Glimpses of London's Past

Views of London

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All figures for London's population prior to the 1801 official census are educated guesses because no one authority was responsible for collating statistics of births, deaths and population migrations. One suggestion was to base the numbers on how much was eaten and brewed: 'That in one year [c. 1723] there were computed to be eaten in London, when it was less by two thirds, 67,500 beefs, ten times as many sheep; the total of strong beer and ale was 1,189,481¼ barrels and small beer 740,846 barrels.' At the same time, the number of burials per year (25,000) was also suggested, although the year had to be classified as an ordinary (non-pestilent) one.

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The London Magazine: Or Gentleman's Monthly Intelligencer, September 1748. London: Printed for R. Baldwin, jun. At the Rose in Pater-Noster-Row, 1748. Private Collection.

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Langley and Belchy's New Map of London, 1812. Facsimile publication (no.114) of the London Topographical Society, 1971. Ref. CMap U: Langley.

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The Tower of London, 1682. Facsimile publication (no.129) of the London Topographical Society, 1983. Ref. CMap U: Tower

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The original of this panorama was found rolled up in a barrel in an attic in Rhinebeck, New York. It was over eight feet long, badly torn, and in a filthy state. This complex work depicts London about 1807-11, and as one looks at it, one's attention darts from one thing to another: What is going on down there in the river? …Look at that fire at Bermondsey…I can see Windsor Garden on the horizon, …the Pagoda at Kew, and so on. It is a thrilling piece of history, painted by an unknown artist.

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The 'Rheinbeck' Panorama of London, c.1810. Facsimile publication (no.125) of the London Topographical Society, 1981. Stk ++ DA 683 RF396.