2-995-676 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Inner Temple new Law Library, 1860. 'At the north-west comer of the Inner Temple Gardens, close to the river, stands...one of the latest ornamental additions to that side of the Thames...it is sufficiently "good" to make it a very noticeable feature among London improvements, and is certainly above the average as a specimen of modem domestic Gothic...The porch, with its angle statues of Richard Coeur-de-Lion and the Protector Pembroke, and the traceried window above, in the former, and the handsome bay window in the latter, are very good both in design and execution...The two side elevations appear to us poor in design, except the grotesques in the stringcourses...The lofty roof of red and grey tiles, with its dormers and lantern, is a good feature; but the very unsubstantial-looking chimney-shafts rising from the battlements are not good in effect...The whole of the exterior is of Bath stone, and will be more agreeable to the eye when its excessive lightness is toned down by Time...The windows will be filled with stained glass...Altogether it is a very creditable building, and has been erected from the designs and under the superintendence of the architect, Mr H. R. Abraham'. From "Illustrated London News", 1860.