The Sun.
London, England, 1845-10-31 00:00:00

OPENING THE NEW HALL,
LINCOLN'S INS, BY 11Er, MAJESTY AND
PRINCE ALBERT.

This monument to future generations, of the munificence,
spirit, and taste of the Benchers of Lincoln's Inn, of the
nineteenth century, was opened yesterday by her Majesty,
her Royal Consort, and some of the first nobility in the
county, with great form and ceremony. As we
have not hi herto given any account of this mag-
nificent building, alike creditable to the taste of the
benchers and tLe architect, it may be as well that we should
do so before giving that of its opening by our Gracious Queen.
Within two years and a half the whole pile of buildings, more
elaborate in design and superior in execution than any of the
Halls of the other Inns of Court, has been not only
raised from the ground, but decorated and furnished coin-
i•letely. The whole building extends upwards of 230 feet

from north to south, in a direct line, but not in a uniform
range, it being, conformably with the arrangement of the in-
terior, broken up externally into thr: e principal masses,
whereby considerable play of outline and a pleasing diversity
of composition are obtained, hat carry with thou a charm pf
their own, which frequently impresses more forcibly than mere
beauty. The three main divisions consist of the hall at the
south end; the library at the north, which is placed trans-
versely to the rest of the plan, its length being in the direc-
tion of east and west, while the intermediate portion com-
prises the council-room on its east tide, the drawing-room on
its west ; with a vestibule of general communication between
them opening at one end into the great hall, and at the oppo-
site one into the library, so that from the latter room a long
and varied vista may be obtained, terminating in the great
south window of the hall. Although these apartments, cons i-
tuting the whole of the upper part of the structure, are over the
floor level with the terrace; the approach and ascent to them
is on the outside, yet not entirely, as there is an inner flight
of steps besides those leading up from the terrace. There is,
indeed, an entrance also to the lower floor, but it is intended as
quite a secondary and private one, except that it communi-
cates directly with what is called the bombers' room, with a
richly ornamented ceiling. The common entrance to the
hall is at the south or lower end of it, through the oak
screen beneath the gallery. And even before it. is entered,
or if access into it cannot be obtained at all, a clear view of
it may be enjoyed through the screen itself, the latter consisting
of open compartments, each of which is filled in with a single
sheet of plate glass. Whether it be entered from this, or the
upper end, upon the dais, the coup d'ceil is splendid. This
banquetting room is a truly noble and worthy specimen of
the magnificent class to which it belongs—we might safely
pronounce it the most magnificent specimen of that class of
modern date, for if it falls short of them, and earlier ones, in
some particulars, it surpasses them in others, and is of more
uniform excellence throughout. Its dimensions are 120 feet
by 45, increased at the north end to 60 by the two spacious.
oriels at the extremities of the dais, which cause that part of
the hall to become a kind of transept. A fine open roof of
oak, somewhat similar in design to the celebrated one of
Westminster Hall, produces a powerful degree of character as
well as magnificence. Its wi-dows, which are filled in with a
profusion of painted glass in their 'leper half, exhibiting
armorial bearings and a variety of devices, give the new hail
an air of finished grandeur and richness which cause it to
eclipse nearly all other structures of the kind.
After the ball itself the library is the most important part
of the interior, both for its size and its architectural character.
It is 80 feet in length by 40 feet in width, and 48 feet high ;
and terminates at each end in a lofty, spacious, and deeply-
recessed oriel, whose window forms three sides of an octagon,
while the other two sides, or embrasure in the thickness of
the walls, are richly adorned with shafts, panels, mouldings,
and other architectural details. The same, or even an in-
creased degree of decoration is bestowed upon the ceilings,
which are framed in by an arch, forming the head of 'the ge-
neral recess. The windows themselves are of unusually rich de-
sign for their kind, their heads being filled with tracery ; and
the mode here adopted for the glazing generally is singularly
tasteful and happy in effect. Instead of being of the usual
lozenge form, the quarrels consist of small circles, or pater
of moulded glass and their interstices, whereby the appearance
becomes that of delicate network; and, diapering also, the
light is in some degree refracted, in consequence of
the surface of the glass being embossed. Besides these two
beautiful windows, there are three others on the north side,
in the gallery over the bookcases,which are not only against
the walls, but are made in the lower part of the room to form
seven recesses. We must not pass over the vestibule

