
A high-resolution version of the Dickens'
London map , suitable for printing poster-size, is available
to download. 4 megabyte image includes descriptions
of all the places shown on the map. Get
details...
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Clicking the
button on the locations below will take you to that section of an 1859
map of London, courtesy of UCLA,
and created by Ralph R. Frerichs. From the map, further detail is available.
Clicking the
button will take you to a description of that location taken from the 1879
Dickens's Dictionary of London by Charles Dickens Jr. compiled for the
web by Lee Jackson, who has also compiled The
Victorian Dictionary.
Clicking the
button will take you to an aerial view of the area today, courtesy of Google
Maps. From here further zoom and pan are available. Aerial
photo of Dickens' London Map.
Clicking the
button will display photos of the location taken in April 2008
Map last updated February 22, 2008
Back to the Charles Dickens Page
Note:
This map and the information it contains is by no means
meant to be all-inclusive or complete. It was designed to provide the reader
of Dickens' works with a better understanding of the places that occur in
the novels. It will continue to be updated and additional information is
solicited. All additional information will be confirmed and added as it
is received.
David Perdue
The Charles Dickens Page
February 2008
Aldgate
(Map: C-12) - Main entrance from the East to the Medieval walled city.
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The Adelphi (Map: D-6) - Elegant
housing complex along the Thames built by the Adam
brothers in the 1760s and torn down in the 1930s. Dickens had lodgings
here as a young man. David Copperfield lodges in Mrs Crupp's house here
(David Copperfield). Arthur Clennam
follows Miss Wade to the Adelphi where she meets Riguad (Little
Dorrit). Dickens visited the Adelphi
Theatre here.
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Astley's Royal Equestrian Amphitheatre
(Map: F-7) - Popular outdoor amphitheatre which mixed theatre with circus
including equestrian performances. Robert Astley, who opened the theatre
in 1774, is considered a pioneer of the modern circus. Dickens described
it in Astley's (Sketches by Boz).
Kit takes his mother to Astley's (Old Curiosity
Shop). Mr George goes to Astley's and is much delighted with the
horses and feats of strength (Bleak House).
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Bank of England
(Map: C-11) - Established in 1694, and known as the Old Lady of Threadneedle
Street, the Bank was privately owned until 1946 when it was nationalized
and came under government control. It is referred to in many of Dickens'
works.
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Bedlam
(Map: G-7) - Officially Bethlehem Hospital, a hospital for the insane. On
contemplating the lunacy of his clerk, Bob Cratchit, taking on a wife and
family on 15 shillings a week, Scrooge laments "I'll retire to Bedlam" (A
Christmas Carol). Dickens uses the term "bedlam" to describe any
act of lunacy.
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Belgrave
Square (Map: G-3) - Fashionable square in Belgravia, named for the
Lord Grosvenor who also had the title of Viscount Belgrave. Formerly a swamp
filled in and developed by Thomas
Cubitt in 1825. The Wititterly's live near here (Nicholas
Nickleby).
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Billingsgate
(Map: D-11) - London's fish market for centuries.
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Bishopsgate (Map: C-11)
- Northern gate in the walled medieval city. One of the Gordon rioters was
hanged at Bishopsgate (Barnaby Rudge). Brogley,
'sworn broker and appraiser', kept a second-hand furniture shop at Bishopsgate
(Dombey and Son).
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Blackfriars Bridge
(Map: D-8) - Bridge over the Thames built in the late 1700's, demolished
in 1863 and rebuilt in 1899. The Black Friars were Dominican monks who set
up a priory in the area in 1221. The name distinguished them from the adjacent
priory of Carmelite monks, the White Friars, at Bridewell. Hugh broke open
the tollhouses there during the Gordon Riots (Barnaby
Rudge). Jo stops to rest and eat at Blackfriars bridge and gazes
upon the cross atop St Paul's (Bleak House).
Dickens frequently crossed this bridge while working at Warren's Boot Blacking
factory to visit his family at the Marshalsea prison in Southwark.

Bloomsbury (Map: B-6) -
Residential area of Holborn. Dickens lived at Tavistock House here from
1851-1860.
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Bond Street (Map: D-3)
- Area of Fashionable shops in Northwest London. It is referred to in Dickens'
works as a well to do area of London. Mrs. Billickin, describing the residence
which Mr. Grewgious is considering renting for Rosa, says "It is not Bond
Street nor yet St. James's Palace; but it is not pretended that it is."
(The Mystery of Edwin Drood)
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The
Borough (Map: F-10) - Area south of London bridge in Southwark.
It was at the White Hart Inn, in the Borough, that Pickwick meets Sam Weller
and Pickwick and Wardle catch up with Jingle and Rachael after their mad
dash to be married (Pickwick Papers).
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Brick Lane (Map: B-13) -
Home of the Brick Lane Branch of the United Grand Junction Ebenezer Temperance
Association where Mr Weller's wife is a member (Pickwick
Papers).

British
Museum (Map: B-5) - The collection was originally housed at Montagu
House, Bloomsbury and opened in 1759 although public access was limited.
David and Steerforth visit the Museum there. (David
Copperfield) The current neo-classical building was completed in
1852.

