may not always have been expressed as discriminately as they should have been. But one can forgive much in these things, and at least we can be grateful to those who have fought so earnestly for the preservation of London for us, their successors. Whether our successors in turn will have any cause to thank us for preserving, or wishing to preserve, is, I think, doubtful. We are not so greatly Londoners now, and things are done in our midst which would shame the least civilized country.

This volume also closes the entire series. It has been a heavier job than either publisher or editor contemplated when, twenty-one years ago, they decided to begin this undertaking; but the twenty-nine volumes which have grown under our hands will, if I mistake not, be an acceptable addition to our libraries and a monument of the best traditions and efforts of English journalism. There is nothing like the GENTLEMAN'S MAGAZINE anywhere else. There is nothing like it now. It is a mine of wealth for all who will inquire, and my diggings therein have not exhausted the material which is there. Even with my own volumes before me, I still willingly turn to the old print in double columns which everyone knows so well.

My thanks are due to many friends who have kindly helped me in this work, to many who have encouraged me to proceed, while to the publisher, Mr. Stock, I have to acknowledge unending kindness in so patiently enduring the many delays which have prevented completion of the series before this.

24, DORSET SQUARE, LONDON, N.W.

November, 1904.

LAURENCE GOMME.

On the south side of St. Mary Magdalen's Church, Southwark, now called St. John's Court, stand the remains of Bermondsey, or St. Saviour's Abbey or Priory, founded for Cluniac monks from the Priory of La Charité sur Loire in France, by Alwin Child, a citizen of London, A.D. 1082; which foundation was afterwards confirmed by the charter of William Rufus, who also conferred on the prior and monks the Manor of Bermondsey, and erected a handsome conventual church for their accommodation. The priory, being an alien and a cell to that in France, was, among others, sequestered by Edward III., A.D. 1371, who appointed Richard Denton prior, in consideration of which, and the sum of 200 marks, Richard II. denisoned the same, A.D. 1380; and in the year 1399, the priory being converted into an abbey, Pope Boniface appointed John Attelborough the first abbot.

The Mill of St. Saviour (which was converted into a water-machine to supply the inhabitants with water), on June 31, A.D. 1536, was by the abbot and monks demised to John Curlew, at the annual rent of £6 (the value of 18 quarters of good wheat), and to grind all the corn for the use of the convent, which Curlew was both to fetch and carry home. The annual charge of the whole was computed at £2 3s. 8d., which made the annual rent of the said mill amount to £8 3s. 8d.

VOL. XXIX.

I

At the dissolution of monasteries this house was surrendered to Henry VIII., A.D. 1539, by Robert Wharton, alias Parsew, last abbot, who held it in commendam with the See of St. Asaph, and was afterwards translated to Hereford, when the revenues were found to amount to the sum of £474 14s. 4 d. per annum. It was converted into a private house by Sir Thomas Pope.

The spot near the zigzag moulding in the wall of the house adjoining to the gateway is said by Mr. Grose to have been an object of much veneration to Catholics. He adds, the gateway was taken down since 1756, when he drew it.

[1810, Part II., p. 513.]

The Plates I. and II. of antiquities from Bermondsey, Surrey, which are sent for your acceptance are the joint efforts of two very young artists. Plate I., north view of part of the remains of the Abbey Buildings, taken 1809, since destroyed. Plate II., four capitals, two pieces of architraves, a head of the fantastic kind, once serving as a blocking to an entablature, and a female head, once serving as a console, with part of the column it supported. These examples, with others of the like sort, were found in taking down the above remains, which are now levelled with the ground for making a road, erecting new houses, etc., on the site thereof. The following short account of the monastery is extracted from Stow :

Peter, Richard, Obsterte, and Umbalde, Monkes de Charitate, came to Bermondsey, the year 1089; and Peter was made first Prior there, by appointment of the Prior of the house called Charitie, in France, by which means this Priory of Bermondsey (being a cell to that in France) was accounted a Priory of Aliens. In the year 1094, deceased Ailewin Childe, founder of this house; then William Rufus gave to the Monks his Manor of Bermondsey, with the appurtenances, and builded for them there a new, great Church. Robert Blewit, Bishop of Lincoln (King William's Chancellor), gave them the Mannor of Charleton, with the appurtenances. Also Geffrey Martell, by the grant of Geffrey Magnaville, gave them the land of Halinbury, and the tithe of Alferton, etc. More in the year Thomas of Ardene, 1122, and Thomas his son, gave the monks of Bermond's Eye the Church of St. George, in Southwark. In the year 1165, King Henry II. confirmed to them the hide or territory of Southwark, and Laygham, Waddam, with the land of Coleman, etc. In the year 1371, the Priories of Aliens (throughout England) being seised into the King's hands, Richard Denton, an Englishman, was made Prior of Bermondsey; to whom was committed the custody of the said Priory, by the letters patents of King Edward III., saving to the King the advowsons of Churches. In the year 1380, the fourth of Richard II., this Priory was made a Denizen (or free English) for the fine of 200 marks, paid to the King's Hanaper in the