The Finishing Of The
Houses Within Is Equal To The Figure They Make Without; The
Staircases Of Some Of Them
I saw were inlaid, and perfect cabinet-
work, and the paintings on the roof and sides by the best hands.
The apartments usually consist of a long range of fine rooms,
equally commodious and beautiful; none of the houses are without two
or three staircases for the convenience of the family. The grand
staircase is generally in the hall or saloon at the entrance. In
short, this square may well be looked upon as the beauty of the
town, and those who have not seen it cannot have an adequate idea of
the place.
The city of Westminster at this day consists of the parishes of St.
Margaret and St. John the Evangelist, and the liberties of
Westminster, viz., St. Martin's-in-the-Fields; St. Mary le Savoy;
St. Mary le Strand; St. Clement's Danes; St. Paul's, Covent Garden;
St. James's, Westminster; St. George's, Hanover Square; and St.
Anne's, Westminster; all under the government of the dean and
chapter of Westminster, and their subordinate officers; or rather,
of a high steward, and such other officers as are appointed by them;
for since the Reformation, the dean and chapter seem to have
delegated their civil power to such officers as they elect for life,
who are not accountable to, or liable to be displaced by them, nor
are they liable to forfeit their offices, but for such offences as a
private man may lose his estate, namely, for high treason, felony,
&c., as happened in the case of their high steward, the Duke of
Ormond, upon whose attainder the dean and chapter proceeded to a new
election.
The next officer to the high steward is the deputy steward,
appointed by the high steward, and confirmed by the dean and
chapter, who is usually a gentleman learned in the law, being judge
of their court for trial of civil actions between party and party,
which is held usually on Wednesday every week. They have also a
court-leet, held annually on St. Thomas's Day, for the choice of
officers, and removal of nuisances. The deputy-steward supplies the
place of sheriff of Westminster, except in the return of members of
Parliament, which is done by the high bailiff, an officer nominated
by the dean and chapter, and confirmed by the high steward. The
high-bailiff also is entitled to all fines, forfeitures, waifs and
strays in Westminster, which makes it a very profitable post.
The high constable, chosen by the burgesses at their court-leet, and
approved by the steward or his deputy, is an officer of some
consideration in this city also, to whom all the rest of the
constables are subject.
The burgesses are sixteen in number, seven for the city and nine for
the liberties of Westminster, appointed by the high steward or his
deputy, every one of whom has his assistant, and has particular
wards or districts: out of these burgesses are chosen two chief
burgesses, one for the city, the other for the liberties.
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