Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
In 1884 the house was encased within a brick shell and the exterior considerably altered.
The plaque refers to 'a house on this site' but, like Sloane Street, the original remains, en-
cased inside its new skin.
Henry's study was at the back, with a balcony and steps down into the garden, which has
now been lost under Pont Street. Jane did much of her letter writing and proof reading in
this room.
It was at Hans Place that the transfer of her business to publisher John Murray was ne-
gotiated by Henry during the autumn of 1815. Henry became seriously ill in October and
he was moved down from the bedroom floor to a back room where Jane kept him company
while she wrote.
Perhaps the illness was caused by the stress of his failing business. The Alton branch of
his bank collapsed in late 1815; all the other branches followed it in March 1816 and Henry
was declared bankrupt. That year he became a country clergyman and Jane's visits to Lon-
don ceased.
Tattersall's auction ring: the knowledgeable crowd place their bids.
Dashing amongst the Pinks in Rotten Row,
1821. Ladies ride side
saddle; smart army officers and young swells canter amongst the car-
riages.
Return to Sloane Street where you can either follow Jane's example and 'walk into Lon-
don' through Knightsbridge (three quarters of a mile) or catch a bus to Hyde Park Corner
if you prefer to save your energy for the later walk in the park.
The dominating landmark at Hyde Park Corner is Apsley House, known as Number One
London because it was the first house on the Hyde Park turnpike after the toll gate. Built
by Robert Adam in the 1770s, it was purchased by the Duke of Wellington for his London
