CHAP. I. Of its Build⯑ing, &c.

THIS royal fortreſs ſtands eaſt of the city [26]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 mid⯑dle. 'Tis a regular, ſtrong, lofty ſtructure, and the old⯑eſt within the walls, being built by William the Con⯑queror, in the year 1078.

There are beſides ſeveral [27]other conſiderable build⯑ings, that have been added to this grand fortreſs, at di⯑vers times ſince, of which I ſhall ſpeak hereafter: the whole is encompaſſed with a ſtrong wall, and that ſur⯑rounded with a broad deep ditch, ſupplied with water out of the Thames.

The entrances into the Tower are over two brid⯑ges, one at the weſt end for carts, coaches, foot-paſſengers, [28] &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 Trai⯑tor's-bridge; becauſe for⯑merly, all perſons com⯑mitted to the Tower for treaſon were brought thro' it in boats.

The government of this important place, being of [29]high honour, as well as of great truſt, is generally committed to a peer of the realm, who is ftiled Con⯑ſtable 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, cal⯑led the ſpur-guard, who ſtand without the firſt gate, you will ſee the figure of a Lion, againſt the keep⯑er's houſe, right before you; and another over the door on your right hand, where you are to enter to [31]ſee the curioſities — Here each perſon pays Three⯑pence 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 re⯑preſent; in which are [32]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 pre⯑ſent from the conſul of Algiers; ſhe is about four⯑teen years old: Her name is Jenny.

[33]Second, another Lioneſs, from Africa, whoſe name is Phillis.

[36]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 coun⯑try as Jenny; and were likewiſe a preſent from the conſul of Algiers; each of them is about nine years old.

[37]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 be⯑fore we go.

[39]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.

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 [42]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 pro⯑duced [43]from the coupling of the Lion and Leopard; others ſay, 'tis the he Pan⯑ther and Lioneſs which be⯑get 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 [44]catches her prey by leap⯑ing 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 [45]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 ſhap⯑ed; but ſtoops a little in his ſhoulders; occaſion'd by the fall of a table upon his back, when he was at nurſe.

The Tiger is ſhap'd ve⯑ry 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 Leo⯑pard's; but they have not near ſo many, nor are they ſo bright and beautiful.

The Tiger is of a very [48]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 ta⯑ken but in defence of its young. Theſe two in the Tower ſport and play ve⯑ry wantonly together. The female is now big with young.

[54]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 [55]like deſcription of the Eagle; — and where the ſlain are, there is ſhe, chap. xxxix. 30.

The antients have deli⯑vered, 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.

[57]The laſt are two Eagles in ſeparate cages; they have been in the Tower about thirty years. They are of a dark brown co⯑lour, 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.

[58]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 educat⯑ed; for upon my expreſ⯑ſing a deſire of viſiting his lodging, at a word ſpeaking, he march'd down with great condeſcenſion from his upper into his [59]lower apartment, and gave me the opportunity of en⯑tering his den; where, having ſatisfied my curio⯑ſity in viewing his dining room, kitchen, and bed⯑chamber; his manner of living; particular ceremo⯑ny 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 ac⯑cepting [60]ſo great a mark of his friendſhip, till I knew him better.

Upon the keeper's put⯑ting into his den a piece of lights, he ſeemingly took very little notice of it, but couch'd down on his bel⯑ly, 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 [61]it with amazing fierce⯑neſs.

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, thir⯑teen years old, bred like⯑wiſe in the Tower, from a former pair that are now [62]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; de⯑ſcribed in pag. 44, 45.

Whatever its antipathy may be to the ſnake kind, to man it ſeems a very in⯑conſiderable enemy: it is neither very ſwift, nor fierce; and though it is ſo well armed, 'tis rather for its own defence, than of⯑fence to any other animal.

Its fleſh, in thoſe coun⯑tries where 'tis found, is eſteem'd by the natives as [68]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.

CHAP. IV. Hiſtories and Obſervations on the Lions in the Tower, &c.

LIons, Tigers, Panthers, and Leopards, are fed [75]with ſheeps heads and plucks twice a day; of which a Lion eats four or five in a day: but Leo⯑pards, Panthers, and Ti⯑gers, 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 [76]have been found dead to⯑gether 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 ani⯑mal of a hot and thirſty nature, was by the antients repreſented as an emblem, or ſymbol of ſultry wea⯑ther.

