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Article FREEMASONRY IN NEW ZEALAND. ← Page 2 of 2 Article CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE MERCHANTS' LODGE, No. 241. Page 1 of 1 Article ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THREE NUNS' HOTEL, ALDGATE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THREE NUNS' HOTEL, ALDGATE. Page 1 of 1 Article THE THREE NUNS' HOTEL, ALDGATE. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In New Zealand.
constant attendance at the lodges of instruction . He was greatly indebted to Bro . Hudson , P . M ., and other Past Masters , for the assistance at all times given him . No efforts would be spared on his part to render his year of office equally as satisfactory to the brethren as his predecessor's had been . He was deeply sensible for all the kindness shown him . The toasts of "The Worshipful Masters of the Lazar Lodge , " " Kilwinning Lodge , " and
" Other Sister Lodges" were proposed and suitably responded to , also "The Past Masters of the Pacific Lodge , " "The Newly-Installed Officers , " "The Visitors , " "The Masonic Press , " "The Host and Hostess , " & c , & c , all of which were duly honoured , and many excellent speeches made . In reply to the ; toast of "The Visitors , " Bro . Dr . Robt . Bakewell said : I presume I have been selected to respond to this toast because I am the greatest
stranger amongst you , if such a term is admissable . 1 o say that I am gratified would ill express my feelings . 1 certainly never expected to see such a splendid Masonic gathering . The tout ensemble of your lodge , room , brethren , is proof positive that not only have Masons' hands been at work , but Masons' hearts as well , for the effect is most striking , and is worthy of all praise . Freemasonry is truly a glorious institution , her doctrines are of the highest
order ; she teaches us thc grandest lessons , exalts ^ our ideas , and lends an enchantment to life by the majestic principles which she inculcates . How gratifying it must be to the heart of every true Mason that the Grand Lodges at home should discountenance the doings of the Grand Orient of France , in consequence of that body seeking to remove one of the greatest bulwarks of our Masonic faith , the Word of God , from our Masonic altar . Such an
innovation would produce disastrous consequences , but wc must hope that wiser counsels will yet prevail in that foreign branch of our Order , for Masonry can never consistently secede from the holy influences of religious belief and recognition of the inspired writings of the ancients . Her good works must continue to be glorified by her sacreel alliance with those grand doctrines of faith and belief which all good men approve and reverence , and which is in
reality the foundation of her existence ; for although Masonry may not assume to be absolutely a religion , still it is admitted to be a powerful ally , and the faithful handmaiden of its holy precepts and teachings ; and , therefore , we , as Englishmen and Masons , must ever uphold this powerful influence in our Masonic institutions , and then we shall continue to prosper and extend the untold benefits of our great and benevolent Order . ( Cheers . ) This toast was
also responded to by Bros . Block , Ford , Barnett , Crump , Clarke , and others . The Tyler's toast concluded one of the most successful Masonic celebrations ever held in Hokitika , and the brethren will long remember the installation of 1 SS 0 . The pleasures of the evening were greatly enhanced by the performances of Bro . Gosson , D . G . Organist , recitations , and thc singing generally , many good voices contributing to the enjoyment of the festivities .
Centenary Festival Of The Merchants' Lodge, No. 241.
CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE MERCHANTS' LODGE , No . 241 .
Thc members of this lodge , of which Bro . Thomas Salter is the present W . M . ( which holds its meeting at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool ) , will , by special permission of the Grand Lodge , celebrate their centenary < i festival | on Wednesday , the iGth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , and
subsequently at the Adclphi Hotel , Liverpool . The lodge is one which has long held a high place in the Province of West Lancashire on account of its deeds of charity and labours of love , and the event is looked forward to with more than ordinary interest by those more intimately associated with the old lodge . Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . M . of West Lancashire . has promised to be
present on the occasion , when he will be made an honorary member , and be presented with a centenary jewel . It is also fully expected that Bro . Colonel Stanley , Dep . G . M . of West Lancashire , will be able to attend and take part in the proceedings . The centenary banquet will take place at the Adclphi Hotel , where an attendance of about 200 brethren is expected . A special programme is being prepared for the centenary celebration of the lodge .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
Wednesday , the iGth inst ., has been appointed for the visit of the Stewards to the above Institution . Luncheon will be provided from two to four .
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
THE THREE NUNS' HOTEL , ALDGATE .
