DOWNING STREET.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1917, Page 6

DOWNING STREET.

Downing Street, which lias been the focus of the world's attention, is named after Sir George Downing, - whom Pepys called ('a perfidious rogue," and of rogues he was a gretty gooc judge. Downing was the son of a Puritan gentleman who had emigrated to Saiem,in.Neiv England, was born in 1G23, and was second in the graduate roll of Havard in 104-2. Soon after this he returned to England with an accommodating conscience and a boundless ambition, .rie got to know the protector, CromweH, by whom he was appointed chaplain to the regiment of which the regicide, Colonel Okey, was commander, then he graduated as Scout-master-General of the Parliamentary army, becoming eventually England's Ambassador to the Netherlands. But Downing mas not so prejudiced in favor of Puritanism (though be had "done the lacqueying to Cromwell's coach") as to bo unable to accept a post under the Government of Charles 11., with the result, as Mr. Pascoe says, that he attained to "diplomatic rank, knighthood, baronetcy; all that parcel of land now named Downing Street and all the houses thereon erected by himself; and the last, not least, £BO,OOO (so we are told) in bonds and good sterling English." Upon this parcel of land he build some houses, in one of which he lived, and it is probable that the din-ing-room of that . '-perfidious rogue" George Downing, is „ ow the Cabinet room of 10, Downing Street I