ROOM IN INNER TEMPLE GATE-HOUSE, 1899 The building dated from the year 1610, and this room is interesting from the fact that it has fine panelling, and a beautiful plaster ceiling with the Prince of Wales's feathers and the initials P. H., which apply to Henry, elder son of James I. The house has been bought by the London County Council, and is being partly restored and partly rebuilt. moulded after the manner of groin ribs, but later their flat surfaces were ornamented. The ceiling of No. 17 Fleet Street is of this kind. In what seems to have been the centre of the chief design, enclosed by a star-shaped border, are the Prince of Wales's feathers, with the motto "Ich Dien" on a scroll beneath, and the letters P. H. Surrounding the centre is a well-arranged system of geometric patterns with appropriate ornament. Along the south side of the room a series of small, oblong panels occur; on one of them are the arms of the Vintners' Company-a chevron between three tuns. There is no record of the Vintners having been connected with the Gate-house; but perhaps its first owner belonged to this Guild, for we know that one of his executors - Ralph Marshe-was vintner. The ceiling is now coloured throughout, and although the paint has no doubt been renewed again and again, and the delicacy of the ornament is therefore somewhat obliterated, one must bear in mind that there is here something of the original effect, for in the old stucco work colour and gilding were largely employed. Spenser reminds us of this in his well-known lines :— Gold was the parget, and the ceiling bright a |