The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 346, December 13, 1828

A sweeping portrait of Covent Garden unfolds, taking listeners from its humble beginnings as the abbot’s garden at Westminster through the grand redesign championed by Inigo Jones. The narrative paints the square’s early 17th‑century transformation, complete with the anecdote of Jones promising “the handsomest barn in England” for a modest chapel, and details the elegant yet incomplete architecture that still shapes the area today.

The piece then turns to the bustling market that later filled the space, describing its decline into a noisy nuisance and the ambitious plans for a new, cleaner marketplace. By contrasting the fragrant stalls of fresh oranges, peppers and autumn fruits with the sparse provisions of Tudor times, it offers a sensory journey that highlights both the garden’s commercial evolution and the moral debates surrounding its lively surroundings.

A brief interlude on ancient Roman December festivals adds a seasonal flavor, recalling the Opalia rites to the goddess Ops and the harvest’s bounty. This blend of history, architecture, and cultural commentary makes the episode a rich, immersive glimpse into London’s ever‑changing heart.