Middle Temple - Fountain Court, ca.1885

From: Henry Dixon & Son

RA Collection: Art

"Fountain Court (No.101) "is adorned, " says Hatton, "with an excellent Fountain of Water, which is kept in so good order as always to force its Stream to a vast and almost incredible altitude. It is fenced with Timber Pallisadoes, constituting a Quadrangle, wherein grow several lofty Trees, and without are Walks extending on every side of the Quadrangle, all paved with Purbeck, very pleasant and delightful (New View of London, II., 786).The stream must surely have shrunk since Hatton's day, and alterations in late years have not improved the surroundings of the fountain. Fountain Court is still, however, "very pleasant and delightful" Readers of these notes will not need to be reminded that this spot was a great favourite with Dickens. Here it was that Tom Pinch, coming out of the Temple, used to meet his sister Ruth. (Martin Chuzzlewit, chap.xlv.)"

The above description, by Alfred Marks, was taken from the letterpress which accompanies the photographs.