The Tower has been a place for keeping of wild [77]beaſts in above five hun⯑dred 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 Lion⯑eſs brought forth another [78]young Lion; which by command of King James, was taken from the dam as ſoon as whelp'd, and nurſ⯑ed 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 [79]no ſooner up, but, if ſuf⯑fer'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 ob⯑ſervation: 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 [80]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.

[81]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 hap⯑pen to the young wild Lions of that country, or they would be much more [82]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 be⯑fore 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.

[83]It has been the common opinion, that the Lion is afraid of fire: their keep⯑ers deny that they are ſo. One of them, who now attends the wild beaſts in the Tower, going one night in the laſt hard win⯑ter to the den of the old Lion, with a lighted can⯑dle, held his hand near the bars, to ſee if the crea⯑ture was come down in⯑to the lower apartment; [84]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, be⯑ing [85]minded to make trial of the nature and courage of the Lion, and ſome o⯑ther 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 kil⯑led, and ſuck'd its blood.

Next a Lamb was or⯑dered to be put to them, [86]which the Lions, out of their generoſity, never of⯑fer'd to touch, although it went cloſe up to them.

Then two Maſtiffs were let looſe upon a ſingle Li⯑on, 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 [87]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 ra⯑ther 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 [88]offer'd to touch. After⯑wards 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 up⯑on them. At this ſight were preſent King James [89]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 com⯑mand 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 [90]Dog continued in the den with the Lion ſeveral years, and there died.

CHAP. I. INTRODUCTION.

FRom the Lions Tow⯑er you paſs on over the bridge right before [92]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 co⯑lours. Their coats are ſcarlet, laced with gold round their skirts, ſleeves, and up their ſides; and [93]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 Ward⯑ers belonging to the Tow⯑er, ten of whom are upon duty at a time. Theſe gentlemen have authority to examine all perſons [94]coming into the Tower; and one of them will at⯑tend 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 un⯑derſtand them rightly. For this ſervice, when you diſmiſs the Warder, it is cuſtomary to give him a gratuity, according to your own generoſity.

• 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 [96]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 o⯑thers, 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, [97]and copper coins, and me⯑dals are ſtruck. To ſee this there is no price de⯑manded, but what you pleaſe to give the work⯑men. This curioſity can⯑not 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 [99]which he deſign'd to in⯑vade and conquer Eng⯑land; thought himſelf ſo ſure of victory, that his fleet was chriſten'd by the Pope, The Invincible Ar⯑mada; which ſignifies, a ſtrength that could not be overcome.

At this ever memorable victory were taken various inſtruments of war, with which the Spaniards in⯑tended to have tortured the poor Engliſh, had they been ſo unfortunate as to [103]have been overcome by that haughty and cruel nation.

And they are here trea⯑ſured 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 de⯑fend 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 curio⯑ſities.

YOU are firſt ſhewn a number of pikes, each ſix yards long, with velvet holdings about their mid⯑dle; the ſteel points were gilt with gold, upon ſome [105]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 [106]in a window below, for the curious to examine.

Next you ſee a parcel of Spaniſh launces, of a prodi⯑gious ſize, with which thoſe polite people deſign⯑ed, after they had conquer⯑ed the Engliſh, to have bled them with, to prevent their falling into fevers. Queen Elizabeth, being always tender of her ſub⯑jects, thought thoſe inſtru⯑ments would make too [107]large an orifice, therefore order'd them to be diſ⯑arm'd of ſuch dangerous tools; which was quickly perform'd by her gallant captains.

Near to the laſt, are a great many frightful wea⯑pons, reſembling bill⯑hooks, but a great deal larger.

Next, a parcel of Spa⯑niſh pole-axes, with three or four tangs at one end; [108]at the other a ſharp point.

Then you are ſhewn a ſmall train of Artillery, conſiſting of about ten pretty little cannon in car⯑riages; all ranged inn beau⯑tiful 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; deſpe⯑rate [109]rate weapons. Theſe, we are told, are of great anti⯑quity, 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 de⯑ſtroy'd thirty thouſand, by cutting their throats, &c. [110]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 En⯑gliſh. In this their necks, hands and feet were to be confin'd, in ſuch a barba⯑rous manner, that the poor ſufferers muſt have under⯑gone [111]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 dif⯑ferent ſizes.

[112]Some of the firſt chain⯑ſhot, 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.