THE HALL OF BARNARD'S INN EXCEPT the ancient hall, here pictured, and a little open space, planted with trees that still bear their burden of leaf in the summer, practically nothing remains of Barnard's Inn. It was within recent memory a delightful bit of old London, surviving on the very edge of the city. To enter the Inn out of the roar and bustle of Holborn was to go back at a step into the metropolis of two and three centuries ago. Old gabled houses in Fetter Lane, with their overhanging fronts, still happily standing, formed the eastward boundary. South it was partly shut in by houses of a similar character which overlooked the buildings and courtyard of the White Horse Inn, now destroyed. A narrow passage was the only entrance, passing by the side of a tiny lawn, close cropped, which stood before the hall. Luckily, when a change of ownership took place in 1891, Barnard's Inn was acquired by a great City Company, the Mercers, and in their hands the preservation of the ancient hall is assured. Its age is somewhat difficult to fix. It appears to be Elizabethan, dating between Gray's Inn Hall, begun in Queen Mary's reign, and the magnificent hall of the Middle Temple, (1572), but Mr. Philip Norman believes its earliest parts to be fifteenth century. Externally the hall makes small pretence red brick walls, with red tiles on the roof, capped by a lantern which shows an excellent example of early leadwork. Its charm is apparent directly the visitor enters the door. Sunlight streams in through long windows, emblazoned with many coats of arms, and, taking a rosy tint, illuminates the recesses of the oak roof and the fluted wainscot panelling of the walls, displaying to advantage some delicate carving. A large open fireplace is built at each end, with the wainscoting carried up high out of reach. The roof has evidently been reconstructed at a later date, and there is now no opening in it to the lantern. Originally Barnard's Inn was the town residence of Dr. John Mackworth, Dean of Lincoln in the reign of Henry VI. By him it was bequeathed to the Chapter of Lincoln Cathedral, that Masses might be said for the repose of his soul. Soon afterwards it passed by lease to the lawyers, who were there as early as 1454, and was converted into an Inn of Chancery, attached to Gray's Inn. A Reader at one time went from Gray's Inn for the instruction of the students, and apparently was received in the hall with great ceremony, but as to what he read, and who paid him, it was stated before the Royal Commission on the Inns of Court and Chancery in 1855, there was no minute whatever. Lyonel Barnard, whose name the Inn bears, happened to be the occupant when the lawyers took possession. Chief Justice Holt was for some time Principal of Barnard's Inn, and his portrait, with those of Lord Burghley, Bacon, and a few others used to hang from the walls, but not long ago they were transferred to the National Portrait Gallery. Few records of the Inn survive. There is a curious entry in Queen Elizabeth's reign that one Warren was fined £1 6s. 8d. -then a substantial sum-" for wearing his hat in hall, and for his long hair, and otherwise misdemeaning himself.' W. B. |