Buckingham
Palace (Map: F-3) - Built by John Sheffield, 1st duke of Buckingham,
in 1703. Purchased for the royal family in 1761 by George III. It became
the official London residence of the monarchy in 1837 when Queen Victoria
moved there.

Camden
Town (Map: A-3) - Area of northwest London. Dickens' family lived at
16 Bayham Street here. The Cratchits (A Christmas
Carol), the Micawbers (David Copperfield),
and Polly Toodles family (Dombey and Son)
also lived in Camden Town.
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Cannon Street (Map: D-10) - Street
leading from St. Paul's-churchyard to the end of King William-street. Its
construction relieved Cheapside of the greater part of the heavy traffic.
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Cavendish Square (Map:
C-3) - Fashionable square in west London. Madame Mantalini has her dressmaking
shop here (Nicholas Nickleby). The Merdles
lived in Cavendish Square (Little Dorrit).
Lord George Gordon lives near the square (Barnaby
Rudge). Silas Wegg maintains a stall near the house the Boffins
later occupy near Cavendish Square (Our Mutual
Friend).
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Chancery
Lane (Map: C-7) - In Dickens' time Chancery cases were heard at
Lincoln's Inn Hall off Chancery lane. Jarndyce and Jarndyce was heard here,
Krook's Rag and Bone Shop, where Miss Flite and Nemo/Captain Hawdon have
rooms, and the residences of the Jellybys and the Snagsbys were in the vicinity
of Chancery Lane (Bleak House).
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Charing Cross (Map:
E-5) - District of London named for the last of the stone crosses erected
by Edward I in 1291 to mark the stops of Queen Eleanor's funeral procession
from Nottinghamshire to Westminster Abbey. The present monument was erected
in 1865. The Pickwickians begin their travels at the Golden Cross Hotel
here (Pickwick Papers). David Copperfield
stayed at the same hotel referring to it as "a mouldy sort of establishment
in a close neighborhood" (David Copperfield).
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Cheapside (Map: C-9) - Medieval
London's shopping district, ceap was Old English for market. Mould, the
undertaker, lives here (Martin Chuzzlewit).
Pickwick is taken to meet Tony Weller at an inn in Cheapside (Pickwick
Papers).
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Chelsea (Map: I-3) - Residential
area of west London where Dickens married Catherine Hogarth in 1836. Richard
Carstone studies medicine at Mr. Bayham Badger's in Chelsea (Bleak
House). Sophy Wackles lives with her widowed mother and two sister, with whom she runs a day-school for girls, in Chelsea (Old Curiosity Shop).
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The City (Map: D-11) - Area of
London comprising the walled Medieval city, most of which was destroyed
in the Great Fire of 1666. In Dickens' time the City was evolving from a
residential area to a banking and finance center, the former residents moving
to the western and northern suburbs and commuting to the City as mass transportation
was introduced. Scrooge (A Christmas Carol),
Paul Dombey (Dombey and Son), Anthony Chuzzlewit
(Martin Chuzzlewit) and Fascination
Fledgeby (Our Mutual Friend) have businesses
in the City.
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City Road (Map: B-11) - The
Micawbers have a residence here (David Copperfield),
Florence Dombey is kidnapped by old Mrs Brown here (Dombey
and Son).
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Clerkenwell (Map: B-8)
- Area of northern London in Holborn. Gabriel Varden's locksmith shop, the
Golden Key, is in Clerkenwell (Barnaby Rudge).
Jarvis Lorry, clerk at Tellson's bank, lives in Clerkenwell (A
Tale of Two Cities). Fagin's lair is located in the Clerkenwell
area (Oliver Twist). Present
day photos of scenes in the Clerkenwell area.
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Cornhill (Map: D-10) - Well-known
thouroughfare in The City named for a corn market once held there. Dodson
and Fogg have offices "on a ground floor front of a dingy house, at the
furthest end of Freeman's Court, Cornhill (Pickwick
Papers). Bob Cratchit passes Cornhill on his way home to Camden
Town and slides down the ice (A Christmas Carol).
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Covent Garden (Map:
D-6) - District of London named for a fruit, vegetable and flower market
designed by Inigo Jones in 1632. The
Covent Garden Theatre is located here. David Copperfield bought flowers
for Dora in the market and attends Julius Caesar at the theatre (David
Copperfield). Pip spends the night at Hummums Hotel in Covent Garden
when given a note from Wemmick not to go home (Great
Expectations). Arthur Clennam has lodgings here (Little
Dorrit). Job Trotter spends the night in a vegetable basket in Covent
Garden (Pickwick Papers). The Bow Street
Runners, London's first regular detective force, mentioned in Oliver
Twist and Great Expectations,
operated from Bow Street near Covent Garden.
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Crystal
Palace (Map: F-1) - The exhibition hall built in Hyde Park by Joseph
Paxton for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The exhibition was the idea of
Prince Albert, who conceived it to celebrate the Industrial Revolution.
Dickens visited the Exhibition in 1851. The Crystal Palace was moved to
Sydenham, in south London, in 1854 and accidentally burned down in 1936.
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Devonshire Terrace (Map: B-2) - Dickens home from 1839 to 1851 located
opposite the York Gate entrance to Regent's Park. Five of Dickens' children
were born here. The house was destroyed in 1960.
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Doctors Commons (Map: D-8)
