WHITE TOWER.
CURIOSITIES In the
Tower
of
London.
VOL. I.
The Second Edition.
Printed for
Tho. Boreman,
Bookseller, near the two giants in
Guildhall, London.
1741.
[Price Four pence]
To the AUTHOR Of the CURIOSITIES In the
Tower
of
London.
Too rigid precepts often fail,
Where short amusing tales prevail.
That author, doubtless, aims aright,
Who joins instruction with delight.
Tom Thumb
shall now be thrown away,
And
Jack,
who did the
Giants
slay;
Such ill concerted, artless lyes,
Our British Youth shall now despise:
In thy Gigantick works they'll find
Someting to please, and form the mind.
Thy happy talent, Friend, pursue;
In thy own way search London thro':
Conduct thy Lilliputians round,
Where any curious things are found.
What treasures in the Tow'r are laid,
Are here — as in a glass, display'd.
To Gresham College next repair,
And shew the works of Nature there.
Or, on the Abbey cast thy eye,
Where British Bards and Heroes lie
Obscur'd in everlasting night,
Who, living, were the world's delight.
Thence may thy LITTLE READERS learn,
That grandeur's vain, of no concern;
Since Death, with his impartial sting,
Wounds both the beggar and the king.
Go on —
May all thy Volumes please!
Be fill'd with lectures such as these!
Meet with reception from all hands,
And live as long as Guildhall stands!
I am thy affectionate friend, and well-wisher,
A. Z.
SUBSCRIBERS To this WORK.
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CURIOSITIES In the
Tower
of
London.
BOOK I.
CHAP. I.
Of its Building,
&c.
THIS royal fortress stands east of the city of London, near the bank of the Thames, where it may defend or command both.
The principal building, and from which it has its name, is the great white square Tower in the middle. 'Tis a regular, strong, lofty structure, and the oldest within the walls, being built by William the Conqueror, in the year 1078.
There are besides several other considerable buildings, that have been added to this grand fortress, at divers times since, of which I shall speak hereafter: the whole is encompassed with a strong wall, and that surrounded with a broad deep ditch, supplied with water out of the Thames.
The entrances into the Tower are over two bridges, one at the west end for carts, coaches, foot-passengers,
&c.
the other over a draw-bridge from the wharf on the south side, facing the Thames, for: foot-passengers only. It has besides a passage from the river, call'd Traitor's-bridge; because formerly, all persons committed to the Tower for treason were brought thro' it in boats.
The government of this important place, being of high honour, as well as of great trust, is generally committed to a peer of the realm, who is ftiled
Constable of the Tower:
He has a deputy governor, and many other officers under him.
CHAP. II.
Of the Lions, and other wild beasts in the Tower.
WHen you have passed the two soldiers, called
the spur-guard,
who stand without the first gate, you will see the figure of a Lion, against the keeper's house, right before you; and another over the door on your right hand, where you are to enter to see the curiosities —
Here each person pays
Threepence
for admittance.
The wild creatures that are there shewn, are all kept in strong dens, so that you need not be under any fear of danger from them; — Don't venture too near, and you may view them very safely.
The dens are made in the form the pictures represent; in which are two rooms; the lower has strong thick bars of wood, the upper, iron: in one of which the keeper secures the creature, whilst the other is clean'd,
&c.
And there are some spare dens, in which are no wild beasts at present.
You first see a fine
Maiden Lioness,
which was a present from the consul of Algiers; she is about fourteen years old: Her name is
Jenny.
Second, another
Lioness,
from Africa, whose name is
Phillis.
LION.
His roaring voice is so terrible, that it not only strikes mankind with fear, but all creatures with such surprize, that they dare not stir: he may therefore, with these properties, he justly stil'd the
king of beasts.
Marco and Phillis are both from the same country as Jenny; and were likewise a present from the consul of Algiers; each of them is about nine years old.
This royal pair have bred several times in the Tower; they have a young
prince
of two years old, nam'd
Nero,
now to be seen there; besides three young ones, which were brought forth on the 19th day of June, 1740; whom we shall pay our court to before we go.
LIONESS.
The
Lioness
is lesser than the Lion, and has no mane, her body being smoother and sleeker: the colour of them both are the same; which is a dun, inclining to a pale yellow, with a darkish cast on the surface.
LEOPARD.
The fifth, which is a she
Panther,
call'd
Jenny;
the hair of this creature is short and mossy, and of a bright yellow, beautifully mark'd with round black spots, like the Leopard's, but not quite so full. 'Tis in size, shape, and colour, so much like the Leopard, that when asunder their difference is not easily distinguish'd; and when together, only by nicely observing their spots: Therefore we need not give its figure.
