The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and
Instruction, No. 388, by Various

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Title: The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction, No. 388
Vol. 14, No. 388, Saturday, September 5, 1829.

Author: Various

Release Date: April 16, 2004 [EBook #12063]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.

VOL. 14, No. 388.] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1829. [PRICE 2d.

* * * * *

ST. DUNSTAN'S, FLEET STREET.

[Illustration]

No church in London is perhaps better known than the above, which is
distinctively called Saint Dunstan's in the West. External elegance has
little to do with this celebrity, which has been acquired by the two wooden
figures placed on a pediment in front, representing savages, who indicate
the hours and quarters by striking a bell with their clubs: this has caused
a wag to describe them as the most striking wonders of the metropolis.
Another, who is equally disposed to sport with their notoriety, says, "as
they are visible in the street, they are more admired by many of the
populace on Sundays, than the most elegant preacher from the pulpit
within." We are, however, induced to hope better; especially as Dr. Donne,
the celebrated Richard Baxter, and the pious Romaine were preachers at St.
Dunstan's.

There is no evidence when this church was erected; but Stow records burials
in it so early as the year 1421. The date of the above view is 1739, and
from a foot-note to the Engraving, we learn that the church was dedicated
to St. Dunstan, archbishop of Canterbury, who died A.D. 990. "It was
anciently a Rectory, in the patronage of the Convent of Westminster.
Richard de Barking, the abbot, in 1237, granted the advowson to King Henry
III., which continued in the crown till 1362; it was afterwards in the gift
of the bishop of London, till 1386; when Robert de Braybrooke, the bishop,
granted it to the abbot and Convent of Premonastratenses of Alnwick in
N