on horſeback in bright armour of poliſhed ſteel, and ranged in beautiful order on the other ſide of the houſe; as alſo of a great number of foot-guards, ſtanding between the horſe, &c.

Second, over head is the famous lance of Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, king Henry the eighth's general in France.

Third, a ſuit of tilting armour, with which the nobility and gentry uſed to exerciſe, before guns were invented.

Fourth, a curious ſuit of armour made for king Henry the eighth, rough from the hammer, and never filed.

Fifth, a little ſuit of armour for king Charles the ſecond, when he was prince of Wales; with a piece for his horſe's head, of curious workmanſhip.

Sixth, my lord Courcy's ſuit of armour, great champion of Ireland; and the large two-handed ſword he took from the champion of France: for which gallant action he and his ſucceſſors have the privilege of wearing their hats in the preſence of the kings of England; which is continued to this day. The lord Kinſale is now head of that noble family.

Seventh, a ſuit of Indian armour; ſent as a preſent to king Charles the ſecond, from the great Mogul, which is ſaid to be a defence againſt arrows, darts, and poiſoned lances, made uſe of in that country.

Eighth, a little ſuit of armour made in remembrance of Richard, duke of York, who, with his brother Edward the fifth, was ſmothered in the Tower between two feather-beds, about two hundred and fifty ſeven years ago; the former being about eleven years old, and the latter thirteen.

Ninth, John of Gaunt, duke of Lancaſter's armour; he was both ſon and father of a king, but never king himſelf. It is ſaid he was ſeven feet four inches high.

Tenth, is the comical figure of Will. Somers, jeſter to king Henry the eighth.— He is called an honeſt man of woman's making—wears his horns upon his head to prevent the making holes in his pocket; and becauſe he was dim-ſighted, he would believe neither the king, queen, nor any of the court, that he was a cuckold, till he had put his ſpectacles on; with which he is repreſented by way of ridicule to this day.

Eleventh, is an ill favoured old inſtrument, called the collar of torment, which we are told was formerly put about the necks of ſuch women as either proved falſe to their huſbands beds, or took too great a freedom with their tongues.

But long this collar has aſide been caſt. Sure! they are now leſs noiſy, and more chaſte.

Now we come to the kings on horſe-back, who are placed in the following order: Firſt, a curious figure of king William the third.

Second, another of king Charles the ſecond.

Third, of king Charles the firſt.

This ſuit of armour, which is ſteel, richly gilt with gold, coſt, as we are informed, fifteen hundred pounds; and was a preſent from the city of London, when he was prince of Wales.

Fourth, of king James I.

Fiſth of king Edward the ſixth, the firſt proteſtant prince that ever reigned in England: He was the royal founder of three hoſpitals, all which he gave to the city of London; viz. that of St. Thomas's for the relief of the ſick and the lame; Chriſt's Church for the ſupport of freemens children, who are orphans; and Bridewell, for training up of youth, and the encouragement of ſeveral uſeful branches of our Engliſh manufactures, &c.

Sixth, a curious figure of king Henry the eighth.

Seventh, of Henry the ſeventh, who killed crookbacked Richard the third, in Boſworth-field, Leiceſterſhire; ſome ſhort time after he had ſmothered his two young nephews in the Tower.

Eighth, of Edward the fifth, who was proclaimed king, but was never crowned; the crown hanging over his head. He was ſmothered with his brother, as mentioned above.

Ninth, of Edward the fourth, father of the two laſt named princes. This king was remarkable for his gallantries with the citizens wives, particularly with the famous Jane Shore.

Tenth, of king Henry the ſixth, crowned alſo king of France, at Paris.

Eleventh, of Henry the fifth, who conquered France; the ſame prince whom we mentioned in our chapter Of the ſmall Armoury, to have taken more men priſoners than he had in his army.

Twelfth, of Henry the fourth, ſon of John of Gaunt,

Thirteenth, of Edward the third, who was remarkable in having the kings of France and Scotland priſoners in England at one time; for which reaſon he wears two crowns upon his ſword.

