The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

British Curiosities
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British Curiosities in Nature and Art; Exhibiting An Account of Natural and Artificial Rarities, both Ancient and Modern, intermixt with Historical and Geographical Passages. With a very particular Account of the curiosities in London, and the Two Universities. And an Appendix, concerning The Posts, Markets, and their Fairs. To which is added a scheme, containing other things most proper to be observed by Strangers, in 22 Respects, in as many Columns, curiously Engraved on a Sheet to fold up. The Whole, Adapted to the Use of Strangers, who may Travel to see England, and for such as go thence into Foreign Parts, in order to account for what is Remarkable in their own Country ; as appeareth more clearly by the Preface.London Printed by F. H. for Ch. Coningsby, at the Ink-Bottle against Clifford's-Inn Back-Gate, in Fetter-Lane Fleetstreet.1713
British Curiosities
in
Nature and Art;
Exhibiting
An Account of Natural and Artificial
Rarities, both Ancient and Modern, intermixt
with Historical and Geographical Passages.
With a very particular Account of
the curiosities in London, and the Two Universities.
And
An Appendix,
concerning
The Posts, Markets, and their Fairs.
To which is added
a scheme, containing other things
most proper to be observed by Strangers, in
22 Respects, in as many Columns, curiously
Engraved on a Sheet to fold up.
The Whole,
Adapted to the Use of Strangers, who
may Travel to see England, and for such as
go thence into Foreign Parts, in order to ac-
count for what is Remarkable in their own
Country ; as appeareth more clearly by the Preface.
London
Printed by F. H. for Ch. Coningsby, at the
Ink-Bottle against Clifford's-Inn Back-Gate, in
Fetter-Lane Fleetstreet. 1713 TO THE PRESIDENT,
Councel and Fellows
OF THE
Royal Society
OF
LONDON. Learned Sirs, The Trembling Magnet does scarce more Naturally point to the Poles of the World than the following Treatise doth look towards Your [i] Venerable Body for Patronage and Encouragement. And altho’ the Author hath a promise of neither, as having presumed to make this Address without Your Knowledge or Permission: Yet he doubts not but You’ll accept it with that usual Candor and Indulgence which you have always given an Indication of by encouraging every Degree or Step that has been offered towards the promoting of Natural and Experimental Knowledge. The Useful Discoveries You have made in Philosophical, Mathematical, Mechanical, &c. Learning are sufficiently evident in Your Voluminous and most profound Transactions, so justly admired by the Learned World. [ii] I have only here (as the Simpler doth his Vegetals) collected various kinds of the most observable Materials for Contemplation; but You (like the Learned Botanists) can discover their Source, Nature, Quality, and Use, although these Phænomena have been not only wonderful in themselves, but almost of innumerable Variety; some Preternatural, and others appearing even Supernatural. May the Great God of Nature continue to prosper Your Nice Disquisitions into His Wonderful Works, to the Glory of His Holy Name, the Advancement of Learning, and the General Advantage of the Ingenious part of Mankind; And [iii] may You ever be Successful in Your Laudable and Unwearied Search after Mysterious Truths, is that to which all the Admirers of, and Studious in the Stupendious Operations of Nature, and those intricate ones of Art have Reason to Reply. Amen. [iv] The Preface. As Prologues were contrived by Poets to let the Auditory into the Design of the Drama: So Authors have found it necessary to exhibit their Prefaces to give the Reader an Idea of the import of their Writings; Conformable whereunto, I shall here, not only acquaint the Reader what to expect in the following Sheets, but also that the motive which induced me to the Undertaking, resulted from a Common Complaint, That English Gentlemen commence their Travels abroad before they know any thing considerable of their Native Country, and by that means make themselves