If within the memory of comparatively young men changes so numerous and extensive have taken place that neighbourhoods with which they were familiar in their boyhood arc now almost as strange as if they had never traversed them , it is easy to imagine how different the London of our day must be from the London of former times . Many of
our principal streets , of our largest buildings , of our most fashionable squares , are but of yesterday , while as regards Old London , its landmarks are rapidly diminishing in number , so that a quarter of a century hence it is just possible that there may be hardl y a vestige left to tell us what our great metropolis was like in the days of the Merry Monarch . But , fortunately , there have been laborious writers , such as
Stow , Strype , < £ : c , & c , whose chronicles enable us to learn something of the antiquities of London , of its walls and gates , its streets , churches , public buildings , the famous people who dwelt in it , and much else that cannot fail to prove attractive reading to the vast majority of our countrymen . Nor has the love of antiquarian research and compilation quite departed from amongst us , for manv a guide
and history is now and again published , in which the great city , from the earliest to the present times , is placed before us as in a picture , so that when we wander through its broad , spacious streets , though there is very little in the shape of relics to remind us of bygone days and people , we know
the ground we are passing over has been made memorable as having been the scene of some important civic event , or the abode of some distinguished personage . Of course the City proper and its immediate nei ghbourhood offer the greatest attractions to the enthusiast in antiquarian studies , and , as most of our readers know , hardly the least attractive parts are to be found in eastern London , whence
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
rank and fashion have long since taken their departure , and where now are to be found only houses of business , store and Warehouses , shipping agencies , & c , all testifying clearly enough to the commercial fortune of our metropolis , but with nothing picturesque about them from an architectural point of view . Who , for instance , would for a single moment imagine that Aldgate , with its historic pump " , and the Minories , with which is usually associated the name of
one of the earliest of our great retail clothiers , were classic ground , and that in the narrow thoroughfares close by lived great lords and ladies , who if they flourished in this prosaic age would have about as much knowledge of these parts as of Central Africa ? Yet a perusal of the pages of that famous old chronicler , Stow , and other writers , will show that formerly Aldgate would compare well with other parts of the City , not only in the wealth but also in the importance of
its inhabitants . Aldgate , or Ealdgate—that is , the Old Gate—stood formerly just about where Duke ' s-place enters Aldgate-street ( on its northern side ) , and , therefore , some little distance before Houndsditch is reached . It was thus called from its age . The date of its foundation is uncertain , but it is known to have been in existence in g 6 o , in the reign of the Saxon King Edgar , and stood there afterwards during close on
six centuries , when it was pulled down and rebuilt . When the former event happened , which was in 1606 , and search was made among the rubbish , previous to laying the foundations of-the new gate , a number of Roman coins were found , of two of which , by order of Mr . Martin Bond , copies were made and placed on the east side of the gate . The same Mr . Bond laid the first foundation stone on the 10 th April , 1 G 07 , and the gate was completed in two
years from that time . Stow gives a very elaborate description of the gate , with its " golden sphere with a goodly vane on it " on top , and on the upper battlements figures of two ancient soldiers—" as vigilant Centinels , and , as it were , kept waking by Fame ' s Golden Trumpet" —each holding a stone ball in his hand wherewith to keep off enemies ; a figure of James I ., on one side , and the Royal arms , with figures of Fortune , Faith , and Charity , the last
two being copied from the aforc-mentioned Roman coins , on the other , there being underneath the inscription : " Senatus Populusquc Londinensis , 1 G 09 , Humfrey Weld , Mayor . " It was through Aldgate that in the year 1215 , by favour of the citizens , the barons under " Robert Fitzwalter , Jeffrey Magnaville , Earl of Essex , and the Earl of Gloucester" entered with their forces , and the gate , which was in a very ruinous condition , was at once repaired with
"the stones taken from the Jews' broken houses . " In 1471 , in Edward I V . ' s reign , the bastard Faulconbridge , havingfoiled in his attempt to gain a passage on the Thames side of the City , attacked Aldgate and other gates , with a rabble of some 5000 men . They won the bulwarks and forced an entrance , but the portclose ( portcullis ) being let down , those who had done so were slain , and then Robert Basset , Alderman of the ward , and the Recorder "
commanded in the name of God to draw up the portclose ; which being done , they issued out , and with sharp shot and fierce fight , put their enemies back so far as St . Buttolph's Church , b y which time the Earl Rivers , and the Lieutenant of the 'I ower , was come with a fresh company ; which joyning together , discomfited the rebels , and put them to flight ; whom the aforesaid Robert Basset , with other citizens , chased unto the Mile ' s-cnd , and thence , some to Poplar ,
and some to Stratford ; slew many , and took many of them prisoners . " In 1760 the old City gates , with the exception of Temple Bar , were taken down , in order that the streets might be widened , and Aldgate was bought by a Mr . Mussell , of Bethnall Green , a zealous antiquary , who lived in a house belonging to Lord Wentworth , which had been built in James II . ' s reign . Mr . Mussell had this gate rebuilt on the north side of his mansion , to which henceforth
he gave the name of Aldgate House . It should be added that among the City records is a lease , dated 1374 , granting the whole of the house above thc gate to the poet Chaucer ; that in thc chambers over the postern gate on the north side lived one of the Lord Mayor's carvers , who was also one of the Sergeants of the Chambers for the time being ; and that after the Great Fire , the prisoners from the Poultry Compter were lodged until the prison could be rebuilt .