- The College of the Doctors of the Law, founded in 1768. Dickens had an
office here when he was a reporter and described it in Doctors' Commons
(Sketches by Boz). David Copperfield
becomes an articled clerk here (David Copperfield).
Jingle applies for his marriage license here when he elopes with Rachael
Wardle (Pickwick Papers).
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Doughty
Street (Map: B-6) - Dickens' home from 1837 to 1839. Dickens' early
fame allowed him to take a three year lease here. His beloved sister-in-law,
Mary, died here. The home was purchased by The Dickens Fellowship and was
opened to the public as the Dickens
House Museum in 1925.
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Drury Lane (Map: C-6) - London
street famous for the Drury
Lane Theatre where Miss Petowker of the Crummles Company performed (Nicholas
Nickleby). David Copperfield orders beef in a restaurant here (David
Copperfield), and Dick Swiveler has lodgings over a tobacconist's
shop here (Curiosity Shop). In the
sketch Gin-Shops (Sketches
by Boz) Dickens reports that "the gin-shops in and near Drury-Lane,
Holborn, St. Giles's, Covent-garden, and Clare-market, are the handsomest
in London. There is more of filth and squalid misery near those great thorough-fares
than in any part of this mighty city." In the sketch The
Pawnbroker's Shop (Sketches by Boz),
Dickens describes a pawnbroker's shop near Drury Lane.
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Fleet Prison
(Map: C-8) - The oldest of London's prisons, built in 1197 on the bank of
the Fleet river. Used as a debtor's prison in Dickens' time, in use until
1842, it was demolished in 1846. Pickwick was imprisoned here until such
time as damages and costs to Mrs. Bardell were paid, which Pickwick claimed
would be "a good, long time" (Pickwick Papers).
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Fleet
Street (Map: C-8) - Situated between The City and Whitehall, Fleet
Street was where London's Press operated. Working as a young reporter Dickens
was well acquainted with this area. David Copperfield, like Dickens, spent
a lot of time in this street and takes Peggotty to a Waxwork on Fleet Street
(David Copperfield).
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Foundling Hospital
(Map: A-6) - Orphanage established in 1739 by Captain Thomas Coram, retired
merchant seaman. The Meagles adopt Tattycoram from here (Little
Dorrit). The Boot, tavern which served as headquarters for the Gordon
rioters, was located in the fields behind the Foundling Hospital (Barbaby
Rudge).
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Furnival's Inn - One
of the Inns of Court, its use as a legal community was discontinued in 1818
and the buildings were rented out as chambers. Dickens lived here from 1834-1837,
wrote most of Pickwick here, and married Catherine while living here. Rosa
Bud stays in rooms in the Inn (Edwin Drood).
John Westlock has rooms here (Martin Chuzzlewit).
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George
and Vulture Inn (Map: D-11) Originally established in the 1600s
and still operating today. Samuel Pickwick stays here when he returns to
London for the Bardell trial. The Winkles also stay here after their marriage
(Pickwick Papers).
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George Inn (Map: F-10)
Last of the galleried coaching inns that dotted this area in Dickens' time. In the time before the coming of the railroad (1830s) coaching inns offered food, drink and warmth to the traveler coming into London by coach. The George is mentioned in (Little Dorrit). Also in the area were the Tabard Inn, where the pilgrims depart for Canterbury in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales (demolished 1873), and the White Hart, where Mr. Pickwick and his friends depart on their own pilgrimage (Pickwick Papers). It is supposed that Shakespeare appeared in plays which were a frequent attraction in the yards of these inns.
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Golden Square (Map: D-4)
Once fashionable square in west London. Ralph Nickleby lives here, the Kenwigs
and Newman Noggs live nearby (Nicholas Nickleby).
Mr. Peggotty finds little Emily in the vicinity of Golden Square (David
Copperfield).
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Gray's
Inn (Map: B-7) - One of the four Inns of Court, Dickens was a solicitor's
clerk here in 1828. Pickwick's solicitor, Mr. Perker, has chambers at Gray's
Inn (Pickwick Papers). Traddles has chambers
at Gray's Inn (David Copperfield).
Pip and Herbert have dilapidated chambers at Barnard's Inn in this same
area (Great Expectations).
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Green Park (Map: F-2) - One
of the royal parks, officially property of the Royal Family. Originally
part of the grounds of St. James Palace.
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Grosvenor Square
(Map: D-2) - The heart of the Grosvenor family's Mayfair Estate, this area
was the center of London high society for over two centuries. Lord Rockingham's
house in Grosvenor Square is blockaded against the Gordon rioters (Barnaby
Rudge). Mr. Tite Barnacle lived in Grosvenor Square 'or very near
it' (Little Dorrit).
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Guildhall
(Map: C-10) - Site of London's city government. The trial of Pickwick and
Bardell took place here (Pickwick Papers).
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Guy's Hospital
(Map: F-11) - Teaching hospital in Southwark endowed by wealthy printer
and publisher Thomas Guy (1645-1724)and built in 1721-24. Bob Sawyer is
a medical student here (Pickwick Papers).
Mrs Gamp's husband died at the hospital (Martin
Chuzzlewit).

