w^miim mm. m wm mm. m M0A ^MS Class. Book '^'2^^^ / A SHORT ACCOUNT THE TEMPLE CHURCH, rnlNTED BY L. AND 0. SEELKY, THAMES DITTON, SUnnEY. / •> ■:4'^:s%^.--:^^: Tjn,-,,v by B W BiWrws TEMl-il.E CliiURCli view oir the Circula-i^arL , ;,•///.■//, I'lil^b.'ilwxL hu aniiy.fb'f^ Strf^.Jiqj^J. A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE TEMPLE CHURCH, LONDON. BY GEORGE GODWIN, Jun., Architect, ASSOCIATE OP THE INSTITUTE OP BRITISH ARCHITECTS. THE ILLUSTRATIONS FROM DRAWINGS BY ROBERT WILLIAM BILLINGS, ASSOCIATE OF IHE INSTIIUTE OF BKITISH ARCHITECTS. Engraved by JOHN LE KEUX, LONDON. 1837. C. TILT, J. HATCHARD & SON, L. & G. SEELEY, J. WEALE, AND J. WILLIAMS. 55S=^ 'o-a. THE TEMPLE CHURCH, LONDON. " Hail Calvary, thou mountain iioar, Wet with our Redeemer's gore ! Ye trampled tombs, ye fanes forlorn. Ye stones by tears of pilgrims worn, Your vanished honours to restore. Fearless we climb this hostile shore ; And thou, the Sepulchre of God ! By mocking pagans rudely trod. For thee from Britain's distant coast Lo ! monarchs lead a faithful host.'' Thomas Warton. It may safely be said that there is no one human institu- tion, in the annals of the world, which caused greater changes in the habits and manners of society, than did that of Chivalry, nor one on which we now look back with equal wonder and surprise. To say nothing of the re- strictions which it placed on the strong, and the protection it rendered to the weak, so important in the absence of other laws, the devoted gallantry to the fair sex, and the high feeling of honor which its ordinances inculcated and H 2 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. enforced, led to the most singular developements of cha- racter, and proved of the greatest advantage, not merely to the rude times during which it flourished, but to those which succeeded them. As a regretted writer has observed, ' although we can now only regard it as a beautiful and fantastic piece of frost-work which has dissolved in the beams of the sun, and seek in vain for the pillars and vaults, the cornices and the fretted ornaments of the tran- sitory fabric, we cannot but be sensible that its dissolu- tion has left on the soil valuable tokens of its former existence.' ^ We find its dawnings among the numerous tribes who occupied the German forests, as described by Tacitus ; ^ but the system was not fully matured until after the over- throw of the Roman Empire and the foundation of the various modern states which arose therefrom. The cere- mony of initiation into the order of knighthood after these events, became altered in its character. The priesthood, anxious to bind in their interest the military ardour of the people, and to secure their zealous exertions for the ad- vancement of the church, added to the obligations of the new-made knight the service of religion, promising glory on earth and immortality in Heaven to all persons who should distinguish themselves in her cause. A strict and rigorous noviciate was enforced from him who aspired to be a knight ; the vigils preceding his admittance to the order were spent at the altar, and at his initiation he swore to be loyal not merely to the king and to the ladies, but to God. 3 Close as was the connection thus established between 1 Scott's " Essay on Chivalry." 2 " De Mor. Germ." ^ Dii Canffe. Mills' " History of the Crusades," &c. Passim. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 3 military ardour and religious devotion, farther steps were taken, and it was rendered still more perfect during the struggles made by the Christians for possession of the Holy Land, by the institution of the two celebrated military orders of monks, known as the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, and the Knights Templars ; the former for the purpose of providing for the sick and weary amongst the pilgrims who resorted to the Holy City, and the latter, in the first instance, to protect them on their journey and preserve a free communication between Europe and Jerusa- lem. By certain members of this latter fraternity resident in England, the beautiful church under our notice, viz. St. Mary's, commonly known as the Temple Church, was erected, and it may not be out of place therefore, before entering upon a description of it, to sketch their history, and the progress of the croisades, or Holy Wars. From the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus a. d. 34, until the conversion of Constantine, at the commencement of the fourth century, the Christians suffered most grievous persecution ; but under that Emperor, all the troubles of the church, excepting those caused by the schisms of her ministers, were removed, and she enjoyed for a short period peace and prosperity. About the year 326 of our era, Helena, the mother of Constantine, made a pilgrimage to the scene of the redemption, (a practice, afterwards so universal, which we are told, was commenced immediately after the ascension of Christ,) and there either built, or assisted to build, a church on the site of the Holy Sepulchre. After the death of Constantine the light of religion was again obscured by the dark clouds of ignorance and superstition, and Jerusalem, after many changes, was taken in the year 636 by the followers of Mahomet, ^ who in their turn were • Fuller's " Historie of the Holy Warre." 1647. II 2 4 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. dispossessed for a considerable period by the Turks, but again obtained dominion over it at the end of the eleventh century. During the whole of this time the situation of the Christians there resident was sad in the extreme ; they were, in fact, suffered to exist only that they might prove a source of revenue, ^ and this state of things being con- stantly reported to their countrymen by those pilgrims who succeeded in returning from the Holy Sepulchre, a feeling of hatred towards the unbelievers — a desire to wrest from them possession of a spot made holy in the opinion of Christians, by having been the birth-place and cradle of their religion, was universally excited. This desire mani- fested itself in an expedition for the purpose as early as the tenth century ; which proved impotent ; but a. d. 1093. Peter the Hermit, carried away probably by a heated ima- gination, although as Fuller says, " some suspect him to be little better than a counterfeit, and a cloke-father for a plot of the Pope's begetting," ^ travelled over Europe, setting forth the degraded state of the Christians in Jeru- salem, and exhorted the people to vengeance with so much success, that hundreds of thousands of persons assumed the cross and took the road to the Holy City. All things gave place to this one object of desire : the claims of the world were entirely disregarded, and so expiatory was it deemed, that sinners when they assumed the cross were instantly regarded as saints. The appellation, however, was not justified by their conduct ; intolerance and cruelty seem to have usurped in their breasts all other feelings, and the record of their journey presents but a continued series of perfidy and bloodshed. They were cut off by thousands ; ^ " Two pieces of gold was the annual price of the safety of every indi- vidual infidel in Jerusalem." Mills' " History of the Crusades.'^ 2 Ut supra. B. i. c. 8. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 5 but, horde succeeding to horde, in July a. d. 1099, Jeru- salem was taken possession of by the Christians, and Godfrey of Bouillon was appointed King. People of all ranks and all ages now wended their way as pilgrims to the sepulchre, but reached it with the greatest difficulty, and after the most severe distresses, caused by the various wandering bands both of Saracens and Turks who infested the roads. It was for the purpose of preventing, as far as possible, the recurrence of these difficulties, by affording protection to the pilgrims, that the order of the Knights Templars was instituted, about the year 1117, by two cru- saders, named Hugh de Paganis or Payens, and Godfrey de St. Omer, or Audomare, who were at first joined by only seven persons. They originally called themselves Milites Christi, and then Pauperes Commilitiones Christi et Templi SolomoniSy^ and bound themselves to obedience to the order ; chastity ; and community of possessions. They came first into England about the commencement of the reign of King Stephen, and established themselves near Oldbourne, London, on the site of the present Southampton Buildings, where about one hundred years ago, when taking down some old houses, remains of their original temple were discovered, which, it appeared, was of a circular form like a part of the present church, and built of Caen stone. ^ During the reign of King Henry II. however, they removed to a spot of ground which they had purchased, between Fleet Street and the Thames, now known as the Temple, and which was then termed, in distinction from that which they had left, the new Temple. The Knights of this order were at first very poor, so much so indeed, that one horse served two of them, as is ^ Dugdale's " Monasticon Anfflicanum" 2 Britton's " Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain." Vol. I. 6 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. represented on their seal which remains to us ; but, acquir- ing extraordinary reputation from their valorous conduct against the infidels, they became of great importance, " waxed suddenly insolent, disdained other orders, and sorted only with noblemen." ^ Their revenues from the bounty of their patrons, augumented to a surprising degree ; and they progressively established preceptories or com- manderies ^ in Germany, France, England, Poland, Sicily, Cyprus, and other parts of Europe, whence after their numbers were reduced in Jerusalem, (and this, from the prominent part they played, was often the case,) they obtained reinforcements of Knights. It appears that they first assumed the title of Templars, or Knights of the Tem- ple, about A. D. 1118, when Baldwin I. bestowed upon them a residence adjacent to the Temple at Jerusalem. According to Dugdale,-"^ they wore linen coifs and close red caps ; their armour was of twisted mail, and over this was placed a white habit, on the front of which (above the left breast) was embroidered a red cross.* During the whole of the Crusades the Templars were every where engaged in the thickest of the fight, and per- formed prodigies of valour ; but, notwithstanding the devotion thus exhibited, it appears to be generally admitted that much injury was done by them to the Christian cause in consequence of the violent hatred which existed between ' Matthew Paris. 2 Scott says in a note (Ivanhoe V. ii. Edit. 1830.) the establishments of the Templars were called Preceptories and those of the Knights of St. John, Commanderies ; but by most writers on the subject these terms are used indiscriminately. 3 " Mojiasticon." p. 814. ^ " And on his brest a bloodie crosse he bore, The dcarc remembrance of his dying Lord." Spencers " Fairy Queen'* B. I. Can. 1. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 7 them and the Knights Hospitallers, and led to constant collision. In 1259, indeed, a general engagement took place between them, when Mills relates {ut sup. Vol. ii. p. 252.) that the Hospitallers proved victorious and that scarcely a Templar escaped alive. ^ Fuller, moreover, says that ** to save their own stakes, the Templars would some- times play hootie with the Turks." In the year 1185, Saladin defeated the Christians and gained possession of the Holy City, but more than a cen- tury elapsed before they were entirely routed, and a ter- mination was put to a war which, in the face of the greatest disadvantages, had been carried on with the most unremitting vigour nearly 200 years, ^ A celebrated writer remarks, " that men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it, any thing but live for it," ^ and no examples, perhaps, could be quoted more in point, thau the vast privations endured, the dangers encountered, the lives willingly sacrificed during the crusades, and the generally bad character of those who thus strived for religion's sake. The Templars as a body did not exist long after the immediate occasion for them had ceased. In 1307, Philip le Bel, King of France — who was prompted, it is supposed, by a desire to enrich himself with their possessions — in- stituted most arbitrary and unexampled proceedings against them, in that country. They were accused of crimes against religion and morality of the blackest dye and most impro- bable character ; were throwm into prison and exposed to the severest torture, in order to extort from them evidence ' See also Voltaire. " Histoire des Croisades." Passim. ^ Fuller says it was a war " for continuance the longest, for money spent the costliest, for bloodshed the cruellest, for pretences the most pious, and for the true intent the most politick the world ever saw." p. 228. ut sup. ^ Col ton's " Lacon." 8 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. against their fellows. Some, unable to endure it, acknow- ledged all that was required of them ; others signed con- fessions written in latin, which they did not understand, i and afterwards, when restored to health, recanting in the first instance and denying in the second, were publicly burned alive as relapsed heretics. Amongst these was James de Molai, the grand Master, who in the extremity of his anguish confessed he had, as a Templar, denied Christ, and trampled on the cross, but ultimately died before a slow fire, a. d. 1314, abjuring this forced con- fession and proclaiming the innocence of the order. The institution was declared to be abolished by Pope Clement, A. D. 1312, and the principal of their vast possessions, which, it seems, Philip himself coveted, and which, with- out doubt, caused their downfall, were, ultimately, as we shall see, bestowed on the Knights Hospitallers of St. John.^ Similar steps were taken all over Europe, and the the fraternity was entirely broken up. In England, it is true, under Edward II. the proceedings were milder, but the result was the same.^ After the dissolution of the order we find that Edward 1 Lyttleton's " History of England." Vol. i. p. 491. 2 The Templars, at their dissolution, possessed 16,000 lordships (Dugdale) " as Sir John Cornwall, Lord Fanhop said merrily, that not he, but his stately house at Ampthill in Bedfordshire was guiltie of high treason, so certainly their wealth was the principal cause of their overthrow. We may believe King Philip would never have took away their lives if he might have took their lands without putting them to death : but the mischief was, he could not get the honey unless he burnt the bees." Fuller, ut. sup. B. v. p. 233. ^ Ferrati, of Vicenza, a writer of the fourteenth century, says *' that there were 15,000 Knights distributed over Christendom at the time of the dissolution of the order,'' as quoted in Mills' " History," ut. sup. which see for an ample dissertation on the proceedings against them. On the same subject see also " Monumens Hlstoriques relatifs a la condemnation des Chevaliers du Temple ct r Abolition dc leur Ordre, by M. Raynouard ;'' and Wiikins' " Concilia.'' Vol. II. 1 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 9 II. bestowed the new Temple " et terram que vocatur Ficketts Croft juxta London', et omia alia tenta et reddit', cum pertin', que fuerunt Templariorum in civitate et suburbiis London'," upon Adamar de Valence, Earl of Pembroke.^ Two years afterwards, however, it appears, that the King, having made some other arrangement with this nobleman, granted the Temple to Thomas Earl of Lan- caster, and on his attainder it reverted to the Crown. In 1324, by a council holden at Vienna, all the lands of the Templars, (" lest the same should be put to profane uses " ) were given to the Knights of St. John, who were at that time in especial estimation for the valour they had dis- played against the Turks at the Isle of Rhodes ; ^ among these was the Temple, London, which for some reason, not apparent, they conveyed to Hugh le Despencer, the King's favourite : and upon his death it once more devolved to the crown. Edward III. a. d. 1328, in consideration of an annual rent of £24. gave possession of the Temple and its appur- tenances for ten years to William de Langford, but in the following year, it appears that the prior and the brethren of the order of St. John were restored to '^ the Church and places sanctified and dedicated to God ; by reason whereof William Langford was abated £12. 4s. Id. of his said rent." ^ On the expiration of the said ten years, the prior having promised £100 towards an expedition into France, the rest of the manor, together with the church, church-yard and cloisters, was granted by the King to the brotherhood. The Knights shortly afterwards leased the Temple and its appurtenances, for a rent of £10. per annum ' Malcolm's " Londinium JRedivivum." Vol. II. p. 287. 2 Strype's Edition of Stow's " Survey of London," &c. B. iii. p. 271. 3 Malcolm, nt sup. 10 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. to a society of students of the common laws of England, who, finding their numbers increasing, formed themselves, in the reign of Richard II. into two societies, known as those of the inner Temple and of the middle Temple, ^ to whom equally the present church belongs. The relation thus far appears to rest chiefly on tradition, as the populace, led by Wat Tyler, who rose in insurrection in the reign of Richard II. (a. d. 1381.) destroyed all the records of the place. An ancient M.S. says, the rebels went to the Temple '* et jetteront les measons a le terre et avegheront tighles issint que ils fairont coverture en mal array et alleront en I'esglise, et pristeront touts les liveres et rolls de remembrances que furont ou lour huches deins le Temple de apprentices de la ley, et porteront en le haut chimene et les arderont." ^ The fact, however, that lawyers did reside there in the reign of Edward III. is confirmed in some lines by Chaucer, who appears himself to have been a Temple student. In the 3 2d of Henry VIII. the order of St. John was dissolved, and the Temple again became the property of the crown : the law students however — the new Templars, as Fuller quaintly calls them, still held it on lease, *' defend- ing one Christian from another as the old ones did Christians from Pagans," (p. 97. ut sup.) till the time of James I. who, in the sixth year of his reign, granted the whole to Sir Julius Csesar, Knight, the Benchers and others of the Temple and their assigns for ever, ''for the reception, lodging and education of the professors and students of the laws of this Realm," at a rent of £10. yearly from each Society.^ ^ Britton's " Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London." Vol. I. p. 137. 2 Herbert's " Antiquities of the Inns of Court and Chancery." p. 189. See also " Stow's Survey," Strype's Edition. B. iii. p. 271. 3 Britton's " Public Buildings," ut sup. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 11 Formerly the Church appears to have been the general resort of the students and others, as we see by *' A De- scription of the form and manner how and by what orders and customs the state of the Fellowship of the Middle Temple is maintained ; and what ways they have to attaine unto learning," (written in the time of King Henry VIII). In this we find the following ^^ Item. The learners have no place to walk in and talk and confer their learnings, but in the church ; which place all the terme-times hath in it no more quietnesse than the pervyse ofPauVs — by occa- sion of the confluence and concourse of such as are suters in the law." Again, Butler says in " Hudibras" (partiii. canto iii. line 760.) " Retain all sorts of witnesses That ply i' th' Temple under trees, Or walk the round, with knights of the posts, About the cross-legg'd knights their hosts." and Stow calls it '' the round walk." Round and polygo7iic buildings, respecting the origin of which there has been much disquisition, were erected in the earliest periods of civilization, when probably the form, a pleasing one, alone had influence. Pausanias writes that the Thracians builded their temples round, and open at the top.^ At Athens we have one of this form re- maining, known as the choragic monument of Lysicrates ; ^ and at Rome many, namely, all the temples dedicated to Vesta ; the Pantheon ; the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella ; the temple of Minerva Medica ; the temple of Hope ; that of ^ Britton's " Architectural Antiquities," Vol. I. p. 17. which see, for much interesting information on this subject. 2 Supposed date about 330 years B. C, in the time of Demostlienes, Apelles, and Alexander the Great. The Treasury at Mycenae and the octagon tower, known as the Temple of the Winds, may also be noticed. 12 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. Remus and Romulus ; the church of St. Agnes, and others. After the introduction of Christianity and the institution of baptism — which was at first by immersion — a building for this purpose, near, or attached to the church, became necessary, and these we find were constructed either cir- cular or polygonal, *' in order that the assistants might from all sides more easily view the cistern that served as a font ;" ^ and Helena, in whose reign many of these bap- tisteries were erected, when she built the church over the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, gave to it the circular form, perhaps either from the remembrance of these, or on the like principle, namely, that — the tomb (for possession of which so much blood, and so much money were afterwards expended) being placed in the centre— it was the form best adapted to enable a number of persons distinctly to view at the same time the object of their pilgrimage. That the Templars then, when they had occasion in their own country to erect churches for the purposes of their order, should adopt the form of this building, the protection of which from insult was one of their chief duties, appears quite natural ; and accordingly we find that in all their edifices the circular form prevailed. In England we have four round Churches remaining, viz. those of St. Sepulchre, at Cambridge, and at Northamp- ton, the Temple Church, London, and that at Little Maplestead, Essex, all of which have been ascribed by some authors, Dallaway amongst the number, to the Knights Templars. ^ There is every reason, however, to believe that this is not the fact ; but without going into a question, which would lead us somewhat astray, suffice it to state, that the church of St. Mary, London, the 1 Hope's " History of Architecture," p. 115. 2 " Discourses upon Architecture in England," p. 47. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 13 subject of our notice, was completed about the year 1185, when it was dedicated to the service of the Virgin by Heraclius, the patriarch of Jerusalem. Heraclius visited England, it appears, in company with the grand master of the Templars, and the commander of the Hospitallers, with the view of inducing Henry H. to afford his personal aid to the cause of the cross, or, in the event of his refusal, to obtain the presence of one of his sons. Failing in both these objects, (for the parlia- ment held it was more wholesome for the king's soul that he should defend his own country against the barbarous French, than that he should provide for the safety of those in the East in his own person,) the patriarch's rage knew no bounds, and he lavished the most virulent abuse on the monarch. *' The kynge, however, kepte his pacience and sayd, ' I maye not wend out of my londe, for myn owne sonnes wyll aryse agayne me whan I were absent.' ' No wonder,' sayde the patryarke, ' for of the devyll they come, and to the devyll they shall go, and so departed from the kynge in great ire." ' ^ The foundation of the Temple Church was commemo- rated by the following inscription engraved within a half- circle in Saxon capitals, which, it is recorded by Stow, was copied by Mr. Holmes from that originally set up on « the building. + ANNO • AB . INCARNA TIONE . DOMINI • M CL.X.X.X.V. DEDICATA — i — HEC • ECCLESIA • IN . HONO RE . BEATE • MARIE • A • DNO . ERACLIO . DEI • CRA SHE . RESVRECTIONIS . ECCLESIE • PATRI ARCHA • Mil . IDVS • FEBRVARII • Q • EA . ANNATIM. PETETIB . DE . IIVNTA . S • PENlTIETiA • LX . DIES • INDVLSIT • ^ Fabian's "Chronicles," p. 280. edit. 1811. 14 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. By order of the Benchers of the two societies, a copy was made of this, in 1811, and put up in the inside of the church over the western entrance, where it is still to be seen. The indulgence mentioned in it, the Rev, Mr. Pegge states, in his " Sylloge of Inscriptions," is the earliest instance of the kind that he met with.^ Weever writes that ** some hold the Temple was built by Dunwallo Mulmutius, A.M. 4748, as a place of sanc- tuary," and he goes on to say, although it was '' newly founded of farre later times and dedicated to the honour of the blessed virgine," he himself believed it to be much more ancient than the generally received date.^ In regard to this point, however, no other information is to be obtained, and little attention can therefore be paid to it ; but we may safely infer that no part of the present build- ing is of earlier date than that recorded in the preceding inscription. ' As quoted in Britton's "London," iit supra, Vol. L p. 138. 2 " J^^unoral Moniimonts," p. 441. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 15 The Temple Church, at this time, consists of two parts; namely, the circular portion, or nave, already referred to, and an oblong addition (the choir) probably of later date, which is the part appropriated to the church service ; the circular portion serving merely as a vestibule to it. A similar additional building belongs to all the English round churches, and has led to some discussion, Dalla- way^ asserts roundly that all these churches in their original design were merely circular, and that the dblong choirs, to which they are now but lobbies, are subsequent additions. To this, however, we are not disposed impli- citly to assent. The church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, which, as we have said, was built by the Empress Helena at the commencement of the fourth century, and, as it appears, was rebuilt by Charlemagne in the ninth, presents the appearance of an oblong building, semicircular at the west end, and terminating at the eastern in a nearly semicircular apsis. It is covered by two large domes, or cupolas, and is divided in the interior into a circular building (the western end) , in the centre of which is placed the tomb of our Saviour, and a nearly square church communicating therefrom towards the East, and occupying the remainder of the building : within the area of the circular part, an aile is formed by a series of stone columns and piers indifferently, with semicircular arches which support the drum of the dome. The form, therefore, it may be seen, is precisely similar to that of the Temple Church, and of the other round churches, as they now stand : nor does there seem to be evidence to induce the sup- position that it was at any time different. It may be men- tioned too, that adjoining the eastern end of the building at Jerusalem there is a small crypt communicating therewith, ^ " Discourses," rtt supra, p. 47. 16 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. (on the site of which our Saviour's cross was discovered) ^ which is known as Helena's chapel, serving, almost, to identify the three divisions as coeval.^ There is so much obscurity, however, in the accounts of the older writers — in that of Bede, for example, it is described as a large round church encompassed by three walls and supported by twelve pillars,^ — that nothing positive can be advanced on the subject. If, however, the church of the sepulchre were originally of its present form, — and there does not appear to be any cause to doubt this, — it seems but reason- able that the military knights, when they erected their churches in England, professedly in imitation of that, should have raised not merely the circular vestibule but the oblong choir which we find attached. In the case of one of them, at all events, namely, the church of Little Maplestead, which, if not built by the Templars, certainly was after the same model, and with a like purpose, it was discovered, on strict examination at various points of the building, that all the foundations throughout are on one level ; that below the ground there is a set-off of six inches externally, which runs round the whole of the building ; that at the points where the circular portion of the church unites with the oblong, there is not the 1 During the middle ages, as is well known, it was believed the relics of saints and martyrs were endowed with miraculous powers, and they were, in consequence, eagerly sought after by the pious of all degrees. As may be supposed, the Roman Hierarchy did not allow an appetite so advantageous to its coffers to languish for want of food, and none being more prized than the relics of the cross on which our Lord was crucified, we find, as Erasmus said, that if the fragments, received throughout ^,he world as such, had been collected together, there would have been suflicient to build a ship. 2 To our friend, Dr. Holt Yates, for the loan of some excellent drawings made during a residence in Jerusalem, and from which the foregoing descrip- tion is taken, we offer acknowledgments. 3 " Architectural Antiquities,'' ut supra, Vol. L : PLE CHUM.CH. View across th.eEastJ''nd . /,■//. /..//. lt,J?Us/ie.L b7j ii.rac.t ^' i^ -••m* THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 17 slightest indication of any difference in workmanship or materials ; and again, it was clearly ascertained that the whole of the chamferred plinths to the buttresses, each of them having been examined separately, are on the same level ; tending to prove, almost beyond a doubt, that the different parts of the building are of one date. ^ At the Temple Church, as we have said already, the two portions display a trifling difference in style, and were evidently built at different though not distant periods ; but whether at the first it may not have consisted of two parts, as at present, one of which was afterwards, perhaps acci- dentally, destroyed and renewed ; or at all events, whether it was not originally designed to include the two parts, al- though not completed until some years from each other, we are unable to determine. Stow says that the church was *^ again dedicated and belike also newly re-edified " in the year 1240,^ to which period the choir is generally as- cribed ; and one would almost suspect that had the church previously consisted merely of the circular building — had so large a portion of it as the choir forms then been added — some other word would have been used. The entrance to the Temple Church, which is at the west end, is by a beautiful semi-circular-arched doorway, deeply recessed, having columns with enriched capitals on each side, and several ornamented archivolts around, springing from the former. The accompanying wood-cut affords a representation of it. This doorway leads immediately into the circular portion of the building, and of this our engraving- displays the arrangement and architectural features. It pre- sents, as may be seen, a very interesting mixture of the » " The History and Antiquities of the Round Church at Little Maple- stead, Essex," by William Wallen, Architect, p. 152, an interesting volume. 