n, "to build a church not much bigger than a barn,"
he replied it should be the handsomest barn in England.

Buried here are Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset; Sir Henry Herbert and
Samuel Butler, author of "Hudibras," died 1680; Sir Peter Lely, died
1680, whose monument was destroyed in the fire; Edward Kynaston, actor;
Wycherley, the dramatist; Grinling Gibbons, died 1721, sculptor in wood;
Susannah Centlivre; Dr. Arne, musician, died 1778; Charles Macklin,
comedian, died 1797 at the age of 107; John Wolcott, _alias_ Peter
Pindar, died 1819. The registers begin at 1615, and among the baptismal
entries are the names of Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, May 26, 1689, and
Turner, the painter, May 14, 1775.

The church is visible from the street on the east and the market on the
west, but accessible only by a covered entry under the houses on the
north and south. In Hogarth's picture of "Morning" we get a glimpse of
the old church before its destruction, with clock-dial, and tiled roof,
not so very dissimilar from what it is at present.

The election of members for Westminster formerly took place on a
hustings before the church, when there were scenes of wild riot. The
most memorable of these elections was that of Fox and Sir Cecil Wray in
1784.

Bow Street, Covent Garden, was built in 1637, and named after its shape,
that of a bent bow. It is remarkable for the number of well-known
persons who have lived in it. It was one of the most fashionable streets
in the Metropolis, and Dryden wrote in the epilogue to one of his plays:

"I've had to-day a dozen billet-doux
From fops and wits and cits and Bow Street beaux;"

on which Sir Walter Scott remarked a billet-doux from Bow Street would
now be more alarming than flattering. The police officer began his reign
here in 1749.

Henry Fielding, who was in authority in 1753, did much to suppress the
unbridled license and open highway robbery of the Metropolis.

Will's Coffee-house was at No. 1, on the west side, the corner of
Russell Street. The principal room was on the first floor. Dryden made
the house the chief place of resort for the poets and wits of the time.
After his death Addison took the company across the street to Button's.
Ned Ward's notes on Will's are not respectful.

"From thence we adjourned to the Wits' Coffee-house.... Accordingly,
upstairs we went, and found much company, but little talk.... We
shuffled through this moving crowd of philosophical mutes to