Chronicles of London Bridge

oduce in its proper order of time, exempting certain Abbey lands from being charged with the work of London Bridge: which he considers as a sufficient proof that the Priests of St. Mary did not preserve the erection in repair, and therefore, says he, ' as the latter part of this traditionary account is a manifest falsehood, the former is very likely to be of the same stamp.' He then sums up all by these bold words. ' As it appears that some religious foundations only were exempt from the work of this Bridge, and they, too, by charter, / think 'tis not to be doubted, but all civil bodies and incorporations were liable to contribute to the repairs thereof. And, consequently, that Linsted and his followers exceed the truth, by ascribing all the praise of so public a benefaction to a small House of Religious ; who, with greater probability, only consented to the building of this Bridge, upon sufficient considerations and allowances, to be made to them for the loss of their Ferry, by which they had been always supported.' Such are the objections against the attributing the building of the First Wooden Bridge to the Monks of South- wark ; but we may remark, by the way, that Stow was a laborious and inquisitive Antiquary, who saw and inquired, as well as read for himself, and, in all probability, had both seen and conversed with Prior Fowle; whilst Maitland and Entick were often contented to write in their libraries from the works of others, and speak of places with which they...