Duke's-place , of which mention has been made , was so called after Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk , who was beheaded in 1572 for his intrigues on behalf of Mary Queen of Scots , to whose hand he had aspired . It is of this nobleman that Strype says , " I find the said duke , anno 1562 , with his duchess , ridingthither through Bishopsgatestreet to Leadenhall , and so to Cree Church , to his own place , attended with a hundred horse in his livery ,
with his gentlemen afore , and four heralds , riding before him , namely , Clarencieux , Somerset , Red Cross , and Blue Mantle . " His Grace inherited this property by his marriage with the daughter of Sir Thomas Audley , formerly Lord Chancellor , to whom Henry VIII . granteditwith the rest of the precinct of the Priory of Holy Trinity , founded by Matilda , Queen of Henry I ., who gave to it the Port of Aldgate , with the soke or franchise belonging thereto ; hence
I ' ortsoken Ward . I he Earl of Suffolk sold this Priory precinct , and the mansion of his mother to the City . When in 1650 the Jews were allowed to return to England , many settled in Duke's-place , and later on in the same century many Polish and German Jews came thither , one of the latter , named Moses Hart , building a synagogue there in 1692 . Houndsditch , one end of which leads into Aldgate . and
now agood broad thoroughfare , was formerly a ditch . whence , and because it was made a receptacle for all kinds of filth , especially dead dogs , it derived its name . Here , in the present day the Jewish element musters in great strength . Stow speaks of it as "taken up b y brokers , j ' oyners , braziers , salesmen , and such as deal in old clothes , linen , and upholstery ware . " Here , too , he remembers to have seen in his youth devout people walk expressly to bestow
their alms on the bedridden folk who lived in certain cottages close by . These poor people lay in their beds with the windows opened , so that any one could see them . A clean linen cloth and a pair of beads were in each window to indicate that "there lay a bedrid body unable but to pray only . " In the latter part of Henry VIIL ' s reign—Houndsditch was first paved in 1503—three gunfounders obtained
ground for building thereon , and to enclose for casting brass ordnance , and others gradually built there , so that in time the poor people were worn out , and their cottages gave place to houses that did " rather want room than rent , " while the rest of the ground , which had been a field , was in the last year of Edward VI . 's reign parcelled out into gardens ,. The gieat bane of the place , however , were the people— " monsters in the shape of men " * -who pro-
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
fessed to live by lending , and yet " lent nothing but upon pawns at from 50 to So " per cent . " Near Aldgate " antiently on the wall was a turret whereon was placed an hermitage , which in the reign of Edward I . was presented to the king ' s judges at an inquisition in the Tower . " Near it also was erected in 1535 a conduit , the water being supplied from Hackney , but , owing to the nuisance caused by the crowd of water carriers waiting
with their pails and other vessels to obtain water , the conduit was removed into a side court . Of St . Botolph ' s Church we should like to speak at some length , but , instead of doing so , we content ourselves with remarking that it is set down in Peter Cunningham ? s " Handbook to Modern London" as the richest living in London , being worth over ^ 2200 per annum . Aldgate Pump needs little comment , save that some time ago , so
the late Mr . Walter Thornbury tells us , when worlrmen were excavating near , they came across some very curious arches , resembling the cloisters of an ancient abbey . As to the Minories , which runs out of Aldgate , just opposite St . Botolph ' s , and extends to Little Tower-hill , here in the Middle Ages was founded in 1293 b y Edmund , Earl of Lancaster , brother of Edward I ., an Abbey of Nuns of the order of St . Clare , while the Church of the Holy Trinity in the same
district was founded in 110 S by Henry I . ' s queen . It escaped the Great Fire , but had become so ruinous that it was taken down and rebuilt in 1706 . Then both within and without Whitechapel Bars were many butchers , who drove a considerable trade and killed excellent beef , veal , mutton , and Iamb , and close at hand was a hay market , held three times a week . Thus not onl y is Aldgate of great antiquity , Portsoken as a guild tracing back its origin to oVer a
