INNS OF COURT 
285 
some row of houses on the north; since which the above 
summer-house has been levelled, and many trees cut 
down to lay the Garden more open.” The view, even 
then, was fairly open, as Sir Samuel Romilly, in 1780, 
complains of the cold, as there was “only one row 
of houses ” between him and Hampstead, and “ a north¬ 
west wind blows full against ” his chambers. This 
“ most gallant prospect into the country, and its 
beautiful walks” were the great attractions of these 
Gardens. They appear to have been one of the most 
fashionable walks, especially on Sundays. Pepys was 
frequently there, and his diary records, several times, 
that he went to morning church, then had dinner, 
then to church again, and after went for a walk 
in Gray’s Inn. That he met there “great store of 
gallants,” or “ saw many beauties,” is the usual comment 
after a visit. On one occasion, he took his wife there 
to “ observe the fashions of the ladies,” because she 
was “ making some clothes.” The walks and trees 
are redolent with associations, and the Gardens, though 
curtailed, have much the same appearance as of yore. 
When a portion of the ground was sacrificed to the 
new buildings, those who loved the Garden deeply 
bewailed. “ Those accursed Verulam Buildings,” wrote 
Charles Lamb, recalling his early walks in Gray’s Inn 
Gardens, “ had not encroached upon all the east side 
of them, cutting out delicate green crankles, and 
shouldering away one of two stately alcoves of the 
terrace. The survivor stands gaping and relationless, 
as if it remembered its brother. They are still the 
best gardens of any of the Inns of Court-—my beloved 
Temple not forgotten — have the gravest character, 
their aspect being altogether reserved and law-breathing. 
