This Inn has its chief entrance out of Holborn through a large gate, though it is seated far backwards, and though with its gardens it takes up almost all the west side of Gray’s Inn lane. It consists of several well-built courts, particularly Holborn court, Coney court, and another at the entrance into the garden. The hall where the gentlemen of the society dine and sup is large and commodious; but the chapel is too small; it is a Gothic structure, and has marks of much greater antiquity than any other part of the building.
The chief ornament belonging to this Inn, is its spacious garden, the benefit of which is enjoyed by the public, every body decently dressed being allowed the recreation of walking in it every day. This garden consists of gravel walks, between vistas of very lofty trees, of grass plats, agreeable slopes, and a long terras with a portico at each end; this terras is ascended by a handsome flight of steps. Till lately there was a summer-house erected by the great Sir Francis Bacon, upon a small mount: it was open on all sides, and the roof supported by slender pillars. A few years ago the uninterrupted prospect of the neighbouring fields, as far as the hills of Highgate and Hampstead, was obstructed by a handsome row of houses on the north; since which the above summer-house has been levelled, and many of the trees cut down to lay the garden more open. The part represented in the print is the lower side of Coney court, containing the chapel, hall, &c. and is the principal square of this Inn (which is a very considerable one) belonging to the gentlemen of the long robe.
Gray’s Inn lane, Holborn Bars.
Gray’s Inn Library, which is kept in Coney court, Gray’s Inn, consists of a considerable number of books in several languages, and on different branches of learning; but more particularly on law, for the use of the gentlemen of the Inn.
Gray’s Inn passage, 1. Field court, Gray’s Inn. 2. Red Lion street, Holborn.
Grays Thurrock, a town in Essex, nineteen miles from London, so called from its ancient Lords the Grays of Codnor. It has a very good market for corn and cattle.
Great Almonry, Tothill street, Westminster. See Almonry.
Great Arthur street, Goswell street.†
Great Ashentree court, White Friars.‡
Great Bacon yard, Goswell street.