Note 374 — XXXVIII.—FREEMASONS’ HALL.

Wheatley and Cunningham (London Past and Present, III., p. 137), mentioning his residence, which they wrongly identify with Nos. 55–56, say: “Here on October 18, 1740, the young Joshua Reynolds came to him as a house pupil and remained under his roof till July, 1743.” Leslie, in his Life of Sir Joshua Reynolds, also states that this occurred at Hudson’s house in Great Queen Street. The ratebooks, however, show quite clearly that in 1740–42, “Vanblew,” was in occupation, and that from 1743 to 1745 the house was empty. The first year in which Hudson is shown as the occupier is 1746. Reynolds’ residence with Hudson, therefore, must have terminated before the latter had moved to the house in Great Queen Street.