Obnoxious to the Censure of Foreigners. I communicated my purpose in this Affair to a Relation of mine, that had travelled France and Italy, who intirely advised the pursuing and finishing my Design, as a thing both Novel and Useful: And I am assured that the Matter contained in the Subsequent [v]Pages will prepare our British Youth, not only to answer many curious Enquiries, but will also furnish them with Topicks proper to entertain the most Judicious in Conversation: And this small Treatise will consequently be of use to such as Travel to see England, who by this Auxiliary Companion may save much Time, Pains, and Expence, and yet return Home with a larger share of the knowledge of what is most Remarkable, than if they had undertaken an Expedition through each County Personally. And that this Book might prove the more adapt for the two Purposes above, I have contracted it into as few Words as the Subject would well admit of, which renders it a portable Vade Mecum, of Matters both Profitable and Diverting. The most remarkable things contained therein are Reducible, 1. To CURIOSITIES in NATURE, as petrifying Water and Earth, as at Stowy, Boughton, Knaresborough, Apsleygwits, &c. Such Waters as are Hot and Physical, as those of Bath, Bristol, Buxton, &c. such as are Cold and Purging, as Tunbridge, Epsom, Acton, Richmond, &c. Others that in Pooles, Fountains, Wells and Ponds do Ebb and Flow, as those at Dosmarypoole, Shap, &c. Some that are both Laxative and Restringent; others Salt and Fresh, in Wells, not exceeding two yards di[vi]stance from each other, as those near Warwick, Newenham-Regis, Halleweston, &c. Some on whose Surface floateth Liquid Pitch, others that cast up small Bones, and some that burn like Brandy, as those at Pitchford, Bonewell in Herefordshire, and near Wigan, &c. There are also accounts of Subteranious Rivers, as the Lid, Mole, at Orchihole, &c. Likewise of Abisles, Clefts, and Caverns, as Elden-hole, &c. at the Peak; Hell-kettles near Darlington; and in the Isle of Portland, &c. An account likewise of Astroits, Piscal, Serpent, and other strange Stones; as those found at Shugbury, Belvoir-Castle, Whitby, Huntley-nabb in Yorkshire, &c. Also the highest Hills, and largest Lakes; as Kilnsey-Cragg, Ingleborough, Winander, &c. in Yorkshire and Lancashire. And of Wrennyvair, Percelly, Pllinllimmon, &c. in Wales. As to Vegetal things you have an account of a perfect Chair of Natural Growth, the usefulness of the Coco-tree, strange Nature of Saffron, &c. as on Page 29. 44, 46. Also various instances of Animal Curiosities, as the Cameleon (that lives on the Air,) one Joint of the Vertebra of a Whale 30 l. Weight, &c. in the Royal Society Repository; the rib of another Whale 21 Foot long; an account of the Man that slept near 5 Months; The Woman who had 19 Children at 3 Births[vii] the prodigious Skeleton of a Man, &c. as on Page 7, 21, 43, 55, 120, &c. Also an account of the most pleasant Situations, as those of the Golden Vale, and of Evesham, Dunmow, Gisbury, St. Edmundsbury, &c. It may not be improper after this short Specimen of the Natural, to give some instances of the ARTIFICIAL CURIOSITIES in this Book mentioned. And these are either Monuments of Antiquity, as the Ruins of Old Castles, Monasteries, Walls, &c. Or the Reliques of Roman Camps, Garisons, Stations, Trophies, Coins, Altars, Urns, Pavements of Mosaic Work, &c. as those at Camalet, Stow on the Would, Chichester, Chesterton, Ribblechester, Standish, Dorchester, Lancaster, Cirencester, Woodstock, and many other places; other Ancient Monuments, as Stonehenge, Page 11, or those of like kind at Stanton-drew, that near Alisford in Kent, &c. Others are of Stones Separate but erected, as the Hurlers near Lanceston; those so vastly Large and Numerous, near Shap in Westmorland, &c. The Barrows, or Artificial Hills, how they were made; and the spacious Trenches, Dykes, &c. as at Selbury, Tadmerton, &c. Wansdike, Offa’s, and that termed the Devils, &c. as in Wiltshire, Wales, near Reche, &c. [viii] The Ancient Monuments of Kings and great Personages, as of Alfred at