Fourteenth, of Edward the firſt, who fought ſeveral battles againſt the Turks and Infidedls in the holy land.

Fifteenth, a noble figure of William the conqueror, duke of Normandy.

Laſtly, the walls and cieling of this fine Armoury, where all the abovementioned curioſities are depoſited, are every where ornamented with ancient breaſt-plates, ſwords, &c. For the ſight of the whole each perſon pays Two-pence.

I have now told my young readers all the fine things that I know of in this pompous place, excepting one, And that's a ſecret Which king Harry has to ſhow; And ſo it muſt remains, Till they to men and women grow.

We next proceed to the Regalia.

CHAP. IV. Of the Regalia in the Jewel Office.

THE ineſtimable treaſures which we are now to give our young readers a particular account of, are depoſited or laid up in a dark, ſtrong ſtone room, about twenty yards diſtant from the eaſt end of the new Armoury.

Firſt, the imperial crown, with which all the kings of England have been crowned ſince the time of Edward the confeſſor. It is a very rich crown of gold, embelliſhed with pearls and precious ſtones of divers kinds; namely, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and ſaphires, with a mound of gold on the top of it, encircled with a band or fillet of gold; adorned alſo with precious ſtones, and three very large oval pearls; one on the top of the croſs, and two others hanging at the end.

This crown is compoſed of four croſſes, and as many flower de lis of gold, upon a rim or circlet of gold, all embelliſhed with precious ſtones.

The cap within is of purple velvet, lined with white taffety, and turned up with ermine, thick powdered in three rows.

Second, the orb, or globe, which is put into the king's right hand immediately the king's right hand immediately before he is crowned, and borne in his left upon his return into Weſtminſter-hall.

It is a ball of gold, of ſix inches diameter, encompaſſed with a band or fillet of gold; embelliſhed with roſes of diamonds encircling other precious ſtones, and edged about with pearl: on the top of it is a very large amethyſt, of a violet or purple colour, about and inch and an half in heighth, of an oval form; which being encompaſſed with four ſilver wires, makes the pedeſtal of a very rich croſs of gold, of three inches and a quarter in heighth and three in breadth, ſet very thich with diamonds; having in the middle thereof a fair ſaphire on one ſide, and a fair emerald on the other, embelliſhed with four large pearls in the corners of the croſs, near its centre, and three large pearls at the end of the ſaid croſs.

The whole heighth of the ball and croſs together is eleven inches.

Third, the royal ſceptre with the croſs, which has another jewel of great value under it.

It is of fine gold; the handle plain, and the upper part wreathed: It is in length two foot nine inches and a quarter, and in compaſs three inches at the handle, and two and a quarter about the top. The pommel at the bottom enriched with rubies, emeralds, and ſmall diamonds. The top riſes into a flower de lis of ſix leaves; three whereof are upright, and three hanging down, all enriched with precious ſtones. Out of the ſame flower de lis iffueth a mound or ball, made of an amethyſt, garniſhed with table diamonds: and upon the mound or croſs quite covered with precious ſtones, with a large table diamond in the centre.

Fourth, the ſceptre with the dove, of fine gold, in length three feet ſeven inches, and three inches about at the handle, and two and a quarter at the top. The pommel garniſhed with a circle or fillet let of table diamonds, and in ſeveral places with precious ſtones of all ſorts. The mound or ball at the top, embelliſhed with roſe diamonds; and on the top of all a ſmall Jeruſalem croſs, whereon is fixed a dove with wings expanded, as the emblem of peace and mercy.

Fifth, Saint Edward's ſtaff, all beaten gold, in length four feet ſeven inches and a half, and about three inches and three quarters in circumference. This ſtaff, which is garniſhed alſo with gold, is carried before the king at his coronation.