century before the Conquest , but there is an air of religion and high respectability about the neighbourhood , with its Priory of the Holy Trinity and its Abbey of Nuns of St . Clare on the one hand , and its ducal and other noble inhabitants on the other . Houndsditch , albeit nowadays acrowded and thriving place , is suggestive of less savoury reminiscences , and De Foe mentions that not very far from where Aldgate Station now is was the " dreadful gulf , for such it was
rather than a pit , " where in the fortnight between the 6 th and 20 th September , 1 G 66 , the bodies of no less than 1114 persons were buried . Few , perhaps , give heed to these things as they move along through the crowded thoroughfares , or hurry in or out of Aldgate Railway Station , which has been opened now for some little time , and is found a great boon to the public . It has brought this district into rapid communication with nearly the whole of London , a point on which more than
usual stress must be laid , having regard to the difficulties of locomotion in the great business thoroughfares of the City . But the station does not stand alone , in its glory . On its western side is an hotel occupying the site , or a part of the site , of an old coaching-house , with the somewhat unusual sign of "The Three Nuns . " Larwood and Hotteh in their " History of Signboards" speak of this as having been constantly used by drapers , "because the holy
sisterhoods were generally very expert in making lace embroidery , and other fancy work—as the handkerchiefs made by the nuns of Pau , and sold b y our drapers fully prove even at the present day . " How it came to be associated with this particular inn , which was a well-known coaching and car ? rier ' s inn in the sixteenth century is not clear , though we would suggest that it may have had its origin in the Abbey of St . Clare nuns already mentioned . Be this as it may ,
Strype , in his edition of Stowe , bearing date 1720 , in his list of coaches and carriers plying between London and the provinces , transcribed from a list printed in 1707 , gives the following as starting from "The Three Nuns , and their days of running : — "The Barkin Coach , " every day . "The Brentwood Carrier , " Saturday . " Chippinonger Carrier , " Tuesday and Friday .
" Low-Leyton Coach , " every day . "Ongar Carrier , " Tuesday and Friday , and "Ongar Coach , " Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday . The " Rumford Coach , " Monday , Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday . The " Woodford Coach , " every day . Indeed , "The Three Nuns" seems to have been the starting point and goal of many of the Essex coaches and
carriers , and was accordingly well furnished with excellent accommodation for travellers visiting London . But spacious as the rooms in the old house may have been in its most flourishing days , we question if they approached in any way , as regards comfort and completeness of fitting and other necessaries , those in the present " Three Nuns Hotel , which for a twelvemonth or so has been open to the public under the able management of Mr . Samuel East . jun .,
the enterprising and experienced proprietor . On the ground floor is a spacious dining room , where any reasonable number can dine at any hour of the diy . The tables are covered with dazzling white napery , glass , and cutlery . Over the fire place is the old sign representing "The Three Nuns" as it hung before the former house—evidently a copy of an older sign , as it bears date 1823 only . On the first floor and above this is the principal room , which
may be used either as a dining or ball room . This , too , is handsomely fitted and furnished , but with a view to cosiness and comfort rather than for purposes of display . There are sitting and bedrooms , a large billiard room , a spacious kitchen , with all the latest and most approved appliances . There is ample cellarage below , while in the portion of the building that is used as a tavern there is plenty of room to spare- for the hungry or thirsty passer-by
who may wish to refresh himself comfortably . Indeed , the building , which externa \ y seems far more picturesque than the majority of our modern hotels , has been excellently well set up , while the interior arrangements both as regards furnishing and appointments are most satisfactory . Both Mr . East and his manager Mr . J . Privett , are untiring in their efforts to meet the wishes of their guests . The service is excellent , and the viands , as well as the wines .