2 « Survey of the City of London, (fee." Strype's Edit. B. Ill, p. 271. I 18 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. WESTERN DOORWAY. Anglo-Norman circular with the early-pointed style — a specimen of that period in English architecture which has been termed the intermediate ; when the solid and substan- tial forms of the semi-circular arch, and comparatively short and massive column, were about to give place to the fairy- like elegance and grace of the slender shafts, the minutely divided supports, and the richly-diversified forms which distinguish the pointed style. At the time of its erection, namely, A.D. 1 185, and indeed even earlier, we may consi- der that the pointed style was in a great measure established in England upon systematic principles, as may be seen, without naming other instances, in the choir of Canterbury Cathedral, as well as in that other portion of it called Trinity Chapel and Becket's Crown ; which parts were chiefly erected between the years 1 175 and 1 1 84.^ We must suppose, therefore, either that a perfect knowledge of the ' Britton's " Clironological History of Christian Architecture in England,' p. 118, and tlie same author's volume on Canterbury Cathedral. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 19 new style had not reached the architect — although from the intimate connection which subsisted between the pro- fessors of the art as members of the fraternity of Free- Masons, (and by which alone we can account for the sudden and universal developement of certain portions of a style, to be noticed in tracing the history of Gothic Architecture,) new principles were usually transmitted quickly from one to the other — or that caprice induced the admixture. As may be observed in our engraving, an aile is formed within the area by six clusters of columns, each consisting of four insulated shafts banded together near the centre for support, and bearing pointed arches, the soffits of which are divided into several mouldings. Above these arches, and on the same face, ( thus making the upper diameter of the building withinside less than the lower by the whole width of the aile on each side,) is a triforium, or gallery passing round the whole circumference, and adorned by a series of interlaced arches ; while in the clere- story above occurs, over each archway, a semicircular-headed window. From the abacus of each of the clustered columns (which is peculiar in its plan) rises a single shaft on the face of the triforum and clere-story to the top of the building, and from this spring ribs which support a flat ceiling, apparently, however, not original. The groining over the aile, which is simple, is formed by cross-springers from the clustered columns to single columns attached to the external wall of the building, and has enriched bosses at the intersections. Upon the wall of the aile there is a continued arcade adorned by a billet-moulding, and short columns with enriched capitals ; and in the spandrels, as may be seen by the annexed engraving, occurs a series of sculptured heads 12 20 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. PART OF ARCADE IN THE CIRCULAR AILE. which are of masterly design, and display astonishing variety of character. These heads were said to be moulded in a coarse sort of mortar; but in 1827, when the circular portion of the church, including this arcade, was generally restored,^ under * To record this restoration, the following inscription appears within the easternmost window of the aile, and above the same window on the outside of the church. HujuscE . iEois . Sacr^e Partem . Australem . Sibi . Propriam . ReSTITUI . CURAVIT . InTERIORIS . TeMPLI . HOSPITIUM . JOHANNE . GuRNEY . ArMIGERO . Thesaurario. mdcccxxvii. rSlfr.^'V TEMPLE CHURCH . View of rlie Wlt^/jkncfcom the Vestry Door. London. PuhUsherl bv C.TUx..Flce.t Street. Ju2n 1. JS.H7. t'1# THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 21 the able direction of Sir Robert Smirke, they were found to be of Caen stone, as were the capitals of the columns, and some few of the latter were used again. The present heads, which are carved in Portland stone, are copies of the originals. x\bove this arcade are eight semicircular- headed windows ; four on each side of the west door. Originally there were two small apartments attached to the south side of this part of the church, and communi- cating with it by a doorway from the aile ; these, were removed in 1824. The triforium around the upper part of the circular area is approached by a small well- staircase— which also leads to the roof of the choir. Within a turret on the north side at the junction of the two portions; and communicating with this staircase is a small apartment, formed within a pier of the building, about four feet six inches long, and two feet six inches wide, which, it is supposed, was used as a penitential cell, or place for confinement. On the floor of the area of the circular nave are two sin- gular groups of sepulchral Effigies (each surrounded by a light railing) which have excited much discussion, and, al- though sadly mutilated, may be regarded as amongst the most interesting remnants of ancient English sculpture. The northern group consists of five recumbent figures of knights, armed cap-a-pie, cut in high relief out of solid blocks of stone — each independent of the others — which at the same time form the plinths on which they rest ; and the southern group, of four similar figures and a coffin-shaped stone en-dos-d^ane. The knights are represented in chain armour with surcoats, and bear shields of the Norman form, which however differ much in length : all, with one exception, repose on cushions, and the greater number have a lion, or other animal, at their feet. 22 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. In attitude, which is mostly spirited, they differ. Six of them are cross-legged, a position supposed, for some time, peculiar to the effigies of actual crusaders, but known now to have been employed to represent not only persons who went to Palestine as soldiers or pilgrims, but those who had vowed to go, or even those who had merely contri- buted funds to carry on the holy war. This statement is made more certain by the fact, in addition to other cir- cumstances, that there are instances of effigies representing females on their tombs in this singular position.