Driffield, Etheldred at Winburn, Harold at Waltham-Abby; Edward the Confessor, Sebert, and many other Kings of England at Westminster; King John’s at Worcester; Duke Humphrey’s at St. Albans; the Knights Templars at the Temple, Venerable Bede at Durham, &c. You will also find notice taken of the most Beautiful Churches, as St. Paul’s, Westminster, Canterbury, Salisbury, York, Lincoln, Bristol, Wells, Gloucester, Wrexham, Sherburn and others; and also the Altitude of the most remarkable Steeples, &c. in England; as Salisbury, St. Paul’s Dome, Coventry Steeple, Boston, Grantham, Bow, and the Monument in Fish-street, London, &c. And the stately and most observable Bridges, as London, Rochester, Burton, Owsley, Bristol, Huntington, Crowland, &c. together with the Beautiful and Spacious Market Cross at Coventry, and the Chapels and Houses cut in Rocks. And here I shall observe that the Study of Antiquity is a most delectable Amusement, and in many cases very much tends to Advantage both National and Personal; It affords to the Antiquary a kind of Satisfaction, like his who hath lived many Centuries, giving him a prospect of things both in their Ancient and Modern States, and of the great mutability [ix] in Empires, Kingdoms, Towns, Families, Languages, Customs, &c. the Improvement, and Decay of some, and totall Extinction of others. But craving the Readers Favour on Account of this small Digression: I proceed to acquaint him with other artificial Curiosities in this Treatise: As a Machine for Ploughing, Sowing, and Harrowing at the same time; most admirable Turned Work; a wonderful Burning-Glass; a Geometrical Floor, and many other Rarities about London, as in the Royal Society Repository, the Tower of London, Westminster-Abby, &c. and the Two Universities, which are so numerous as not to admit of so much as being here named, but the Reader will find them in the Book, Pages 33, &c 57, &c. and 76, &c, as he will notice taken of the Cartoons (at Hampton Court) said to be the most Noble Pieces of Painting in Europe, Page 51. In which curious Art there are extraordinary Performances to be seen, at others of the Queens Palaces, and at the Houses of most of the Nobility, and many of the Gentry. Of which Seats of Noblemen I have in this Treatise given an Account shewing the Situation of some Hundreds, which are generally speaking not only adorn’d with Elegant Painture as above hinted, but also with delightful Gardens, Pleasant Walks, Airy Vistoes, Sprightly Statues, Spacious Canals, Artful Fountains, [x] Cascade, and other aquatical Curiosities; and many of the Houses of our Gentlemen are not deficient in all or most of the like Beauty and Ornament, although I have not room (this Book being intended an Enchiridion) to insist on them particularly. The Halls of Company’s, and many of the Merchants Houses are stately Structures, richly Finished; and especially the Royal Exchange, and Guild-hall described in brief, Page 46, &c. You’ll find also herein, an Account of some things which have an Aspect Supernatural or Miraculous, as the Motion of Mount Marclay near Hereford, the druming Wells at Oundle, the River Womer near Redburn, the budding Oak in New Forest, &c. the Relations given, whereof being so surprisingly unaccountable, that were they not asserted as Truth by reputable Authors, as Camden, Speed, &c. I should have passed them by as Incredibilities. Having inserted, as above, a Summary Account of Natural and Artificial Things which are Curious and Remarkable contained in the following Treatise: I do farther acquaint the Reader that he will also find many observables Historical and Geographical: As the places of Birth and Interment of some of our Kings (not commonly known) and of Men Eminent for Learning, &c. The unusual and [...] Customs of many places, as at Halli[xi]fax, Beverly, Scrivleby, Oakham, Hungerford, Hemingston, &c. And I have shewed the distance of places treated on, from their respective County Towns (or some other of good Note) and of each Shire, Town, and middle of each County from London, as near as I could measure them by the Maps; which