& c .,. & c ., would do credit to many older hotels in the more favoured districts of London . One or two remarks must be added . We believe the'Three Nuns" js the only house in the city which has a license for music , singing , and dancing . Moreover , not only is the accommodation good , and the food , both solid and fluid , ine moderate
gooo , DUC cnarges are extremely , ana no one who may think of patronising "TheThree Nuns" Hotel need have any fear of being charged a shilling for looking at the landlord , or sixpence for asking for a candle . We hope Mr . East jun ., will find in the liberal patronage of the public a just reward for the enterprise and determination to please he has exhibited during the thus far brief period ) of his proprietorship .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In New Zealand.
constant attendance at the lodges of instruction . He was greatly indebted to Bro . Hudson , P . M ., and other Past Masters , for the assistance at all times given him . No efforts would be spared on his part to render his year of office equally as satisfactory to the brethren as his predecessor's had been . He was deeply sensible for all the kindness shown him . The toasts of "The Worshipful Masters of the Lazar Lodge , " " Kilwinning Lodge , " and
" Other Sister Lodges" were proposed and suitably responded to , also "The Past Masters of the Pacific Lodge , " "The Newly-Installed Officers , " "The Visitors , " "The Masonic Press , " "The Host and Hostess , " & c , & c , all of which were duly honoured , and many excellent speeches made . In reply to the ; toast of "The Visitors , " Bro . Dr . Robt . Bakewell said : I presume I have been selected to respond to this toast because I am the greatest
stranger amongst you , if such a term is admissable . 1 o say that I am gratified would ill express my feelings . 1 certainly never expected to see such a splendid Masonic gathering . The tout ensemble of your lodge , room , brethren , is proof positive that not only have Masons' hands been at work , but Masons' hearts as well , for the effect is most striking , and is worthy of all praise . Freemasonry is truly a glorious institution , her doctrines are of the highest
order ; she teaches us thc grandest lessons , exalts ^ our ideas , and lends an enchantment to life by the majestic principles which she inculcates . How gratifying it must be to the heart of every true Mason that the Grand Lodges at home should discountenance the doings of the Grand Orient of France , in consequence of that body seeking to remove one of the greatest bulwarks of our Masonic faith , the Word of God , from our Masonic altar . Such an
innovation would produce disastrous consequences , but wc must hope that wiser counsels will yet prevail in that foreign branch of our Order , for Masonry can never consistently secede from the holy influences of religious belief and recognition of the inspired writings of the ancients . Her good works must continue to be glorified by her sacreel alliance with those grand doctrines of faith and belief which all good men approve and reverence , and which is in
reality the foundation of her existence ; for although Masonry may not assume to be absolutely a religion , still it is admitted to be a powerful ally , and the faithful handmaiden of its holy precepts and teachings ; and , therefore , we , as Englishmen and Masons , must ever uphold this powerful influence in our Masonic institutions , and then we shall continue to prosper and extend the untold benefits of our great and benevolent Order . ( Cheers . ) This toast was
also responded to by Bros . Block , Ford , Barnett , Crump , Clarke , and others . The Tyler's toast concluded one of the most successful Masonic celebrations ever held in Hokitika , and the brethren will long remember the installation of 1 SS 0 . The pleasures of the evening were greatly enhanced by the performances of Bro . Gosson , D . G . Organist , recitations , and thc singing generally , many good voices contributing to the enjoyment of the festivities .
Centenary Festival Of The Merchants' Lodge, No. 241.
CENTENARY FESTIVAL OF THE MERCHANTS' LODGE , No . 241 .
Thc members of this lodge , of which Bro . Thomas Salter is the present W . M . ( which holds its meeting at the Masonic Hall , Liverpool ) , will , by special permission of the Grand Lodge , celebrate their centenary < i festival | on Wednesday , the iGth inst ., at the Masonic Hall , and
subsequently at the Adclphi Hotel , Liverpool . The lodge is one which has long held a high place in the Province of West Lancashire on account of its deeds of charity and labours of love , and the event is looked forward to with more than ordinary interest by those more intimately associated with the old lodge . Bro . the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., Prov . G . M . of West Lancashire . has promised to be
present on the occasion , when he will be made an honorary member , and be presented with a centenary jewel . It is also fully expected that Bro . Colonel Stanley , Dep . G . M . of West Lancashire , will be able to attend and take part in the proceedings . The centenary banquet will take place at the Adclphi Hotel , where an attendance of about 200 brethren is expected . A special programme is being prepared for the centenary celebration of the lodge .
Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .
Wednesday , the iGth inst ., has been appointed for the visit of the Stewards to the above Institution . Luncheon will be provided from two to four .
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
THE THREE NUNS' HOTEL , ALDGATE .
