Out of Print
Preface In the summer of 1943 the Lord Chief Justice of England, Viscount Caldecote, then Trasurer of Inner Temple, suggested to me that I might complete an account of the various air raids from which the Temple had suffered. I gladly undertook the task. Mr Roy robinson, oyur Sub-Treasurer, supplied me with the material, largely in his own record of events, but supplemented by the accounts of many others.
I did not hurry over the business. For though when Lord Caldecote proposed it, we had not had an air raid for over two years, there seemed no certainty that they might not begin again, and I might have to make additions to the story. Now in the Long Vacation of 1944, I have thought I might safely complete my work. And I have finished it when Paris has been occupied by the Allies and German forces are in headlong retreat.
I am not sure that my name ought to appear as Editor or even Compiler of this record. For my task has been little more that copying passages from the written matter supplied by Mr. Robinson and others. To him the Honourable Society owes a great debt of gratitude not only in this respect, but, as the record shows, for very much besides.
But the chief reason why I have allowed my name to appear as Editor is because I have not found it possible to avoid some expressions of opinion - eg. as to the superiority of taste of 1650 over that of 1850. i think I ought to assume the responsibilty for those expressions, which is solely mine. F.D. MACKINNON. 26th August, 1944.
