ame from a market for hay and straw which was
held here until 1830, and was then transferred to Cumberland Market,
Regent's Park, where it still continues. The market naturally involved
many taverns in its neighbourhood, and the street was lined with them.
The names of some were Black Horse, White Horse, Nag's Head, Cock,
Phoenix, Unicorn, and Blue Posts. The theatre and the old opera-house
were the most important buildings in the Haymarket. The latter was on
the site of Her Majesty's Theatre and the Carlton Hotel. It was called
at different times the Queen's Theatre, the King's Theatre, and Her
Majesty's Theatre, so the new name is but a revival of the old. The
first theatre on this site was begun in 1703 as a theatre for
Betterton's famous company, which had been performing in Lincoln's Inn
Fields. Operas were subsequently performed here; in fact, nearly all
Handel's operas were written for this theatre. Masquerades were held in
the opera-house in 1749 and 1766, and were attended by all the rank and
fashion of the day, and even by royalty in disguise. In 1789 the theatre
was burnt down. It was rebuilt and completed only three years after the
catastrophe. This house saw some fine performances of the Italian Opera
Company, and in it the names of Grisi, Rubini, Tamburini, Lablache,
Mario, and Jenny Lind, first became known to the public. In 1867 it also
was burnt down. For about a quarter of a century a third theatre stood
here, but had no success, and was pulled down. The present theatre is
of great magnificence, and will seat between 1,600 and 1,700 persons.
The Haymarket Theatre opposite is dwarfed by the proximity of its
gorgeous neighbour. The names of Fielding, Cibber, Macklin, and Foote
are connected with various attempts to make the earliest venture on this
site pay. Mozart performed here in 1765, when only eight years old. In
1820 the present building was erected by Nash, adjacent to the old
theatre. The Haymarket in the last century was a great place for shows
and entertainments.

In James's Street was a tennis-court much patronized by Charles II. and
the Duke of York.

Whitcomb Street was formerly called Hedge Lane, an appropriate name when
it stood in a rural district; now it is a narrow, dirty thoroughfare,
bordered by poor dwellings and small shops.

PART III

THE STRAND

We have now made a circuit, noting all that is interesting by the way,
and have returned to busy Charing Cross, from which