If within the memory of comparatively young men changes so numerous and extensive have taken place that neighbourhoods with which they were familiar in their boyhood arc now almost as strange as if they had never traversed them , it is easy to imagine how different the London of our day must be from the London of former times . Many of
our principal streets , of our largest buildings , of our most fashionable squares , are but of yesterday , while as regards Old London , its landmarks are rapidly diminishing in number , so that a quarter of a century hence it is just possible that there may be hardl y a vestige left to tell us what our great metropolis was like in the days of the Merry Monarch . But , fortunately , there have been laborious writers , such as
Stow , Strype , < £ : c , & c , whose chronicles enable us to learn something of the antiquities of London , of its walls and gates , its streets , churches , public buildings , the famous people who dwelt in it , and much else that cannot fail to prove attractive reading to the vast majority of our countrymen . Nor has the love of antiquarian research and compilation quite departed from amongst us , for manv a guide
and history is now and again published , in which the great city , from the earliest to the present times , is placed before us as in a picture , so that when we wander through its broad , spacious streets , though there is very little in the shape of relics to remind us of bygone days and people , we know
the ground we are passing over has been made memorable as having been the scene of some important civic event , or the abode of some distinguished personage . Of course the City proper and its immediate nei ghbourhood offer the greatest attractions to the enthusiast in antiquarian studies , and , as most of our readers know , hardly the least attractive parts are to be found in eastern London , whence
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
rank and fashion have long since taken their departure , and where now are to be found only houses of business , store and Warehouses , shipping agencies , & c , all testifying clearly enough to the commercial fortune of our metropolis , but with nothing picturesque about them from an architectural point of view . Who , for instance , would for a single moment imagine that Aldgate , with its historic pump " , and the Minories , with which is usually associated the name of
one of the earliest of our great retail clothiers , were classic ground , and that in the narrow thoroughfares close by lived great lords and ladies , who if they flourished in this prosaic age would have about as much knowledge of these parts as of Central Africa ? Yet a perusal of the pages of that famous old chronicler , Stow , and other writers , will show that formerly Aldgate would compare well with other parts of the City , not only in the wealth but also in the importance of
its inhabitants . Aldgate , or Ealdgate—that is , the Old Gate—stood formerly just about where Duke ' s-place enters Aldgate-street ( on its northern side ) , and , therefore , some little distance before Houndsditch is reached . It was thus called from its age . The date of its foundation is uncertain , but it is known to have been in existence in g 6 o , in the reign of the Saxon King Edgar , and stood there afterwards during close on
six centuries , when it was pulled down and rebuilt . When the former event happened , which was in 1606 , and search was made among the rubbish , previous to laying the foundations of-the new gate , a number of Roman coins were found , of two of which , by order of Mr . Martin Bond , copies were made and placed on the east side of the gate . The same Mr . Bond laid the first foundation stone on the 10 th April , 1 G 07 , and the gate was completed in two
years from that time . Stow gives a very elaborate description of the gate , with its " golden sphere with a goodly vane on it " on top , and on the upper battlements figures of two ancient soldiers—" as vigilant Centinels , and , as it were , kept waking by Fame ' s Golden Trumpet" —each holding a stone ball in his hand wherewith to keep off enemies ; a figure of James I ., on one side , and the Royal arms , with figures of Fortune , Faith , and Charity , the last
two being copied from the aforc-mentioned Roman coins , on the other , there being underneath the inscription : " Senatus Populusquc Londinensis , 1 G 09 , Humfrey Weld , Mayor . " It was through Aldgate that in the year 1215 , by favour of the citizens , the barons under " Robert Fitzwalter , Jeffrey Magnaville , Earl of Essex , and the Earl of Gloucester" entered with their forces , and the gate , which was in a very ruinous condition , was at once repaired with
"the stones taken from the Jews' broken houses . " In 1471 , in Edward I V . ' s reign , the bastard Faulconbridge , havingfoiled in his attempt to gain a passage on the Thames side of the City , attacked Aldgate and other gates , with a rabble of some 5000 men . They won the bulwarks and forced an entrance , but the portclose ( portcullis ) being let down , those who had done so were slain , and then Robert Basset , Alderman of the ward , and the Recorder "
commanded in the name of God to draw up the portclose ; which being done , they issued out , and with sharp shot and fierce fight , put their enemies back so far as St . Buttolph's Church , b y which time the Earl Rivers , and the Lieutenant of the 'I ower , was come with a fresh company ; which joyning together , discomfited the rebels , and put them to flight ; whom the aforesaid Robert Basset , with other citizens , chased unto the Mile ' s-cnd , and thence , some to Poplar ,
and some to Stratford ; slew many , and took many of them prisoners . " In 1760 the old City gates , with the exception of Temple Bar , were taken down , in order that the streets might be widened , and Aldgate was bought by a Mr . Mussell , of Bethnall Green , a zealous antiquary , who lived in a house belonging to Lord Wentworth , which had been built in James II . ' s reign . Mr . Mussell had this gate rebuilt on the north side of his mansion , to which henceforth
he gave the name of Aldgate House . It should be added that among the City records is a lease , dated 1374 , granting the whole of the house above thc gate to the poet Chaucer ; that in thc chambers over the postern gate on the north side lived one of the Lord Mayor's carvers , who was also one of the Sergeants of the Chambers for the time being ; and that after the Great Fire , the prisoners from the Poultry Compter were lodged until the prison could be rebuilt .