Sixth, a rich ſaltcellar or ſtate, made in the form of the ſquare whire Tower; which is wrought with ſuch exquiſite art, that words cannot well expreſs it. This inimitable piece of gold plate is uſed at all coronations.

Seventh, the curtann, or pointleſs ſword of mercy. This is a broad bright ſword, the blade thirty two inches in length, and almoſt two broad: the handle is covered with a fine gold wire four inches, beſides the pommel an inch and three quarters, which with the croſs is plain ſtell gilt: the length of the croſs being almoſt eight inches. This ſword of mercy is borne naked before the king at his coronation, between the ſpiritual and temporal ſwords of juſtices, of which it is the cheif.

Eighth, a noble ſilver font, double gilt, in which the royal family are chriſtned. This is likewiſe a great curioſity with reſpect to its workmanſhip, antiquity, and ſolemn uſe, and is highly worthy of our young readers obſervation.

Ninth, a large ſilver fountain double gilt, which was a magnificent preſent from the town of Plymouth to their royal maſter king Charles the ſecond; the workmanſhip whereof is very curious, and the value very great.

Tenth, the rich crown of ſtate which his majeſty wears on his throne in parliament. It is embelliſhed with divers large roſe and table diamonds, and other precious ſtones; but moſt remarkable for a wonderful large ruby ſet in the middle of one of the croſſes, vauled at ten thouſand pounds and upwards: as alſo for the large emerald which is ſeven inches round; a pearl, the fineſt in the world; and a ruby of ineſtimable value.

Eleventh, his royal highneſs the prince of Wales's rich crown.

This and the crown of ſtate laſt mentioned, whenever his majeſty goes to the parliament-houſe, are carried by the keeper of the jewel-office, attended by one or two of the warders of the Tower, privately in a hackney coach to White-hall; where they are delivered to the proper officers, who with ſome yeomen of the guard carry them to the robing rooms, where his majeſty and the prince dreſs themſelves. His majeſty wears his crown on his head whilſt on the throne, and that belonging to the prince is placed before him, to ſhew that he is heir apparent to the crown. After the king has leſt the houſe, and is diſrobed, both the ſaid crowns are conveyed back to the Tower in the ſame privated manner.

Twelfth, the rich crown of ſtate, with the globe, ſceptre, and diadem, which queen Mary, the conſort of his late majeſy king William the third, wore in proceeding to her coronation.

Thirteenth, an ivory ſceptre with a dove on the top, made for the late king James's queen. This is in length three feet one inch and a half, the pommel whereof and garnature is gold, as is alſo the mound which croſſes the top. The dove is gold enamelled white; at the bottom it is about two inches round, at the top an inch and an half, or thereabouts.

Fourteenth, the golden ſpurs, which are very large and maſſy, and curiouſly wrought, of great antiquity, and are worn at coronations; as are the armilla's, which are golden bracelets for wriſts.

Laſtly, the ampulla, or eagle, of pur gold finely engraved, which holds the holy oil the kings and queens of England are anointed with. It ſtands on a pedeſtal with its wings expanded. The head ſcrews off at the middle of the neck, for the conveniency of pouring in the oil; the neck being hollow to the beak; the holy oil is poured out into the large golden ſpoon ſet apart for that purpoſe, thro' the point of the beak; the heighth of this golden eagle from bottom to top, including the pedeſtal of foot, is about nine inches; the wings whereof expand about ſeven inches. The weight of the whole is about ten ounces. This and the ſpoon are curioſities of great antiquity.

There are, beſides the ineſtimable treaſures above particularly mentioned, ſeveral cuirous and valuable pieces of plate and other rich furniture, not uſually expoſed to publick view; a particular deſcription of which would be too redious to be here inſerted.

However, for the further information and amuſement of our little readers, we ſhall cloſe this chapter with a poetical account of the bold and unparalleled attempt of a deſperate villain, with others of his aſſociates, to ſtrip the jewel-office of the royal crown, globe, ſceptre, &c. with the happy prevention of their wicked deſign; in which had they ſucceeded, the loſs could never have been repaired.