^ The custom appears to have been nearly confined to England, and Dr. Nash^ states that none of these cross-legged monu- ments are later than the reign of Edward II. or the beginning of Edward III. nor earlier than that of Stephen. Mr. Pennant mentions two modern examples on the tombs of persons who died in the seventeenth century, and are thus represented at the church of Mitton, in Yorkshire, but these appear to be quite exceptions to the general fact. The notion which at one time prevailed that cross-legged figures were confined to the representation of Knights Templars has been long since exploded. Relative to the singular arrangement of the statues upon the pavement of the church, it appears nearly certain that they were not always in the situations they now occupy ; but, probably, were separately disposed in various parts of the church, on altar- tombs, or pedestals ; and during some reparation, or from peculiar circumstances, were placed as they are now seen. The want of chronological order ap- parent in their arrangement, the crowded position, and the absence of any similar instances, assisted by the fact that ' Mills' " History of the Crusades," Vol. II. p. 9. ^ As quoted in " Facts relating to the Temple Church." by J. Jekyll, Esq. LofC. n THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 23 on excavating the ground beneath the northernmost group during the repairs in 1811, no coffins or remains were discovered, are sufficient evidence in support of the asser- tion. To identify the various statues, with the exception of three or four, appears at this time to be impossible. We learn from Gough ^ that the first figure of the southernmost group, is representative of Geoffrey deMagnaville, Earl of Essex, who was killed in the year 1148, while besieging the castle at Burwell : and having been buried in the old Temple before mentioned, was afterwards removed to the present building. In this figure, the right arm is placed upon the breast, and the left supports a shield charged with rays on a diamond ground, now almost obliterated. The sword, as is the case with two of the other effigies, hangs on the right hand side.^ The next figure, which is represented as sheathing the sword, is of William Marshall, Le Mareschall, Earl of Pembroke, who died 1219 : the shield, slung on his left arm, was charged with a lion rampant, which formed part of his arms ; this however is now nearly illegible.^ His son William Marshall, second Earl of Pembroke, who died in April 1230, is commemorated, it is stated, by the fourth effigy, a larger figure^ and in a better state of pre- 1 " Sepulchral Monuments of Great Britain." Vol. I. Part i. p. 23. 2 In relation to the charge on the shield of this statue, Gough Cut sup.) observes in his introduction, (p. cv.) * the first instance of arms on a shield on monuments, given by Montfaucon, in France, is in 1109; the oldest I have met with in England, is on the shield of Geoffrey Magnaville Earl of Essex, in the Temple Church.' 3 " Upon William the elder, his tomb, I some years since read in the upper part Comes Pemhrochice, and upon the side this verse ; . . . . Miles eram Martis, Mars multos vicerat armis." Camden's ''Britannia." Middlesex. ^4 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. servation than the others. The sword is suspended on the right side of the figure. The third is much smaller than the others, and repre- sents a youthful knight^ bare-headed, with a cowl about his neck ; *' as if," says Mr. Pennant,^ *^ according to common superstition in early days, he had desired to be buried in the dress of a monk, least the evil spirit should take possession of his body." His arms are crossed devotionally upon his breast, and the shield, which is slung on the left arm, is charged with three water bougets, the insignia of the Ros family. Weever, ^ from a portion of a Latin inscription apper- taining to one of these cross-legged effigies which he dis- covered amongst the Cottonian M.S.S. and applied to this statue, supposes it to represent Robert Ros, a Templar who presented to the order the manor of Ribston, and died in the year 1245. Gough, however, assigns this figure, on the au- thority of Bishop Tanner, to the second Lord Ros, surnamed Fursan, as the person who actually presented Ribston to the Templars. He died 1227. The stone coffin en-dos-d'ane forms the fifth subject in this group, and may be regarded with interest. The ridges and angles of its cover present a kind of cross, the top of which Gough states, for it is now hardly discoverable, ter- minated in a trefoil. " The foot rests on a bull's head, or perhaps a ram's, referring to the Holy Lamb ; and from the middle of the shaft, issue two fleurets or leaves." This, he supposed, may be the monument of William Plantagenet, fifth son of Henry III. who, we know, was buried some- v^here in the church, a. d. 1256, but the size of it much militates against the assertion, ^ " Some Account of London." 5th Edition, p. 222. 2 " Funeral Monuments," as quoted in " Illustrations of Public Buildings of London," ut sup. Vol. \\. p. 14L THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 25 Of the figures composing the second group, namely, that on the northern side of the area, little or nothing is known. One of them, it appears from Camden and Weever, is meant for Gilbert Marshall, the third Earl of Pembroke, who was killed by falling from his horse in a tournament at Hertford in the year 1 24 1 ; and one might be tempted from the general resemblance of the third, or centre figure, to that of the second Earl of that name (before particu- larised) more especially in the peculiar size, and from the circumstance of the sword hanging at the right side of it, to point to this as the one intended for him. Camden however savs that the statues of William, and his sons WiUiam and Gilbert, all marshals of England and Earls of Pembroke, were still to be seen in this Temple, cross- legged ; and as this figure is not so, we are unable to hold the position. The fifth figure, numbering from the southernmost, which is cross-legged and has an unusually plaintive and pleasing aspect, has been by some assigned to him. The first figure in this group may be noticed as having foliage or roses sculptured on either side of the cushion which supports the head ; and the fourth for the peculiarly spirited manner in which the individual is represented, as trampling on a dragon, and at the same time drawing his sword. Gough, mentions, as a circumstance communicated to him on good authority, that a Hertfordshire baronet made application to the society of Benchers, '' for some of these cross-legged knights," to adorn a parochial chapel newly erected by him ; but that they, discovering as much good sense as regard for the remnants of ancient times, refused compliance. At the present moment the absurdity of the application, (now apparent to all, but seemingly then refused 26 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. without any expression of surprise,) induces involuntarily a smile ; and this anecdote is therefore interesting, as afford- ing one example, among many, of the vast change in pub- lic opinion relative to the works of our forefathers, which has taken place so happily, and so universally within a few years. The remnants of the past have proved, and will prove, stepping-stones for the future. While telling us by intelligible signs what things have been, they appeal to our pride, forbid us to recede, and eloquently point out the way for an approach to excellence. The oblong portion of the church, or Choir , which is one of the most pure and elegant examples extant of the early pointed style, is divided by clustered columns into three unequal ailes ; the side ailes being each about two-thirds the width of that in the centre. The clustered columns, which are four in number on each side, and do not consist of small independent shafts, as in the circular building, but form solid pillars, are extremely light and elegant, and are connected by pointed arches, the soffits of which are divided into numerous mouldings. The groining of the