ilding, 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."

The south side of the square has never been held in such esteem as the
remaining three-fourths. But the Junior Carlton Club, facing Pall Mall,
has removed this stigma; it is a fine specimen of architecture.
Demolition, previous to reconstruction, has already begun next to it.
After this as far as John Street is a row of comparatively insignificant
narrow houses of various heights and styles. Some of the houses on the
north side of Pall Mall were built before the completion of the square,
so that there was no room for large mansions here. At the corner of John
Street and Pall Mall is what is called "Ye Olde Bull Tavern," a square
box-like stuccoed house. This is probably contemporary with the first
building of Pall Mall, and may have been the substitute of the
seventeenth century wits and men of letters for the magnificent clubs of
the present day.

Charles Street was built about 1671, and was, of course, named after the
King. Burke and Canning are numbered among the former residents.

York Street was named in compliment to the Duke of York, afterwards
James II. It may be noted that the four streets surrounding the square
form the names King Charles and Duke of York.

Bury Street was named after a Mr. Berry, who was landlord of many of the
houses; the spelling is a corruption. Sir Richard Steele lodged here,
also Thomas Moore and Crabbe, the poet, during one of his later visits
to London, when contact with cultured men had rubbed off his early
boorishness.

"St. James's Street is much more remarka