THE WOLF in SHEEPS CLOATHING; or, the VILLAIN TRIUMPHANT. Now, my young readers, lend an ear, And you a matchleſs Tale ſhall hear, How one in a canonick gown, Pilfer'd away old England's crown; And how (which aggrandiz'd the matter) The globe and ſceeptre ſollowed after: But watchful providence decreed To bring to light ſo dark a deed. In gay king Charles the ſecond's days. (So, readers, my hiſtorian ſays) One Blood Blood was the ſon of a blackſmith in Ireland; a fellow that thought ſmall villanies below him. — He once reſcued a comrade of his out of the hands of the ſheriff's officers, as they were leading him to the gallows. — At another time be laid a deſign in Ireland to ſurprize the caſtle of Dublin, &c. and to uſurp the government., But being diſcovered by the duke of Ormond, he vowed revenge. — Accodingly, one night he, with ſome of his aſſociates, went boldly up to the coach, took him out of it, and tied him fuſt behind one of his comrades, who role away with him; but the duke throwing him off his horſe, and procuring aſſiſtance, got releaſed. — Blood loſing his repulation among his fellow rogues through this miſcarriage, reſolved to make amends by a more daring villany, that of ſtealing the Regalia., one Parrot Parrot was a ſilk-dyer in Southwark; and in the Rebellion had been majorgeneral Harriſon's lieutenant., and another The other was named Hunt, a ſon in law of Blood's, and trained up under him. Notorious rogue, their friend and brother, Laid a bold ſcheme, in one half hour To ſeize the treaſures of the Tower. The better to ſecure ſucceſs, Blood ſtrait put on a parſon's dreſs, And took his wife, an artful jade, Well yers'd in the Mercurial-trade The art of thieving., To ſee the jewels in the Tower, And ſtay'd, at leaſt, full half an hour. Madam Blood's wife. at length ſunk gently down Into an artificial ſwoon. Blood, ſaint-like, lifted up his eyes, And feign'd a husband's fond ſurprize: One Edwards The jewel-keeper' wife. who ther kept the houſe, With great indulgence treats his ſpouſe; Calls for aſſiſtance, holds her head, And leads her gently up to bed. With eyes half clos'd th' impoſton fell, Slunber'd an hour, and all was well. The parſon, at departure, ſaid, How ſhall this goodneſs be repaid? Hence a firm friendſhip was profeſt, And gifts his gratitude expreſt. In ſhort—to ripen the deſign Of this arch-villain, ſham divine, He made an offer quickly after To wed his One who he pretended had three hundred a year in land, which was at his diſpoſal. nephew with her daughter. — Her husband lik'd the propoſition: Writings were drawn with expedition: Fix'd in an inſtant was the day, The memorable ninth of May. On which the bold attempt was made; The crown was ſtoln, the villains fled, And He was keeper of the jewel-office. Edwards left at home for dead. Treaſon and murder ſoon was cry'd; The crown beneath Blood's gown was 'ſpy'd; And Parrot, being before ſuſpected, Was, with the globe conceal'd, detected. Thus the Regalia were recover'd; And thouſands round the villains hover'd.— Both were in irons quickly laid, And to the Tower, White Tower, convey'd. Soon they were ſummon'd to Whitehall, Where to the king Blood own'd it all. Fearleſs, he added to't a lye. Told him of a conſpiracy, If He or Parrot once ſhould dye; Of men who would in ambuſh lay, And take his precious life away: But if they met with his compaſſion, They'd prove of ſervice to the nation. The king, ſore frightened at that time, Not only pardon'd the bold crime, But, what is monſtrous to declare, Gave Blood five hundred pounds a year.
CHAP. V. Of the Line, Batteries, &c.

THE line is a narrow, neat, paved way, juſt within the battlements of the wall which ſurrounds the Tower; upon this line, which is about half a mile in compaſs, are four batteries, which by means thereof have an eaſy communication one with another.

