Though we cannot call this a very beautiful building, yet from its great utility, and the conspicuous place in which it stands, we thought a representation of it by a print could not be omitted.
It is observable that in the year 1590, the customs and subsidies in the port of London inwards, were let to farm to Mr. Thomas Smith, for 20,000_l._ _per annum_, when it was discovered that they amounted annually to 30309_l._ so that Queen Elizabeth lost every year 10,309_l._ but by the vast increase of commerce since that time, they at present bring in above an hundred times as much, the customs now annually amounting to above two millions, and yet this immense business is transacted with as much order and regularity, as the common affairs of a merchant’s counting house.
The government of the Custom House is under the care of nine Commissioners, who are entrusted with the whole management of all his Majesty’s customs in all the ports of England, the petty farms excepted, and also the oversight of all the officers belonging to them. Each of these Commissioners has a salary of 1000_l._ a year, and both they, and several of the principal officers under them, hold their places by patent from the King. The other officers are appointed by warrant from the Lords of the Treasury.
CUSTOS BREVIUM, the first clerk of the court of Common Pleas, whose office is to receive and keep all writs returnable in that court, and to receive of the Prothonotaries all records of _nisi prius_ called _posteas_. He holds his place by patent from the King, and has the gift of the second Prothonotary’s place, and of the Clerk of the juries. This office is in Brick court, near the Middle Temple. See COMMON PLEAS.
CUTLERS, a company incorporated by letters patent granted by King Henry V. in the year 1417, and afterwards united to the haft and sheath makers. This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and twenty-one Assistants, with a livery of 110 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 10_l._ They have a neat and convenient hall in Cloak lane, Dowgate hill.
CUT-THROAT _lane_, 1. Cock hill, Ratcliff. 2. Upper Shadwell.
DAGENHAM, a village in Essex, nine miles from London. About forty years ago, the Thames near this place bursting its banks, laid near 5000 acres of land under water; but after this inundation had continued near ten years, it was stopped by Captain Perry, who had been employed several years by the Czar of Muscovy, in his works at Veronitza on the river Don.