Streets of London – Bank of England circa 1809

Bank of England, Lothbury, London circa 1809
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics

“The annexed engraving exhibits a view of that part of the Bank of England which faces Lothbury, and it affords a good idea of the great extent of the building appropriated to this national establishment. It forms a portion of the considerable additions, that have lately been made to this edifice, and that have only within a very short time been exposed to public view.” The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1809.

Bank of England, South View, London circa 1809
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics

“The center of this side, and the principal building behind, were founded in 1733; the architect was George Sampson. Previous to that period, the business of this institution was transaction in Grocers’-Hall. The front is a kind of vestibule, with a rustic base, and the ornamental columns above are Ionic. Two wings, of considerable elegance, designed by Sir Robert Taylor, were afterwards added, at the expense of a few houses, and the church of St. Christopher-le-Stocks. This front, though it evinces classical knowledge in the distribution of the parts, is deficient in general effect: it appears too trifling for what it was intended for, especially when compared with the Royal Exchange and the Mansion-House, which stand so near it.” The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics, 1809.

Bank of England, Bullion-Yard, London circa 1811
from The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics