fraternity, who were not
allowed to ply on Sundays after the building of the bridge. This bridge
was purchased by the Corporation of London, and by them transferred to
the Board of Works, who erected in the years 1884-1886 the present
substantial stone bridge on the site formerly occupied by the aqueduct
of the Chelsea Waterworks Company. The approaches on both sides have
been greatly improved, and it is now toll-free.

The parish church of St. Mary's stands on the river-bank adjoining the
bridge, and was originally built as a chapel of ease to Wimbledon, and,
owing to absence of all records, the date of its erection cannot be
ascertained, though it is certainly older than the church at Mortlake
(1348), for Archbishop Winchelsea held a public ordination in it as far
back as 1302. The stone tower is of more recent date, being probably not
later than the middle of the fifteenth century. The church suffered
greatly in the dreadful storm which happened in November, 1703. Facing
south on its tower is a sundial with the appropriate motto, "Time and
tide stay for no man."

Pepys makes frequent mention of Putney and the church, and his
contemporary Evelyn also speaks of the village. This place maintained
its suburban character until a few years ago, and it is not long since
the High Street was represented as having one broad pavement lined with
stately trees, and a kennel on either side, by means of which the road
was watered in summer. From the bridge westward the river has been
embanked and a promenade built and lined with seats, and this is a
favourite spot on warm summer evenings. At the far end of this broad
road are the boat-houses of the London, Thames, Leander, and other
well-known clubs, mostly of brick, with dressing-rooms upstairs and wide
balconies giving fine views of the river. Some boat-building and
oar-making also is to be found here, as this is the headquarters of
London rowing, and noted for the Oxford and Cambridge Boat-race. This
race was first rowed at Henley in 1829, next from Westminster to Putney
in 1836, and that course was adhered to until 1851, when that from
Putney to Mortlake was adopted, and this, save on three occasions--in
the years 1846, 1856, 1863--has since been the battle-ground of the
Universities.

After leaving the High Street at the bridge end, the way to the
river-bank is down what was formerly Windsor Street, but is now known as
part of the Lower Richmond Road; and here on the south