between the hall and library, for it is a very interest-
ing, piquant, and scenic bit, the centre of it forming an
octagon with open arches, can led up as a directory cr
spacious lantern, with windows on its sides, partially filled
in with painted glass. The adjoining rooms right and left,
the council and drawing-room, are, though rather plain, in
excellent taste, without anything to strike in description,
yet with much to ctiptivate by edict. One thing, however,
there is for notice in them, which is, that their ribbed ceilings
are of pained deal, which would hardly be supposed by
those who have never before seen any specimen of that
wood when brought to perfection, by being slightly stained
and polished, whereby it acquires a depth of tone and a lustre
rivalling those of the most expensive wcods.
The preparations for the reception of her Majesty and her
Royal Consort, and the distinguished guests expected to
grace the inauguration of this splendid building, have been
goin on for some time past, and were not concluded till late
on Wednesday night.
Although it had been announced that her Majesty was not
expected to arrive before half-past one or two o'clock, long
before that hour every part of the Inn from which a glimpse
of her Majesty could be obtained was occupied.
Her Majesty and her Illustrious Consort, escorted by a de-
tachment of Life Guards, arrived at the hall soon after one,
and were received at the south entrance by the Treasurer,
the Duke of Wellington, the Earl of Aberdeen, Sir James
Graham, • and most of the benchers of the Inn, who attended
her Majesty through the centre of the hall into the vestibule.
Her Majesty, who looked extremely well, was dressed in a
blue bonnet with blue feathers, a rich Indian shawl of scarlet
and gold, and a white lace dress.
Her Maje. ty was accompanied through the hall by her
Royal Consort, who wore a field-marshal's uniform, by
some of her ladies in waiting, and by several of the Officers
of the Household. Sometime previous to the arrival of her
Majesty, his Grace the Duke of Wellington, who appeared in
excellent health, the Lord Chancellor, Sir James Graham,
the Earl of Aderdeen, the Duke of Richmond, the Speaker of
the House of Commons, Lords Cottenham and Campbell,
the Vice-Chancellor of England, and Vice-Chancellors
Knight Bruce and Wigram, entered the hall, which
was at this time filled almost to suffocation by
barristers and students, who cheered her Majesty and her
Royal Consort most enthusiastically as they proceeded up the
hall.
The Queen and the ladies in attendance upon her having
retired to the Council-room, the Treasurer, the Duke of Wel-
lington, and the other personages of distinction remained in
the next drawing-room until her Majesty left her retiring-
room, when the Treasurer conducted her and his R
Highness Prince Albert to the library, accompanied by the
visitors and benchers.
The Queen being seated on the chair of state, with his
Royal Highness Pi ince Albert on her left hand, the Treasurer,
accompanied by the benchers and the deputation of barristers
and students, read the address from the society, and presented
the same to her Majesty on his knee; after which, as we
understood, her Majesty conferred on him the honour of
knighthood.
The ancient book, recording the names of the illustrious
visitors in the time of his Majesty King Charles the Second,
was then placed on a table in the library, for the inspection
of her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, both
of whom, as we understand, inscribed their names in it.
Ths Treasurer then conducted the Queen again through
the vestibule to the centre of the table at the north end of
the hall, and placed her Majesty under the canopy of state,
with Prince Albert on her right h nd.
During this ceremony the barristers and students remained
standing in the hall. Grace having been said, hefillajesty
commanded all present to be seated. Her Majesty, during
the dejeuner, wore her bonnet, and repeatedly laughed and
chatted with the Treasurer and the Prince, the latter of
whom was seated on her Majesty's right, ,and the former on
her left hand.
After the conclusion of the dejeuner, the Treasurer, by the
permission of her Majesty, proposed the Queen's health, which
was drank amid the loudest plaudits. Then followed that of
his Royal Highness Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales.
The hearty manner with which her Majesty joined in these
two latter toasts produced the most enthusiastic cheering.
These were the only toasts that were di unk ; and, shortly
after three o'clock, her Majesty, accompanied as on her en-
trance, retired from the hall, amid great cheering.
The g.ll(ry of the hall was densely crowded with ladies.
Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert seemed
highly delighted with the entertainments of the day.
We feel sorry that we are only enabled to give our
readers so meagre an account of so important a cere-
mony, but the wretched accommodation given to the
gentlemen connected with the press prevents us from
giving a more detailed account. While we confess
that no parsimonious spirit has been displayed by the
benchers in the erection of this magnificent building, or in
the reception of her Majesty, we cannot but lament that
they should have thought it worthy of themselves, and
consistent with the dignity of the Society that they
represent,: to treat with indifference, if not with insult, a
profession, the members of which have hitherto been con-
sidered as fit as themselves to sit at table with Princes, and
whom it remained fur the Benchers of Lincoln's Inn to en-
deavour to associate with menials and waiters.

The following is the address of the Treasurer and Masters of the
Bench, the Banisters, and Fellows of the Society of Lincoln's
Inn :

"TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

" Most Gracious Sovereign,
" We, your Majesty's faithful subjects, the Treasurer and Mas-
ters of the Bench, the Barristers and Fellows of the Society of
Lincoln's Inn, entreat your Majesty's permission humbly to testify
the joy and gratitude inspired by your august presence.
" The edifice in which, under such happy auspices, we are for
the first time assembled, is adorned with memorials of many ser-
vants of the Crown, eminent for their talents, their learning, and
their integrity. To the services, as recorded in history, of these
our distinguished predecessors we appeal, in all humility, for our
justification in aspiring to receive your Majesty beneath this roof.
" Two centuries have nearly passed away since the Inns of Court
were so honoured by the presence of the reigning Prince. We
cannot, therefore, but feel deeply grateful for a mark so conspi.
cuous of your Majesty's condescension, and of your gracious re-
gard for the profession of the law.
" It is our earnest desire to deserve thi, proof of your Majesty's
favour by a zealous execution of the trust reposed in us, to guard
and maintain the dignity of the bar of England.
" In our endeavours to this end we shall but follow in the course
which it has been your Majesty's royal pleasure to pursue. Sig.
nally has your Majesty fostered the independence of the bar, and
the purity of the bench, by distributing the honours which you
have graciously bestowed on the profession among the members of
all parties in the State.
" Permit us, also, most Gracious Sovereign, to offer to, your
Majesty our sincere congratulations on the great amendments of
the law which have been effected since your Majesty's accession to
the throne, throughout many portions of )our vast empire.
" The pure glory of these labours will be dear to your Majesty's
royal heart, for it arises front the welfare of your subjects.
" That your Majesty may long reign over a loyal, prosper
ous, and contented people, is our devout and fervent prayer to
Almighty God."