wards the north, arise certain excellent springs at a small distance, whose waters are sweet, salubrious, and clear, and whose runnels murmur o'er the shining stones. Amongst these Holywell, Clerkenwell, and St. Clement's well, may be esteemed the principal, as being much the most frequented, both by the scholars from the school, (Westminster) and the youth from the city, when in a summer's evening they are disposed to take an airing."

This well was also much resorted to on account of its being supposed of peculiar efficacy in the cure of cutaneous and other disorders, and was consequently a place of importance to devotees. The estimation of its effiacy and sanctity have long ceased.

Facing St. Clement's Lane, in the middle of the high street, stands the parish church of

REJECTING the fabulous legend of the silver anchor, said to be found in this place by the Dancs; we refer to our account of St. Clement, Eastcheap, for the origin of the anchor; and proceed to state, that there was a church here

before

before the Danes infested this country; for William of Malmsbury informs us, "that those invaders burnt the church on this spot, together with the abbot and monks, and that they continued their sacrilegious fury throughout the land. Desirous at length to return to Denmark, they were about to embark, when they were, by the judgement of God, all slain at London, in a place which has since been called the Church of the Danes" Another reason given for the denomination of this church is, that when most of the Danes were driven out of England, the few that remained, being married to English women, were obliged to live betwixt the island of Thorney and Ludgate, where they erected a place of devotion, which was afterwards consecrated, and called "Ecclesia Clementis Dacorum." This is the account given by recorder Fleetwood, to ford treasurer Burleigh, who resided in this parish*.

Mr. Moser thinks†, however, that the church was originally built by the Danes, who, from the contention arising betwixt them and the Normans, were banished the city, and were obliged to inhabit this suburb. The charch arose in consequence, and was dedicated in compliment to popé Clement II. or, probably, as his reign was short, it might only be termed the church of the Danes," and acquired the addition of St. Clement," during the time of the Crusade, i. e. in the reign of Richard I. as it is well known that Clement III. who then filled the papal chair, not only took an active part in the Holy War, but, by the means of the Knights Templars, and other orders, had a much greater influence in this country than any of his predecessors: it is therefore probable that he might be honoured by the dedication of this and other churches to his patronimic saint and martyr of the second century.

Another account is, "that Hardicanute, to be revenged of his deceased brother, Harold, caused his corpse to be dug up and thrown into the Thames, where it remained until a fisherman found it, and buried^ it in the church-yard of St. Clement, without Temple Bar, then called the Church of the Danes." Baker's Chron. p. 17.

+ Vestiges, Europ. Mag. July 1802. p. 13,

From

From some manuscript collections made by Mr. WILLIAM STRATFORD, towards compiling a history of St. Clement's parish, and which he has liberally lent for the use of this work, we are enabled to obviate what appears doubtful, and to give, in our opinion, the most probable origin of this parish.

Mr. Stratford, after, extracting from Francis Thynne, "that the Danes, in the reign of Ethelred, despoiled the abbey of Chertsey, and murdered ninety of the fraternity," proceeds in William of Malmsbury's statement, as above; and then advances his own opinion. "That it could not take its name from the first of these events, is certain; for Harold died in the year 1040, at which time it was the bu rying place of the Danes, and seems to have been well known as such, by the fishermen who found the body bringing it immediately to this place of sepulture. This I think proves that its name did not originate from that cir

cumstance.

f. With regard to the second; take off its monkish dress, and it implies no more than that, in an excursion made by the Danes, they plundered the monastery of Chertsey, and returned home, not to Denmark, but to their place of settlement, St. Clement Danes, where, for aught the monks knew, they died natural deaths; it not being probable that they would be destroyed by their own countrymen, who perhaps were sharers in the booty.

"If I might be permitted to hazard a conjecture, it should be, that the church was built by Alfred the Great, about the year 886, when he drove the Danes out of London. Those who submitted to his arms and government, it is probable he settled without the walls; beyond the Bar, which, with Shire Lane, was the boundary of these aliens. The corroboration of this circumstance is strengthened by the names of the latter place, as Alfred was the first monarch who divided his kingdom into shires and parishes. His desire also to instil into the minds of the vanquished heathens a notion of Christianity, might induce him to form this district into a parish; and as, in reforming the nation,

nation, he repaired many monasteries and built churches, the parish church of the Danes most probably was first con structed at this period." We concede to Mr. Moser's opinion concerning its post-dedication; and proceed in collecting data for its more certain history.

It appears, then, that a church was founded here at least eight hundred years ago; and Stow says, that between the year 1608 and 1633, there was laid out in the repair of the former church the sum of 15867.

The present church was built in the year 1680; which is thus noticed in an inscription under the south portico:

This Church was taken down and rebuilt at the Charge of the Parishioners of St. Clement's Danes, and by the liberal Contribu tions of many of the said Parishioners, and some others, 1680.

Dr. Gregory Hascard then Rector, Will. Jarman, Thomas Cox, Church Wardens, both born in this Parish.

Also on a carved white marble stone on the north side of the chancel, high on the wall, adorned with two cherubims. supporting an anchor with one hand, and with the other holding a circular slip or list, are the following words in large black character:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD. Underneath is this inscription:

And for the Solemn Worship of his Holy Name. This old Church being greatly decayed, was taken down in the Year 1680. and rebuilt and finished in the Year 1682. by the pious Assistance of the Reverend Dr. Gregory Haskard, Rector; and the bountiful Contributions of the Inhabitants of this Parish and some other noble Benefactors.

Sir Christopher Wren, his Majesties Surveyor, freely and generously bestowing his great Care and Skill towards the Contriving and building of it."

Which good Work was all along greatly promoted and encou aged by the Zeal and Diligence of the Vestry.

2 Chron. 24.13. So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them; and they set the House of God in his state, and strengthened it.

SOLI DEO GLORIA.

This was erected in the Year 1684, Roger Franklin, and James Deely, being Church Wardens.

The church is a very handsome structure, built entirely of stone, and is of the Corinthian order. The body is enlightened by two series of windows, the lower plain, but the upper well ornamented; and the termination is by an attic, whose pilasters are crowned with vases. The entrance on the south side is by a portico, to which there is an ascent of a few steps; the portico is covered with a dome supported by six Ionic columns. On each side the base of the steeple in the west front is a small square tower, with a dome over the stairs to the galleries. The steeple, which was not added till 1719, is carried to a great height in several stages; where it begins to diminish, the Ionic order takes place, and its entablature supports vases. The next stage is of the Corinthian order, and above that stands the Composite, supporting a dome which is crowned with a smaller, whence rises the ball and its vape. In the tower are

sight bells and chimes.

The roof of the interior is camerated, and supported with neat wood columns, of the Corinthian order; plentifully enriched with fret work, but especially the choir, with cherubims, palm branches, shields, &c. and six pilasters, of the Corinthian order. Here are also the arms of England, in fret-work, painted.

It is well wainscoted, and the pillars cased up to the galleries, which extend round the church, except at the east end. On the fronts of the south galleries are carved and painted the arms of the dukes of Norfolk, and the earls of Arundel and Salisbury, formerly inhabitants of the parish.

The pulpit is oak, carved and enriched with cherubims, anchors, and branches of palm, festoons, fine veneering, &c. The body of the church is very uniform and well pewed, and has three wainscot inner door cases.