Livestock on the roads impedes my progress on more than one occasion. I urge the coachman to “run on” but he is reluctant to kill or injure sheep or even geese. “Run through them,” I instruct him and the coach lurches forward and there are animal screeches and cries from the herdsman but what of that? It will only afford some fortunate common people a dinner for which they will praise God and never forget as long as they may live. An early-morning ride through the streets of London is not a welcome occupation or one I would normally embrace but today is a mission I can hardly avoid. The cobbles shine with recent rain, but the sky is clearer now. It is not so cold as yesterday but fresh indeed. Aldgate is quiet, with very few people abroad but there are more down near the river.
The façade