centre aile, which is of stone, is formed merely by cross-springers, consisting of simple mouldings, which rise from the caps of the columns, and have carved bosses at the intersections. Over the side ailes similar ribs are re- ceived on the caps of columns attached to the walls, but here they rise more pointedly, in order to make the ceiling to the three parts, the same height from the ground. In each of the five compartments, into which the side walls are thus divided, occurs a triple lancet-headed window occupying nearly the whole space ; so nearly indeed, as to form each side of the church into a continued series of open- ings and muUions, and to give to it an astonishingly light and graceful appearance. The mouldings around the heads of THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 27 the triple windows are supported by small insulated columns, banded for strength near the center, and, as well as the columns themselves, are very beautiful in their details, as may be seen by our engraving of this portion of the building. At the eastern end are three windows precisely similar to those in the ailes, excepting that the one in the centre is considerably larger than any of the others, and has in the spandrels formed by the line of groining, two small quatre- foil panels ; the only instance of the occurrence of this ornament throughout the church. Like many others of our old sacred buildings, this part of the Temple Church is sadly disfigured ; not merely by the pewing, which, although an evil so far as regards the ap- pearance of our religious buildings, is yet a necessary one, but by the anomalous introduction of various fittings in the classic style ; such as the altar-piece, the pulpit, and the organ-gallery.^ The former, which is of oak, is a heavy com- position of Corinthian columns &c., but presents in the wreaths of flowers, by which it is adorned, several specimens of most exquisite carving, to be ascribed almost with cer- tainty to Grinling Gibbons. The pulpit and sounding- board, also of oak, are elaborately carved, but in point of execution may not be compared with the altar-piece. The organ-screen bears on it the date of its erection, 1682 ; about which time probably, (or shortly after, for the building was repaired in 1695,) many other inconsistencies, remains of which are still apparent on the outside of the church, were executed. The roof above the choir, which is of a very steep pitch, is somewhat singular in construction. Against the south wall of the choir at the east end, oc- ' The Organ is remarkable for its excellence, and is one of the oldest in London. 28 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. curs a recumbent figure of a bishop, (holding a crosier in his hand, and clad in the pontifical robes,) resting on an altar- tomb, about 18 inches from the ground, and surrounded by an iron railing. This figure, which is boldly, we may almost say beautifully sculptured, has given rise like those in the circular nave, to much discussion ; some supposing it to commemorate Heraclius, the patriarch of Jerusalem, who, as we have said, consecrated the church in the year 1185. On the 7 th of December, 1810, this tomb was opened, and within it was found an entire skeleton of a man wrapped in sheet lead, with several pieces of a crosier, or pastoral staff by his side.^ There were also found portions of the skele- ton of an infant ; a circumstance involved in much mystery. The dust in the coffin Mr. Jekyll relates,^ was carefully sifted, in the hope of discovering an episcopal ring, but without success. It appeared, however, that the tomb had been previously examined, and most probably rifled ; (per- haps by Wat Tyler's band,) for the leaden envelope, part of which had perished, had been cut down the centre by a blunt instrument of some sort. If this, then, were the tomb of Heraclius, who as we know, returned from England to Jerusalem, it is clear he must have been brought here a second time, and, as it would appear, expressly for the purpose of sepulture. The Temple church was accounted so holy, that the most distinguished people in the kingdom as- ^ According to the ordinances of the Pope, a bishop was not to be con- sidered inaugurated until he had received from the Pope's agent the pall and crosier, for which a comparatively large sum of money was required. These were usually buried with their owner, either on superstitious grounds, or more probably as it would appear, in order that the new bishop might not fancy that the old crosier would suit his purpose as well as a new one, and so defraud the Pope of liis /m /-(//yearned dues. ^ " Facts Relating to the Temple Church," ut supra. Dr,>.wn.hyR.W.}iinu. Uruiraved, I'uJ.Lr Ki'i/.i:. nrjKMFjLJii: cjuiuiiicini,, iTLtiirioT o{ die CirnaJaT pari. LonJ^n. /'uJjIisIuuI. by C. liJt, Fhuit Strtift July I l837 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 29 pired to be buried there ; ^ and Mr. Jekyll thinks it not in the least unlikely that Heraclius was brought over : there is not however the slightest evidence of such a circumstance, nor does it seem even probable ; Heraclius on his return to the holy city having ** lived viciously, and died obscurely. "^ Malcolm states without question or comment,^ on the au- thority of Mr. Nichols, that this elegant monument is to the memory of Silvester de Everdon , who was Bishop of Car- lisle from 1246 to 1*255, when he was killed by a fall from a mettlesome horse ; and as we know that he was buried in this church, there can be but little doubt on the subject. In regard to the infant's skeleton found within the tomb, there havebeen severalsuppositions, but there is no certainty. If this be the tomb of Everdon, it does not appear out of character to suppose that the body of the infant, William ' The Temple was often made a storehouse for treasure too. Stow says on the authority of Matthew Paris, " that in the year 1232, Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, being prisoner in the Tower of London, the king was informed that he had much treasure laid up in this new Temple, under the custody of the Templars. Whereupon he sent for the Master of the Tem- ple, and examined him straightly ; who confessed that money being delivered unto him and his brethren to be kept, he knew not how much there was of it." And again, that in the year 1283, "Edward I. taking with him Robert Waleran and others, came to the Temple ; where calling for the keeper of the Treasure-house, as if he meant to see his mother's jewels that were laid up there to be safely kept, he entered into the house, breaking the coffers of certain persons that had likewise brought their money thither ; and he took away from thence to the value of £ 1000. Many parliaments and great councils have been there kept, as may appear by our histories." " Survey," ut sup. B. III. pp. 270, 271. ' Fuller's " Historic," m« sup. Heraclius, or Eraclius was born at Auvergne in France, and was in early life made Archbishop of Caesarea. In 1181, (an old M. S. quoted by the author of L' Art de Verifier les Dates, says 1180.) he was " for his handsomenesse " made Patriarch of Jerusalem, and caused great scandal soon after the appointment by his conduct. He died A.D. 1193. ^ Londinium Redivivum, Vol. II. p. 294. 