The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-08-08 00:00:00

RECOLLECTIONS OF TEMPLE BAR.

The Times, in giving an historical sketch of Temple Bar,
says:—
If the stones of Temple Bar could speak they
would no doubt be able to tell many an amusing tale
of street brawls and of ' Mohawk' riots, as well as of
more serious disturbances of a political and religious
character. They have witnessed many a Pope burnt
in effigy, especially on each recurring sth ofiNovember ;
and they looked down upon an excited mob playing
the same game during the 'Gordon Riots' of a con
tory ago. Previous to that they had borne aloft the
heads of many a traitor and a rebel against the
Stuart and earlier Hanoverian Kings; and Horace
Walpole and Sir Nathaniel Wraxall both tell us
of the ghastly spectacle which the Bar presented
in their youth. It is only just a century ago that ,
the last of the rebels' skulls was blown down. The
Bar also saw, almost daily, Dr. Samuel Johnson
passing backwards and forwards under its side portals
on his way between his chambers near Fleet-street
and the Church of St. Clement Danes, whither he
repaired for devotion as often as it was open for ser-
vice. Another constant passer to and fro through it
was Oliver Goldsmith, whose tomb is in the Temple
churchyard. In 1802 the Bar was gay with oil lamps
(gas being then unknown) on account of the peace of
Amiens. In the winter of 1805.6 it received the body
of Nelson as it was borne along on its triumphal
car to its last resting-place in St. Paul's. In 1814
it was again illuminated—this time, we suppose,
with gas—in honour of the Allied Sovereigns, who
passed through it on their way to dine at Guild.
hall, accompanied by the Duke of Wellington, then
fresh from his victories in the Spanish Peninsula.
In 1820 Queen Caroline passed under it on her way
to St. Paul's to give thanks for such mercies as she
had received. In IS3O the Bar looked calmly down
upon a Reform Riot, the result of the unpopularity
of the Duke of Wellington and of the new Police,
and the consequent postponement of the State visit
of the King and Queen to the City. In 1837 it was
again illuminated to greet her present Majesty on
her way to dine in State at Guildhall about six
months after her accession. In 1332 the Duke of
Wellington's body was carried under it en route for
St. Paul's. In 1858 the Princess Royal and he
husband, then Crown Prince of Prussia, passed
through it in the midst of a storm of snow on their
way to Berlin. More recently, in 1863, it opened its
gates in welcome to the Princess Alexandra of Den-
mark on her way to Windsor; and, to pass to days still
none fresh in the memories of the younger generation,
there have passed through it within the last few years
the King of the Belgians, the Viceroy of Egypt, the
Sultan of Turkey, the Shah of Persia, and the Em-
peror of all the Ruggles.
The interior of Temple Par over the gateway, is
a chamber, belonging to the Corporation of London,
and always used for the accommodation of the Lord
Mayor and Aldermen whenever they have to come
thus far West to receive Royalty in State, and on
other public occasions, such, for instance, as at the
funeral of the Duke of Wellington. It is, however,
permanently occupied for business purposes by the
banking firm of Messrs. Child and Co., whose ledgers
and journals for the last 200 years line its sides from top
to bottom, and fill also an attic above. Access to this
chamber is gained by a low doorway cut in, or rather
through, the old wall of which the Bar forms a con-
tinuation ; and it is worthy of remark that an engrav-
ing of Temple Bar as it then appeared was placed as a
heading on the bank-notes issued by that ancient and
respectable firm in the early part of last century
before the right of issuing such paper money in London
was restricted by legislative enactment to the Bank of
England."