Page:Catalogue of a collection of early drawings and pictures of London, with some contemporary furniture (1920).djvu/45



plate from this watercolour is described as follows: "The House occupied by the East India Company in Leadenhall Street, as refaced in 1726. From a coloured drawing by T. Malton, March 1800."

The East India House, on the south side of Leadenhall Street, is shown on spectator's right; crowds on the pavement, among them Indians; a coach in the roadway. Opposite are old buildings which escaped the Great Fire.

As already implied by the titles, there were two Thomas Maltons, father and son, and it is sometimes difficult to distinguish their work. The father (1726-1801) exhibited London views at the Royal Academy in 1772 and 1774. He taught perspective. His watercolours, as a rule, were what were known as "tinted drawings," begun in Indian ink. The son (1748-1804) received a premium at the Royal Society of Arts in 1774, and a gold medal at the Royal Academy in 1782. In 1792 he published "A Picturesque Tour through the Cities of London and Westminster containing a hundred aquatints." He also exhibited London views at the Royal Academy.

By the Younger (1748-1804).

Lent by the Secretary of State for India.

65 THE GENERAL COURT-ROOM, EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Watercolour. 7-3/4 by 5-3/4 in.

Lent by the Secretary of State for India.

66 THE DIRECTORS' COURT-ROOM, EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Watercolour. 8-3/4 by 6 in.

Shows the two high chairs here exhibited.

Lent by the Secretary of State for India.

67 SADLER'S WELLS.

Oil picture. 15 by 10-3/4 in.

Sadler's Wells, between the New River Head and St. John Street Road, Islington, was so called from a spring of mineral water discovered there by a man named Sadler, who in 1683 opened a music-room connected with it. In course of time rope dancing, tumbling, pantomime, and other entertainments took place there. About 1790 it became a theatre, being still among fields. The New