last Dimensions are inserted in the Scheme or Table to fold up, containing likewise upwards of 20 Columns of so many different things, as I judged most material and proper for a Strangers Cognisance. The Appendix was an after Thought, to which I was induced by considering it might be of use to Strangers that they be acquainted with our Manner and Charge of Travelling, and of Carriages. The Account given of the Market-Towns in each County, with the Days of Markets and Fairs may serve to give him a Notion of the Largeness and Populousnessthereof: For as those of a Town may be supposed by the Number of Markets it hath in each Week: So may the County by the Multiplicity of Market-Towns, and Fairs Annually therein; by both which may be formed a Judgment of the Vastness of our Inland Trade: Especially if it be farther consider’d. That there are very many small Towns (not Markets) which yet have Fairs; so that there is scarce a day in the Year which hath not a Fair held on it [ [xii] place or other, and for the most part there are many on the same day, sometimes 50 or 60, as on May the First, June the 24th, and 29. July the 25th. August the First, 10th, 15th and 24th, September 8. 29th. And the Catalogue of Markets and Fairs will also be in many respects further necessary for such who Travel the Country with any Species of Goods or Wares, and do consequently frequent such Concourses. Thus far the Subject: As to Method I have not thought it best to treat of the several Counties in Alphabetical Order, but as they lie Contiguous: And in the Scheme folded up at the end of the Book. I have regarded the Alphabet, the second Column towards the Left Hand contains References to the Pages where the Counties are inserted. I did not intend to have erected a Portico of half the Magnitude, to so small a Structure; but if the Disproportion should be objected, I have this to answer; that the Nature of the Work doth more than ordinarily require the setting its Contents in a due Light this way (the Title Page not being sufficient for that end) and I cannot (on that account) see where the Preface admits of Sublation. I shall only add that both my Design and Endeavour have not been wanting to render the Composition such as that the Variety of Curiosities comprised in a Volumn so [xiii] small and portable, might (with the Copiousness and Novelty of the Scheme) answer the Expectation of the Reader; and (together with the well timing of the Publication) that of the Bookseller. January 20.
1712. 26 SECT. X. Curiosities in the County of Kent. ... Canterbury] a City (whose Bishop is primate and Metropolitan of all England) Remarkable for the Magnificence and Beauty of Christ Church, and St. Austins; in the former were interred Archbishop Becket, for whom a rich shrine was reared; he being a Canonized Saint. Here is also, the Tomb of the famous Hero Edward the Black Prince, Son to Edward the III. King of England, and that of King Henry the IV. &c. In the Porch of the latter Church, was buryed St. Augustin; (the English Apostle) who was the Chief of those that were sent from Rome, and converted the Heathen Saxons to Christianity. It is about 55 Miles near S. E. from London. 30 SECT. XII. Curiosities in Middlesex. I Shall begin with London the chief City, not only of this County, but of great Britain; and may without partiality, or just offence to Foreigners, be truly esteemed a City as Ancient, Spacious, Rich, Populous, and Beautiful, as is known in Europe, if not in the World. Tis said to be Built 600 Years after the Flood. Dimensions of London.The Length from E. to W. is about 5 Miles, Breadth from N. to S. 2 and a quarter, Circumference near 23; area 2288 Acres, Content.wherein are contained 945 large Streets and Lanes, 2252 lesser Streets, Lanes, Alleys, Rows, Courts, Yards, &c. 20 Markets, 20 fine Squares; 2. Cathedral Churches; 100 Parochial (besides 50 more by Act of Parliament, to be Built) 27 Chappels, 4 Colleges, 24 Free Schools, (be30sides many hundreds of Private ones) 49 Sumptuous Halls, for Companies (besides the Royal Exchange, Guild-Hall, and other stately Structures) 70 Incorporate Companies, 5 Bridges, 15 Gates, about 107000 Houses, 535000 Persons, 103700 Fighting Men. Civil Government.London, exclusive of Westminster and Southwark, is divided into 26 Wards, each of which hath an Alderman, who is in that Office for Life, and one of which is Annually chosen to Preside over the whole, and for that time hath the Title of Lord Mayor. He is Elected to that Office by the Aldermen, out of 2 of the 26 (of whom they do of late Years, always take the Senior in Office) returned to them by the Livery Men, who are about 6000 in Number, and are composed of the best part of the said Incorporated Companies; Lord Mayors shew.most of whom on the Lord Mayor’s Day (being the day he is sworn at Westminster,) appear in their habits of Furr’d long Gowns, with their Atchievements on rich Banners; and Musick marching before them, when the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, in their rich Scarlet Gowns, and splendid Caparison make a Sumptuous Cavalcade. The Extent of the Lord Mayor’s power.The Lord Mayor does also exercise Jurisdiction, in the Borough of Southwark; which is on the S. side of the River Thames, and on the River: from the Mouth of the River Medway, Westward to Stainsbridge being about 60 Miles. And for the better Government of the whole there are held up31wards of 20 Courts of Law; within the Bills of Mortality. The Ecclesiastical Government of London. The Ecclesiastick Government, is by a Bishop, and Arch-Deacon, and the Dean, and 3 Residentiaries of St.Paul’s; The Archbishop of Canterbury, hath also 13 peculiars being Parishes, in the Bills of Mortality, under his Government. The first Archbishop of London was about Anno. 185, the first Bishop about 604. And there hath been a Succession of 86 Bishops in all. Military Government.The Military Government of London, is by Commission, from the Queen constituting many; (perhaps about a 100) of the chief Citizens of Lieutenancy, whereby they are Invested with Power, as the Lord Lieutenants of Counties, to appoint Officers for, and direct and command in Chief the 6 Regiments. Here is also the Artillery Company, Incorporated by Patents, for Improvement of Marshal Discipline, and serve as a Nursery for Officers of the Trained-bands. . . . 35 Westminster Abby] Monuments at the Abby hath many things in it curious and observable. As 1. The fine Glass-Painting. 2. The curious new Marble Altar-Piece. 3. The neatness of the Choir. 4. The curious Monuments fixed to the Walls and Pillars, round the Isles; as of Sir Cloudsly Shovell, (the Famous Admiral,) Mr. Stepny, a Foreign Embassador, &c. in the S. Isle. Of Divines, Antiquaries, Poets, &c. As Dr. Barrow, Dr. Oughtram, Dr. Busby, Dr. Horneck; Mr. Camden, Chaucer, Spencer, Drayton, Cowley, Shadwell, about the S. Stem of the Cross Isle. And not far from the W. end of the Church, and near the N. side is the Inscription, O Rare Ben Johnson, in Memory of that Poet. . . . 42 Cotton Library] In the passage from Westminster-Hall, to the Abby, where are a curious Collection of Ancient choice manuscript Vollumes: done mostly on Vellum, collected by Sir Robert Cotton; and is by Act of Parliament, made a publick Library. With Medals and other Curiosities. The Palace] (where Queen Anne was Born 1664.) and Chapel of St. James. Here in the great Court, is a Whales Rib, in length about 21 Foot and 21 Inches in Breadth or Diameter in the thickest part; and at White-Hall, the Banqueting-House, and Statue of King James II. in Brass, with the Dial in Privy-Garden, are observable. The Duke of Montague's House] is also very remarkable for curious Finishing and Furniture. Shells, Insects, a Coffee-tree with Berries, &c.]43 A curious Collection at Dr. Sloan’s, in Bloomsbury-Square. . . . Royal Societies Repository] In Crain-court in Fleet-street, where is a Collection of wonderful Curiosities, both in Nature and Art, (too longto be here particulariz’d, above 300 in Number). The Society was founded by King Charles II, Anno 1663, and thence called the Royal Society; it consists of a President, 20 Council, and about 170 Fellows; their