Nobility and Gentry, and such as have Occasion for such Commodities.

Of later Times this Durham Yard came to Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery, in Consideration (say some) to pay to the See of Durham 200l. per Ann. which Grant was confirmed by Act of Parliament, dated the 16th of Charles the First. And it was by his Son built into Tenements or Houses, as now they are standing, being a handsome Street descending down out of the Strand, which falls into another much better inhabited, especially on the South Side, where there are Gardens fronting the Thames, very pleasant, with two Woodmongers Wharfs for the Sale of Fuel. Besides, where the Dary House stood, now taken down, is a more open Passage to another Row of Houses, fronting the Backside of the New Exchange. And on the North Side of the Street, near Ivy Bridge, is a pretty handsome Court, with a Free-stone Pavement, called Bishop's Court. These said Buildings of Durham Yard, are now the Inheritance of Sir Thomas Mompesson of Bathampton in the County of Wilts, Knight.

Farther West was York House; which, in Time, came into the Possession of George Villiers Duke of Buckingham; who added much to the old Building, and would have it called by his Title, yet it retained its Name of York House; and so it continued until the late Duke of Buckingham disposed of it, and then it was built into fair Streets, as now it is, and called York Buildings. In which are these Streets and Alleys. Next unto the New Exchange is a narrow Passage down Steps into George-street, which runneth to the Thames, a handsome Street, with good Houses well inhabited; at the upper End of which, next the Strand, is George Alley, which leadeth into Buckingham-street; and from thence into Off Alley or Change Alley, which falleth into Villiers-street; both which Alleys are but narrow and indifferently built, but have a Freestone Pavement. Buckingham-street comes out of the Strand, and runs down to the River Thames, where there is a stately Portico and Stairs of Freestone, for the Conveniency of the Water, and Watermen always plying there. This Street is very spacious, with very good Houses, well inhabited by Gentry, especially those on each Side fronting the Thames: That on the West Side next the Thames being the Seat of the Honourable Samuel Pepys, Esq; deceased; some Time Secretary of the Admiralty to King Charles the Second and King James the Second. This Street is crossed by Duke-street, a pretty good Street, which butts upon George-street, and Villiers-street, which also comes out of the Strand, and runneth down to the Thames; being a very handsome Street, with good Houses, well inhabited; at the lower End of which is a Water-house, very considerable, serving abundance of Families at this End of the Town. Next the Thames there is a handsome Tarrase Walk, which reacheth almost the Breadth of York Buildings, which gives a fine Propsect to the Houses, as lying open to the Thames.

Charles Court, a very handsome new built Court, with Houses fit for good Inhabitants; having a Stone Pavement down to the Thames, where there is a Pair of Stairs for the Conveniency of the Water. Out of this Court there is a Passsage into Villiers-street, and another into Hungerford Market.

Hungerford Market, built on the Ground where stood a large but old House, with a Garden, the Seat of Sir Edward Hungerford, which he converted into Buildings, as it is, having a handsome Street out of the Strand, and leading into the Market; where there is a good Market-house, and over it is a French Church. This Market at first was, in all Probability, to have taken well, especially for Fruit and Herbs, as lying so convenient for the Gradiners to land their Goods at the Stairs, without the Charge and Trouble of Porters to carry them farther by Land, as now to Covent Garden Market: But being baulk'd at first, it turns to little Account, and that of Covent Garden hath got the Start; which is much resorted unto, and well served with all Fruits and Herbs, good in their Kind. By the One Tun Tavern, there is a Passage into Heley Alley, which falleth into Hungerford Market. Brewer's Yard, a very ordinary Place, both for Houses and Inhabitants, and chiefly resorted unto by Carmen for the bringing up Goods and Coals from the Wharfs by the Thames Side, and the frequent passing of the Carts with heavy Loading, breaks up the Passage, and causeth it to be bad and dirty.

Spur Alley, hath a very narrow and ill Passage out of the Strand; but after a little Way, groweth wider, and better inhabited, especially towards the Thames: Out of this Alley is Cross Lane, a Place of small Account, which leadeth into Harts-horn Lane; and here is a small and ordinary Alley, called Baker's Alley, which hath a Passage into Brewer's Yard, and another into Harts-horn Lane.

Harts-horn Lane, also a Place much clogged and pestered with Carts repairing to the Wharfs; and therefore not well inhabited. On the East Side is Plough Court, which is but small; and lower down is a Place called Limewharf, a Place indifferent well built and inhabited.

Somerset Court, a handsome new built Court, with Houses fit for good Inhabitants, especially being near the Court. It hath a good Freestone Pavement.

Northumberland House, a noble and spacious Building; having a large square Court at the Entrance, with Buildings round it; at the upper End of which Court, is a Piazzo, with Buildings over it, sustained by Stone Pillars, and behind the Buildings there is a curious Garden, which runneth down to the Thames; all which makes it a stately Habitation, fit to receive such a Person of Quality as is Owner thereof, viz. Charles Duke of Somerset, by Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth, Heiress of Joscelin late Earl of Northumberland.

A little beyond this House, more towards Whitehall, is Angel Court, indifferent large, but ordinary built or inhabited. Next to it is another small Alley called Hermitage Alley. Then Craggs Court, a very handsome large Court, with new Buildings fit for Gentry of Repute; especially those on the Side fronting the Thames, or Northumberland Garden. This Court is very near to Scotland Yard.

Then is Whitehall, the Royal Palace, and Residence of the Kings and Queens of England, no less pleasantly than commodiously seated on the Banks of the Thames on the South, and having on the North the delectable Park of St. James's.

King Henry the Eighth, who was the first Royal Possessor of it, built a sumptuous Gallery, with a beautiful Gatehouse thwart the Street into St. James's Park.

Since the Days of King Henry the Eighth it hath been much enlarged and beautified in its Buildings by the succeeding Kings and Queens; and especially by King Charles the First and Second, King James the Second, and King William the Third, who added a noble Terrace Walk by the Thames, under the King and Queen's Lodgings, which have not been long built, and were very stately and convenient: But the stateliest Room is the Banqueting House facing the Street, for the Reception of Embassadors, of the Members of Parliament, and other pubick Uses; which for its Spaciousness, exact Proportion, and