Placed in a niche and between the
door and the lower architrave the following inscription, viz.:-
VTRIVSQVE FORTVNAE EXEMPLAR INGENS ADVERSIS REBVS DEVM PROBAVIT
PROSPERIS SEIPSVM COLLEGIJ HVJUSCE, 1682.
The apartments within consist of a hall, where advice is given to
the poor gratis; a committee-room, a library, another great hall,
where the doctors meet once a quarter, which is beautifully
wainscoted, carved, and adorned with fretwork. Here are the
pictures of Dr. Harvey, who first discovered the circulation of the
blood, and other benefactors, and northward from this, over the
library, is the censor's room.
The theatre under the cupola at the entrance is furnished with six
degrees of circular wainscot seats, one above the other, and in the
pit is a table and three seats, one for the president, a second for
the operator, and a third for the lecturer; and here the anatomy
lectures are performed. In the preparing room are thirteen tables
of the muscles in a human body, each muscle in its proper position.
This society is a body-corporate for the practice of physic within
London, and several miles about it. The president and censors are
chosen annually at Michaelmas. None can practise physic, though
they have taken their degrees, without their license, within the
limits aforesaid; and they have a power to search all apothecaries'
shops, and to destroy unwholesome medicines.
By the charter of King Charles II. this college was to consist of a
president, four censors, ten elects, and twenty-six fellows; the
censors to be chosen out of the fellows, and the president out of
the elects.
By the charter granted by King James II., the number of fellows was
enlarged, but not to exceed eighty, and none but those who had taken
the degree of doctors in the British or foreign universities were
qualified to be admitted members of this college.
The fellows meet four times every year, viz., on the Monday after
every quarter-day, and two of them meet twice a week, to give advice
to the poor gratis. Here are also prepared medicines for the poor
at moderate rates.
The president and four censors meet the first Friday in every month.
The Lord Chancellor, chief justices, and chief baron, are
constituted visitors of this corporation, whose privileges are
established by several Acts of Parliament.
22. Bread Street Ward contains Bread Street, Friday Street, Distaff
Lane, Basing Lane, part of the Old Change, part of Watling Street,
part of Old Fish Street, and Trinity Lane, and part of Cheapside.
