New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-08
THEOBALD'S PARK
Old Temple Bar Forms Its
Entrance Gate.

| Copyright. 1918, by the Brentwood Company
Mr.. and Mrs. ogden Mills. OF New
York. may be congratulated on securing,
through lease. from Admiral Sir He'd
worth Meux, possession OF Theobald's
Park, one OF the most picturesque and in
teresting country seats within easy
motoring distance OF London. II is stu
ated on the borders OF Hartford and Is
sex, was a favorite shooting lodge or
James l. the estate even TO this day
swarming with game, especially pleas
ants, while the scenery IS OF the most
picturesque and countriied character.
The house, standing on the site and foun-
datlons OF King James's palace, Is COM
paratively modern, OF red brick, devoid
OF any architectural pretensions. but It
Is extremely comfortable and up to date
in every respect. with fine stables, large
garages, Turkish bath. real tennis courts
etc. A description OF the old royal palace
will be found In The Fortunes OF Nigel"
by Sir Walter Scott, and many OF the
relics Of the old palace are still pre-
served in the more modern mansion.
The feature Of the property. however,
is old Temple Bar. which forms the en-
trance 10 the park from the high road
along which in former times the mall
coaches used to ply between Cambridge
and London. No one knows the exact age
Of this wonderful old gate. which figured
for so many hundred years at the Fleet
street and Strand entrance 20 the city OF
London. But 1t was already in existence
in 1850
II is built OF Portland stone. the gray
tint Of which was changed into duIl'
drab black by London smoke and CRIME.
Composed OF large central arch Tor
vehicular traffic and two small arches on
either side for foot passengers, II was
damaged by the great fire OF London IN
1906 and was rebuilt four years later
with the utmost care, and with the orig
inal material, and according to the orig
inaI design, by Sir Christopher Wren. In
inches over the central gate he. however.
placed statues OF Charles I and Charles
II. in the garb Of Roman senators, and OF
James I and Queen Elizabeth.
From the time OF its reconstruction IN
accordance with the original design until
1871. the large room over the central arcn
was rented by the city 70 Messrs. Child
the famous bankers. whose offices ad-
tolned Temple Bar, and who used u as
a store room for their old account BOOKS.
There II was that were preserved uhth
1877 the private account books OF charles
II as well as edgers which told OF the
transactions OF his favorite Nell Gwyn
Through him the ancestress OF the Dukes
of 81 Albans), OF his cousin. Prince Ru-
hernia, and Of the immortal Pepys.
When Temple Bar was torn down. IN
1877. in order 10 meet the needs OF IN
creasing traffic and TO admit OF easier
access 10 the new Law Courts, the stones |
statues and gates were purchased by
the late Sir Henry Meux, owner or the
famous Meux brewery. He had each
stone carefully numbered, and then
caused them all TO be conveyed TO MS
country place, Theobald's Park, ana the
Gate reconstructed IN its exact orginai
form at the main entrance 10 his prop |
ertv Set off by the grand old trees
around II. and by its background OF
verdure. IL is seen TO infinitely greater
advantage than when in the Strand. But
one looks I'm vain for the spikes above
the central arch, on which the heads OK
decapitated traitors were exhibited, until
age and weather caused them to fall from
the iron barbs by which they had been
held aloft.
Talking OF the late Lady Meux, one
cannot help recalling a certain amount
~ resemblance between her will ana
that OF Sir John Murray Scott, which has
been the subject OF so sensational a law
suit between his brothers and sisters ana
Lord and Lady Sackvile AS In the case
~ Sir John Murray Scott Lady Meux
left the bulk OF her property to people
who we're In no way related 70 her. and
like him too, was constantly during the
last ten years OF her life threatening ex-
nectant legatees to cut them out OF her
u,iI Thus. she left Theobalds Park. her
sunerb Jewels. and the bulk OF her prop |
ertv 70 Admiral sir Hedworth Lambton' |
the sailor brother of Lord Durham, VINO |
had nlaved so notable a role in the de-
fence Of Lady smith during the Boer War
stipulating. however that he should
ado,r the name and arms Of Meux In lieu |
OF the historic name OF Lambton. She |
SCARCELY knew him, and the bequest was
more In token Of admiration for his SER
vices 70 Iadysmith. and OF mere chance
niece OF gracious civility on the part OF
h,s wife who was the widow OF Viscount |
Sne'S' NAROIrISE DE FONTENOY.