Farringdon Without History of the Most Interesting Places, Leading Events; and Some Account of the Eminent Men connected therewith, since the year 1600
Francis, Adolphus Decimus
1870
Fetter Lane
Which derives its name from Fewters, or idle people, who lounged away their time in and about its purlieus. Some historians give the derivation from Fetters, by reason of criminals lying there in fetters waiting their doom ; the lane was used at either end for a period of two centuries as a place of execution. The White Horse Inn, once a celebrated Oxford University house, where many eminent men visiting London from that seat of learning took up their residence, and amongst them Lord Eldon, is now turned into a threepenny lodging-house for tramps and beggars, where the poor have furnished them a halfpennyworth of bread, butter, cheese, tea, or sugar; or of any other delicate comestible out of which can be made a profit by the innkeeper. | |
At 77 lived , the author of "The Rights of Man," which he dedicated to General Washington. For the opinions enunciated therein, he was imprisoned, and by that sentence raised to martyrdom and made famous; he produced many other works, written with great fluency and clear thought, but yet so scurrilous in tone, and often so false and ignorant in data, as to be unworthy the perusal of minds sedulous to acquire truthful and sound ideas. Tom Paine represented Calais in the French Republic, and endeavoured to stimulate the French people to make war against England. | |
24 | "Praise-God Barebone," the leather-seller of the Revolution, who became one of the most intolerant members of Cromwell's Parliament, that was named after him, lived here with his two brothers, who were severally named "Christcame-into-the-worl-to-save Barebone," and "If-Christhad-not-died-thou-hadst-been-damned Barebone,"a trio eminently suggestive in nomenclature, and highly euphonious. |
Surely fanaticism in surnames can no further go! At 16, over Fleur-de-lis Court, lived John Dryden, born , died ; it is sufficient for his fame to point to his translation of Virgil, where vigour, variety, and copiousness abound, and march side by side with correct and harmonious poetry, matchless in freedom and admirable in refinement; indeed, so finished is it, that Pope pronounces it "the most noble and spirited translation in any language ;" and he was right, for it has rendered his name famous, and placed a wreath of immortality on his brow. Next door to Dryden, at the right-hand corner of Fleur-de-lis Court, lived the infamous Mrs. Brownrigg, who
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At 3, Bartlett's Passage, lived , the author of the most popular Spelling Book of this century. In | |