Lambeth was, at that time, a little vil-
lage at a considerable distance from South-
wark, and there were no buildings on the
south bank of the Thames, till a row of
houses began opposite to White Friars,
and extended along the river, with gar-
dens, fields, or groves behind them, till
almost opposite the Steel Yard, where se-
veral streets began: the Borough extend-
ed a considerable distance from the bridge
to the south, and the buildings to the east
as far as the Tower.

This was the state of this great metro-
polis, so lately as in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth; and how inconsiderable soever
it must appear, when compared with its
present dimensions, yet, by order of that
Queen, a proclamation was published, by
which all persons were forbid to build up-
on new foundations, and this order was
twice repeated in the following reign.

On the 1st of January 1559, the Li-
tany, as now used, was first read in all the
churches of London; and about this time
the populace not only destroyed all the

In the year 1582, expence in dress hav-
ing prevailed in the city, among people of
all ranks, particularly among apprentices,
which was then apprehended might prove
of dangerous consequence to their masters,
the following orders were published by the
Lord Mayor and Common Council, which
will be now thought very extraordinary,
viz. That from thence forward no ap-
prentice whatsoever should presume,

To wear any apparel but what he re-
ceives from his master.

To wear no hat within the city and li-
berty thereof, nor any thing instead of it
but a woollen cap, without any silk about
it.

To wear no ruffles, cuffs, loose collar,
nor any thing more than a ruff at the col-
lar, and that only of a yard and a half
long.

To wear no doublets but what were
made of canvas, sackcloth, fustian, English
leather, or woollen cloth, without being
enriched in any manner with gold, silver,
or silk.

To wear no other coloured cloth or
kersey, in hose or stockings, than white,
blue, or russet.