A little behind the north east side of the square is the above chapel, which was built about the year 1622 or 1623, on pillars, with an ambulatory or walk underneath, paved with broad stones. This walk, particularly when illuminated by the lamps, inspires the mind with a kind of melancholy pleasure, that may be better felt than described. The outside of the chapel is a good piece of Gothic architecture, and the windows are painted with the figures at full length of the principal personages mentioned in the sacred Scriptures. On the twelve windows on the north side, are Abraham, Moses, Eli, David, and the prophets Daniel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Amos, and Zachariah, with John the Baptist, and St. Paul, and on the south side are the rest of the Apostles. Under these figures are the arms of a great number of the gentlemen belonging to this society. The colours in these paintings being extremely bright and beautiful, it is not at all surprizing that these pictures on glass should be much admired, though the designs are in reality but poor, and there is little expression in the faces.
In the old buildings fronting the garden beyond the square, is the library, which consists of a good collection of books in several languages and faculties.
S. Wale delin. J. Fougeron sculp.
Lincoln’s Inn.
Lincoln’s Inn Fields, is universally allowed to be the largest, and one of the most beautiful squares in London, if not in Europe. It is encompassed on three sides by houses, and on the east by the wall of the terrace of Lincoln’s Inn garden. The north side is called Newman’s row, the west side Arch row, the south side Portugal row, and the east side Lincoln’s Inn wall. This square was originally laid out by the masterly hand of Inigo Jones, and it is said that the sides of it are the exact measure of the great Pyramid of Egypt. It was intended to have been built all in the same stile; but there were not a sufficient number of people of taste, to accomplish so great a work. The house which was late the Duke of Ancaster’s, is built on this model; but elevated and improved so as to make it more suitable to the quality of the owner. It has that simple grandeur which characterises all the designs of the celebrated Inigo Jones. The print here given of it may serve to convey some idea not only of this particular house, but of the noble appearance which the whole square would have made had it been all built after this fine design.
Some of the houses however in this square are grand and noble, but they are far from having that beauty which arises from uniformity. The square is now adorned with a fine bason in the middle, well supplied with water; and with grass plats and gravel walks, encompassed with an iron pallisade fixed upon a stone plinth, at a proper distance from the buildings.
Lincoln’s Inn gate, on the south side of Lincoln’s Inn square.
Lincoln’s Inn passage, on the west side of Lincoln’s Inn square.
Linton’s court, Near New Gravel lane.†
Linton’s lane, Newington Butts.†