Part 2 — 53. THE TERROR OF FIRE. PART II.
Reading edition
53. THE TERROR OF FIRE. PART II.
Astronomer: one who studies the stars or heavenly bodies.
John Evelyn (born 1620, died 1706), a gentleman of the reign of Charles II., was made one of the commissioners for the restoration of London after the Great Fire. He wrote a diary, which is not so amusing as that of Pepys (see Chapter LI.)
St. Dunstan-in-the-East, in Tower Street, was the first church restored by Wren after the fire.
John Dryden (born 1631, died 1700): one of the greatest English poets. He was a supporter of the house of Stuart, and was made poet laureate.
obnoxious: exposed to.
54. ROGUES AND VAGABONDS.
Vagabonds: wanderers who have no settled home.
Wapping: called Wapping Wash (or Marsh) in the time of Queen Elizabeth, when it was first drained and banked in, lies on the north bank of the Thames, in Middlesex, near the Thames Tunnel.
Lambeth, facing Westminster, on the south bank of the river, is low-lying, and was called in Saxon times Lambhythe, meaning loamy or muddy landing place.
Bermondsey (ey—island), on the south bank of the Thames, one mile S.E. of St. Paul's, is a centre of the leather and wool trade.
Rotherhithe (or Redriff), on the south bank of the Thames, lies east of Bermondsey and faces Wapping. The south end of the Thames Tunnel is in Rotherhithe.
stringent: strict.
impotent: powerless, unable to work.
stocks: a wooden frame in which the legs of criminals were confined.
The Barbican: a street near the site of the old Aldersgate. Barbican means defensive works for a gate. Turnmill Street is near Farringdon railway station.