Prynne, in his "Histrio-Mastix," has incidentally mentioned that the stage-play, or mystery, of "Christ's Passion," was acted in the reign of James the First, "at Elie House, in Holborn, when Gundomar [the Spanish Ambassador] lay there, on Good Friday at night, at which there were thousands present."* At Ely House, also, the meetings were held of the Committee, which had been appointed for the management of the grand Masque exhibited by the gentlemen of the four Inns of Court, before Charles the First and Queen Henrietta-Maria, at Whitehall, on Candlemas-day, 1634.† During the Interregnum, Ely House and its attached offices were appropriated by the ruling powers to the uses both of a prison and an hospital; and the crypt under the chapel became a kind of military canteen. Whilst thus occupied, as well as during the protracted suit for the redemption of the Hatton estate, the buildings were greatly dilapidated, and, at length, being deemed incapable of repair, the entire premises were purchased by the Crown, under the authority of an Act of Parliament, which received the royal assent in June, 1772. The situation had been considered a proper one for the erection of pub * "Histrio-Mastix," p. 117; note. This is supposed to have been the last instance of the performance of a Religious Mystery in England. See the article "Prynne's Histrio-Mastix and the Inns of Court," in the present volume, pp. 285-290. By that Act a perpetual annuity of 2001, was settled on the Bishop of Ely, and 64001. ordered to be paid into the lic offices, but that design was eventually relinquished, and this estate was, in consequence, sold to the late Charles Cole, Esq. an eminent surveyor and builder. By him, all the old edifices, except the Chapel, were taken down, and the present Ely Place was built on the vacant ground about the year 1775. This is a uniform and handsome street, inclosed at the south end by iron gates, and from not being a thoroughfare, (unless, by permission, for foot passengers through Ely Court into Hatton Garden), forms a pleasant residence for professional gentlemen. On the west side, but standing back from the houses, is Ely Chapel, which, though greatly modernized, still exhibits the characteristic architecture of Richard the Second's reign the tracery of the east window is very beautiful. The interior, which is about seventyfour feet long by thirty wide, is neatly fitted up. : In the annexed print, the Chapel and Cloisters are represented, as they appeared in 1760. Grose, in the third volume of his " 'Antiquities," has given views of the old Hall, Gatehouse, &c., and likewise a ground-plan of the estate and buildings in 1772. At that time, there was a plain field beyond the Chapel. and an entrance gateway from Coach and Horse Bank by the Lords of the Treasury; 56001. of which was to be expended in the purchase of Clarendon, or Albemarle House, in Dover-street, Piccadilly, on the site of which a new mansion for the Bishops, to be called Ely House, was to be erected with the remaining sum, added to 30001. which was due from the representatives of the late Bishop, for dilapidations. Yard, which then bounded the northern extremity of the demesne, near Cross Street. MERCERS' COMPANY AND HALL. The MERCERS' COMPANY existed by prescription long before its regular incorporation in the year 1393, (17th of Richard II.) when the members received their first charter, and were entitled "The Wardens and Commonality of the Mystery of Mercers of the City of London," and were authorized to pur chase lands, in mortmain, to the annual value of 201. The Company was affluent at that period, and continued to flourish until the expenses of re-building their Hall and moiety of the Royal Exchange, after the Great Fire, and of an ill-concocted scheme for granting annuities to widows, obliged them to make application to Parliament, and in 1764, they were empowered "to consolidate their debts (which at that period amounted to 146,6871. 5s. 3d.) into one sum, subject to 31. per cent. interest, per annum; to issue new bonds of 1001. or under; and to draw a Lottery in their own Hall, for the progressive payment of the said bonds, whenever there was a surplus of income of 10001. or upwards." Since that time through the increase in the value of estates, decrease of annuitants, &c. they have discharged most their incumbrances; and the present clear value of their property is said to exceed 80001. a year. The annual expenditure of the Company, in respect to the numerous trusts for benevolent and educational purposes, which have been vested in them, is stated |