nd it was here in 1737 that
Edward Gibbon, the historian, was born. He was educated in Putney till
his ninth year, when he was sent to a public school at Kingston. It was
on Putney Hill that the following event occurred: When Cardinal Wolsey
ceased to be the holder of the Great Seal of England, and, obeying the
mandate of Henry VIII., quitted the Palace of Whitehall, he removed to
his palace at Esher. Embarking at Whitehall Stairs, he went by water to
Putney, and started up the hill, but was overtaken by one of the royal
Chamberlains, Sir John Norris, who presented him with a ring as a token
of a continuance of His Majesty's favour. Stow tells how Wolsey at once
got off his mule unaided, and, kneeling down in the dirt on both knees,
held up his hands for joy at the King's most comfortable message.

Passing up the hill, a few new streets are being pushed into the fields,
which are, however, still continuous to the westward, the limit of
building being apparently reached for a time in that direction, and,
after a short climb past fine houses with spacious grounds and drives,
we come to Putney Heath near the Green Man, a quaint little road-house
of the last century; close by it is the old cattle-pound. The heath, of
some 400 acres, somewhat resembles that of Hampstead, and from the
higher ground some excellent views are to be obtained, whilst the sandy
hollows and surface are plentifully covered with heather, gorse, and
brambles. On the northern side, facing the road which leads to
Roehampton, are many fine houses--among others, Grantham House, the
residence of Lady Grantham; Ashburton House; Exeter House, occupied by
the second Marquis of Exeter, who, divorced from his Marchioness, wooed
and won for his bride a country girl under the guise of an artist;
Gifford House; and Dover House, the seat originally of Lord Dover,
afterwards of Lord Clifden, and now the residence of J. Pierpont Morgan.
To the west of the heath lie Putney Park and Roehampton. Putney
Park--styled Mortlake Park in old memorials--was reserved to the Crown
by Henry VIII. Charles I. granted the park to Richard, Earl of Pembroke,
who here erected a splendid mansion, which soon after his decease was
sold, together with the park, to Sir Thomas Dawes, by whom it was again
disposed of to Christina, Countess of Devonshire, whom Charles II.
visited at this place with the Queen-mother and the Royal Family.

Putney Heath is divided by the Portsmouth Road, which sta