Library is about 4000 Volumes. They have their Proceedings or Transactions published once44 a Year, which contain very many curious Observations and Discoveries, chiefly in Natural Philosophy; worthy the perusal of the Learned World. And among many others of the Curiosities, in their Repositories you have. An Egyptian Mummy; the Skeletons of a Man and Woman; A Stone voided by the penis of a Man at Exeter, 2 inches and a quarter in Length of a Pyramidal form. The Scull of a Sea Horse; The Horns of a Spanish Ram 3 yards long, and 1 between the Tips— The Tail of an Indian Cow, whose Hair is about a yard and quarter long: (This Creature is worshipped by the People, near the Ganges.) A Camelions Skin (which Creature is said to live by the Air.) A Skeleton of a Crocodile near 5 yards long; And a Salamander. The Rib of a Triton (or Merman;) One joint of the Back-bone of a Whale 30 l. in weight; the Horn of a Sea Unicorn; the Head of a Manati (or Sea Cow.) Several kinds of curious Shells, particularly one of a Muscle, 3 quarters of a Foot in length. The Webb of a Bermudas Spider, so strong as to snare a Bird: part of a Stinking Tree, smelling like Humane Dung: a Palmeto Leaf, 1 yard and a half long; a Bulchafer, (the biggest of Insects) this is about 5 inches long, and 2 and a quarter broad. A Coco Nut in length 1 Foot, and in Compass 1 and 3 quarters: it is a most useful Tree, for of it the Indians make these uses: of the husk they make Ropes; of the Shell, Ladles, &c. The cover next the Kernel, is a pleasant Meat; the Liquor, Drink; the Blossom, Vinegar; the Kernel, a Milk to eat with their Rice, also Oyl to eat and burn; of the Leaves of the Tree, they 45make Sails; covers for Houses, and Huts; and of the Wood they make Ships. A Cane of the Cedar of Mount Lebanon (some on this Mount are said to be 12 or 14 Fathom circumference.) Part of the upper Jaw, and 8 very great double Teeth, and the Fragments of other Bones; all petrified and found near Canterbury, 17 Foot under Ground. A petrified Crab, hard as a Pebble, dissolvable with Acids: a great double Tooth, 5 inches long and 2 broad Petrified; a Sherks Tooth, that to which this belonged must be 36 Foot long. A piece of Chrystal 39 pound weight: a Load-stone 60 l. weight; it moves a needle at 9 Foot distance, and was dug out of the Ground in Devonshire; an Instrument whereby the quantity of Rain that falls at any time, on any piece of Ground is measured. The Model of a Geometrical Floor, composed only of 4 pieces of Timber: another of the Hull of a double bottomed Ship: a Wind Gun, contrived by Bishop Wilkins: a Gun that discharges, 7 times one after another, presently; a Machine for Plowing, Sowing, and Harrowing, all at once. A Box of Cups (turned work) being 100 one within another, the Bowl of the outmost is but 2 Inches and a half Diameter: a Prism, and the Head of a Princess, with her Hair both turned Work; a Roman urn of Glass, above 1500 Years old: Mosaick work found under Ground, in Holbourn and near the Bath. A Roman Money-pot, with several Roman Coins in it, (they are particularly mentioned by Dr. Grew,) found in 1651, in Weekfield, in the Parish of Hedington, in the County of Wilts. A Burning Glass, contrived and given by Sir Isaac Newton; it melts any kind of Metal, held 46in the Focus, and even vitrifieth Brick and Tile. A swiming Stone, about a Foot and a half solid. A Cane 26 Foot long; a Chusan chair, a wonderful curiosity; being of natural growth and shape, with Rails, Pillars, Seat, Back, Elbows, &c. It was given by my Lord Somers in 1702, and was brought from China. The Model of the Temple of Jerusalem; a large Cylindrical piece of a Petrified Tree, 14 Inches diameter: and about the like depth, brought from Antegoa in 1695, by Benjamin Middleton Esq; The Horns of a Red Deer, 7 Foot 1 Inch between the Tips, found in Ireland, 14 Foot deep in a bog, given by an Irish Bishop. A Cinnamon Staff about 7 Foot long, and 1 and a quarter in the Diameter. . . . 