Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The courtyard of Albany where Henry Austen had his bank premises
for a time.
Elinor also encounters their half-brother Mr John Dashwood there, only to be insulted by
his feeble excuse that he had been too busy to call on them.
A little further along Piccadilly is the entrance to Albany, built in 1770 and converted in
1804, 'into chambers for the casual residence of the nobility and gentry, who had no settled
town residence' (
Picture of London
). Byron lived here at one time and Henry Austen had
his banking premises at 1, Courtyard, 1804-7.
Albany is next to Burlington House, now the home of the Royal Academy of Arts. In
1815 the house was bought by Lord George Cavendish who was responsible for the devel-
opment of the Burlington Arcade, which opened in 1819.
Cross Piccadilly to Hatchard's bookshop, established in 1797. It is the only remaining
bookshop out of three mentioned in Piccadilly in 1807. 'English booksellers' shops, which
are frequented as lounging shops, and which are provided with all new publications, news-
papers etc, are Ridgeway's, Stockdale's and Hatchard's' (
Picture of London
).
Almost next door is Fortnum and Mason, started in the 1770s by a royal footman and
his landlord. The Duke of Wellington, and many of his officers, equipped themselves with
provisions from Fortnum's before going on campaign.
Bullock's, or the Liverpool, Museum in Piccadilly in 1815 showing its
Egyptian-inspired frontage. The huge statues of Isis and Osiris from
the façade are now stored at the Museum of London. Next door on the
right is Ridgway's, one of the numerous bookshops in the street.
Pass Duke Street and Piccadilly Arcade to reach No. 173, the site of the Liverpool Mu-
seum, otherwise known, from 1812, as Bullock's or The Egyptian Hall. In 1815 it was ex-
hibiting Napoleon's fabulously equipped carriage, captured after Waterloo. One contem-
