DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.1213#0268
196 TALLISJS ILLUSTRATED LONDON j
in the quarrel by another company, they assembled to-
gether in the streets, nightly and in armour. On one of
these occasions there were more than 500 belligerents, and
the encounter was so violent that several were killed and
wounded in the affray. The sheriffs interfered and cap-
tured some of the rioters. On the following Friday thirty
of the offenders were tried at the Old Bailey, of whom
thirteen were convicted and hanged.
The goldsmiths wrere the first bankers in London, on
account of their reputed wealth, on which large drains
were made during the civil wars in the time of Charles I.,
and until the Revolution. One of the most distinguished
members and benefactors of this company was Sir Hugh
Middleton, who introduced the water of the New River,
and who bequeathed a share in this grand undertaking for
the relief of decayed goldsmiths, a legacy the increased
value of which yields a very ample revenue in aid of cha-
ritable purposes.
This company is under the government of a prime war-
den, three other wardens, and a court of assistants. Its
motto is, " Justitia Virtutum Regina."
The hall of the goldsmiths is in Foster-lane, Cheapside,
in the rear of the General Post Office, and near the church
of St. John Zackary's. It stands upon the site of the
ancient hall, which was a structure of smooth brack, with
a spacious quadrangle paved with freestone. The new
Goldsmiths' Hall, erected in 1833 after the designs of
Sir. Hardwicke, stands upon the site of the old hall, and
is a handsome square edifice of noble proportions and of
massive execution. The centre is composed of six Corin-
thian columns, sustaining an entablature surmounted by
a rich cornice. The five centre windows have balconies,
over which are sculptured the arms of the company, and
other appropriate ornaments. The interior presents a
happy union of magnificence and taste, and there are no
city halls which surpass the Goldsmiths'. The only thing
to be regretted is, that a building so superb should not
occ ipy a more commanding locality, for in its present
in the quarrel by another company, they assembled to-
gether in the streets, nightly and in armour. On one of
these occasions there were more than 500 belligerents, and
the encounter was so violent that several were killed and
wounded in the affray. The sheriffs interfered and cap-
tured some of the rioters. On the following Friday thirty
of the offenders were tried at the Old Bailey, of whom
thirteen were convicted and hanged.
The goldsmiths wrere the first bankers in London, on
account of their reputed wealth, on which large drains
were made during the civil wars in the time of Charles I.,
and until the Revolution. One of the most distinguished
members and benefactors of this company was Sir Hugh
Middleton, who introduced the water of the New River,
and who bequeathed a share in this grand undertaking for
the relief of decayed goldsmiths, a legacy the increased
value of which yields a very ample revenue in aid of cha-
ritable purposes.
This company is under the government of a prime war-
den, three other wardens, and a court of assistants. Its
motto is, " Justitia Virtutum Regina."
The hall of the goldsmiths is in Foster-lane, Cheapside,
in the rear of the General Post Office, and near the church
of St. John Zackary's. It stands upon the site of the
ancient hall, which was a structure of smooth brack, with
a spacious quadrangle paved with freestone. The new
Goldsmiths' Hall, erected in 1833 after the designs of
Sir. Hardwicke, stands upon the site of the old hall, and
is a handsome square edifice of noble proportions and of
massive execution. The centre is composed of six Corin-
thian columns, sustaining an entablature surmounted by
a rich cornice. The five centre windows have balconies,
over which are sculptured the arms of the company, and
other appropriate ornaments. The interior presents a
happy union of magnificence and taste, and there are no
city halls which surpass the Goldsmiths'. The only thing
to be regretted is, that a building so superb should not
occ ipy a more commanding locality, for in its present