ST. JOHN’S GATE, CLERKENWELL.
This building is the only relic of that once powerful military order of monks, St. John of Jerusalem. The priory was established about 1100, but it was forty years after this that they became a military order, and the noblest of the time sought admission into its ranks. In the thirteenth century they were said to possess thirteen thousand manors, in various Christian lands. The house was suppressed by Henry VIII., who used it as a military storehouse. In the reign of James I. the gate was given to Sir Roger Wilbraham. Here, in 1730, Cave printed the “Gentleman’s Magazine,” which still bears a view of the gate on its cover; it is now used as a public-house, and called the Old Jerusalem Tavern. It has lately been partially restored by voluntary subscriptions.
PITY THE POOR BLIND!
The blind must gain a livelihood, as well as those who are blest with sight; but, alas! how few are the arts which can be performed by one so bereft: hence the necessity of an appeal to the benevolent—“Pity the poor blind!” He sells cabbage-nets, kettle-holders, or laces, doubtless the work of his own hands in the evenings, which we term “blindman’s holiday.”—We are proceeding along Fleet Street, soon to pass under
TEMPLE BAR,
which is the only remaining city gate. It was built in 1670, by Sir Christopher Wren, after the great fire. On this, the city side, are statues of James and Anne of Denmark; on the other are Charles I. and II. The gate is now only closed on such occasions as the Queen going in state to the city, when she is not admitted until the pursuivant has knocked and permission been granted by the Lord Mayor.
On the top of this gate were formerly exhibited the heads of traitors: the last exposed here were those of persons who suffered after the rebellion of 1745.