Monmouth Street opens between two historic hotels, the Monmouth on the left and the Gables on the right, both of which have lived under other names and at times served other purposes. The chronology of the Monmouth is displayed in a plaque on its front wall. It started in 1630 as a coaching inn, and owes its name to having in 1687 housed the cavalry of the tragic Duke of Monmouth, under Lord Grey. In 1891 an autograph was written (with what?) on the top left window by Oscar Wilde, another figure of exuberan promiseand a tragic fall: for it was in that year that he began the affair with Lord Alfred Douglas that led to his hounding to prison in 1895. From 1940 to 1945 the hotel served as headquarters for units of the Usamerican army. ("Usamerican" is my word for "United Statesian"; the usage of "American" is a bit insulting to Mexicans, Brazilians, and others.)

down Monmouth Street; the triangle, park; into Coombe Street

turn left or right; or along the slit almost opposite.