St James' Square: Nell Gwynne

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Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of St James' Square with a look at Nell Gwynne's house:

At the south-east corner of King Street, in the square, was Cleveland House, which has been demolished and replaced by "mansions."

Apsley and Winchester Houses follow.

The former was rebuilt by Robert Adam in 1772-74, and follows the well-known lines of his work, with fluted pilasters rising from above the basement to an entablature.

The entrance has the fan-shaped glass above the door so characteristic of Adam's work.

Winchester House was from 1826 to 1875 occupied by the Bishops of that see, and was later a branch of the War Office, several departments of which are still here.

The next magnificent building, which really faces George Street, but was formerly considered to be in the square, is one of the palatial clubs evolved by the demands of modern luxury.

The house which formerly stood here was used by the Parthenon Club from 1837-41, and was subsequently pulled down to make way for the present clubhouse, opened 1851, and built from designs by Parnell and Smith.

The exterior is a combination of Sansovino's Palazzo Cornaro and the Library of St. Mark at Venice.

The lower part follows Sansovino's beautiful work very closely.

On the site of this stood formerly a house belonging to Nell Gwynne, of which Pennant writes: "The back-room of the ground-floor was (within memory) entirely of looking-glass, as was said to have been the ceiling; over the chimney was her picture, and that of her sister in a third room."

He describes this house as the "first good one on the left hand of St. James's Square entered from Pall Mall."

Next: Pall Mall: Ye Olde Bull Tavern