48 A Chirurgeon in Mark-Lane hath the Blue Garter, worn by King Charles I. when beheaded, Jan. 1648. He has some other Curiosities. The Tower of London.] In this place, which is near half a Mile Eastward from London bridge, are many Curiosities very observable. As, 1. The Royal Mint. Here may be seen the ingenious Coining of our Money; the Master, Warden, &c. are a Corporation. 2. The Royal Jewel House. Where are deposited, 1. The Imperial Crown, wherewith our Kings and Queens have been Crowned, since the time of St. Edward the Confessor. 2. The Royal Scepter, with a Cross, where is a Jewel of great Value. 3. The Orb held in 49the Queens Left Hand, at her Coronation; where is a Jewel near an Inch and an half High. 4. A Diadem which her Majesty wore at the Procession, at her Coronation. 5. St. Edward’s Golden Staff then carryed before the Queen: 6. The Coronation Crown, with the Scepter and Orb, made for the late Queen Mary. 7. A Golden Eagle, and Spoon for the Anointing Oyl, used at the Coronation. 8. A Golden Spur and Armilla, wore at the Coronation. 9. The Sword of Mercy, born between the Spiritual and Temporal Swords, at a Coronation. 10. A Large Silver Fountain presented to King Charles II. by the Town of Plymouth. 11. The Figure of the Tower, a Rich Saltseller used at the King or Queen’s Table at a Coronation. 12. A Silver Font, double Gilt, wherein the Queen and Royal Family were Christened, &c. And in some of the Crowns are set exceeding Large Diamonds, Pearl, and other Rich Jewels. 3. The Horse Armory. Here they shew you the curious Figures of 15 of our Kings, since William called the Conqueror, all Mounted, they are represented with their Guards. The Kings are in Rich Armour. And here you may see a curious Suit of Armour, which they tell you was John of Ghents, 4th Son of Edward III. 4. The Grand Store-House. Where among many other Curiosities they shew you, 1. A Mortar that shoots 9 several Shells at a time. 2. An Engine for shooting several Musket Balls at once. 3. Six very large Mortars, each of which they say throws a Bomb of 200 Weight 2 Miles. 4. Pontons. 5. A 49Rack to Extort Confession. 6. A curious Canon made for Prince Henry, the Workmanship is said to have cost 200 Pound. 7. An Engine of small Mortars, that shoots 30 Shells at a time. 8. A Smiths Forge to work with on a March, or when encamped. 9. Cheveaux de Frieze, to keep off Horse, &c. with a vast number of Canon and other Instruments, and Materials for War. 5. The Small Armory. This is one of the greatest Curiosities in its kind, being admired by all Strangers. For here you may see Pikes, CarbinēsCarbinnes, Muskets, Bagonets, Halberts, Swords and Pistols, for an Army of 60000 Men. And these put up in various Figures forming of Columns (with their Corinthian Capitals) the Sun, Star and Garter, Jupiter and the Hydra, Organs, Serpents, half Moons, Batteries, Gates, &c. all clean, and in good Order, and for the keeping of them so, there are 10 Persons constantly employed, who have each 10 Shillings per Week. 6. Here is the Record-Office, where are Lodged many curious pieces of Antiquity, &c. Also the Ordinance-Office, White-Tower, &c. . . . 52 The Physick Garden] belonging to the Company of Apothecaries, is very observable, situate near Chelsea. . . . 58 SECT. XVI. Curiosities in Oxfordshire. Merton College] Founded by Walter de Merton, Anno 1274, for 19 Fellows, and 14 Scholars. Here are remarkable, the Lofty handsome Tower of the Chapel; and in the curious Physick-Garden, you have 2 Yew-Trees, cut like 2 Giants. Also 2 others that grow in Form of as many Columns, with their Entablature, and Vases; whence Issue 2 Conick Yews, all of natural Growth: 3 They shew you the Thorn, which they say our Saviour was Crowned withal; the Laurel of the Roman æsars, also Mandrakes, Apples, Shells, Flies, &c. . . . 61 St John the Baptist College] Founded Anno 1577, by Sr. Thomas White Alderman of London, for 50 Fellows. 62 Here is a very good Library, where are worthy of note, 1. The first Bible in English, translated by Wickliff; 2 the Alchoran; 3 The portrait of King Charles I. with his Hair, Drapery, &c. composed of the Lords Prayer, Creed, and 10 Commandments, done in writing; 4 the Sceleton of Hind the Robber.