The firſt entrance upon the line is juſt beyond Traitor's bridge, where is a clean paved walk about ſeventy yards long, called the ladies walk, becauſe 'tis much frequented by the fair ſex in ſummer evenings. On the left hand is a pleaſant row of ſhady trees, extending from the one end to the other; and on the right, the wall which encompaſſeth the Tower; over which is a delightful proſpect of the river Thames, with the ſhips, boats, &c. paſſing up and down, as alſo of the wharf belonging to the Tower, on which are planted ſixty one large iron cannon.

At the farther end of the ladies walk you deſcend the ſteps, and going on a little way you aſcend the line again, where preſently you come to the firſt ſix gun battery, which commands the river to the fouth: here ſtands a centinel, as there does likewiſe at each of the other batteries.

A few yards from this battery, at the eaſt end of the Tower, you come to the ſecond ſix gun battery, which has likewiſe a

DEVIL upon DUTY.
command of the river. This is called the divil's battery; the origin of which ſtory is as follows.

Of the Devil's Battery. HEAR now, young readers, how it came, To bear that hideous, frightful name: The tale is merry, tho' 'tis old: Then take it, as to me 'twas told. As once a centinel was put. To guard this little eaſtern ſpot; Soon as 'twas dark, before his eyes A ſhocking ſpectre did ariſe, Of bulk enormous, full as tall As either giant in Guildhall: And what ſtill made him look the bolder, He bore a cannon on his ſhoulder. The ſoldier frighten'd quits his poſt, And looks as pale as any ghoſt; Flies to his corporal, who was near, And tells the ground-work of his fear. Bleſs me! he cry'd, what ſhall. I do? I've ſeen old Satan— 'faith! 'tis true. Return, for ſhame, the corporal ſaid, Let's go and ſhoot old Satan dead. Onwards they march— the corporal ſpies The devil with his ſaweer eyes. Fearles at once Don Quixote fir'd; Down dropt the devil, or retir'd. Hence, let the fact be how it will, 'Tis call'd the devil's bettery ſtill.

From this battery, at about two hundred yards diſtance, you come to a ſpacious, ſtrong, ſtone battery, where there are eight large iron cannon mounted. This battery is at the north corner of the eaſt end of the Tower.— From thence you paſs on to the fourth battery, where there are ſix guns, which point towards the north. The guns are fired from all theſe batteries, and from thoſe alſo of the wharf, on ſome particular rejoicing days, ſuch as the king's birthday, being the 30th of October, and his return from abroad; and from the wharf alone, on all other royal holidays, and likewiſe as often as his majeſty goes to the parliament houſe, and on the 29th of May, 5th of November, &c.

From the laſt battery we proceed to the royal mint, where all the gold, ſilver, and copper coins and medals are ſtruch; belonging to the management of which there are ſeveral officers, of whom the warden is chief.

I could very willingly give my young readers a particular account of the art of making of money, but I am afraid it might tempt ſome naughty perſons to counterfeit, the current coin, for which I ſhould be juſtly blamed, and become in ſome meaſure acceſſary to the fatal conſenquences that might attend it.

CHAP. VI. Of the inſide of the White tower.

I Muſt firſt inform my young readers, that the inſide of this grand Tower is not publickly ſhewn, but as they, in proceeding from one place to the other, in order to ſee the rarities, paſs by it two or three times, and will very likely be inquiſitive to know what is with inſide, I ſhall therefore endeavour to ſatisfy their curiouſity.

This Tower is a large magazine, or vaſt ſtorehouſe, filled with prodigious numbers of various kinds of inſtruments. of war: The vaults, which perhaps are the largeſt and fineſt in all the world, are filled with bags of ſalt petre, for the making of gunpowder. Upon the firſt ſloor are ſeveral ſpacious rooms; one of which is a ſmall armoury for the ſea ſervice, for ten thouſand men. Which arms are of various ſorts, very curious, and laid up in beautiful order.

