This ancient gate, which was situated feet south-west of Cripplegate, was, according to the opinion of Stow, of the original gates of the city; but Maitland could find no mention of it before the conquest; whence he concludes that it was not erected before that period.

This gate being in so ruinous a condition as to be in danger of

In a large square over the arch of the gate was the figure of king James I. on horseback. Above his head were quartered the arms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

In a niche, on the east side, was the prophet Jeremiah, with the words of the verse of the chapter of his book. In a niche, on the west side, stood the prophet Samuel, with the verse of the chapter of the book of that prophet. On the south side was the effigy of king James I. in his royal robes, sitting in a chair of state, done in relief.

This gate was very much damaged by the great fire in ; but was repaired and beautified, at the expence of the city, in the year , during the mayoralty of sir Samuel Stirling, knt.

The apartments over the gate were appropriated to the use of the common crier of the city; and by the sides of the gate were posterns for the convenience of foot passengers.

John Day, of our early topographers, resided in the apartments over the gate; and, according to Stow,

builded much upon the wall of the city, towards the parish church of St. Anne.

, which is long and very spacious, runs northerly, from the gate to on the east side, and to on the west.

About the middle of , on the west side, stood a noble edifice, that was the residence of the marquis of Dorchester, and afterwards that of lord Petre, of whom it was purchased, after the restoration, for the city mansion of the bishop of London; from which time it was known by the name of London-house. It was a large commodious brick building, and had a neat chapel annexed to it; but being at length deserted by the prelates, it was let out into several tenements and warehouses. This ancient edifice was destroyed by fire, since which new buildings have been erected in it stead the principal of which is that occupied by Mr. Seddon, upholsterer, and still called London-house.

Nearly adjoining London-house, is the city of London Literary and Scientific Institution, which was formed in . The objects of this institution are the formation of a library of reference and circulation. Reading and conversation rooms, the delivery of lectures on literature, history and the sciences, and the mutual acquisition of the ancient and modern languages. A handsome theatre, capable of containing from to persons, is in course of erection, and will be opened in , the form of which semi-elliptical, feet long by feet wide. The annual subscription to this institution is

A little to the south of London-house, formerly stood the fine mansion of the earls of Westmoreland; but this being also deserted by its noble possessors, was let out in tenements, and to mechanic uses, and, at length, became so decayed, that, about years ago, it was entirely taken down: the site is now occupied by Westmoreland-buildings, and the adjacent houses.