[Illustration: OLD TEMPLE BAR, FLEET STREET (NOW AT THEOBALD’S PARK).] The Temple Church, which belongs to both Inns of Court, is one of the few pieces of Norman architecture which survive to us in London. It is round in shape, now a rare thing. On the floor, and in many other places, may be seen the Templars’ emblem—the red cross on a white ground with the Paschal Lamb in the centre. Figures of departed knights keep watch over this strange church, their legs crossed to signify (so it is said) that they had fought in one or other of the Crusades. [Illustration: The Strand from the ... Castle Hill. Ealing. York House. Durham House. Bedford House.] [Illustration: ... Thames in the XVI^{cent} Temple Church. Somerset House. Arundel House. Essex House. Whitefriars Stairs.] The Temple Gardens, which still run down to the Embankment, were one time famous for their roses, and, according to Shakespeare, were the scene of that famous argument which led to the bitter struggle known as the War of the Roses. You probably remember the famous passage, ending with the lines— “And here I prophesy—this brawl to-day, Grown to this faction in the Temple Garden, Shall send between the red rose and the white A thousand souls to death and deadly night.” _First Part of King Henry VI._, Act II. Sc. 4. Westwards from the Temple as far as Westminster stretched a practically unbroken line of palaces, each standing in beautiful grounds which sloped down in terraces to the water’s edge. There was Somerset House, which for long was a Royal residence. Lord Protector Somerset began the building of it in 1549, pulling down a large part of St. Paul’s cloisters and also the churches of St. John’s, Clerkenwell, and St. Mary’s le Strand to provide the materials for his builders; but long before its completion Somerset was executed for treason, and the property went to the Crown. Here Elizabeth lived occasionally while her sister Mary was reigning. The old palace was pulled down in 1756, and the present fine building erected on the site. This modern structure, with its fine river front, so well combines strength and elegance that it seems a pity it does not stand clear of other buildings.