30 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. Plantagenet, before mentioned, who was buried here about 1256, may have been placed within it : as however there is no authority for such an assertion, it is advanced with the greatest diffidence. Against the north wall, at the east end, is a figure to the memory of Edmund Plowden the lawyer ; who died 1584 : ^ it is recumbent on an altar tomb, with a composed alcove ; and at the west end of the church is a figure, kneel- ing before a desk beneath a canopy or alcove similar in out- line to the last, in commemoration of — Martin, sometime Recorder of London. This monument has no date, but presents the following inscription : — " Salve, Lector. Martinus jacet hic ; si nescis caetera, quaere Interea tumuli : sis memor ipse tui. Vale, Jurisconsulte. Accedit totum precibus quacunque recedit, Litibus eternum sic tibi tempus erit." On the south wall, among many tablets to the memory of benchers and others, is one to Anne Lattleton, who died 1623, daughter-in-law to Sir Edward Littleton; and, immediately against it, a second to commemorate Clement Coke, son of Sir Edmund Coke ; a coincidence which can hardly escape notice. A long epitaph on the former, as recorded by Strype,^ ends thus prettily : * Plowden the celebrated author of the " Reports," studied the elements of legal knowledge, in which he afterwards became so eminent a proficient, at the Middle Temple, and held there the office of treasurer during the rebuilding of the great Hall ; in one of the windows of which, his arms, with the date 1576, still remain. This gentleman was of an ancient family in Shropshire, and a most distinguished lawyer and author. Herbert's " An- tiquities," ut supra, p. 269. 2 Strype's Edition of « Stow's Survey," &c. ut supra, B. IIL p. 272. 1 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 31 " Keep well this pawn, thou marble chest ; 'Till it be called for, let it rest. For while this jewel here is set. The grave is but a cabinet." The celebrated Selden who died in the year 1654, was also interred here. He is reported to have been super- eminently conversant with the laws and literature of his country; but, says Pennant, ''towards the close of his life, he was so thoroughly convinced of the vanity of all human knowledge, as to say that the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th verses of the second chapter of the epistle to Titus, afforded him more solid consolation than all he had ever read." ^ The general dimensions of the church within the walls are as follows. Diameter of the circular area, 58 feet. Length of the choir 82 feet. Width 58 feet, and Height 37 feet.2 The appearance presented at this moment by the exterior on the south side of the church, — which until a few years back, was hidden by various buildings now cleared away, — is perhaps sufficiently indicated by our engraving. This aspect however, given to it in the late restoration, was not extended to the other fronts of the church, probably for lack of funds. The northern half of the circular building, to be observed from some of the adjoining houses, presents battlements around the upper portion, (although probably this was not the original form,) instead of the close para- pet and corbels introduced on the other side ; and the roof over the aile, which is there covered with tiles, is seen from below. At the east end there are three high gables, each ' '' London,^' ut supra, p. 224. 2 Britton's " Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London." Vol. I. p. 144. 32 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. crowned by a small urn with a flame issuing from the neck of it, — a slight relic probably of the alterations and adorn- ments made at the end of the seventeenth century ; a period when an universal contempt for gothic architecture seems to have been displayed, and all were desirous to mould their ideas by the renmants of classic art which were then becom- ing generally known. This part of the building forms the subject of one of the illustrations. In concluding our account of this interesting edifice, we cannot avoid one remark in regard to the obvious altera- tions made in the character of the mouldings introduced on that side of the church which has been restored, more es- pecially of the choir. When no remnants of those portions of a building which are to be imitated exist, it only re- mains for the architect to study well the general character, and to design his details as much in accordance therewith as possible ; but when, as in this case, perfect examples of every moulding are to be seen, — more particularly if with the res- tored parts, some portions of the original are to be placed in juxta-position, — any departure therefrom must be usually not merely uncalled for, but deserving of censure. The present Master of the Temple is the Rev. C. Benson, A.M. ; well known to the literary and religious world as the author of '' The Bampton Lectures " for 1820 and 1822. THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 31 " Keep well this pawn, thou marble chest ; 'Till it be called for, let it rest. For while this jewel here is set, The grave is but a cabinet/' The celebrated Selden who died in the year 1654, was also interred here. He is reported to have been super- eminently conversant with the laws and literature of his country; but, says Pennant, '* towards the close of his life, he was so thoroughly convinced of the vanity of all human knowledge, as to say that the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th verses of the second chapter of the epistle to Titus, afforded him more solid consolation than all he had ever read." ^ The general dimensions of the church within the walls are as follows. Diameter of the circular area, 58 feet. Length of the choir 82 feet. Width 58 feet, and Height 37 feet.2 The appearance presented at this moment by the exterior on the south side of the church, — which until a few years back, was hidden by various buildings now cleared away, — is perhaps sufficiently indicated by our engraving. This aspect however, given to it in the late restoration, was not extended to the other fronts of the church, probably for lack of funds. The northern half of the circular building, to be observed from some of the adjoining houses, presents battlements around the upper portion, (although probably this was not the original form,) instead of the close para- pet and corbels introduced on the other side ; and the roof over the aile, which is there covered with tiles, is seen from below. At the east end there are three high gables, each ^ " London," ut supra, p. 224. Britton's " Illustrations of the Public Buildings of London." Vol. L p. 141. 32 THE TEMPLE CHURCH. crowned by a small urn with a flame issuing from the neck of it, — a slight relic probably of the alterations and adorn- ments made at the end of the seventeenth century ; a period when an universal contempt for gothic architecture seems to have been displayed, and all were desirous to moul^ their ideas by the remnants of classic art which were then becom- ing generally known. This part of the building forms the subject of one of the illustrations. In concluding our account of this interesting edifice, we cannot avoid one remark in regard to the obvious altera- tions made in the character of the mouldings introduced on that side of the church which has been restored, more es- pecially of the choir.' When no remnants of those portions of a building which are to be imitated exist, it only re- mains for the architect to study well the general character, and to design his details as much in accordance therewith as possible: but when, as in this case, perfect examples of every moulding are to be seen, — more particularly if with the res- tored parts, some portions of the original are to placed in juxta-position, — any departure therefrom must be usually not merely uncalled for, but deserving of censure. The present Master of the Temple is the Rev. C. Benson, A.M. ; well known to the literary and religious world as the author of '' The Hulsean Lectures " for 1820 and 1822. / b/nderV 7 9ft -a