The person who shews these creatures, tells us, that the Panther is produced from the coupling of the Lion and Leopard; others say, 'tis the he Panther and Lioness which beget the Leopard: but the most probable opinion is, that the Leopard is the male, and the Panther the female, of one and the same species.
The Panther is said to be of a fierce nature than the Leopard, more greedy of blood, very swift, and catches her prey by leaping upon it suddenly.
Sixth and seventh are a he and she
Tiger
from the South Sea; they are kept together in one den, and have had several litters of whelps. They have been in the Tower about ten years; their names are
Will
and
Phillis;
and they have a son, whose name is
Dick,
who was bred in the Tower, and is now about six years old. He had a brother whelp'd with him, who liv'd but a little while. Dick is a beautiful mark'd creature, and finely shaped; but stoops a little in his shoulders; occasion'd by the fall of a table upon his back, when he was at nurse.
TWO TIGERS.
The Tiger is shap'd very much like the Lioness, only somewhat lesser, and has a shorter neck; but is bigger than either Leopard or Panther. Its colour and spots resemble the Leopard's; but they have not near so many, nor are they so bright and beautiful.
The Tiger is of a very wild and fierce nature, exceeding ravenous, and of a prodigious swiftness: He spares neither man nor beast; but if he can satisfy his hunger with the flesh of beasts, he will not attack mankind. It is said, that this creature is seldom taken but in defence of its young. These two in the Tower sport and play very wantonly together. The female is now big with young.
RACOON.
VULTURE.
It is said, that Vultures have an excellent sense of smelling, above all other birds; so that they can perceive the savour of dead carcasses from a-far: And that from their devouring of dead bodies, they were call'd
living tombs.
They are said to follow armies; because in their marches a great many men, horses,
&c.
fall here and there by the way. Job has the like description of the Eagle; —
and where the slain are, there is she,
chap. xxxix. 30.
The antients have delivered, that the Vulture is content only with dead carcasses, abstaining from the ravin
and slaughter of living animals: but some moderns affirm, that it preys upon living birds, fawns hares, kids, lambs,
&c.
EAGLE.
The last are
two Eagles
in separate cages; they have been in the Tower about thirty years. They are of a dark brown colour, almost black, unless on the top of their heads, pinnions of their wings,
&c.
which are of a bright reddish brown; and are therefore called
the brown Eagles.
For another
Three-pence
you see the following.
First, young
prince Nero,
of two years old, whom we just mentioned; son of Marco and Phillis, bred in the Tower: he has a fine shock'd mane, and is really a beautiful creature, and exceedingly well educated; for upon my expressing a desire of visiting his lodging, at a word speaking, he march'd down with great condescension from his upper into his lower apartment, and gave me the opportunity of entering his den; where, having satisfied my curiosity in viewing his dining room, kitchen, and bedchamber; his manner of living; particular ceremony in eating, drinking,
&c.
at my departure from thence he would fain have took me by the hand: But our acquaintance being but slender, I declin'd accepting so great a mark of his friendship, till I knew him better.
Upon the keeper's putting into his den a piece of lights, he seemingly took very little notice of it, but couch'd down on his belly, with his fore-feet out, like a cat that is going to leap at a mouse; and in an instant gave a sudden spring, from the farthest side of the den, and seiz'd it with amazing fierceness.
My young readers will excuse my not giving them the picture of prince Nero, because he is so like his papa, whose royal visage you may see in page 34, that it would appear almost the same.
Second, a
Lioness,
thirteen years old, bred likewise in the Tower, from a former pair that are now dead: This is the fiercest beast in the Tower; her name is
Nanny.
Third, the young he
Tiger,
nam'd
Dick,
son of Will and Phillis; described in pag. 44, 45.
PORCUPINE.
Whatever its antipathy may be to the snake kind, to man it seems a very inconsiderable enemy: it is neither very swift, nor fierce; and though it is so well armed, 'tis rather for its own defence, than offence to any other animal.
Its flesh, in those countries where 'tis found, is esteem'd by the natives as good foot. This in the Tower is fed with bread, roots, and fruit: It was brought from the East-Indies.
Fifth, in the same room is a large old
Ape,
which at command does several diverting trickes.
The
APE.
WARWOVEN.
THREE YOUNG LIONS.
CHAP. IV.
Histories and Observations on the Lions in the Tower,
&c.