In another room are a multitude of fine cloſets, preſſes and lockers, all filled with an almoſt incredible number of tools for the war ſervice. As to gunpowder, there is but little kept in this place, only ſo much as will ſerve for the uſe of the garriſon. This Tower has three very high ſtories, and, upon the top of all, fine leads; and, what is ſurprizing, water from the Thames is forced by an engine to the top of this lofty Tower; where it fills a ciſtern of about ſeven feet deep, nine broad, and about ſixty feet in length: being the biggeſt that I ever ſaw or heard of.

The walls of this ſtrong Tower, are, at the groundfloor, one and twenty feet thick; at the ſecond, about ſixteen feet, and at the third about ſeven feet thick. At the ſouth ſide of this White Tower is a room, formerly a chapel, where are kept the ancient records of this nation.

I ſhall next tell my readers the time and ceremony of opening and ſhutting the gates of the Tower, and ſo conclude this hiſtory.

CHAP. VII. Of the ceremony of opening and ſhutting the gates of the Tower.

AT half an hour after nine o'clock at night the bell on the top of the governor's houſe rings, to warn the inhabitants or others to go out, or come into the garriſon, as their affairs may require: At the ſame time the drum beats over the ſpur guard, at the entrance into the Tower, to give notice to the ſoldiers who are abſent from duty, to come in; likewiſe at ten a-clock the tattoo beats, Go to bed, Tom, from the main guard, which is at the weſt ſide of the white Tower, quite round the Tower, to the place from whence they ſet out.

At eleven o'clock (which is the hour they lock up the gates, both in winter and ſummer) the yeoman porter calls a ſerjeant and a file fo men to attend the keys to lock up the royal Tower; who proceed with him to the ſpur guard, or outer gates, which being ſecured, they go back to the main guard; where the yeoman porter cries, God bleſs the king; the guard, who are drawn. up in order, anſwer Amen: From thence they go to the governor's houſe, where they lodge the keys; after which no perſon, upon any account whatſoever, can either go out or come into the Tower, till next morning; when the ſame ceremony is again obſerved at opening the gates; in the ſummer at half an hour after five, and in the winter at ſeven.

About half and hour after nine, before they look up the Tower, one of the warders, with a guard of ſoldiers upon duty, locks up the gates upon the wharf, and, drawing up the draw-bridge, locks the gate which leads to it, and ſo retires into the Tower, after which no perſon can go out, or come in.

Having now ſhut the gates of the Tower, I have nothing more to add concerning the curioſities of this place — but I beg leave to inform my young readers, that the Hiſtory of Weſtminſter Abbey is now in hand, and will be got ready for the preſs with all convenient ſpeed: Subſcribers are deſired to bring or ſend their names to Thomas Boreman Bookſeller in Guildhall, or at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill, London; and they ſhall be carefully inſerted with due order and diſtinction; each paying down Six-pence a Set in part at ſubſcribing, it being a large and expenſive undertaking.

Juſt Publiſhed, (Price Four-pence each Volume, finely bound)

Dedicated to all the little Maſters and Miſſes in town and country, the Third Edition beautifully printed, of

1. THE Hiſtory of the two famous Giants and other Curioſities in Guildhall London. 2. The ſecond Gigantick Volume, which compleats the Hiſtory of Guildhall: To which is added, a particular Account of the whole Proceſſion of my Lord Mayor's Shew. The Second Edition. 3. Curioſities in the Tower of London. The Second Edition. 4. The Hiſtory of the Cathedral St. Paul, Vol. I. 5. The Second Volume of the Hiſtory of St. Paul's; to which is added, an Account of the Monument.

The above Gigantick Hiſtories are printed for and ſold by Tho. Boreman, near the Giants in Guildhall, and at the Boot and Crown on Ludgate-hill, London.

N. B. All wholeſale Dealers in Toys, Haberdaſhery Goods, &c. may be furniſh'd with theſe entertaining Books to diſpoſe of, with good Allowance.