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Victorian London - Entertainment and Recreation - Museums, Public Buildings and Galleries - East India House
from The Illustrated London News, 1843
East India Company's Museum, The ... is open to the public, free of all charge, on Saturday from 11 to 3; and on Mondays and Thursdays by an order from a director.
East India House is a vast edifice; it was originally founded in 1726, but was in 1798 so much altered and enlarged as to become almost an entire new building; it comprises the principal offices of the East India Company, and contains several noble apartments. The Grand Court Room is a light and elegant apartment. The New Sale Room, a noble apartment, is ornamented with pilasters, and contains several paintings illustrative of Indian and other commerce. The Old Sale Room is embellished with the statues of Sir Eyre Coote, Lord Clive, Sir G. Pocock, and General Laurence. The room for the Committee of Correspondence is embellished with portraits of the Marquis Cornwallis and Warren Hastings, and with numerous views of Indian scenery. The Library, well stored with works on general literature, possesses, in addition, every book published upon the subject of Asia, and a fine collection of Chinese and Indian manuscripts; and the Museum adjoining it abounds in Indian curiosities of every description.
Mogg's New Picture of London and Visitor's Guide to it Sights, 1844
EAST INDIA HOUSE, LEADENHALL STREET, - the House of the East India Company, the largest and most magnificent Company in the world - was built on the site of a former house by Mr. R. Jupp, in 1799, and subsequently enlarged from designs by C.R.Cockerell, R.A., and W. Wilkins, R.A. The pediment (a poor thing) was the work of the younger Bacon. The Company was first incorporated by a charter dated Dec. 31st 1600; confirmed, enlarged, and altered by several subsequent charters. The last great change was made in 1833, when an Act of Parliament was passed, by which the Company is now governed. This act continues the government of India in the hands of the Company until 1854. The home government of the Company consists of "The Court of Proprietors, or General Court," composed of the owners of India stock; "The Court of Directors," selected from the Proprietors; and "The Board of Control," nominated by the Sovereign. Here is a Museum open to the public on Saturdays, from 11 to 3. Observe.- Large and capital drawing of old East India House. Hindu idols in silver and gold. Hindu and Goorkha swords. Pair of Gauntlets made at Lahore, sometimes used by the native chiefs and horsemen in India (beautifully elaborate). Sword of the executioner attached to the palace of the King of Candy, (taken at the capture of Candy). Piece of wood of the ship "Farquharson," containing the horns of a fish called the monodon; the largest horn had penetrated through the copper sheeting and outside lining into one of the floor timbers. An emblematic organ (a tiger on a man), contrived for the amusement of Tippoo Sultan. Surya, the Sun, in his seven-horse car. Buddhist idols, and relics. A perfumed gold necklace. The state howdah of Durgan Sal, usurper of Bhurtpore. Full-length portrait of the famous Nadir Shah. Roman tesselated pavement found in front of the East India House - human figure reclining on a tiger. Babylonian inscription on stone, as sharp and perfect as the day it was cut. Bust of Mr. Colebrooke, by Chantrey. The coins (a most valuable collection under the care of Prof. H.H.Wilson) can only be seen by special permission. Hoole, the translator of Tasso; Charles Lamb, author of Elia; and James Mill, the historian of British India; were clerks in the East India House. "My printed works," said Lamb, "were my recreations - my true works may be found on the shelves in Leadenhall-street, filling some hundred folios."
Peter Cunningham, Hand-Book of London, 1850