LIons, Tigers, Panthers, and Leopards, are fed with sheeps heads and plucks twice a day; of which a Lion eats four or five in a day: but Leopards, Panthers, and Tigers, are much fonder of raw dogs-flesh. They are always separated when they eat, or they would quarrel. The wild Lions of Africa are said to prey chiefly upon wild Boars: which sometimes prove so hard to conquer, that both have been found dead together in their gore. They drink as often as they drink as often as they please, usually several times in a day; each having a stone trought in his den.
The Lion being an animal of a hot and thirsty nature, was by the antients represented as an emblem, or symbol of sultry weather.
The Tower has been a place for keeping of wild beasts in above five hundred years.
On Sunday the 5th of August, 1604. a Lioness, named
Elizabeth,
brought forth a young Lion in the Tower, which young one died the next day. This was the first Lion whelp'd in that place, and probably in England.
The 26th of February following, the same Lioness brought forth another young Lion; which by command of King James, was taken from the dam as soon as whelp'd, and nursed by hand: but this also died in about sixteen days.
The greatest age any Lions have been known to live in the Tower, is about twenty years.
The Lion, in the day times, seems to be a very sluggish, heavy animal, that hates to be rous'd, and is no sooner up, but, if suffer'd, will immediately slap down again: Perhaps, in the night they may be otherwise; it being more natural to them to seek their prey in. The holy Psalmist hath the like observation:
Thou makest darnkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young Lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God. The su
ariseth, they gather them selves together; and lay them down in their dens
Psal. civ.
The Lioness goes with young exactly four months: None were ever known to have more than three at a litter. They are whelp'd with their eyes open, and are taken from the dam immediately, or they would perish.
They are very tender, and require a great deal of care in nursing; it being exceedingly difficult to bring up a young Lion (and so it is Tigers,
&c.
) They often die in breeding their teeth, sometimes in strong convulsions. The same is observ'd by the people of Barbary, to happen to the young wild Lions of that country, or they would be much more numerous than they are in those parts.
Young Lions are kept about twelve months in a warm room, before they are put into dens; but before they come to that age are chain'd, and are always separated when they eat their victuals. Their savage nature comes on gradually as they grow up, and they are three years a coming to their full growth.
It has been the common opinion, that the Lion is afraid of fire: their keepers deny that they are so. One of them, who now attends the wild beasts in the Tower, going one night in the last hard winter to the den of the old Lion, with a lighted candle, held his hand near the bars, to see if the creature was come down into the lower apartment; when suddenly he put out his paw, and wounded the man so dangerously in the back of his hand, that he very narrowly escap'd losing it: And this he brings as an instance to shew that they are not afraid of fire.
The Lion often sleeps and snores with his eyes open, and likewise with them shut.
King James the first, being minded to make trial of the nature and courage of the Lion, and some other wild beasts, went to the Tower, attended by several of the nobility; where he ordered a Lion and Lioness to be turned out of their dens, and a Cock to be cast to them; which they presently killed, and suck'd its blood.
Next a Lamb was ordered to be put to them, which the Lions, out of their generosity, never offer'd to touch, although it went close up to them.
Then two Mastiffs were let loose upon a single Lion, which they presently seized, and turn'd upon his back: and tho' the Lion was superior to them in strength, yet they were his match in courage.
Some time after, a Lion was turned out of his den to a Bear, which had kill'd a child; but the Lion would not attack the Bear.
They try'd several other single Lions, and at length two together; but all fled from him, and wanted rather to get into their dens.
A Stone-horse was put into the yard with the first Lion and the Bear; the Horse, after a little while, fell to grazing between them, which they never offer'd to touch. Afterwards six Dogs were let in, who flew upon the Horse, most in sight at their first entrance; and would soon have worried him to death, had not three stout fellows enter'd in, who rescu'd the Horse, and brought away the Dogs; while the Lion and Bear stood staring upon them. At this sight were present King James the first, the Queen, Prince, and divers of the nobility.
And though the Bear which kill'd the child escap'd at this time; he was afterwards, by command of the King, baited to death with Dogs, upon a stage.
There was a Spaniel Dog, for some offence, cast into the Lion's den; but the Lion did not attempt to hurt him: and this Dog continued in the den with the Lion several years, and there died.
The End of the first Book.
BOOK. II.
CHAP. I. INTRODUCTION.
FRom the Lions Tower you pass on over the bridge right before you, when presently you will come to the Warders, who are upon duty at their ward, or gate.
They are easily known by their peculiar dress: Upon their heads they wear slta crown'd caps of black velvet, with a band of ribbons of divers colours. Their coats are scarlet, laced with gold round their skirts, sleeves, and up their sides; and round their wastes a broad laced belt, with the king's badge of silver, gilt with gold, upon their breasts and backs, representing the Thistle, Rose, and Crown, and G. R. in capitals.