Holborn
(Map: B-7) - Area of London named for a thoroughfare running from Tottenham
Ct. Road to Newgate. Langdale's wine and spirits warehouse on Holborn Hill
is burned by the rioters and the Newgate prisoners escape up Holborn when
the prison is taken (Barnaby Rudge). Mrs.
Gamp lived at Kingsgate Street, High Holborn (Martin
Chuzzlewit). Traddles lived on Castle Street, Holborn (David
Copperfield). Fagin's den of thieves is located at Saffron Hill,
a notorious criminal district, in Holborn (Oliver
Twist). Bleeding Heart Yard is located in Holborn (Little
Dorrit).
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Horsemonger Lane Gaol
(Map: G-10) - Dickens witnessed the execution
of the Mannings here in 1849. He later based the character of Hortense
(Bleak House) on Maria Manning. Mrs
Chivery's tobacco shop is located on Horsemonger lane (Little
Dorrit).
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Houses
of Parliament (Map: F-6) - The old Houses of Parliament burned down
in 1834 and were housed in temporary structures until the present Houses
were completed in 1860. Dickens worked as a parliamentary reporter 1831-36.

Hyde Park (Map: E-1) - The
largest of the London parks, Hyde Park was once a royal deer park enclosed
by Henry VIII. It was opened to the public in the early 17th century. Its
famous bridle path, Rotten Row, and manmade lake, The Serpentine, are among
its most popular attractions. The
Great Exhibition was held here in 1851.
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Jacob's
Island (Map: F-13) - Island in the Thames where Toby Crackit's house
is located. Bill Sikes is chased here after killing Nancy and accidentally hangs himself (Oliver Twist).
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Kensington
(Map: G-1) - Fashionable suburb in west London. Prince Turveydrop teaches
in a dance academy here (Bleak House).
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The
Kings Bench Prison (Map: F-9) - Debtor's prison in Southwark. Mr.
Micawber was imprisoned for debt here (David
Copperfield). Madeline Bray and her father lived in the Rules of
the King's Bench where better off prisoners were kept (Nicholas
Nickleby). Mr Rugg tries to persuade Arthur Clennam to make himself
an inmate of the newer and more spacious King's Bench rather than the Marshalsea
(Little Dorrit).
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Lambeth
(Map: G-7) - Slum district of river warehouses across the river from Westminster.
The Lawyer Mr. Guppy intends to set himself up professionally in Walcot
Square, Lambeth (Bleak House). Peg
Sliderskew hides in Lambeth after stealing Gride's papers (Nicholas
Nickleby).
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Lambeth Palace (Map:
H-6) - The official residence of the archbishop of Canterbury. The Gordon
rioters attack Lambeth Palace (Barnaby Rudge).
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Lant Street (Map: F-10)
- Street in the Borough where 12-year-old Dickens had lodgings in a rented
attic while his father was in the Marshalsea prison for debt. Bob Sawyer,
a medical student at nearby Guy's Hospital, has lodgings here (Pickwick
Papers).
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Leadenhall
Street (Map: C-12) - Street and market in the City. Tim Linkinwater
tells Nicholas, when comparing London to the countryside, that he can buy
new-laid eggs in Leadenhall Market any morning before breakfast (Nicholas
Nickleby). The offices of Dombey and Son are thought to be in Leadenhall
Street (Dombey and Son). Mr Pickwick meets
Tony Weller at the Blue Boar Inn in Leadenhall Market (Pickwick
Papers).
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Leicester Square
(Map: D-5) - Square laid out in the late 17th century (pronounced les-ter square). In Dickens' time
it contained an equestrian Statue of George I which was removed in the late
19th century after being vandalized. Mr. George's shooting gallery was near
here (Bleak House).
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Lincolns
Inn Fields (Map: C-7) - Designed by William Newton in the early
1600's as a compromise between the lawyers of Lincoln's Inn and developers
wanting to build in the area. Newton was allowed to build around the perimeter
of the Fields as long as the central part remained forever open. Jarndyce
and Jarndyce begins at the Court of Chancery at Lincoln's Inn and the lawyer
Tulkinghorn has a home in the Fields (Bleak
House). Betsy Trotwood lived in the Fields (David
Copperfield).

London Bridge (Map: E-11) - Until 1750 London Bridge was the only bridge over the Thames in London. A bridge at this site dates from Roman times. The first stone London Bridge was built in 1176. This bridge eventually had houses, shops, and a church built upon it until they were removed in 1763. In 1831 it was replaced by a granite bridge designed by John Rennie. The Rennie London Bridge was replaced in 1972 and Rennie's bridge was dismantled and rebuilt in Lake Havasu, Arizona. One of the arches of the Rennie London Bridge still supports the southern end of the current London Bridge (photos).
Trying to save Oliver, Nancy meets Rose and Mr. Brownlow on the steps of
London Bridge. She is observed by Noah Claypole which leads to her murder
(Oliver Twist). David Copperfield, like
Dickens, liked to sit on London Bridge and watch the people go by (David
Copperfield). Gabriel Varden, the locksmith, crosses London Bridge
to visit Mrs. Rudge in Southwark (Barnaby Rudge).

