Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Leave the square by Duke of York Street to reach Jermyn Street. By the early nineteenth
century it was full of private hotels and superior lodging houses. When Jane's brother Ed-
ward visited London he would often stay here.
To the left at No. 97 are Paxton and Whitfield, cheesemongers, dating back to 1742.
Floris London at No. 89 was established in 1730. They received their first Royal Warrant in
1820 as 'Smooth Pointed Comb Maker' to King George IV, and still produce many historic
fragrances. Cross the street to enter St James's Church. (If the church is closed take Church
Place, at the east end, which leads to Piccadilly). St James's has links to several significant
Georgian figures who are buried or memorialised here, including Sir Richard Croft, who
was the
accoucheur
attending Princess Charlotte when she died giving birth in 1817, the
tragedy that ultimately led to Princess Victoria ascending the throne. Croft was so harried
by accusations of negligence that he shot himself the following year.
The memorial tablet for Sir Richard Croft in St James's Church.
Lieutenant-General Sir Colin Campbell, who served in the Peninsula and at Waterloo,
is buried here. The poet William Blake (1757-1827) was baptised in the church, which is
also the burial place of Beau Brummell's grandparents William and Jane (who died in the
1770s) and James Gilray the caricaturist (died 1815).
Leave the church by the north entrance and you will find yourself in Piccadilly. Cross
and turn left towards Sackville Street.
Gray's, a real jewellers of the time, was at No. 41 Sackville Street. In
Sense and Sens-
ibility
Elinor and Marianne are kept waiting in Gray's while Robert Ferrars gives elaborate
instructions for the design of a toothpick case:
At last the affair was decided. The ivory, the gold and the pearls, all received their appointment, and the
gentleman having named the last day on which his existence could be continued without the possession
of the tooth-pick case, drew on his gloves with leisurely care, and bestowing a glance on the Miss Dash-
woods which seemed rather to demand, than express, admiration, walked off with a happy air of real
conceit and affected disinterest.
