src="@public@vhost@g@gutenberg@html@files@49383@49383-h@images@i_25_sml.jpg" alt="" tag="{http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml}img"/>

There is a curious one to the Smallpage family, containing two heads, the one a male, the other a female in ruffs, of the period 1558, this in dark marble.

Another to Edward Cooke, with the following lines:—

There is also a Monument to the memory of Eliza Freshwater, in dark marble; it represents a woman kneeling in prayer at an altar in a niche.

THE FONT.

In the South Aisle, at the west end, the Font stands, with a curious cover, and two ornamental weights on chains for raising it. Hogarth was christened at this Font.

The Aisles are about 12 feet wide, having arched or vaulted roofs; on one side are pilasters, with the arches springing from them and joining the massive Norman pillars of the Choir. The Aisles are lighted by windows of different sizes and slightly pointed. At the west end of the North Aisle may be seen a cluster of columns, of which a view is given above.

Behind the Altar is a curious stone coffin, so shaped at one end as to fit the head of its occupant; and no doubt in its cold embrace some ancient Brother of the Priory was once clasped.

THE AMBULATORY.

The “Ambulatory” is somewhat gloomy, but very picturesque with its Rembrandt effect; we here introduce a view of the spot. It has long been called the Purgatory, from being used as a charnel or bone house.

At the east end of the South Aisle is a doorway that led to Bolton’s House, in the upper right hand corner of which we again meet with Bolton’s Rebus.

The house is now used as a fringe manufactory; the upper rooms were the dormitory and infirmary of the Monastery; the following view shows part of the exterior where it joins the Church.

Near one of the doors is a massive staircase with handrail of oak, undoubtedly part of the original structure, but most of the interior has been modernized, leaving few of its ancient features.

The North Aisle presents several admirable views which form most pleasing pictures.

Having taken a general survey of the interior, we will now examine some external objects of interest.

ENTRANCE TO CLOTH FAIR FROM LONG LANE.

Passing into Cloth Fair we find some old houses, probably in existence when the martyrdoms took place; we here present a group of these buildings, seen on the right soon after entering that locality.

Having passed this group, and turning by the blacksmith’s, we obtain a glimpse of the exterior of the church, with some very picturesque, antique houses; forming together a quaint bit of Old London, worth a journey to see.

Going through the narrow passage under the houses we come to a portion of the building now used as the boys’ school.

The neighbourhood of Cloth Fair abounds with old houses; thither the clothiers and drapers of London repaired, and had their booths and standings within the churchyard of this Priory, closed in with walls and gates, locked every night and watched, for safety of men’s “goods and wares;” but Stowe says that in place of booths within the churchyard, only let out in the fair time, and closed all the year after, are many large houses built.

Rahere’s establishment was originally of considerable extent; it included the Close of St. Bartholomew, le Fermery, le Dorter, le Feuter, les Cloysters, les Galleries, le Hall, le Kitchen, le Buttery, le Pantry, le Olde Kitchen, le Woodhouse, le Garner, and le Prior’s Stable, the Prior’s House and Mulberry Garden. It was entirely enclosed with walls; the North Wall ran from Smithfield, along the south side of Long Lane to the East Wall near Aldersgate Street; and the West Wall from the south-west corner of Long Lane, along Smithfield to the Gate House, now the principal entrance to Bartholomew Close. The South Wall commenced