another flight of
stairs which terminated in a long lobby, which ran over the top of the
adjoining house, to two attics. The gardens of this house were
approached by going down several stone steps (all was solid with Mr.
Williamson) past the kitchen, which was also arched, and thence down
another flight of stone steps until you came to a lofty vaulted passage
of great breadth. You then entered a dry, wide arch. From this another
arch opened in a northwardly direction. At the end of the principal
vault was a long, narrow, vaulted passage, which was lighted by a long
iron grating which proved to be a walk in a garden belonging to two
houses at a distance. This passage then shot off at right angles, and at
length a garden was gained on a terrace, the parapet wall of which
overlooked the large opening or quarry previously described; and a
fearful depth it appeared.

Some of the backs of the Mason-street houses project, some recede, some
have no windows visible, others have windows of such length and breadth
as must have thrown any feeble-minded tax-gatherer when he had to receive
window duty into fits. These houses really appear as if built by chance,
or by a blind man who has felt his way and been satisfied with the
security of his dwelling rather than its appearance. The interiors of
these houses, however, were very commodious, when I saw them years ago.
They were strangely arranged, with very large rooms and very small ones,
and long passages oddly running about.

I recollect once going over a house in High-street which Williamson
erected. The coal vault I went into would have held at least two hundred
tons of coals. In all these vaults and places the rats swarmed in
droves, and of a most remarkable size. I once saw one perfectly white.
Wherever Williamson possessed property there did his "vaulting ambition"
exhibit itself.

Such is a brief account of Williamson and his works. A book might be
filled with his sayings and doings. Amid all his roughness he was a kind
and considerate man, and did a great deal of good in his own strange way.
His effects were sold by Trotter and Hodgkins on the 7th June, 1841, and
one of the lots, No. 142, consisted of a view of Williamson's vaults and
a small landscape. I wonder what has become of the former. Lot 171 was
a "cavern scene" which showed the bent of the man's taste.

CHAPTER XI.

The conversion of the huge stone quarry at the Mount into a cemetery was