Ludgate (Map: C-8) - Gate in
the Medieval City's wall where Fleet Street joins the City. London's first
daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, began publication near Ludgate in 1702
thus Fleet Street became the home of London's press.
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Mansion
House (Map: D-10) - Official residence of London's Lord Mayor. Built
in the mid 18th century by George Dance the Elder. Haredale appeals unsuccessfully
to the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House to imprison Rudge (Barnaby
Rudge).

The
Marshalsea (Map: F-10) - Debtor's prison in Southwark where Dickens'
father was imprisoned in 1824. The prison dates from medieval times and
was closed in 1842. Amy Dorrit's father, William, was also imprisoned at
the Marshalsea and St. George's church where Amy Dorrit was christened and
married is adjacent to the Marshalsea (Little Dorrit).
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Millbank (Map: H-5) - Area
along the north side of the Thames. An undeveloped wasteland in Dickens'
time. The Millbank Peniteniary was built between 1812 and 1828, it closed
in 1890 and was demolished two years later. Today the Tate Britain museum
stands on this spot. David and Daniel Peggotty follow Martha to this area
(David Copperfield). Jenny Wren's
home, at Smith Square, is in this area (Our Mutual
Friend). (
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Model Prison (Map: A-7)
- Experimental prison in Pentonville established in 1842. The prison adopted
'the separate system', keeping the prisoners isolated from one another.
Dickens voiced "grave objections" to this system in Pet Prisoners
(Household Words) April 1850. The prison is satirized in David
Copperfield.
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The
Monument (Map: D-11) - 200 foot high column, designed by Christopher
Wren, marking the site of the origin of the devastating fire that destroyed
much of London in September, 1666. John Willet tells his son Joe that climbing
to the top of the Monument is the preferred diversion when visiting London
(Barnaby Rudge). David Copperfield passes
time by stopping on old London Bridge and gazing at the flame atop the Monument
(David Copperfield). Todger's boarding-house
is located near the Monument (Martin Chuzzlewit).
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Newgate
Prison (Map: C-9) - Notorious London prison originally built at
the new gate in the Medieval city's wall. It was the site of public executions
in the 19th century. The prison was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1666
and rebuilt. It was destroyed again during the Gordon Riots of 1780 and
rebuilt. It was finally torn down in 1902 and the Old Bailey, London's Central
Criminal Court, was built on the site. Oliver Twist visits Fagin in Newgate
and witnesses his hanging (Oliver Twist).
Hugh, Dennis, and Barnaby are imprisoned at Newgate in cells refitted after
the prison was burned in the riots (Barnaby Rudge).
Wemmick and Pip visit the prison while Pip is awaiting the arrival in London
of Estella (Great Expectations).
Dickens described Newgate in A visit to Newgate (Sketches
by Boz). In the sketch Criminal Courts (Sketches
by Boz), Dickens describes Newgate: 'How dreadful its rough heavy
walls, and low massive doors, appeared to us - the latter looking as if
they were made for the express purpose of letting people in, and never letting
them out again.'
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The Obelisk
(Map: G-8) - London landmark which stood in the center of St. George's Circus
in Southwark. David has his box and money stolen by a young man with a donkey-cart
near the Obelisk as he is running away from Murdstone and Grinby's to his
aunt's home in Dover (David Copperfield).

Oxford Street (Map:
C-2) - A residential street in Dickens' time, John Jarndyce, Esther, Richard,
and Ada have "cheerful lodging over an upholsterer's shop" near Oxford Street
(Bleak House). In New York Dickens
notes that "The streets and shops are lighted now; and as the eye travels
down the long thoroughfare, dotted with bright jets of gas, it is reminded
of Oxford Street or Piccadilly" (American Notes).
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Pall Mall
(Map: E-4) - Broad, elegant street that derives its name from the Italian
ball games played by Charles II.
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Paternoster Row (Map:
D-9) - Long the center of London's publishing and bookselling trade.
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Pentonville (Map: A-6)
- New and fashionable area of north London. Mr. Brownlow (Oliver
Twist), Pancks (Little Dorrit),
and Guppy (Bleak House) live
here.
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Piccadilly (Map: E-3) -
London street in the West End. Named for a 17th century tailor who had a
shop there and made high ruff collars called piccadillies. Mr. Micawber
fancies his family living in the upper part of a house, over some respectable
business in Piccadilly (David Copperfield).
The Lammles reside in Sackville Street in Piccadilly and Fascination Fledgeby
has chambers at the Albany in Piccadilly (Our Mutual
Friend).
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Pool of London (Map: E-11) - Dock area
below London Bridge, farthest point upriver navigable by large ships.
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Regent's Park (Map: A-1) - London suburb laid out by John Nash (1752-1835)
in 1811 during the Regency period. George III, incapacitated by mental illness
in 1810, was replaced by his son (called the prince regent), later George
IV. The period between 1810 and 1820, when George III died, became known
as the Regency period. The Zoological Gardens opened in Regent's Park in
1828. Dickens lived at 3 Hanover Terrace and at 1 Devonshire Terrace (1839-1851)
in Regent's Park.

