We now descend to the Ground Floor and make our way to the staircase (near Room I) leading to the Basement. This contains the larger exhibits: architectonic details, woodwork, large models, and miscellaneous objects, mainly of the 18th and 19th century; also, exhibits too large to be shown in their appropriate historical positions in the preceding rooms, photographs of historic London houses, and numerous prints and drawings of London. To the left from the foot of the staircase is a quaint Georgian shop-window, behind which are toys and knickknacks. Adjacent are shop-signs (17-18th century), and a post-chaise used by the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. In the corridor to the left are several well-lighted Models of Old London given by J. G. Joicey. Turning to the left on emerging from this corridor, we reach a room in which are a prehistoric canoe and a large Roman Boat (3rd or 4th century) found 30 feet below the surface of the ground on the site of the new County Hall. Here is also a model of Buckingham Palace as it was before 1913. In returning we pass, by the window, a case with a set of mallets for playing' pail-mail', and enter a room with the last cabriolet driven in London (given by Lord Rosebery), old fire-engines, relics of the Great Fire, etc. Next comes a room with a model of the Tower in 1660 and another with a life-size wooden horse ascribed to Grinling Gibbons. In a recess to the left is a reproduction of a small 17th century room, with figures in the costume of the time of Charles II. Farther on are models of Izaak Walton's house and Hogarth's house, and an equestrian effigy of Queen Elizabeth. We then reach a section devoted to prison relics, including the main entrance-door of Old Newgate prison, a reproduction of a cell, fetters, execution-straps, last dying confessions,' and souvenirs of noted criminals. Finally we reach a corridor off which open small rooms, with the principal part of the fine collection of old maps, a voting urn, three obsolete bicycles (one of 1850), etc.
