The History of the Worthies of England, Part 2 · County 26
LONDON. It is the second City in Christendome for greatnesse, and the first for good Government; There is no civilized part of the World but it hath heard thereof, though many with this mistake, that they conceive London to be the Country, and England but the City therein.
Some have suspected the declining of the Lustre thereof, because of late it vergeth so much VVestward, increasing in Buildings in Convent Garden, &c. But by their Favour (to disprove their Fear) it will be found to Burnish round about, to every point of the compasse, with new Structures daily added thereunto.
It oweth its greatnesse under Gods Divine providence, to the well conditioned River of Thames, which doth not (as some Tyrant Rivers in Europe) abuse its strength in a destructive way, but imployeth its greatnesse in goodnesse, to be beneficial for commerce, by the Reciprocation of the Tide therein. Hence it was that when K. James offended with the City, threatned to remove his Court to another place, the Lord Maior [boldly enough] returned that he might remove his Court at his pleasure, but could not remove the River of Thames.
*In his Adage Rh…dii Sacrificium.Erasmus will have London so called, from Lindus a City of Rhodes, averring a great resemblance betwixt the Language and Customes of the Britains and Grecians. But Mr. Camden (who no doubt knew of it) honoureth not this his Etymology with the least mention thereof. As improbable in my apprehension, is the deduction from Ludstown, Town being a Saxon, no Brittish Termination) and that it was so termed from Lan Dian a Temple of Diana (standing where now St. Pauls doth) is most likely in my opinion.