Regent Street (Map:
D-3)- Street built between 1813 and 1819, during the Regency period. Lord
Frederick Verisopht lives in "a handsome suite of private apartments in
Regent Street" (Nicholas Nickleby).
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Royal
Exchange (Map: C-11) - Called the 'Change, it was the meeting and
bartering place for the merchants in the City. Ebenezer Scrooge (A
Christmas Carol) and Paul Dombey (Dombey
and Son) would have frequented the Royal Exchange.
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St. Bartholomew's
Hospital (Map: C-9) - Founded in 1123, "Bart's" is London's oldest hospital.
Bob Hopkins is a doctor here (Pickwick Papers).
Mrs. Gamp's friend, Betsy Prig, is a nurse at St. Bartholomew's (Martin
Chuzzlewit). John Baptist Cavalletto is taken there after being
hit by the mail coach (Little Dorrit).
The lawyer Jaggers has offices at Little
Britain, just east of St. Bart's (Great
Expectations).
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St. George's Church (Map: F-10) - Officially St. George the Martyr, this is believed to be the third church built on this site. The present building dates from the 1730s. Amy Dorrit is christened and married in the church which is near the Marshalsea prison where her father was a prisoner (Little Dorrit).
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St.
James Palace (Map: F-4) - Built during the reign of Henry VIII and
designed by Hans Holbien the Younger. Became the official residence of the
monarchy after a fire destroyed Whitehall palace in 1698. It remained the
official royal residence until 1837 when Queen Victoria moved to Buckingham
Palace.
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St. James Park (Map:
F-4) - Originally part of the grounds of St. James Palace. The park was
landscaped for public use in 1829 by John Nash. Mr Twemlow lives in Duke
St. just outside the park (Our Mutual Friend).
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St. James Square
(Map: E-4) - Laid out in the 1660's on land owned by Henry Jermyn, Earl
of St. Albans. The land was given to the Earl by Charles II after the Restoration
because Jermyn had remained loyal during Charles' exile. Dennis plans to
finance the removal of Dolly with loot that the rioters had thrown into
"the convenient piece of water in the midst" of St. James Square (Barnaby
Rudge).

St. Lukes (Map: B-11) - St Luke's
Hospital for the Insane. Dickens attended a holiday celebration with the
inmates there on the day after Christmas 1851 and described the visit in
the article, co-written with Wills, A Curious Dance Round a Curious Tree
(Household Words) in January 1852.
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St.
Paul's Cathedral (Map: D-9) - Long the focal point of the London
skyline, the present St. Paul's Cathedral, built by Sir Christopher Wren
from 1675 to 1711, replaced the old gothic cathedral which burned in the
Great Fire of 1666. St. Paul's is part of the background scenery in many
of Dickens' works. David takes Peggotty to the top of St. Paul's (David
Copperfield).