Duke's-place , of which mention has been made , was so called after Thomas Howard , Duke of Norfolk , who was beheaded in 1572 for his intrigues on behalf of Mary Queen of Scots , to whose hand he had aspired . It is of this nobleman that Strype says , " I find the said duke , anno 1562 , with his duchess , ridingthither through Bishopsgatestreet to Leadenhall , and so to Cree Church , to his own place , attended with a hundred horse in his livery ,
with his gentlemen afore , and four heralds , riding before him , namely , Clarencieux , Somerset , Red Cross , and Blue Mantle . " His Grace inherited this property by his marriage with the daughter of Sir Thomas Audley , formerly Lord Chancellor , to whom Henry VIII . granteditwith the rest of the precinct of the Priory of Holy Trinity , founded by Matilda , Queen of Henry I ., who gave to it the Port of Aldgate , with the soke or franchise belonging thereto ; hence
I ' ortsoken Ward . I he Earl of Suffolk sold this Priory precinct , and the mansion of his mother to the City . When in 1650 the Jews were allowed to return to England , many settled in Duke's-place , and later on in the same century many Polish and German Jews came thither , one of the latter , named Moses Hart , building a synagogue there in 1692 . Houndsditch , one end of which leads into Aldgate . and
now agood broad thoroughfare , was formerly a ditch . whence , and because it was made a receptacle for all kinds of filth , especially dead dogs , it derived its name . Here , in the present day the Jewish element musters in great strength . Stow speaks of it as "taken up b y brokers , j ' oyners , braziers , salesmen , and such as deal in old clothes , linen , and upholstery ware . " Here , too , he remembers to have seen in his youth devout people walk expressly to bestow
their alms on the bedridden folk who lived in certain cottages close by . These poor people lay in their beds with the windows opened , so that any one could see them . A clean linen cloth and a pair of beads were in each window to indicate that "there lay a bedrid body unable but to pray only . " In the latter part of Henry VIIL ' s reign—Houndsditch was first paved in 1503—three gunfounders obtained
ground for building thereon , and to enclose for casting brass ordnance , and others gradually built there , so that in time the poor people were worn out , and their cottages gave place to houses that did " rather want room than rent , " while the rest of the ground , which had been a field , was in the last year of Edward VI . 's reign parcelled out into gardens ,. The gieat bane of the place , however , were the people— " monsters in the shape of men " * -who pro-
The Three Nuns' Hotel, Aldgate.
fessed to live by lending , and yet " lent nothing but upon pawns at from 50 to So " per cent . " Near Aldgate " antiently on the wall was a turret whereon was placed an hermitage , which in the reign of Edward I . was presented to the king ' s judges at an inquisition in the Tower . " Near it also was erected in 1535 a conduit , the water being supplied from Hackney , but , owing to the nuisance caused by the crowd of water carriers waiting
with their pails and other vessels to obtain water , the conduit was removed into a side court . Of St . Botolph ' s Church we should like to speak at some length , but , instead of doing so , we content ourselves with remarking that it is set down in Peter Cunningham ? s " Handbook to Modern London" as the richest living in London , being worth over ^ 2200 per annum . Aldgate Pump needs little comment , save that some time ago , so
the late Mr . Walter Thornbury tells us , when worlrmen were excavating near , they came across some very curious arches , resembling the cloisters of an ancient abbey . As to the Minories , which runs out of Aldgate , just opposite St . Botolph ' s , and extends to Little Tower-hill , here in the Middle Ages was founded in 1293 b y Edmund , Earl of Lancaster , brother of Edward I ., an Abbey of Nuns of the order of St . Clare , while the Church of the Holy Trinity in the same
district was founded in 110 S by Henry I . ' s queen . It escaped the Great Fire , but had become so ruinous that it was taken down and rebuilt in 1706 . Then both within and without Whitechapel Bars were many butchers , who drove a considerable trade and killed excellent beef , veal , mutton , and Iamb , and close at hand was a hay market , held three times a week . Thus not onl y is Aldgate of great antiquity , Portsoken as a guild tracing back its origin to oVer a
century before the Conquest , but there is an air of religion and high respectability about the neighbourhood , with its Priory of the Holy Trinity and its Abbey of Nuns of St . Clare on the one hand , and its ducal and other noble inhabitants on the other . Houndsditch , albeit nowadays acrowded and thriving place , is suggestive of less savoury reminiscences , and De Foe mentions that not very far from where Aldgate Station now is was the " dreadful gulf , for such it was
