The Present State of London, Treatise · Chapter 1 – Chapter 2
CHAP. I.
Of its Antiquity and Original.
OUr Famous Antiquaries generally agree that the Britains, whoſe Poſterity now inhabit the Dominion of Wales, and are called Welſh, …e…e the Founders of the Renowned City of LONDON: They were in old times known by the Name of Aborigines, becauſe they firſt inhabited the Countrey.
Some derive the name London (which is the greateſt probablity) from the Britiſh word Llhong, which ſignifies a Ship, and Dinan, a Town, that is, a Town of Ships, this City being in all Ages, ſince its foundation, very renowned for Shipping and Navigation. (2.) Others from Llhwindian, becauſe (as Caeſar in his Commentaries, and Strabo mention) the Ancient Britains called their fortified Woods Llhwn, which is equivalent to a fenced Town, and that, where S. Pauls Church now ſtands, there was in old times a Wood, where a Temple was built for Diana, it being the cuſtom of thoſe Pagan Times to build their Fanes or Temples to Diana in Woods or Groves, and ſo it ſignifies Dianas Town. (3.) Some derive it from Llhandian, the Britains ſtill calling Llan a Church, and ſo may ſignifie Dianas-Church or Temple, for there have been frequently digged up Oxens Heads and Bones, which have been offered as Victims or Sacrifices there, viz. in Camera Dianae. So that this word came in tract of time to be pronounced London. Caeſar (Comment. lib. 5.) calls it Civitas Trinobantum, viz. The City of the Trinobants (ſome would have it tranſlated the ſtate of Trinobants) for Troſa Nova, or Troy Novant, New Troy; Which appellation was in old times by many aſcribed to London; as Geoffery of Monmouth the Welſh Hiſtorian affirms.
It is ſaid by the ſame Author, that King Lud repaired this City, and much augmented it with fair buildings, calling it Caire Lud, that is, Lud's Town, and from him Ludgate takes its Name.
This City was built 2789 years ago, that is 1108 years before the birth of Chriſt, (and, by the exacteſt computation) in the time of Samuel the Prophet, and 350 years before the building of Rome. Of all Hiſtorians Cornelius Tacitus, who firſt called it Londinum; ſays, that it was in his time (which is about 1655 years ago) Copia Negotiatorum & Commeatu valde celebre; that is, very famous for multitude of Merchants and Traffick, (or Commerce.) Herodian in the Life of the Emperour Severus, ſays it was Ʋrbs magna & opulenta, that is, a Great and Rich City. Marcelinus ſays, That in his time (which is 1200 and odd years ago) it was Vetuſtum oppidum, an ancient Town. Fitz-Stephens tells us, That haec Civitas Ʋrbe Roma, ſecundum Chronicorum fidem, ſatis Antiquior eſt, &c. Viz. This City, according to the credit of Chronologers, is far more ancient then Rome.
In the flouriſhing Eſtate of London, it was called Auguſta, a Name denoting Dignity and Majeſty; for the Great Octavian, Succeſſor to Julius Caeſar, took to himſelf the Name of Auguſtus, as a Title moſt Sacred and Honourable. This Marcellinus witneſſes, in his 27 and 28 Books, calling it Auguſta, and that in old times it was called London. It was very famous by that Appellation under the Emperour Valentinian. And in Conſtantine's time there was a Mint appointed there, and Money ſtamp'd with this Impreſſion, P. Lon. S. that is, Pecunia Londino Signata, Money ſtamp'd in London: And the Overſeer or Maſter of the Mint was called Praepoſitus Theſaurorum Auguſtenſium; that is, Provoſt of the Treaſures of Auguſta in Britain.
CHAP. II.
Of the Situation of London.
THe Wiſdom of our Anceſtors is very Eminent and Remarkable in the Excellent Situation of this famous City, which we ſhall ſhew, 1. With reſpect to Air, 2. Its conveniencies of being ſupplied with all ſorts of Proviſions by Sea and Land.
1. With reſpect to Air, This City being ſituate on the North ſide of the River, in the Latitude of 51 Degrees 30 Minutes, and ſo far diſtant from the Sea, that it is not annoyed with the boiſtrous Winds, or unwholſom Vapours of it; and yet ſo near, that it enjoys the mild ſalubrious Breezes of the Eaſtern, Southern, and Western Seas, with the wholſom guſts and freſh Air of the Country round about; it muſt needs therefore have an Excellent Air. And it is by Experience found to be as healthy a City (conſidering its greatneſs and Number of Inhabitants; with the prodigions quantity of Coals burnt yearly in it,) as any in the known World.
2. The Soil is rich and fertile, abounding with plenty of all things uſeful for the life of Man. The Country round about it, being very well Inhabited, ſupplying it with plenty of all Sorts of Proviſion, and the Reſpective Manufactories of England, to furniſh not only the Inhabitants, but for Tranſportation to the ſeveral parts of the World, where its Merchants Trade: For which it has the advantage of large, ſtrait and fair High-ways for Carriages and Paſſengers by Land; and a Navigable River for the Conveyance of heavy Commodities, as Fuel, &c. So that it may be called the Grand Mart of England. And for Navigation and For…eign Commerce (in which no Emporium in the World can Challenge precedence and by which a conſiderable ſhare of the Riches of other Nations is imported) the Reader is referred to the Chapters where we ſhall Treat of Trade. The River Thames, upon w…i…h it is ſeated, and by it in the form of a Creſcent, each part of the City enjoying the benefit of the River, and yet not far diſtant from each other. This City is ſo far from the Sea, that it needs not fear a Forreign Surprize, and yet in 12 hours by the help of the Tide, it is capable to receive the greateſt Ships that Traverſe the Ocean.