Scotland
Yard (Map: E-6) - Home of the London's Metropolitan Police, created
by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. Named for a Medieval palace on this site in
Whitehall reserved for visiting kings and queens of Scotland. Described
by Dickens in Scotland-Yard (Sketches
by Boz).
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Seven Dials (Map: C-5)
- Infamous slum and criminal district where seven streets converge at St.
Giles. Dickens noted that a stranger who finds himself in The Dials for
the first time will see enough around him to keep his curiosity and attention
awake for no inconsiderable time (Seven Dials-Sketches
by Boz). Dickens describes a visit to a miserable lodging house
in St. Giles where the poor, mostly Irish emigrants, are "heaped upon the
floor like maggots in cheese" (On Duty with Inspector Field - Household
Words, June 1851).
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Smithfield (Map:B-9) -
London's live cattle market. Cattle were driven through the streets until
the mid 19th century. The market was moved to slaughterhouses in Islington
in 1855. Smithfield was also the site of the annual Bartholomew's Fair from
the 1600's until 1855. Oliver Twist and Sikes pass through Smithfield Market
on their way to burglarize the Maylie home noting that "It was market-morning.
The ground was covered, nearly ankle-deep, with filth and mire; a thick
steam, perpetually rising from the reeking bodies of the cattle" (Oliver
Twist). In A Parliamentary Sketch Dickens describes "the
noise and confusion (in the House), to be met with in no other place in
existence, not even excepting Smithfield on a market-day" (Sketches
by Boz). While waiting for Mr. Jaggers, Pip goes to Smithfield "...and
the shameful place, being all asmear with filth and fat and blood and foam,
seemed to stick to me. So I rubbed it off with all possible speed..." (Great
Expectations).
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Snow Hill (Map: C-9) - Steep
and busy street leading from Holborn down to Farringdon Street. The Saracen's
Head Inn, where Squeers headquartered when in London to advertise for pupils
for Dotheboys Hall, was in Snow Hill (Nicholas
Nickleby). Fagin's den is located in Saffron Hill near Snow Hill
(Oliver Twist).
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Somerset
House (Map: D-7) - Originally built in 1550 and was once a royal
residence. It was demolished in 1775 and rebuilt, completed in 1836 to house
government offices. Dickens' father and uncle were employed there.
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Southwark
(Map: E-9) - District south of the Thames which includes the Borough. Southwark (pronounced suth-uck)
was the scene of dense riverside warehouses and slums in Dickens' time.
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Southwark Bridge
(Map: D-10) - Designed by John Rennie, built in 1815-1819 and replaced in
1912. Sometimes referred to as Iron Bridge. Amy Dorrit liked to walk there
and John Chivery proposed to her on the bridge (Little
Dorrit).
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Southwark Cathedral
(Map: E-10) - Second oldest Gothic church in London after Westminster Abbey, it dates from the 12th century. In Dickens' time known as St. Savior's church, not achieving cathedral status until 1905. Dickens mentions St. Savior's in (Oliver Twist). William Shakespeare's brother Edmund is buried here.
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Spitalfields (Map:
C-12) - Area east of the city named for the Priory and hospital of St Mary
Spital. The area was resettled in the 17th century by French Huguenot refugees
(protestants persecuted in France) who established a silk weaving industry
there. The industry was in decline when Dickens described it in Spitalfields
(Household Words) in April 1851 (article co-authored by W. H. Wills).
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Strand
(Map: D-6) - Wide thoroughfare which connects Westminster to Fleet Street
and the City. As a child Dickens worked at Warren's Blacking factory at
Hungerford stairs in the west side of the Strand. As a young man he worked
for several publications that had offices in this area. Later the offices
of Household Words and All the Year Round, his weekly journals,
were located in Wellington Street in the Strand. Mr. Haredale walks along
the Strand after his house is burned and no one will give him shelter (Barnaby
Rudge). David Copperfield finds a good shop to buy pudding in the
Strand (David Copperfield). Martin
Chuzzlewit, after great trouble, finds lodging for himself and Mark Tapley
at a court in the Strand, not far from Temple Bar (Martin
Chuzzlewit). The Nickleby's have lodging in the Strand at the home
of Miss La Creevy (Nicholas Nickleby).
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Tavistock House (Map:B-5) - Dickens' home from 1851 to 1860 located
at Tavistock Square. While living here Dickens and his wife, Catherine,
separated. He purchased Gad's Hill Place, near Rochester, in 1856 and for
four years maintained both residences. Tavistock House was demolished in
1901.
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The Temple (Map: D-8) - Area
of London originally occupied by the Knights Templar, who protected pilgrims
on their journey to the Holy Land. Later the Temple was occupied by two
of the four Inns of Court, Inner Temple and Middle Temple. Pip has chambers
at the Temple when he is visited by Magwitch (Great
Expectations). Sir John Chester has chambers in the Temple (Barnaby
Rudge). Mortimer Lightwood has chambers in the Temple (Our
Mutual Friend). Stryver, lawyer who defends Charles Darnay, has
chambers there (A Tale of Two Cities),
and Tom Pinch works for an unknown employer in The Temple (Martin
Chuzzlewit).
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Temple Bar (Map: C-7) - Archway,
designed by Wren, used to mark the border between the City and Westminster
where Fleet Street becomes the Strand. The archway caused major traffic
congestion and was removed in 1878. Simon Tappertit has the 'prentices vow
that in case of violence, Temple Bar will not be harmed (Barnaby
Rudge). Jarvis Lorry works for Tellson's Bank near Temple Bar (A
Tale of Two Cities).
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Thames Street (Map:
D-9) - Street running along the river from Blackfriars to the Tower of London.
Mrs Clennam's house is in Thames Street or nearby (Little
Dorrit). Ralph Nickleby lodges Mrs Nickleby and Kate in an "old
and gloomy" vacant house in Thames Street (Nicholas
Nickleby).
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Threadneedle Street
(Map: C-11) - Street in The City whose main feature is the Bank of England,
known as "The Old Lady of Threadneedle Street". The Cheeryble Brother's
business is "in a quiet, shady little square" off Threadneedle Street (Nicholas
Nickleby).
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The
Tower (Map: E-13) - Built on the site of Roman fortifications, the
central part of the Tower, known as the White Tower, was built in 1078 by
William the Conqueror. Subsequent rings of fortification were added later.
It was used as a royal residence as well as a prison and place of execution
until Elizabethan times. England's child king, Edward V, and his brother
were murdered in the Tower in 1483 supposedly by their uncle, Richard III.
The crown jewels are guarded here by the Beefeaters. Sam Weller refers to
the killing of Edward V in the Tower (Pickwick
Papers). Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Quilp live on Tower Hill (The
Old Curiosity Shop). David takes Peggotty sightseeing to the Tower
(David Copperfield). Pip, Herbert,
and Startop row past the Tower while attempting to help Magwitch escape
England (Great Expectations).

Tottenham Court Road
(Map: B-4) - Street running north from St Giles Circus containing many drapers'
shops. Miss Knag's brother, Mortimer,has a stationer's shop here (Nicholas
Nickleby). Peggotty helps Traddles recover his property from a broker's
shop here (David Copperfield).
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Trafalgar Square
(Map: E-5) - Created during the 1830's and 1840's the Square replaced the
royal stables. It is named for the Spanish cape Trafalgar. It was off this
cape that Admiral Nelson defeated the Spanish and French fleets in 1805.
Nelson's Column, at the Square, commemorates this victory.
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Tyburn
(Map: C-1) - Place of public execution until 1783 when they were moved to
Newgate Prison. Dennis the hangman was executioner at Tyburn (Barnaby
Rudge).
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Vauxhall Bridge (Map: I-5) - A cast iron bridge built in 1811 and
was originally called Regent's Bridge. It was replaced in 1906. Bradley
Headstone and Charlie Hexam encounter Eugene Wrayburn on Vauxhall Bridge
(Our Mutual Friend).