There are forty Warders belonging to the Tower, ten of whom are upon duty at a time. These gentlemen have authority to examine all persons coming into the Tower; and one of them will attend such as are going to see the Curiosities, to shew and explain them; without whose assistance, it would be difficult to find them out, or to understand them rightly. For this service, when you dismiss the Warder, it is customary to give him a gratuity, according to your own generosity.
The chief Curiosities, after you have seen the Lions,
&c. (
which costs
Six-pence
each) are,
The
Spanish Armada,
price Two-pence each.
The
small Armoury,
price Three-pence each.
The
Train of Artillery,
price Two-pence each.
The
Horse Armoury,
price Two-pence each.
The
Crown,
and the rest of
His Majesty's Regalia,
price One Shilling each.
Note,
If any person goes singly, he pays
Eighteen-pence
to see the Regalia; and to see any of the others, he pays double of the common prices. No person is oblig'd to see all, but only so many of them as he pleases.
Lastly, the
Royal Mint,
where all the gold, silver, and copper coins, and medals are struck. To see this there is no price demanded, but what you please to give the workmen. This curiosity cannot at all times be shewn: the workmen are not at work, or the favour is not granted; at least to see some part of it, &
c.
CHAP. II.
Of the invincible
Spanish Armada
of Philip
II.
King of Spain.
IT may not be improper to inform my young readers, that in the year 1588, Philip II. King of Spain, having prepared a powerful navy, which consisted of One hundred and thirty ships, with which he design'd to invade and conquer England; thought himself so sure of victory, that his fleet was christen'd by the Pope,
The Invincible Armada;
which signifies, a strength that could not be overcome.
SPANISH ARMADA
At this ever memorable victory were taken various instruments of war, with which the Spaniards intended to have tortured the poor English, had they been so unfortunate as to have been overcome by that haughty and cruel nation.
And they are here treasured up as a noble trophy of old English valour; and are a constant lesson, from generation to generation, to Britain's sons, of what their forefathers did to defend their country against Spanish bondage, and stir them up to emulation.
CHAP. III.
Of the Arms,
&c.
taken from the Spaniards in Queen Elizabeth's time,
1588;
and other curiosities.
YOU are first shewn a number of
pikes,
each six yards long, with velvet holdings about their middle; the steel points were gilt with gold, upon some of which the gilding is still visible. The Spanish Dons were so sure of conquest, that they spared no cost in equipping themselves; because they intended the English should pay for all.
Over head hangs a large number of Spanish
pistols
and
targets,
which were the only fire-arems they had then in use; and which were discharg'd with a match: One of these lies in a window below, for the curious to examine.
Next you see a parcel of Spanish
launces,
of a prodigious size, with which those polite people designed, after they had conquered the English, to have bled them with, to prevent their falling into fevers. Queen Elizabeth, being always tender of her subjects, thought those instruments would make too large an orifice, therefore order'd them to be disarm'd of such dangerous tools; which was quickly perform'd by her gallant captains.
Near to the last, are a great many frightful weapons, resembling billhooks, but a great deal larger.
Next, a parcel of Spanish
pole-axes,
with three or four tangs at one end; at the other a sharp point.
Then you are shewn a small train of
Artillery,
consisting of about ten pretty little
cannon
in carriages; all ranged inn beautiful order: They were a present from the city of London to King Charles the first, when he was a child, for him to learn the art of war by.
Two of the
Danes clubs,
each six foot long; desperate rate weapons. These, we are told, are of great antiquity, and that they have been in the Tower ever since it was built. The people whose custody they are now in, call them the
womens weapons;
because, they say, in those times, above eight hundred years ago, the women conspired against the Danes, and destroy'd thirty thousand, by cutting their throats,
&c.
for which reason, they tell you, the women have ever since had the wall of the man, the upper end of the table, and the first cut.
Next, a cruel instrument called a
Spanish cravat;
with which those people design'd to torture the English. In this their necks, hands and feet were to be confin'd, in such a barbarous manner, that the poor sufferers must have undergone the most exquisite tortures; till either they were starv'd to death, or expir'd thro' pain of their great torment.
Near to the last stands a
shield,
made of the skin of a Rhinoceros; which was a present from the great Mogul to King Henry the seventh.
Three antient Spanish
spados,
or
swords,
of different sizes.
Some of the first chainshot, said to be invented by Admiral Drake, for tearing of rigging,
&c.
Here is likewise shewn an ill shap'd, old
axe;
the same with which Anne of Bullen was beheaded, by order of King Henry the eighth: She was mother to Queen Elizabeth. And with the same axe the Earl of Essex was beheaded in Queen Elizabeth's time.