Piccadilly: St James' Square

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Sir Walter Besant, in The Fascination of London, published in 1903, continues his survey of Piccadilly with this look at St James' Square:

St. James's Square is redolent of old memories.

It was, as has been stated, built by Henry Jermyn, Earl of St. Albans.

The square seems to have been a fashionable locality from its very foundation, and, curiously enough, has escaped the fate of so many of its compeers, and still (1903) continues aristocratic.

The workmanship of all the houses was solid and durable, and as soon as they were built they were occupied.

A catalogue of the names of the early inhabitants would occupy much space: titled men, men eminent in letters, science and political life, thronged the arena.

The proximity to the Court was a great attraction.

The centre of the square was at first left in a neglected condition, a remnant of the "Fields" on which the houses had been built, and it served as a base for the displays of fireworks which were given after the taking of Namur and the Peace of Ryswick.

In 1726 a Bill was passed in Parliament for the cleansing and beautifying of the square, which had become a disgrace to the neighbourhood, being a mere offal-heap.

An ornamental basin was constructed and the square paved, and a bronze equestrian statue of William III, clad, according to the ludicrous custom of a bygone time, in Roman habit, was erected in 1808, on a pedestal which had been built for it in the centre of the basin years before.

The water in this basin is associated with at least one historic scene, for in the riots of 1780 the malcontents threw the keys of Newgate into it, where they remained undiscovered for many years.

The basin was finally drained in 1840, trees were planted, and the garden laid out.

Among the historic associations is one of a memorable night, when Dr. Johnson and Richard Savage paced round and round the square for lack of a lodging, and pledged each other, as they separated, to stand by their country.

Next: St James' Square: Norfolk House