. . . 63 And in the Anatomy School; among other Curiosities, they shew the Skeleton of a Woman, who had 10 Husbands successively, and was Hanged at 36 years of Age, for the Murther of 4 of them. The Theatre] is a very Magnificent and curious Structure worthy of observation. It was Built at the Charge of Dr. Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury; who left also about 50 l. per Ann. for its perpetual Reparation. Here you have Grecian and Roman Antiquities, of great value, and other Curiosities given by Henry Howard Earl of Arundel. Also a Repository Built by the University, where is a curious Collection of Natural and Artificial Rarities, given chiefly by Elias Ashmole Esq; who gave likewise an Excellent Collection of Manuscripts made by himself, and the Ingenious Sr. William Dugdale; you have also here a Chymical Laboratory, and a Printing-Press. . . . 76 SECT. XXII. Curiosities in Cambridgeshire. . . . 79 Trinity College] One of the noblest Foundations in either University founded by King Henry VIII. 1546, for 65 Fellows, and 91 Scholars. 90 It hath a very Magnificent Library, Built by Thomas Rotheram Bishop of York, Lord Chancellor of England; and by him and Cuthbert Tunstal Bishop of Durham, furnished with choice Books, and hath been since supplyed with the Libraries, of Archbishops, Parker, Grindal, and Bancroft. This Library is a stately Structure, and very Beautiful, the Stair-case Wainscoted with Cedar; (and there are Marble Steps) the enrichments whereof are so Natural that the leaves shake at every blow you give the Wainscot, and within is an Original picture of Bishop Hacket, and several fine manuscript Missals; and a great Collection of valuable Medals, Ancient and Modern, and other rareties. The first Court is a Square, large and stately, for they tell you it is a Foot square larger, than Christ’s at Oxford; in this Court, stands the Chapel, the neatest and (except Kings) the greatest and noblest in the University; the Altar-piece is Beautiful adorned with Columns: and the portraicts of our Saviour, and the blessed Virgin; St. John Baptist, and his Mother Elizabeth. The Roof is curiously painted, in imitation of Carved work, in Relievo; the Area is black and white Marble, in a very pretty Figure; the Organ is a Finished piece, made by Mr. Bernard Smith, and cost 1500 l. . . . 84 SECT. XXIV. Curiosities in Norfolk. Norwich] A very flourishing Populous City, and Bishops seaseat, stands near the confluence of the Rivers Yare and Bariden. It is a place Remarkable; 1. For its being fortified with Walls and 11 Gates; 2. For its many beautiful Parish Churches, 3. For its other neat Buildings, and 4. For its pleasant Situation. ‘Tis 95 Miles near N. E. from London. It has a fine Cathedral and Castle, and handsome Town-House, and here are made a kind of Worsted Stuffs, called Norwich Stuffs or Wares, the making of which was first brought hither, from the Netherlands; also here is a fine market Cross, and Cloister, and an Hospital, for 100 Poor Men and Women. . . . 85 Elmham.] About this place, 2 or 3 Years ago were taken up out of the Ground, (having been buryed near a Foot and a half deep) almost 200 Roman Urns with Bones therein. ‘Tis very probable that a Roman Station was here, and that these Urns contained the Ashes of some Eminent Persons, taken off by some contagious Distemper, and consequently, that here might upon a strict search be found 85Coins, &c. ‘Tis about 4 Miles N. from East-Derham.