This fraternity is governed by a Master, two Wardens, and nine Assistants, to which belongs a livery of 124 members, who upon their admission pay a fine of 14_l._
PAINTER STAINERS _Hall_, in Little Trinity lane, is adorned with a handsome screen, arches, and pilasters of the Corinthian order, painted in imitation of porphyry, with gilt capitals. The pannels are of wainscot, and on the ceiling is finely painted by Fuller, Pallas triumphant, while Art and Fame, attended by Mercury, suppress their enemies, Sloth, Envy, Pride, &c. the other paintings are Endymion and Luna, by Palmatier; Orpheus slaying Pan, by Brull; Art and Envy, by Hungis; the portraits of King Charles II. and his Queen Catharine, by Houseman; a portrait of Camden; the fire of London; a piece of architecture of the Corinthian order, by Trevit; another of the Ionic order, given by Mr. Thompson, the city painter; Heraclitus and Democritus, by Penn; a landscape, by Aggas; fish and fowl, by Robinson; a piece of birds, by Barlow; a piece of fruit and flowers, by Everbrook; a ruin, by Griffier; and a fine piece of shipping, by Peter Monumea. There are several other pieces in the parlour.
In the court room are some fine pictures, most of which are portraits of the members of the company; and in the front of the room is a fine bust of Mr. Thomas Evans, who left five houses in Basinghall street to the company.
Mr. Camden, the famous antiquarian, whose father was a painter in the Old Bailey, gave the Painter Stainers company a silver cup and cover, which they use every St. Luke’s day at their election; the old Master drinking to the one then elected, out of it. Upon this cup is the following inscription:
GUL. CAMDENUS CLARENCEUX FILIUS SAMPSONIS PICTORIS LONDINENSIS DONO DEDIT. _Maitland._
PALLMALL, a very handsome street, inhabited by several persons of the first quality, extending from the end of the Haymarket to St. James’s palace.
PALMER’S _Almshouse_, at Tothill-side, Westminster, was founded by James Palmer, B. D. in the year 1654, for the reception of twelve poor men and women, to each of whom he gave a perpetual annuity of 6_l._ and a chaldron of coals.
To this building also belongs a school, in which twenty boys are taught reading, writing, and arithmetic; for which the master has an annual salary of 12_l._ and a chaldron of coals, with a convenient house, and a gown every other year.