The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-15

Not for a very long time has there been such a structural upset in the Temple as at present. American visitors who come into these sacred shades just now, out of the cold, wet Strand, with their Baedelkers open at the very page, stand aghast at the scene that confronts them. Could John Westock and Ruth Pinch have ever talked sweet nonsense in a Fountain court that is all filtered mp with broken woodwork, old doors and cupboards, and fittings of all sorts that have been torn from the underworld of the Middle Temple Hall? Warrington and Arthur Pendennis, too, and all the rest of them, would turn in their graves could they see the porch of the famous Tenn pie church swathed in boards the sport of enthusiastic 90th century stonemasons.
 In the paved graveyard to the north an artist engraver is sitting before n DOT tion of a flat gravestone, raised to an angle of 70 degrees, and is rapidly revv- ing the memory of one Susannah Knap- ton, who had the honor of lying in her bones close by the remains of Oliver Gold smith. The stone was broken all across. and it's place over the grave has been covered for the time being by one of the old doors taken away from the basement of the Hall of the Middle.
 The church itself having recovered but a year or two since, from one attack of exterior restoration, is now having its porch attended to-, the find transition Norman work of which has lost nearly all it's definition in the riverside atmos- phere.
 Essex court too is being dragged up by the roots, but here it looks like a sim pie matter of drains. One comes back anxiously to Fountain court and Middle Temple hall, where there Is by far the greatest disorder. All the litter and mud dle around the fountain is direct conse- ,quenee of much delving and digging among the foundations of this famous hall. which was built so long ago as 1572 It is one of the best specimens of an Elizabethan., hall that is to be found in the kingdom, ~and it's roof, with open hammer beam, design and pendants, is al- most if not quite, without rival. The crypt beneath. with its old arches and 1S-ineh oak beams has long been used for kitchen, buttery pantries, store cup boards, barristers' dressing rooms. etc.
 Now. at last it Is being modernked Hence the litter Iron girders are being brought In, not to supplant, but to sup plement the oak beams. White glazed brick is to shine in places where mel lowed red has hitherto colored the gloom. All the old doors and fittings are to be replaced by new The whole work is one of extreme importance. and is fortunate
 
 old world appearance of the hall, either within or without.
 But 1t is. for all that just a little dis concerting to American visitors at this particular season.
 All night banks estab ablished so success fully in the United States. are shortly to be naugurated in London.
 A strong syndicate has been registered and is receiving support in influential quarters A head office will be opened fin Picoadilly within the next few weeks.
 One of the promoters yesterday said they knew from inquiries that the bank would be welcomed by the proprietors of houses of entertainment. where at pres ent the takings have to be retained for the night under special guard
 The Chinese are complaining that En- glish and Americans are robbing them of their art treasures in the most shameless manner and are asking their government to put a stop to the smuggling out of the country of invaluable works of ancient art The worst offender, they say, is John D. Rockefeller, who employs number of permanent agents ransaclling the country province by province
 The art of curio smuggling has been de- veloped to fine point for the customs. controlled by foreigners are very much alive to the possibilities of export duty, and appoint their own values of any curio which they may discover.
 Recently a remarkable black vase came to the customs attention and was apprais- ed by them at just twice the value put on it by the owner. Other experts were called in, and the vase was eventually found to be copy dating from period next