Lane is the Black Lion Inn, of pretty good Resort; which hath a passage by Sufferance into Dogwel Court in the Friers. On the West side of this Lane, is Brittain's Alley, as also Dove Court, both ordinary Places, and hath passage into the Friers.

Dorset Court, commonly called Salisbury Court. Of late Years the said Court, and the large House built there, and inhabited by the Earls of Dorset, was pulled down, and converted into Buildings; as was the Garden and Wilderness; there being a handsome well built Street, which comes out of Fleetstreet, called Dorset street, and runneth Southwards to the River of Thames; where there is a fair Bridge, and Stairs of Freestone, for the taking Water at; where many Watermen ply.

Near unto which Place, lately stood the Theatre or Play House; a neat Building, having a curious Front next the Thames, with an open Place for the reception of Coaches. On the other side is a large Wood Yard Wharf, belonging to the Company of Carpenters.

This Street on the West side, passing down to the Thames, is a handsome, airy, open Square, all taken up with good Buildings, the best inhabited of any in the Court: For that part towards the Thames, as also the Wilderness, with the small Courts, are not so much boasted of. In this Place are these Courts and Places of Name: Viz. Blue Ball Court, an indifferent good Place, with a Freestone Pavement. Half paved Court, but ordinary. Dorset Court, a small Place, handsomely built, and indifferently well inhabited. Sugar loaf Court, very small and ordinary. The Wilderness, so called, as being built in that part of the Garden where the Wilderness was; a noted Place for leud Houses. Fisher's Alley, also but ordinary, hath a passage into Water lane. Near unto this Alley is George Yard, but mean. And Crown Alley, very inconsiderable, hath a passage into Tuder street, and so to the Ditch side.

This Dorset, or Salisbury Court, doth claim a peculiar Liberty to it self, and to be exempt from the City Government; and the Inhabitants will not admit of the City Officers to make any Arrest there. But how far this Privilege reacheth, I shall not take upon me to determine: But so it is, that it was much resorted unto by such as there retired from their Creditors, during the time that such Places were not put down, as now they are. Out of Dorset Court, is a paved Freestone passage into St. Bridgets, the Parish Church.

Bride lane cometh out of Fleetstreet by St. Bridget's Churchyard; which, with a turning passage by Bridewel and the Ditch side, falleth down to Woodmongers Wharfs, by the Thames. This Lane is of Note for the many Hatters there inhabiting. It took its Name from St. Bridget's Church, unto which there is a passage up Stone Steps.

This Church of St. Bridget, or St. Brides, is large, and well built, since the great Fire, when it was wholly destroyed. In the Steeple are ten Bells, which are esteemed as tunable as any in the City. In the Church is a pair of Organs. It was rebuilt out of the Monies raised by the Imposition on Coals, as to the outward Structure; but the Pews, Galleries, and inside Work, was perfomed at the Charges of the Parishioners and Benefactors.

Bridewel, seated on the West side of Fleet Ditch, a large Building of Brick, inclosing a spacious Court. In this Buiding is a curious Chappel, made use of by the Inhabitants of the Precinct, for the Worship of God; and by the Care of the President and Governors, hath been well kept.

This Chappel was much damnified by the general Fire, but is now beautifully restored to its pristine Splendor. To this Precinct belong these Places, King Tudor's street, King Edward's street, Water street, Green's Rents, Bear Alley, good part of the Row of Houses by the Ditch side, St. Bride's lane, &c.

These Streets of King Tuder, King Edward and Water street, are on the back side of Bridewel, and have a passage into Salisbury Court, through Crown Alley, all Places inhabited by private People, and of none of the meanest Rank. One Row which fronts the Wood Yard, and regards the Thames, consists of good Buildings. Green's Rents, falleth into St. Brides lane, and is but mean; as is Bear Alley.

The Ditch side, called Fleet Ditch, is a spacious Place, with very good Buildings on both sides of the Canal, so made since the Fire of London; and very commodious for Barges and Lighters, to bring up Coals, and other Loading, as far as Holborn Bridge; and on both sides, a broad passage for Carts, to the Wharfs next the Thames. This Canal is railed in for fear of danger of Peoples falling into it. The part of this Canal, on the South side, next the Thames, hath the East side in the Ward of Faringdon within: But all the rest, down to Holbourn Bridge, on both Sides, is in this Ward. The West side of the Part next to Holbourn, is the best inhabited; and of late, much taken up by Upholsters, and others that sell second hand Goods; for which it is of Note. The East side of that Part from Fleet Bridge to the Thames, hath the best Houses, and best inhabited. On the West side, from Fleet Bridge to Holbourn Bridge, are several small Allies, which lead up to Shoe lane, where they shall be spoken of. On the East side is the Fleet Prison, which I shall anon speak of.

In antient Times (as you may read in the Chapter of the antient Brooks, Rivers, &c. of Fresh Water serving this City) there was a Brook called Turmil Brook, which ran under Holbourn and Fleet Bridges, into the Thames. But this Brook did continually cost much Money in the keeping it clean, and all to little purpose; for what by Peoples making incroachments upon the Banks, and their casting of the Soil into the Stream, it was almost filled up. And of late Years, instead of a Brook or River, it was known only by the Names of Bridewel Ditch, and Fleet Ditch; near unto which two Places were two Wooden Bridges over it, for Foot Passengers. And in this Condition it continued, until all the small Tenements, Sheds, and Lay-stalls on the Banks of it, were burnt down in the general Fire of London. After which, Anno vicessimo secundo Car. II. in the Act for Rebuilding of the City, it was Enacted:

"The Channel of Bridewel Dock: From the Channel of the River of Thames to Holbourn Bridge, shall be sunk to a sufficient Level, whereby to make it Navigable; and that the Ground be set out for the Breadth of the said Channel and of the Wharfs on ech side thereof, shall not be less in Breadth than One Hundred Foot; nor shall exceed One hundred and Twenty Foot. And that all the Wharf Ground on each side of the said River, shall lie open and at large (Crains and Stairs only excepted) without any Division or Separation; and each Person's Propriety therein, to be distinguished only by "