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y 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。〃