VIII MR G. F. WATTS, R.A.-MEMORIAL OF THE GREAT FIRE-THE INNS OF COURT-THE TEMPLARS FEW men "rest from their labours" with such a record of a life well spent as that of the true artist who was recently taken from amongst us-G. F. Watts, R.A., who died at his home in Kensington. His aim was always high: he ever sought after truth, and ever tried to teach the world "the beauty of holiness" and of love-the strength of purity and courage, and the hatefulness of sin. We are all helped by such a life as his. A great artist, who lived for art-caring nothing for the titles that were offered him, or for public adulation; ever helpful to many men, and especially so to the younger workers in his own profession. Close to the General 162 FAMILIAR LONDON Post Office is the Church of St Botolph; and in the garden adjoining it, which was once the churchyard, there has been erected a memorial-very simple, but very touching-to men, women, and children whose lives were ended in heroic selfsacrifice of themselves for their fellow-creatures. A high wall on one side of the garden carries a lean-to roofing on oak pillars a shelter under which are seated many of the wearied workers in the City, resting their eyes on the flowers and trees and listening to the gentle tinkling of the little fountain before them-quite a peaceful spot to linger in for a while. The wall itself is lined with panels on which are given the names of those who died in saving the lives of others. This memorial was the work of Mr Watts, and the cost of it, I believe, was wholly borne by him. I understand that there is an intention to create some fund by which the record of such great examples of heroism may be carried on. There are at present thirteen of these panels. Two of them are perhaps the more particularly striking on account of their being a record of self-sacrifice in the case of mere children. they are: Here bricklayer's "Alice Ayres, daughter of a labourer, who by intrepid conduct saved three |