Vauxhall Gardens
(Map: I-6) - Fashionable garden resort of the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Jonathon Tyers made extensive improvements in the gardens in the early 1700's
and it became one of London's favorite public attractions. Concerts, plays,
and even fireworks entertained the crowds there. By the mid 1800's the park
had fallen out of favor and drew more disreputable crowds. The gardens were
closed in 1859. Dickens describes Vauxhall Gardens in Vauxhall Gardens by
Day (Sketches by Boz). Mr. Stryver proposes
to take Miss Manette to Vauxhall Gardens (A Tale
of Two Cities).
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Wapping
(Map: D-13) - East London riverside district, home of the London Docks built
between 1800 and 1820.
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Warren's Blacking Factory (Map:
E-6) - Boot polish factory where 12-year-old Dickens was sent to work, fixing
labels to bottles of blacking, to help support his family. Dickens had dreams
of becoming a gentleman and was humiliated working with the rough men and
boys at the factory. The experience had a major impact on Dickens later
life and works and also on his relationship with his mother who, after Charles
left the factory as the result of a quarrel between his father and the owners
of the factory, argued unsuccessfully to have him sent back. Dickens relates
the misery he felt during this time in the fictionalized account of David
Copperfield working at Murdstone and Grinby's warehouse (David
Copperfield). Warren's Blacking Factory was located at 30 Hungerford
Stairs, the Strand. A ferry operated at the stairs until 1845 when Hungerford
foot bridge opened , hoping to spur trade at Hungerford Market. The market
was torn down in 1860 to make way for Charing Cross railway station and
the footbridge was replaced by a railway bridge in 1863. The railway company
argued that few people used the footbridge due to the smell from the river.
The Micawbers take temporary lodging in a "little, dirty, tumble-down public-house"
at Hungerford stairs before emigrating to Australia (David
Copperfield).
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Waterloo Bridge
(Map: E-7) - Designed by John Rennie, Waterloo Bridge opened in 1817. Originally
to be named Strand Bridge, the name was changed to commemorate Wellington's
victory over Napoleon in 1815 at Waterloo. It was demolished in 1939 and
in 1945 it was replaced by a bridge designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott.
Sam Weller tells Pickwick that he once had "unfurnished lodgins' for a fortnight"
under the dry arches of Waterloo Bridge (Pickwick
Papers). On patrol with Thames police officer 'Pea', Dickens is
introduced to 'Waterloo', night toll-taker on Waterloo Bridge, who describes
suicides and other unusual events he has seen (Down
with the Tide, Household Words, February 1853).

Westminster (Map: G-4)
- Originally the city of Westminster before London expanded during the 19th
century and absorbed it. Whitehall, St. James, and Buckingham Palaces, as
well as Westminster Abbey, are located here.
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Westminster
Abbey (Map: F-5) - The most famous of England's churches. Originally
built by Edward the Confessor in 1050, the abbey was rebuilt in its present
Gothic style starting in 1245. Henry VII added his Chapel shortly before
his death in 1509. England's monarchs since William the Conqueror in 1066
have been crowned here. Many of England's kings and queens are buried at
Westminster Abbey as are many of its famous citizens including Chaucer,
Newton, and Darwin. Charles
Dickens was buried in Poet's Corner, in the Abbey on June 14, 1870.
Pip and Herbert Pocket attend services in the Abbey (Great
Expectations). Mould the undertaker tells Mrs. Gamp that gold can
buy a gentleman a tomb in Westminster Abbey if he chooses to invest in such
a purchase (Martin Chuzzlewit).
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Westminster Bridge
(Map: F-6) - Westminster Bridge was the second bridge over the Thames, after
London Bridge. Built of stone, work began in 1739 and was completed in 1750.
This bridge was replaced in 1862. David Copperfield crosses Westminster
Bridge with Mr. Peggotty in his search for Emily (David
Copperfield). Barnaby and his mother cross Westminster Bridge on
their journey back to London after hiding out in the country (Barnaby
Rudge).
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Whitechapel (Map: C-12)
- City located outside the walled city at Aldgate. Named for the whitewashed
Chapel of Ease that became a parish church in 1320. Noted for many coaching
inns for travelers in Dickens' time. Pickwick, Sam Weller, Mr. Weller Sr.,
and Mr. Peter Magnus leave for Ipswich from the Bull Inn here (Pickwick
Papers). John Willet sends Joe to London with credit to eat at the
Black Lion on the Whitechapel Road (Barnaby Rudge).
David Copperfield, arrives in London for the first time, stays at an inn
in Whitechapel, and relates "I forget whether it was the Blue Bull, or the
Blue Boar; but I know it was the Blue something" (David
Copperfield).
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Whitehall
(Map: E-5) - District of Westminster named for the royal palace built here
in 1532 by Henry VIII. The prime minister's residence of number 10 Downing
street and other government offices are located here.
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Whitehall Banqueting
Hall (Map: F-5) - Designed by Inigo Jones in 1622 and featuring ceiling
paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, it survived a fire that destroyed much of
Whitehall in 1698.
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