The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-13
letter from Henry Hudnai. Esq.
nnnd dnnce of the Richmond DispaIch.l

letter from Henry Hudnai. Esq.
fCorrespondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.]
LONDON, July, 1878.
The Strand, formerly mere road along
the oozy banks OF the Thames-Whence It's
name Of Strand, OF shore-runs into Fleet
street at Temple Bar. The crowd and roar
Of London rush past you with deafenlng
noise. but you have only to pass through o
decorated archway in the side OF the street
opposite .Chancery lane to enter region as
free from the hustle OF the vain world as II
YOU had suddenly invaded the silence OF
some ancient temple OF Eleusinian myste-
ries. You are in the sacred precincts OF the
Middle and Inner Temple. There was for
merly an Outer Temple, owned by the
Knightsof st. John, in the time of Edward
l., but the only remains OF it are two col
umns forming the high gateway at the bot
tom OF Essex street, near where Cleopatra s
Needle is lying on the magnificent embank-
ment which now separates the Strand from
the Thames.
The Inns OF Court arc large establish
ments containing apartments for the resi-
dence OF law students, the Offices OF barris-
ters and solicitors, ancient and superbly-
decorated halls containing libraries OF vast
extent and value, and chapels and rooms in
which several OF the courts arc held. There
are four OF these InnS-the Inner Temple
and Middle Temple, Lincoln's Inn, and
Gray's Inn-which hold the privilege OF
admitting students to the bar. Not great
many years ago, it is said, it was sufficient
il the candidate paid the customary fees and
attended the term dinners prescribed
number of times; thus eating his way
through succession OF roast-beef ana
tn
the bar. But whether that was SANDER on
the profession or not the student is now re-
ouired TO pass an Xamination-Whether
more rigid than is common with us, am
not prepared to say. In connection with
| these Inns OF Court are eight Inns OF
! Chancery, which are used rs chambers
\ principally by solicitors and attorneys.
Each Inn OF Court is covered by Benchers,
who fill up vacancies in their own body
from amongst barristers OF at least seven
years. standing.
The Temple is the principal amongst the
Inns Of Court. 1t was anciently the hoSps'
tiun, or inn OF the knights Templar. Upon
their suppression in 1918 the property
passed into the hands OF the Knights OF st.
John of Jerusalem. During the reign OF
Edward II. it was leased by them to stu
dents OF law. At the dissolution OF the re-
ligious houses the whole Temple property
passed to the crown, and in zoos James l.
conferred il on the two law societies OF the
Inner and Middle Temples, who now hold
it, and their survivors forever.
Just below the Inner Temple lane is
Mitre Court, within which is the celebrated
Mitre Tavern, the favorite haunt OF DR..
Johnson and Oliver Goldsmith. Unless
YOU wish TO linger while at the Tavern
| Al, %
into the narrow lane, at the bottom OF
which YOU reach the only existing relic OF
the residence OF the Knights Templars in
these courts, which is the old Temple
church Of st. Mary's, which escaped the
great fire of 1866, in which most Of the In
| ner Temple was destroyed. From the pave
| ment you descend several steps into porch,
and enter the building through a grand
Norman archway into the Round church
built in 1855, in imitation, it is said, OF the
Round church of the Holy Sepulchre at Je-
rusalem. Upon the paved floor Of this
room are eight recumbent figures or eftigies
OF templars in full armor, with their feet
crossed and their palms placed together over
their mailed breasts, as II in the attitude OF
| PRAYER. On the left is marble monument
of the learned and voluminous lawyer,
John Seldom, and on the right is the efigy
of Robert Ros, one of the Magma Charta
barons. Between groups oil marble col
umns you enter the main auditorium OF the
church, where the services are performed.
On the morning OF the first Sabbath ]
spent in London I attended service here,
and listened to the fnest-toned organ
and one of the finest sermons that
ever heard. The preacher at the Temple
is called "the Master" and is selected
! by the Benches from among the most
learned and eloquent divines OF the Church
Of England. The present " Master" is the
Rev. DR.. Vaughan. BY the side OF paved
walk, along the north side OF the church, to
the. & Masters" residence, is plain mon
ument shaped like the top OF an old-fash-
ioned coffin, on one side OF which is this in
scription: HHere lies Oliver Goldsmith" +"
Opposite to the entrance Of the church, IN
large letters high up on the wall, you read :
CDR. Johnson's Building" All around are
lofty buildings, at the entrances OF which
on boards, or the mouldings Of the door,
ways, are painted the names Of the various
barrsters who occupy chambers there.
They do not style themselves on their signs
as "John Smith, Attorney and Counsellor
at Law" as is customary in the New World,
but simply 'sMr. j. Smith, 1st Floor" or
second floor, as the case may be-.
The various courts Of the Temple are
surrounded with charming associations.
In Brick Court they will show you on the
first floor the Office where Blackstone wrote
his ".Farewell. to the Muse" and where he
afterwards wrote the fourth volume OF his
find any difference in the style OF this vol
ume to its disadvantage over that Of the
other three volumes, he may find reason
for this in the fact to be learned in Brick
Court that the author OF the Vicar OF Wake
field had taken the rooms above the learned
commentator, and was in the habit OF in
dulging in roaring comic songs and the
frolics OF his supper parties. Here, after
Iife's titful dream, poor Goldie died.
: In this classic neighborhood is Kings
Bench Walk, where Lord Mansfield had
chambers. In Fountain Court is the Middle
Temple Hall, and near by, separated from
the Thames embankment by lofty iron
railing. are"t celebrated Temple Gardens,
where. according to Shakespeare, the. War Of
the Roses was inaugurated. IemporG mst-
tonturi Over the beautiful green sWard
saw troops Of merry children gambollng,
and the roses had oil turned to beds OF
chrysanthemums, the especial flowers OF the
Temple. :,
Marble busts OF Elden and stowell,
noble trescoes and alcoYes Of books, you
will find In the hail of the Middle Temple.
Here Shakspeare's Twelfth Night is SAID TO
have been acted under the supervision OF
the great dramatist himself. In the garden
they show you tree planted by Sir Mat.
thew Halo. In Brick Court is o curious old
sun-dial, with this familiar motto inscribed
under it, g Time and Tide tarry for no
man ~; which, with a slight variation, has
served SO many school, l-ehiid idren for copy. !.