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course, where a dial projects into Cheap-
side. Above this is in each face, large
arched windows, with coupled Ionic pi-
lasters at the sides, near the corners. The
cornice over these windows supports an
elegant balustrade, with Attic pillars over
the Ionic columns, supporting turrets,
each composed of four handsome scrolls,
which join at the top, where are placed
urns with flames.
From this part, the steeple rises circular.
There is a plain course to the height of
half the scrolls, and upon this are raised
a circular range of Corinthian columns,
while the body of the steeple is continued
round and plain within them. These
support a second balustrade, with very
large scrolls extending from it to the body
of the steeple. Above these is placed a
series of Composite columns, and from
the entablature rises another set of scrolls,
supporting the spire which rests upon four
balls, and is terminated by a globe,
whence rises a fane in the form of a
dragon, The view here given will help
to illustrate this description.
The author of the Critical Review of
the public Buildings, says " The steeple
" of Bow church is a master-piece in a
" peculiar kind of building, which has
" no fixed rules to direct it, nor is it to
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" be reduced to any settled laws of beau-
" ty: without doubt if we consider it
" only as a part of some other building,
" it can be esteemed no other than a de-
" lightful absurdity: but if either con-
" sidered in itself, or as a decoration of a
" whole city in prospect, it is not only to
" be justified, but admired. That which
" we have now mentioned is beyond
" question as perfect as human imagina-
" tion can contrive or execute; and till
" we see it outdone, we shall hardly
" think it to be equalled."
This church is a rectory, and the chief
of the thirteen peculiars in this city be-
longing to the Archbishop of Canterbury.
To it are united the parishes of Alhallows
Honey lane, and St. Pancras, by which
the Incumbent's profits are much in-
creased; he receiving, besides glebe, ca-
sualties, and three parsonage houses, 200l.
per annum, in lieu of tithes.
St. MARY LE STRAND, so called from its
being situated in the middle of the Strand.
The old church belonging to this parish
is mentioned so early as the year 1222,
when it was named St. Mary and the In-
nocents of the Strand; but how long it
stood before that time is uncertain. It
was then situated in a pleasant church
yard on the south side of the Strand,
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