rather than a pit , " where in the fortnight between the 6 th and 20 th September , 1 G 66 , the bodies of no less than 1114 persons were buried . Few , perhaps , give heed to these things as they move along through the crowded thoroughfares , or hurry in or out of Aldgate Railway Station , which has been opened now for some little time , and is found a great boon to the public . It has brought this district into rapid communication with nearly the whole of London , a point on which more than
usual stress must be laid , having regard to the difficulties of locomotion in the great business thoroughfares of the City . But the station does not stand alone , in its glory . On its western side is an hotel occupying the site , or a part of the site , of an old coaching-house , with the somewhat unusual sign of "The Three Nuns . " Larwood and Hotteh in their " History of Signboards" speak of this as having been constantly used by drapers , "because the holy
sisterhoods were generally very expert in making lace embroidery , and other fancy work—as the handkerchiefs made by the nuns of Pau , and sold b y our drapers fully prove even at the present day . " How it came to be associated with this particular inn , which was a well-known coaching and car ? rier ' s inn in the sixteenth century is not clear , though we would suggest that it may have had its origin in the Abbey of St . Clare nuns already mentioned . Be this as it may ,
Strype , in his edition of Stowe , bearing date 1720 , in his list of coaches and carriers plying between London and the provinces , transcribed from a list printed in 1707 , gives the following as starting from "The Three Nuns , and their days of running : — "The Barkin Coach , " every day . "The Brentwood Carrier , " Saturday . " Chippinonger Carrier , " Tuesday and Friday .
" Low-Leyton Coach , " every day . "Ongar Carrier , " Tuesday and Friday , and "Ongar Coach , " Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday . The " Rumford Coach , " Monday , Tuesday , Thursday , and Saturday . The " Woodford Coach , " every day . Indeed , "The Three Nuns" seems to have been the starting point and goal of many of the Essex coaches and
carriers , and was accordingly well furnished with excellent accommodation for travellers visiting London . But spacious as the rooms in the old house may have been in its most flourishing days , we question if they approached in any way , as regards comfort and completeness of fitting and other necessaries , those in the present " Three Nuns Hotel , which for a twelvemonth or so has been open to the public under the able management of Mr . Samuel East . jun .,
the enterprising and experienced proprietor . On the ground floor is a spacious dining room , where any reasonable number can dine at any hour of the diy . The tables are covered with dazzling white napery , glass , and cutlery . Over the fire place is the old sign representing "The Three Nuns" as it hung before the former house—evidently a copy of an older sign , as it bears date 1823 only . On the first floor and above this is the principal room , which
may be used either as a dining or ball room . This , too , is handsomely fitted and furnished , but with a view to cosiness and comfort rather than for purposes of display . There are sitting and bedrooms , a large billiard room , a spacious kitchen , with all the latest and most approved appliances . There is ample cellarage below , while in the portion of the building that is used as a tavern there is plenty of room to spare- for the hungry or thirsty passer-by
who may wish to refresh himself comfortably . Indeed , the building , which externa \ y seems far more picturesque than the majority of our modern hotels , has been excellently well set up , while the interior arrangements both as regards furnishing and appointments are most satisfactory . Both Mr . East and his manager Mr . J . Privett , are untiring in their efforts to meet the wishes of their guests . The service is excellent , and the viands , as well as the wines .
& c .,. & c ., would do credit to many older hotels in the more favoured districts of London . One or two remarks must be added . We believe the'Three Nuns" js the only house in the city which has a license for music , singing , and dancing . Moreover , not only is the accommodation good , and the food , both solid and fluid , ine moderate
gooo , DUC cnarges are extremely , ana no one who may think of patronising "TheThree Nuns" Hotel need have any fear of being charged a shilling for looking at the landlord , or sixpence for asking for a candle . We hope Mr . East jun ., will find in the liberal patronage of the public a just reward for the enterprise and determination to please he has exhibited during the thus far brief period ) of his proprietorship .